Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 On September 27, on the occasion of Remembrance Day, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev honored the memory of the martyrs of the Second Garabagh War with a minute of silence at the Ganja Memorial Complex at 12:00, Azernews reports. The writer and filmmaker from Zimbabwe decries the destruction caused by colonialism in her country, and looks to rebuild an identity that has been shattered The Nervous Conditions referenced by the title of the first novel of Tstisi Dangarembga, 66, were also described by Jean-Paul Sartre in the prologue to Frantz Fanons The Wretched of the Earth. Said nerves come from the loss of all references, from no longer understanding ones place in the world. This happened to Dangarembga herself when, after living with a British foster family, she returned to Zimbabwe. Her life was a race to maintain her own voice as a psychiatrist, psychologist, writer and, when she failed to get her work published, filmmaker. After training to be a film director in Berlin, she returned to Zimbabwe to create a film school that looked to build up a local spirit of criticism, so that her countrys history would no longer be solely explained from the outside. Her husband, German filmmaker Olaf Koschke, runs the school. Their three children, an architect and two engineers, live in Berlin. This interview takes place at the Centre de Cultura Contemporania in Barcelona (CCCB), where Dangarembga lived for three months at the invitation of the CCCB, the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya and the Mir-Puig Foundation. Question. I have been in flight since I left the womb. How did your path to freedom begin? Answer. I dont think well ever reach freedom. I think that its a thing we sometimes get closer to, and sometimes we move further away from. Some people believe that freedom is an individual matter. And they may have a lived context that allows them to believe that they are free. But something always happens that makes it clear that we are never completely free; we have moments of freedom. Freedom is a desire. Achieving it requires us to move towards it. Q. Have you ever felt free? A. No. I have always lived in limiting circumstances. Since I was very small, Ive had a relationship with the structures of colonization. That has made me conscious of my limits. Q. You have written about the destruction produced by colonization, sometimes in paradoxical ways. Your parents became professors. You question that achievement. A. In a process of colonization, everything is in the service of the colonization project. Including the education of colonized people so that they may educate their fellow citizens in the submission that colonization entails. Peoples emancipation is not sought. Their growth is not pursued, their submission is sought. Q. Does that search for submission include the work of the church? A. In a Bible belonging to a Catholic priest, who was a missionary in the Congo, a letter from Leopold II was found. In it, the Belgian king spoke of teaching the aspects of Christianity that led to peoples docility and avoiding its liberatory aspects. In my opinion, the colonial project and religion have always acted in collusion to protect colonization. Q. What do you think about NGOs? A. We live in a world structured by the way in which capital is developed. Capital is the power that rules the world. And there is no project born from capital that does not serve capital. A friend who directs a cultural institution in Zimbabwe told me that working with an NGO is like someone showing up, pulling off the person whos strangling you, letting you breathe then putting the strangler right back on top of you. Q. So, what can be done? Where can we find energy and hope? A. I think that one heals and improves from understanding and not from confrontation. We are in the world together. The Global South has for years been a testing ground for ways of extracting what capital calls value. Some European leaders fear the invasion of immigrants and look to strengthen borders. It makes no sense, because we have a system governing the planet that is based on the extraction of value. What makes you think that system is going to respect borders? Q. You have written that you were born without complete humanity. A. I developed an identity in a society that denies humanity to Black people. My submission was threefold: being Black, a woman and poor. Our civilization, according to the North, was not civilized. That made them want to destroy it. And one might ask, if it wasnt a civilization, why such determination to destroy it? Q. Today youre no longer a poor woman. A. I am less poor. But I face a fourth category of submission: age. The Africa that interests the Global North is the powerful one. And the young one. Hendrik Verwoerd, who was the first prime minister of South Africa, said that when apartheid began, African women and children were unnecessary appendages. The danger of not stopping something like that is that it escalates. Today, adult African men have become unnecessary appendages. Q. What has to happen for your humanity to be in question? A. Power divides. Its a political issue. Slavery has to do with the strong bodies that Europe needed. Now young peoples minds are more valuable. Q. In 1890, Cecil Rhodes invaded what was then known as Rhodesia with 500 men. A. It was a private army, not a national one. I read in that invasion one of the first instances of capital acting as sovereign. Q. In Zimbabwe, the Land Apportionment Act of 1930 only allowed Africans to buy land in 7% of the country. A. Eighty percent of the planet was Western property. Now we see Afrikaners denying that certain groups existed before they arrived. Its interesting. That discussion brings us back to an essential question: who is human? They believe that the previous inhabitants were not human. Not recognizing humanity is a way of trying to rewrite history. If you are white and rich, the world will believe you. Q. Many white people dont feel like we are part of those who enslaved and exploited. A. Abuse has the effect of grouping us together. We lose our individuality. The oppressed share a discriminatory experience, and anything that threatens their lives leads to a feeling of rejection. Q. All of your work looks to construct a personal and collective identity to explain who you are, so that no one has to tell your story through novels and films. A. The West speaks of an Africa that does not exist. I feel privileged to have been able to develop the ability to question things beyond accepting what is comfortable, safe, or what seemed reasonable. My personal background prepared me: living with a family of people with less melanin since I was two years old made me understand that I would always be seen differently. [Though she has written an autobiographical book called Black and Female, Dangarembga does not speak of people in terms of Black and white, but rather, of those with more or less melanin]. When I returned to Zimbabwe, I was aware that there, they also practiced a form of apartheid. I was a reflective child. If I didnt understand something, Id mull it over and research it. My mother told me that she suffered for me, that she knew it would get me in trouble. She projected her fear onto me. Tsitsi Dangarembga, after the interview. Anna Huix Q. Your mother was the first woman to get a university degree in South Africa. A. But to be able to work and have a family, you have to make sacrifices. And stay quiet. To respect is not staying quiet, it is speaking out. Although I have learned that it makes no sense to say things that are only going to nurture animosity. Where you will not be hard is not the place to speak. Q. Isnt it necessary to sacrifice to achieve things? A. People should never sacrifice the essential. Q. In your novels, you appear to similar to both the young woman who studies to please others and the rebel who is searching for her own voice A. I always write of what I know. Everything is autobiographical, that which Ive lived or witnessed. One questions power when one has references, and can conceive of something beyond survival. With my novels, I look to offer tools for analyzing the world. One can observe sexism in ones own family, and then know how to see abuses when faced with another kind of power. Q. In Black and Female, you criticize paternalism, which infantilizes women. A. That idea of protecting women when in reality, women are generally more protectors than protected shows that the feminist movement still has a long way to go. Its important to understand that people are the product of their relationships with power, because we have seen that power changes them. That affects our situation, but it shouldnt transform our identity. Its important to know who your group is. Capital builds barriers between groups of people. Its not interested in consensus. Q. Youve written that colonization turns ones religion into superstition, ones art into craft and tries to civilize you according to values and customs that are not your own. Reading your books, Ive thought of the similarities between colonialism and technification. A. Theyre similar. Social media was designed to keep us from thinking autonomously. Colonization reduced us to labor. And technology reduces us to data. Everything we do, as small as it may be, is information that serves the capitalist system. Q. What is progress? A. We have built a society that pushes people to leave the countryside and move to the city. You arrive not knowing if you will get to a better life, but you have hope. The people who, today, are doing well in the countryside are those who decided to return after learning about life in the city. I have thought a lot of the Greek concept of the hero who goes out into the world and returns. We have that in our head, not the stories of the people who suffer trying to better their lives. Q. The news reports on them every day. A. Those arent personal stories. The system creates those kinds of lives. And the system is not interested in saying what its doing poorly. Q. You write that colonization disguises wounds as gifts, as in scholarships and hospitals. A. Its about being useful to the empire. And the empire is like a guillotine: it wants you in its service. Q. Has colonialization given us anything good? A. Its impossible to say this part is good and that part is bad because everything in colonization responds to a goal: perpetuating the system. And the system of the exploitation of one part of the population at the hands of another is not good. Q. Your parents got their education in one of the missions and became professors. A. And in tools of the empire to educate other Black people. To be able to vote as a Black person, you had to have a certain education. That is to say, they created division among Black people. When Livingstone traveled to what today is Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana, he wasnt able to evangelize people and in his journal he wrote, Its impossible to convert them because they are happy with the life they have. So the only way to achieve what the British crown wanted was to destroy their way of life. That is what happened. Q. How did you learn of that incredibly high price? A. My first memories are in the United Kingdom. My parents studied in London and I lived with a foster family. Q. Do you still have a relationship with them? A. The mother came to visit us in Rhodesia. But shes dead now. Q. You were with that family for three years. You returned to Rhodesia and ultimately became the only Black woman studying medicine at a college in Cambridge. Dont you feel privileged by the colonizers? A. As a child, I didnt think about any of that. But when I was 16, during our civil war, I had to leave high school because white people were starting to leave the country and since there werent enough teachers, Black people couldnt study anymore. Thats when I saw it: inequality can ruin peoples lives. Q. You were able to get to Cambridge. A. I was. But many people werent. Writer and filmmaker Tsitsi Dangarembga, pictured at the Center for Contemporary Culture in Barcelona. Anna Huix Q. You have written that your childhood in the United Kingdom taught you to distrust happiness. A. My toys, my parents everything disappeared. I think that even today, I feel uncomfortable with happiness. Im distrustful. I understand that it is something that I should enjoy when it happens and not expect it to change some fundamental part of your life. It was a practical lesson. Q. Were you a difficult child? A. A little girl who asks questions can become an adult who thinks she should give answers. It was very hard for me to tell my kids I dont know. But my parents would have replied that I was difficult. There are many stories of Black children who were fostered in the United Kingdom and who, when they returned to Africa, were unable to adapt. One lost the ability to speak and had to return to their foster parents. Being a foster child may seem like a privilege. In part, it is. But it means that you are constantly severing fundamental relationships. It is not healthy. Q. Why did it happen? A. I asked my mother. She said that in our culture, it was normal to go to live with family members. Thats how she understood it. Q. Why did the United Kingdom encourage the practice? A. They sent single men to England to be educated so that they could serve the colonial enterprise. They realized that they were forming relationships with white women, and that became a problem. So they changed the rules: they gave scholarship to married couples, so that both spouses could study. Q. And thats how the children came. A. Even the children were used by the colonizing company. They were placed with families who needed financial assistance. It was paid care. Q. You returned to Harare to study psychology. A. Understanding the construction of identity has been the motivating factor behind everything I do. I think it comes from having been a foster child. Q. After your studies, you began to write. What did your parents say to that? A. They saw it as a hobby. I didnt get published until I sent my book to an editorial that published Black authors. Q. Since you werent getting published, you studied film in Germany. And upon your return, you founded a film festival. A. An NGO to train women filmmakers. Its all the same: looking for the way to communicate what we truly are, not what they say about us. Q. A form of decolonization? A. That has been my work: to decolonize. Its important, because these things come back. In Europe, there are people today who fear immigrants. Q. The nervous condition. A. Thats right. Jean-Paul Sartre wrote it in the prologue of Frantz Fanons book The Wretched of the Earth: The status of native is a nervous condition introduced and maintained by the settler among colonized people with their consent. That fear is installed in the mind of voters whom someone wants to manipulate. It talks about immigrants taking their job, but not about how immigrants work for less. Immigrants come to work while you sit down to watch Netflix. Q. Is it possible to heal without seeking vengeance? A. I dont understanding healing with violence. The body heals with time and, I think, the spirit too. When you have the means shade, water, the chance to rest you heal faster. Q. Your countrys independence didnt bring many people out of poverty or lead to social awareness. A. Independence led Zimbabwe to align itself with the Communist bloc, and geopolitics changed. Europe could no longer defend its presence in African as being for the sake of our development. Q. What was the impact of Communism? A. What they created was capitalism for the elite and socialism for everyone else. Its true that investment in education increased and spending on weapons decreased. But when students began to protest, they stopped investing in education. Its automatic: no one wants a mass of people who cant be manipulated. But... why not try the opposite, an educated mass? What would happen? Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The latest in the series of the Connections Peace Barrier Projects "Did Ye Hear About?" on Monday last at the Gasyard saw host and former Derry Journal editor Pat McArt joined by Brian Dougherty of the North West Cultural Partnership to examine The Exodus, the modern day movement of the large percentage of the Protestant Unionist Loyalist community from Derrys West Bank to the Waterside at the outbreak of The Troubles in the late 60s. An assembled audience with both sections of the community represented, heard Mr. Dougherty explain that between 1971-1991 the Protestant/Unionist population on Derrys west bank declined by more than 80%.. This was, he explained, down to Republican violence. Mr Dougherty said that the view was to some extent this was a replication of what has been happening in north Belfast where large numbers of Catholics had been forced to move out at that time although it was, according to a British official, difficult to see how the claim could be made that the Protestants were being driven out, rather than just moving away. But he said tensions were high, and intimidation was real. One story he quoted was that of Jeanette Warke, the well-known community worker in the Fountain area of Derry: I went out to the grocery store and I remember I was walking along and then I was set upon; raced across the Abercorn Road, grabbing me by the hair, pushing me out onto the street shouting, You Orange bastard; orange scum. When asked by the host Pat McArt about the fact that was there not some false equivalence in his narrative, that he was trying to compare what was happening in Derry with a mass exodus in Belfast where Catholics were burned out of their homes, Mr Dougherty denied this. He explained how one Protestant who had left the city side saw it: "From speaking to nationalists, who lived in Creggan, they went to bed one night with their neighbours, woke up the next morning and they [Protestant neighbours] were gone, just moved out. "So, it was real evacuation type stuff, and it was bred through fear and fear was a big part of that, in my opinion. You see, people didnt differentiate; if you and I lived in the same street, and went to the same church, and kids went to the same school, and went to the same clubs, and you happen to be a policeman and I dont, and someone comes to shoot you, well then, Im thinking, Im going to be next." IN PICTURES: Did ye hear about?' ... The Exodus with Brian Dougherty at Derry's Gasyard Speaking of his own personal experience, Mr Dougherty said he had been attacked twice in his school days because he was wearing a Foyle College blazer. He was not alone in this. But, he added, things had definitely improved in this regard as it was clear there were lots of young people running around today with Foyle College uniforms who were not worried about that anymore. He added that for many in the Protestant/unionist community the exodus from the city side was their Bloody Sunday that they had lost homes, friends, work, places of worship, education. etc. It was deeply traumatic for many. A member of the audience took exception to this comment, suggesting that there was no comparison between an exodus and the shooting dead of people on the streets of the city. Mr, Dougherty said it was not his intention to make a direct comparison between the two events, but to highlight events which deeply hurt his community and which many felt were neither acknowledged nor accepted as legitimate by many nationalists. The Mythbuster Lectures are part of the Connections A Peace Barrier Project, organised by the Neighbourhood Management Team and funded by the International Fund For Ireland. The Did Ye Hear About..? series is to continue over the coming months with a number of events taking place. See local Press for further details. A man charged with sexually assaulting a housing officer with a local association has been re-released on bail at Derry Magistrate's Court on Friday. Zakariah Hurre (29) of Claremont Street in Belfast appeared charged with sexual assault on the female on August 19. He was also charged with the theft of 65 from a man on the same date as well assaults on him and police officers again on same date. Currently was also charged with harassing a female he had been in a relationship with and breaching a Restraining Order on dates between May 26 and September 23 this year. A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail. He told the court in relation to the sexual assault that the defendant was due to meet a housing officer to be given a key. The woman was in her car and the defendant was given the key and Hurre began making sexual comments to the woman. He then was said to have leaned in the window and licked the woman's arm and was alleged to have made 'lewd comments' before the woman drove away. On the same day the defendant was alleged to have met an acquaintance in the Bishop Street/London Street area. He was said to have asked to borrow some money and when the alleged victim showed him all the money he had to do him for the week he was alleged to have grabbed it and a struggle between the two men ensued. At 9.00pm on the same date the alleged victim met the defendant again and asked for his money and Hurre was supposed to have become aggressive. Police attended and found a sum of money in the defendant's sock. As regards the harassment changes the police officer said the woman had been in a relationship with Hurre until March 2025. She claimed that since May she had received multiple texts and calls from 16 different phones. READ NEXT: Belfast man charged with stealing car from Foyleside She said she answered some of the calls and recognised the defendant's voice. Bail was opposed due to risk of reoffending and breaching bail. A defence solicitor said that his client had been re-released on bail by other courts. He said that as regards the harassment his client accepted there had been contacted. Hurre was released on bail on condition he has no contact with any of the injured parties and not to enter Derry. He will appear again on October 23. Derrys Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company has announced it is closing. It described the situation as a catastrophic loss for the arts in the northwest which will impact widely throughout the island and across Europe. The company, which recently has its Arts Council funding withdrawn, made its imminent closure public in a social media post on Friday. It has been a while since our last update and we have been putting this off as long as possible in case there would be any late developments, said an Echo Echo spokesperson. It is with great regret and very heavy hearts that Echo Echo Studios will be closing on Tuesday, September 30, they added. This is a catastrophic loss for the arts in the northwest which will impact widely throughout the island and across Europe. We know that most of you will be as devastated as we are. "Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company will lose its wonderful purpose-refurbished home building, our three full-time staff will lose their jobs, and the companys ensemble artists and associate artists will lose a principal source of earnings and the space where much of their work took place. "The city will lose beautiful spaces for a multitude of artistic activities from rehearsals, performances, concerts, exhibitions and classes for all ages and abilities. Many people have told us and written that they have had some of the most impactful moments of their lives taking part in projects, watching performances or making work in this place. "Since we last updated you about the companys funding appeal being rejected in July, we have been working diligently behind the scenes to find a way to save the company and building. Echo Echo has submitted a detailed complaint about the circumstances around the companys sudden funding cut to the NI Public Services Ombudsman. This complaint has been accepted into the system however the process can take another 6 months or more to be completed. "The company has met with politicians, civil servants and regularly with local council officers to find a way to Save Echo Echo Studios but ultimately it has not been possible. This is despite unanimous cross-party political support from MPs, MLAs and Councillors, including some who really engaged with us in depth throughout the summer. We thank them all for their time and attention. "We want to thank all of our audiences, friends and colleagues, from near and far, for the incredible support that you have given to us in recent months especially people who donated so generously to the #SaveEchoEcho crowdfunder and who wrote letters of support. We have been genuinely humbled by the stories of the impact of Echo Echos work on so many. "The crowdfunder donations totalled 18,576 and meant that the company could keep going long enough to submit the formal complaint, pay all its debts, and ensure that we have done everything possible to save the building, and finally to exit in an orderly manner. "We would like to thank our landlords at Waterloo House for their support and understanding, and we offer special thanks to our colleagues at In Your Space Circus and Studio2 who have been wonderful. "We also offer our sincere thanks to all of the companys funders and supporters over the years. "And finally, thank you to all of the dedicated Echo Echo team directors, staff, ensemble artists, associate artists, and others who have continued to work under the most difficult circumstances. "Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company will continue to exist in a much smaller form and we look forward to dancing with you again sometime soon." The closure announcement was met with overwhelming sadness and anger. One commentator said: "It is truly sickening that the Belfast-centric bureaucrats of ACNI have enabled the further decimation of the Arts sector in Derry. Last year it was the Waterside Theatre, this year Echo Echo. The burning questions that should be at the forefront of everyone's minds are these: 'Why are they being allowed to continue?'; 'Who is next?'; and Why have they been able to ensure that the vast majority of ACNI funds in particular 80+% of their Annual Funding Programme) are given, year after year, to Belfast based organisations?'" Another wrote: "It's absolutely disgusting that Echo Echo has been treated this way and forced into such a depressing and stressful decision. The entire community is poorer for the loss of such an important cultural resource. I'm sad and appalled, and I sincerely hope the Ombudsman puts a rocket up the arse of whoever decided to cut the funding. It's utterly nonsensical." While a third said: "Dear Steve, Ailbhe and Echo Echo team, all my sad condolences . Thank you for your work and generosity . Sending future blessings." Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. Nurse Saio Keita takes the blood pressure of one of the patients admitted to the Sajed center for drug addicts in Conakry. A lethal mix of cannabis and synthetic opioids up to 25 times more potent than fentanyl is causing dozens of deaths and has become a public health emergency in countries like Liberia and Sierra Leone The room smells of sweat and fear. A thick chain with a padlock seals the barred door, and inside, three young people lie on mattresses on the floor, dozing off thanks to a mix of exhaustion and diazepam. Every so often, nurse Saio Keita approaches to check their vital signs, and the youths stir in their half-sleep. Ibrahima (a fictitious name) is one of them. Connected to an IV drip, he watches her expressionlessly and dazed from somewhere deep within his mind. The three are users of kush, the dangerous drug currently in vogue in West Africa, that is made of cannabinoids and synthetic opioids up to 25 times stronger than fentanyl. Since its emergence in the region three years ago, it has become a deadly plague that has even prompted Liberia and Sierra Leone to declare a public health emergency. Three patients doze on mattresses on the floor behind bars in the emergency room of the Sajed center for drug addicts in Conakry. Juan Luis Rod You have to know exactly where it is to find it. After going down a pothole-filled dirt road and crossing a small open lot in the Dabompa neighborhood on the outskirts of Conakry, you reach the Sajed center for drug treatment. It is one of the few institutions offering help to people using substances such as crack, cannabis, or cocaine in Guinea-Conakry. However, in recent months, kush has taken hold with alarming speed. It is very destructive and dangerous, and we are seeing its consequences every day, with frequent cases ending in death, says Dr. Marie Koumbassa, who runs the facility. Its the drug of the moment. Kush first appeared in Sierra Leone in 2022, according to a recent report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, and since then it has rapidly spread to neighboring countries such as Guinea-Conakry, Liberia, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, and Senegal, representing a major shift in regional drug use. The scale of its market expansion and its lethal public health effects are unparalleled, the report notes. In Sierra Leone and Liberia, a national public health emergency has been declared due to the high number of fatalities. Mass fatalities overwhelming mortuary systems, forcing emergency group cremations, and leading to bodies being abandoned in the streets, the study states. Kush is an aggressive and constantly evolving mix of substances, including powerful nitazene opioids and synthetic cannabinoids, smoked in the same way as marijuana or hashish. We have seen it combined with acetone, formaldehyde, cannabis, amphetamines, tramadol, or fentanyl, and it creates a high level of dependence, says Dr. Koumbassa. At the center she runs, the first thing they do with patients is a urine test to measure hemoglobin. Users often arrive in the middle of a crisis, so they are given a combination of sedatives and vitamins intravenously. They experience headaches, vomiting, seizures, fever, and are sometimes very aggressive. We are forced to use restraint methods, she adds. Antipsychotics and anxiolytics are also used, depending on the case. In Kolabouy, a crossroads in the north of the country, a group of young people openly smoke kush. They dont do anything all day, says Mariama, a resident, this drug makes them numb. A few days after entering the Sajed center, Ibrahima feels recovered. Bad decisions brought me here; Ive lost interest in everything, and this is the only thing that gives me a break. I used to smoke crack, but kush makes me completely forget about my problems; its a death trap because it makes you lose even your family. They dont want anything to do with me. This substance is loved and hated at the same time, he explains, distressed. The latest report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), presented in Bamako last June, already warned about the emergence of kush and the enormous harm it causes, as well as about West Africa becoming one of the main transit points for cocaine to Europe and the increase in its consumption in the region. Cocaine is mostly used by middle-class people, while kush is more the drug of the poor, says Dr. Koumbassa. In Dakar, Senegals capital, a dose can be found on the street for less than a dollar, and dealers abound in areas popular with young people. According to a survey by UNODC and the government of Guinea-Conakry, 1% of students ages 15 to 18 report having used it, making it the third most widely used drug in this age group after cannabis and inhalants such as glue. Television room at the Sajed center for drug addicts in Conakry. Juan Luis Rod A kush user lies on a mattress in the emergency room and receives treatment with vitamins and tranquilizers at the Sajed center. Juan Luis Rod Yamoussa Bangoura, head of psychotherapy, and Dr. Marie Koumbassa, director, in the laboratory of the Sajed drug addiction treatment center in Conakry. Juan Luis Rod Nurse Saio Keita walks past the president's office and the room reserved for men at the Sajed center. Juan Luis Rod Nurse Saio Keita takes the temperature of one of the kush-using patients admitted to the emergency room at the Sajed center. Juan Luis Rod Dr. Marie Koumbassa, center, with part of her team at the entrance to the Sajed center for drug addicts in Conakry. Juan Luis Rod A member of the security team at the Sajed center for drug addicts in Conakry unlocks the emergency room. Juan Luis Rod The ingredients for kush come from China, the Netherlands, and probably the United Kingdom, according to research conducted by the Global Initiative, and reach Sierra Leone, the main producing country, via postal services and maritime routes. A study led by Professors Michael Lahai and Ahmed Vandy from the School of Pharmacy at the University of Freetown even claimed that, on some occasions, human bone powder is added to the mixture because of its high sulfur content, which enhances its effects. Traffickers have been arrested for digging up corpses in the countrys cemeteries. In 2023, 59% of the patients admitted to the countrys only psychiatric hospital had used kush. Initially controlled by a few criminal groups, its production and distribution have since become fragmented, complicating efforts to combat these networks. In Conakry, Yamoussa Bangoura, head of psychotherapy at the Sajed center, complains about the lack of resources to treat people addicted to this substance. Since 2019 we have treated over 500 patients, but we lack everything medication, staff, and resources to go where the problem is, he says. The center, with the capacity to house 16 people across three rooms one for women and two for men also has a laboratory, a TV room, and a kitchen. They receive funding from private donors, generally small amounts, which allow them to continue their work, but they hope to create two new facilities, one in Boke and another in Guinee forestiere. In these two remote border regions, kush runs rampant. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Ex-Ireland boss Martin O'Neill had the Late Late Show audience in stitches last night as he looked back on his five years working alongside Roy Keane, and shared some surprising advice about hugging the Corkman. Appearing on Patrick Kielty's couch on Friday, the former Republic of Ireland manager recalled how then-FAI chief John Delaney reacted when he first put Keane's name forward as his number two back in 2013. Kielty asked: "What was harder for you, convincing Roy Keane to be your assistant or convincing the FAI to allow Roy to be your assistant?" READ MORE | Search for woman (49) missing from home since Thursday stood down as gardai issue update "Well, funnily enough, John Delaney was in charge of proceedings. He wanted me to be the manager, and I said to him, 'What about an assistant?' I said, 'I've got one in mind,' and he said, 'Who would that be? '" O'Neill recalled. "I said 'Roy Keane' and then John fainted and fell down, because Roy had a spat with him some years earlier who has Roy not had a spat with? In fairness, when he recovered after about 20 minutes, he said, 'Okay, go with it.' And it was honestly terrific, we had a lovely time. The last year wasn't so good." The Kilrea man, who led Ireland to the last-16 of Euro 2016 with Keane by his side, was then shown photos of the pair embracing on the touchline. READ MORE | Ireland weather: Met Eireann warns of flooding and chilly nights as temperatures set to drop "This is long before Paudie was giving anybody a hug on The Traitors," Kielty joked, to which O'Neill quipped: "That was before I knew him. I wouldn't do that now. Definitely wouldn't. I'm older, a bit wiser, and Roy is having a beard." O'Neill wrapped up with a tongue-in-cheek warning: "Don't go near him with a beard. I know I've said this before, but it's worth repeating: when he's got that big beard, and he's got that big density in there, just don't touch him. Leave him alone." The former Celtic and Sunderland boss joined a stacked Late Late lineup that also included Nicola Sturgeon, comedian Neil Delamere, The Mary Wallopers, and survivors of the Miami Showband massacre. READ MORE | LATEST: House of Guinness makes Netflix history with first-of-its-kind as Gaeilge feature They love Rory McIlroy in America. Cheer his every shot, loudest of all when he sinks the final putt for outright victory. If its a Major, he wins, they go mental, with roars of Rory. Rory. Rory. It could be different this weekend. No, it WILL be different. The Ryder Cup is down for decision in New York, and you can take it, the only ones in the crowd urging on the boy from Bangor will those whove crossed the Atlantic, paying, incidentally, an admission fee that puts the price of an All-Ireland final ticket in, well, the penny-haepenny place. READ NEXT: Inside Track: Dont let anyone say politics and sport dont mix If its anything like previous Ryder Cups played in America, this will be a raucous affair. It nearly always is. Its just over a quarter of a century since the infamous Battle of Brookline was fought out. Before that, we had the War on the Shore in South Caroline, and while it didnt get a moniker, the 2016 renewal in Minnesota was nasty, the PGA of America having to tell home supporters to behave themselves going into the third and final day. Are we about to have Bedlam in Bethage? A lot could depend on how the contest unfolds. If its neck and neck on the final day, you can expect to have the volume turned up. By the way, its not only in America where you have boors in the crowd. We have them here in this country, as evidenced by shouts of Water. Water when Joakim Lagergrens wayward drive in his recent Irish Open play-off with McIlroy headed for the pond. This pages favourite player from beyond these shores, Tommy Fleetwood, will be attempting to enhance a fine Ryder Cup record; and although failing to win an automatic place on the team, instead having to find favour from captain, Luke Donald, Shane Lowry has a vital part to play along with McIlroy, whos the most experienced on the Europe team. And those admission charges? A ticket costs $750.....per day. Which makes you think, the loudmouths will have to be rich to have their voices heard. The County Museum, Dundalk will host two very different but linked talks on 1920s Ireland next week. On Tuesday 30th September, Dr. Samuel Beckton will launch his new book 'The Unbroken Covenant: Could Ulster Unionists have controlled a nine-county Northen Ireland 1920-1945?'. Whilst history deals with the facts of the past this book examines the what-if of Irish history asking the question what would have happened if the entire province of Ulster had been partitioned? In doing so a variety of 'what if' scenarios are presented and examined including if Ulster Unionists could have controlled a nine-county Northern Ireland, what would the knock-on effects have been on the border counties. The book also looks at whether Border County Unionists could have returned representatives to Stormont and how a nine-county Northern Ireland might have influenced the Battle of the Atlantic during World War II. The following evening, Wednesday October 1st, Dr. Gareth Prendergast will give a lecture on his new book, Clear Hold Build: How the Free State won the Irish Civil War. In Mr Prendergasts own words: What was achieved by the Free State during the Irish Civil War was remarkable. Within a period of less than a year they raised and equipped a standing National Army of nearly 60,000 soldiers, defeating an insurgency by the anti-Treaty elements of the IRA. Using the counterinsurgency framework of Clear-Hold-Build and concentrating on the Civil War actions of the National Army in Munster. I will explain how the Free State managed to attain this remarkable achievement. Read Next: Median house price in Dundalk was 330k in July Mr Prendergast is a serving Colonel in the Irish Defence Forces and has completed seven tours of duty, including the Middle East, the Balkans and Mali. Both events will commence at 7 p.m. with light refreshments being served. Admission to is free but prior booking is advised. For more information contact the County Museum at 042 9392 999. Labours Finance spokesperson and Louth TD Ged Nash has challenged the government to publish the data supporting their plans to spend up to 632 million in a full year on a VAT cut for the hospitality sector. Deputy Nash said: Good, honest policy making is based on evidence and facts. Government says it is working on an analysis on business closures in the hospitality sector and it says it wont publish the data until it is satisfied it is accurate. It also says it is working with the Companies Registration Office (CRO) on a new accessible portal on liquidations and business formation. Conveniently, we are told that wont be ready until November, when government will be out the gap on the Budget. The endless foot dragging points to the Departments data not supporting the thin case made by Fine Gael, especially. This data is not complicated. Deputy Nash said that there is a responsibility for it to be published before a major decision to transfer hundreds of millions of taxpayers money to one sector is made. He continued: If government Ministers are confident they can stand over their case and justify their position on a move to a 9% VAT rate, let the public see the information and we can decide for ourselves. The Budget process is already as clear as mud, as IFAC, the Parliamentary Budget Office and others have said. Its time for transparency, honest use of our money and fiscal and social responsibility. The truth is when you decide to spend 632million in a full year on tax relief for one sector over another, the trade-off means others lose out. These are political choices. "This leaves less space for tax relief for working people in the October Budget, and given a straight choice between spending this kind of cash to support the bottom line of McDonalds and Supermacs, or getting a start on making child poverty history, I know which side Labour is on. Read Next: Large fall in number of homes granted planning in Louth Fine Gael and Fianna Fail dont know the meaning of the word temporary, and if this is brought in, the final cost at the end of this governments term could be close to a cool 3billion. Our motion in the Dail on Wednesday will put it up to Sinn Fein and the Social Democrats too both of whom have expressed support for forms of VAT cuts for business and in a red-hot economy. Small cafe and restaurant owners should not be duped into thinking a VAT cut is a panacea. The longer this thinking pervades, the less likely we are to see real action from government on the systematic problems facing small business on energy, access to affordable finance, training and staff retention, rates and other key issues facing a sector that is of enormous value to cities, towns and villages in every corner of Ireland. The case of Dundalk man John McNeela, who was denied a Defence Forces pension following the death of his son Michael died while on UN duty, was raised again with Tanaiste and Minister for Defence, Simon Harris, by Louth TD Ruairi O Murchu during the Dails first week back after summer recess. Before the summer break, Minister Harris had committed to exploring new legislation so that Mr McNeela could continue to receive the small pension payment given by the State to his late wife following the 1989 death in Lebanon of his son. The case was first raised earlier this year by the Sinn Fein TD who brought it directly to Minister Harris again on Thursday. Deputy O Murchu said: Regarding the Army pensions case involving John McNeela, whose son Michael made the ultimate sacrifice in Lebanon while peacekeeping, we all know that the allowance paid to John's wife when she died was not transferred to him. The Tanaiste promised to update the legislation. Is there a possibility of finding an administrative solution? Could we have a timeline on that? It is right that we do right by the memory and families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in peacekeeping. Minister Harris said he had the honour of meeting Mr McNeela during the National Day of Commemoration in July. Minister Harris said: We are committed to rectifying this in primary legislation and I spoke to my Secretary General in recent days about this. It will need to be changed through primary legislation. I am not sure there is an administrative solution but I have asked for the quickest bill into which to insert this amendment. If it can be a vehicle other than a defence bill, I am open to that. We are engaging with the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Social Protection. I will try to come back to the Deputy with a timeline in the next couple of weeks as to how we can move this forward. It does not necessarily have to wait for defence legislation. Other legislation could move more quickly. On the issue of whether the pension could be retrospective, Minister Harris said he would check with the Attorney General on that issue. Dundalk Institute of Technology, in collaboration with university partners MTU, ATU, TUS and UCC have officially launched the new HEA-funded Master of Business (MBS) in Responsible Entrepreneurship, as part of DkITs REsPoNSE initiative Responsible Entrepreneurship and the Promotion of Novel Approaches to Sustainable Enterprise. The launch event marked the commencement of the year-long multi-institutional Masters programme for level 8 graduates of any discipline. Thirty-five students from across Ireland are registered to complete the hybrid programme, which has been designed to equip participants with skills to create or manage businesses responsibly, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Students can specialise in either launching their own venture or taking on a responsibility-focused role within industry. Speaking at the launch event, Erin McGreehan, TD and Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Further and Higher Education, said: It is fantastic to see Dundalk Institute of Technology leading out on this innovative new masters programme, which provides a highly practical approach to Responsible Entrepreneurship. Funded under the HEAs RESPONSE initiative, programmes like this are vital for ensuring that we have responsible, sustainable businesses all across the country, adequately prepared to meet the challenges presented by an ever-evolving landscape. "Participating students nationwide will have the opportunity to make a real difference and become the changemakers of the future. Its wonderful to see such high interest in this programme at DkIT and partner collegesATU, MTU, and TUS. To kick off the programme, participants completed a two-day induction in Dundalk which covered sessions on Digital Citizenship by Colin Cooney, a lecturer in the Department of Business Studies and an introduction to the UN SDGs by Bobby McCormac, a lecturer in the Department of Humanities. One of DkITs Sustainability Champions, Mary Kennedy, facilitated an interactive Industry Panel session discussing the importance of sustainable business, and this was followed by a Careers Workshop by DkITs Head of Careers and Employability, Anthony Murray. Dr Breda O'Dwyer (MTU), Dr Teresa O'Rourke (DkIT), Prof. Colette Henry (DkIT), Dr Derek McInerney (TUS), Louise Sherry (HEA), Dr Seamus Lennon (ATU), Erin McGreehan TD, Dr Diarmuid O'Callaghan (DkIT), Dr Patricia Moriarty (DkIT), Garrett Duffy (DkIT), Colin Cooney (DkIT), Amanda Kearns (DkIT), Annemarie Cogan (ATU) Louise Sherry, Senior Manager, Skills and Engagement at the HEA said: I was delighted to be invited to the formal launch of the RESPONSE initiative to represent the HEA who are the funders of the Entrepreneurship Education Initiative. This initiative reflects the HEA's objective to develop a national initiative which can be delivered by multiple providers either focusing on entrepreneurship education or student entrepreneurship. This initiative is one of only five initiatives supported by the 1.5m Call for Proposals in 2024. One of the key requirements for consideration by the HEA in approving support was collaboration with multiple providers which is such an important feature of the RESPONSE initiative. This collaborative Masters programme will support the development of leaders in responsible entrepreneurship and involves 5 higher education institutions and with almost 40 students participating nationally. On Day 2, participants were introduced to the concept of Disciplined Entrepreneurship by Associate Professor Eric Clinton from DCU. The session included guest speakers Donal Quinn from ENSO and Dr Fergal ORourke from DkITs CREDIT Centre, with REsPoNSE Project Manager Dr Teresa ORourke closing the session. Read Next: History talks at the County Museum in Dundalk REsPoNSE Chair and Head of Department of Business Studies, Professor Colette Henry said: I am so proud that we have reached the launch stage of this programme. With the support of DkIT staff, our Registrars Office, our Project Manager Dr Teresa ORourke, our partners ATU, MTU, TUS, UCC and the HEA - our funders we have brought a novel programme idea from the back of an envelope through a rigorous research, design and validation process to create a Masters in Responsible Entrepreneurship all within the space of a year. Thats an incredible achievement and I am thrilled to be part of it. Following the two-day kick-off session in Dundalk, students will receive most of their classes online with one-day blocks spread across the partnership campuses. A particularly novel aspect of the programme will be the opportunity for students to take a level 9 Incubation module for responsible enterprise, led by DkITs Incubation Manager Garrett Duffy, the first of its kind in Ireland. For 150 years, the bag has been a symbol of childhood. It is handcrafted and used throughout elementary school. The most luxurious models can cost over $1,000 The Japanese school year begins in April. Right now, while children in the West are getting used to classes again, in Japan, parents of children who will start elementary school in 2026 are already looking for the backpacks their children will carry. This early shopping spree is explained by the fact that a randoseru is not just any backpack; it has been an essential element of Japanese childhood for almost 150 years. The traditional randoseru, which costs hundreds of dollars, is made of leather, although today there are also versions made with a high-quality synthetic leather called clarino. It is rigid, rectangular, with rounded corners, and opens with a large flap, like a hybrid of an accordion case and a turtle shell. Such is its almost totemic status that while it is not compulsory, virtually all boys and girls use it throughout their six years of elementary school. Backpacks at a school in Tanba in the Hyogo area of Japan. Bloomberg (Bloomberg via Getty Images) In fact, one in three Japanese children carries a Seiban randoseru, a brand that has been making these backpacks since 1946, barely altering their design. Other long-standing manufacturers, such as Kunio Tsuchiya in Tokyo (since 1965) or Yamamoto Bag (since 1969), also continue this meticulous, almost ritualistic, artisanal tradition. Each backpack requires around 150 manual processes (cutting, assembling, sewing, molding, polishing, etc.), which involves around 20 to 30 hours of work. In small workshops, a craftsman may only complete a few randoseru per week. The average price is around $400, but some models cost almost $1,000. Another of the most renowned workshops is Tsuchiya Kaban, which has been making randoseru bags since 1965. The most important thing for us when creating randoseru is to achieve a balance between durability and beauty, explains Suzuki, who runs one of the workshops in Tokyo, on the brands blog. His workshop alone employs around 100 artisans, and his explanation of his work involves words like meticulousness, detail, tradition, and exemplarity. We craft these bags with the utmost care, especially because theyre traditionally used by children. We want each owner to feel a connection with their backpacks every time they use them, so we prioritize both aesthetic beauty and comfort, he explains. Prices range from around $530 to $1,270 for the most exclusive bags. A few days ago, The New York Times dedicated an article to this precious backpack, so full of meaning, and highlighted that more than just a bag, the randoseru is a Japanese symbol that reflects the social discipline and coherence that are so deeply rooted in the countrys culture. Although some design liberties are allowed today, the randoseru remains fairly untouchable. According to the Randoseru Association, boys maintain black as their favorite color, although some prefer green or camel, while few choose navy blue. Among girls, the traditional red is giving way to lavender or violet, and other shades are gaining popularity, such as peach and sky blue. Tentatively, the classic school bag is gradually assuming each childs own personality. The clean, solid, and elegant aesthetic of this backpack has spread its fame thousands of miles from Japanese schools. When Max (three years old at the time) walked through the doors of his kindergarten in San Sebastian, in Spains northern Basque region, his beautiful red randoseru stood out among the other childrens backpacks. Captivated while on vacation in Tokyo, a few years earlier, by the image of children going to school all by themselves, his parents bought the backpack for him: It was a demonstration of incredible autonomy, but our gaze always focused on one common detail: they all carried the same backpack. The randoseru was the foundation upon which each of them built their identity, personalizing it with plush keychains (nuigurumi) or adding water bottle accessories. We were fascinated to see how, on the little ones, it looked like a giant shell and how on the older ones it was perceived as a traveling companion, full of stories, says Maite, Maxs mother. The idea of a single backpack that accompanies you through six years of elementary school seemed like a beautiful philosophy to us. It wasnt just an object, but a silent witness that evolves with you during one of the most important stages of your life. Thats why we brought it home, as a symbol of that story of growth and durability. They soon realized, however, that it wasnt as practical in Spain: it takes up more space and there isnt as much room on the bag racks. It is also heavier than a conventional bag (the classic randoseru weighs almost a kilo and a half when empty), and not everyone knows how to use it correctly. It works in Japan because the dynamics, spaces, and habits at school are different. Thousands of miles away across the Pacific, in California, architect couple Airi and Rayan have chosen a mustard-colored randoseru as a backpack for their daughter Kenzo, a cheerful and welcoming color that perfectly matches her room and her style. Beyond its pretty appearance, this backpack serves as a deep connection to Airis cultural roots, as Tsuchiya Kaban explains on the brands blog. The most modern randoseru backpacks today offer greater capacity for carrying books and digital tablets, but their shape and structure generally remain constant throughout their history. A boy trying on his 'randoseru' to start elementary school in 1970 in Osaka. The Asahi Shimbun (The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Imag) Their roots date back to the 19th century, when Japan was beginning to open up to the world after centuries of feudal isolation. Inspired by the ransel, the Dutch military backpack, they arrived in the country around 1860. In 1885, Gakushuin, the elite school of the imperial family, adopted a similar model as an official backpack, and the image of the crown prince wearing it became a symbol of Japanese childhood and discipline. Initially, it was a luxury item for wealthy families, while most continued to use furoshiki, a cloth for wrapping objects. Over time, the randoseru became part of the countrys identity. Some companies gave them to their employees for their children, and grandparents began buying them for their grandchildren as special gifts. More than 150 years later, these backpacks remain a fixture in the lives of Japanese children and are more than just a workaday item; they are a cultural classic. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition A major new rule around the sale of tobacco and nicotine products has been announced by the Minister for Public Health, Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, and will come into effect from Monday. It will mean that vending machines and self-service sales will be banned from selling the products. It is one of a number of measures included in the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023. READ NEXT: Over 250,000 children left in poverty in Ireland as campaigners demand Childrens Budget 2026 "This necessary change will reduce the availability of tobacco products. Sometimes children have been able to access these harmful products, this is unacceptable, and this ban will ensure that this can no longer happen," Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said. "Protecting the health of our young people is at the heart of this legislation. We are cutting off an avenue of easy access that has been shown to contribute to early experimentation and long-term addiction. The health of our children comes first, and prevention remains one of our most powerful tools for building a healthier Ireland," she added. The Act also banned the advertising of vape products in cinemas, in or within 200 metres of a school, on public transport and in taxis. Minister Murnane O'Connor recently described vapes as the "revenge of the tobacco industry." Some members of the Israeli government will be banned from entering Ireland, the Taoiseach has said at the UN. Taoiseach Micheal Martin was addressing the United Nations General Assembly on Friday as the focus intensifies on Israels military offensive against Palestinians in Gaza. As action at a European Union level stalls, Mr Martin said that Ireland was taking action in relation to the conflict in the Middle East. There cannot be business as usual in the face of genocide, he said during his address. As Navi Pillar has made clear, to do nothing is not neutrality, it is complicity. Ireland has intervened in the South African case at the ICJ (International Court of Justice). We have recognised the State of Palestine. We are legislating against the import of goods from the Occupied Territories. We will act to prevent those members of the Government of Israel who have been instrumental in fomenting the unfolding disaster in Gaza from entering our country. He then called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all the remaining hostages in Gaza, and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid and workers to the Gaza Strip. Those responsible for war crimes must be held accountable there can be no impunity, he said. Mr Martin also said that the attack on October 7 2023 was a monstrous war crime and that Hamas can have no role in the future governance in Palestine. But no crime, however heinous, can justify genocide. He also welcomed the decision to recognise Palestinian statehood by the UK, France, Belgium, Canada and Australia. It comes after presidential candidate Catherine Connolly, backed by left-wing opposition parties in Ireland, criticised similar comments by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, where he said Hamas should have no role in government. I dont think its up to Keir Starmer to make that statement at all, Ms Connolly said this week. The Palestinians must decide, in a democratic way, who they want to lead their country. A former Cork student now living in New Zealand returned to her alma mater at UCC to get married. Sinead OHalloran wed Fergus Gahan at the Honan Chapel - the grooms link to Cork was that he worked in Kinsale for a furniture company for four years. Bride Sinead OHalloran toasts her big day Sinead, of Kilmaley, Co. Clare, loved her time in UCC, and made great friends there who attended the wedding. She said: While Fergus worked in furniture design in Kinsale, he visited the Honan Chapel as he was involved in designing a piece for the university to house their ceremonial mace used for graduations and so on. Sinead and Fergus, who is from Ballyoughter, Co. Wexford, are now living in Auckland, New Zealand. The bride works as an Occupational Therapist in a community stroke rehabilitation team there, while Fergus is a Business Analyst in an IT consultancy firm. The couple met in Auckland at Christmas, 2019, through their GAA club, Marist Rangers, and shared friends. Sinead said: Fergus proposed on Christmas Eve, 2023, after doing a hike with friends. They wed on August 8 and had their reception at the Trident Hotel in Kinsale, a town which Fergus grew to love during his time living and working there. Sinead said: We did our first look photoshoot at Charles Fort, which was a brilliant experience with photographer Jakub Walutek and videographer Uray, and a touch of sightseeing as I had never been. She said the Trident Hotel was a pleasure to deal with and made planning a wedding from the other side of the world so much more manageable. They added personal touches and made us feel like royalty. Trish, Norma, Eleanor, and the staff were amazing. Sinead OHalloran on her wedding day with her bridesmaid, her sister Aishling OHalloran, and her mother Phil OHalloran The day itself went so smoothly, we couldnt have asked for more. There may have been a minor suit malfunction the day before the wedding so perhaps that was the most stressful part, but everything worked out in the end. Sineads bridesmaid was her sister Aishling OHalloran, who lives in Dubai. Her mother and father, Phil and Thomas OHalloran, were among the guests, along with her brothers, Patrick, who came from Florida, and Brendan. Ferguss groomsman/best man was his brother Paul Gahan, who lives in Dublin. His other brother, Kevin, and sisters, Linda and Annette, attended the wedding with their children. Ferguss parents are Raphael and Stasia Gahan. As for the couples favourite part of the day? I really loved the speeches, they were all heartfelt with some good stories and a few laughs, said Sinead. Sinead OHalloran and Fergus Gahan We also really enjoyed our photoshoot and the calm, intimate moments this provided in an enjoyable but hectic day. For their honeymoon, the couple plan to travel around Tasmania over Christmas. As for their hopes for the future, Sinead said: Many more years of not taking ourselves too seriously and enjoying each others company. A commitment by the Taoiseach to support the regeneration of dilapidated social housing flats in his constituency has been described as welcome by a local opposition councillor. Micheal Martin made the commitment last week in response to Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald, after she raised the matter in the Dail. Speaking at leaders questions to Mr Martin, Ms McDonald said she had met with tenants in the council flats on the Clashduv Rd during a visit to Togher in May. Residents there, in common with tenants in flats of a similar age in places such as Noonans Rd, Cherry Tree Rd, and Bakers Rd, have been complaining for years about crumbling masonry, mould, damp, and regular rodent infestation. Ms McDonald told the Taoiseach she believed urgent regeneration was needed for the Togher flat complexes. Will the Taoiseach support this and will he ensure the funding is made available to the local authority to carry out that work? she asked. Responding, Mr Martin said that Cork City Council had a good record generally on regeneration, and he alluded to the successful regeneration of the Dean Rock estate, which was completed in 2020, but he acknowledged it had not included the Cherry Tree Rd or Clashduv Rd flats. I would, of course, support the regeneration of those flats, he said. Sinn Fein councillor for the South West ward, Joe Lynch, said he welcomed apparent progress in relation to the Togher flats. He said: Donnchadh O Laoghaire and I have been banging the drum on the terrible conditions that residents of flat complexes in Togher have been facing for some time, including those at the Clashduv Rd, Cherry Tree Rd, Sycamore Pl, Maple Pl, and Hazel Rd. There are persistent issues in most of the flat complexes with subsidence, damaged balconies and roofs, damp, mould, rodent infestations, and maintenance problems. Mr Lynch said the condition of the flats was no reflection on the residents, but rather was down to the flats being well beyond their envisaged lifespans and in dire need of regeneration. The Taoiseachs comments in the Dail last week, stating that he would support funding the regeneration of the flats, are welcome, he said. This has been followed by Cork City Council stating in a new report that it is at the early stages of reviewing this longer-term strategic refurbishment opportunity. Taking these developments together, things are moving in the right direction. Its time to seize the momentum and for the council, with Government support, to quickly advance this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to deliver regeneration of the flat complexes in Togher; improving the lives of workers and families living in the community. A spokesperson for Cork City Council said its housing directorate was continuing to prioritise maintenance requests at the Togher flats, but the council was aware of the need for a longer-term renovation of those social housing apartment complexes. It said it was at the early stages of reviewing this longer-term strategic refurbishment opportunity, and the housing directorate would ensure that council members were fully informed as soon as any strategy was developed. It should be noted that this will be a longer-term programme, requiring careful design and sustainable remediation, as well as needing significant additional funding, they added. Uisce Eireann has said it did not inform the public of manganese levels almost four times the legal limit in a sample taken from Cork citys drinking supply because other samples taken at the time might not have contained those high levels. Manganese is a naturally occurring mineral which can, at high levels, be extremely harmful, potentially affecting brain development in children, and can also cause symptoms similar to Parkinsons disease in adults. The EU Drinking Water (2023) Regulations allow a maximum of 50 microgrammes of manganese per litre (g/L), but on March 3, manganese levels of 193g/L were recorded in a sample taken near Gardiners Hill. That sample came from a water supply potentially affecting 86,738 people. Shocking In correspondence published by The Echo and later described by Taoiseach Micheal Martin as shocking the HSE expressed serious concern that Uisce Eireann had not informed the public. Queried about this correspondence, Brian McCarthy, Uisce Eireanns regional operations manager, told The Echo the water utility company had undertaken a weekly schedule involving widespread sampling across the city. On any given week, we sample different 25 locations around the city, and on the week of the 193(g/L), there might have been 23, 24 samples taken, all of which are compliant, so where do you stop? What about the other 24 samples that were fully compliant? Are you going to tell all those people that their water is unsafe? He said that up to 94, 95% of samples were in compliance on manganese limits. The other thing it does, it confirms our health advice as being correct, that if the water is running clear, its safe to drink, and if its discoloured you shouldnt drink it, where we are getting non-compliances, were getting colour levels in the water that are discernible to the human eye, he said. Letter However, in a letter dated February 14, the HSE had said that Uisce Eireann must understand that the HSEs health advice is not based on the subjectivity of whether water is discoloured or not, but on evidence-based manganese concentration levels in drinking water in relation to health. The HSE emphasises that, if consumers in affected areas are being exposed to drinking water with manganese levels above 80g/l on an ongoing basis, then our immediate recommendation would be a Do Not Consume notice. Mr McCarthy said this advice had formed the basis for Uisce Eireanns decision to expand its water sampling programme. A Cork man who brought a starter pistol home from the UK in the 1980s has now been prosecuted under the Firearms Act but he claimed it was along the lines of ornamental. Liam McElhinney (58) who now lives at Old Whitechurch Road, Cork, pleaded guilty to having the revolver and ammunition at the house where he was living four years ago. Sergeant John Kelleher said that on November 12, 2021, gardai were present at the home of the defendant at Bleasby Street Mews, Cork, where they seized a revolver and 19 rounds of .22 ammunition. He accepted responsibility for these items immediately and acknowledged they were his. The revolver and ammunition were sent for ballistic examination. The revolver was found to be a blank firing . 22 revolver. The barrels were blocked off and when discharged would only create an acoustic effect. It is not capable of discharging bulleted ammunition. It is however classified as a firearm as defined in the Firearms Act. The rounds were for use with the revolver and were blanks only, creating an acoustic effect. These blank rounds are ammunition within the meaning of the Firearms Act" Admitted Liam McElhinney admitted to ownership of the firearm and ammunition which he stated he bought in the UK in the 1980s and brought home with him. He didnt realise it was classed as a firearm and described it as a starter gun. He does not possess a licence for either the firearm or ammunition. Liam McElhinney cooperated with gardai at all stages of the investigation, solicitor Frank Buttimer said. Judge Mary Dorgan asked what the 58-year-old was using a starting pistol for, and Mr Buttimer said he had no use for it, adding: For him it was something along the lines of ornamental. Mr Buttimer said the garda attendance at the house had nothing to do with this and in fact the visit otherwise was not of any consequence. Judge Dorgan noted that he had no previous conviction of any kind, and that while it was significant that he had no licence for the firearms she would give him the benefit of a dismissal under the Probation of Offenders Act on making a contribution of 750 to the court poor box. A Cork group presented its case in the Dail this week, calling for the reopening of the train line to Youghal, highlighting the environmental, health and safety, and quality of life improvements this would bring. Regular passenger services to Youghal station were withdrawn in 1963, with goods traffic continuing in the 1960s and early 1970s before also ceasing. Speaking to The Echo, East Cork Rail Alliance chairman Michael Beecher said that while the tracks were taken out, and a greenway is now in place of them, they are hoping to reinstall the rail line alongside it, having seen the success of the rail line to Midleton which was reopened 16 years ago. Thats been so successful that theyre putting down a second track from Cork to Midleton, and we want to row in on that success, said Mr Beecher. At the moment the traffic [in Youghal] is gridlocked, making getting to work or appointments impossible, and the bus cant run its service every hour on the hour because of the gridlock. Prime Mr Beecher said Youghal used to be a centre for the textile industry, but that there have been no large commercial sites set up there in decades, and that an easier route into the town could prime it for future investment. Business people making their way to Youghal will see the gridlock and turn to go somewhere else, were losing out. Every household needs two or three cars, there can be up to five cars per household. We have people driving to Midleton to get the train. He said that their group was formed after an online petition garnered 5,000 signatures last November. I called a meeting at the front strand and 27 people turned up. I was appointed chairman and weve had a meeting every month since then. What weve achieved is phenomenal, were up to more than 20,000 signatures on the petition after we went around to business outlets in East Cork and West Waterford. Support Mr Beecher said the group was delighted with the support it has received from local TDs. Social Democrats TD for East Cork, Liam Quaide, told The Echo that restoring the Midleton to Youghal rail link will be costly and challenging, but added that it will ultimately be an investment with endless benefits for the quality-of-life of residents and the economic potential of the region, as well as our carbon reduction commitments. The rail link is a core infrastructural need for Youghal, Killeagh, Mogeely, and Castlemartyr, and it must be pursued with all our political will." Sinn Fein Cork East TD Pat Buckley said both he and his West Waterford party colleague, TD Conor McGuinness, are in full support of reinstating the rail service to Youghal. The benefits to East Cork would be transformative. The current traffic congestion would be reduced dramatically, new homes would be built right along the corridor, businesses would expand and grow, and tourism would flourish its a no brainer. Cork City Council has marked Make Way Day, by highlighting the need for an inclusive society for people of all disabilities. Make Way Day 2025 is in association with Disability Federation Ireland (DFI), Cork Access group, Cork City Public Participation Network, Cork Disabled Persons Organisation, the Independent Living Movement Ireland Cork, and Cork Age Friendly City. The Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Fergal Dennehy said: Cork City Council is proud to support Disability Federation Irelands Make Way Day in Cork city. This important initiative promotes a more inclusive society by encouraging everyone to consider the needs of people with disabilities in the public spaces we all share. "The core message is simple but powerful; keep the way clear for all especially wheelchair users, those who are visually impaired, and older members of our community who may face mobility challenges. The initiative is a call to action for us all to be more mindful of where we park, whether cars or bikes, and to ensure footpaths are free from obstacles like bins. Together, we can make our communities more accessible, welcoming, and safe for everyone. Challenges Campaigners shared the challenges they face navigating urban spaces including, cars mounted on kerbs that block footpath access, bins, sandwich boards, overhanging branches, and bicycles and motorbikes chained to lamp posts. DFI diversity and education officer Pierce Richardson said the campaign is an opportunity to highlight how the difficulties of navigating public spaces disabled people can be made easier in a more disability conscious world. Public spaces are for everyone. But they are often not designed with the needs of disabled people in mind. And with obstacles like cars mounted on kerbs or wheelie bins placed in the middle of a footpath, we can unconsciously contribute to an already difficult space for disabled people." The campaign aims to make a collective impact on some of the habits that may contribute to these obstacles. That means increasing awareness of peoples unconscious behaviours that might impact the daily lives of disabled people. Cork City Council has reminded all motorists that it is an offence to park on footpaths or in a disabled bay without displaying a blue badge; misuse a disabled persons parking permit is also an offence, and these actions are subject to a fine. EU Commissioner and former Cork TD Michael McGrath joined colleagues from the European Commission and Irish diplomats in Brussels this week to give his backing to a Cork solidarity initiative. The Global Solidarity Run, the brainchild of the Irish not-for-profit organisation Sanctuary Runners, encourages people across the world to run, jog, walk or roll any distance, anywhere on Saturday, October 11, in a display of solidarity with all those who are forcibly displaced and those living in extreme poverty. Global initiative The initiative, supported by Irish Aid, the European Commission and the Ireland Funds is now in its second year and will have communities taking part in locations such as the Solomon Islands, in rural communities of Brazil, in Palestines West Bank and across Africa. Earlier this week, Mr McGrath led a 5km walk and run through Parc du Cinquantenaire in central Brussels. By walking together with the Sanctuary Runners, we send a powerful message of solidarity that Europe stands shoulder to shoulder with refugees, asylum seekers, and all those forced to flee war and hardship, he said. This global movement, born in Cork and now spreading across the world, unites people through friendship, respect, and shared humanity. In every step we take, we uphold the values at the heart of the European Union. Valued Sanctuary Runners founder and head of international development Graham Clifford said: This is an opportunity for people to step up and show, through their actions, that they want to see a world in which every single human life is valued equally. To push back against divisive rhetoric and misinformation which is designed to instil suspicion, mistrust and fear of the other. To drop the labelling and the politicising of the most vulnerable and to step up for all in the pursuit of a fairer, more just world for everybody. To run as one. Mr Clifford also met with representatives from Commissioner for Equality Hadja Lahbibs Cabinet while in Brussels and stressed the need for a compassionate and humane approach to community integration across Europe. Opinion articles written in the style of their author. These texts are to be based on verified facts and must be respectful towards people, even though their actions may be criticized. All opinion articles written by individuals from outside the staff of EL PAIS shall feature, along with the authors name (regardless of their greater or lesser renown), a footer stating their office, academic title, political affiliation (if any) and main occupation, or the occupation related to the topic being assessed The brutal murder of MAGA activist Charlie Kirk has shaken the country. A little over two weeks after the incident, its clear that this tragedy marks a turning point in U.S. politics in recent decades. However, whats most alarming isnt the atrocious act itself, but how its being exploited by political leaders, media figures, and billionaires to accelerate and deepen a political rift, manifested in a historic surge in polarization and hate speech. This deliberate exploitation is based on the erosion of empathy: one sector of society loses the ability to understand those who think, live, or feel differently, nullifying the indispensable space for recognition of others that makes a complex and multicultural society like the United States viable. It opens the door to attacks against minorities, critics of power, and adversaries of the MAGA movement, and helps consolidate authoritarian populism. Thus, used as an ideological spearhead, Kirks reprehensible death has exposed a dangerous mechanism: the intentional loss of empathy as a driver of polarization, hatred, and dehumanization. This is today the most serious and immediate threat to democracy in the United States. As soon as the attack made the headlines, Elon Musk, owner of X and with 226 million followers, launched his first poisoned barb: The left is the party of murder, fueling the climate of violence. He then added: Either we fight back or they will kill us, calling on Republicans to fight or die. Its worth recalling this quote from Musk, uttered in February: The fundamental weakness of Western civilization is empathy. He wasnt joking. As expected, Trump was not far behind: For years, those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the worlds worst mass murderers and criminals. This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that were seeing in our country today, and it must stop immediately, he said in his televised address following the assassination. He then threatened to take action against organizations and individuals on the progressive left considered by his administration to be promoting extremist violence. Almost anyone fits under that definition: politicians, social organizers, journalists, or comedians like late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. Threats arent just a bad old habit of President Trumps; theyre his trademark. Whats new is his promise to issue edicts against those who disagree with MAGA leaders. Upon his return from the U.K., Trump warned the major networks that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) would revoke their licenses if their hosts criticized him. As Iker Seisdedos pointed out in this newspaper, Trump has thus launched a direct campaign against freedom of expression, now joined by Vice President J. D. Vance and other prominent government spokespersons. In other words, a witch hunt against freedom of expression exactly what Trump and Vance had promised to combat. For this reason, the months leading up to the midterm elections will be a test of endurance for American society. It will decide whether manipulation from those in power can deepen the rift to an irreparable point, or whether society reacts by demanding a clear and decisive shift. The polls arent providing encouraging news. Polarization has reached historic levels: Republicans and Democrats are further apart than ever on key issues the economy, immigration, guns, foreign policy, and more. The political center is narrowing, while the number of voters who identify as very liberal or very conservative is growing. A July Pew Research Center survey revealed that 80% of Americans cant agree on basic facts, either because they receive information from opposing sources or because they interpret reality in radically different ways. Both situations reflect the phenomenon of information bubbles. And, returning to empathy, there is a very worrying fact: the divide is no longer merely ideological, but affective and emotional: more and more Americans perceive their political adversaries as an existential threat. Its as if Republicans were from Mars and Democrats were from Pluto. Polls dont directly measure the effects of this radicalization, but one need only look online to enter a cauldron of suspicion and contempt for those who think differently. This distrust is a dangerous brew, as evidenced by Kirks murder. Its no surprise that analysts are already talking about a possible open internal conflict. In the first six months of 2025 alone, 150 acts of political violence were recorded, almost double the same number as the same period last year. And this is before any supposed FBI plan to criminalize trans people as violent extremists has even been implemented, something many see as a potential source of support for MAGA. I dont believe the country is on the brink of civil war, but its worth asking some uncomfortable questions: If the MAGA leaders with near-absolute power are aware of these facts, why do they continue to inflame tempers? Why doesnt Trump demand that the social media barons moderate the impact of their algorithms, which reward users irrational anger over sanity and respectful debate? The answer I come to is hackneyed but remains key: MAGA cannot be considered just a democratic political movement. It has colonized the Republican Party, but it is not just an ideology, either. It is a power project that has already conquered branches of government to dismantle representative democracy and replace it with authoritarian populism, led by a charismatic leader and supported by economic and technological elites. The most serious aspect is that MAGA defines its identity by denying and disdaining diverse groups racial, sexual, religious, cultural, immigrant, or gender. In that sense, although Kirk defended freedom of expression on campus, he acted as a white, Christian, sexist, anti-trans, and anti-immigrant inquisitor. His policy was zero empathy: he didnt hesitate to label minority groups as enemies, repudiating and dehumanizing them without compassion. A skilled and charismatic communicator, he was a walking algorithm of youth indoctrination, a ceaseless machine of social polarization. Thats why he was a champion of the MAGA cause and is now the perfect martyr to perpetuate it. But pushing society to the breaking point carries enormous risk for MAGA leaders. In their eagerness to radicalize their base and provoke visceral reactions in their adversaries, they could overestimate their ability to push society to the limit and underestimate the majoritys rejection of extremism. Societies require bridges to heal gaps and rebuild a sense of belonging, encompassing the widest possible audience regardless of their political differences. Instead of building them, the Trump administration is blowing them up. Today, Americans are facing a countdown to defuse the bomb of polarization and save democracy. With the government against them, civil society will be crucial in this challenge. The Democratic Party needs to recharge with fresh ideas and respond with greater inclusion and democratic firmness. Universities that have not yet buckled must strengthen programs in critical thinking, humanism, and resistance to media manipulation. The media must continue to investigate without fear of power, even as Trump intensifies his campaign to silence and subordinate them. But the greatest burden lies with citizens: they must remain vigilant, defend their rights, protest for freedom, and demand accountability from their authorities. Politicizing a tragedy like Kirks murder is not only immoral, but undermines democracy, weakens the social fabric, and threatens the coexistence of the nation itself. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition James Cox Maria Steen's failed attempt to get onto the ballot for the presidential election, which saw her fall two short of the quota with 18 Oireachtas nominations, has dominated headlines this week. In fact, Ms Steen's campaign has had more interest than the three declared candidates so far. After failing to get on the ballot, Ms Steen lashed out at what she called the "oppressive political consensus". However, some accused her of being out of touch herself as she was wearing an Hermes bag as she was interviewed outside Leinster House. The bags range in price from around 10,000 to 30,000. Independent presidential candidate Maria Steen faces the media outside Leinster House with the Hermes bag that sparked so much debate online. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Images Speaking about the fallout from her campaign in an interview with The Irish Times, Ms Steen said "the handbag was deliberate". She added: "I wanted to expose the hypocrisy of the left who dont love the poor; they just hate the rich." Ms Steen said it was hypocritical for feminists to say they want more women in public life and then criticise a woman who happens to have the wrong values for carrying the expensive handbag. Nobody would ever question a man about the price of his car or of his suit or if hes wearing an expensive watch but a woman carries an expensive handbag, and thats all the news." In the wide-ranging interview with Ellen Coyne, Ms Steen also discussed her difficulty in getting in touch with certain TDs and senators, whether she should have sought the support of local authorities, and her falling out with Senator Michael McDowell. By Nicole McBride, PA Presidential candidate Catherine Connolly has expressed the need for a courageous and independent voice as she spoke at a conference promoting Irish unity. The left-wing independent spoke at a Sinn Fein event in Dublin, alongside the partys leader Mary Lou McDonald, about a united Ireland and her wish to stand together to shape a different republic. Ms McDonald, who previously announced the partys backing for Ms Connolly, said the clinical psychologist, from Galway, was a formidable, fearless, brilliant woman. Mary Lou McDonald and presidential candidate Catherine Connolly (PA) Ms Connolly said: I want to say I really treasure that support, because for the first time in the history of Ireland, were coming together to unite for something thats much bigger than ourselves, bigger than me, and bigger than the differences between parties. I stand here before you humbly to say we are at a crucial point in our history where we must decide to stand together. She said that she was passionate about improving Irelands public services, including homelessness and the environment. Ms Connolly, who is also backed by other opposition parties, added: Im not going to list out all the things that horrify you, and I know it horrifies you. We have to place it on the record that none of this is inevitable, and so we must stand together against the narrative that tells us over 16,000 people homeless is collateral damage to a successful market strategy. That is completely unacceptable to all. I want to thank all of the parties and all the courageous individuals, TDs and senators that have come in behind me not because they agree with everything I say, or indeed agree with everything you say or believe in, but because we believe in core values that we must express over and over as loudly as we can against that destructive narrative. That narrative has placed the price of everything and the value of nothing one day. She added: We must have housing for all our people as a basic human right, not a market product. We must have a public health system thats accessible to everybody. We must have an integrated public transport system, and we must recognise the existential threat posed by climate change, not by naming the poorest on the ground, but by recognising that the big polluters have never, never been brought no sense of accountability with them. Jimmy Kimmel's production company is facing a $3 million arbitration claim after a writer alleged a stun gun injured him during the filming of ABC's "The Prank Panel" in 2022. Daniel Curry, 49, says he suffered a broken fibula and torn ankle ligament after Johnny Knoxville allegedly shocked him with a police-grade taser on set. The incident was recorded on video, according to court filings reviewed by The US Sun. Arbitration Moves Forward Curry filed a negligence and battery lawsuit in 2024, naming Knoxville, ABC Signature Studios, Kimmel's Kimmelot banner, ITV America, and other entities associated with the show. The case is now moving into arbitration, a private process in which a third party decides the dispute outside of court. Curry, a longtime writer and producer, served as a consulting producer for the short-lived prank series. He explained that the incident happened when Eric Andre tried to tase Knoxville on September 22, 2022, being his first attempt with the taser. Curry claims Knoxville grabbed the device and entered the room holding it. "Johnny Knoxville entered the studio from outside with what I now know is a police taser," Curry told The US Sun. He said Knoxville told him he was "safe" before charging at him. Curry recalls being hit, seizing up, and collapsing. "It seized my body and I went completely rigid and I collapsed into my leg," he said. The fall, according to court records, caused severe injuries that required months of physical therapy. Curry says he still has permanent limitations. "I function pretty well, I do my PT exercises, but I don't have a hundred percent functionality," he said. He also claimed no one from the show followed up with him while he was recovering. Curry told the publication he is speaking publicly now to hold those involved accountable, saying, "I'm trying to write and work and do good work. I'm an artist, not an attention seeker." Curry further alleged that Andre attempted to downplay the event, telling him it was typical "Jackass" behavior. Kimmel's Show Resumes After Brief Suspension The legal dispute comes as Kimmel returns to his late-night show after ABC suspended him earlier this month over controversial comments about activist Charlie Kirk's death, according to The Guardian. The network pulled his show for four days before reinstating him, allowing him to resume hosting duties and even thanked President Donald Trump for the spike in viewership, as reported by PEOPLE. Support Us Your Support will ensure EPWs financial viability and sustainability. The EPW produces independent and public-spirited scholarship and analyses of contemporary affairs every week. EPW is one of the few publications that keep alive the spirit of intellectual inquiry in the Indian media. Often described as a publication with a social conscience, EPW has never shied away from taking strong editorial positions. Our publication is free from political pressure, or commercial interests. Our editorial independence is our pride. We rely on your support to continue the endeavour of highlighting the challenges faced by the disadvantaged, writings from the margins, and scholarship on the most pertinent issues that concern contemporary Indian society. Every contribution is valuable for our future. Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release Chemicals SubCategory Select Sub-Category Malayalam cinemas beloved powerhouse performer Urvashi is back in the spotlight with her first look from Aasha, unveiled on Friday. The poster frames her in a quiet yet commanding pose, standing amid lush green surroundings, her gaze sharp enough to suggest a character layered with fire and restraint. To accompany the reveal, the makers dropped a short video from the films set that showed cast and crew giving Urvashi a heartfelt welcome as she returned after collecting her National Award in New Delhi. The award, for Best Supporting Actor in the acclaimed Ullozhukku, has only reinforced what audiences already know: that Urvashi continues to redefine herself with every role. The clip of her celebratory reception on the sets of Aasha has since been doing the rounds online, underscoring the warmth she commands across the industry. A Team with Big Ambitions Directed by first-timer Safar Sanal, Aasha pairs Urvashi with Joju George, Aishwarya Lekshmi, and veteran Vijayaraghavan in key roles. Safar has co-written the screenplay and dialogues with actor Ramesh Girija of Pani fame, who previously teamed up with him on Jojus 2022 release Peace. The film is currently shooting around Kalady, with cinematographer Madhu Neelakandan capturing the rustic textures of the region. Midhun Mukundan, known for his eclectic music, is composing the score, while editor Shan Mohammed is at the editing desk. Backed by producer Vinayaka Ajith, the project is being designed as a multi-lingual release, aiming to connect with audiences across five languages. Urvashis lineup doesnt stop there. She is also part of Paablo Paarty, a Malayalam-Tamil bilingual that pairs her with her daughter Teja Lakshmi. Directed by Arathi Gayathri Devi, whose debut Theri Meri is awaiting release, the project has already stirred curiosity for bringing together two generations of performers in one frame. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ajith Vinayaka Films (@ajithvinayakafilms) Urvashis Moment of Reckoning Beyond the posters and applause, Urvashi has also been vocal about her National Award win. She openly questioned the decision to categorise her nuanced performance in Ullozhukku as supporting, sparking conversations about how roles for women, particularly senior actors, are positioned. Her comments reflected not defiance but a call for fair recognition something that only adds weight to her upcoming characters. With Aasha, expectations are high not just because of the talent on board, but because Urvashis presence feels charged with new energy. If the first look is any indication, the film could see her channelling a rawer, grittier side that audiences havent experienced in a while. For fans and cinephiles, the anticipation lies in how this celebrated actor reinvents herself yet again. Also Read: Urvashi Slams National Awards Jury Over Supporting Actress Tag, Calls for Transparency Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 26, 2025) - Nevada Organic Phosphate Inc. (CSE: NOP) ("NOP" or the "Company"), a B.C. based leader in organic sedimentary phosphate exploration, is pleased to announce that, further to its news releases dated September 19, 2025, and September 23, 2025, it has closed the first tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") for gross aggregate proceeds of $1,302,000 (the "First Tranche") through the issuance of 26,040,000 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.05 per Unit. Each Unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Share") and one-half of one Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"), with each Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one additional Share (each, a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.10 per Warrant Share for a period of sixty months following the date of issuance (the "Date of Issue"). The aggregate proceeds of the Offering are anticipated to be used for a phase one drill program at the Company's Murdock Property and for general working capital. The drill program is anticipated to begin in early October and be completed by October 31st. Fees of $91,250 were paid and 1,825,000 finder's units were issued (the "Finder's Units") to certain finders in connection with the First Tranche. Each Finder's Unit consists of one Share and one-half of one finder's Share purchase warrant (each, a "Finder's Warrant"), with each whole Finder's Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one additional Share (each, a "Finder's Warrant Share") at a price of $0.10 per Finder's Warrant Share for a period of sixty months following the date of issuance. Each Warrant and Finder's Warrant is subject to an acceleration provision providing that, if the volume weighted average price for the Company's common shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE", or such other exchange on which the common shares may be traded at such time) is equal to or greater than $0.25 for a period of ten (10) consecutive trading days at any time after the Date of Issue, the Company can accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants by disseminating a news release advising the holders of the acceleration and, in such case, the Warrants will expire on the thirtieth day after the date of such notice. All securities issued in connection with the First Tranche are subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day after the date of issuance, as set out in National Instrument 45-102 - Resale of Securities. The Offering remains subject to regulatory approval and the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange. None of the securities sold in connection with the First Tranche have been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and no such securities may be 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 the United States or any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Nevada Organic Phosphate Inc. NOP is a junior exploration company with an organic sedimentary raw rock phosphate bed, 6.6 kilometres long, in northeast Nevada. Additional applications extend the potential strike of rock phosphate to over 30 kilometres. This is believed to be the only known large-scale organic sedimentary phosphate project in North America. It is situated close to the main highway to Montello/Elko, Nevada, and near the rail head to California. For More Information Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulations services providers have reviewed or accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information ("FLSI") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. FLSI may include expectations, anticipations, beliefs, opinions, plans, intentions, estimates, forecasts, projections, guidance or other similar statements and information that are not historical facts. All statements which are not historical statements are considered FLSI. All FLSI is based on assumptions, which may prove inaccurate, and subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those risks and uncertainties identified in the Company's public securities filings, which may cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated or implied in FLSI. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance or value on FLSI. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in any FLSI in this news release are reasonable at the present time, it can give no assurance that such FLSI will prove to be correct. Any FLSI in this news release is made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligations to publicly update or revise any FLSI, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable securities laws. Any FLSI in this news release is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. Not for distribution to U.S. news wire services or dissemination in the United States. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/268253 SOURCE: Nevada Organic Phosphate Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 26, 2025) - Universal Digital Inc. (CSE: LFG) (FSE: 8R20) (OTCQB: LFGMF) (the "Company") is pleased to announce it has entered into multiple agreements to advance its strategic growth and capital markets initiatives. Debt Settlement Agreements On September 26, 2025, the Company entered into agreements to settle outstanding indebtedness of $200,400 through the issuance of 334,000 common shares at a deemed price of $0.60 per share. The securities to be issued will be subject to a statutory four-month and one-day hold period in accordance with applicable securities laws and remain subject to approval by the Canadian Securities Exchange. Outside the Box Capital Marketing Agreement On September 26, 2025, the Company entered into an agreement with Outside The Box Capital Inc. ("OTB") for the provision of marketing and content distribution services. The services will run for twelve months beginning September 26, 2025, and include social media strategy, community awareness campaigns, and distribution of Company-approved content across platforms such as Reddit, Discord, Telegram, X (formerly Twitter), and StockTwits. OTB will also support brand and awareness initiatives through influencer collaborations and digital campaigns targeting investor audiences. As consideration, the Company has agreed to pay C$200,000 in cash ($150,000 on execution and $50,000 at 3 months) and has granted 334,000 stock options under its Long-Term Incentive Plan to OTB. The options are exercisable at $0.60 per share until September 26, 2026, and will vest in four equal tranches of 83,500 on September 26, 2025, December 27, 2025, March 27, 2026, and June 27, 2026. OTB and its principal, Jason Coles, are arm's length parties to the Company and currently do not hold any securities of the Company. The Company confirms that OTB will not provide market making services and compensation is not contingent on market performance or trading volume. OTB Contact Information: Outside The Box Capital Inc. 2202 Green Orchard Place Oakville, Ontario, L6H 4V4 Attention: Jason Coles Email: jason@outsidethebox.capital Phone: (289) 259-4455 Strategic Advisory Agreement On September 26, 2025, the Company entered into a corporate advisory agreement with an arm's length consultancy to provide strategic advisory services in the areas of blockchain, AI, technology integration, partnerships, and stakeholder engagement. As consideration, the Company has agreed to grant 1,500,000 Restricted Share Units (RSUs) under its Long-Term Incentive Plan. The RSUs will vest on October 1, 2025 and will be subject to the provisions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan and applicable securities laws. About Universal Digital Inc. Universal Digital Inc. is a Canadian investment company focused on digital assets, businesses and private and publicly listed entities that are involved in high-growth industries, with a particular focus on blockchain, cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency technologies. The Company aims to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth through a diversified investment approach, and to participate in the transformation of global finance through the integration of digital asset strategies. 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. Forward-Looking Information Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws including, without limitation, statements relating to the anticipated closing and approval of the Company's debt settlement agreements; the expected strategic and market benefits of the Company's corporate advisory agreement and the marketing agreement with Outside The Box Capital Inc.; the Company's ability to advance its digital-asset investment strategy, market positioning, investor awareness, and stakeholder engagement; the anticipated outcomes of RSU and option grants under the Company's Long-Term Incentive Plan; as well as statements relating to the Company's overall business strategy, investor engagement, regulatory approvals, the availability of capital, anticipated timelines, and general economic, financial, market and political conditions. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events, performance and results and speak only as of the date of this release. Forward-looking statements and information contained herein are based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the Company continuing its anticipated business strategy, including, without limitation, availability of capital to complete proposed transactions or pursue its strategic initiatives; expectations with respect to market conditions, investor engagement, regulatory approvals, anticipated timelines and operating costs; that counterparties (including the corporate advisor and Outside The Box Capital Inc.) will perform their contractual obligations; that the Company can access financing on acceptable terms; and other business and economic considerations. While the Company considers its assumptions to be reasonable as of the date hereof, forward-looking statements and information are not guarantees of future performance and readers should not place undue importance on such statements as actual events and results may differ materially from those described herein. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or information except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information, including, without limitation, availability of capital to complete proposed transactions or pursue its strategic initiatives; failure to obtain required approvals or satisfy closing conditions for the debt settlement transactions; the risk that the Company does not realize the anticipated benefits of its strategic and marketing agreements; reliance on third parties over whom the Company has no control; changes in general economic, market or regulatory conditions (in Canada or elsewhere); and volatility in digital-asset and capital markets. Please see the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's most recent annual information form dated June 3, 2025 for the year ended January 31, 2025. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/268229 SOURCE: Universal Digital Inc. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mustang Energy Corp. (CSE: MEC, OTC:MECPF, FRA:92T) (the "Company" or "Mustang") is making final preparations for the drilling activities planned on the Surprise Creek Uranium-Copper Project (the "Project"). The drill program is expected to commence on September 28th, 2025. The Company entered into an option agreement (the "Option Agreement") with Thunderbird Resources Ltd. ("Thunderbird") to acquire an undivided 80% interest in the Project. Please refer to the Company's news release dated June 4, 2025, and June 16, 2025, as filed under the Company's SEDAR+ profile, for further details regarding the Option Agreement. The drill program will be helicopter supported and be based out of Uranium City, Saskatchewan. Mustang Energy has engaged Base Diamond Drilling Ltd. as the contractor. Up to 2,000 meters is planned in the Surprise Creek Fault area, which hosts high-grade uranium surface samples and historical drilling returned results of up to 2.1 m of 4.37% U 3 O 8 from 57 m1, 5. The purpose of the program will be to follow-up on historic drill intercepts, to better understand the mineralization-hosting structures, and to test zones with no previous drilling. Nicholas Luksha, CEO of Mustang Energy, commented: "We are proud to launch Mustang Energy's first-ever drilling campaign beginning at the Surprise Creek Project. This is a defining milestone for the Company as we execute on our strategy to discover and develop critical mineral assets. With high-grade uranium and copper mineralization confirmed by historic drilling and surface sampling, along with newly defined targets from recent geophysical surveys, Surprise Creek has all the hallmarks of a project capable of delivering meaningful value as we advance this inaugural program." About Surprise Creek Uranium-Copper Project The Surprise Creek Project is located 25 km north-west of the Beaverlodge Uranium District, which hosts the historical uranium mines of Gunnar and Eldorado (Ace-Fay-Verna) and is located just northwest of the Athabasca Basin (see figure 1). Figure 1: Surprise Creek Uranium-Copper Project Overview and Location 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 A major high-resolution airborne magnetic, radiometric, and VLF-EM survey completed by Thunderbird in September 2024 identified multiple new uranium targets (see THB:ASX announcement dated 19 December 2024 titled "Exploration to commence at Rockvale Antimony-Gold Project"). A strong uranium radiometric anomaly has been identified at the previously defined Surprise Creek Fault drill target, where historical drilling returned results of up to 2.1m of 4.37% U 3 O 8 from 57 m1, 5 and surface sampling by Thunderbird returned assays up to 7.98% U 3 O 8 .2 The area of surface uranium mineralisation extends discontinuously over a strike length of up to 500 m.2 In addition, the Project contains historical copper prospects including Bob Lake, Ellis Bay, and Waterloo South. Historical drilling results include 9.1 m @ 2.07% Cu and 27.3 g/t Ag from surface at Bob Lake,3 and 6.6 m @ 1.31% Cu from 11 m at Ellis Bay.3 Rock chip sampling of historical copper occurrences completed by Thunderbird in 2022 and 2023 returned assays up 61.7% Cu, 27.6% Cu and 9% Cu.2, 3 A work permit application for exploration, including drilling at the Surprise Creek Fault prospect, has recently been approved by the Saskatchewan Government. References 1 ASX:THB announcement dated 6th July 2022 titled "Surprise Creek data review highlights high-grade targets" 2 ASX:THB announcement dated 22 December 2022 titled "High-grade Uranium rock chip results at Surprise Creek" 3 ASX:THB announcement dated 13th February 2023 titled "Exciting Copper Targets at Surprise Creek" 4 ASX:THB announcement dated 13th October 2022 titled "Exceptional Uranium and Copper Rock chip results" 5 Saskatchewan Mineral Assessment Database Drill hole VT20, SMAD# 74N10-0368, Retrieved from http://mineral-assessment.saskatchewan.ca/Pages/BasePages/Main.aspx 6 Saskatchewan Mineral Assessment Database, SMAD# 74N11-0063, Retrieved from http://mineral-assessment.saskatchewan.ca/Pages/BasePages/Main.aspx Cautionary Statement The Company advises that, notwithstanding their proximity and location, discoveries of minerals on or near historic mines such as Gunnar and Eldorado, and any promising results thereof, are not necessarily indicative of the mineralization of, or located on the Project, or the Company's ability to commercially exploit the Project, or to locate any commercially exploitable deposits therefrom. The Company cautions investors on relying on this information as the Company has not confirmed the accuracy or reliability of the information. Update on the Ford Lake Project On August 12, 2025, the Company issued 1,500,000 common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Consideration Shares") to Stallion Uranium Corp. ("Stallion") pursuant to the purchase and sale agreement dated February 12, 2024, as amended on August 8, 2025, to allow the Company to accelerate the payment of the purchase price (the "Agreement"). The issuance of the Consideration Shares marked the payment of the final instalment of the aggregate purchase price to be paid by the Company to Stallion for the purchase and sale of the Ford Lake Project. The Consideration Shares remain subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day from the date of issuance. Qualifying Statement The scientific and technical information in this release has been reviewed and approved by Troy Marfleet, P.Geo., Technical Advisor for Mustang Energy, a registered member of the Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan. Mr. Marfleet is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. About Mustang Energy Corp.: Mustang Energy is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the discovery and development of high-potential uranium and critical mineral assets. The company holds a portfolio of 147,153 hectares of strategically located properties in Saskatchewan's Athabasca Basin-one of the world's premier uranium districts. Mustang is advancing early-stage exploration through modern techniques and a disciplined, data-driven approach. The Company is committed to building long-term value through responsible exploration and a focus on high-impact targets in underexplored areas. For further information, please contact: Mustang Energy Corp. Attention: Nicholas Luksha, CEO and Director Phone: (604) 838-0184 Neither the CSE nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. 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", "believes" 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, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things, the future potential of the mineral claims held by the Company, the results from the current phase of exploration on the Project informing drill targeting on the Project and the completion of future work on the Project. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation the assumption that the Company will be able to continue exploring its properties given various environmental and economic factors outside of its control and that the Company will be able to obtain its intended results from the exploration on the Project. 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. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a0d85b8c-60db-41bb-94a2-139ee496715e PM Narendra Modi launched BSNLs Swadeshi 4G stack on Saturday (September 27) in Odisha. More than 97,500 mobile towers built with the state-owned telecom operators indigenous technology stack were commissioned across the country. With this, India has entered the league of a select few nations that manufacture telecom equipment PM Narendra Modi greets the gathering during the foundation stone laying and inauguration of various development projects at a public rally, in Jharsuguda, Odisha. Image Courtesy: @NarendraModi/X via PTI Photo Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (September 27) launched Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limiteds (BSNL) Swadeshi 4G stack. He also rolled out over 97,500 mobile towers built with the state-owned telecom operators indigenous technology stack. Along with this, he inaugurated development projects worth more than Rs 60,000 crore in Jharsuguda, Odisha, during his sixth visit to the state in 15 months since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power there in June 2024. The launch of BSNLs 4G stack is a big boost to telecommunication infrastructure. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We will explain. BSNLs indigenous 4G stack PM Modi launched BSNLs Swadeshi 4G stack on the occasion of the telephone operators silver jubilee. A 4G stack is the collection of hardware and software components that ensure calls connect, seamless data flow and robust internet connectivity. The India-made 4G network is fully software driven, cloud-based, with future-ready design and seamlessly upgradable to 5G, according to the Ministry of Communications. The BSNLs stack, featuring a Radio Access Network (RAN) developed by Tejas Network, a core network by C-DOT, and integrated by TCS. The PM also commissioned 97,500 mobile 4G towers, including 92,600 4G technology sites of BSNL. These towers are spread across Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Assam, Gujarat and Bihar. PM Shri @narendramodi inaugurated a historic milestone in telecom sector - the fully indigenous Indias Swadeshi 4G mobile network. Union Minister of Communications, Shri @JM_Scindia along with the Chief Minister of Assam, @himantabiswa joined the programme from Guwahati. pic.twitter.com/phBlf4xC6d PIB in Assam (@PIB_Guwahati) September 27, 2025 They have been built at a cost of around Rs 37,000 crore with indigenous technology. No part of India will be left untouched, Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said a day back, adding that these 4G towers are already serving 22 million (2.2 crore) customers across the country. Modi also unveiled Indias 100 per cent 4G saturation network through Digital Bharat Nidhi, where 29,000 to 30,000 villages are connected in a mission-mode project. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD During the event in Odisha, the PM said, We decided that this important technology of the telecom sector should be developed in India. It is a matter of pride that BSNL has developed a swadeshi 4G technology." He added, Swadeshi 4G network begins today from here, as part of which 100,000 4G mobile towers have been set up across the country. Border districts and far-fetched villages, where high-speed internet and connectivity were an issue, will greatly benefit from this. Our soldiers will also be able to use safe indigenous services for connectivity Why BSNLs India-made 4G towers matter With the launch of BSNLs indigenous 4G stack, India has entered a league of nations, including Denmark, Sweden, South Korea, and China, which manufacture homegrown telecom equipment. The rollout of the swadeshi 4G network is a transformative step in line with the Prime Ministers vision of a Digital India, bridging the digital divide and empowering rural communities, while paving the way for BSNLs 5G upgrade and integration, an official statement said, as per PTI. The 4G network will cover more than 26,700 unconnected villages, including 2,472 in Odisha, in remote, border and left-wing extremism-affected areas. With this, there will be 20 lakh new subscribers, the statement added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Many of these towers are solar-powered, making them Indias largest cluster of green telecom sites. This is a giant step forward for India in sustainable infrastructure. With inputs from agencies UN sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme will be reimposed on Sunday (September 28), further raising tensions between Tehran and the West. This comes after the Islamic Republics diplomatic push to halt the sanctions failed. Last month, the UK, Germany and France triggered a snapback process. But what is it? United Nations sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme are set to be reimposed on Sunday (September 28), after the Islamic Republic failed in its bid to stop the sanctions. This will put new pressure on Tehran as tensions in West Asia remain intense over Israels war with Hamas in Gaza. The move has also raised the stakes in the stand-off between the West and Iran. The sanctions come despite Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchis last-minute diplomatic efforts at the UN General Assembly this week in New York. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei restricted their push by calling diplomacy with the United States a sheer dead end. China and Russias efforts to halt the sanctions by calling for an extension of the timeframe also met a dead end. The UN sanctions will be reimposed after France, Germany and the United Kingdom triggered a snapback process last month, giving Iran a 30-day window to comply with their conditions or face the reintroduction of international sanctions. But what are these snapback sanctions? What else is increasing tensions between Iran and the West? We will explain. How snapback sanctions work The snapback process, as it is called by the diplomats who negotiated it into Irans 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, was designed to be veto-proof at the UN Security Council and could take effect 30 days after parties to the deal told the Security Council that Iran was not complying. It would again freeze Iranian assets abroad, halt arms deals with Tehran and penalise any development of Irans ballistic missile programme, among other measures. The power to impose snapback expires October 18, which likely prompted the European countries to use it before they lost the measure. After that, any sanctions effort would face a veto from UN Security Council members China and Russia, nations that have provided support to Iran in the past. China has remained a major buyer of Iranian crude oil, something that could be affected if snapback happens, while Russia has relied on Iranian drones in its war on Ukraine. A raft of UN sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, lifted under a landmark 2015 deal, will go back into force at the end of Saturday -- barring a diplomatic breakthrough, thought to be unlikely.https://t.co/TlfsP4JFue pic.twitter.com/R9dQiUxaIA AFP News Agency (@AFP) September 27, 2025 Why Irans nuclear programme concerns the West Iran has insisted for decades that its nuclear programme is peaceful. However, its officials increasingly threaten to pursue a nuclear weapon. Iran now enriches uranium to near-weapons-grade levels, the only country in the world without a nuclear weapons programme to do so. Under the original 2015 nuclear deal, Iran was allowed to enrich uranium up to 3.67 per cent purity and to maintain a uranium stockpile of 300 kilogrammes (661 pounds). The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) put Irans stockpile just before the war at 9,874.9 kilogrammes (21,770.4 pounds), with 440.9 kilogrammes (972 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60 per cent. That would allow Iran to build several nuclear weapons, should it choose to do so. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD US intelligence agencies assess that Iran has yet to begin a weapons programme, but has undertaken activities that better position it to produce a nuclear device, if it chooses to do so. When the US hit three major Iranian nuclear sites Irans nuclear facility at Natanz, located some 220 kilometres (135 miles) southeast of Tehran, is the countrys main enrichment site and had already been targeted by Israeli airstrikes when the US attacked it in June. Uranium had been enriched to up to 60 per cent purity at the site a short step away from weapons grade before Israel destroyed the aboveground part of the facility, according to the IAEA. Another part of the facility on Irans Central Plateau is underground to defend against airstrikes. It operates multiple cascades, groups of centrifuges that work together to more quickly enrich uranium. The IAEA has said it believes that most if not all of these centrifuges were destroyed by an Israeli strike that cut off power to the site. The US also dropped so-called bunker-busting bombs on the site, likely heavily damaging it. Irans nuclear enrichment facility at Fordo, located some 100 kilometres (60 miles) southwest of Tehran, also came under US bombardment with bunker-busting bombs. The US struck the Isfahan Nuclear Technology as well with smaller munitions. Israel separately targeted other sites associated with the programme, including the Arak heavy water reactor. Why Iran and the US have sour relations Iran was decades ago one of the US top allies in West Asia under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who purchased American military weapons and allowed CIA technicians to run secret listening posts monitoring the neighbouring Soviet Union. The CIA fomented a 1953 coup that cemented the shahs rule. But in January 1979, the shah, fatally ill with cancer, fled Iran as mass demonstrations swelled against his rule. Then came the Islamic Revolution led by Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, which created Irans theocratic government. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Later that year, university students overran the US Embassy in Tehran, seeking the shahs extradition and sparking the 444-day hostage crisis that saw diplomatic relations between Iran and the US severed. During the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s, the US backed Saddam Hussein. During that conflict, the US launched a one-day assault that crippled Iran at sea as part of the so-called Tanker War, and later it shot down an Iranian commercial airliner that the American military said it mistook for a warplane. Iran and the US have seesawed between enmity and grudging diplomacy in the years since, and relations peaked with the 2015 nuclear deal. But Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the accord in 2018, sparking tensions in West Asia that persist today, fanned by the Israel-Hamas war and Israels wider strikes across the region. With inputs from AP Indian diplomat Petal Gahlot accused Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif of glorifying terrorism while dismissing his remarks at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) as absurd theatrics. Underlining how Islamabad pleaded for a ceasefire during Operation Sindoor in May, she said terrorism is central to their foreign policy. Her sharp rebuke has gained traction back home. But who is she? India has called out Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifs remarks at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), dismissing them as absurd theatrics. Indian diplomat Petal Gahlot accused Islamabad of glorifying terrorism" and reiterated that the rival nation had pleaded for a ceasefire during Operation Sindoor in May. Gahlots comments on Friday (September 26) came after Sharif, in his address to the General Debate of the 80th session of the UNGA, credited United States President Donald Trump for averting a war between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As Gahlot makes headlines back home for her sharp retort to Pakistan, we take a look at who she is. Who is Petal Gahlot? Petal Gahlot is First Secretary in Indias Permanent Mission to the UN. Besides being a career diplomat, she is a self-proclaimed interpreter and translator. Born in New Delhi, Gahlot studied political science at St. Xaviers College, Mumbai. She went on to earn her masters degree at Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi, as per News18. Gahlot joined the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) in 2015, which kick-started her diplomatic career. She worked as Under Secretary at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in the European West Division from 2020 to 2023, according to SheThePeople. She was appointed as the third and second secretary at the Embassy of India in Paris, and as Consul at the Consulate General of India in San Francisco. The young diplomat later moved to the UN, keeping Indias voice on the global stage. Gahlot also has a creative side and often posts videos of her guitar covers of popular songs on social media. Her talent first gained attention on X with her cover of the iconic Italian song Bella Ciao. Bella Ciao (Cover) First cover after my return to #India. Dad accompanying me as I sing this iconic Italian song, made even more popular by the Spanish Netflix series #MoneyHeist pic.twitter.com/XXS3HIzJma Petal Gahlot (@petal_gahlot) June 15, 2020 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What Pakistan PM said at UN Addressing the UN on Friday, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif said his country faced unprovoked aggression by India earlier this year, referring to Operation Sindoor. He claimed Pakistan shot down seven of the Indian jets during the four-day conflict in May. Pakistan stands ready for a composite, comprehensive and result-oriented dialogue with India on all outstanding issues. South Asia requires proactive rather than provocative leadership, Sharif said in his speech to the UN General Assembly. Sharif called Trumps leadership bold and visionary, crediting him for stopping the hostilites between India and Pakistan. Had Trump not intervened in a timely way and decisively, the consequences of a full-fledged war would have been catastrophic, he said. In recognition of President Trumps wonderful and outstanding contribution to promote peace in our part of the world, Pakistan nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize. This is the least we could do I think he truly is a man of peace, he said. The Pakistan PMs remarks at the UN came a day after he met the US president at the White House alongside Pakistani Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sharif also referred to Indias decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, calling it an act of war. He also raised the issue of Kashmir in his address, saying the people of Pakistan stand with the people of Kashmir and Kashmir will gain its fundamental right to self-determination through an impartial plebiscite under the auspices" of the United Nations. How Indian diplomat took on Pak PM Petal Gahlot hit out at Sharifs UN address, emphasising that terrorism is central to their (Pakistans) foreign policy. Delivering Indias right of reply, she reminded that at the UN Security Council on April 25, Pakistan shielded The Resistance Front a Pakistani-sponsored terror outfit from responsibility for the Pahalgam terror attack. No degree of drama and no level of lies can conceal the facts. This is the very same Pakistan which, at the UN Security Council on 25 April 2025, shielded The Resistance Front, a Pakistani-sponsored terror outfit, from the responsibility of carrying out the barbaric massacre of tourists in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, she said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Gahlot called Pakistan a country long steeped in the tradition of deploying and exporting terrorism and when the South Asian country sheltered Osama bin Laden for a decade, even while pretending to partner in the war against terrorism. #WATCH | New York | Exercising the right of reply of India on Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif's speech, Indian diplomat Petal Gahlot says, "Mr President, this assembly witnessed absurd theatrics in the morning from the Prime Minister of Pakistan, who once again glorified terrorism pic.twitter.com/ALR2AnDoA9 ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2025 Reaffirming Indias position of resolving issues with Pakistan bilaterally, she said that left no room for any third party. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India and Pakistan have long agreed that any outstanding issue between them will be addressed bilaterally. There is no room for any third party in that regard. This is our longstanding national position, Gahlot said. She also underlined Indias zero-tolerance towards terrorism, saying: The truth is that, as in the past, Pakistan is responsible for a terrorist attack on innocent civilians in India. We have exercised the right to defend our people against such actions and have brought the organisers and perpetrators to justice. The Indian diplomat warned Pakistan that India would hold both militants and their sponsors accountable without yielding to nuclear blackmail. Responding to Pakistan PMs desire for peace with India, Gahlot said, If he is indeed sincere, the pathway is clear. Pakistan must immediately shut down all terrorist camps and hand over to us the terrorists wanted in India. With inputs from agencies Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin held an emergency meeting and announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh each to the victims families. At least 38 people including children are reportedly dead and several others injured following a stampede-like situation at actor-politician Vijays rally in Karur (Tamil Nadu) on Saturday. The incident occurred as Vijays campaign vehicle moved slowly through a densely packed crowd of supporters. Overcrowding and rising heat caused panic, with several people including party workers and children, fainting and falling. Many were rushed to Karur Medical College Hospital and nearby private hospitals. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD VIDEO | Tamil Nadu: Stampede-like situation was witnessed, and many persons, including a few children, fainted in Karur as a massive crowd gathered for TVK chief and actor Vijay's speech. The fainted persons were rushed to nearby hospitals in ambulances, and some of them are pic.twitter.com/DFGH1oH0BI Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 27, 2025 Prime Minister Narendra Modi The unfortunate incident during a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. Wishing strength to them in this difficult time. Praying for a swift recovery to all those injured. The unfortunate incident during a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. Wishing strength to them in this difficult time. Praying for a swift recovery to all those injured. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 27, 2025 #WATCH | Karur stampede: Former Tamil Nadu Minister and DMK leader V Senthil Balaji arrived at Government Medical College and Hospital, Karur He said, "Till now, 31 people have died in the stampede and 58 people have been admitted. After the stampede incident, the CM immediately pic.twitter.com/kxMmMEGLeS ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Union Minister Amit Shah on Saturday expressed deep condolences over the loss of lives in the stampede during TVK chief and actor Vijays public rally in Tamil Nadus Karur. The Union Minister also prayed to the Almighty to give the strength to victims families to bear this grief and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured. In a post on X, Shah wrote, Deeply pained by the tragic loss of lives in a stampede in Karur, Tamil Nadu. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. I pray to the Almighty to give them the strength to bear this grief and for the speedy recovery of the injured. Deeply pained by the tragic loss of lives in a stampede in Karur, Tamil Nadu. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. I pray to the Almighty to give them the strength to bear this grief and for the speedy recovery of the injured. Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 27, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Vijay, who is also the TVK chief, had to abruptly cut short his speech as the crowd became uncontrollable. During the chaos, he was heard calling out from the stage for police assistance, while reports emerged that a child went missing in the throng. #WATCH | Tamil Nadu: A large number of people attended the campaign of TVK (Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam) chief and actor Vijay in Karur A stampede-like situation reportedly occurred here. Several people fainted and were taken to a nearby hospital. More details are awaited. pic.twitter.com/4f2Gyrp0v5 ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2025 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin held an emergency meeting and announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh each to the victims families. Stalin said in a post on X The news coming from Karur is worrying. I have called former Minister V Senthilbalaji and Minister Subramanian Ma and the District Collector to provide immediate treatment to the civilians who have fainted due to the crowd and have been admitted to the hospital. I have also ordered the Minister from the nearby Trichy district, Anbil Mahesh, to provide necessary assistance on a war footing. I have also spoken to the ADGP there to take steps to improve the situation as soon as possible. I request the public to cooperate with the doctors and the police. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh posted on X Deeply anguished by the tragic accident at a rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu. The loss of innocent lives is truly heartbreaking. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of those who are injured. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The rally, part of Vijays ongoing state tour, had drawn massive crowds. Overcrowding and heat-induced distress forced medical teams to intervene and prompted the leader to end his address earlier than planned. The same leader who positions himself as the defender of Muslims worldwide spares little thought for the millions of Kurds within Turkey and across its borders, treating them not as brethren but as threats to be neutralised Kashmiris are flourishing and thriving within the fold of Indian democracy, enjoying the protections and opportunities guaranteed by the Constitution, and they don't require Erdogans selective and one-sided brotherly love. Image: Reuters Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been repeatedly mentioning Kashmir in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) like a broken record for at least the last six years, only making a surprising exception in the year 2024. This year, in 2025, the words he chose while bringing up the Kashmir issue in the UNGA were extremely curious, and therefore, it seems essential to unpack them and see why almost everything in his statement was either inaccurate or unwarranted. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He first mentioned that the issue of Kashmir should be resolved on the basis of UN resolutions; however, it seems like he is unaware of the UN resolution on Kashmir in the first place. United Nations Security Council Resolution 47 (April 21,1948) states: The Government of Pakistan should undertake to use its best endeavours: (a) To secure the withdrawal from the State of Jammu and Kashmir of tribesmen and Pakistani nationals not normally resident therein who have entered the State for the purpose of fighting, and to prevent any intrusion into the State of such elements and any furnishing of material aid to those fighting in the State. One does not need to be an expert in legislative drafting or a scholar of international relations to discern this statement and understand the actions expected from the State of Pakistan for the peace in the region. Unfortunately, not only has Pakistan not withdrawn its presence from PoK, but it has also doubled down on sponsoring cross-border terrorism on Indian soil. The Pahalgam terror attack, where at least 26 Indian civilians were killed on the basis of their religion, is the latest in the series of hideous terror attacks Pakistan has been orchestrating against Indian citizens, which, for the kind information of President Erdogan, also violates the UN Resolution on Kashmir that he so affectionately mentioned. Since President Erdogan is a huge believer in the UN resolutions, and the UN resolution on Kashmir clearly spells out the prerequisites expected from Pakistan, it is natural to enquire about the presidents position vis-a-vis Pakistan, the biggest hindrance to peace in the valley. Is Turkey pressuring Pakistan to withdraw its troops from the PoK? And where will Erdogan find those tribesmen who invaded Kashmir, looting and plundering the Kashmiri people? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD To the contrary, when India justly retaliated to the ghastly terror attack in Pahalgam, Turkey not only helped Pakistan in its war against India with over 350 drones but also with operators. Pakistan had reportedly used Bayraktar TB2 and YIHA drones against India, believed to be used for target designation and potentially kamikaze strikes, especially to threaten forward Indian positions or supply convoys. Colonel Sofiya Qureshi mentioned in a press briefing on Operation Sindoor that forensic investigation of the wreckage of the drones suggests that they are Turkish Asisguard Songar drones. It is also extremely troubling that Turkey might have gained the ability and expertise to develop such drones based on exports from India. Although Turkey has prohibited the sale of drones and other weapons to India, many of Indias exports to Turkey are items that can be utilised in drone manufacturing. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, Indias exports to Turkey have grown, with engineering goods making up the largest share. Key export categories include aluminium and aluminium products, automotive components, aircraft and aircraft parts, telecom equipment, and electrical machinery. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Not to mention that in response to the 2023 earthquake in Turkey, India mounted a rapid humanitarian aid effort under Operation Dost, sending medicines, medical equipment, and life-saving supplies worth over 7 crore. The relief included ventilators, ECG machines, anaesthetic equipment, wheelchairs, diagnostic kits, and essential drugs, along with specialised search-and-rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force, dog squads, and advanced drones to locate survivors. India also deployed a 30-bed field hospital staffed by army medical personnel, providing surgical and emergency care on the ground. Even though India did not extend out a helping hand in that time of need to ensure favourable political opinions later, calling Indias just retaliation provocative right after this gesture was quite telling. Another part of President Erdogans statement that stood out was for the best for our brothers and sisters in Kashmir. While the phrasing is seemingly innocuous and affectionate, the undertones are extremely sinister and hideous. On what grounds would a head of state call the people of a particular Indian state his brothers and sisters? No, President Erdogan, Kashmiris are not your brothers and sisters. The message clearly insinuated a communal rhetoric of a global Muslim brotherhood, which, time and again, is proven to be a chimerical fantasy. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It is rather ironic that the Muslim population that is oppressed and that can literally be referred to as brothers and sisters by President Erdogan are the Kurds. For all his rhetoric of Islamic solidarity, Erdogans domestic policies have been marked by systematic crackdowns on Kurdish political movements, suppression of their cultural rights, and military campaigns that have displaced thousands of Kurdish civilians. Under his watch, Kurdish leaders have been jailed, their parties banned, and their aspirations for autonomy dismissed as terrorism. The same leader who positions himself as the defender of Muslims worldwide spares little thought for the millions of Kurds within Turkey and across its borders, treating them not as brethren but as threats to be neutralised. This duplicity lays bare the hollowness of his appeals to a global Muslim fraternity, exposing them as little more than instruments of political opportunism. India is, therefore, deeply troubled by the treatment of Kurds within Turkey and is closely monitoring the situation on the ground, appealing to the state to restore their rights and discontinue their cultural erasure. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Turkeys record of respecting sovereignty is also blemished by its illegal occupations, which stand in stark contradiction to its loud proclamations on Kashmir, which is and always has been an integral part of India. In northern Syria, Ankaras military incursions have not only violated international law but also displaced thousands of civilians under the guise of counterterrorism, effectively redrawing borders at will. Likewise, in Cyprus, Turkeys continued occupation of the northern part of the island since 1974 remains a glaring breach of international norms, condemned by the UN yet sustained through force. These actions reveal a pattern where Turkey demands rights for others abroad while trampling upon them in its own neighbourhood, eroding any moral ground from which President Erdogan might lecture the world. Moreover, another example of an oppressed Muslim minority facing literal genocide and ethnic cleansing is the Uyghurs in Xinjiang, China. In what the international community increasingly recognises as crimes against humanity, the Uyghurs have been subjected to mass internment, forced labour, sterilisation campaigns, destruction of religious sites, and the systematic erasure of their cultural and linguistic identity. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Families have been torn apart under the pretext of re-education, mosques have been demolished, and surveillance technologies track every movement of the community to ensure total compliance. The scale and severity of the repression are such that it cannot be dismissed as mere authoritarian control; it bears the unmistakable markings of an attempt to annihilate a peoples existence, both physically and spiritually, under the guise of national security and counterterrorism. What makes this even more ironic is the position of Turkey, a nation that projects itself as the self-appointed guardian of Muslim causes. Once a haven for Uyghur exiles fleeing persecution, Turkey under Erdogan has not only muted its criticism of Beijing but has also started to toe the Chinese Communist Partys narrative on Xinjiang. In some reported cases, Uyghurs who sought safety in Turkey have been extradited back to China, effectively handed over to their persecutors. This betrayal illustrates the transactional nature of Erdogans foreign policy, where economic deals and political alliances outweigh moral obligations and religious solidarity. Just as with the Kurds, the lofty rhetoric of brotherhood collapses when confronted with the harsh calculus of power, exposing the emptiness of appeals to a global Muslim fraternity when they clash with Ankaras geopolitical interests. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Not that it matters in the present context, but it is extremely interesting to note that Uyghurs are ethnically Turks, so they, as people, fit better in President Erdogans definition of brothers and sisters than Kashmiris, whom he has no locus standi to speak on behalf of. Perhaps President Erdogans silence on the atrocities in Xinjiang has less to do with strategic prudence and more to do with the fact that his own record in this regard is far from spotless. It would be hypocritical for him to condemn Beijings authoritarian excesses when Turkey itself has become one of the worlds largest jailers of journalists, where dissenting voices are systematically silenced, and press freedom has all but collapsed under his rule. Independent media outlets have been shut down or co-opted by pro-government cronies, critics are routinely charged with terrorism for nothing more than expressing opposition, and political opponents face harassment, imprisonment, or exile. The climate of fear Erdogan has cultivated at home mirrors the very authoritarianism he refuses to criticise abroad, making his complicity with China not only politically convenient but also ideologically consistent with his own brand of repressive governance. India has always regarded Turkey as a friend and wishes to continue nurturing that relationship, but it cannot remain indifferent to the deeply undemocratic trajectory of President Erdogans policies. It would behove the Turkish president to first restore genuine democracy and freedoms within his own country before sermonising abroad. If his concern for Muslims is sincere, he should begin by asking his close ally Pakistan to withdraw from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, where the people have been denied basic rights for decades, and urge his other friend China to halt the genocide of Uyghurs in Xinjiang. The fact remains that Kashmiris are flourishing and thriving within the fold of Indian democracy, enjoying the protections and opportunities guaranteed by the Constitution, and they hardly require Erdogans selective and one-sided brotherly love. The writer takes special interest in history, culture and geopolitics. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Not pressurising India would be to the transactional disadvantage of the US, because it would allow Russia and China to consolidate a more stable, long-term understanding with New Delhisomething Trumps team would prefer to forestall The recent White House engagementsPakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir meeting President Donald Trump, and Turkeys Recep Tayyip Erdogan preceding them by a few hourswould be viewed with interest in New Delhi. Munirs repeated trips to Washington and Sharifs White House invitation look dramatic, even historic. But drama is not destiny. India should treat this as the predictable churn of transactional US diplomacy under a leader with a taste for rapid, tactical dealsand, crucially, see opportunity where others see menace. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The context is blunt. The Gaza war has upended regional alignments and given Washington a short-term imperativestabilise West Asia fast so that focus can return to the Indo-Pacific contest. That logic makes partners who can deliver quick leverage more valuable than long-term strategic friends for now. Trumps approach is to assemble pragmatic intermediaries for influence with Islamist actors. The Erdogan and Sharif meetings suggest an attempt to fashion a tactical architecture to manage fallout and secure short-term peace outcomes. This is precisely why India must resist reflexive alarmism. Washingtons elevation of Pakistan today is transactional. Investment pitches, defence conversations, and leverage over Gulf capitalsthis is not a wholesale replacement of India in US strategic calculus. The US still needs Indias economic heft, manufacturing base, and Indo-Pacific linkages. What Delhi must recognise is the tactical nature of the moment. It is temporary, expedient, and aimed at immediate crisis management rather than rewriting the long-term architecture. One perception of the Trump strategy is that this sudden anti-India turn is not merely irritation at Indias Russia ties but a calculated effort to keep the RussiaChina equation off balance. By tacitly ignoring Pakistans continued intransigence in Jammu and Kashmir, Washington injects a permanent irritant into Indias strategic environment. This creates complexity for Moscow and Beijing, both of whom have tried to cultivate India as a balancing partner in their own contests with the West but also do not have anything against Islamabad. If India is fully comfortable at home, its ability to pursue an even-handed, rational course with Russia and China is facilitated. In that sense, not pressurising India would be to the transactional disadvantage of the US, because it would allow Russia and China to consolidate a more stable, long-term understanding with New Delhisomething Trumps team would prefer to forestall. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But this temporary US approach of backing Pakistan can become consequential if left unattended by India. Two major initiatives that India once hoped would anchor it in West Asiathe so-called Western Quad cluster around IsraelUAEUS cooperation and the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor (IMEC)have lost momentum as the Gaza conflagration absorbed political capital and trust. IMEC in particular has seen delays and stalling because Israels regional ties were disrupted and political attention shifted to conflict management. If India allows these initiatives to wither while others stitch short-term security bargains, New Delhi risks being crowded out of the very networks it helped catalyse in 201618. The collapse of the so-called Western Quad (IndiaIsraelUAEUS) and the faltering of IMEC are not minor setbacks but symptoms of a deeper shift. In 201618, India was able to strike the right boxes with Gulf capitalsenergy, diaspora, and securitywhile simultaneously gaining goodwill in Tel Aviv and Washington. That momentum gave India unusual visibility in the region. By contrast, the Gaza war has exposed just how brittle these arrangements could be. Without sustained Indian nurturing, the regions states will move on, aligning with whoever delivers security guarantees and economic payoffs most quickly. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Equally, India will appreciate that Gulf countries are no longer passive actors waiting for external patrons. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are pursuing diversified global engagementswith China on infrastructure, with Europe on technology, and even with Russia on energy. India must reinsert itself with compelling offers or risk losing the privileged access it briefly enjoyed. That requires both nimble diplomacy and deliverable projects that go beyond rhetoric. So, what does a proactive Indian response look like? First, India needs to stop being vocal in any defensive way that could project it being rattled. Diplomacy reads confidence. India is too far ahead to be considered irrelevant. Second, convert stalled economic architectures (like IMEC) into lower-profile, practical projects that can survive political shockslogistics corridors, economic consortiums, and quick-win energy and port linkages that do not require perfect diplomatic conditions. Rapid engagement in West Asia on the basis of our already well-established linkages will help. Third, accelerate bilateral outreach to the Gulfespecially Saudi Arabia and the UAEon purely transactional bargains (energy, investment, diaspora protection) while quietly rebuilding trust on security cooperation. The entry of Pakistan should not worry us. Multi-vector engagement beats everything when states are scrambling for security guarantees. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Fourth, and very essential. Strengthen Indias narrative and visibility in Washingtons own policy ecosystem beyond the Oval Office headlines. US presidential whims are transitory; institutional relationships are durable. Deepen congressional, business, think-tank, and military-to-military ties so the US has to factor in India even during tactical flirtations with other regional players. If Trumps White House is buying short-term stabilisers, India must make itself the long-term, reliable optionnot by asking, but by offering scalable, marketable deliverables (renewable energy supply chains, port investments, tech partnerships). Let us also be candid about Pakistans leverage. Islamabads renewed proximity to Riyadh (and the recently publicised Saudi-Pakistan defence understandings) and its ability to influence certain Afghan and Islamist constituencies give it bargaining chips Washington will exploit when convenient. But these chips are limited by Pakistans economic fragility and dependence on other patrons. India should not overreact to Pakistans momentary visibility; instead, it should exploit the gap it leaves in IndiaGulf economic and security engagement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Finally, India must keep its strategic autonomy without being isolated. Reassert leadership in practical multilateralism. Attempt to push IMEC back onto the rails to keep it alive. Conduct international seminars on this at New Delhi, involving West Asia and other stakeholders. Revive people-to-people and business channels across the Abraham Accords space, and offer pragmatic channels for Gulf states to diversify their security guarantees without surrendering sovereignty. The alternative is a slow drift toward peripheral status in a region that matters not for charity but for strategic depth, involving energy, diaspora, investment, and political linkages. We can expect more headline-grabbing, transactional US diplomacy in the Trump years. Ignore the theatrics; treat the moves as tactical, not strategic. Use this breathing room to harden Indias institutional ties, rescue and repackage stalled connectivity projects into deliverable wins, and regain the diplomatic initiative with Gulf partners. If Delhi can manage that modest menu of measures, Pakistans Washington moment will remain just a momentnot a strategic realignment that relegates India to the margins. To do full justice, you need a consortium of Indian strategic affairs think tanks to take on second-rung information-based diplomacy through outreach by some major seminars across all the capitals of West Asia. The traditional political diplomatic approach is not known to deliver on such issues. Its the unconventional outreach that reaps the dividends. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The writer is a member of the National Disaster Management Authority. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul addresses the opening ceremony of the Thailand-China Cooperation Expo 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand, Sept. 26, 2025. The expo commenced here on Friday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Thailand and China, highlighting extensive joint efforts in trade, investment, education, and employment.(Photo by Rachen Sageamsak/Xinhua) BANGKOK, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Thailand-China Cooperation Expo 2025 commenced here on Friday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Thailand and China, highlighting extensive joint efforts in trade, investment, education, and employment. In his keynote address, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul emphasized that Thailand and China have laid a strong foundation of collaboration over the past half-century in all dimensions, paving the way for even greater opportunities going forward. Anutin outlined five key areas of future cooperation, ranging from infrastructure and logistics links, such as the high-speed rail project connecting with China, to green economy and clean energy, digital innovation, agriculture and food security, and expanded people-to-people exchanges. Thailand is committed to becoming a regional hub for trade, investment, and innovation, pledging closer collaboration with China while easing regulatory barriers and improving the business climate to support private-sector growth, he noted. The prime minister said that Thailand seeks not only to be an economic partner but also a key gateway to wider regional cooperation, with the long-standing Thai-Chinese friendship serving as a "springboard" toward sustainable development in all aspects. Jointly organized by the Thai-Chinese Trade Mechanism, under the theme "Marching Towards Shared Prosperity," the three-day event gathered over 200 enterprises from both countries, featuring 1,200 booths across an exhibition area of over 25,000 square meters. A key highlight of the event was a major MoU signing ceremony involving 32 business pairings between 56 Thai and Chinese companies, marking an important milestone in strengthening economic relations and building foreign investors' confidence in the potential of Thailand. The organizer said the expo was designed to foster tangible business connections through a supply chain forum and dedicated business matching sessions, focusing on high-potential, future-forward industries like new energy vehicles, green energy, digital platforms, and innovative agri-food technologies. It also placed a strong emphasis on human capital development, with education and job fairs, offering more than 500 scholarships from top universities in both nations and over 3,000 available positions in high-demand fields from leading Thai and Chinese businesses. Students visit the Thailand-China Cooperation Expo 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand, Sept. 26, 2025. The expo commenced here on Friday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Thailand and China, highlighting extensive joint efforts in trade, investment, education, and employment.(Photo by Rachen Sageamsak/Xinhua) People visit the booth of Chinese home appliance maker Haier during the Thailand-China Cooperation Expo 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand, Sept. 26, 2025. The expo commenced here on Friday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Thailand and China, highlighting extensive joint efforts in trade, investment, education, and employment.(Photo by Rachen Sageamsak/Xinhua) People visit the booth of Chinese new energy vehicle maker Zeekr during the Thailand-China Cooperation Expo 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand, Sept. 26, 2025. The expo commenced here on Friday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Thailand and China, highlighting extensive joint efforts in trade, investment, education, and employment.(Photo by Rachen Sageamsak/Xinhua) Pakistans airstrikes on its own citizens and exploitation of religion reveal a hypocritical, radicalised state harming its people, destabilising the region, and tarnishing Islams image Pakistans story is one of betrayalof its people, of its neighbours, and of the religion it claims to defend. Representational image: Pakistan ISPR Recently, Pakistan once again deployed fighter jets against its own population in Khyber Pakhtunkhwas Tirah Valley, dropping LS-6 bombs on Matre Dara village around 2 am on September 22, 2025, killing more than 30 innocent civilians, including women and children. The scenes were horrifyingbodies and body parts scattered across the ground, a grim reminder of the brutality of state violence. Several houses were flattened in the bombing, with seven women and four children confirmed among the dead. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This was not the first time Pakistan has bombed its own people; similar airstrikes and drone strikes have occurred repeatedly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and surrounding regions, including Katlang on March 29; Hurmuz village, North Waziristan, on May 19; Swat on September 13, 2022; and Datta Khel on March 17, 2011, resulting in civilian casualties and widespread destruction. Self-Appointed Guardian At the same time, Pakistans leadership is busy travelling to the United States and other capitals, claiming to highlight global crises such as Gaza and the situation in the Middle East, positioning itself as the self-appointed guardian of Muslims worldwide. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to lead Pakistans delegation at the 80th UN General Assembly and meet with US President Donald Trump, along with leaders from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Indonesia, Egypt, and Jordan, to discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and regional security. But this posture is riddled with hypocrisy. A state that routinely kills its own Muslim population with fighter jets has no moral locus standi to lecture the world on human rights or Muslim solidarity. The Only Country to Use Fighter Jets Against Its Own Population Pakistan is unique in the world for using advanced fighter aircraft against its own people. No professional military anywhere would sanction such an act, yet Pakistan has repeatedly done so. Earlier this year, in June, Amnesty International stated that recurrent drone strikes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa signal an alarming disregard for civilian life in Pakistan. Pakistani authorities have failed to take action to protect the lives and property of civilians in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who continue to pay the price of an escalating number of drone strikes in the province. Last Fridays drone strike, killing one child, is part of an alarming series of attacks which have escalated since March of this year, said Isabelle Lassee, Deputy Regional Director for South Asia at Amnesty International. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Amnesty International and other global rights organisations have repeatedly criticised Pakistan for drone and air strikes on its civilian population, but the cycle continues. When those communities resist, they are quickly branded terrorists, even though it is Pakistans own heavy-handed actions that fuel anger, alienation, and ultimately insurgency. Instrumentally, these actions are disastrouseach airstrike deepens radicalisation and strengthens anti-state sentiment. Intrinsically, the very act of bombing ones own citizens is immoral, illegitimate, and indefensible. Pakistans destructive policies have not been confined within its borders. It has repeatedly conducted airstrikes inside Afghanistan, most recently on August 28, 2025, when a Pakistani drone strike in Spera district, Khost province, killed three civilians, including a woman and two men. The Taliban government condemned the attack, blaming Pakistan for violating Afghan sovereignty. Prior to that, on December 25, 2024, Pakistan launched airstrikes in Khost and Paktika provinces, targeting suspected militant strongholds, resulting in the deaths of 46 people, mostly women and children. For decades, Pakistan played a key role in radicalising Afghan youth, turning them into brainwashed fighters with CIA support during the Cold War, using religion as a tool to foster militancy and instability. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD When millions of Afghans fled their war-torn homeland and sought refuge in Pakistan, they were later deported under humiliating conditions. Pakistan often claims credit for hosting Afghan refugees for decades, presenting itself as a generous neighbour. But in reality, it was Pakistan that first set their house on fire by fuelling instability and militancy in Afghanistan, forcing them into displacement in the first place. Today, Afghans harbour deep resentment toward Pakistan, while viewing Indiadespite religious differencesas a genuine partner in development and capacity building. When a devastating earthquake struck Afghanistan recently, it was Indianot Pakistanthat emerged as one of the first responders, rushing humanitarian aid and relief supplies to the victims. Instead of acknowledging these efforts, Pakistan accused India of playing dirty games. Many Afghans no longer even consider Pakistanis true Muslims, seeing them instead as manipulators of faith for geopolitical gain. Religion as a Tool, Not a Faith Though Pakistan claims to be an Islamic state, its actions expose a cynical exploitation of religion. Instead of embodying Islamic values, Pakistan has weaponised faith to serve narrow strategic interests. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD By selectively using Islamic teachings and manipulating Quranic verses out of context, it advanced its geopolitical agenda, doing immense damage to the global image of Islam. These Quranic verses, revealed in specific historical contexts, were stripped of nuance and turned into slogans for jihad. From indoctrinating Afghan fighters to exporting radical ideologies and radicalising youth in Kashmir, Pakistan has destabilised the entire region and, importantly, inflicted lasting harm on the perception of Islam worldwide. If Pakistan were truly the guardian of Islam, as it often claims, how could it orchestrate the 1971 genocide of Bangladeshi Muslims, a fellow Muslim nation? Why does it kill and abduct Balochs, the fellow Islamic brethren? Why cosy up to communist China, which systematically persecutes Muslims in Xinjiang while Pakistan remains silent? The answers are clear: religion is not a guiding principle for Pakistans policiesit is merely a convenient tool of statecraft. Radicalised State, Radicalised Society What began as a deliberate policy of using religion for geopolitical purposes has now spiralled beyond Islamabads control. Extremist elements have seeped into every institution of the Pakistani stateits politics, its military, its schools, and its judiciary. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The country is today a radicalised society where hate has become normalised. The state can no longer contain the forces it once unleashed. It is the only Muslim country out of 57 that uses religion as a tool of statecraft, deliberately pushing radicalisation without recognising the disastrous and unintended consequences such a strategy has on its society. This is an extremely dangerous strategy that Pakistan continues to pursue. By repeatedly bombing its own people, exporting militancy, and manipulating faith, Pakistan has turned itself into a cautionary tale of how exploiting religion for political gain backfires. The question is simple: if Pakistan truly embodies Islamic values, why do so many of its Muslim neighbours distrust and resent it? The answer is equally simple: Pakistan has never been guided by faith, but by expediency. Religion has been a weapon, not a value. In wielding that weapon, Pakistan has not only harmed itself and destabilised the region but also contributed to tarnishing the global image of Islam. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Conclusion Pakistans story is one of betrayalof its people, of its neighbours, and of the religion it claims to defend. From its very inception, Pakistan was born of hatredhatred of Indiawhich became the defining principle of its national identity. This foundational animosity set the tone for a state built on fear, division, and hostility, rather than justice, morality, or shared values. No other country in the world uses fighter jets against its own citizens. No other state has so systematically exploited religion to serve narrow, destructive goals. By bombing its own people, Pakistan undermines its legitimacy at home. By claiming to be the guardian of Muslims abroad, it exposes its hypocrisy to the world. The result is a nation isolated from its neighbours, despised by those it claims to represent, and trapped in the radicalised society it created. The very hatred on which it was founded continues to poison its politics, society, and morality. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pakistan stands today as a warning: a nation born of hate, that weaponises religion and uses violence as statecraft, is doomed to destroy itselfand the very cause it exploits to claim moral authority. Imran Khurshid is a visiting research fellow at the International Centre for Peace Studies, New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Hungary published a newly created list of terrorist organisations Friday, naming Antifa groups, after Prime Minister Viktor Orban vowed to follow US President Donald Trumps lead against the left-wing movement Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban meets Donald Trump in Palm Beach, Florida, US, in this screen grab obtained from a social media video released July 12, 2024. Viktor Orban via Facebook via Reuters Hungary published a newly created list of terrorist organisations Friday, naming Antifa groups, after Prime Minister Viktor Orban vowed to follow US President Donald Trumps lead against the left-wing movement. Trump signed an order on Monday designating the movement as a domestic terrorist organisation in a move sparked by the killing of right-wing ally Charlie Kirk. Following suit, the Hungarian government published a decree in the official gazette, ordering the creation of a national list of terrorist groups. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Only organisations not on EU or UN sanctions lists can be added, according to its provision. The decree enables financial sanctions against any listed groups and blacklisting individuals associated with them, who may face expulsion or entry ban. The index contains the Antifa grouping and Hammerbande/Antifa Ost, a German group linked to 2023 Budapest street assaults. Several left-wing activists, protesting an annual commemoration by neo-Nazis, have been prosecuted in Hungary over the assaults. Hungary previously did not have a separate register for terrorist groups. It must be said that Antifa and its affiliated sub-organisations are terrorist organisations, Orban, the closest ally of Trump in the EU, told state radio earlier Friday during his weekly interview. And without them having committed any crimes yet, before they commit any, measures must be taken against them, he added. Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has also demanded that the European Union must align its steps with the US on Antifa. Antifa is a shorthand term for anti-fascist used to describe diffuse far-left groups, and there have been questions since Trump first mooted the designation last week about how to define it. Trumps order on Monday described Antifa as a militarist, anarchist enterprise that explicitly calls for the overthrow of the United States Government and was using violence and terrorism to suppress free speech. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Activist Kirk was shot on September 10 at a Utah university campus. President Trump announced that he would send troops to Portland, Oregon, warning he had authorised the use of Full Force, if necessary to deal with what he described as domestic terrorists, as he broadened his contentious deployments to additional US cities. ICE agents charge towards protesters during a protest against the U.S. President Donald Trump administration's immigration policies, outside an ICE detention facility in Portland, Oregon, U.S., September 1, 2025. File Image- Reuters President Donald Trump on Saturday that he would deploy troops to Portland, Oregon, calling the city war ravaged and claiming Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities there were under siege by Antifa and other domestic terrorists. At the request of Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, I am directing Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists. I am also authorizing Full Force, if necessary. Thank you for your attention to this matter!, he said in a post on social media platform truthsocial. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump said the move was required to safeguard US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities, which he claimed were under siege from Antifa and other domestic terrorists. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland has frequently been targeted by protesters, resulting at times in violent confrontations that left some federal agents injured. Earlier this week, Trump signed an order formally classifying Antifa as a domestic terrorist organisation. Democratic lawmakers from Oregon criticised both Trumps remarks and the reported actions of ICE agents in the state. ICE has said theyre targeting people for arrest and detainment who have committed crimes. Thats what they told us. But thats not what we are seeing, Democratic House Representative Suzanne Bonamici told reporters on Friday. Trump previously sent National Guard troops to Los Angeles and Washington, DC, a move that drew sharp criticism from Democrats in those cities and sparked legal challenges. The only exception was Memphis, where the governor welcomed his order. Earlier in September, Trump likened life in Portland to living in hell and signalled he was considering deploying federal forces there. He has issued similar warnings to other Democrat-led cities, including Chicago and Baltimore. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A wanted Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist, Parminder Singh alias Pindi, has been extradited from Abu Dhabi to India, marking a major success for Punjab Police in their fight against terrorism and organised crime. A wanted Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist, Parminder Singh alias Pindi, has been extradited from Abu Dhabi, UAE, to India. Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said the extradition was possible thanks to the efforts of Punjab Police and close coordination with central agencies. Pindi was involved in multiple serious crimes, including petrol bomb attacks, violent assaults, and extortions in Batala, Gurdaspur. Posting on X, Yadav said a dedicated four-member Punjab Police team, led by a senior officer, travelled to the UAE on September 24. Acting on a red corner notice (RCN) requested by Batala police, they coordinated with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and UAE authorities to complete all legal formalities for his return. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In a landmark operation, @PunjabPoliceInd extradites Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist Parminder Singh @ Pindi from Abu Dhabi, #UAE to #India with the close coordination and support of Central Agencies. Pindi is a close aide of foreign-based terrorists Harwinder Singh @ pic.twitter.com/XoS4zKWQ9A DGP Punjab Police (@DGPPunjabPolice) September 27, 2025 The extradition reflects Punjab Polices zero-tolerance towards terrorism and organised crime and highlights our growing international cooperation and investigative reach, Yadav wrote. The extradition came after Batala Police issued a Red Corner Notice. On September 24, 2024, a four-member Punjab Police team, led by a senior officer, quickly travelled to the UAE. Coordinating closely with MEA officials and UAE authorities, the team completed all legal formalities and successfully returned the accused to India to face trial. Pindi is linked to foreign-based terrorists Harwinder Singh Rinda and Happy Passia and is wanted for multiple serious crimes. He has been involved in petrol bomb attacks, violent assaults, and extortion in the BatalaGurdaspur area, posing a significant threat to public safety and regional security. Separately, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and US Immigration and Customs Enforcements Enforcement and Removal Operations arrested Happy Passia in the United States on April 18. He is wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Punjab Police in multiple terror-related cases. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump admin claimed that one of its officials was assaulted inside the United Nations during the ongoing General Assembly session, blaming the world body for a major security lapse and accusing it of sabotage. An US President Donald Trumps official was reportedly assaulted during the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session on Thursday afternoon. According to Fox News citing White House official, the incident occurred inside the UN premises when a deranged leftist followed a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) official into a bathroom and physically attacked him. The official was in New York with HHS Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. An HHS official was followed into a bathroom, recorded, physically assaulted and verbally accosted by a deranged leftist at the UN who somehow entered the venue past multiple layers of security, White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly told Fox News. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The attacker has been arrested, and the official is safe. However, the White House has blamed the UN for what it called a failure and accused the world body of sabotaging Trump ahead of and during his speech. Earlier on Wednesday, Trump had already alleged sabotage at the UN, citing an escalator malfunction, a teleprompter blackout, and sound problems that disrupted his appearance. In a post on Truth Social, he wrote that an escalator carrying him and his wife Melania came to a screeching halt and he nearly fell. He also said his teleprompter went dark at the start of his speech and the sound system failed, leaving world leaders unable to hear him. Not one, not two, but three very sinister events! Trump wrote. This wasnt a coincidence, this was triple sabotage at the UN. They ought to be ashamed of themselves No wonder the United Nations hasnt been able to do the job that they were put in existence to do. Unidentified drones flew over Danish military sites including its biggest base overnight following a slew of earlier sightings that Copenhagen has termed a hybrid attack, hinting at possible Russian involvement. This handout photograph taken on September 16, 2025 and released on September 19, 2025 by Brave1 shows European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius addressing the audience during the Defence Tech Valley 2025 dual-use tech investment summit in Lviv, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.- AFP Drones of unknown origin have been spotted over Denmarks largest military base and other defence sites, with Copenhagen calling the incidents a hybrid attack and raising suspicions of Russian involvement. Police confirmed that one to two drones were observed Friday evening near and over the Karup base in central Jutland, the hub of Denmarks military operations. Karup houses all of the armed forces helicopters, airspace surveillance, flight school, and parts of the defence command. The base also shares its runways with the Midtjylland civilian airport, which was briefly closed during the incident, though no scheduled flights were affected. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Military officials told AFP that drones were seen at several military sites but declined to provide details. Police spokesman Simon Skelkjaer confirmed authorities did not shoot them down and are cooperating with the armed forces to trace their origins. The latest sightings follow a string of mysterious drone incidents across Denmark and Norway since the start of the week. Norways joint headquarters said at least two drones were observed for around an hour in a restricted area near rland air base, home to the countrys F-35 fighter jets. The sightings are probably drones but the investigation will find out what it was, spokesman Brynjar Stordal told AFP, adding that they were not engaged by the military. Escalating pattern of incidents The drone activity has led to the temporary closure of multiple airports in Denmark and Norway, mirroring earlier intrusions over Polish and Romanian territory and airspace violations in Estonia by Russian fighter jets. The timing has amplified tensions in the region, already heightened by Russias ongoing war in Ukraine. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has described the incursions as hybrid attacks aimed at destabilising the country. There is one main country that poses a threat to Europes security, and it is Russia, she said, directly pointing the finger at Moscow. Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen added that the flights appeared to be the work of a professional actor. Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard earlier argued the aim was to spread fear, create division and frighten us. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Russia, however, has denied involvement. Its embassy in Copenhagen dismissed the allegations as a staged provocation, rejecting claims of responsibility. Security ahead of EU summit The incidents come just days before Copenhagen is due to host an EU summit of government leaders on Wednesday and Thursday. To bolster security, Denmark has accepted Swedens offer to deploy its advanced anti-drone technology to protect the gathering. The timing also coincides with Denmarks recent announcement that it will acquire long-range precision weapons for the first time, citing the sustained threat posed by Russia. Justice Minister Hummelgaard said Copenhagen would also invest in new capabilities to detect and neutralise drones. EU pushes for drone wall The escalating incidents have also accelerated European defence discussions. Defence ministers from around 10 EU states agreed Friday to make a so-called drone wall a priority for the bloc. EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius told AFP that Europe must urgently learn from Ukraines experience. We need to move fast, Kubilius said. And we need to move, taking all the lessons from Ukraine and making this drone wall together with Ukraine. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As the investigations continue, the drone sightings underscore both the vulnerabilities of European military infrastructure and the geopolitical pressures shaping regional security. For Denmark, the hybrid threat has quickly shifted from speculation to a tangible challenge at the heart of its defence operations. Democratic lawmakers belonging to the House Oversight Committee on Friday released documents on the investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein that featured names of Elon Musk, Peter Thiel and Steve Bannon. On Friday, Democratic lawmakers released documents on the investigation into convicted sex offender and British financier Jeffrey Epstein. One of the key highlights of the document was that it reflected Epsteins interactions with prominent conservatives, including Elon Musk, Steve Bannon and Peter Thiel. The six pages of documents with redaction were released after the US Department of Justice provided them to the House Oversight Committee, which is currently investigating how the sex-trafficking charges against Epstein, who died in 2019 in federal custody, were handled. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The copies of Epsteins calendar were released by the Democratic minority of the Committee. It showed a breakfast planned with Bannon, an influential Donald Trump ally, in February 2019. Apart from this, another schedule mentioned a lunch with Thiel in November 2017 and a potential trip by Musk to Epsteins private island in December 2014. Meanwhile, a manifest from 2000 for Epsteins plane includes Prince Andrew, whose relationship with Epstein is well-documented. The documents released by the Democrats also included a financial showing Epstein paying someone listed as Andrew for Massage, Exercise, Yoga that same year. Interestingly, earlier this year, the Tesla CEO accused Trump of being in the so-called Epstein files on social media after the tech mogul criticised Trumps tax and spending legislation. In July, Musk publicly said, How can people be expected to have faith in Trump if he wont release the Epstein files? Democrats call them out Pointing to the significance of the latest records release, Sara Guerrero, a spokesperson for the oversight committee, said: It should be clear to every American that Jeffrey Epstein was friends with some of the most powerful and wealthiest men in the world. Every new document produced provides new information as we work to bring justice for the survivors and victims. Meanwhile, Eric Swalwell, a Democratic representative of California, took to X following the records release. Trump OUTS @elonmusk as being in Epstein Files. Revenge for Elon outing Trump? Elon, what do you know about Trumps involvement? he said. In response to this, the Republican-led committee slammed the Democrats for selectively deciding which records should be made public. This is old news. Its sad how Democrats are conveniently withholding documents that contain the names of Democratic officials. Once again, they are putting politics over victims. Thats all Robert Garcia and Oversight Dems know how to do. We are releasing them all soon, the statement said, referring to Robert Garcia, the committees ranking member. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It is pertinent to note that the documents are the latest in the saga over the governments handling of the Epstein case. Meanwhile, in the US House of Representatives, Democrats joined a small group of Republicans on a petition that will force a vote on legislation to compel the release of the Epstein files. It needs 218 signatures to succeed, which it is expected to soon get after Democrat Adelita Grijalva this week won a special election to an Arizona seat that became vacant when her father died. However, it is important to note that any legislation passed in the House would also need approval by the Senate, whose Republican leaders have shown little interest in the issue. Trump, who has called the furore over Epstein a Democrat hoax, would also need to sign the bill. India on Friday strongly condemned Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's provocative address at the United Nations General Assembly. In his speech at the international body, Sharif reiterated Pakistans stance on the Kashmir issue and raised objections to Indias suspension of the Indus Water Treaty. Hours after Sharifs address, India used its right to reply, and diplomat Petal Gahlot pointed out how Pakistan supports and funds terrorism. Mr President, this assembly witnessed absurd theatrics in the morning from the Prime Minister of Pakistan, who once again glorified terrorism that is so central to their foreign policy. However, no degree of drama and no level of lies can conceal the facts, Gahlot told the UN. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD #WATCH | New York | Exercising the right of reply of India on Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif's speech, Indian diplomat Petal Gahlot says, "Mr President, this assembly witnessed absurd theatrics in the morning from the Prime Minister of Pakistan, who once again glorified terrorism pic.twitter.com/ALR2AnDoA9 ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2025 She reminded the diplomats how Pakistan had shielded a Pakistani-sponsored terror outfit at the UN Security Council earlier this year after the devastating Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. This is the very same Pakistan which, at the UN Security Council on 25th April 2025, shielded the resistance front, a Pakistani-sponsored terror outfit, from the responsibility of carrying out the barbaric massacre of tourists in the Indian Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, she said. Gahlot recalled the Bin Laden saga While rejecting Sharifs rhetoric, the Indian diplomat also pointed out how Islamabad have a long record of harbouring extremists, pointing to the fact that one of the most prominent terrorists in the world, Osama Bin Laden, found safe haven in Pakistan. Mr President, a country long steeped in the tradition of deploying and exporting terrorism has no shame in advancing the most ludicrous narratives to that end. Let us recall that it sheltered Osama bin Laden for a decade, even while pretending to partner in the war against terrorism, its ministers have just recently acknowledged that they have been operating terrorist camps for decades. It should come as no surprise that once again this duplicity continues, this time at the level of its Prime Minister, she said. Sharif and his dubious take on the Kashmir and Indus Water Treaty issue In his UNGA address on Friday, the Pakistani premier repeated his countrys position on Kashmir. I wish to assure Kashmiri people that I stand with them, Pakistan stands with them, and one day soon Indias tyranny in Kashmir will come to a halt. India dismissed the assertion, stating that by raising the Kashmir issue, Sharif attempted to deflect international attention from Islamabads role in supporting terrorists. In his address, Sharif also accused India of violating the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty by putting it in abeyance. He went on to call Indias decision a breach of international law. Soon after the Pahalgam terror attack, India suspended its participation in the treaty, declaring that blood and water cannot flow together. New Delhi linked the attack that led to the death of 26 people ot Pakistan, pointing out how the country continues to support cross-border terrorism. At that time, India made it clear that the treaty could be reinstated once Islamabad takes verifiable steps to end such activities. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Highlighting the continuing challenges facing the world, Dr Jaishankar noted that energy and food security have been the first casualties of conflict and disruption, particularly since 2022. External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar addresses the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), at the U.N. headquarters in New York City, U.S., on September 27, 2025. | Photo Credit: Reuters External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar on Thursday sharply criticised Pakistan for being a long-standing hub of international terrorism. Jaishankar emphasised the need to confront threats while asserting national rights. Countering terrorism is a particular priority because it synthesises bigotry, violence, intolerance and fear. India has confronted this challenge since its Independence, having a neighbour that is an epicentre of global terrorism. For decades now, major international terrorist attacks are traced back to that one country." STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD UNs designated lists of terrorists are replete with its nationals. The most recent example of cross-border barbarism was the murder of innocent tourists in Pahalgam in April this year. India exercised its right to defend its people against terrorism and brought its organisers and perpetrators to justice, he said, highlighting Indias firm stance against cross-border terrorism. #WATCH | At the 80th session of UNGA, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, "India has confronted this challenge since its independence, having a neighbour that is an epicentre of global terrorism. For decades now, major international terrorist attacks are traced back to that one country. pic.twitter.com/WNV5pJDnFe ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2025 Indias global contributions remain central to foreign policy Speaking at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Jaishankar said, The people of Afghanistan and those of Myanmar saw India extend its hand during recent earthquakes. Our efforts at ensuring safe commerce, combating piracy and preventing attacks on shipping in the northern Arabian Sea also bear mentionour soldiers ensure peacekeeping, our sailors protect maritime shipping, our security counters terrorism, our doctors and teachers facilitate human development the world over, our industry produces affordable products, our techies promote digitisation and our training facilities are open to the world. These remain the core of our foreign policy. #WATCH | At the 80th session of UNGA, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, "...The people of Afghanistan and those of Myanmar saw India extend its hand during recent earthquakes. Our efforts at ensuring safe commerce, combating piracy and preventing attacks on shipping in the northern pic.twitter.com/EoSeOfFlJw ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD UN Security Council must expand We must ask ourselves today, how has the UN lived up to expectations? And just look at the state of the world. There are two significant conflicts underway, one in Ukraine and the other in The Middle East, West Asia. Innumerable other hotspots dont even make the news. #WATCH | At the 80th session of UNGA, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, "...Both permanent and non-permanent membership of the Council must be expanded. A reformed Council must be truly representative. India stands ready to assume greater responsibilities." (Source: UN TV) pic.twitter.com/uELEfZYyNh ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2025 The slow progress of the SDG agenda 2030 presents a sorry picture. On climate change, the reality is of recirculated commitments and creative accounting. If climate action itself is questioned, what hope is there for climate justice? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD VIDEO | United Nations General Assembly: External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) says, "We must ask ourselves today, how has the UN lived up to expectations? And just look at the state of the world. There are two significant conflicts underway, one in Ukraine pic.twitter.com/KXpOIi41PV Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 27, 2025 Self-reliance, security and confidence Bharat approaches the contemporary world, guided by three key concepts. One, Atmanirbharta or self-relianceTwo, Atmaraksha or securing oneself. We remain determined to protect our people and secure their interests, at home and abroad. That means zero-tolerance for terrorism, robust defence of our borders, forging partnerships beyond and assisting our community abroad. And three, Atmavishwas or self-confidence Bharat will always maintain its freedom of choice. And will always be a voice of the Global South. #WATCH | At the 80th session of UNGA, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, "Bharat approaches the contemporary world, guided by three key concepts. One, Atmanirbharta or self-reliance...Two, Atmaraksha or securing oneself. We remain determined to protect our people and secure their pic.twitter.com/CwxUduLzVu ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Decolonisation restored diversity, UNs role expanded with new priorities The minister said As decolonisation advanced, the world began to return to its natural diversity. The membership of the United Nations quadrupled and the organisations role and remit grew significantly. In the era of globalisation, its agenda evolved even further. Development goals took centre stage even as climate change emerged as a shared priority. Trade acquired greater prominence while food and health access were recognised as essential to global well-being, he added. VIDEO | United Nations General Assembly: External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) says, "As decolonisation advanced, the world began to return to its natural diversity. The membership of the United Nations quadrupled and the organisation's role and remit grew pic.twitter.com/KRUmTMLdVW Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 27, 2025 UN is in a state of crisis Jaishankar said that an objective assessment reveals the UN is facing a state of crisis. When peace is under threat from conflicts, when development is derailed by lack of resources, when human rights are violated by terrorism, the UN remains gridlocked. As its ability to forge common ground diminishes, belief in multilateralism also recedes, he noted, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen the effectiveness of the global body. He also said The UN Charter calls on us not just to prevent war, but to build peace. Not just to defend rights, but to uphold the dignity of every human being. Highlighting the continuing challenges facing the world, Dr Jaishankar said that energy and food security have been the first casualties of conflict and disruption, particularly since 2022. Our statement at the General Debate of the 80th session of the UNGA. #UNGA80 https://t.co/kqiiJo82Iz Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 27, 2025 Pakistan security forces killed 17 militants linked to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) during an intelligence-led operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwas Karak district, officials said. The clash left three officers injured and came just days after another raid in Dera Ismail Khan that killed 13 Taliban fighters. A Pakistan army convoy patrols along a road in Hyderabad on February 6, 2024, ahead of Pakistan's general election. (Representative Photo, Credit: AFP) Pakistan security forces killed 17 gunmen linked to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Mullah Nazir group in a joint operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwas Karak district, police officials said on Saturday (Sept 27). Regional Police Chief Shehbaz Elahi said the operation, carried out on Friday, was based on intelligence about the presence of TTP and Mullah Nazir group militants. The killed militants were Khwarij, Elahi said, using a term Pakistani authorities often apply to the Taliban. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As troops closed in, the militants opened fire, sparking a clash in which all 17 were gunned down. Three officers were injured, and a cache of weapons and ammunition was recovered from the site. The raid came two days after another intelligence-based operation in Dera Ismail Khan, where 13 Taliban fighters were killed in a similar encounter. Pakistan has faced rising militant attacks in recent years, many claimed by separatist groups and the TTP, which is allied with the Afghan Taliban. The group has grown more active since the Talibans return to power in Afghanistan in 2021. Separately, reports say that at least 23 civilians, including women and children, were killed in an airstrike in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa earlier this week. BEIJING, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- China urges Japan to act on its commitment to fully understand and respect the fact that "Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People's Republic of China," and urges it to cease official interactions with Taiwan under any pretext, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a regular press briefing on Friday. Guo's remarks came after Taro Aso, former Japanese Prime Minister and supreme adviser of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party, said that "Taiwan is a country that shares fundamental values with Japan" in a meeting with the president of the so-called Legislative Yuan of the Taiwan region on Sept. 25. "This is not the first time that certain Japanese politician has made provocations on the Taiwan question. This behavior constitutes a serious violation of the one-China principle and the guiding principles of the four political documents between China and Japan, and is a gross interference in China's internal affairs," Guo said. China deplores and is strongly opposed to these actions, and has made representations to Japan through diplomatic channels, he said. Guo said that there is only one China in the world and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, which is the real status quo across the Taiwan Strait. The Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation explicitly state that all of the territories Japan had stolen from the Chinese people, including Taiwan and the Penghu Islands, shall be restored to China -- and that was an important component of the post-war international order, Guo said. "Taiwan is a province of China and has never been a country, and the Taiwan question bears on China's core interests, the political foundations of China-Japan ties, and the basic trust between the two countries," he said. This year marks the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and also the 80th anniversary of the restoration of Taiwan. "Japan bears historical responsibilities to the Chinese people on the Taiwan question, and should act all the more prudently," Guo added. China urges Japan to abide by the principles and spirit of the four political documents between the two countries, and to handle Taiwan-related issues properly, he noted. "Japan must not make any provocation or dangerous move on the Taiwan question, and should not underestimate the firm resolve, will and ability of the Chinese people to defend their national sovereignty and territorial integrity," Guo said. Pakistan and its key neighbours China and Iran have joined Russia in opposing the establishment of any military bases in and around Afghanistan, and called for respect of Kabuls sovereignty and territorial integrity, an official statement said Saturday. Pakistan along with key neighbours China and Iran has joined Russia in opposing the establishment of any military bases in and around Afghanistan, calling for respect for Kabuls sovereignty and territorial integrity, an official statement said Saturday. The joint stance comes as US President Donald Trump seeks a continued military presence in the conflict-ridden country. The position was outlined during the Fourth Quadripartite Meeting of Foreign Ministers from China, Iran, Pakistan, and Russia, held Thursday in New York on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, according to a statement shared by Pakistans Foreign Office. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The four sides emphasised that the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan should be respected, firmly opposed the reestablishment of military bases in and around Afghanistan by the countries responsible for the current situation, which is not conducive to regional peace and security, according to the joint statement. They said that NATO members should bear the primary responsibility for the current plight in Afghanistan and should create opportunities for its economic recovery and future development and prosperity. Reiterating their support for Afghanistan as an independent, united, and peaceful state, free from terrorism, war, and narcotics, the four nations said they support effective regional initiatives aimed at uplifting its economy. They also voiced concern over the security situation related to terrorism in Afghanistan, warning that groups like ISIL, Al-Qaida, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and other similar groups in the region including Majeed Brigade, continue to threaten regional and global security. The countries stressed that peace, stability, and countering terrorism, radicalism, and drug crime in Afghanistan are shared regional interests. They urged Afghan authorities to take concrete, verifiable steps to meet their international commitments including dismantling terrorist groups, cutting recruitment, funding, and access to weapons, and eliminating training camps and infrastructure. They also called for strengthening counter-terrorism cooperation at bilateral and multilateral levels. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Afghanistan should be supported in taking comprehensive measures to fight terrorism, dismantle, and eliminate all terrorist groups equally and non-discriminarily and prevent the use of Afghan territory against its neighbours, the region, and beyond, it stated. They urged Afghan authorities to create conditions that facilitate the return of Afghan refugees to their homeland, prevent further migration, and take serious measures to ensure returnees livelihoods and reintegration into political and social processes to achieve a lasting solution. The four sides urged the international community and donors to provide adequate and sustainable financial support and other necessary assistance for time-bound and well-resourced repatriation of refugees back to Afghanistan. They emphasised the importance of building an inclusive and broad-based governance system in Afghanistan that reflects the interests and aspirations of all segments of Afghan society, stressing the importance of the rights and needs of the countrys entire population. They also stressed that women and girls access to education and economic opportunities, including access to work, participation in public life, freedom of movement, justice and basic services, will contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in the country. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The four sides supported all diplomatic efforts conducive to the political settlement of the Afghan issue and supported the international community, especially the United Nations. They emphasised the significant role of regional frameworks such as the Moscow Format, the Foreign Ministers Meeting of Afghanistans Neighbouring Countries, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, to play a positive role in achieving a political solution. With inputs from agencies Delegates around the world staged a walkout during the speech of Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he pledged to finish the job in Gaza Delegates around the world staged a walkout during the speech of Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he pledged to finish the job in Gaza. In his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, Netanyahu called the recognition of a Palestinian state by several Western nations insane. The Israeli premiers provocative remarks on the international stage came after the UK, France, Canada, Australia, and other countries broke with the United States to recognise an independent Palestinian state. Netanyahu claimed that the two-state solution, often pushed in the region, is sheer madness. Its insane, and we wont do it. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Giving the Palestinians a state one mile from Jerusalem after October 7 is like giving al-Qaeda a state one mile from New York City after September 11, he said. It is pertinent to note that with the latest entries, 157 of 193 UN member states recognise Palestine as an independent state. The walkout More than 100 diplomats from over 50 nations staged a walkout as soon as Netanyahu took the stage for his address, according to the tally reported by The Washington Post. The Israeli prime minister's speech was also coming hours after US President Donald Trump said that he would restrain Netanyahu from annexing territories in the West Bank in retaliation for the expressions of support for Palestinian statehood. I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank Its not going to happen, Trump said on Thursday. Interestingly, Netanyahu did not address the controversial plan in his Friday address. Meanwhile, his office said that the Israeli premier would only respond after he meets with Trump at the White House on Monday. Targeting the UK, France and other countries that recognised Palestine, Netanyahu said: You didnt do something right. You did something wrong, horribly wrong. Your disgraceful decision will encourage terrorism against Jews and against innocent people everywhere, he said. While Netanyahu was addressing the gathering, more than 22 people were killed in Gaza on Friday, AFP reported. There was also a strike reported by Al Jazeera on a tent camp for displaced people in central Gazas Nuseirat camp. In his address, Netanyahu vowed to continue an offensive targeting Gaza City, ignoring international condemnation over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the coastal enclave. The final remnants of Hamas are holed up in Gaza City, he said, and Israel must finish the job to avoid facing attacks like those on 7 October again and again and again. That is why we want to do so as fast as possible. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He also outrightly denied accusations that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Would a country committing genocide plead with the civilian population it is supposedly targeting to get out of harms way? The speech was highly contentious and delivered to a mostly empty room in the general assemblys grand hall, which has a capacity for 1,800 people, the Washington Post reported. The NYC protests While Netanyahu was delivering his speech inside, thousands held demonstrations outside the New York City building where the meeting was taking place. Apart from this, protests were also held at Times Square across Midtown. Many of these demonstrators were arrested as nearly two dozen people protested in a small but noisy gathering near Netanyahus hotel in the Lenox Hill neighbourhood on the east side of Manhattan. The demonstrations were quite active at midnight, ahead of Netanyahus address. Protesters carried Palestinian flags and signs saying genocide and other statements, banged drums, chanted and yelled baby killer, free Palestine and fuck Israel in the street, according to footage posted to social media. While concluding his speech, Netanyahu issued an ultimatum to Hamas. Lay down your arms, he said. Let my people go. Free the hostages. All of them. The whole 48. Free the hostages now. If you do, you will live. If you dont, Israel will hunt you down, he added. Back home, the speech was marked by props and publicity. It was blasted on the loudspeakers of Israeli authorities stationed in Gaza. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Netanyahus office claimed it was also transmitted on telephones in the territory that had been hijacked by the Israeli intelligence services. During the speech, the Israeli prime minister also used visual props, including a QR code that he encouraged viewers to scan: it linked to footage of the 7 October attacks by Hamas. President Putin underlined the stability of Russian-Indian relations, describing them as based on a national consensus. He went on to commend Indias achievements in governance and economic growth under Modis leadership." Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with Indian Prime Minister and reaffirming the longstanding and robust ties between Moscow and New Delhi last week., according to the Kremlins official website. The Russian leader disclosed details of the exchange during a meeting with members of the Russian Government, according to the official website of the Kremlin. Putin also highlighted the stability of bilateral relations, describing them as based on a national consensus. He also praised Indias governance and economic performance under Modis leadership. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India is pursuing an independent, sovereign policy and, most importantly, achieving very good results economically. India is recording the highest growth rates among the worlds major economies, Putin said. TV BRICS reported that the call followed a congratulatory telegram from Putin to Modi on his 75th birthday, in which the Russian president acknowledged Modis personal role in strengthening bilateral relations. You [Narendra Modi] are making a great personal contribution to strengthening the special privileged strategic partnership between our countries and developing mutually beneficial Russian-Indian cooperation in various areas, Putin said. The Russian head of state also expressed confidence in the continuation of constructive dialogue and joint work on topical issues on the regional and international agenda. As per MEA, Russia has been a longstanding and time-tested partner for India. The development of India-Russia relations has been a key pillar of Indias foreign policy. Since the signing of the Declaration on the India-Russia Strategic Partnership in October 2000 (during the visit of President Putin). Subsequently, External Minister S Jaishankar also held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavroc on the sidlines of the ongoing 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Russian Embassy in India confirmed the meeting on X, stating, Russia Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and EAM Dr S Jaishankar hold a meeting on the sidelines of the High-Level Week of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York. Later, Jaishankar also wrote, Good conversation with FM Sergey Lavrov of Russia on the sidelines of #UNGA80. Useful discussion on bilateral ties, the Ukraine conflict and developments in the Middle East. With inputs from agencies Russias top diplomat on Saturday threatened a decisive response to any perceived aggression following NATOs Secretary General Mark Rutte and US President Donald Trumps support for proposals to shoot down Russian aircraft that enter NATO airspace. A firefighter works to extinguish a fire at the site of a drone attack late night in Kharkiv on September 23, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (AFP) Russias Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Saturday warned of a decisive response to any aggression after US President Donald Trump backed calls to shoot down Russian planes that violate NATO airspace. Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Lavrov said Russia is being accused of almost planning to attack the North Atlantic alliance and the European Union countries, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told the UN General Assembly. Russia has never had and does not have any such intentions. However, any aggression against my country will be met with a decisive response, he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD NATOs Secretary General Mark Rutte on Thursday backed U.S. President Donald Trumps comments this week that NATO member countries should shoot down Russian drones and airplanes if they enter their airspace, if such a move was necessary. If so necessary. So I totally agree here with President Trump: if so necessary, Rutte said in an interview on Fox News Fox & Friends program, adding that NATO militaries are trained to assess such threats and determine whether they can escort Russian planes out of allied territory or take further action. Deep sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program look set to go into force once again, even as a UN watchdog confirmed Friday inspections of its atomic sites had resumed Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian (C) walks on his way to a bilateral meeting with France's President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York City on September 24, 2025. - AFP Deep sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program look set to go into force once again, even as a UN watchdog confirmed Friday inspections of its atomic sites had resumed. Russia failed in an effort with Beijing Friday to delay the reimposition of the measures on Tehran, with Moscow raising the prospect that it may not enforce the sanctions despite being required to under international law. European powers triggered the process to reimpose economic sanctions after demanding Iran reverse a series of steps it took after Israel and the United States bombed its nuclear sites in June. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The UNs nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, did confirm Friday that inspections of Iranian nuclear sites had resumed this week after a hiatius following Washington and Israels strikes. Resumption of the International Atomic Energy Agencys inspections was a key measure demanded by the Europeans Britain, France and Germany. I signed an agreement with the agency in Cairo and the director general of the agency is quite satisfied and happy, Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi said. Araghchi has insisted any effort to reimpose sanctions is legally void, vowing never to bow to pressure on its nuclear program but left the door open to more talks. Irans President Masoud Pezeshkian said Friday Tehran would not leave the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in retaliation to sanctions being reimposed. China and Russias effort to buy time for diplomacy was rejected by nine countries against four in favor. UN sanctions, targeting Iranian proliferation, will be reimposed this weekend, said Britains ambassador to the UN Barbara Woodward. We stand ready to continue discussions with Iran on a diplomatic solution to address international concerns about its nuclear program. In turn, this could allow for the lifting of sanctions in the future. The UN sanctions, notably on Irans banking and oil sectors, are set to take effect automatically at the end of Saturday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD China and Russia at the Security Council session on Friday pushed a resolution that would have extended talks until April 18, 2026. We had hoped that us, that European colleagues in the US, would think twice, and that they would opt for the path of diplomacy and dialog, instead of their clumsy blackmail, the Russian deputy ambassador to the UN told the council prior to the vote. Did Washington, London, Paris, Berlin make any compromises? No, they did not. Several workable solutions? Frances ambassador to the UN Jerome Bonnafort told the council all sides had been trying to find, until the very last moment, a solution. France speaking for itself, Germany, and Britain has told Iran it must allow full access to UN nuclear inspectors, immediately resume nuclear negotiations, and offer transparency on highly enriched uranium, the whereabouts of which has been the subject of speculation. The European nations and the US have consistently misrepresented Irans peaceful nuclear program, said Araghchi who insisted Tehran had put forward several workable proposals. The European countries pursuit of the so called snapback is legally void, politically reckless and procedurally flawed, he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The 2015 deal, negotiated during Barack Obamas presidency, lifted sanctions in return for Iran drastically scaling back its controversial nuclear work. President Donald Trump in his first term withdrew from the deal and imposed sweeping unilateral US sanctions, while pushing the Europeans to do likewise. Steve Witkoff, Trumps roving envoy who had been negotiating with Iran until Israel attacked, said Wednesday that Iran was in a tough position but also held out hope for a solution. But Irans president was withering in his assessment of Washingtons diplomatic efforts, claiming that Witkoff and his team were not serious. We came to understandings a number of times but they were never taken seriously by the Americans, Pezeshkian told reporters on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Iran has long contended that it is not seeking nuclear weapons, pointing to an edict by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and US intelligence has not concluded that the country has decided to build a nuclear weapon. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The US Supreme Court on Friday allowed the Trump administration to block $4 billion in foreign aid approved by Congress, temporarily halting a lower court order to release the funds. Critics warned the move could undermine separation of powers and have serious humanitarian consequences. A US Supreme Court police officer stands watch as anti-abortion protesters rally outside of the Supreme Court, on Thursday in Washington. AP The US Supreme Court on Friday (Sept 26) gave another victory to the Trump administration by allowing it to block $4 billion in foreign aid that had been approved by Congress. A lower court had ruled that the administration must release the funds by the end of the month, but the Supreme Courts decision temporarily stopped that order. This result further erodes separation of powers principles that are fundamental to our constitutional order. It will also have a grave humanitarian impact, said Nicolas Sansome, a lawyer with the Public Citizen Litigation Group, which represents nonprofits that sued the government. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Court cites foreign policy concerns The Supreme Courts brief order said the administration had made a sufficient showing that the groups suing were not allowed to bring the case under the Impoundment Control Act. The justices also noted that the governments foreign policy concerns outweighed the possible harm to the aid groups. The court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, has now approved 20 emergency applications from the administration since President Donald Trumps second term began in January. Legal experts and lower court judges have criticized the high court for siding so often with the government through emergency rulings without full hearings. Dissent from liberal justices The three liberal justices dissented. Justice Elena Kagan wrote that the court had entered uncharted territory, since the legal question in this case had never been tested before. She argued the court should have let the lower courts handle the matter, holding hearings and issuing full opinions. We therefore should have denied this application, allowed the lower courts to go forward, and ensured that the weighty question presented here receives the consideration it deserves, Kagan wrote. Chief Justice John Roberts had earlier issued a temporary order on Sept. 9 that paused the lower court ruling, giving the Supreme Court time to decide its next steps. Clash over spending powers The Trump administration has told lawmakers it will not spend the foreign aid funds, part of a broader push to expand presidential power over Congress. This move has sparked debate over whether the president can legally refuse to spend money once Congress has approved it, since the Constitution gives spending authority to lawmakers. After the ruling, Democrats urged Congress to defend its authority over federal spending, even as lawmakers are already locked in a budget fight that could trigger a government shutdown. Republicans should join Democrats to stand up for our power of the purse, said Sen. Patty Murray of Washington and Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut in a joint statement. The United States said it would revoke Colombian President Gustavo Petros visa after he took to New Yorks streets on Friday in a pro-Palestinian demonstration and urged US soldiers to disobey President Donald Trumps orders. Colombian President Gustavo Petro addresses pro-Palestinian demonstrators at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza outside U.N. headquarters during the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 26, 2025. REUTERS/ The United States announced it would revoke Colombian President Gustavo Petros visa after he joined a pro-Palestinian demonstration in New York on Friday and called on U.S. soldiers to disobey orders from President Donald Trump. We will revoke Petros visa due to his reckless and incendiary actions, the State Department posted on X. Petro, addressing a crowd of pro-Palestinian protesters outside the U.N. headquarters in Manhattan, called for a global armed force with the priority to liberate Palestinians, adding, This force has to be bigger than that of the United States. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Thats why from here, from New York, I ask all the soldiers of the army of the United States not to point their guns at people. Disobey the orders of Trump. Obey the orders of humanity, Petro said in Spanish. The Trump administration has been cracking down on pro-Palestinian voices while countries including France, Britain, Australia and Canada have recognized a Palestinian state moves that have angered Israel and its ally the U.S. Petro, Colombias first leftist president and a vocal opponent of Israels war in Gaza, hit out at Trump in his speech to the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, saying the U.S. leader was complicit in genocide in Gaza and calling for criminal proceedings over U.S. missile attacks on suspected drug-running boats in Caribbean waters. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addressing the assembly on Friday, denounced Western countries for embracing Palestinian statehood, accusing them of sending the message that murdering Jews pays off. Israel began its assault on Gaza after an attack led by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7, 2023, killed about 1,200 people, with 251 taken hostage. Since then, Israels military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 65,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, and displaced the entire population of the narrow enclave. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Multiple rights experts say this amounts to genocide, a charge angrily denied by Israel, which says the war is in self-defense. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the U.N. by video on Thursday after the Trump administration said it would not give him a visa to travel to New York. Abbas office said at the time that his visa ban violated the 1947 U.N. headquarters agreement, under which the U.S. is generally required to allow access for foreign diplomats to the U.N. However, Washington has said it can deny visas for security, extremism and foreign policy reasons. U.S.-Colombia ties strained after Petro resists Trumps deportation flights The United States is Colombias main trading partner and its greatest ally in the fight against drug trafficking, but U.S.-Colombia relations got off to a bad start shortly after Trump returned to office in January, when Petro refused to accept military flights carrying deportees in Trumps immigration crackdown. Petro said his countrys citizens were being treated like criminals. But he quickly reversed course, agreeing to accept the migrants, after both countries threatened tariffs on each other and after the U.S. canceled visa appointments for Colombians. Trump this month put Colombia on a list of countries that Washington says have failed to uphold their counter-narcotics agreements, blaming Colombias political leadership. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Petro came to office in 2022 promising agreements with armed groups but pivoted last year, pledging to tame coca-growing regions with massive social and military intervention. The strategy has brought little success. Venezuelas Maduro has offered to help Trumps administration hunt down leaders of the Tren de Aragua drug cartel, even as Washington steps up military pressure near Venezuelan waters and dismisses his government as illegitimate. Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro gestures as he holds a press conference, amid rising tensions with the United States over the deployment of US warships in the Southern Caribbean and nearby waters, in Caracas, Venezuela, September 1, 2025. File Image/Reuters Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has offered to help Donald Trumps administration track down leaders of the Tren de Aragua drug cartel after the US military launched anti-narcotics strikes in the Caribbean. According to people familiar with the matter, Maduro made the offer as part of his push to restart talks with Washington. The US has recently deployed troops and warships near Venezuelan waters and blown up boats carrying suspected criminals. Maduro told officials he could help locate senior bosses of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang that operates across the Americas and has become a target for Trump. He conveyed the proposal to US envoy Ric Grenell earlier this month, along with a letter to Trump calling for direct dialogue to ease tensions. In the letter, Maduro denied Venezuela is a major source of drugs bound for the US. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD I respectfully invite you, President, to promote peace through constructive dialogue and mutual understanding throughout the hemisphere, Maduro wrote in the letter seen by Bloomberg. Venezuelas Information Ministry and Grenell declined to comment, though Grenell told CBS News he is still in contact with Maduros team. The White House dismissed Maduros approach, calling him illegitimate. The Maduro regime is not the legitimate government of Venezuela, it is a narco-terror cartel, and Maduro is not a legitimate president, a White House official said. The administrations policy is maximum pressure on the Maduro regime, and no negotiations that could potentially benefit the regime are occurring. Tren de Aragua has spread from Venezuela to countries as far as Canada and Chile, engaging in extortion, human trafficking, weapons and drug smuggling, prostitution, illegal mining, robbery, and kidnapping. Some of its top leaders are believed to be outside Venezuela. Caracas, however, cannot extradite its own citizens under the constitution. Last year, Spanish authorities arrested the brother of Hector Nino Guerrero, the gangs main leader. Trump has also targeted Venezuelans in the US accused of belonging to the cartel, with hundreds arrested and sent in March to El Salvador. At least 14 people have died in recent weeks in US strikes on vessels it said were smuggling drugs from Venezuela. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump have both labeled Maduro a cartel boss rather than a head of state, though Washingtons stance on regime change has been mixed. Despite tensions, Maduro has allowed deportation flights from the US to continue, with over 13,000 Venezuelans sent back since January. US oil major Chevron also still holds a license to operate in the country. Several Bangladeshis protested outside the UN headquarters in New York on Friday against chief adviser Muhammad Yunus, accusing him of persecuting minorities. The demonstrators, many of them supporters of ousted PM Sheikh Hasina, raised slogans and carried banners denouncing Yunus and his government. Bangladesh interim leader Muhammad Yunus meets family members of the three teachers killed in the plane crash at Milestone School and College at the State Guest House Jamuna at Dhaka, Bangladesh, on August 19, 2025. (Photo: X/Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh) Several Bangladeshis staged a protest outside the United Nations headquarters in New York on Friday against Bangladeshs chief adviser Muhammad Yunus. The demonstrators, largely supporters of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accused Yunus of persecuting minorities. Protestors raised slogans of Yunus is Pakistani. Go back to Pakistan and carried banners that read Stop killing minorities in Bangladesh and Say no to Islamist terrorism in Bangladesh. #WATCH | New York | Supporters of Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Haseena hold protests outside the UN against current Bangladesh PM Muhammad Yunus; raise slogans, "Yunus is Pakistani. Go back to Pakistan." pic.twitter.com/CWuVjUw1HD ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The protest coincided with world leaders gathering at the UN for the General Assembly. We are protesting against the illegal Yunus regime, as after the 5th of August 2024, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had to leave the country for security reasons, and Yunus captured the country, and since then, minorities, Hindus and people from other religions have been killed since the 5th of August, one protestor told ANI. Another alleged that minorities were fleeing Bangladesh: Its a dire condition in Bangladesh, and this is the reason people are here to just protest, and Yunus has to leave the power and should go for an election. Some charged that Yunus was turning Bangladesh into a Taliban and terrorist country. They also demanded the release of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a former ISKCON priest jailed on sedition charges last year, whose bail pleas have been repeatedly rejected. We are here today in front of the United Nations to protest against Dr Yunus, who is making Bangladesh a Taliban country, a terrorist country, and he is committing all the atrocities against the Hindus, Buddhists, Christians and all religious minorities, a protestor said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Calling Sheikh Hasinas ouster illegal, another demonstrator claimed Yunus was working with Islamist forces and terrorist groups to transform Bangladesh into a semi-Taliban nation. The protest came hours before Yunus delivered his second address at the UNGA since Sheikh Hasinas fall following the 2024 youth-led uprising. External power to Ukraines Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant has been cut for over three days, forcing reliance on emergency generators. The outage has raised serious safety concerns at Europes largest nuclear facility, with the IAEA calling the situation deeply concerning. A view shows Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant from the bank of Kakhovka Reservoir near the town of Nikopol after the Nova Kakhovka dam breached, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine June 16, 2023. REUTERS External power to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine, occupied by Russia since the war began, has been cut for more than three days, raising serious safety concerns at Europes largest nuclear facility. Emergency generators are keeping cooling and safety systems running after the last power line into the plant was cut on the Russian side at 4:56 pm on Tuesday, with no sign of reconnection. Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), called the situation deeply concerning on Wednesday and met Vladimir Putin on Thursday, but the plant remains without external power. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Fears of deliberate crisis Ukrainian officials and Western experts fear Russia may be deliberately creating a crisis to tighten control over the plant and could attempt to restart at least one reactor under risky conditions. Russia is using the nuclear power station as a bargaining chip, said a Ukrainian official, while a Greenpeace specialist described the situation as a new critical and potentially catastrophic phase. Safety limits and European stress tests European stress tests conducted after Japans 2011 Fukushima disaster recommend that a nuclear plant can safely operate without external power for up to 72 hours. Ukrainian sources note that going beyond this limit is untested and potentially dangerous. Plant under Russian occupation Russia seized Zaporizhzhia in March 2022, putting the reactorscapable of powering 4 million homesinto cold shutdown for safety. Ukraine considers the plant its own, but it has featured in discussions between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, with Trump suggesting US control and Russia aiming to reconnect the reactors to its grid, a task feasible only during peacetime. External power has been lost at Zaporizhzhia nine times before, usually from damage caused by Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. This time, the final 750-kilovolt line was cut on the Russian side, about a mile from the plant. Russian operators blamed ongoing shelling by Ukrainian forces, though Ukraine denies targeting the facility, citing extreme risks. Generator backup and meltdown risk The IAEA said the plant has enough diesel to run generators for 20 days, but Grossi warned that the loss of external power increases the likelihood of a nuclear accident. Seven of the 18 available generators are currently running cooling systems, but if they fail, the fuel in the six reactors could heat uncontrollably over weeks, potentially causing a meltdown. Lessons from Fukushima A similar scenario occurred at Fukushima, where reactors were shut down after a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and emergency generators maintained cooling. However, a subsequent tsunami disabled the generators, leading to three reactor meltdowns over three days. No deaths occurred, but over 100,000 people were evacuated. An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 1, 2025 shows a section of the road from Odienne to Mali and Guinea in Kabadougou region, Denguele district of Cote d'Ivoire. In northern Cote d'Ivoire, a new two-lane highway hums with trucks while women balance baskets of mangoes and bananas, calling out to passing drivers along the roadside. Built by China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. (CHEC), the 228-km road links Cote d'Ivoire with Mali and Guinea, cutting through the Kabadougou and Folon regions of Denguele District in a Y-shaped route reaching both neighbors. Since opening to traffic in March, it has resolved the long-standing problem of seasonal road blockages during the rainy season. (Xinhua/Si Yuan) ABIDJAN, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- In northern Cote d'Ivoire, a new two-lane highway hums with trucks while women balance baskets of mangoes and bananas, calling out to passing drivers along the roadside. Built by China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. (CHEC), the 228-km road links Cote d'Ivoire with Mali and Guinea, cutting through the Kabadougou and Folon regions of Denguele District in a Y-shaped route reaching both neighbors. Since opening to traffic in March, it has resolved the long-standing problem of seasonal road blockages during the rainy season. "This road is a crucial gateway for Mali and Guinea to access Cote d'Ivoire's seaports," said Li Yangchun, project manager of the CHEC. "The journey from Odienne, the district capital, to the Malian border has been cut from 4.5 hours to 1.5, and from three hours to one to reach the Guinean border. Transport efficiency has improved dramatically." The boost in efficiency has directly benefited the local economy. Denguele District is one of the major production areas of cashews, cotton and mangoes, but poor road access once hindered exports. That bottleneck is now a thing of the past. "Before 2020, it was extremely difficult for trucks to come here," recalled 48-year-old trader Yacouba Kone, who deals in cashews and cement. From his warehouse, he described how he had witnessed the changes firsthand over two decades in business. "Now trucks come and go freely, logistics are smooth. Just yesterday, I offloaded two truckloads without a hitch," he said. For local farmers, the road carries even deeper meaning. "There used to be no proper roads, and the hilly terrain meant villagers could not bring their produce to town. Many cashews rotted in the fields," said Aka Kanga, a lab technician on the project who grew up in a nearby village. "This road built by a Chinese company is truly a life-changing project for our people." "Life is much easier now. With more customers coming and goods moving smoothly, my business is thriving," said shopkeeper Adiarra Coulibaly, who runs a grocery store along the highway. Pointing at the traffic outside her door, she said her customers now come from across the region. The road is also opening up a golden corridor across West Africa. Cross-border trader Arouna Diarrassouba, 36, has seen his business flourish since the road opened. "I trade in clothing, maize and shoes, mostly traveling to Manankoro on the Malian border, sometimes even to Guinea," he said. "Now the journey is easier, transport is convenient, and my business is better. I travel two or three times a week to do trade." The project's success is also rooted in close integration with local communities. The CHEC prioritized local employment, creating more than 2,000 jobs during construction. It also invested in skills transfer, training engineers and technicians, according to project commercial manager Tian Lei. "We always try to give back wherever the road reaches: digging wells, repairing village paths, donating school supplies," said project interpreter Shi Tianhu, who oversees local labor management. "It makes us proud to improve people's lives in a tangible way." "This is an outstanding project that benefits both the country and the people," said Niamien Assassy Caunan, chief officer of sub-prefecture of Tienko in Folon Region. "It has truly connected our regions, boosted economic activity, and greatly improved living standards. Traffic has surged, trade is flourishing, new homes are being built, the changes are real and visible." An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 1, 2025 shows a section of the road from Odienne to Mali and Guinea in Kabadougou region, Denguele district of Cote d'Ivoire. In northern Cote d'Ivoire, a new two-lane highway hums with trucks while women balance baskets of mangoes and bananas, calling out to passing drivers along the roadside. Built by China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. (CHEC), the 228-km road links Cote d'Ivoire with Mali and Guinea, cutting through the Kabadougou and Folon regions of Denguele District in a Y-shaped route reaching both neighbors. Since opening to traffic in March, it has resolved the long-standing problem of seasonal road blockages during the rainy season. (Xinhua/Si Yuan) An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 1, 2025 shows a section of the road from Odienne to Mali and Guinea in Kabadougou region, Denguele district of Cote d'Ivoire. In northern Cote d'Ivoire, a new two-lane highway hums with trucks while women balance baskets of mangoes and bananas, calling out to passing drivers along the roadside. Built by China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. (CHEC), the 228-km road links Cote d'Ivoire with Mali and Guinea, cutting through the Kabadougou and Folon regions of Denguele District in a Y-shaped route reaching both neighbors. Since opening to traffic in March, it has resolved the long-standing problem of seasonal road blockages during the rainy season. (Xinhua/Si Yuan) An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 1, 2025 shows a section of the road from Odienne to Mali and Guinea in Kabadougou region, Denguele district of Cote d'Ivoire. In northern Cote d'Ivoire, a new two-lane highway hums with trucks while women balance baskets of mangoes and bananas, calling out to passing drivers along the roadside. Built by China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. (CHEC), the 228-km road links Cote d'Ivoire with Mali and Guinea, cutting through the Kabadougou and Folon regions of Denguele District in a Y-shaped route reaching both neighbors. Since opening to traffic in March, it has resolved the long-standing problem of seasonal road blockages during the rainy season. (Xinhua/Si Yuan) This photo taken on Sept. 1, 2025 shows a section of the road from Odienne to Mali and Guinea in Kabadougou region, Denguele district of Cote d'Ivoire. In northern Cote d'Ivoire, a new two-lane highway hums with trucks while women balance baskets of mangoes and bananas, calling out to passing drivers along the roadside. Built by China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. (CHEC), the 228-km road links Cote d'Ivoire with Mali and Guinea, cutting through the Kabadougou and Folon regions of Denguele District in a Y-shaped route reaching both neighbors. Since opening to traffic in March, it has resolved the long-standing problem of seasonal road blockages during the rainy season. (Xinhua/Zhang Jian) This photo taken on Sept. 1, 2025 shows a section of the road from Odienne to Mali and Guinea in Kabadougou region, Denguele district of Cote d'Ivoire. In northern Cote d'Ivoire, a new two-lane highway hums with trucks while women balance baskets of mangoes and bananas, calling out to passing drivers along the roadside. Built by China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. (CHEC), the 228-km road links Cote d'Ivoire with Mali and Guinea, cutting through the Kabadougou and Folon regions of Denguele District in a Y-shaped route reaching both neighbors. Since opening to traffic in March, it has resolved the long-standing problem of seasonal road blockages during the rainy season. (Xinhua/Zhang Jian) A three-wheeled motorcycle enters Cote d'Ivoire from Mali in Kabadougou region, Denguele district of Cote d'Ivoire, on Sept. 2, 2025. In northern Cote d'Ivoire, a new two-lane highway hums with trucks while women balance baskets of mangoes and bananas, calling out to passing drivers along the roadside. Built by China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. (CHEC), the 228-km road links Cote d'Ivoire with Mali and Guinea, cutting through the Kabadougou and Folon regions of Denguele District in a Y-shaped route reaching both neighbors. Since opening to traffic in March, it has resolved the long-standing problem of seasonal road blockages during the rainy season. (Xinhua/Zhang Jian) A donkey-drawn cart enters Cote d'Ivoire from Mali in Kabadougou region, Denguele district of Cote d'Ivoire, on Sept. 2, 2025. In northern Cote d'Ivoire, a new two-lane highway hums with trucks while women balance baskets of mangoes and bananas, calling out to passing drivers along the roadside. Built by China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. (CHEC), the 228-km road links Cote d'Ivoire with Mali and Guinea, cutting through the Kabadougou and Folon regions of Denguele District in a Y-shaped route reaching both neighbors. Since opening to traffic in March, it has resolved the long-standing problem of seasonal road blockages during the rainy season. (Xinhua/Zhang Jian) This photo taken on Sept. 1, 2025 shows a grocery store along the road from Odienne to Mali and Guinea in Kabadougou region, Denguele district of Cote d'Ivoire. In northern Cote d'Ivoire, a new two-lane highway hums with trucks while women balance baskets of mangoes and bananas, calling out to passing drivers along the roadside. Built by China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. (CHEC), the 228-km road links Cote d'Ivoire with Mali and Guinea, cutting through the Kabadougou and Folon regions of Denguele District in a Y-shaped route reaching both neighbors. Since opening to traffic in March, it has resolved the long-standing problem of seasonal road blockages during the rainy season. (Xinhua/Zhang Jian) GENEVA, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- China's innovation activities have demonstrated remarkable performance in recent years, achieving long-term, stable, and broad-based progress, Carsten Fink, Chief Economist of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), said in a recent interview with Xinhua. The Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025 report recently released by the WIPO shows that China has risen to 10th place in the 2025 global innovation ranking, up one spot from last year and entering the top tier for the first time. Fink highlighted China's steady rise, noting that China is the only middle-income economy in the Top 30 and has now entered the Top 10 for the first time. "If you observe China's progression in the global innovation index, it has steadily risen over the years, reflecting the underlying growth of China's innovation economy, which is faster than most of the rest of the world," Fink said. Fink emphasized that China's innovation achievements are broad-based, rather than concentrated in a single sector. The GII evaluates the innovation performance of the entire economy rather than focusing on specific technologies. "It's difficult to pinpoint one or two areas with the greatest growth. China has long had strength in digital communications, but we've also seen great innovation in renewable energy, batteries, electric vehicles, and biosciences," he said. On the role of intellectual property (IP), Fink said China's commitment reflects the development of its overall innovation ecosystem. Fink explained that intellectual property plays a key role in encouraging innovation, noting that Chinese companies are increasingly filing patents across various sectors, a trend reflected in WIPO's data. The 2025 GII also reveals that China leads globally in the number of innovation clusters, boasting 24 clusters ranked among the world's top 100. The Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster surged to the top spot for the first time, while Beijing (4th) and the Shanghai-Suzhou cluster (6th) secured positions within the top 10. These regions stand as global hotspots for patent applications, technological innovation, and venture capital investment. Fink said he has visited at least ten Chinese cities, including major hubs such as Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, as well as western cities like Chengdu and Chongqing. He noted that he was impressed by their commitment to innovation, as well as the emergence of new enterprises. Fink highlighted China's strong commitment to innovation within its economic development strategy, with substantial investments in scientific systems, education frameworks, and talent cultivation. He said this focus underpins China's growing innovation ecosystem. On the role of national planning, Fink noted that China has just completed its 14th Five-Year Plan and is preparing to launch the 15th. He added that the long-term commitment of policymakers to the innovation system is crucial for nurturing the institutions necessary for innovation to thrive, and that the national plan plays an important role in supporting this process. On September 27 - Remembrance Day, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the inauguration of the Ganja Memorial Complex, Azernews reports. The head of state first laid a wreath at the memorial plaque. President Ilham Aliyev then observed a minute of silence at 12:00 at the Ganja Memorial Complex to honor the memory of the martyrs of the Patriotic War. Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture, provided the President with detailed information about the complex. The foundation of the complex, laid by President Ilham Aliyev in January 2022, was built to perpetuate the memory of innocent victims of Armenias missile attacks during the Second Karabakh War and to convey the tragic realities of the war to future generations. In March of this year, First Vice-President and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva, together with her daughters Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva, reviewed the project. In August, President Ilham Aliyev and the First Lady inspected the construction progress. It should be recalled that Ganja, located 80 kilometers from the frontline, was repeatedly targeted by the Armenian armed forces with Tochka-U, Smerch, SCUD, and other missile systems on October 4, 5, 8, 11, and 17 during the Patriotic War. As a result of these attacks, 26 civilians, including six children, were killed, and 142 civilians were wounded. The Memorial, constructed on the site of one of the missile strikes in a residential area, spans 4 hectares. The monument, distinguished by its spiral architectural design, symbolizes a rocket crater. Preserved remnants of destroyed buildings form part of the open plaza installation. The crescent-shaped, two-story building covers a total area of 2,400 square meters. The first floor houses a museum exhibition, while the second floor features a multifunctional hall for seminars, training sessions, and events. The museum comprises sections on The Early 20th Century, Deportation and Forced Displacement, Genocide and Massacres, Ceasefire and the Patriotic War Period, Missing Persons, Mass Graves, and Mine Terror, and Toward a Bright Future. Exhibits introduce visitors to tragedies of the early 20th century, including the March 1918 genocide, and reflect the deportation of Azerbaijanis from Western Azerbaijan between 1948 and 1953. An interactive section allows exploration of archival materials, historical documents, and examples of destroyed cultural heritage. Other sections highlight crimes of ethnic cleansing from 1987 to 1994, as well as genocides and systematic massacres against civilians. A separate section documents the deliberate targeting of civilians during the ceasefire years, the Patriotic War, and the post-war period. The final part of the exhibition celebrates the resilience and triumph of the Azerbaijani people, who, despite decades of injustice, preserved their determination and achieved victory. Following the inauguration, President Ilham Aliyev met with Nilay Aliyeva, who lost both parents in the Armenian missile attack, and her grandfather Zahid Babazade. People visit a national exhibition of Xieyi art "Honoring the Spirit: Homage to the Classics" at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 27, 2025. The exhibition kicked off here on Saturday, featuring nearly 600 pieces of artwork. (Xinhua/Lu Peng) People visit a national exhibition of Xieyi art "Honoring the Spirit: Homage to the Classics" at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 27, 2025. The exhibition kicked off here on Saturday, featuring nearly 600 pieces of artwork. (Xinhua/Lu Peng) People visit a national exhibition of Xieyi art "Honoring the Spirit: Homage to the Classics" at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 27, 2025. The exhibition kicked off here on Saturday, featuring nearly 600 pieces of artwork. (Xinhua/Lu Peng) A person visits a national exhibition of Xieyi art "Honoring the Spirit: Homage to the Classics" at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 27, 2025. The exhibition kicked off here on Saturday, featuring nearly 600 pieces of artwork. (Xinhua/Lu Peng) People visit a national exhibition of Xieyi art "Honoring the Spirit: Homage to the Classics" at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 27, 2025. The exhibition kicked off here on Saturday, featuring nearly 600 pieces of artwork. (Xinhua/Lu Peng) People visit a national exhibition of Xieyi art "Honoring the Spirit: Homage to the Classics" at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 27, 2025. The exhibition kicked off here on Saturday, featuring nearly 600 pieces of artwork. (Xinhua/Lu Peng) People visit a national exhibition of Xieyi art "Honoring the Spirit: Homage to the Classics" at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 27, 2025. The exhibition kicked off here on Saturday, featuring nearly 600 pieces of artwork. (Xinhua/Lu Peng) People visit a national exhibition of Xieyi art "Honoring the Spirit: Homage to the Classics" at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 27, 2025. The exhibition kicked off here on Saturday, featuring nearly 600 pieces of artwork. (Xinhua/Lu Peng) People visit a national exhibition of Xieyi art "Honoring the Spirit: Homage to the Classics" at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 27, 2025. The exhibition kicked off here on Saturday, featuring nearly 600 pieces of artwork. (Xinhua/Lu Peng) Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2024. This photo taken on Sept. 3, 2025 shows people wading through flood waters at a village near Multan, Punjab province, Pakistan. More than 4.2 million people have been affected by monsoon floods in Pakistan's Punjab province, with southern districts bearing the brunt, according to a rapid needs assessment released by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) on Friday. (Str/Xinhua) ISLAMABAD, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- More than 4.2 million people have been affected by monsoon floods in Pakistan's Punjab province, with southern districts bearing the brunt, according to a rapid needs assessment released by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) on Friday. The survey, conducted jointly with the provincial government from Sept. 8 to 18, covered nearly 2,000 villages in 18 flood-affected districts. The assessment found that around 2.8 million people were displaced, about 161,700 houses were damaged, and health and education infrastructure also suffered extensive damage. According to Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority, around 3 million people were rescued or evacuated between June 26 and Sept. 19 nationwide. Floods also damaged 12,559 houses and killed 6,509 livestock. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif earlier announced a doubling of ex-gratia compensation for the families of those who lost their lives in the floods, raising the amount from 1 million rupees to 2 million rupees (about 7,000 U.S. dollars). US President Donald Trump said he had authorized 'Full Force' to be used, without explaining what he meant UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday convened a high-level meeting commemorating and promoting the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. "We are sleepwalking into a new nuclear arms race, more complex, more unpredictable, and even more dangerous," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a message read out at the meeting. "The risks of escalation and miscalculation are multiplying," and disarmament is the foundation of peace, he said while calling on all countries possessing nuclear weapons to return to dialogue in efforts to "forge a world free of these weapons of extinction." The UN has effective frameworks for reducing nuclear dangers, including the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, said UNGA President Annalena Baerbock in her address. Each member state has to live up to them, especially those who possess them, she said. Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, noted that nuclear weapons pose a major security threat to all countries in the world. The international community should make joint efforts to promote nuclear disarmament, prevent nuclear proliferation, and reduce nuclear risks, he said. The International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, observed annually on Sept. 26, serves as a reminder of the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons and the urgent need for their complete elimination. The General Assembly declared the International Day in December 2013 as a follow-up to the high-level meeting of the General Assembly on nuclear disarmament held on Sept. 26, 2013, in New York. Dennis received bachelor's degrees in communication and political science with a TAG degree in Spanish from The University of Akron in Ohio. He grew up in Ohio with two sisters and two brothers, one being his fraternal twin. He and his wife have two dogs: Bacio, and Cal. Dennis currently covers natural resource and environmental issues for The Daily Sentinel Sun Sunday 52 /30 Times of sun and clouds. Highs in the low 50s and lows in the low 30s. San Diego, CA, Sept. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rocket Bail Bonds, a leading provider of bail services across Southern California, today announced a series of key milestones underscoring its continued growth, client-first focus, and leadership in the surety bail space. The company has opened a new office in Santa Ana, welcomed five highly experienced surety bail underwriters, and proudly served its 5,000th client. New Santa Ana Office Strengthens Regional Support The new retail office, located at 600 W Santa Ana Blvd, Santa Ana, CA 92701, is designed to accommodate the evolving needs of clients and their families. The modern office provides convenient access to anyone seeking bail bond support across Orange County, with the added benefit of ample private parking. The location also offers a welcoming environment, including two on-site cafes. This expansion is aimed at making the bail process more accessible and efficient for families in need. Our new Santa Ana location reflects our commitment to meeting clients where they are, said George Estrella, President of Rocket Bail Bonds. By offering convenient access, private parking, and a professional but welcoming environment, we are ensuring families across Orange County can receive the same trusted support that has defined our reputation in San Diego and beyond. In addition to the new Santa Ana office, the company maintains its established corporate headquarters in San Diego and an office in Chula Vista, delivering comprehensive coverage across Southern California. With offices in these key regions, Rocket Bail Bonds can respond quickly to client needs throughout San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles Counties. Expanding Expertise With New Underwriters As part of its strategic growth, Rocket Bail Bonds has also welcomed five highly experienced surety bail underwriters to its team. Collectively holding more than 50 years of combined experience, these individuals bring proven expertise in navigating Californias bail license. Moreover, each of the new underwriters is licensed by the California Department of Insurance and is fully bilingual, allowing them to serve a diverse client base. Their knowledge of the industry enables Rocket Bail Bonds to respond to inquiries with precision, efficiency, and compassion. According to the firm, the expansion of its team reflect not only growth but their continued commitment to raising the standards of service while managing a growing caseload throughout Southern California. Bringing together underwriters with decades of combined experience strengthens our role as a trusted authority in the bail industry. Their expertise enhances our operations and ensures that we continue to provide reliable service to every community we serve, added Estrella. Serving 5,000 Clients and Counting These investments in people and infrastructure are matched by measurable results. Rocket Bail Bonds recently marked its 5,000th client served a milestone that highlights both the scale of its growth and the trust it has earned. Reaching 5,000 clients is a significant marker of the trust our community places in us, said Estrella. We are proud of the work weve done and aim to continue building on these milestones as we serve the next 5,000 and beyond. The company credits its success to its focus on accessibility and professionalism. By ensuring clients receive timely assistance, licensed guidance, and compassionate services, Rocket Bail Bonds has steadily built its reputation as a dependable partner during some of the most difficult moments families face. Building Authority in the Bail Industry Rocket Bail Bonds recent milestones new location, new staff, and client growth highlight its growing role as a leader in Californias bail bond industry. Through geographic expansion and investment in experienced personnel, the firm has built the infrastructure needed to support a large and diverse base while maintaining the personal, human-focused attention clients expect. Looking ahead, Rocket Bail Bonds remains focused on strengthening its reputation as a trusted authority in the surety bail space. The company continues to invest in professional expertise, expand its regional presence, and maintain an unwavering commitment to client care. With a foundation built on trust, accessibility, and professionalism, Rocket Bail Bonds is positioned to support more families across Southern California and prepared to meet the challenges of tomorrow while honoring the responsibility of serving its community today. To learn more about Rocket Bail Bonds and its services, please visit https://rocketbailbond.com/. About Rocket Bail Bonds Rocket Bail Bonds is a licensed bail bond provider serving San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles Counties. With offices in San Diego, Chula Vista, and Santa Ana, the company is supported by a team of licensed, bilingual underwriters with more than 50 years of combined experience. Rocket Bail Bonds is committed to professionalism, accessibility, and trusted support for families navigating the bail process. Media Contact Company Name: Rocket Bail Bonds Contact Person: George Estrella Contact Number: 619-565-2450 Email: Info@RocketBail.org Country: United States Website: https://rocketbailbond.com/ Social Media Handles: @rocketbailbonds.com, @rocket bail bonds Bitcoin Hyper investors drew attention to XRP Tundras use of DAMM V2 liquidity pools, designed to stabilize trading and strengthen market structure. LISBON, Portugal, Sept. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bitcoin Hyper, an emerging presale project, has highlighted XRP Tundras integration of DAMM V2 liquidity pools as a defining feature of its presale design. XRP Tundra is currently priced at $0.068 per TUNDRA-S, with free allocations of TUNDRA-X included. Fixed launch values are set at $2.50 for TUNDRA-S and $1.25 for TUNDRA-X. The two presales have generated discussion among retail investors seeking structured alternatives to major cryptocurrencies. While Bitcoin Hyper pursues its own token model, its commentary on Tundra underscores the growing relevance of liquidity technology in presale launches. Presale Structure XRP Tundra distributes two tokens through a single entry. TUNDRA-S, issued on Solana, functions as the utility token, while TUNDRA-X, deployed on the XRP Ledger (XRPL), serves as the governance and reserve asset. In Phase 4, TUNDRA-S is priced at $0.068 with a 16% bonus in tokens. Each purchase also includes free TUNDRA-X valued at $0.034. A total of 40,000,000 TUNDRA-S is allocated for presale distribution. On XRPL, 80,000,000 TUNDRA-X out of 200,000,000 tokens is designated for presale participants. DAMM V2 Integration XRP Tundra has implemented Meteoras DAMM V2 liquidity pools to reduce volatility during launch. The system introduces dynamic fees that start high up to 50% and decrease over time, discouraging immediate selling. Collected fees are directed into project reserves, with the design intended to strengthen long-term liquidity. Liquidity providers also receive NFTs to track positions and have the option to lock liquidity permanently in support of stability. Bitcoin Hypers reference to DAMM V2 highlights how presale projects are increasingly focusing on structural safeguards. Commentators note that liquidity protections of this type are not common among early-stage launches. Token Allocation The total supply of XRP Tundra tokens is fixed at 300,000,000, split between 200,000,000 TUNDRA-X and 100,000,000 TUNDRA-S. Allocation includes: 80,000,000 TUNDRA-X to presale participants 50,000,000 TUNDRA-X for ecosystem rewards under capped emissions 20,000,000 TUNDRA-X for ecosystem growth and partnerships 20,000,000 TUNDRA-X to the team and advisors, subject to vesting 30,000,000 TUNDRA-X for liquidity and strategic reserves Verification and Oversight Independent audits have been completed with Cyberscope , Solidproof , and Freshcoins . The development team has also undergone KYC verification through Vital Block , providing identity assurance uncommon in presale environments. DAMM V2 provides a safeguard for our participants by aligning liquidity design with long-term stability, the XRP Tundra team said. As major cryptocurrencies continue to trade within established ranges, presale projects have become focal points for higher-risk, higher-reward strategies. With both Bitcoin Hyper and XRP Tundra under discussion, investors are comparing presale mechanics such as liquidity pools and fixed pricing as indicators of sustainability. About XRP Tundra XRP Tundra is a cross-chain project developed to expand XRPs role in digital finance. The platform introduces a dual-token model linking Solana and XRPL, with future development plans including GlacierChain, a DeFi layer designed to extend XRPs capabilities through lending, automated market makers, and derivatives. Official Channels Website: https://www.xrptundra.com/ Medium: https://medium.com/@xrptundra Telegram: https://t.me/xrptundra X (Twitter): https://x.com/Xrptundra Media Contact Tim Fenix Email: contact@xrptundra.com Disclaimer: This content is provided by XRP Tundra. 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. 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Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e209eb21-9feb-4451-8fed-cfb73f7b7f11 Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. Litigation Partner Brandon Walker Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses In Methode (MEI) To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options If you are a long-term stockholder in Methode between June 23, 2022 and March 6, 2024 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Bragar Eagel & Squire partner Brandon Walker or Marion Passmore directly at (212) 355-4648. NEW YORK, Sept. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Whats Happening: Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C., a nationally recognized shareholder rights law firm, is investigating potential claims against Methode Electronics Inc. (NYSE:MEI) on behalf of long-term stockholders following a class action complaint that was filed against Methode on August 26, 2024 with a Class Period from June 23, 2022 and March 6, 2024. Our investigation concerns whether the board of directors of Methode have breached their fiduciary duties to the company. Details: According to the Complaint: (i) Methode Electronics had lost highly skilled and experienced employees during the COVID-19 pandemic necessary to successfully complete Methode Electronics transition from its historic low mix, high volume production model to a high mix, low production model at its Monterrey facility; (ii) Methode Electronics attempts to replace its General Motors center console production with more diversified, specialized products for a wider array of vehicle manufacturers and OEMs, in particular in the electric vehicle (EV) space, had been plagued by production planning deficiencies, inventory shortages, vendor and supplier problems, and, ultimately, botched execution of Methode Electronics strategic plans; (iii) Methode Electronics manufacturing systems at its critical Monterrey facility suffered from a variety of logistical defects, such as improper system coding, shipping errors, erroneous delivery times, deficient quality control systems, and failures to timely and efficiently procure necessary raw materials; (iv) Methode Electronics had fallen substantially behind on the launch of new EV programs out of its Monterrey facility, preventing Methode Electronics from timely receiving revenue from new EV program awards; and (v) as a result, Methode Electronics was not on track to achieve the 2023 diluted earnings-per-share guidance or the 3-year 6% organic sales compound annual growth rate represented to investors and such estimates lacked a reasonable factual basis. Next Steps: If you are a long-term stockholder of Methode, have information, would like to learn more about these claims, or have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Brandon Walker or Marion Passmore by email at investigations@bespc.com, by telephone at (212) 355-4648, or by filling out this contact form. There is no cost or obligation to you. About Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C.: Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. is a nationally recognized law firm with offices in New York and California. The firm represents individual and institutional investors in commercial, securities, derivative, and other complex litigation in state and federal courts across the country. For more information about the firm, please visit www.bespc.com . Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook, and keep up with other news by following Brandon Walker, Esq. on LinkedIn and X. Contact Information: PASCAGOULA, Miss., Sept. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HIIs (NYSE: HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division successfully completed builders sea trials for guided missile destroyer Ted Stevens (DDG 128), marking a major milestone in the construction of the second Flight III destroyer built at Ingalls. The trials were conducted over several days in the Gulf of America, and tested the ships engineering, navigation, and combat systems to ensure readiness for the future acceptance trials and eventual delivery to the U.S. Navy. The Ingalls and Navy team worked diligently to get DDG 128 ready for sea, and I want to recognize the teams determination in reaching this major milestone, Ingalls Shipbuilding DDG Program Manager Ben Barnett said. Their efforts reflect the urgency we all share in delivering these ships with the highest quality and technological advancements needed to support the U.S. Navy fleet and to protect our national security. During builders trials, the Ingalls test and trials team completed a full range of hull, mechanical and electrical tests, as well as Flight III AN/SPY-6 (V)1 radar array testing. These tests are designed to validate critical system performance and ensure the ship meets or exceeds Navy requirements. Photos accompanying this release are available at: http://hii.com/news/hii-successfully-completes-builders-sea-trials-for-destroyer-ted-stevens-ddg-128/. Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers represent the next generation of surface combatants for the U.S. Navy and incorporate a number of design modifications that collectively provide significantly enhanced capability. Upgrades include the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) and the Aegis Baseline 10 Combat System required to keep pace with the threats well into the 21st century. Ingalls has delivered 35 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to the U.S. Navy including the first Flight III, USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), in June of 2023 and currently has five Flight IIIs under construction including Ted Stevens (DDG 128), Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129), George M. Neal (DDG 131), Sam Nunn (DDG 133) and Thad Cochran (DDG 135). Earlier this month, HII announced that the company would be partnering with several shipyards and fabricators in multiple states to grow its throughput and meet the requirements of increased demand for ships by the U.S. Navy. This effort included Ingalls Shipbuilding selecting outfitted structural units for Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to be constructed, inspected and accepted at partner locations and later delivered to Ingalls for final integration. As the largest manufacturing employer in Mississippi, Ingalls Shipbuilding has designed, built and maintained amphibious ships, destroyers for the U.S. Navy for over 86 years. To learn more about the DDG 51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyer program at Ingalls visit: https://hii.com/what-we-do/capabilities/guided-missile-destroyers/arleigh-burke-class/. About HII HII is a global, all-domain defense provider. HIIs mission is to deliver the worlds most powerful ships and all-domain solutions in service of the nation, creating the advantage for our customers to protect peace and freedom around the world. As the nations largest military shipbuilder, and with a more than 135-year history of advancing U.S. national security, HII delivers critical capabilities extending from ships to unmanned systems, cyber, ISR, AI/ML and synthetic training. Headquartered in Virginia, HIIs workforce is 44,000 strong. For more information, visit: HII on the web: https://www.HII.com/ HII on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamHII HII on X: https://www.twitter.com/WeAreHII HII on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/WeAreHII Contact: Kimberly Aguillard Kimberly.K.Aguillard@HII-co.com (228) 355-5663 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d83fd476-a80e-4939-9de7-0add85891fdd NEW YORK, Sept. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MAGACOIN FINANCE, an Ethereum-based cryptocurrency project, today confirmed it has raised over $14.5 million in presale funding, backed by 13,500+ investors worldwide. With 75% of tokens sold and a confirmed $0.007 launch price, the milestone is being acknowledged in investor notes inspired by XRP and Ripple-related market narratives. Presale Snapshot Funds raised: $14 million+ $14 million+ Investors: 13,500+ participants 13,500+ participants Allocation sold: 75% presale completed 75% presale completed Launch price: $0.007 The stage-based design gradually increases token pricing, reinforcing scarcity and rewarding early participation. XRP-Ripple as Market Backdrop XRP continues to influence settlement-focused blockchain adoption, while Ripples role in payments shapes investor commentary. Reports referencing XRP-Ripple have begun to include MAGACOIN FINANCE, underscoring its growing visibility following measurable presale traction. Why Traction Is Expanding $14 million fundraising milestone. Global investor base. Recognition in XRP-linked investor notes. Conclusion XRP and Ripple remain at the center of digital payments discussion, and the traction of MAGACOIN FINANCE within related investor notes reflects how presale achievements are generating market recognition ahead of listings. About MAGACOIN FINANCE MAGACOIN FINANCE is an Ethereum-based cryptocurrency project designed to combine cultural relevance with scalable blockchain utility. With strong early-stage traction, a growing community, and scarcity-driven tokenomics, the project aims to position itself as one of the leading altcoin entrants of 2025. Learn more: Website: https://magacoinfinance.com Access: https://magacoinfinance.com/access Twitter/X: https://x.com/magacoinfinance Telegram: https://t.me/magacoinfinance Contact Details PR Specialist: Rebecca Miles Email: rebecca@magacoinfinance.com Disclaimer: This content is provided by MAGACOIN FINANCE. 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. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector--including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining--complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. 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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3b4053b8-87f2-47a8-82f1-8aa6abfc0717 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f25af14b-47b0-48dd-913d-d4a76b7d0eea https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e09a4b4c-6ed5-40ac-ba41-2b262088b259 BEIJING, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) General Assembly voted on Saturday to reinstate the full membership rights of the National Paralympic Committees of Belarus and Russia. The decision, taken at the 2025 IPC General Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, means NPC Belarus and NPC Russia now regain their full rights and privileges of IPC membership, having been partially suspended at the 2023 assembly for breaches of their constitutional membership obligations. The IPC General Assembly, comprising National Paralympic Committees, International Federations, and International Organizations of Sport for the Disabled, first voted against a motion to fully suspend NPC Russia, with 111 votes against, 55 for, and 11 abstentions. They subsequently voted against a motion to partially suspend NPC Russia, with 91 votes against, 77 for, and eight abstentions. For NPC Belarus, the assembly voted against motions to fully suspend (119-48 with 9 abstentions) and partially suspend (103-63 with 10 abstentions) the NPC. For a motion to be passed, a majority of 50 percent + 1 of all votes cast was required. The IPC stated it will work with the two members to implement the practical arrangements for their reinstatement as soon as reasonably possible. Vancouver, September 26, 2025 - Tower Resources Ltd. (TSXV: TWR) ("Tower" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held today (the "Meeting"). All matters put forward to shareholders were approved, including the appointment of Davidson & Company LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as auditor of the Company to hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders, at a remuneration to be fixed by the Board. Shareholders also ratified, adopted and re-approved the 10% rolling share option plan (the "Plan"). The Company also announces that it has approved, subject to acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange, the grant of 3,000,000 stock options (the "Options") to officers, directors and consultants of Tower. The Options are non-transferable and exercisable into Common Shares until September 26, 2030, at $0.20 per Option, subject to vesting provisions, with one-third vesting on the date of grant and one-third vesting ever anniversary thereafter. About Tower Resources Tower is a Canadian based mineral exploration company focused on the discovery and advancement of economic mineral projects in the Americas. The Company's key exploration assets, all in B.C., are the Rabbit North orogenic gold and porphyry copper-gold project located between the New Afton copper-gold and Highland Valley copper mines in the Kamloops mining district where Tower has discovered a major orogenic gold system and with limited drilling has already intersected four significant gold zones along 1.2 km of the structural trend, the Nechako porphyry-associated gold-silver project near Artemis' Blackwater project and the More Creek epithermal gold project on the critical "red line" structural zone connecting the mineral deposits of the Golden Triangle. On behalf of the Board of Directors Tower Resources Ltd. Reader Advisory This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information," including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs, and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities of the Company. The words "may," "would," "could," "will," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "must," "next," "propose," "new," "potential," "prospective," "target," "future," "verge," "favourable," "implications," and "ongoing," and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking information. Investors are cautioned that statements including forward-looking information are not guarantees of future business activities and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking information as a result of various factors, including but not limited to fluctuations in market prices, successes of the operations of the Company, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market, and business conditions. There can be no assurances that such forward-looking information will prove accurate, and therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of the risks and uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws. 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/268224 VANCOUVER, Sept. 26, 2025 - Maxus Mining Inc. ("Maxus" or the "Company") (CSE: MAXM | FRA: R7V), is pleased to announce it has entered into a Mineral Claims Purchase Agreement dated September 26, 2025 (the "Agreement") with John Nick Bakus (the "Seller") an arms-length third party, to acquire a 100% interest in the Beveley Property (the "Property") located in northern British Columbia, Canada. The Property consists of two mineral claims comprising 108 hectares within the boundaries of the Company's Quarry Project (Please see Figure 1). This strategic acquisition allows for consolidation of the Quarry Project area highlighted by the addition of known critical metal mineralization and a historical NI 43-101 non-compliant mineral resource. Acquisition Highlights Critical Metal Mineralization: Historic mineralization includes argentiferous galena, sphalerite, and barite, with zones up to 1,500 m by 500 m in surface extent 1 Historic drilling returned averages of: 23.6 m of 1.83% Pb, 2.82% Zn and 56.2 ppm Ag in hole 77-11 1 13.0 m of 0.65% Pb, 2.58% Zn, and 42.5 ppm Ag in hole 78-25 1 6.91 m of 2.42% Pb, 2.43% Zn, and 87.7 ppm Ag in hole 80-66 2 3.81 m of 1.00% Pb, 3.19% Zn, and 43.5 ppm Ag in hole 80-76 2 Historic Estimate of the Bullseye Zone (NI 43-101 non-compliant): 99,781 tonnes @ 1.42% Pb, 2.24% Zn, 36.3 ppm Ag (drill-indicated) 3 2.72 Mt @ 3.66% Pb + Zn, 36.3 ppm Ag (original category not classified, three zones) 3 Historical block estimate, parameters unknown Please see paragraph below (Comments on Reliability of Historical Estimate) Strategic Location: situated 28 km northwest of Germansen Landing, British Columbia, within favourable carbonate and dolomite breccia host rocks. With the addition of the Property, the Company's property portfolio now covers 15,098 hectares of prospective land across three antimony projects totalling 8,920 hectares, the Lotto Tungsten Project totalling 3,054 hectares, and an additional 3,123 hectares of land on the Penny Copper Project. Additionally, the Company has recently announced increased land holdings at the Hurley and Alturas Antimony Projects, and at the Lotto Tungsten Project. Scott Walters, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, commented, "The acquisition of the Beveley Property represents an exciting addition to our portfolio in British Columbia. Historic work has outlined a large, mineralized footprint with strong lead-zinc-silver potential, and we believe modern exploration techniques can unlock further value. Our team is eager to advance this Property and build on the foundation established by previous operators." About the Quarry Project The now 2,740-hectare Quarry Project is located on the north side of the Osilinka River, between Tenakhi and Wasi Creeks, approximately 46 kilometres northwest of Germansen Landing. The historic Quarry showing is exposed in a limestone quarry, where recrystallized and dolomitized limestones of the Neoproterozoic Ingenika Group host mineralized quartz veins. Documented mineralogy of mineralized veins includes sphalerite, galena, cerussite, chalcopyrite, boulangerite, malachite, azurite, and potential stibnite.4 Historical sampling highlights the Property's high-grade potential. In 1991, sample FFE91-13-1-1 returned assays of 20% Sb, 0.89 ppm Au, 3.8% Cu, 42.5% Pb, and 0.65 ppm Ag.1 An earlier grab sample of massive galena (sample 11) collected in 1954 on the Property graded 83.5% Pb and 1,575 ppm Ag.5 The site offers reliable, year-round access, supporting ongoing exploration initiatives. The region is underlain by the Neoproterozoic Ingenika Group and Paleozoic rocks of the Big Creek, Otter Lakes, Atan, Razorback, and Echo Lake groups. Figure 1: Quarry Project Map Outlining Acquired Claims Comments on Reliability of Historical Estimate The historical estimate for the Property is sourced from Property File PF40196, Suzie Mining Explorations Ltd. Newsletter No. 17, prepared by Keith C. Fahrni, P.Eng., and dated July 14, 1978. The estimate is historical in nature and does not include the parameters or categories required under current CIM Definition Standards. There are no directly comparable CIM categories that can be attributed to this estimate, and to the knowledge of the Qualified Person ("QP"), no modern mineral resource or reserve estimates exist for the Property. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves, and the Company is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. Work required to upgrade/verify the historical estimate includes a desktop compilation of historical drill data, confirmatory/twin drilling at appropriate spacing, specific-gravity (SG) testing by domain, modern analytical QA/QC with check assays, validation of collar locations and downhole surveys, development of a 3D geological/grade model, and Qualified Person verification to CIM standards. Maxus Mining Exploration Plans In the coming months, the Company plans to advance exploration efforts across its portfolio, including: Target integration and drill planning - geological, geochemical, structural, and other historic datasets will be incorporated into a comprehensive 3D GIS environment to refine geological models and prioritize high-potential drill targets. Ground reconnaissance - systematic field evaluation of the newly acquired ground and the broader Quarry Project to confirm target areas, validate historic work, and generate new exploration leads. Agreement Details On September 26, 2025, the Company entered into the Agreement with the Seller to acquire a hundred percent (100%) interest in the Property through a cash payment of CDN$10,000. No finders' fee is payable by the Company in connection with the Agreement. Marketing Extension The Company is also pleased to announce, further to its news release on June 16, 2025, that it has increased the advertising budget under its engagement of marketing services with RMK Marketing Inc. ("RMK") (address: 41 Lana Terrace, Mississauga, Ont., Canada, L5A 3B2; e-mail: Roberto@rmkmarketing.ca). RMK was retained by the Company on June 16, 2025 to provide marketing services for a term of six (6) months (the "Term"), commencing June 18, 2025, with an option to increase the advertising budget up to $350,000 CDN during the Term (the "RMK Agreement"). RMK is an independent company which will, as appropriate, co-ordinate marketing actions, maintain and optimize AdWords campaigns, adapt AdWords bidding strategies, optimize AdWords ads, provide project management and consulting for an online marketing campaign and create and optimize landing pages (the "Services"). The promotional activity will occur by Google. Pursuant to the terms of the RMK Agreement, the Company has decided to execute its option to increase the advertising budget for the existing term to $350,000 CDN by compensating RMK an additional $100,000 CDN. The Term will expire at either the end of the relevant time period or when the budget is fully spent. The Company will not issue any securities to RMK as compensation for the Services. As of the date hereof, to the Company's knowledge, RMK (including its directors and officers) does not own any securities of the Company and has an arm's-length relationship with the Company. Qualified Person Statement The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed, verified, and approved by Morgan Verge, P.Geo., Technical Advisor of the Company and a "qualified person" as defined in NI 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Ms. Verge has examined information regarding the historical exploration at the Property, which includes a review of the historical sampling, analytical, and procedures underlying the information and opinions contained herein. Management cautions that historical results collected and reported by operators unrelated to Maxus have not been verified nor confirmed by its Qualified Person; however, the historical results create a scientific basis for ongoing work at the Property. Management further cautions that historical results, discoveries and published resource estimates on adjacent or nearby mineral properties, whether in stated current resource estimates or historical resource estimates, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved. The "Historic Estimate" described above fall under the National Instrument 43-101 definition of a "historic estimate" meaning that the calculations were prepared prior to the February 1st, 2001, implementation of NI 43-101 and therefore do not conform to NI 43-101 standards. No NI 43-101 compliant resource estimates exist to date on the Property. References 1 Fahrni, K.C., 1978. Suzie Mining Explorations Ltd. Report to Support Assessment Work Recorded on Carol 1, Carol 2, Carie E and Carie W Groups 2 Coveney, C.J., 1981. Gold Leaf Mining Explorations Ltd. Report on the Beveley Property (Wasi Lake Project) 3 Fahrni, K.C., 1978. Property File PF40196, Suzie Mining Explorations Ltd, Newsletter #17, July 14, 1978 4 Beveley Minfile - https://minfile.gov.bc.ca/Summary.aspx?minfilno=094C++023 5 Quarry Minfile - https://minfile.gov.bc.ca/Summary.aspx?minfilno=094C++104 NI 43-101 - Technical Report on the Penny Property British Columbia, NTS 82G/12 49 55 North Latitude -115 90 West Longitude, Derrick Strickland P.Geo., August 14, 2024. Open File 1992-11, Map Number 10. MILFILE No: 082FSW228 - Loto 3, 1980 Grab Sample - https://minfile.gov.bc.ca/report.aspx?f=PDF&r=Inventory_Detail.rpt&minfilno=082FSW228 Equinox Resources - November 8, 2024, 'Ultra High Grade Naturally Occurring Antimony at Alturas Project with Assays up to 69.98% Sb' - https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02878498-6A1236703 ? Endurance Summarizes Antimony Results From The Reliance Gold Project, BC - Best Intervals Include 19.2% Antimony And 2.16 ppm Au Over 0.5 m In 2024 Drilling - February 24, 2025 - https://endurancegold.com/news-releases/endurance-summarizes-antimony-results-from-the-reliance-gold-project-bc-best-intervals-include-19.2-antimony-and-2.16-ppm-au/ About Maxus Mining Inc. Maxus Mining Inc. (CSE: MAXM | FRA: R7V) is a mineral exploration company focused on locating, acquiring, and if warranted, developing economic mineral properties in premier jurisdictions. The Company is working towards progressing its diverse portfolio of exploration properties which now includes approximately 15,098 hectares of prospective terrane comprising 8,920 hectares amongst three antimony projects, 3,123 hectares encompassing the Penny Copper Project & the remaining 3,054 hectares comprising the Lotto Tungsten Project. The Penny Copper Project covers approximately 3,123 hectares and has seen exploration activity throughout the last 100+ years with recent work including rock sampling and minor geological mapping. The Penny Copper Project is located near the major past producing Sullivan Mine at Kimberley, British Columbia, an area that has stimulated both junior and major exploration company activities in the past year. Additionally, the Penny Copper Project saw a 2017 work program return 17 grab samples, which returned copper values up to 1,046 ppm Cu (TK17-149c), 1,808 ppm Cu (TK17-28) and 2,388 ppm Cu (TK17-12). At the Quarry Antimony Project, in well-established British Columbia, Canada, one historical sample taken assayed 0.89 ppm Au, 3.8% Cu, 0.34% Zn, 42.5% Pb, and 0.65% ppm Ag and 20% Sb. A selected grab sample taken in 1980 at the Lotto Tungsten Project from a quartz vein with scheelite assayed 10.97% WO 3 . Additionally, the Alturas and Hurley Antimony projects are strategically positioned; Alturas Project had a recent antimony discovery which saw high-grade naturally occurring antimony with assays up to 69.98% Sb; Hurley neighbours Endurance Gold Corp.'s Reliance Gold Project which saw antimony results from 2024 work programs include 19.2% Sb and 2.16 ppm Au over 0.5 m encountered during the 2024 drilling program?. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Scott Walters Chief Executive Officer, Director +1 (778) 374-9699 info@maxusmining.com Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information This news release includes certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", expect", "target", "plan", "forecast", "may", "would", "could", "schedule" and similar words or expressions, identify forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information relating to any future mineral production, liquidity, enhanced value and capital markets profile of Maxus', future growth potential for Maxus and its business, and future exploration plans are based on management's reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the price of copper, gold, tungsten, antimony and other metals; costs of exploration and development; the estimated costs of development of exploration projects; Maxus' ability to operate in a safe and effective manner and its ability to obtain financing on reasonable terms. This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the Canadian securities laws. Statements, other than statements of historical fact, may constitute forward looking information and include, without limitation, statements with respect to the Property and its mineralization potential; the Company's objectives, goals, or future plans with respect to the Property; further exploration work on the Property in the future; the provision of the Services by RMK under the RMK Agreement. With respect to the forward-looking information contained in this news release, the Company has made numerous assumptions regarding, among other things, the geological, metallurgical, engineering, financial and economic advice that the Company has received is reliable and are based upon practices and methodologies which are consistent with industry standards. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies. Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein. Known risk factors include, among others: fluctuations in commodity prices and currency exchange rates; uncertainties relating to interpretation of well results and the geology, continuity and grade of copper, gold, tungsten, antimony and other metal deposits; uncertainty of estimates of capital and operating costs, recovery rates, production estimates and estimated economic return; the need for cooperation of government agencies in the exploration and development of properties and the issuance of required permits; the need to obtain additional financing to develop properties and uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing; the possibility of delay in exploration or development programs or in construction projects and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones; uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other governmental approvals; increased costs and restrictions on operations due to compliance with environmental and other requirements; increased costs affecting the metals industry and increased competition in the metals industry for properties, qualified personnel, and management. All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law. The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ff4ecaaa-079b-491f-bd51-d4e4bbc691f5 Toronto, September 26, 2025 - First Lithium Minerals Corp. (CSE: FLM) (OTC Pink: FLMCF) (FSE: X28) ("First Lithium Minerals" or the "Company") announces that it has completed its previously announced flow-through financing for gross proceeds of $75,000. The Company issued 937,500 flow-through shares (the "Flow-Through Shares") at an issue price of $0.08 per share. Finders fees were paid totalling $2,450 of cash and 30,625 finders warrants, with each finder warrant exercisable into a common share at an exercise price of $0.08 per share for 18 months. All securities issued under the offering will be subject to a hold period expiring four months and one day from the date of the closing. Insiders of the Company purchased 500,000 Flow-Through Shares. The participation by the insider constitutes a "related party transaction" within the meaning of the policies of the CSE and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is relying upon the exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements pursuant to sections 5.5(a) and (b), and 5.7(1)(a), respectively, of MI 61-101 on the basis that neither the fair market value of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the transaction insofar as it involves interested parties (within the meaning of MI 61-101) in the financing exceeds 25% of the Company's market capitalization calculated in accordance with MI 61-101, and on the basis that no securities of the Company are listed or quoted on a stock exchange as specified in MI 61-101. About First Lithium Minerals First Lithium Minerals is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company. The Company is exploring for lithium and alkali metals at its 100% owned Ascotan Project comprised of approximately 1,775 ha of mineral exploration concessions located at the Salar de Ascotan in the Antofagasta Region of northern Chile. Two property-wide geophysical surveys identified priority exploration drill targets for potential brine mineralization. The Company is currently planning its inaugural drilling program pending obtaining required drilling permits, licences and agreements. First Lithium Minerals is also exploring for gold and critical metals at its 100% owned Lidstone project comprised of 17,300 ha of mining claims in northwestern Ontario, Canada. Additional information about the Company is available on the Company's website: www.firstlithium.ca Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "contemplates", "believes", "projects", "plans", and similar expressions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. 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 the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: prospecting and exploration activities, geological, geophysical, and geochemical surveys, its results and interpretation, studies and interpretations of historical exploration and geological information, drill target definition, permitting, licences, environmental laws and regulations, changes in government regulations and laws, obtaining social licence to explore and operate, community engagements, timing of exploration activities, the discovery and delineation of mineral deposits/resources/reserves, general business, economic, competitive, reliance on third parties, the actual results of operations, and other risks of the natural resources industry. Although the Company 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. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/268227 ISS highlights that "by all accounts, there seems to be little doubt that a transaction with Cenovus should unlock substantial synergy value" and is "the most prudent path forward" Cenovus Transaction accelerates value realization from MEG's standalone plan, provides MEG Shareholders with substantial cash and highly liquid share consideration and upside participation in long-term value creation potential MEG announces receipt of Competition Act Approval (Canada) and HSR Approval (U.S.) MEG Shareholders are encouraged to deposit their proxies and vote FOR the Cenovus Transaction ahead of the proxy deadline of October 7, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. (Calgary Time) For questions or assistance, contact Sodali & Co., 1.888.999.2785 or 1.289.695.3075 for banks, brokers, and callers outside North America, assistance@investor.sodali.com All amounts in Canadian dollars unless specified. MEG Energy Corp. (TSX: MEG) ("MEG", or the "Company") is pleased to announce that leading independent proxy advisory firm Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. ("ISS") is recommending shareholders of MEG ("MEG Shareholders") vote FOR the Cenovus Transaction (as defined below). ISS has made this recommendation following an in-depth review of both the Cenovus Transaction and the revised unsolicited offer (the "Revised Strathcona Offer") from Strathcona Resources Ltd. ("Strathcona"). In arriving at its recommendation for MEG Shareholders to vote FOR the Cenovus Transaction, ISS highlighted the following: "MEG has been ascribed a premium EV/NTM EBITDA multiple" under the Cenovus Transaction; Under the Cenovus Transaction, "MEG Shareholders will have an opportunity to participate in the upside potential of the combined company"; "Concerns have also been raised about the acquisition currency of the Revised Strathcona Offer (entirely Strathcona stock)" and "questions also arise from Strathcona's small public float, low trading liquidity, and relatively low institutional ownership"; Under the Revised Strathcona Offer, "48% of the combined company would continue to be held by Waterous Energy Fund, leaving it under effective control. This introduces new risks to current MEG Shareholders that do not exist in a deal with Cenovus"; "There do not appear to be any other significant MEG Shareholders who have aligned themselves behind the Revised Strathcona Offer and expressed public support"; and "A competing bid for higher implied value may be attractive when considered in isolation, but when considered in the proper context it is difficult to conclude that the Revised Strathcona Offer is more appealing" ISS is a leading independent proxy voting and corporate governance advisory firm whose shareholder voting recommendations are subscribed to by many pension funds, investment managers, mutual funds, and other institutional shareholders. Cenovus Transaction Overview On August 22, 2025, MEG announced it had entered into an arrangement agreement (the "Arrangement Agreement") with Cenovus Energy Inc. (TSX: CVE) (NYSE: CVE) ("Cenovus") under which Cenovus will acquire all of the issued and outstanding MEG common shares (each, a "MEG Share") in a transaction that values MEG at $28.60 per MEG Share on a fully prorated basis at Cenovus's closing share price on September 25, 2025, representing an enterprise value of approximately $8.3 billion, including assumed debt (the "Cenovus Transaction"). The Cenovus Transaction provides MEG Shareholders with a choice to elect their preferred form of consideration and is to be completed by way of a plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) where each MEG Shareholder will be entitled to elect to receive: i. $27.25 in cash per MEG Share; ii. 1.325 Cenovus common shares (each whole share, a "Cenovus Share") per MEG Share; or iii. a combination thereof, in all cases, subject to rounding and proration based on the maximum amount of cash and the maximum amount of Cenovus Shares to be provided to MEG Shareholders, as set out in the Arrangement Agreement. On a fully pro-rated basis, consideration per MEG Share represents approximately $20.44 in cash and 0.33125 of a Cenovus Share. The Cenovus Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including, among others: (a) approval by at least 66% of the MEG Shareholders represented in person or by proxy at a special meeting of MEG Shareholders (the "Meeting"); (b) approval of the Court of King's Bench of Alberta (the "Court"); (c) receipt of certain required regulatory and government approvals, including the Competition Act Approval and the HSR Approval (each as defined in Arrangement Agreement); and (d) other customary closing conditions. Receipt of Competition Act Approval and HSR Approval On September 25, 2025, MEG obtained the Competition Act Approval and on September 16, 2025, MEG obtained the HSR Approval, each in respect of the Cenovus Transaction. October 7, 2025 9:00 am (Calgary time) Proxy Voting Deadline Approaching. Recommend MEG Shareholders Vote FOR the Cenovus Transaction MEG Shareholders will vote on the Cenovus Transaction at the Meeting which will be held on October 9, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. (Calgary Time), in person at Brookfield Place, 225 - 6th Avenue S.W., Suite 1400, Calgary, Alberta, or through a live audio webcast accessible at https://meetings.lumiconnect.com/400-560-917-636. The password for the live audio webcast of the MEG Meeting is "meg2025", case-sensitive. Due to the time sensitivity and the Canada Post strike, MEG Shareholders are strongly encouraged to only vote online or by telephone. The proxy voting deadline is October 7, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. (Calgary time). If you have not yet received your voting materials: Please contact your broker or investment advisor to obtain your 16-digit control number and vote immediately at www.proxyvote.com. Alternatively, contact Sodali & Co at 1-888-999-2785 or assistance@investor.sodali.com for help casting your vote. Registered Shareholders Beneficial Shareholders Who? If your securities are held in your name and represented by a physical certificate or DRS advice If your Shares are held with a broker, bank or other intermediary Telephone Call 1.866.732.VOTE (8683) (toll-free in North America) or 1.312.588.4290 (outside North America) using the 15-digit control number found in their proxy Call the toll-free number on your voting instruction form (VIF) and vote using the 16-digit control number provided therein Online www.investorvote.com (requires your 15-digit control number from your broker) www.proxyvote.com (requires your 16-digit control number from your broker) For questions or assistance voting their proxy, MEG Shareholders should contact Sodali & Co., 1.888.999.2785 or 1.289.695.3075 for banks, brokers, and callers outside North America, assistance@investor.sodali.com MEG filed an information circular ("Circular") on September 12, 2025, providing further details on the Meeting and the Cenovus Transaction, including voting and election instructions, and MEG Shareholders are encouraged to review the Circular. MEG Shareholders are urged to vote well in advance of the Meeting. In addition, a copy of the Circular and additional information on the Meeting can be found at: https://www.megenergy.com/investors/shareholder-information/special-meeting-of-meg-shareholders/. Advisors BMO Capital Markets and Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP are acting as financial advisor and legal counsel, respectively, to the Company. RBC Capital Markets and Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP are acting as financial advisor and legal counsel, respectively, to MEG's Special Committee. Forward-Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Words such as "expect", "continue", "may", "will", "maintain", "obtain", "after", "promptly" and similar expressions suggesting future events or future performance are intended to identify forward-looking statements. More particularly and without limitation, this press release contains forward-looking statements and information relating to: the expected completion of the Cenovus Transaction and the terms thereof; anticipated benefits of the Cenovus Transaction including that the Cenovus Transaction accelerates value realization from MEG's standalone plan, provides MEG Shareholders with substantial cash and highly liquid share consideration, that MEG Shareholders will have an opportunity to participate in the upside potential of the combined company in long-term value creation potential and that capital investments in MEG's Christina Lake asset will be pulled forward and optimized resulting in significant synergies; the anticipated timing of the Meeting; and other similar statements. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties including, without limitation: completion of the Cenovus Transaction on the anticipated terms and timing, or at all, including obtaining the requisite Court and MEG Shareholder approvals and the satisfaction of the conditions to closing the Cenovus Transaction; the effect or outcome of litigation; the existence of any laws or material changes thereto that may adversely affect Cenovus or MEG or impact the completion of the Cenovus Transaction; potential adverse changes to business prospects and opportunities resulting from the announcement or completion of the Cenovus Transaction; and general business, market and economic conditions. These forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by MEG. Completion of the Cenovus Transaction is subject to a number of conditions which are typical for transactions of this nature. Assumptions have been made with respect to the satisfaction of all conditions precedent under the Arrangement Agreement. Although MEG believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information as MEG cannot give any assurance that they will prove to be correct. Accordingly, readers are cautioned that the actual results achieved may vary from the forward-looking information provided herein and that the variations may be material. Readers are also cautioned that the foregoing list of assumptions, risks and factors is not exhaustive. Further information regarding the assumptions and risks inherent in the making of forward-looking statements and in respect of the Cenovus Transaction can be found in MEG's other public disclosure documents which are available through the Company's website at http://www.megenergy.com/investors and through the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca. The forward-looking information included in this news release is expressly qualified in its entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. Unless otherwise stated, the forward-looking information included in this news release is made as of the date of this news release and MEG assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law. For further information: Shareholder Questions: MEG Investor Relations, 403.767.0515, invest@megenergy.com Sodali & Co., 1.888.999.2785 or 1.289.695.3075 for banks, brokers, and callers outside North America, assistance@investor.sodali.com Media Questions: MEG Media Relations, 403.775.1131, media@megenergy.com SOURCE MEG Energy Corp. New Found Gold Corp. ("New Found Gold" or the "Company") (TSXV: NFG) (NYSE-A: NFGC) announces it has granted incentive stock options to certain directors, officers, and employees of New Found Gold to acquire an aggregate of 809,167 common shares in the capital of the Company at an exercise price of $2.97 (the "Options") in accordance with the Company's 10% rolling incentive stock option plan. The Options are exercisable for a 5-year term expiring September 25, 2030, and subject to vesting provisions. The Company also granted 2,053,000 restricted share units (the "RSUs") to certain directors and officers of the Company in accordance with the "5% rolling" share unit plan of the Company, with 1/3 vesting one year from the date of grant, and 1/3 vesting every year thereafter until fully vested. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information disclosed in this press release was reviewed and approved by Melissa Render, P. Geo., President, and a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Ms. Render consents to the publication of this press release, by New Found Gold. Ms. Render certifies that this press release fairly and accurately represents the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this press release. About New Found Gold Corp. New Found Gold is a well-financed advanced-stage exploration company that holds a 100% interest in Queensway, located in Newfoundland and Labrador, a Tier 1 jurisdiction with excellent infrastructure and a skilled local workforce. The Company has completed a PEA at Queensway (see New Found Gold news release dated July 21, 2025). Recent drilling continues to yield new discoveries along strike and down dip of known gold zones, pointing to the district-scale potential of the Project that covers a +110 km strike extent along two prospective fault zones. On September 5, 2025 the Company announced it had entered into a definitive agreement with Maritime Resources Corp. to acquire all of the outstanding and issued shares that it does not already own (see news release dated September 5, 2025). On September 8, 2025, the Company announced it had entered into a Property Purchase Agreement with Exploits Discover Corp. that would provide New Found Gold with a 100% interest in certain mineral claims in Newfoundland and Labrador held by Exploits (the "Claims") (see news release dated September 8, 2025). The Claims adjoin New Found Gold's Queensway and would increase the size of the Project by up to 33%, to a total of 234,050 hectares. New Found Gold has a new management team in place, a solid shareholder base, which includes an approximately 23.1% holding by Eric Sprott, and is focused on growth and value creation. Keith Boyle, P.Eng. Chief Executive Officer New Found Gold Corp. Follow us on social media at https://www.linkedin.com/company/newfound-gold-corp https://x.com/newfoundgold 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. Forward-Looking Statement Cautions This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including relating to the exploration, drilling and mineralization at Queensway; the extent of mineralization and the discovery of zones of high-grade gold mineralization; custom milling; the transactions with Maritime Resources Corp. and Exploits Discovery Corp. (the "Transactions") and the merits and advantages of such Transactions; focus on growth and value creation; and the merits of Queensway. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "interpreted", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "aims", "suggests", "indicate", "often", "target", "future", "likely", "pending", "potential", "encouraging", "goal", "objective", "prospective", "possibly", "preliminary", and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "can", "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made, and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSXV, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include risks associated with the Company's ability to complete exploration and drilling programs as expected, possible accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, risks associated with the interpretation of exploration results and the results of the metallurgical testing program, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, the risk that the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans, risks associated with obtaining the required approvals for the Transactions and satisfying the other conditions to the Transactions, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's Annual Information Form and Management's discussion and Analysis, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR+) at www.sedarplus.ca for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-found-gold-grants-stock-options-and-restricted-share-units-302568599.html SOURCE New Found Gold Corp. VANCOUVER, Sept. 26, 2025 - Mustang Energy Corp. (CSE: MEC, OTC:MECPF, FRA:92T) (the "Company" or "Mustang") is making final preparations for the drilling activities planned on the Surprise Creek Uranium-Copper Project (the "Project"). The drill program is expected to commence on September 28th, 2025. The Company entered into an option agreement (the "Option Agreement") with Thunderbird Resources Ltd. ("Thunderbird") to acquire an undivided 80% interest in the Project. Please refer to the Company's news release dated June 4, 2025, and June 16, 2025, as filed under the Company's SEDAR+ profile, for further details regarding the Option Agreement. The drill program will be helicopter supported and be based out of Uranium City, Saskatchewan. Mustang Energy has engaged Base Diamond Drilling Ltd. as the contractor. Up to 2,000 meters is planned in the Surprise Creek Fault area, which hosts high-grade uranium surface samples and historical drilling returned results of up to 2.1 m of 4.37% U 3 O 8 from 57 m1, 5. The purpose of the program will be to follow-up on historic drill intercepts, to better understand the mineralization-hosting structures, and to test zones with no previous drilling. Nicholas Luksha, CEO of Mustang Energy, commented: "We are proud to launch Mustang Energy's first-ever drilling campaign beginning at the Surprise Creek Project. This is a defining milestone for the Company as we execute on our strategy to discover and develop critical mineral assets. With high-grade uranium and copper mineralization confirmed by historic drilling and surface sampling, along with newly defined targets from recent geophysical surveys, Surprise Creek has all the hallmarks of a project capable of delivering meaningful value as we advance this inaugural program." About Surprise Creek Uranium-Copper Project The Surprise Creek Project is located 25 km north-west of the Beaverlodge Uranium District, which hosts the historical uranium mines of Gunnar and Eldorado (Ace-Fay-Verna) and is located just northwest of the Athabasca Basin (see figure 1). Figure 1: Surprise Creek Uranium-Copper Project Overview and Location 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 A major high-resolution airborne magnetic, radiometric, and VLF-EM survey completed by Thunderbird in September 2024 identified multiple new uranium targets (see THB:ASX announcement dated 19 December 2024 titled "Exploration to commence at Rockvale Antimony-Gold Project"). A strong uranium radiometric anomaly has been identified at the previously defined Surprise Creek Fault drill target, where historical drilling returned results of up to 2.1m of 4.37% U 3 O 8 from 57 m1, 5 and surface sampling by Thunderbird returned assays up to 7.98% U 3 O 8 .2 The area of surface uranium mineralisation extends discontinuously over a strike length of up to 500 m.2 In addition, the Project contains historical copper prospects including Bob Lake, Ellis Bay, and Waterloo South. Historical drilling results include 9.1 m @ 2.07% Cu and 27.3 g/t Ag from surface at Bob Lake,3 and 6.6 m @ 1.31% Cu from 11 m at Ellis Bay.3 Rock chip sampling of historical copper occurrences completed by Thunderbird in 2022 and 2023 returned assays up 61.7% Cu, 27.6% Cu and 9% Cu.2, 3 A work permit application for exploration, including drilling at the Surprise Creek Fault prospect, has recently been approved by the Saskatchewan Government. References 1 ASX:THB announcement dated 6th July 2022 titled "Surprise Creek data review highlights high-grade targets" 2 ASX:THB announcement dated 22 December 2022 titled "High-grade Uranium rock chip results at Surprise Creek" 3 ASX:THB announcement dated 13th February 2023 titled "Exciting Copper Targets at Surprise Creek" 4 ASX:THB announcement dated 13th October 2022 titled "Exceptional Uranium and Copper Rock chip results" 5 Saskatchewan Mineral Assessment Database Drill hole VT20, SMAD# 74N10-0368, Retrieved from http://mineral-assessment.saskatchewan.ca/Pages/BasePages/Main.aspx 6 Saskatchewan Mineral Assessment Database, SMAD# 74N11-0063, Retrieved from http://mineral-assessment.saskatchewan.ca/Pages/BasePages/Main.aspx Cautionary Statement The Company advises that, notwithstanding their proximity and location, discoveries of minerals on or near historic mines such as Gunnar and Eldorado, and any promising results thereof, are not necessarily indicative of the mineralization of, or located on the Project, or the Company's ability to commercially exploit the Project, or to locate any commercially exploitable deposits therefrom. The Company cautions investors on relying on this information as the Company has not confirmed the accuracy or reliability of the information. Update on the Ford Lake Project On August 12, 2025, the Company issued 1,500,000 common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Consideration Shares") to Stallion Uranium Corp. ("Stallion") pursuant to the purchase and sale agreement dated February 12, 2024, as amended on August 8, 2025, to allow the Company to accelerate the payment of the purchase price (the "Agreement"). The issuance of the Consideration Shares marked the payment of the final instalment of the aggregate purchase price to be paid by the Company to Stallion for the purchase and sale of the Ford Lake Project. The Consideration Shares remain subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day from the date of issuance. Qualifying Statement The scientific and technical information in this release has been reviewed and approved by Troy Marfleet, P.Geo., Technical Advisor for Mustang Energy, a registered member of the Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan. Mr. Marfleet is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. About Mustang Energy Corp.: Mustang Energy is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the discovery and development of high-potential uranium and critical mineral assets. The company holds a portfolio of 147,153 hectares of strategically located properties in Saskatchewan's Athabasca Basin-one of the world's premier uranium districts. Mustang is advancing early-stage exploration through modern techniques and a disciplined, data-driven approach. The Company is committed to building long-term value through responsible exploration and a focus on high-impact targets in underexplored areas. For further information, please contact: Mustang Energy Corp. Attention: Nicholas Luksha, CEO and Director Phone: (604) 838-0184 Neither the CSE nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. 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", "believes" 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, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things, the future potential of the mineral claims held by the Company, the results from the current phase of exploration on the Project informing drill targeting on the Project and the completion of future work on the Project. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation the assumption that the Company will be able to continue exploring its properties given various environmental and economic factors outside of its control and that the Company will be able to obtain its intended results from the exploration on the Project. 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. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a0d85b8c-60db-41bb-94a2-139ee496715e Vancouver, September 26, 2025 - Nevada Organic Phosphate Inc. (CSE: NOP) ("NOP" or the "Company"), a B.C. based leader in organic sedimentary phosphate exploration, is pleased to announce that, further to its news releases dated September 19, 2025, and September 23, 2025, it has closed the first tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") for gross aggregate proceeds of $1,302,000 (the "First Tranche") through the issuance of 26,040,000 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.05 per Unit. Each Unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Share") and one-half of one Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"), with each Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one additional Share (each, a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.10 per Warrant Share for a period of sixty months following the date of issuance (the "Date of Issue"). The aggregate proceeds of the Offering are anticipated to be used for a phase one drill program at the Company's Murdock Property and for general working capital. The drill program is anticipated to begin in early October and be completed by October 31st. Fees of $91,250 were paid and 1,825,000 finder's units were issued (the "Finder's Units") to certain finders in connection with the First Tranche. Each Finder's Unit consists of one Share and one-half of one finder's Share purchase warrant (each, a "Finder's Warrant"), with each whole Finder's Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one additional Share (each, a "Finder's Warrant Share") at a price of $0.10 per Finder's Warrant Share for a period of sixty months following the date of issuance. Each Warrant and Finder's Warrant is subject to an acceleration provision providing that, if the volume weighted average price for the Company's common shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE", or such other exchange on which the common shares may be traded at such time) is equal to or greater than $0.25 for a period of ten (10) consecutive trading days at any time after the Date of Issue, the Company can accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants by disseminating a news release advising the holders of the acceleration and, in such case, the Warrants will expire on the thirtieth day after the date of such notice. All securities issued in connection with the First Tranche are subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day after the date of issuance, as set out in National Instrument 45102 - Resale of Securities. The Offering remains subject to regulatory approval and the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange. None of the securities sold in connection with the First Tranche have been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and no such securities may be 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 the United States or any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Nevada Organic Phosphate Inc. NOP is a junior exploration company with an organic sedimentary raw rock phosphate bed, 6.6 kilometres long, in northeast Nevada. Additional applications extend the potential strike of rock phosphate to over 30 kilometres. This is believed to be the only known large-scale organic sedimentary phosphate project in North America. It is situated close to the main highway to Montello/Elko, Nevada, and near the rail head to California. For More Information Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulations services providers have reviewed or accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information ("FLSI") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. FLSI may include expectations, anticipations, beliefs, opinions, plans, intentions, estimates, forecasts, projections, guidance or other similar statements and information that are not historical facts. All statements which are not historical statements are considered FLSI. All FLSI is based on assumptions, which may prove inaccurate, and subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those risks and uncertainties identified in the Company's public securities filings, which may cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated or implied in FLSI. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance or value on FLSI. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in any FLSI in this news release are reasonable at the present time, it can give no assurance that such FLSI will prove to be correct. Any FLSI in this news release is made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligations to publicly update or revise any FLSI, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable securities laws. Any FLSI in this news release is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. Not for distribution to U.S. news wire services or dissemination in the United States. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/268253 Former Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva speaks at the Peace Conference in Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua) Delegates visit the Museum of the Communist Party of China in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 26, 2025. Delegates to the Peace Conference in Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War visited the Museum of the Communist Party of China and the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression here on Friday. They also attended the Peace Gathering in Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War on Friday. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua) Attendees are pictured at the Peace Conference in Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua) Former President of the Swiss Confederation Ueli Maurer speaks at the Peace Conference in Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua) Former Pakistani caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar speaks at the Peace Conference in Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua) Delegates visit the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 26, 2025. Delegates to the Peace Conference in Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War visited the Museum of the Communist Party of China and the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression here on Friday. They also attended the Peace Gathering in Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War on Friday. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua) Delegates attend the Peace Gathering in Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 26, 2025. Delegates to the Peace Conference in Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War visited the Museum of the Communist Party of China and the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression here on Friday. They also attended the Peace Gathering in Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War on Friday. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua) The Peace Conference in Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War is held in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua) Delegates visit the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 26, 2025. Delegates to the Peace Conference in Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War visited the Museum of the Communist Party of China and the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression here on Friday. They also attended the Peace Gathering in Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War on Friday. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua) U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the press upon departure from the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong) WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- The White House has warned federal agencies to brace themselves for a wave of layoffs if Congress does not come to an agreement to keep the government funded before Oct. 1. Congress is approaching a deadline to make a deal to fund the government. If no deal is reached by Sept. 30 midnight, parts of the government could shut down until an agreement is reached. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) sent out a memo on Wednesday that told agencies whose funding ends on Oct. 1 and those that are "not consistent with the president's priorities" to consider sending out termination notices to employees. The warning is intended to prompt Congress to make a deal and avoid a government shutdown, since the livelihoods of thousands of government workers could be at risk. During shutdowns in the past, government employees were usually furloughed temporarily until Congress reached a deal on the budget. During the last shutdown, which occurred from late December 2018 to late January 2019 and lasted 35 days, roughly 800,000 federal employees were furloughed or required to work without pay. The shutdown was primarily due to a dispute over funding for then-President Donald Trump's U.S.-Mexico border wall. "Programs that did not benefit from an infusion of mandatory appropriations will bear the brunt of a shutdown," the OMB wrote in the memo, as reported by Politico, a Washington-based political newspaper. The document is the latest bid to ratchet up the pressure on Democratic lawmakers to cut a deal with GOP members of Congress to avoid a shutdown of some parts of the government. "We remain hopeful that Democrats in Congress will not trigger a shutdown and the steps outlined above will not be necessary," according to the memo. But the clock is ticking in the lead-up to Tuesday's deadline, when funding for some government departments is slated to run out. So far, Democrats are holding the line on demands that a bill needs to include an extension of enhanced tax credits for the Affordable Care Act -- the healthcare legislation signed into law by former President Barack Obama. Some analysts believe the White House is not making empty threats, and that the Trump administration is willing to fire federal employees if no deal is reached. "The Trump administration already has fired tens of thousands of employees, so people should take the new threat seriously," Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Darrell West told Xinhua. "Top leaders want to downsize government and see the shutdown as a vehicle to do that. This move could backfire on the president because it could create sympathy for those who are terminated," West said. Some believe the White House simply needs to justify further government employee firings, after having terminated hundreds of thousands earlier this year. "This administration has been aggressive in looking for ways to shrink the federal workforce and probably sees a shutdown as another bite at the apple," Christopher Galdieri, a political science professor at Saint Anselm College in the northeastern state of New Hampshire, told Xinhua. "That said, this is probably aimed less at Trump's base than it is at Democrats in Congress, in the hope that the prospect of widespread layoffs will make Democrats back down from their demands for funding the government," Galdieri said. Dean Baker, co-founder of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, told Xinhua that government employee firings "will likely wreak havoc" in the functioning of the government. "I doubt he will fire anyone they wouldn't have fired anyhow, although maybe at a different time," Baker said. "The White House simply wants to win the confrontation. It may be that they will lose in terms of public opinion if they proceed to mass firings, but even so, one of their own key goals will have been served," Clay Ramsay, a researcher at the Center for International and Security Studies at the University of Maryland, told Xinhua. U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the press upon departure from the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong) U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the press upon departure from the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong) ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- The China-Africa Innovation Cooperation Day was held in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa on Friday, showcasing the achievements of the two sides' ever-deepening cooperation in science, technology, and innovation. The event, co-organized by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology, the African Union (AU), and the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, brought together senior Chinese and African government officials, representatives from the AU, and delegates from various international and regional organizations. Speaking at the event, Yin Hejun, Chinese minister of science and technology, said China and Africa have embarked on a new stage of jointly building an all-weather community with a shared future for the new era, which serves as the fundamental guiding principle to advance broader China-Africa cooperation. Describing cooperation in science and technology as an important aspect of China-Africa ties, Yin said this partnership has become a pillar of the broader China-Africa friendship and cooperation. For his part, Gaspard Banyankimbona, AU commissioner for education, science, technology and innovation, underscored the vital imperative to deepen Sino-Africa cooperation in innovation, science, and technology to transform shared visions into joint actions and outcomes. "We recognize the invaluable insight gained from the Chinese impressive progress in innovation, commercialization, agriculture, biodiversity conservation, digital infrastructure, and water resource management," said Banyankimbona. "By adapting and co-developing these solutions, Africa has the potential to speed up its transformation in ways that prioritize local realities and strengthen regional value chains," he added. The AU commissioner said the high-level gathering reflected the shared recognition by China and Africa that science, technology, and innovation are "essential drivers of resilience, inclusive growth, and dignity." Jiang Feng, head of the Chinese Mission to the AU, said China has consistently regarded Africa as a vital partner for international cooperation on scientific and technological innovation, adding that the partnership is growing with vigor and vitality. The China-Africa Innovation Cooperation Day, held at the AU headquarters under the theme "New Opportunities for Innovation Cooperation: Joining Hands to Realize Modernization," featured various activities, including an exhibition on China-Africa innovation cooperation and a number of seminars. Haiti - Security : Move urgently to protect Haitians dixit Human Rights Watch Friday, September 26, 2025 Nathalye Cotrino, senior researcher in the Americas division at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement, "The United Nations Security Council should rapidly authorize an international mission to confront escalating violence in Haiti, and ensure it has sufficient funding, personnel, and robust human rights safeguards." Criminal groups in Haiti have consolidated and expanded their territorial control beyond the capital, escalating violence in areas that were previously considered safe; the council is discussing whether to transform the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission into what it is referring to as "Gang Suppression Force" (GSF). "Time is running out to stop Haiti from falling entirely into the hands of abusive criminal groups," said Nathalye Cotrino "The UN has a chance to contribute meaningfully to addressing Haitis crisis by urgently ensuring that any forcewhether the Multinational Security Support or the proposed Gang Suppression Forceis properly staffed, funded, accountable, and equipped with robust human rights safeguards." Violence in Haiti continues to escalate, with at least 3,137 people killed in the first half of 2025, according to the UN. Criminal groups control nearly all of Haitis capital, have expanded into three other departments, and have significantly disrupted the delivery of essential services and humanitarian aid nationwide. To date, almost one and a half million people have been displaced, and half the population faces acute food insecurity. Drawing on recommendations made by the UN secretary-general in February 2025 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44332-haiti-politic-antonio-guterre-proposes-a-formula-for-a-security-force-capable-of-defeating-gangs-in-haiti.html , the United States and Panama have circulated a draft resolution to transition the MSS into a 'Gang Suppression Force' https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-45656-haiti-flash-usa-proposes-a-more-aggressive-repression-force-against-gangs-with-more-than-5-000-men.html . The force would be composed of up to 5,500 police, military, and civilian personnel, authorized to operate independently or alongside the Haitian National Police; two significant changes compared to the roughly 1,000 mostly police personnel in the current MSS, which can only operate in support of the Haitian police. Under this proposal, a new UN Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH) would support the GSF. This office would also provide logistical and technical assistance to actors already operating in the country, including the UN Integrated Office in Haiti, the Haitian National Police, and the Haitian armed forces, and it would coordinate with the Organization of American States (OEA). However, "if the GSF proposal leaves serious gaps in funding, personnel, and human rights safeguards, it risks repeating the very failures that have undermined the current missions effectiveness," Human Rights Watch said. Any security support mission in Haiti should be backed by predictable and sustained funding. Predictable resources to cover salaries and operational costs are essential to prevent the gaps that crippled the MSS, and binding commitments for troop contributions are needed to ensure the force is fully staffed and able to curb abuses by Haitis powerful criminal groups. The new Office UNSOH should also be adequately resourced to provide all necessary equipment through the UNs system of assessed contributions; that is, money that UN member countries are required to pay for UN operations. If created, the GSF should have rigorous vetting, consistent with UN standards, and human rights training for all personnel, both before deployment and during the mission. The mission should have a mandate to work with the specialized judicial units that national authorities have established to ensure adequate prosecutions for the most serious crimes, including massacres, sexual violence, and other grave human rights abuses. The mission and relevant UN agencies should also support the rapid operationalization of these units to ensure timely prosecutions. "It has been two years since Haitian authorities asked the international community for help to curb criminal violence, and so far, that help has fallen far short," Cotrino concluded. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Environment : Workshop to present the results of COP29 and pre-COP30 The Climate Change Directorate (DCC) of the Ministry of the Environment (MdE) organized a workshop to present the results of the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) and the preparatory conference for COP30, held this year in Bonn, Germany. The objective of this workshop was to inform national stakeholders of the key outcomes of these two international meetings, identify their concrete implications for Haiti, particularly in the areas of financing and transparency, and mobilize public and private institutions, as well as civil society, around the national roadmap for COP30. Held in a hybrid format (in person and online), the workshop was opened by Joseph Emmanuel Philippe, Director General of the MdE, who noted that climate hazards risk plunging Haiti into an economic and social crisis, given that more than half of the country depends on agriculture. He reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to mobilizing a multi-sectoral delegation to represent and defend the country's interests at COP30, scheduled for November in Belem, Brazil. During the discussions, several speakers shared their analyses. Gerty Pierre, Director of the Ministry's Climate Change Department, emphasized the lessons learned at COP29, particularly on the themes of adaptation, financing, transparency, and loss and damage. According to her, Haiti's participation in COP30 is crucial, as the country is already bearing the brunt of the impacts of climate change. For his part, Engineer Astrel Joseph, former Director General of the Ministry of Environment, presented Haiti's orientations from the pre-COP30 and the alignments established with the outcomes of COP29. He encouraged Haitian representatives to strengthen their negotiating capacities to enable the country to take full advantage of these international forums. This workshop provided an opportunity to learn useful lessons on current diplomatic dynamics, identify opportunities for international cooperation, particularly in the area of climate finance, and strengthen synergies between national instruments such as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the National Adaptation Plan (NAP). In a context marked by security, institutional, and financial challenges, the Ministry of the Environment considers Haiti's participation in international climate negotiations to be an essential lever for resilience, cohesion, and socioeconomic transformation. Moise Fils Jean Pierre, Minister of the Environment, reiterated that environmental diplomacy remains at the heart of the government's efforts to defend the country's interests and promote climate justice alongside small island States. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Health : Pharmacists on the front line The Ministry of Public Health, through the Directorate of Pharmacy, Medicines, and Traditional Medicine of the Ministry of Public Health and Population (DPM/MT-MSPP), celebrated the World Pharmacists Day (September 25, 2025), in the presence of the Director General, Dr. Gabriel Thimothe, and Dr. Oscar Bareneche, representing the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO). This day was an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the crucial role pharmacists play in building healthier communities. As demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacists are on the front lines of health crises. They often respond to the health needs of populations in multiple ways, including : By ensuring access to medicines and medical devices; By contributing their expertise to patient care and public health; By promoting disease prevention, for example, by administering vaccines, educating patients, and helping to improve written health information; By supporting public health campaigns; By participating in the research and development of new drugs; By playing a leading role in pharmacovigilance, for example, by ensuring the safety and efficacy of antibiotics and other drugs; By implementing more environmentally friendly working methods and addressing the impacts of environmental factors on health; By advocating for policy changes that improve health outcomes. The health authorities also expressed their respect for the pharmaceutical profession and their desire to form a united front to combat various forms of malpractice, particularly the illicit sale of drugs, which represents a major public health issue. This collaboration is essential to protect populations and ensure the integrity of the pharmaceutical supply chain. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... PAP Bar Association President Re-Elected On Friday, September 26, the Port-au-Prince Bar Association held elections to renew its leadership. Following the vote, Attorney Patrick Pierre-Louis was reappointed as President for a second two-year term with 198 votes, compared to 123 votes for his opponent, Attorney Marx Standley Lafortune. ULCC : 7 New Reports Submitted to the Justice On Friday, September 26, 2025, Attorney Hans Jacques Ludwig Joseph, Director General of the Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC), submitted 7 new investigation reports to the justice. These reports cover alleged cases of embezzlement of public funds, corruption, and mismanagement in several public institutions. The reports target : the Minister of Youth, Gamall Jules Augustin, former Director General of the TNH, the National Solid Waste Management Service, the Public University of Lower Artibonite, and Ouanaminthe (three investigations) : the renovation of the public square, the management of the municipal market, and the border market. Hinche : Floods Following the torrential rains that hit the city of Hinche from the afternoon of September 25th to the morning of September 26th, 2025, more than twenty houses were flooded in the Samana town due to the rising river. These heavy rains also caused landslides in this town, making traffic difficult. To date, the Central Civil Protection has not reported any casualties, but is monitoring the situation. General Hospital Relocation Agreement On Wednesday, September 24, 2025, the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Economy and Finance signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as part of the temporary relocation of the General Hospital, planned for the near future, pending its reopening at its usual location in downtown Port-au-Prince. Martinique : Return of 25 FAd'H Soldiers The 25 soldiers of the 4th cohort of the Haitian Armed Forces (FAd'H) returned after two weeks of intensive training in Martinique alongside the Armed Forces in the Antilles https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-45783-haiti-news-zapping.html . Their new capabilities will quickly be put into practice to support efforts to recapture territories under the control of criminal gangs. Montreal International Black Film Festival Writer and member of the Academie francaise, screenwriter, and filmmaker Dany Laferriere is the Honorary President of the 21st edition of the Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIBFF, September 24-28, 2025). During this event, Dany Laferriere will receive the 2025 MIBFF Tribute Grand Prize for his body of work and his significant contribution to the arts and society. HL/ HaitiLibre It's good news for Windows 10 users: the company is making the Extended Security Updates (ESU) available free of charge for private users in the European Economic Area (EU countries and Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein) for one year until 14 October 2026. This is the result of an exchange of correspondence between a consumer organization and Microsoft. Microsoft has now confirmed this to Windows Central. Continue after ad Unlike in the USA, for example, where the update year costs 30 US dollars, consumers in Europe can receive the security updates free of charge. Microsoft assured the Euroconsumers Association of this. There will only be one catch: The security updates will only be available to private users who have linked their Windows 10 installation to a Microsoft account. Nevertheless, Els Bruggemann from the consumer organization Euroconsumers, which had urged Microsoft to do so, believes that this is progress. This is because Euroconsumers saw several violations of EU law in the conditions that the company had previously set for access to longer security update support. Microsoft had made access to updates dependent on additional data. Considering the US company's market power under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and under the little-known Directive on certain aspects of contracts for the supply of digital content and digital services, this is not possible, according to the organization. The directive formulates requirements for digital content and services. However, Euroconsumers continues to accuse Microsoft of violating the law by imposing arbitrary hardware requirements for Windows 11 and causing unnecessary obsolescence. New regulation only applies in Europe Euroconsumers is somewhat mollified by the fact that private users are now required to have a Microsoft account for security updates. At least legally, unlike linking to participation in the rewards program or Microsoft's OneDrive, for example, this is not a breach of the rules of the Digital Markets Act, Bruggeman explained to heise online. For companies and other commercial users, however, participation in the ESU program remains subject to a fee. By making a concession to consumer advocates, Microsoft is clearly favoring users in the EU and the associated economic area in its first consumer ESU program, which could also lead to further discussions in other regions. The fact that EU law apparently offers a better position for users compared to other legal systems should be seen with some pleasure by the responsible politicians in Brussels. BSI welcomes grace period and is calling on users to take action Continue after ad The German Federal Office for Information Security (BS) expressly welcomes the longer availability of important security updates for private users with Windows 10: This gives users a little more time to endeavor to use an operating system that is supplied with security updates in the long term, explains a spokesperson. The Bonn authority does not have its findings on the number of Windows 10 users in Germany. However, public statistics still show a high market share at according to which around half of the systems in Germany are still running the operating system first released ten years ago. (mma) Don't miss any news follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication. BUCHAREST, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Six infants died and three others were infected after a bacterial outbreak at a children's hospital called "Sfanta Maria" in Romania's northeastern Iasi city, the country's Health Ministry said Friday. The ministry confirmed that nine patients under the age of one had contracted the Serratia marcescens bacteria, but stressed that a direct medical link between the infections and the deaths has not yet been established. Forensic experts will determine whether the bacterium caused the fatalities. The first case was detected on Sept. 13 but reported to the public health directorate six days later, when four children were already infected. The hospital also failed to impose isolation measures in its intensive care unit (ICU), the ministry said. Health Minister Alexandru Rogobete announced an urgent investigation and threatened to dismiss staff if cover-ups or breaches of medical protocols are confirmed. Admissions to the ICU sector where the infections occurred have been suspended, with strict hygiene and monitoring measures introduced. Serratia marcescens is a bacterium commonly found in water, soil and on wet surfaces. It can cause severe infections in vulnerable patients, particularly in hospitals, and is often resistant to antibiotics. The ministry said that an investigation is underway. The IT service provider NTT Data no longer wants to work with the security appliance manufacturer Ivanti in the future. The company writes this in an internal email, excerpts of which have been made available to heise security. The service provider takes a hard line with its supplier and describes its devices as an "unacceptable risk" due to various security vulnerabilities. Continue after ad The message, which was apparently sent internally by NTT Data, reads as follows: "Despite continuous monitoring and contact, we have not seen any significant improvement in the security situation. Therefore, continued use poses an unacceptable risk to our operations, data integrity and the trust of our customers". Insecurity known for years Ivanti has repeatedly attracted attention due to sometimes serious security vulnerabilities in its security appliances, most recently a fortnight ago. Last year, the US cyber security authority CISA even ordered its subordinate authorities to switch off certain Ivanti devices. The company's CEO then promised improvement in an open letter. However, this has apparently only partially materialized: It is true that Ivanti published around two thirds fewer CVE numbers for security vulnerabilities compared to the previous year. This may be due to fewer bugs, but also less troubleshooting. However, even in 2025, CISA had to issue a warning about malware that directly infiltrated the manufacturer's devices; its own security team overlooked a critical vulnerability and categorized it as a normal program error. The security problems at Ivanti have been known for years, but the alleged delisting by NTT Data is an unusual step. According to the internal announcement, the company intends to discontinue all Ivanti products in future. This applies not only to the company's own systems, but also, in particular, to resale to third parties. Renewals for existing contracts will also be cancelled, and internal security specialists will provide support during the changeover, according to the memo. The Japanese NTT Data is active at several locations with its subsidiary in Germany and offers security services such as "Managed SOC". An official confirmation from the company is still pending. Asked about the email, a spokeswoman for the company promised internal clarification yesterday, Wednesday as soon as this has been done, we will update this report. Ivanti could not be reached for comment at short notice. (cku) 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. Continue after ad "Master & Commander" from 2003 seems like the antithesis of typical sea adventures: it has nothing of the chlorinated studio stink, but salt in the air and gunpowder in the nose. Even the first few minutes immerse the audience: splintering wood, whipping wind, the thunder of cannons during the first major naval battle. The story takes place at the beginning of the 19th century, when the Enlightenment had just overcome its birth pangs and Napoleon was waging war on Europe. The British frigate Surprise under Captain Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe) is caught in the crossfire of the superior French Acheron. Driven by pride and duty, Aubrey does not have his badly damaged ship repaired on land, but chases the enemy across the ocean. Much to the displeasure of his ship's doctor, Maturin (Paul Bettany), who later uses the voyage to scientifically explore the nature of the Galapagos Islands. The gripping cat-and-mouse game unfolds as a mixture of historical facts and free dramaturgy, inspired by Patrick O'Brian's famous series of novels, which tells the story of Aubrey and Marutin in 20 volumes. Due to its comparatively authentic portrayal, the film is not only popular with cineastes but also with sailors. Expectations for the newly restored version on Ultra HD Blu-ray (UHD) were therefore particularly high. It shows the film for the first time in 4K resolution in the HDR color space with Dolby Vision and English Dolby Atmos sound. In this test, we compare the new disc with the streaming versions on Disney+ and AppleTV as well as the older Blu-ray release from 2007. In between, the ship's doctor Maturin has time to explore the fauna and flora of the Galapagos Islands, which were still little explored in 1805. However, the suspense curve suffers from the lull before the film returns to the hunt for the French warship. (Image: 20th Century Fox - abfotografiert von Hartmut Gieselmann) Real ships instead of computer simulations Weir's uncompromising demand for authenticity was decisive for the effect. The actors received basic training in seamanship and drill. Every movement, every command seems as if the actors had been on deck all their lives. Russell Crowe not only led his crew in front of the camera: he actually let the actors live in a confined space to make the feeling on board palpable and kept morale high with snappy remarks while wind machines, fire hoses, and tons of salt water rained down on them. In the battle scenes, the actors act like people who are actually struggling to survive. Even the music follows this striving for realism: Aubrey and Maturin practiced the string instruments to the point of absolute fingering accuracy. Weir had both actors play the pieces on instruments below deck and smoothly translated their music into a classical film score. Technically, the director relied on a sophisticated mix of original ships, detailed models and CGI. And so seamlessly that even twenty years later, nothing looks artificial. The film crew rebuilt the HMS Surprise, once the training sailing ship "The Rose", for the film and used it on the open sea. A replica of the ship stood on a hydraulic joint in the gigantic water tanks at Fox Studios. Continue after ad Real ships, storms, battles, 1:6 scale miniatures and digital effects lend the film a visual credibility that is often lacking in today's blockbusters. Master & Commander is not a superficial popcorn spectacle, but a film about honor and friendship, science and war that rewards patience and dedication with a running time of 138 minutes. This is despite the somewhat lengthy scenes on the Galapagos Islands, which let the film's suspense sag in the middle. 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. We're a family of eight living in Georgia where Andrew's a professor at GSU and Nancy is a PhD student at UGA. You can read more about us here Danish police confirmed that drones were observed flying over Karup airbase, Denmarks largest military installation, on Friday evening around 20:15 local time. The airspace above the base was briefly closed to civilian traffic, though no commercial flights were scheduled at the time. Unidentified drones have flown over several military installations and airports in Denmark and neighbouring countries in a coordinated sequence of incursions over the past week, prompting airspace closures and raising concerns about foreign surveillance or sabotage. Other sightings were reported by both citizens and the Danish Armed Forces, but no specific locations were disclosed. The military confirmed that multiple installations were affected, without identifying them. The Danish Defence Ministry described the incidents as a hybrid attack. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Thursday that the breach constituted the most serious attack on Danish critical infrastructure to date. Danish authorities said the attack appeared to be conducted by a professional actor, but suggested it was likely launched from within the country. On Monday, Copenhagen Airport was forced to close for several hours due to drone activity. Similar disruptions followed on Wednesday at Aalborg and Billund airports, along with at least three smaller airfields. Authorities shut down airspace temporarily in each case. Additional sightings were reported in Norway, Germany, and Lithuania. German police confirmed drone activity in Schleswig-Holstein near the Danish border. Norway's rland Air Base, home to F-35 fighter jets, reported a potential incursion early Saturday. Vilnius airport in Lithuania also experienced delays on Friday following drone sightings. On Saturday, Estonian authorities confirmed that part of a drone was found washed ashore in the Luitemaa nature reserve on the countrys southwestern coast. The component was identified as belonging to a larger drone and is believed to have drifted in from the Baltic Sea. Investigations are ongoing to determine its origin. The former chief analyst of Danish military intelligence, Jacob Kaarsbo, told Danish newspaper Ekstrabladet that a Russian warship may have been operating near Danish waters at the time of the drone flights. The vessel was identified as the Ropucha-class landing ship Aleksandr Shabalin from the Russian Baltic Fleet. According to AIS tracking data and aerial surveillance conducted by the newspaper, the ships location data had been deactivated, and it was operating about 12 kilometres from the Danish coastline near Langeland. Kaarsbo said the ship likely served a support role and not as a launch site, stating that such a direct involvement would be too obvious. He suggested that commercial cargo ships may have launched the drones, with the warship potentially serving as an observation or coordination point. He also noted that the warships presence might have been a strategic distraction aimed at diverting Danish defence resources. Russia has denied involvement. The Russian embassy in Copenhagen called the allegations absurd speculations and accused Denmark of staging provocations. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the accusations as unfounded. NATO member states have reported increased aerial violations in recent weeks. Poland and Estonia requested consultations with alliance partners following incidents involving Russian drones and aircraft. Romania also said a Russian drone breached its airspace earlier this month. The Danish National Police and Armed Forces continue to investigate the drone sightings. No devices have been intercepted or recovered over Danish territory. The origin and exact launch method of the drones remain unknown. The Danish air force confirmed that surveillance and counter-drone protocols are now active at all bases. No injuries or property damage have been reported. HT Estonian officials confirmed that a local resident discovered the part on Saturday morning in the Luitemaa nature reserve, in Parnu County. Initial assessments suggest the piece originated from a larger drone and may have drifted in from the Baltic Sea. A fragment of a foreign drone has been found on Estonias southwestern coastline, days after unauthorised drone flights were reported over military installations and airports in Denmark, Norway, and Germany. The Estonian Internal Security Service, police, border guard, and rescue agency recovered the component for analysis. Authorities are now investigating where and how the drone entered the sea. According to Chief Prosecutor Taavi Pern, there is no current evidence that the drone entered Estonian airspace or posed a threat to flight safety. The device reportedly contained no explosives. The discovery followed a series of drone incursions across northern Europe throughout the previous week. On Friday evening, multiple drones were seen flying illegally over Karup airbase, Denmarks main military airfield. The Danish Armed Forces confirmed the sightings to national broadcaster DR. Police later reported that one or possibly two drones entered both the inner and outer perimeter of the airfield around 20:00 local time. The airspace above Karup was temporarily closed to civilian flights. The Central and West Jutland Police only announced the incident the following morning. The airfield hosts Denmarks helicopter units, air surveillance systems, and elements of the national defence command. Additional sightings were reported on Saturday morning at rland Air Base in Norway, home to the countrys F-35 fighter fleet. Norwegian police stated they are receiving a high number of reports of drone activity and confirmed they are investigating all credible sightings. In Germany, police in Schleswig-Holstein said they detected drones flying over the region between Thursday night and Friday morning. The area borders Denmarks Jutland peninsula and includes key NATO infrastructure. In response, local authorities said they are strengthening drone defences in cooperation with other northern German states. Earlier this month, German police in Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein searched a cargo ship navigating the Kiel Canal on suspicion it was launching drones used for surveillance. Estonian news outlet Delfi was the first to report the discovery of the drone part on the countrys coast. Later, Finnish newspapers Iltalehti and Ilta-Sanomat also reported on the incident. Delfi cited law enforcement sources indicating that the drone part is not believed to be linked to Estonian airspace violations, though officials have not ruled out a broader connection to ongoing drone activity in the region. The origin of the drone remains unknown, and no country has claimed responsibility. HT The speech came amid growing global criticism over Israels conduct in Gaza, where over 65,500 people have been killed since October 2023, according to Gazas health authorities. Netanyahus message focused on defending Israels actions, denying genocide , and targeting Western nations that have recently recognised a Palestinian state. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used his address to the United Nations General Assembly to condemn recent recognition of Palestinian statehood and reaffirm Israels intention to continue its military campaign in Gaza. His appearance prompted walkouts by dozens of delegates and widespread protests in New York City. This is sheer madness, Netanyahu said, referring to the recognition of Palestine by countries including France, the UK, Canada, and Australia. Your disgraceful decision will encourage terrorism against Jews, and against innocent people everywhere. The Israeli leader was met with mixed reactions inside the UN hall. Delegates from multiple nations walked out in protest as Netanyahu took the stage. Large sections of the General Assembly remained empty throughout his remarks. Some supporters applauded from the upper galleries, while others booed or remained silent. In Times Square, demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and called for Netanyahus arrest under the International Criminal Court warrant for alleged war crimes. Some Jewish groups also joined the protests. He does not speak in our name, said one Orthodox Jewish protester. He is using our religion to justify crimes. Netanyahus speech was broadcast across Gaza using truck-mounted loudspeakers along the perimeter fence. Israeli officials claimed that his message also reached mobile phones inside Gaza. Residents interviewed by international broadcasters said they could not clearly hear the speech or dismissed it as propaganda. I ask you to scan this code, Netanyahu said, pointing to a QR badge on his lapel. You will see why we must fight and why we must win. The Israeli prime minister presented a map titled The Curse showing what he called the Iranian terror axis stretching across Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and Gaza. He highlighted Israeli strikes over the past year on Iranian-linked targets and praised the United States for joining Israel in a June bombing of Irans Fordo nuclear facility. Our daring pilots neutralised Irans missile defences, he said. We took control of the skies over Tehran. We bombed their nuclear enrichment sites. This war will go down in the annals of military history. Netanyahu also addressed Hamas directly, offering a stark ultimatum. Lay down your arms and release the hostages. If you do, you will live. If you dont, Israel will hunt you down. He read the names of 20 hostages still believed to be alive and sent a message through the loudspeakers into Gaza. We have not forgotten you, not even for a second, he said. Opposition voices in Israel condemned the address. Yair Lapid, former prime minister, said the speech was tired and whining. Yair Golan, leader of Israels Democrats, called the loudspeaker broadcast invalid, childish, and insane. The Palestinian Authority described the speech as eight major lies, accusing Netanyahu of using misinformation to justify war crimes. The speech followed several diplomatic setbacks for Israel. In recent weeks, multiple countries have formally recognised a Palestinian state. A UN commission of inquiry concluded that Israels actions in Gaza meet the criteria for genocide. The International Court of Justice has also warned states of their legal obligation to prevent genocide in Gaza. In his remarks, Netanyahu denied Israel committing genocide in Gaza and accused Hamas of creating the humanitarian crisis. If people in Gaza are starving, its because Hamas steals and hoards the aid, he said. He rejected claims that Israel deliberately targets civilians and insisted that leaflets and text messages urging evacuation proved Israels intent to avoid harm. The United Nations has said 90 percent of Gazas population has been displaced and described the humanitarian conditions as catastrophic. Access for foreign media has been restricted throughout the genocide, with the Israeli military maintaining control over entry into the territory. Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin addressed the UN later the same day, calling Israels actions in Gaza an affront to human dignity. He cited the International Court of Justice warning and urged countries providing weapons to Israel to reconsider their role. There cannot be business as usual in the face of genocide, Martin said. Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned Israels military campaign, describing it as one of the most heart-wrenching tragedies of our time. He referred to the case of Hind Rajab, a six-year-old Palestinian girl killed in Gaza, asking delegates to imagine her as their own daughter. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis warned that continued escalation would harm Israels long-term interests. No military targets can justify the deaths of thousands of children, he said. Bangladeshs interim leader Muhammad Yunus voiced support for the UNs finding of genocide. We are witnessing a genocide happening live, he said. If this continues, neither future generations nor history will forgive us. Shortly after Netanyahu concluded his speech, former US President Donald Trump told reporters outside the White House, I think we have a deal on Gaza. He gave no details, but speculation has mounted about a possible ceasefire agreement. Despite these developments, Netanyahu maintained that peace could not come through compromise. Israel will not recognise a Palestinian state, he said. It is insane. And we wont do it. HT Speaking in New York, Lavrov claimed Western governments were deliberately escalating tensions and isolating Russia. Threats of force against Russia have increased, Lavrov said. We are accused of preparing attacks on NATO or EU countries. These are groundless provocations. Sergei Lavrov used his address at the United Nations General Assembly to accuse Western nations of threatening Russia, spreading division, and enabling what he called the resurgence of Nazism in Europe. Finlands President Alexander Stubb swiftly countered the narrative, saying the West is not at war with Russia and must respond with calm and resolve. Lavrov presented Russia as a peaceful state defending international law and national sovereignty, while accusing the West of double standards and maintaining global dominance through military power. He said European leaders were using the myth of inevitable war with Russia to push their populations toward greater economic and military sacrifices. He also repeated a long-standing claim that NATO expansion violated promises made to Soviet leaders. Lavrovs speech included a proposal to declare 14 December an international day against colonialism. He argued that Western attempts to divide the world into democracies and autocracies were fueling global instability. In remarks aimed at the conflict in Ukraine, Lavrov said Russia bore no blame for the war and instead accused the West of staging a coup in Kyiv in 2014. The Ukrainian regime was installed through an unconstitutional power grab, organised by the West, Lavrov said. He further accused Ukraine of indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas and claimed Western countries were ignoring these actions because they were committed by an ally. Lavrov insisted that Russia had no intention to attack NATO or the EU but warned that any military aggression against Russia would be met with a resolute response. His comments followed discussions in NATO circles about how to respond to recent Russian airspace violations. In one incident, Russian MiG-31 jets reportedly entered Estonian airspace for 12 minutes. Another involved Russian drones crossing into Polish territory. These cases have led some NATO officials to suggest shooting down unauthorised military aircraft in the future. In the United States, President Donald Trump recently said NATO members should be ready to shoot down intruding drones. Asked whether he would follow that advice, Finlands President Alexander Stubb told CNN that Finland would act according to protocol. We verify first, inform next, and then the air force decides. Everything depends on the situation, Stubb said. We have clear legal procedures. Commenting on Trumps remarks, Stubb said the statement from a U.S. president should be taken seriously. He added that Western countries had first tried a cooperative approach with Russia. We started with carrots. Now President Trump is using the stick, he said, referring to the warning on drones. Lavrovs claim that NATO and the EU had effectively declared war on Russia was rejected outright by Stubb. We are not at war with Russia, the Finnish president said. He described Russias actions as part of a dual strategy: conventional warfare in Ukraine and hybrid tactics against the West. Stubb cited past sabotage of Baltic Sea cables and current drone intrusions as examples of the latter. In these cases, we do two things, he said. First, we stay calm. Then we strengthen our defences so it wont happen again. The most important thing is not to overreact. Stubbs remarks reflect a broader effort in Nordic and Baltic states to balance deterrence with restraint amid increased Russian activity near their borders. In contrast to his criticism of Europe, Lavrov offered measured praise for the current U.S. administration, saying it had shown a willingness to seek realistic solutions in Ukraine and approach Russia without ideological posturing. Despite Russias ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Lavrov suggested Moscow was still open to dialogue, particularly with Washington. HT The alliance confirmed the move on Saturday, stating that it will deploy multi-domain assets to strengthen its presence and enhance the Baltic Sentry mission. The upgraded mission will include intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems, alongside the naval vessel. NATO will send at least one air-defence frigate and expand its surveillance operations in the Baltic Sea following a series of drone sightings that disrupted airports and raised security concerns in Denmark. No specific countries were named as contributors. The decision comes after multiple incidents involving unidentified drones over Danish airspace. Earlier this week, Copenhagen Airport, the busiest in the Nordic region, was forced to close for several hours after large drones were spotted in its vicinity. In the following days, five smaller civilian and military airports were also temporarily shut down due to drone activity. Danish Armed Forces reported additional drone sightings near military installations overnight. Similar activity has been observed recently in Germany and Norway. NATO launched the Baltic Sentry mission in January to safeguard underwater infrastructure in the region, including power cables, pipelines, and data links, following a series of unexplained damages. The alliance has since stationed patrol aircraft, naval drones, and other surveillance assets in the area. The additional deployments are also linked to NATOs new Eastern Sentry mission, established this month in response to repeated airspace violations by Russian drones and fighter aircraft over Poland and the Baltics. In one case last week, Estonia said three Russian MiG-31 jets entered its airspace for 12 minutes before being intercepted by NATO aircraft. Germanys Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described the drone threat as high and said Berlin would take further steps to protect its airspace and infrastructure. A separate report in Denmarks Ekstrabladet noted the presence of a Russian warship in the region that had disabled its location signal system, further heightening alert levels in the area. While NATO has not directly attributed the drone incidents to any specific actor, Russia remains central to regional security tensions. In a statement earlier this week, the alliance warned it would use all necessary military and non-military tools to defend its members. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov responded on Saturday, warning that any aggression against my country will be met with a decisive response. Russia has denied responsibility for the recent drone activity and airspace violations. The deployment marks the latest step in NATOs effort to increase deterrence and readiness on its eastern flank amid ongoing concerns about Russian hybrid operations and surveillance activities across European airspace. HT JERUSALEM, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it struck a high-rise building in Gaza City on Friday, which it claimed contained Hamas lookout posts to coordinate and execute attacks against IDF troops in the area. In a statement, the IDF said it has issued advance warnings to the population and used precision-guided munitions, aerial surveillance, and additional intelligence gathering to minimize civilian harm. Meanwhile, the non-governmental medical aid group Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said it was forced to suspend lifesaving medical activities in Gaza City "due to the rapidly deteriorating security situation," including "continued (Israeli) airstrikes and advancing tanks less than one kilometre from our healthcare facilities." "This is the last thing we wanted, as the needs in Gaza City are enormous, with the most at-risk people -- infants in neonatal care, people with severe injuries and life-threatening illnesses -- unable to move and in grave danger," the MSF said Friday in a statement. Within 24 hours, Gaza hospitals received 47 bodies and 142 injuries, bringing the total death toll in Gaza since the conflict began in October 2023 to 65,549, with 167,518 injuries, Gaza-based health authorities said Friday. On Thursday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that with hundreds of thousands of civilians fleeing the Gaza City military offensive, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians remain amid eroding relief operations. All attempts by the UN on Thursday to coordinate its staff and partners' access to or within northern Gaza were denied by Israeli authorities, except for a single mission that eventually had to be canceled by the organizers, the OCHA added. Tropical system now expected to turn east into the ocean A tropical depression that was churning toward the North Carolina coast is now expected to make a right turn and head east into the Atlantic, forecasters say. Related Stories "If the storm track does turn abruptly east on Tuesday as expected, then impacts will be minor, if any, for the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia. Confidence on this scenario continues to increase," the National Weather Service office in Greer, S.C., said in a Sunday morning advisory. "Nonetheless, there is still a small chance that the storm track could trend westward in the coming days. Confidence is very low on this scenario, but if this were to happen then heavy rainfall and gusty winds would be a concern for the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia." EARLIER COVERAGE: The North Carolina mountains could see heavy rain and other stormy conditions from two tropical systems in the Atlantic, although forecasters that confidence is low in the projections at this time. Tropical Storm Humberto intensified from a tropical storm to a category 4 hurricaneon Friday while the so-called Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine was gaining strength. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency as the storms moved toward the southern coast. aThe second system is expected to bring "a significant risk" of coastal impacts to the Southeastern coast beginning Sunday and into next week, forecasters say, USA Today reported. Forecasters projected a potential landfall somewhere between North Florida and North Carolina on Wednesday. It's too early to tell whether the storms will hit the N.C. mountains. "Confidence on potential storm track and intensity remains low so its still too early to know the exact impacts, if any. If the storm track were to curve towards the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia, then heavy rainfall and gusty winds could be a concern," the National Weather Service said Friday evening. "Depending on its exact motion and track, Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine could bring impacts such as heavy rainfall and gusty winds Monday into late Tuesday across the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia. The heavy rainfall threat may linger later into next week but confidence is low at this time. UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Friday failed to adopt a resolution that would have extended the 2015 Iran nuclear deal for six months to allow time for diplomacy. The draft resolution, tabled by China and Russia, won four votes in favor and nine votes against, with two abstentions, failing to get the nine positive votes required for adoption. If adopted, the draft resolution would have extended the nuclear deal between Iran and the six countries of Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States, as well as Security Council Resolution 2231 that endorsed the deal, for six months, and would have prevented a "snapback" of UN sanctions against Iran. Friday's voting result was exactly the same as that on Sept. 19 on a draft resolution put forward by the Republic of Korea in its capacity as Security Council president for the month of September, which, if adopted, would have continued to provide sanctions relief for Iran. Algeria, China, Pakistan and Russia voted in favor of Friday's draft resolution. Guyana and the Republic of Korea abstained. The remaining nine members of the Security Council voted against it. Britain, France and Germany -- the three European countries in the Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) -- claimed they triggered the snapback mechanism on Aug. 28 by notifying the Security Council of Tehran's "non-performance." Under Resolution 2231, the UN sanctions in place before the resolution's adoption would resume 30 days after the notification, unless the Security Council adopts a resolution to decide otherwise. The Sept. 19 draft resolution to that effect failed. However, the legality of the three countries' move has been questioned as it has skipped the Dispute Resolution Mechanism (DRM) provided for in the JCPOA and Resolution 2231. Under the JCPOA and Resolution 2231, the DRM has 35 days to resolve the disagreement. A snapback can be triggered only after the DRM fails to resolve the issue. Resolution 2231 expires on Oct. 18, 2025, after which time the Security Council would stop considering the Iran nuclear deal. On September 27, leaders of religious confessions and community members in Azerbaijan gathered at the residence of Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board (CMB), to honor the memory of the martyrs of the Patriotic War, Azernews reports. The dear memory of our heroes who died for the Motherland will always live in our hearts. May God have mercy on all our martyrs, the religious leaders said, commemorating the fallen with prayers according to their respective traditions. A banquet was also organized in their honor. In his address, Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade highlighted the significance of September 27 as a day of national pride: Five years have passed since the beginning of the Patriotic War that ended the 30-year Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani lands. The history of September 27 Memorial Day as the peak of our national revival, state power, and love for the Motherland is very special in the memory of the people. He emphasized that under the leadership of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the Azerbaijani Army restored the countrys territorial integrity, stressing that religious figures stood by the people, soldiers, and martyrs families throughout the 44-day war. He also reaffirmed the support of religious leaders and believers for President Ilham Aliyevs leadership. Today, under the leadership of Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board, Muslim religious figures and representatives of other religious confessions operating in the country visited Victory Park in Baku on the occasion of Memorial Day of the Martyrs of the Motherland. The dear memory of martyrs who lost their lives in the path of restoring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan was commemorated with respect, and prayers were offered for their souls. Today, under the leadership of Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board, Muslim religious figures and representatives of other religious confessions operating in the country visited Victory Park in Baku on the occasion of Memorial Day of the Martyrs of the Motherland. The dear memory of martyrs who lost their lives in the path of restoring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan was commemorated with respect, and prayers were offered for their souls. In accordance with the plan of events prepared by the Advisory Council of Religious Confessions in Azerbaijan, the memories of the heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the Patriotic War were commemorated and prayers were offered in mosques, churches, and synagogues across the country on the occasion of Memorial Day. Religious figures have also recently visited the families of martyrs in Baku and regions, and visited veterans who were injured in the 44-day war and the anti-terrorist operation. PYONGYANG, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- The top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) met on Friday with scientists and technicians in the nuclear field as he guided an important consultative meeting related to the production of nuclear materials and weapons, state media said Saturday. During the meeting, Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, listened to a report on the implementation of the plan to increase the capacity of the nuclear-material production field for 2025, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. He learned about the recent work and production activities of the Nuclear Weapons Institute, and was briefed about next year's plan and development prospects of the nuclear-material production field and the Nuclear Weapons Institute. "The powerful deterrent, namely, the logic of peace-keeping and security by force with nuclear forces as its backbone is the invariable stand of the DPRK," Kim was quoted by KCNA as saying. He added that steadily stepping up preparations for the state's nuclear countermeasures is an essential top-priority task given the country's security environment. Stressing the importance of constantly strengthening and upgrading "the nuclear shield and sword," the DPRK leader pledged that his country will "give top priority to providing and supporting every possibility and condition to the nuclear technology field for its sustained development," KCNA said in the report. LANZHOU, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese scientists have newly proposed that surplus 40Ar in lunar soil possibly originates from the Earth wind, according to the Northwest Institute of Eco-environment and Resources (NIEER) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Conducted by researchers at the NIEER, this latest study offers a new perspective for understanding volatile exchanges within the Earth-Moon system. The study results have been published in the journal Icarus, said the NIEER. Ar, the chemical element argon, is a pivotal noble gas present within lunar soil. It contains vital information crucial for deciphering the Moon's internal architecture and surface evolution processes, as well as the material exchange processes occurring between the Earth and the Moon, said Li Liwu, a researcher at the NIEER. "Analysis of the isotopic composition of Ar in lunar soil can provide new clues for understanding multiple key issues regarding the Moon and the Earth-Moon system," Li said. Li also noted that, alongside advancement of lunar exploration in recent years, excess 40Ar in lunar soil remains a significant topic in planetary science, drawing the attention of the scientific community. Lunar soil samples collected by China's Chang'e-5 mission provide an opportunity for scientists to tackle this issue. Researchers with the Oil and Gas Research Center of the NIEER have conducted stepwise heating and degassing analyses of noble gas isotopes in Chang'e-5 lunar soil samples. They further conducted fine analysis of the argon isotope composition within these lunar soil samples. The study results revealed the presence of two types of 40Ar -- one unrelated to 36Ar, likely originating from in situ 40K which decays into 40Ar in the soils, and the other correlated with 36Ar -- which may primarily derive from the Earth wind. The study proposes that the excess 40Ar in lunar soil could primarily originate from continuous escape from Earth's atmosphere -- with it injected onto the lunar surface via both the inner and outer regions of Earth's magnetosphere. The findings of this new study provide an innovative framework for understanding the atmospheric escape process of terrestrial planets and their impact on neighboring celestial bodies, Li noted. He added that the study also offers a new perspective for analysis of samples from the far side of the Moon as provided by the Chang'e-6 mission, and for the analysis of lunar soil retrieved by subsequent exploration projects. The outcomes of this study are expected to help further verify the spatial influence range of the Earth wind. The Chang'e-5 probe, which returned to Earth on Dec. 17, 2020, retrieved 1,731 grams of lunar samples, consisting primarily of rocks and soil from the lunar surface. BEIJING, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Recent statements made by Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) have echoed the perspective of Japanese aggressors, drawing sharp criticism across Taiwan for distorting history and betraying the Chinese nation. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's return to China. Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait have held commemorative events. However, the DPP authorities have refrained from hosting official celebrations of the victory -- a victory which Lai has repeatedly referred to as the "end of war," echoing the perspective of Japanese aggressors, rather than recognizing China's triumph. Taiwan media editorials have condemned the remarks. The United Daily News described Lai's use of "end of war" as aligning with Japanese militarism, calling it "absurd." A China Times editorial said that Lai's preference for the term reflects an attempt to legitimize Japan's colonial rule over Taiwan, driven by lingering post-colonial sentiment. Critics have also targeted recent statements in which Lai attributed Taiwan's current peace and stability to the "foresight of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe," and in which DPP Secretary-General Hsu Kuo-yung claimed that "there was no Taiwan Restoration Day" and "the Taiwanese were Japanese at the time." Commentators have said that such remarks distort Taiwan's historical and political reality, and are an international laughingstock. The results of a recent YouTube poll by Taiwan's Chinatimes.com show that over 95 percent of respondents disagreed with Hsu's statement. Public discourse has increasingly criticized the DPP's pro-Japan stance as part of its broader "Taiwan independence" agenda. Analysts note that while the DPP claims to defend Taiwan's autonomy and dignity, it simultaneously undermines the dignity and historical memory of the Chinese nation. In recent days, Typhoon Ragasa has killed nearly 20 people in Taiwan, a commentary on UDN.com said, noting that Lai Ching-te's so-called defensive resilience, which he has touted with pride, remains focused not on disaster prevention but solely on "anti-China" sentiment. Recent surveys also indicate rising public dissatisfaction. The results of United Daily News' annual cross-Strait relations poll show that 63 percent of respondents disapprove of Lai's handling of cross-Strait affairs -- a 20-percentage-point increase from last year. Chen Fu-yu, chairman of the ChinaTide Association, recently said that in pursuit of "relying on foreign forces to seek independence," the DPP authorities have repeatedly distorted history and glorified Japanese colonial rule, attempting to erase the shared contributions of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait in resisting Japanese aggression. Chen emphasized that people living in Taiwan today will never allow any force to separate Taiwan from China. Visitors pass by an exhibit car of Changan Deepal S05 during the 2025 Turin Auto Show in Turin, Italy, Sept. 26, 2025. The 2025 Turin Auto Show opened Friday in the northern Italian city of Turin. As one of the world's oldest auto shows, the Turin event debuted the Turin Automotive Design Award (TADA), which has emerged as a highlight of this year's exhibition. Launched by the event's organizers, TADA is the first professional automotive design award in Europe officially supporting cooperation between Chinese and European auto industries. With the theme "Piedmont Meets China," the inaugural award recognizes innovative achievements of Chinese models active in the European market. Final selections were made by an international jury drawn from nine leading Italian automotive design institutions. (Xinhua/Li Jing) TURIN, Italy, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- The 2025 Turin Auto Show opened Friday in the northern Italian city of Turin, with more than 50 automakers, including 17 from China, showcasing over 100 models that highlight the latest advancements in automotive design and technology. This year's program features world premieres of new models, test drives, industry dialogues and supercar displays. As one of the world's oldest auto shows, the Turin event also debuted the Turin Automotive Design Award (TADA), which has emerged as a highlight of this year's exhibition. Launched by the event's organizers, TADA is the first professional automotive design award in Europe officially supporting cooperation between Chinese and European auto industries. With the theme "Piedmont Meets China," the inaugural award recognizes innovative achievements of Chinese models active in the European market. Final selections were made by an international jury drawn from nine leading Italian automotive design institutions. At an award ceremony held in the Palazzo Madama, five Chinese models were honored: JAC E30X for Best Material and Sustainability, Changan Deepal S05 for Best Human-Centric Intelligent Integration, Geely Galaxy EX5 Best Interior Design, Jetour Zongheng G700 Most Innovative Design Feature, and Changan Deepal S07 Best Exterior Design. The jury said the winners demonstrated the rising competitiveness of Chinese automobiles in material innovation, smart interaction, spatial experience, design creativity and aesthetics. The organizing committee also named Wei Jianjun, chairman of Great Wall Motor, as TADA 2025 Person of the Year for his contributions to advancing Sino-European cooperation in auto design and technology. Andrea Levy, chairman of the Turin Auto Show and TADA's executive committee, told Xinhua that the award will help attract more Chinese brands to global competition and strengthen Turin's role as a hub for China-Europe cooperation in automotive design. "The TADA is very important because we want to recognize Chinese vehicles not just for technological innovation but also for their achievements in designs," Levy said. Geng Xiewei, economic and commercial counselor at the Chinese Consulate General in Milan, noted that China's new energy vehicle industry has become an important driver of the global energy transition. With more than one-third of this year's exhibitors coming from China, he said the award could serve as an effective channel to deepen and elevate China-Italy automotive cooperation. The three-day show is being held in downtown Piazza Castello with free public admission. Organizers expect more than 500,000 visitors. Representatives of JAC E30X receive the Best Material and Sustainability award of the Turin Automotive Design Award (TADA) during the 2025 Turin Auto Show in Turin, Italy, Sept. 26, 2025. The 2025 Turin Auto Show opened Friday in the northern Italian city of Turin. As one of the world's oldest auto shows, the Turin event debuted the Turin Automotive Design Award (TADA), which has emerged as a highlight of this year's exhibition. Launched by the event's organizers, TADA is the first professional automotive design award in Europe officially supporting cooperation between Chinese and European auto industries. With the theme "Piedmont Meets China," the inaugural award recognizes innovative achievements of Chinese models active in the European market. Final selections were made by an international jury drawn from nine leading Italian automotive design institutions. (Xinhua/Li Jing) Representatives of Jetour Zongheng G700 receive the Most Innovative Design Feature award of the Turin Automotive Design Award (TADA) during the 2025 Turin Auto Show in Turin, Italy, Sept. 26, 2025. The 2025 Turin Auto Show opened Friday in the northern Italian city of Turin. As one of the world's oldest auto shows, the Turin event debuted the Turin Automotive Design Award (TADA), which has emerged as a highlight of this year's exhibition. Launched by the event's organizers, TADA is the first professional automotive design award in Europe officially supporting cooperation between Chinese and European auto industries. With the theme "Piedmont Meets China," the inaugural award recognizes innovative achievements of Chinese models active in the European market. Final selections were made by an international jury drawn from nine leading Italian automotive design institutions. (Xinhua/Li Jing) Representatives of Changan Deepal S07 receive the Best Exterior Design award of the Turin Automotive Design Award (TADA) during the 2025 Turin Auto Show in Turin, Italy, Sept. 26, 2025. The 2025 Turin Auto Show opened Friday in the northern Italian city of Turin. As one of the world's oldest auto shows, the Turin event debuted the Turin Automotive Design Award (TADA), which has emerged as a highlight of this year's exhibition. Launched by the event's organizers, TADA is the first professional automotive design award in Europe officially supporting cooperation between Chinese and European auto industries. With the theme "Piedmont Meets China," the inaugural award recognizes innovative achievements of Chinese models active in the European market. Final selections were made by an international jury drawn from nine leading Italian automotive design institutions. (Xinhua/Li Jing) Representatives of Changan Deepal S05 receive the Best Human-Centric Intelligent Integration award of the Turin Automotive Design Award (TADA) during the 2025 Turin Auto Show in Turin, Italy, Sept. 26, 2025. The 2025 Turin Auto Show opened Friday in the northern Italian city of Turin. As one of the world's oldest auto shows, the Turin event debuted the Turin Automotive Design Award (TADA), which has emerged as a highlight of this year's exhibition. Launched by the event's organizers, TADA is the first professional automotive design award in Europe officially supporting cooperation between Chinese and European auto industries. With the theme "Piedmont Meets China," the inaugural award recognizes innovative achievements of Chinese models active in the European market. Final selections were made by an international jury drawn from nine leading Italian automotive design institutions. (Xinhua/Li Jing) Representatives of Geely EX5 receive the Best Interior Design award of the Turin Automotive Design Award (TADA) during the 2025 Turin Auto Show in Turin, Italy, Sept. 26, 2025. The 2025 Turin Auto Show opened Friday in the northern Italian city of Turin. As one of the world's oldest auto shows, the Turin event debuted the Turin Automotive Design Award (TADA), which has emerged as a highlight of this year's exhibition. Launched by the event's organizers, TADA is the first professional automotive design award in Europe officially supporting cooperation between Chinese and European auto industries. With the theme "Piedmont Meets China," the inaugural award recognizes innovative achievements of Chinese models active in the European market. Final selections were made by an international jury drawn from nine leading Italian automotive design institutions. (Xinhua/Li Jing) A visitor looks at an exhibit car of JAC E30X during the 2025 Turin Auto Show in Turin, Italy, Sept. 26, 2025. The 2025 Turin Auto Show opened Friday in the northern Italian city of Turin. As one of the world's oldest auto shows, the Turin event debuted the Turin Automotive Design Award (TADA), which has emerged as a highlight of this year's exhibition. Launched by the event's organizers, TADA is the first professional automotive design award in Europe officially supporting cooperation between Chinese and European auto industries. With the theme "Piedmont Meets China," the inaugural award recognizes innovative achievements of Chinese models active in the European market. Final selections were made by an international jury drawn from nine leading Italian automotive design institutions. (Xinhua/Li Jing) A journalist shoots a video of Geely EX5 during the 2025 Turin Auto Show in Turin, Italy, Sept. 26, 2025. The 2025 Turin Auto Show opened Friday in the northern Italian city of Turin. As one of the world's oldest auto shows, the Turin event debuted the Turin Automotive Design Award (TADA), which has emerged as a highlight of this year's exhibition. Launched by the event's organizers, TADA is the first professional automotive design award in Europe officially supporting cooperation between Chinese and European auto industries. With the theme "Piedmont Meets China," the inaugural award recognizes innovative achievements of Chinese models active in the European market. Final selections were made by an international jury drawn from nine leading Italian automotive design institutions. (Xinhua/Li Jing) Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, co-chairs the 22nd meeting of the China-Russia Energy Cooperation Committee with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Gao Jie) BEIJING, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- China is willing to work with Russia to elevate their energy cooperation, making greater contributions to ensuring the energy security and sustainable development of both countries and the world at large, Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang said in Beijing on Friday. Ding, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while co-chairing the 22nd meeting of the China-Russia Energy Cooperation Committee with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak in Beijing. Ding said that energy cooperation is a model of equal, mutually beneficial and practical cooperation between China and Russia. In recent years, the two countries' heads of state have held multiple meetings and conversations, engaged in in-depth strategic communication, and guided the continuous consolidation and development of the comprehensive energy partnership between China and Russia, bringing tangible benefits to the people in both countries, he said. Ding proposed that China and Russia should deepen their integration of interests, steadily advance their construction and operations of key projects, and consolidate their major achievements in energy cooperation. He called on the two sides to adhere to the complementarity of their advantages, tap into cooperation potential in areas such as renewable energy, hydrogen energy and energy storage, and promote energy transition and development. Ding also called for strengthened coordination and collaboration, the joint practice of true multilateralism, and the promotion of the Global Governance Initiative's implementation in the energy sector. Novak said that under the strategic guidance of the two countries' heads of state, Russia-China energy cooperation has yielded fruitful results. Russia is willing to work with China to fully leverage the guiding and coordinating role of the Russia-China Energy Cooperation Committee, expand energy cooperation between the two countries, advance the implementation of established projects, and support the high-level development of Russia-China relations in an improved manner, Novak said. A visitor takes a photo of an ancient village at Baohua Mountain National Park in Jurong, east China's Jiangsu Province, Sept. 27, 2025. Baohua Mountain National Park has attracted a lot of tourists recently for its beautiful autumn scenery as well as its cultural and historical view. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) Children view flowers at an ancient village in Baohua Mountain National Park in Jurong, east China's Jiangsu Province, Sept. 27, 2025. Baohua Mountain National Park has attracted a lot of tourists recently for its beautiful autumn scenery as well as its cultural and historical view. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) Visitors take a selfie at Baohua Mountain National Park in Jurong, east China's Jiangsu Province, Sept. 27, 2025. Baohua Mountain National Park has attracted a lot of tourists recently for its beautiful autumn scenery as well as its cultural and historical view. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) This photo taken on Sept. 27, 2025 shows a view of an ancient village at Baohua Mountain National Park in Jurong, east China's Jiangsu Province. Baohua Mountain National Park has attracted a lot of tourists recently for its beautiful autumn scenery as well as its cultural and historical view. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) People visit an ancient village at Baohua Mountain National Park in Jurong, east China's Jiangsu Province, Sept. 27, 2025. Baohua Mountain National Park has attracted a lot of tourists recently for its beautiful autumn scenery as well as its cultural and historical view. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) GAZA/JERUSALEM, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- At least 48 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, as the Israeli army continues to deepen its military operation in the neighborhoods of Gaza City, according to Gaza's civil defense authority. Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for the Civil Defense authority in Gaza, told Xinhua that 48 bodies arrived at hospitals across Gaza on Saturday after Israeli attacks struck residential homes and tents sheltering displaced people since dawn. Basal said that among the dead, three were killed by Israeli gunfire in front of an aid distribution center in the central Netzarim axis. Meanwhile, Israeli forces are advancing deeper into Gaza City. Witnesses told Xinhua that the Israeli army was launching intensive raids in surrounding neighborhoods and detonating drone-dropped bombs between houses amid heavy artillery shelling and gunfire. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement on Saturday that its troops "continue operational activity against the terrorist organizations throughout the Gaza Strip." "Over the past day, the air force struck approximately 120 terror targets, including military structures, terrorists, and additional terrorist infrastructure," it added. Humanitarian and international organizations warned of the almost complete collapse of the health system in Gaza due to the escalation of the military operation, amid fears for the remaining residents of the city, estimated at 400,000 people, of worsening humanitarian conditions. Umm Rafik Salem, a mother of three who remained in Gaza, told Xinhua that the situation in the city was "becoming more difficult in light of the military escalation and the scarcity of food, medical and supplies." Salem, 42, added, "Markets are scarce of goods. Vendors and kitchens that used to provide free food were displaced to the south." Gaza City is also facing a water crisis, with available supplies meeting less than 25 percent of daily needs, according to Assem Al-Nabih, spokesperson for the Gaza Municipality. Al-Nabih told Xinhua that about 15,000 cubic meters of water are currently supplied each day through Israeli water company Mekorot -- an unstable amount -- in addition to around 10,000 cubic meters drawn from local wells. Israel has been waging a large-scale war in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, following a surprise attack carried out by Hamas-led militants on southern Israel, which, according to Israeli authorities, resulted in the death of about 1,200 people and the detention of 251 hostages. The two-year war has killed nearly 66,000 Palestinians, according to the health authorities in the Gaza Strip, in addition to significant destruction of buildings and infrastructure. Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivers a speech at the general debate of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Fairness and justice stand as the most important value of the international community, said Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the United Nations on Friday. Li made the remarks when delivering a speech at the general debate of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. Noting peace and development are the most ardent common aspiration across the world, he said that solidarity and cooperation represent the most powerful source of strength for human progress. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations, Li noted, adding that some valuable lessons can be drawn from history. Li stressed that China, as a founding member of the United Nations, has all along taken an active part in global affairs and worked for the betterment of humanity. Over the years, Chinese President Xi Jinping has put forward the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity, as well as the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), sharing China's wisdom and solution for navigating global transformations and overcoming pressing challenges, Li said. In particular, the GGI proposed at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Tianjin Summit at the beginning of this month underscores the principles of adhering to sovereign equality, abiding by the international rule of law, practicing multilateralism, advocating the people-centered approach, and focusing on taking real actions, Li said, noting that the initiative provides an important pathway for building a more just and equitable global governance system. He pledged China's readiness to work with all parties to take coordinated and effective actions to solve more practical problems and promote world peace and development. The world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation, Li said, noting that unilateralism and Cold War mentality are resurfacing, severely undermining the international rules and order and disrupting the international system. Humanity once again comes to a crossroads, Li said. "Anyone who cares about the state of affairs in the world would want to ask: Why couldn't we humans, having emerged from tribulations, adopt a greater sense of conscience and rationality, and treat each other with kindness and coexist in peace?" Li said. "How could we, in the face of deplorable incidents such as humanitarian disasters, turn a blind eye to atrocities that trample blatantly on fairness and justice and sit on our hands? How could we, when confronted with unscrupulous acts of hegemonism and bullying, remain silent and submissive for fear of might?" Li asked. "And how could we let the ardent passion and dedication of our forefathers in founding the UN simply fade into the pages of history?" Li added. Quoting a Chinese saying that "never forget why you started, and you can accomplish your mission," Li said the pursuit of peace, progress and development is the very essence of commemorating past victories and the shared mission uniting the world's people in common cause. "While we may not be able to go back in time and relive the victory, we can definitely create a better future together," Li said. At a time when the world faces intertwined changes and turmoil, the Chinese premier called on all sides to build peace and ensure common security. In the face of a sluggish global recovery, he called for revitalizing cooperation and seeking win-win outcomes. As diverse civilizations interact and evolve, he urged championing dialogue and mutual learning. In responding to emerging challenges, he urged joint efforts to protect the shared home. Li said China will always be a staunch defender of world peace and security, a key driver of global common development, an active practitioner of exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, and a responsible stakeholder in addressing global challenges. China stands ready to work with all parties to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, carry forward the spirit of multilateralism, and actively implement the four major global initiatives, and advance toward the lofty goal of building a community with a shared future for humanity, said Li. Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivers a speech at the general debate of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao) BEIRUT, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Iran's top security official Ali Larijani on Saturday backed Hezbollah's call for closer ties with Saudi Arabia during a visit to Beirut, framing regional cooperation as crucial to countering Israel. Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, praised Hezbollah Leader Naim Qassem's recent appeal to Saudi Arabia to "turn the page," calling it a "sound and correct step," Lebanon's National News Agency reported after Larijani's meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. "We face a common enemy, and countries of the region must put aside past differences and cooperate closely," Larijani said. Larijani dismissed suggestions that Hezbollah's outreach reflected weakness after recent clashes with Israel. "This position comes from rationality, not weakness," he said. The Iranian official also rejected U.S. criticism of Hezbollah's influence in Lebanon, saying Washington sought to sow division. "The Lebanese people are capable of solving their own internal issues through consensus," he said, insisting that foreign powers should not impose guardianship over the country. On Israel, Larijani warned against potential military escalation. "We are prepared for every scenario, but I doubt the Israelis would act with such recklessness," he said. "If they do, they will face a strong response." At Beirut airport earlier in the day, Larijani underlined Iran's long-standing ties with Lebanon. Larijani said his visit would include several meetings with Lebanese officials and reaffirmed Tehran's support for "independent, capable governments" in Lebanon. He argued that the recent turmoil across the Middle East exposed the vulnerability of all states to aggression, and voiced optimism about a growing "awakening" across the region and expressed hope for greater peace and security. This photo taken on Sept. 27, 2025 shows the opening ceremony of the 2025 Taiyuan Energy Low Carbon Development Forum in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province. The 2025 Taiyuan Energy Low Carbon Development Forum kicked off here on Saturday. Shanxi (Taiyuan) International Energy Industry Expo 2025 was held concurrently during the forum, showcasing the latest achievements and development trends of the green and low-carbon transformation in the energy sector. The expo this year has attracted over 500 exhibitors of the energy field from home and abroad. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang) An electric tractor is pictured at Shanxi (Taiyuan) International Energy Industry Expo 2025 in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, Sept. 27, 2025. The 2025 Taiyuan Energy Low Carbon Development Forum kicked off here on Saturday. Shanxi (Taiyuan) International Energy Industry Expo 2025 was held concurrently during the forum, showcasing the latest achievements and development trends of the green and low-carbon transformation in the energy sector. The expo this year has attracted over 500 exhibitors of the energy field from home and abroad. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang) An electric hydraulic excavator is pictured at Shanxi (Taiyuan) International Energy Industry Expo 2025 in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, Sept. 27, 2025. The 2025 Taiyuan Energy Low Carbon Development Forum kicked off here on Saturday. Shanxi (Taiyuan) International Energy Industry Expo 2025 was held concurrently during the forum, showcasing the latest achievements and development trends of the green and low-carbon transformation in the energy sector. The expo this year has attracted over 500 exhibitors of the energy field from home and abroad. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang) A drone with meteorological equipment is pictured at Shanxi (Taiyuan) International Energy Industry Expo 2025 in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, Sept. 27, 2025. The 2025 Taiyuan Energy Low Carbon Development Forum kicked off here on Saturday. Shanxi (Taiyuan) International Energy Industry Expo 2025 was held concurrently during the forum, showcasing the latest achievements and development trends of the green and low-carbon transformation in the energy sector. The expo this year has attracted over 500 exhibitors of the energy field from home and abroad. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang) A visitor introduces an electric tractor via livestreaming at Shanxi (Taiyuan) International Energy Industry Expo 2025 in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, Sept. 27, 2025. The 2025 Taiyuan Energy Low Carbon Development Forum kicked off here on Saturday. Shanxi (Taiyuan) International Energy Industry Expo 2025 was held concurrently during the forum, showcasing the latest achievements and development trends of the green and low-carbon transformation in the energy sector. The expo this year has attracted over 500 exhibitors of the energy field from home and abroad. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang) Guests attend the opening ceremony of the 2025 Taiyuan Energy Low Carbon Development Forum in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, Sept. 27, 2025. The 2025 Taiyuan Energy Low Carbon Development Forum kicked off here on Saturday. Shanxi (Taiyuan) International Energy Industry Expo 2025 was held concurrently during the forum, showcasing the latest achievements and development trends of the green and low-carbon transformation in the energy sector. The expo this year has attracted over 500 exhibitors of the energy field from home and abroad. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang) A quadruped intelligent inspection robot for transformer substation is pictured at Shanxi (Taiyuan) International Energy Industry Expo 2025 in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, Sept. 27, 2025. The 2025 Taiyuan Energy Low Carbon Development Forum kicked off here on Saturday. Shanxi (Taiyuan) International Energy Industry Expo 2025 was held concurrently during the forum, showcasing the latest achievements and development trends of the green and low-carbon transformation in the energy sector. The expo this year has attracted over 500 exhibitors of the energy field from home and abroad. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang) Visitors try a new energy vehicle at Shanxi (Taiyuan) International Energy Industry Expo 2025 in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, Sept. 27, 2025. The 2025 Taiyuan Energy Low Carbon Development Forum kicked off here on Saturday. Shanxi (Taiyuan) International Energy Industry Expo 2025 was held concurrently during the forum, showcasing the latest achievements and development trends of the green and low-carbon transformation in the energy sector. The expo this year has attracted over 500 exhibitors of the energy field from home and abroad. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang) People visit Shanxi (Taiyuan) International Energy Industry Expo 2025 in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, Sept. 27, 2025. The 2025 Taiyuan Energy Low Carbon Development Forum kicked off here on Saturday. Shanxi (Taiyuan) International Energy Industry Expo 2025 was held concurrently during the forum, showcasing the latest achievements and development trends of the green and low-carbon transformation in the energy sector. The expo this year has attracted over 500 exhibitors of the energy field from home and abroad. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang) Delegates leave the General Assembly hall as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech during the General Debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling) UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- When Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began to deliver his speech during the general debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday, many delegates walked out of the UNGA hall in protest. In his address, Netanyahu criticized those countries announcing their recognition of the State of Palestine over the past few days, saying: "You know what message the leaders who recognized a Palestinian state this week sent to the Palestinians? It's a very clear message. Murdering Jews pays off." France, Britain, Portugal, Australia and Canada are among Western nations that have recently recognized the State of Palestine in support of the two-state solution over the past few days. So far, more than 150 UN member states have recognized Palestine. Scores of delegates walked out of the General Assembly hall in protest when Netanyahu took the stage. He was booed by some delegates, but was applauded by some others. In his speech, Netanyahu accused the Palestinians of not believing in the two-state solution. "They never have. They don't want a state next to Israel. They want a Palestinian state instead of Israel." He also alleged that "the persistent Palestinian rejection of a Jewish state in any boundary is what has driven this conflict for over a century." The Israeli prime minister claimed that his opposition to a Palestinian state "is not simply my policies or my government's policy. It's the policy of the state and people of the state of Israel." Addressing world leaders via video link on Thursday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the Palestinian Authority had recognized Israel's "right to exist" as early as 1988 and again in 1993. "I speak to you today after almost two years in which our Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip have been facing a war of genocide, destruction, starvation and displacement," Abbas said, adding that the genocide has been "waged by the Israeli occupation forces in which they killed and injured more than 220,000 Palestinians." Abbas condemned the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, saying those actions "do not represent the Palestinian people, nor their just struggle for freedom and independence." Abbas extended thanks to the countries that recently recognized Palestinian statehood, and the people and organizations around the world who protested in support of the rights of the Palestinian people, adding, "We reject confusing the solidarity with the Palestinian cause and the issue of antisemitism, which is something that we reject." Earlier this month, the UNGA adopted a draft resolution endorsing the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution. The declaration, circulated at a high-level international conference held at the United Nations in late July, sets out an action-oriented pathway toward a peaceful settlement of the Israel-Palestine conflict and the realization of the two-state solution. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech during the General Debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling) Delegates leave the General Assembly hall as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech during the General Debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling) Empty seats are pictured at the General Assembly hall as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech during the General Debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech during the General Debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech during the General Debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling) Delegates leave the General Assembly hall as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech during the General Debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech during the General Debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech during the General Debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu waves after delivering a speech during the General Debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui) Delegates leave as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares to deliver a speech during the General Debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui) Delegates leave as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares to deliver a speech during the General Debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech during the General Debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech during the General Debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech during the General Debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech during the General Debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech during the General Debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui) Delegates leave as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares to deliver a speech during the General Debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui) Delegates leave as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares to deliver a speech during the General Debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech during the General Debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui) Empty seats of the State of Palestine are seen as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech during the General Debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech during the General Debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Rui) SANAA, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Israel's intensifying air strikes in Yemen appear to go beyond mere retaliation against the Houthis, signaling what analysts say is a deeper strategic transformation aimed at expanding Israel's regional influence under U.S. protection. Israel has stepped up deadly strikes on the Houthi-controlled capital Sanaa and surrounding areas in recent weeks, hitting not only military sites but also airports, ports, power stations, and concrete plants -- infrastructure key to Houthi governance. The latest strike on Thursday afternoon left nine people dead and 174 others wounded, according to Houthi media. For Yemeni political analyst Abdullah Ismail, the campaign reflects a deliberate effort by Israel to go beyond deterrence and reshape the regional order. "Israel today feels encouraged to continue targeting Iran's proxies in the region and to declare, implicitly or explicitly, success in its expansionist ambitions," he said. He argued that after major developments in Gaza, setbacks for Hezbollah, and the collapse of the former Syrian government, Israel sees an opportunity to act more freely, with U.S. backing, against groups that challenge its security. Abdulaziz Al-Abara, head of the media unit at the Yemen-based non-governmental Mokha Center for Strategic Studies, said the Israeli campaign has moved beyond tactical deterrence toward "a multi-track strategy to weaken the Houthis' operational capacity and regional connectivity." He explained that Israel has systematically targeted maritime and logistical infrastructure in Hodeidah and Ras Issa port, "aiming to cripple supply chains and cut off the Houthis' access to weapons and vital goods, potentially undermining port operations for weeks or months and affecting food and humanitarian security in Houthi-controlled areas." Al-Abara also pointed to a shift from infrastructure to leadership decapitation. The late August strike killing the Houthi prime minister and senior ministers "illustrates an approach to dismantle command-and-control centers and sever operational links between Sanaa and other fronts," he said. But he noted that the Houthis' top ideological leader remains untouched, allowing the group to sustain morale and mobilization despite logistical attrition. "In sum, Israel is pursuing a strategic approach -- a mix of logistical strangulation and executive decapitation -- but the continued survival of the Houthis' core ideological leadership keeps the conflict unresolved," Al-Abara concluded. The Houthis, meanwhile, have vowed to continue their attacks on Israel, framing them as solidarity with Gaza. On Friday, large crowds rallied in Sanaa's Al-Sabeen Square, waving Yemeni, Palestinian, and Houthi flags and chanting slogans against Israel and the United States. Abed Mohammed Al-Thawr, deputy head for Moral guidance at Yemen's Houthi-controlled defense ministry, described Israel's strikes as "erratic deterrence operations" driven by anxiety over internal unrest and the growing pressure of Houthi missiles and drones. He claimed the Houthis now possess the capability to strike targets within a 2,500 km radius, giving them leverage to impose "a new military balance from Yemen to the occupied territories." The Israeli strikes come amid sustained Houthi cross-border ballistic missile and drone attacks on Israel since October 2023, along with naval operations against ships the group claims are Israeli-linked, in what it calls support for the Palestinians in Gaza. UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- China regrets the United Nations Security Council's failure to extend the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, said a Chinese envoy on Friday. The Security Council failed on Friday to adopt a resolution drafted by China and Russia that would have extended the nuclear deal between Iran and the six major countries of Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States, as well as Security Council Resolution 2231 that endorsed the deal, for six months. It would have also prevented a "snapback" of UN sanctions against Iran. Explaining Friday's vote, Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said his country was deeply disappointed at the result. "The current situation has reached a critical juncture. We call on all parties to exercise calm and restraint, continue dialogue and engagement, handle the current predicament prudently, and avoid escalating tensions," said Geng. Britain, France and Germany -- the three European countries (E3) of the Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) -- claimed they have triggered the snapback mechanism on Aug. 28 by notifying the Security Council of Tehran's "non-performance." Under Resolution 2231, the UN sanctions in place before the resolution's adoption would resume 30 days after the notification, unless the Security Council adopts a resolution to decide otherwise. The Sept. 19 draft resolution to that effect failed. However, the legality of the three countries' move has been questioned as it has skipped the Dispute Resolution Mechanism (DRM) provided for in the JCPOA and Resolution 2231. Under the JCPOA and Resolution 2231, the DRM has 35 days to resolve the disagreement. A snapback can be triggered only after the DRM fails to resolve the issue. Resolution 2231 expires on Oct. 18, 2025, after which time the Security Council would stop considering the Iran nuclear deal. Against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in Gaza and broader instability in the Middle East, "We urge the United States to demonstrate political will by responding positively to Iran's proposal to resume talks and committing unequivocally to refrain from further military strikes against Iran," Geng said. China also urges the E3 "to abandon its approach of pushing for sanctions and coercive pressure against Iran," Geng added. The unconditional return of the original signatories to the JCPOA to the negotiating table would facilitate a political settlement, said Geng. "All parties should engage in dialogue based on mutual respect and on equal footing, striving to find the greatest common denominator that accommodates the legitimate concerns of all sides. The Security Council should play a constructive role in helping relevant parties rebuild trust and bridge differences," he added. The core objectives and purposes established by the JCPOA and Security Council Resolution 2231 should not be abandoned. The key principles of a step-by-step and reciprocal approach and balancing the rights and obligations remain valid, he said. Iran should continue to honor its commitment not to develop nuclear weapons. All other parties should fully respect Iran's right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, he said. As a party to the JCPOA, China has been committed to the goal of nuclear non-proliferation by firmly upholding the authority, effectiveness and integrity of the JCPOA and promoting a faithful implementation of the agreement by all parties, said Geng. Following the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018 and in the face of the current impasse on the Iran nuclear issue, China has actively promoted dialogue and engagement among all parties, playing a positive and constructive role in resolving differences through negotiations, he added. "I wish to reiterate that China's solid commitment to safeguarding international peace and security remains unchanged. Its political will to seek a political settlement on the Iran nuclear issue remains unwavering. Its diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue and cooperation among all parties will not be relaxed," said Geng. Together with all parties, China stands ready to maintain an objective and impartial position in continuing its unremitting efforts toward a comprehensive political solution to the Iran nuclear issue, he said. PHNOM PENH/BANGKOK, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia said on Saturday that the Thai armed forces have fired mortars at a Cambodian military base in Preah Vihear province. On the same day, Thailand's army said its troops responded under strict protocols after Cambodian forces fired small arms and grenade launchers towards Thai positions. Cambodian Defense Ministry's Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson Maly Socheata said in a press release that at approximately 11:52 a.m., Thai military forces "initiated an attack on Cambodian military positions by firing many shots of mortar and small arms at the Cambodian base in the An Seh area." "As of now, the Cambodian armed forces continue to monitor this development with the utmost caution and attention, and are fully prepared to defend territorial integrity," she added. Thailand's army spokesman Winthai Suwaree said on X that between approximately 12:00 and 12:30, the army received reports from the Second Army Area that Cambodian soldiers fired small arms and grenade launchers towards Thai positions at Chong An Ma in Ubon Ratchathani province. The Suranaree Task Force has been placed on high alert and has been ordered to respond proportionately according to the situation, he said. Winthai noted that Cambodian forces have frequently deployed an "interim observer team" to the area, suggesting that the provocations were designed to prompt Thai return fire. This could then be used as evidence to claim Thailand had violated ceasefire measures, he said. The spokesman said no Thai casualties had been reported and that any further developments would be communicated promptly. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. BIC Announces 2025 TEDx Berkshires Speakers PITTSFIELD, Mass. The Berkshire Innovation Center (BIC) will host TEDx Berkshires on Oct. 9 at the BIC. TEDx Berkshires is a local, independently organized event that brings the TED experience to the Berkshires by presenting ideas from "thought leaders." This years event will be held from 2:00 5:00 pm, with a reception to follow. Tickets are now available and seating is limited. "Innovation usually starts with an idea, sparked in response to a need for change or a desire to improve," said TEDx Berkshires Executive Producer Stephen Boyd, CEO of Boyd Biomedical in Lee. "The TEDx Berkshires stage offers the perfect showcase to share the success of diverse ideas and the vision of the Berkshire Innovation Center. Collective wisdom always wins, and we are thrilled to promote this years event as a community focused on life-long learning and exploring technology together." The 2025 lineup includes: Dr. Maria Sirois , Consulting Fellow and Chief Wisdom Integrator at LeaderMom, will present on strengthening health and optimism and building a better world for others and the planet. , Consulting Fellow and Chief Wisdom Integrator at LeaderMom, will present on strengthening health and optimism and building a better world for others and the planet. Dr. Natalie Nixon , Author & CEO of Figure 8 Thinking, will present on new ways to think about creativity through the lenses of wonder and rigor. , Author & CEO of Figure 8 Thinking, will present on new ways to think about creativity through the lenses of wonder and rigor. Dr. David Barzilai , Founder & CEO, Longevity Physician, and Healthspan Best Practices Pioneer, will explore the importance of a prevention-first, personalized approach to health and wellness. , Founder & CEO, Longevity Physician, and Healthspan Best Practices Pioneer, will explore the importance of a prevention-first, personalized approach to health and wellness. Dr. Jennifer Le Blond, Managing Director of Emerging Climatetech at MassCEC, will discuss actionable strategies for sustaining momentum and ensuring Massachusetts remains a global hub for ClimateTech innovation. Managing Director of Emerging Climatetech at MassCEC, will discuss actionable strategies for sustaining momentum and ensuring Massachusetts remains a global hub for ClimateTech innovation. Dr. Damon Diehl , Director of Technology at Luminate Optics Accelerator will present his idea that time is the only currency and get us thinking - are we living a life we would pay for? , Director of Technology at Luminate Optics Accelerator will present his idea that time is the only currency and get us thinking - are we living a life we would pay for? Dr. Manolis Kellis, Professor of Computer Science at MIT and member of the Broad Institute will present on unleashing human creativity in an AI world. "We are thrilled to have an eclectic lineup of speakers with unique backgrounds and insights," said IP Attorney, TEDx Berkshires Executive Producer and BIC Board Vice-Chair, Giovanna Fessenden-Fairbank. "We invite everyone to come learn, and be inspired by a tapestry of thought-provoking discussions with fresh perspectives and contemporary relevance." 2025 marks the third year that the Berkshire Innovation Center will be the host of TEDx Berkshires. The inaugural TEDx Berkshires was held in Lenox in 2010 and was produced by Ethan Berg, Jamie Berg, and Dr. Mark Liponis. Tickets for TEDx Berkshires are $100 for seating in the main stage area, or $75 for seating in the auditorium, and will include a reception following the TEDx talks. Visit https://www. berkshireinnovationcenter.com/ tedx-berkshires-2025 for more information. XI'AN, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Delegates from 40 countries recently converged in the city of Xi'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province -- the starting point of the ancient Silk Road -- to engage in in-depth dialogue and seek common ground on key topics such as industrial capacity cooperation, cultural exchange and integration, and collaborative governance. The three-day 2025 Euro-Asia Economic Forum, which concluded on Thursday, became a platform for dialogue between representatives of governments, businesses and academia from Kazakhstan, Russia, Spain, the U.K., Indonesia and other Eurasian countries. The forum, which began in 2005 and is convened every two years, celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. To date, it has attracted over 10,000 participants from more than 70 countries and regions. Over 200 agreements and memoranda have been signed, catalyzing major projects in the fields of energy, finance, transportation and cultural exchange, with cumulative investment exceeding 100 billion yuan (about 14 billion U.S. dollars). A key takeaway of this year's event was a collective push to bolster infrastructure, promote cross-border currency settlement and accelerate the adoption of green technology. Data shows that by June, the China Development Bank had loaned more than 150 billion U.S. dollars across the Eurasian region, funding projects like the China-Central Asia Gas Pipeline and Kazakhstan's Shymkent Oil Refinery upgrade. The forum also saw the release of a report, the Euro-Asia Economic Outlook under the Belt and Road Initiative, which highlighted the region's "resilience" and "moderate growth" despite global headwinds. It credited mechanisms like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Eurasian Economic Union for fostering regional integration. Li Ziguo, director of the Department for European-Central Asian Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, highlighted the tangible progress of the Belt and Road Initiative, saying that it unlocked regional connectivity and turned Central Asia into a vital Eurasian transport hub. "Thirty-five years ago, there was not a single functioning border crossing between China and Central Asia," Li said. "Today, China shares 11 border ports with its three Central Asian neighbors, alongside 62 cross-border highway and railway links." Kazakh economist Rakhim Oshakbayev, director of the TALAP Center for Applied Research, noted that for more than a decade under the Belt and Road Initiative, cooperation between Kazakhstan and China has been deepening across the board. "Like many partner countries, Kazakhstan has benefited from the opportunities created, achieving tangible improvements in livelihoods and shared prosperity," Oshakbayev said. The forum also featured a youth dialogue on digital cooperation. "Young people are the hope of Eurasia's future," said Alinur Zhengis, a China-Kazakhstan friendship ambassador and chairwoman of the Kazakhstan-based EREN Corporation. "Their vitality, creativity and open-mindedness will determine the region's direction." Looking ahead, Oshakbayev urged deeper digital and logistical links. "We need to make cooperation tighter," he said, calling for multilateral efforts to share peace and prosperity. A new study from the universities of Oxford, Yale and Cambridge has found that any level of alcohol consumption may increase risks of dementia. This wide-ranging study, published earlier this week on BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, suggested there may be no such thing as a safe level of booze, where brain health is concerned. Dr Anya Topiwala, lead author on the paper, said: Even light or moderate drinking may increase the risk of dementia, indicating that reducing alcohol consumption across the population could play a significant role in dementia prevention. She went on to say that the common belief that a little bit of alcohol, the odd glass of red, say, might actually be good for the brain neuroprotective is almost certainly nonsense. Genetic evidence offers no support for a protective effect, she said. In fact, it suggests the opposite. So, there you have it. Never mind congratulating yourselves for sticking to the governments recommended guidelines on booze (14 units, spread out across seven days). Forget everything in moderation! and A little bit of what you fancy does you good! and: I always do Dry January, so According to this new report, any alcohol is a potential problem. open image in gallery The common belief that a little bit of alcohol might actually be good for the brain neuroprotective is almost certainly nonsense ( Getty/iStock ) Honestly? Im not surprised. Slightly depressed but not surprised. This summer, I published my new book: How the Female Body Works. It is the result of two-and-a-half years of hard, joyful research and writing, all focused around interviews with the most knowledgeable academics, medics, neuroscientists, gynaecologists, psychologists and really any other world-renowned expert in womens health I could get to talk to me. It covers every stage of womens lives, from puberty to older age. I wrote it because I realised I knew virtually nothing about my own body, which was absurd. Id also watched the internet slowly get flooded with contradictory, confusing advice and often contradictory wisdom about womens bodies, so I set out to get some definitive answers. I asked my experts questions like Whats a brain made of?, are we our personality - or are we our hormones?, why are breasts the shape they are? What makes a hot flush happen? Not just falling oestrogen levels Whats the actual function? Dumb-but-illuminating questions, from an ignoramus, to the people whose lifes work is womens bodies, what happens to them, and how to heal and support them. One of the facts I came up against really early on was: women are twice as likely to get an Alzheimers diagnosis as men. Which troubled me. The other thing, a sort of overarching narrative, which ended up lodged in my consciousness like a bad smell, was that alcohol really isnt very good for us. It really isnt. Which is a shame, because it can be so fun. Alcohol is hard on everyone implicated in everything from cancer to strokes to heart attacks to infections but its far harder on women than it is on men. This is partly because womens livers produce less of an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase, or ADH, the purpose of which is to break down and eliminate alcohol from the body. open image in gallery Polly Vernons book, How the Female Body Works, focused around interviews with the most knowledgeable academics, medics, neuroscientists, gynaecologists and psychologists ( New River Books ) Womens ADH levels fall further yet, in peri menopause and menopause. Beyond that, the way fat is distributed on a womans body means it holds onto alcohol for longer, which means female bodies are exposed to alcohols toxicity for longer, leaving women more vulnerable to liver damage, heart disease, and at a higher risk of breast cancer. Oh, and also? While a woman is still experiencing a menstrual cycle, alcohol will act more aggressively on her body at certain points in that cycle, leaving her (for example) far drunker, far quicker, around the time shes ovulating, than at any other point. This is because her body is uniquely concerned with getting her pregnant, so tedious things like processing and removing alcohol from her system get jettisoned. I know! I learned all this from Dr Sharon Cox, principal research fellow at University College London, an extraordinary scientist, whose work focuses on addictive behaviours, particularly around alcohol and nicotine. All those existing problems, she tells me, have been further exacerbated by, she says: Women drinking more than we ever have. Drinking has gone up in both men and women since the pandemic, when we all spent our time making cocktails along with Stanley Tucci on YouTube because there was nothing else to do, and the world was terrifying. This is particularly in people over 30, and the increase in drinking was sharper in women. Why? I ask. Stress? These large national surveys tell us what is happening not why. But yeah, its probably that alcohol was used as a stress relief - and its a difficult rut to get out from. [The increase has] mostly sustained. At no point did Dr Cox tell me not to drink. She herself drinks well, moderately. As do I. Assuming the concept of moderately means anything, after this latest report, which it probably doesnt. In fact, none of the experts with whom I spoke for my book told me not to drink, or told me to tell my readers not to drink. Its just that, when you interview in depth 20-ish of the worlds leading specialists on all aspects of womens health, and nearly every last one of them alludes, en passant, to booze, in a dispassionate, non-judgemental, scientific, but repeatedly critical way, for all manner of reasons, from all their different perspectives and individual areas of study, its tough to ignore. And now a new study emerges, connecting any alcohol consumption at all with possible increased risk of dementia one which is already twice as high in women, as it is in men and I sort of want to give booze up, right here and now. Dont you? open image in gallery Drinking has gone up in both men and women since the pandemic when we all spent our time making cocktails, a tipple favoured by Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and the City ( HBO Max ) Honestly? I sort of already have. If pre-book, I was moderate in my drinking, Id now describe myself as not exactly sober But really, not not sober, either. Physically, I have felt that enzyme in my liver, ADH, falter with age, got to a point where now, the very first sip of wine (once, so joyful, so promising, so potent!) triggers memories not of my last fun, feckless night out but of my last hangover, the associated anxiety and anguish, all of which, by the way, were the consequence of barely three-and-a-half glasses of house white! Being drunk used to be so fun! The silliness of tipsiness, the sweet slipe-slide toward disinhibition! Im wondering if this instinctual and informed growing wariness around booze, coupled with a desire not to live a sober life, might explain the increasing number of people I know, ditching alcohol. The brilliant neuroscientist I interviewed for the book, Dr Sarah McKay, told me shes hopeful the way women live their lives now how much more educated we are, how much more likely to work, and have good, deep, social connections which also leaves us at an advantage over earlier generations of women in terms of neuroprotection our brains defences against cognitive decline. So, should we just be giving up alcohol, full stop? I ask Dr Federica Amati. Shes the head nutritionist at ZOE, a trusted source; earlier this summer, she caused ructions on Paul Sculfors This Is Powerful podcast by saying: If you look at alcohol as a drug like, as a pharmaceutical drug theyve calculated what the safe amount would be to consume before these neurotoxic, genotoxic {when a substance damages DNA] effects. And its two units a year. I do [want to] give some nuance to that, she tells me. Please! I say. Here for the nuance. We can choose some exposures we subject our body to, Dr Amati says. And alcohol may be one of them. But we need to be informed of the impact on our health. I have the occasional glass of red but I dont fool myself, its good for me. So: drink sometimes, but understand what its doing to you? Dont if you dont But if you do, make sure youre clear on the risk. How the Female Body Works (in all its miraculous glory) by Polly Vernon is out now Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Trees across the Amazon rainforest are growing larger in response to rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, according to a major new study. The research, published in the Nature Plants journal, found that the average size of trees in the Amazon has increased by 3.2 per cent every decade for at least the past 30 years. Scientists say the trend is consistent with the fertilising effect of higher concentrations of CO2, which can boost plant growth. The findings come from the RAINFOR network, an international partnership of more than 60 universities in South America, the UK and elsewhere, including the Universities of Birmingham, Bristol and Leeds. Almost 100 scientists monitored trees across 188 permanent forest plots to build the long-term dataset. Trees across the Amazon rainforest are growing larger in response to rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere ( AP ) Professor Beatriz Marimon, from Universidade do Mato Grosso in Brazil, who coordinated much of the data collection in southern Amazonia, said: This is a good news story. We regularly hear how climate change and fragmentation is threatening Amazonian forests. But meanwhile the trees in intact forests have grown bigger; even the largest trees have continued to thrive despite these threats. Both large and smaller trees were found to be increasing in size, pointing to a widespread response to higher carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. Dr Adriane Esquivel-Muelbert, from the University of Cambridge and joint lead author of the paper, said the results highlight the vital role of rainforests in tackling climate change. She said: Ahead of COP30 in Brazil later this year, these results underscore just how important tropical rainforests are in our ongoing efforts to mitigate against man-made climate change. Large trees are hugely beneficial for absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere and this study confirms that. Despite concerns that climate change may negatively impact trees in the Amazon and undermine the carbon sink effect, the effect of CO2 in stimulating growth is still there. This shows the remarkable resilience of these forests, at least for now. But researchers warned that the apparent benefits of CO2 should not obscure the damage caused by deforestation. Dr Rebecca Banbury Morgan, from the University of Bristol and also a joint lead author, said: Our paper also highlights how destructive Amazon deforestation really is. Large tropical trees are hundreds of years old. We cant simply plant new trees and expect them to confer anything like the kinds of carbon or biodiversity benefits that the old, natural forest is providing. Professor Tim Baker, from the University of Leeds and joint senior author, added: We knew that the total amount of carbon stored in the trees of intact Amazonian forests has increased. What this new study shows is that all sizes of tree have grown larger over the same period the whole forest has changed. HAIKOU, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- To brace for Bualoi, the 20th typhoon of this year, south China's Hainan Province upgraded its emergency response for floods and storms from level IV to level III on Saturday. The level III emergency response, the third-highest in China's four-tier warning system, was activated at 8 a.m. on Saturday. The roll-on and roll-off passenger ferry services across the Qiongzhou Strait have been suspended since 9 a.m. Saturday, and presumably will not resume until Sunday night. Typhoon Bualoi was located in the eastern part of the South China Sea, approximately 505 kilometers southeast of Yongxing Dao of Sansha City, Hainan Province, at 6 a.m. Saturday, packing winds of up to 30 meters per second at its center, according to the provincial disaster prevention, reduction and relief authorities of Hainan. Typhoon Bualoi is forecast to move rapidly northwestward at a speed of about 35 km per hour while intensifying. By Saturday night, it will approach the waters south of Hainan Island and Xisha Qundao, with maximum intensity presumably reaching the magnitude of a strong typhoon. From Saturday night to Monday, Hainan Island and its surrounding waters will experience strong winds and rainstorm. Meteorological authorities advised that, due to the rapid movement of Bualoi, it is essential to promptly relocate people from at-risk areas in the Zhongsha Qundao and Xisha Qundao, enhance the safety of tourism facilities on Hainan Island, and take precautions against urban waterlogging. Additionally, offshore platforms and vessels operating in the eastern and central parts of the South China Sea are advised to take shelter from winds. Ports should be fortified to ensure the proper management of returning fishing boats, along with other precautionary measures. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A man who used a government-backed Covid loan to buy a house has been jailed for fraud. Mohammed Rashidzadeh, 34, secured a 50,000 Bounce Back Loan for his company, Cozy Bed Ltd, in June 2020. But within days, he transferred the money into his personal account and used it for the purchase of a three-bedroom semi-detached house in the Almondbury area of Huddersfield. Rashidzadeh, now of Caellepa, Bangor in North Wales, also attempted to close down his company just eight days after the funds were paid, applying to have it struck off the Companies House register without informing the bank that had provided the loan. He was convicted of offences under the Fraud Act and Companies Act following a four-day trial at Leeds Crown Court earlier this year and sentenced to 18 months in prison on Thursday. Mark Stephens, chief investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: Mohammed Rashidzadehs offending was twofold and deeply cynical. He immediately misused the 50,000 Bounce Back Loan funds he obtained to buy himself a house instead of supporting his business through the pandemic. His second offence was equally calculated attempting to dissolve his company without properly notifying his creditors, including the bank that had provided the loan. The strike-off process exists to protect creditors interests, and deliberately concealing such applications from lenders is a criminal offence that undermines the entire corporate framework. The Insolvency Service remains committed to taking robust action against Bounce Back Loan fraudsters. Government-backed schemes were a lifeline for legitimate businesses during an unprecedented crisis, and we will continue to pursue those who deliberately exploited this support at the taxpayers expense. Court documents showed Rashidzadeh incorporated Cozy Bed Ltd in March 2019 as an online bed retailer and was its sole director. When applying for the loan, he declared the company had an annual turnover of 203,000. Two days after the loan arrived in June 2020, he contacted solicitors to begin the 116,000 purchase of a house in Morton Green. By the end of the month, the entire 50,000 had been moved out of the business account into his personal finances, and later transferred to solicitors as part of the property deal. In October 2020, Cozy Bed Ltd was officially dissolved, with no repayments ever made on the loan. Rashidzadeh later sold the house in August 2021. The Insolvency Service confirmed it is seeking to claw back the funds through the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Around 500,000 more children are set to receive a free breakfast as the government scheme expands. Bridget Phillipson announced that around 2,000 primary schools throughout England will join the breakfast club programme, in a move backed by 80 million, saving parents up to 450 in childcare costs each year. The Education Secretary unveiled the plan as Labour delegates and activists head to Liverpool for their partys annual conference, which begins this weekend. The start of the national rollout of free breakfast clubs will be a historic change in working families daily routines and is another example of this Labour Government making good on its promises to deliver the change the British people voted for, she said. This is Labour choosing a path of renewal towards a fairer country, breaking down the barriers to opportunity and ensuring every child starts school ready to learn. open image in gallery Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson wants free school breakfast clubs to prevent children from starting lessons hungry ( PA ) Expanding the free breakfast clubs scheme to more children is intended to make working parents lives easier and give all children the best start in life, Ms Phillipson added. The government started trialling free breakfast clubs earlier in 2025 with an initial scheme for around 180,000 pupils, launched in 750 primaries after the Easter holidays in the last school year. Labour vowed to support families with children by introducing free breakfast clubs in every primary school in its 2024 manifesto. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of NAHT (the National Association of Head Teachers), welcomed the move but urged the Government to consider concerns over funding, staffing and space within school buildings. He said: We welcome the principle of free breakfast clubs being available in schools. A good breakfast helps children to concentrate on their learning and has enormous benefits for their health and wellbeing. However, its really important that feedback from the Governments initial trial is taken into account as part of this roll-out. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice King Charles and Queen Camilla will have their first official meeting with Pope Leo XIV during a state visit to Vatican City next month. Buckingham Palace confirmed the couple will join the pontiff, elected earlier this year following the death of Pope Francis, in late October to celebrate the 2025 jubilee year. Charles and Camilla met with Francis privately just 12 days before his death after the couples historic state visit to the Vatican in early April was cancelled due to the Popes poor health. The meeting with the Pope in what would be his final weeks was arranged at the last minute and took place on their 20th wedding anniversary on April 9, with the pontiff wanting to personally wish them a happy anniversary. The King, in an official message released following the news of Franciss death on April 21, said he and Camilla were most deeply saddened. open image in gallery Pope Francis met with then-Prince Charles in 2017 ( Getty Images ) In May, Buckingham Palace said the King sent a private message to Pope Leo XIV, congratulating him on his election. Pope Leo, the first ever pontiff from the US, marked the start of his papacy by calling for unity within the church and for it to act as a leaven of harmony for humanity. Formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost from Chicago, Pope Leo was elected on May 8 after a conclave meeting of 133 cardinals from 70 countries in just over 24 hours. In the days after his election, the 70-year-old outlined some of his key priorities as Pope, saying the Holy Sees three pillars of diplomacy are peace, justice and truth during his first foreign policy address. During his first Sunday blessing, Leo called for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. open image in gallery Pope Leo was elected on May 8 after a conclave meeting of 133 cardinals from 70 countries ( AP ) Leo has also identified artificial intelligence as one of the most critical issues facing humanity, saying it poses challenges to defending human dignity, justice and labour. He is a dual citizen of the United States and Peru, where he first served as a missionary and then as archbishop, meaning he is the first Pope from each country. A papal jubilee is traditionally marked every 25 years in the Catholic Church. The King and Queens visit is also expected to celebrate the ecumenical work by the Church of England and the Catholic Church, reflecting the Jubilee years theme of walking together as Pilgrims of Hope. The King is Supreme Governor of the Church of England. The role dates back to Henry VIII, who named himself Supreme Head of the Church of England after he was excommunicated by the pope, Pope Paul III, and broke from the Catholic Church in the 16th century to marry Anne Boleyn. Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Two women have died during an attempt to cross the Channel, French authorities have said. Officials said the two migrants died on Saturday morning while trying to travel from France to the UK on a makeshift boat. Rescuers found the women in cardiac arrest but couldnt save them, the prefecture of the Pas-de-Calais region, in northern France, said in a statement. A couple with their child were also transported to a hospital in Boulogne, the French authority said. The incident happened off the coast of the town of Neuchatel-Hardelot, between Boulogne and Le Touquet. The French media have reported that around 60 people were rescued from the overnight incident. According to the prefecture, 17 migrants have died since the beginning of the year while attempting to reach the UK on board small boats from the coast of the Pas-de-Calais region. The number of people arriving in the UK through Channel crossings is at a record for this point in the year since data was first reported in 2018. Last year, 50 people died while trying to cross the Channel, according to incidents recorded by the French coastguard. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has also reported several more migrant deaths believed to be linked to crossing attempts in 2024 and this year. Earlier this week, a family of three, including a small child, became the first people sent to the UK by France under an agreement in which Britain returns migrants and France sends vetted asylum seekers. A Home Office spokesperson said: We can confirm there has been a tragic incident involving a small boat that had attempted to cross the Channel which has resulted in the loss of two lives. This latest tragedy underlines the terrible dangers of small boat crossings, and we continue to do everything we can to prevent callous criminals exploiting vulnerable people. Our thoughts are with those affected. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Workers have been filmed violently killing piglets by slamming them against concrete floors at a third farm owned by a major supermarket meat supplier after the firm promised it had banned the practice. Secret cameras captured staff illegally killing young animals by blunt-force trauma at a farm owned by Cranswick, Britains biggest pig producer, which supplies retailers with products including bacon and ham. Some animals were left writhing in agony and slowly dying over 20 minutes, according to activists who investigated Mere Farm, Barton-upon-Humber, Lincolnshire. The video shows workers kicking aside piglets with head injuries that had been thumped this way. Tesco, Asda and Morrisons suspended the farm when The Independent showed them the footage, and Cranswick sacked four staff. The company says it has introduced changes to reduce cruelty since much of the footage was taken, including installing hundreds of cameras on its 45 farms and retraining staff. open image in gallery Workers were caught still slamming piglets after Cranswick banned the practice on its farms ( Animal Justice Project ) But one worker seen in the latest footage, who was later sacked, had completed his training only around 10 days earlier. Its the third of the companys farms in under five months where staff have been found inflicting painful deaths and suffering on pigs. In May, workers were seen slamming piglets to death at North Moor Farm, Lincolnshire. The company said it launched an investigation, then at its July AGM said it had banned this killing technique. In August, covert filming at Somerby Top Farm, also in Lincolnshire, showed workers hitting pigs with boards, paddles and fists. Supermarkets said they cut ties with Somerby Top, and Cranswick said it was recruiting five new animal-welfare officers and introducing AI surveillance. open image in gallery A worker in wellington boots stood with all his weight on a helpless pig, still alive ( Animal Justice Project ) However, animal-welfare organisation Animal Justice Project (AJP) has now revealed that in footage shot in July two months after Cranswick said it had banned thumping workers were still killing piglets by grabbing their hind legs and slamming them on concrete. Until the practice was outlawed, piglets deemed too small to be profitable were routinely killed this way on UK farms. The activists said equally horrifying video clips showed a trapped sow being violently abused. Unable to get up after giving birth, the animal was allegedly left without water for over 24 hours and food for more than 54 hours. Workers repeatedly attacked the sow, kicking her with their boots on, pulling her head with ropes, treading on her side and prodding her with a sharp shovel, the footage shows. open image in gallery Workers in boots repeatedly kicked a pig that could not get up ( Animal Justice Project ) One worker even stood on her side with his full weight. Finally, they pulled her with ropes bound around her legs. The investigators also said they filmed nine piglets being thumped over four days and none were checked for signs of life. They said they filmed: One piglet thrashed in agony for up to nine minutes, ignored by staff, and another showed signs of life for 20 minutes Filthy, overcrowded sheds, with almost 200 sows in farrowing crates, many with wounds, pressure sores, cuts and scratches Dead piglets among the living Animals allegedly suffered infections, diarrhoea, necrosis and open wounds. One with a ruptured eyeball was allegedly ignored. Workers were filmed saying: Bloody hell, Id expect this to be dead and Think shes gonna die anyway, let her f***ing die, innit. AJP said footage in March showed identical practices, suggesting this is not isolated but systemic. The organisation says its planning legal action for Animal Welfare Act breaches. A Cranswick spokesman said: The behaviour depicted is wholly unacceptable and clearly breaches our values, standards and animal-welfare practices. open image in gallery One piglet had an eye that was bleeding and ruptured ( Animal Justice Project ) Much of the material appears to pre-date the significant reforms we have been implementing, including an update to our welfare standards and the installation of AI-enabled CCTV systems. We will continue to work to improve the culture and practices at our farms. The individuals filmed at Mere Farm were all dismissed as soon as we saw the footage. A Tesco spokesperson said it suspended the farm immediately pending a thorough investigation. Any failure to meet our high welfare standards is unacceptable and we take swift action where necessary, they said. Asda said it immediately suspended supply from finisher farms supplied by Mere Farm. open image in gallery Its estimated that the farm has 200 sows confined to farrowing crates ( Animal Justice Project ) A Morrisons spokesperson said the company was deeply saddened by the footage and suspended it, adding: We welcome and support Cranswicks immediate investigation. A Sainsburys spokesperson branded the mistreatment appalling and inexcusable, adding: It goes against Sainsburys values and standards in every respect. They said they were in close contact with Cranswick about the fundamental overhaul of its sites, including Mere Farm. Ayrton Cooper, of Animal Justice Project, said consumers were tired of being misled over empty high-welfare claims. An Animal and Plant Health Agency spokesperson said: We will always take appropriate action where non-compliances with welfare regulations are found. open image in gallery Activists said conditions were filthy ( Animal Justice Project ) North Lincolnshire Trading Standards said it was investigating. Animal Justice Project is calling for an independent public inquiry into pig farming. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Duke of York has been named in the latest release of the Epstein files which suggest he flew on the paedophiles plane alongside Ghislaine Maxwell. New documents released by Congressional Democrats in the US show Prince Andrew was listed as a passenger on Jefferey Epsteins private jet on a flight from Teterboro, New Jersey, to Palm Beach in Florida on May 12, 2000. It suggests he flew alongside the disgraced financiers then-girlfriend and now convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, as well as two names which have been redacted. The documents also record a payment of $200 for a massage for Andrew on February 11 2000. It is not clear this is referring to the duke, who has strenuously denied any wrongdoing. open image in gallery The photograph with Virginia Giuffre is said to have been taken at Ghislaine Maxwells London home in 2001 ( United States District County for the Southern District of New York ) Details of the duke being a passenger on Epsteins private jet have previously been heard in court through Maxwells trial with one of her accusers, who was 14 at the time, recalling she had travelled on a flight with Andrew. The documents come days after an email from Sarah, Duchess of York, to Epstein, in which she apologised to him for disowning him in the media. Her spokesman said the message, which also saw her label the sex offender as a supreme friend, was written because he had threatened to sue her for defamation. open image in gallery Sarah, Duchess of York (Jordan Pettitt/PA) ( PA Wire ) The surfacing of the email led the duchess to be dropped by a number of charities, of which she had been a patron. Disgraced financier Epstein was jailed in 2008 for 18 months after pleading guilty to soliciting sex from girls as young as 14. Even though he was registered as a sex offender, he was released on probation after 13 months. Epstein, who was accused of running a vast network of underage girls, died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial for serial sex trafficking of women and girls. The latest batch of files include roughly six pages from more than 8,500 documents provided by Epsteins estate to Democratic members on the House Oversight Committee. open image in gallery ( US District Court for the Southern District of New York ) The documents also made reference to a potential visit to the sex offenders island, Little St James, by X owner Elon Musk. His name appears on what appears to be Epsteins daily schedule on December 6, 2014 six years after he became a listed sex offender - with the entry saying: Reminder: Elon Musk to island Dec.6 (is this still happening?) Musk wrote on X on Friday evening: "This is false". He has previously said Epstein had invited him to the island but he had declined. In June, Musk indicated President Donald Trump should be impeached and claimed his administration was concealing information about Mr Trumps association with Epstein. He later appeared to have deleted posts about the sex offender. Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Prince Harry has lashed out at false claims about his recent meeting with King Charles, saying it was an attempt to sabotage any reconciliation with his father. The Duke of Sussex was infuriated by quotes attributed to him after the event which said he had felt more like an official visitor than a relative during the hour long meeting between the two. Dismissing the account as pure invention, he issued a stern rebuttal describing some reports of the meeting, which took place earlier this month, as categorically false. A spokesperson for Prince Harry said in a statement to The Independent: Recent reporting of The Dukes view of the tone of the meeting, is categorically false. The quotes attributed to him are pure invention fed, one can only assume, by sources intent on sabotaging any reconciliation between father and son. The spokesperson went on to address reports published in The Sun that Harry had given his father a photograph of himself, his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, and their two children, Archie and Lilibet. The statement said: Presumably, those same sources have also chosen to disclose that gifts were exchanged. "While we would have preferred such details to remain private, for the sake of clarity, we can confirm that a framed photograph was handed over; however, the image did not contain the Duke and Duchess. Harry had tea with King Charles, 76, at Clarence House on Wednesday, 10 September, in what was their first meeting for 19 months. The Sun article claimed Harry had been surprised at how formal the meeting was. Prince Harry arrived at the residence in a black Range Rover at 5.20pm, and left after about an hour. He later attended an Invictus Games event in London as part of his four-day visit to the UK. Asked about the meeting during that event, the duke said of the King: Yes hes great, thank you. Harry had not seen his father in more than a year, and said in a BBC interview in May: I would love a reconciliation with my family. He said at the time that his father would not speak to him because of the court battle over his security arrangements, and that he did not know how much longer my father has. A spokesperson for The Sun said: Prince Harry confirms the exchange of gifts, including a family photograph. The office of the Duke of Sussex was given full right of reply yesterday in advance of publication and opted not to give a response to The Suns carefully sourced account of the meeting. We have today updated the online article to include his new statement. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Labours new chair has claimed the partys MPs are frustrated with Andy Burnham's leadership manoeuvrings ahead of the partys annual conference this weekend. As she called for unity, Anna Turley said Labour MPs questioned the Greater Manchester mayors motivations a day after Keir Starmer attacked his economic policies and compared him to Liz Truss. Chancellor Rachel Reeves also hit out at his fiscal policy suggestions late on Friday. The Labour infighting, which has been bubbling for weeks, erupted in public after Mr Burnham said Labour MPs had privately urged him to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the party leadership. Speculation about Mr Starmers future, as his party trails Nigel Farages Reform UK in the polls and is expected to have to raise taxes in Novembers Budget, is expected to dominate the event in Liverpool. open image in gallery Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, left, pictured with mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham ( PA Archive ) Ms Turley, who was appointed by Sir Keir earlier this month, acknowledged there had been a "challenging couple of weeks" for the leadership. Asked about Mr Burnham, she said he was doing a great job in Manchester. She said pointedly that he had made commitments to the people of the city, adding: I think we need a party that's united." She told the PA news agency: "If the polls aren't looking great, people always get a little bit wobbly. Politics is littered with ambition. But the reality is we've got a very strong prime minister with a strong mandate and a strong vision that I think everyone's going to be really looking forward to hearing next week." Asked about Mr Burnham revelation that MPs had contacted him about running for the party leadership, Ms Turley said: "There's an awful lot of MPs who are frustrated at that and actually dislike that and wonder what the motivations are for that. "Labour MPs want this government to be a success. They want to see the vision from the prime minister, and they want us to build on the progress we've made in the last year and to lead into a second term. That's what Labour MPs will want. "That's not what I hear, what Andy is saying. What I hear is people saying: 'Right, come on, let's get together, let's step up, let's set out our vision, let's move into this phase of delivery and making sure that we deliver on the vision that we've got for this country: more money in people's pockets, better public services, a country that's confident and secure. open image in gallery Labour chair Anna Turley said many MPs are frustrated by the situation ( Jack Taylor/Getty Images ) She also said the conference comes at the "perfect time" for the government to set out what it is doing to deliver on the promises it has made to the public. Delegates travel to Liverpool just weeks after the resignation of deputy leader Angela Rayner over her taxes and the sacking of Lord Mandelson as ambassador to Washington, just as "phase two" of Sir Keir's relaunched leadership kicked off. "I think (this is) a huge opportunity for the prime minister to really set out his vision now for the country," Ms Turley said. "Obviously we've had quite a challenging couple of weeks. I don't think anyone would deny that. "And I think this has come at a perfect time for us to really speak to the country, instead of to ourselves, and to set out the vision that he's got here." Redcar MP Ms Turley said the party had to appeal to communities which felt they had been "neglected" by Westminster. "They feel that they haven't been invested in and that's what they're angry about. And of course we came in promising change, but it's very, very hard to deliver the kind of instant change that people want to see within a year," she said. "We fixed the foundations in our first year and now we've got to make sure that we deliver so that people can see and feel that tangible change in their pockets and in their communities around them, and show them there are solutions and there is a way to get real, positive change for people." Sign up to our free Brexit newsletter for our analysis of the continuing impact of Brexit on the UK Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Rachel Reeves is pushing for a more ambitious deal to unpick the harm Brexit did to the prospects of young people in the UK. The chancellor has revealed she wants to have an ambitious youth experience scheme to allow mobility for under-30s in and out of the UK, a move which she claimed would reduce the need for tax rises in the forthcoming budget. It would mean young people from the UK could go to live and work in the EU on temporary visas while young people from the EU would enjoy the same privilege the other direction. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves (right) speaking at the Global Progress Action Summit at Methodist Central Hall in Westminster (Stefan Rousseau/PA) ( PA Wire ) Speaking ahead of the Labour conference, Ms Reeves told The Times she believes it could boost economic growth and is hoping that the Office for Budget Responsibility will score its impact before the Budget. She said: We have agreed as a government that we want to have an ambitious youth experience scheme to allow young people in Britain to be able to go and work, to travel, to volunteer, to gain experience, to learn languages in European countries. And we want young people from those European countries to also be able to come to the UK and have the same opportunities that my generation had to travel and work and study in Europe. We also want the OBR to score that because when we left the European Union, the OBR said that our economy would be 4 per cent smaller as a result. As a result of that reset in May, we think the economy will be stronger. While the move would be seized on by the likes of Nigel Farage and Reform UK as a Brexit betrayal encouraging yet more immigration to the UK, a recent poll published by The Independent showed even Reform supporters back the scheme. According to the YouGov findings in August, 76 per cent of those asked support the scheme, compared to only 13 per cent who are opposed. This included 55 per cent of Reform UK (previously the Brexit Party) voters who want a permanent youth mobility scheme for young people in the UK and Europe to be put in place with just 34 per cent opposing. Meanwhile, her intervention has come as a new poll by YouGov for best for Britain has revealed majority (56 per cent) of people who voted Labour in July last year have said they think the UK is heading in the wrong direction - with over 3-in-5 (61 per cent) of these voters who think this way pinning the blame on Brexit. Ahead of Labours 2025 party conference, the poll of more than 4,000 people found that the electoral coalition that swept the party to power just fourteen months ago blames Brexit for where it's all gone wrong. Top words associated with Brexit were sad, frustrated, and annoyed. The youth mobility scheme was part of the discussions of Sir Keir Starmers Brexit reset earlier this year but details are still being thrashed out. It would be based on existing schemes such as the ones with Australia, Canada and New Zealand where a limited number of visas are issued to 18 to 30-year-olds for up to two years to live and work in the other country as long as applicants have savings of at least 2,530. Some have described it as the "au pair visa because of the drop in the number of au pairs in the UK since leaving the EU. Others have described it as the restaurant and bar visa because of the shortage of available workforce in the hospitality industry since Brexit. Tom Brufatto, director of policy at the pro-EU Best for Britain, said: A deal on youth mobility creates new opportunities for young UK and EU citizens alike, as first proposed by the UK Trade and Business Commission in 2021, and, as Best for Britains polling found earlier this year, is favoured in every constituency in Great Britain. However, shadow Tory chancellor Sir Mel Stride said: When the Chancellor is reduced to begging the OBR to score a yet to be clarified youth mobility scheme, to scrabble together a few hundred million at best, it shows just how desperate things have become. Britain faces a massive fiscal black hole of Rachel Reeves own making. No amount of creative accounting can cover for the fact that her reckless borrowing has put us in this position. Rachel Reeves has already raised taxes by 40 billion a year. Despite saying she wouldn't come back for more, the Chancellor's reckless economic mismanagement means more painful tax rises loom. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Amazon is being forced to pay out a $2.5 billion settlement to qualifying customers over its Prime membership after a historic ruling by the Federal Trade Commission. U.S. regulators argued the company misled millions of users into paying for subscriptions that were intentionally difficult to cancel, the agency announced. The FTC announced in late September that Amazon has agreed to pay $1 billion in civil penalties to the government, and another $1.5 billion in redress payments to affected customers. Those eligible to receive some of the settlement include customers who may have signed up for a membership through Amazons Single Page Checkout between June 23, 2019, and June 23, 2025. The surprise settlement comes as Amazon and the FTC were three days into a trial in the tech giants hometown, Seattle, where a jury was set to determine whether Amazon broke the law. A lawsuit was filed by the FTC against Amazon in 2023, accusing them of knowingly misleading millions of consumers into enrolling in Prime, the agency said. open image in gallery Amazon will pay $2.5 billion to settle Federal Trade Commission allegations that it misled users into paying for memberships that were purposefully difficult to cancel ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The regulators also claimed that Amazon created a purposefully convoluted, multi-step cancellation process to keep users trapped in their subscriptions. Under the settlement, Amazon is not allowed to misrepresent the terms of Prime. The company must now make clear disclosures about the terms of the program during enrollment, and have consumers express consent before charging them for a subscription. The company can no longer have a button that says, No, I dont want free shipping and must provide an easy way for users to cancel their subscription, the FTC said. Amazon admitted no wrong-doing in the settlement. In a statement, spokesperson Mark Blafkin told The Independent, "Amazon and our executives have always followed the law and this settlement allows us to move forward and focus on innovating for customers. We work incredibly hard to make it clear and simple for customers to both sign up or cancel their Prime membership, and to offer substantial value for our many millions of loyal Prime members around the world. We will continue to do so, and look forward to what well deliver for Prime members in the coming years, he said. FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson praised the agreement as a monumental win for the agency, noting in a statement the FTC is committed to fighting back when companies try to cheat ordinary Americans out of their hard-earned pay. open image in gallery Under the settlement, Amazon is not allowed to misrepresent the terms of Prime. The company must now make clear disclosures about the terms of the program during enrollment, and have consumers express consent before charging them for a subscription. ( The FTC sued Amazon in 2023 over its Prime subscription program ) Today we are putting billions of dollars back into Americans pockets, and making sure Amazon never does this again, Ferguson said. The settlement is one of the largest ever imposed by the FTC, according to CNBC. In 2019, the agency hit Meta, then known as Facebook with a $5 billion fine for violating consumers privacy. Amazon Prime provides subscribers with perks including faster shipping, video streaming, and discounts at Whole Foods supermarkets. The subscription costs $139 a year, or $14.99 a month. What this means for you Amazon Prime customers eligible to receive some of the $1.5 billion in redress payments include users who signed up for a membership through the companys Single Page Checkout. Customers were given the option to use that particular webpage between June 23, 2019, and June 23, 2025. The $1.5 billion fund will be available to an estimated 35 million users who were hit with unwanted Prime memberships or deferred cancellation, according to Reuters. Amazon will pay up to $51 to individual Prime subscribers who submit valid claims and could make additional payments, according to the report. Affected customers do not need to file claims. Instead, Amazon will send automatic payments to those who used their Prime benefits three times or less during a 12-month enrollment period. Qualifying customers will receive payments by December 24, USA Today reported. Those who dont qualify for automatic payments will receive information on how to file a claim by January 23, 2026 and will have until July 23, 2026 to submit the necessary forms. With reporting by the Associated Press. UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Friday that his country's cooperation agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) would be gone if UN sanctions were to return. The UN Security Council on Friday failed to adopt a resolution that would have extended the 2015 Iran nuclear deal for six months to allow time for diplomacy and avoid a snapback of UN sanctions against Iran. Britain, France and Germany -- the three European countries of the Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) -- claimed that they triggered the snapback mechanism on Aug. 28 by notifying the Security Council of Tehran's "non-performance." As such, the snapback is set to take effect on Sept. 28, at the end of a 30-day window, in the absence of further Security Council action. "Well, we have already said that this act by E3 (the three European countries) and the decision by the Security Council would affect Iran's cooperation with the agency," Araghchi told reporters after the Security Council vote. Iran and the IAEA reached an agreement to resume cooperation in the Egyptian capital of Cairo on Sept. 9. "It is very unfortunate that if everything is activated, then this agreement between Iran and the agency would also be gone and cannot be implemented," Araghchi noted. In his remarks to the Security Council on Friday, Araghchi said IAEA inspectors are in Iran doing their job. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The U.S. Air Force is investigating an incident involving a military aircraft from Creech Air Force Base near Area 51, north of Las Vegas. We are aware of a September 23, 2025, incident involving an aircraft from Creech AFB. There were no fatalities, injuries, or property damage, a spokesperson for the 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing told The Independent in a statement. The incident is under investigation. No further information is available at this time, they added. The Independent has contacted representatives for the Air Force for comment. A Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson said to contact the government when asked for comment by The Independent. On Tuesday, the FAA issued a temporary flight restriction over a five-nautical-mile area east of Area 51, 8 News Now reports. open image in gallery The 'incident' happened on Tuesday, involving an aircraft from Creech AFB ( Getty Images ) The restriction, which covers airspace near Highway 375, was put in place for reasons of national security. The TFR advised pilots to avoid the area unless they received specific authorization from the FAA. The restrictions were set to remain in effect until October 1. Meanwhile, 45 minutes away at Nellis Air Force Base, also near Area 51, an unidentified person opened fire at the bases main gate Wednesday morning, prompting a forceful response from security personnel. Authorities say the suspect started shooting toward the gate around 12:30 a.m. before being confronted by base security forces. When the individual aimed a weapon at the responding officers, they returned fire, striking him in the leg. Initial reports indicate the civilian was behaving erratically and initiated contact with multiple shots from a firearm," an Nellis AFB spokesperson told KSNV. Medical responders stabilized the gunman with a tourniquet before transporting him to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Area 51 is located about 85 miles north of Las Vegas. Officially known as Groom Lake, after the nearby dry lakebed, the base has long been shrouded in secrecy and has become the subject of countless conspiracy theories, particularly those related to UFOs and extraterrestrial life. The facility is surrounded by heavily restricted airspace and monitored around the clock by military security. Warning signs, motion sensors, and armed patrols deter trespassers, and the exact details of what takes place inside remain classified. Photography is strictly prohibited, and access is limited to those with top-level security clearances. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Move over, dating apps one Bay Area woman is trying out a new and innovative approach to dating in the modern world. Lisa Catalano, a 41-year-old from San Mateo, California, has purchased a dozen billboards along Highway 101 advertising her new website: MarryLisa.com. The site encourages eligible bachelors to apply to date her, and includes a trove of information about her hobbies, interests, and what shes looking for in a partner. Catalano told local outlet KRON that she bought the billboards after just not having any luck any other way. I just want to meet somebody, Catalano said. On her website, Catalano says shes looking to get married and start a family in the next two to three years. She has a high energy, healthy, active lifestyle, loves the San Francisco Giants (sorry, Dodgers fans), and even owns a convertible. open image in gallery Lisa Catalano has rented billboards in the Bay Area to advertise her new website encouraging eligible bachelors to apply to date her ( @MarryLisaOfficial/TikTok ) Shes hoping to meet a man who will match her interests and her energy. You know, it just comes down to chemistry, Catalano told KRON. But, you know, its things like religion, politics, lifestyle. I want somebody who leads a healthy lifestyle like I do. And somebody who wants to get married and have kids, she added. Because thats something thats really important to me. Catalano says shes ready to look for love again after her fiance died from a terminal illness in late 2023. I hope that this is a great story that we can tell our future children, she told KRON. The application on Lisas website asks for biographical information, then allows bachelors to answer some open-ended prompts, such as What are your hobbies and interests? and Describe your personality. Applicants can also upload photos of themselves. open image in gallery Lisa Catalano is encouraging eligible bachelors to apply on MarryLisa.com, where she lists her hobbies, interests and preferences ( MarryLisa.com ) If you know an eligible bachelor in the area, you can also apply on his behalf using a separate application. This application asks much of the same information, but includes a prompt that asks, Is there anything else you'd like Lisa to know about this man you are referring? What made you decide to fill out this application? Catalano also uploaded a series of YouTube videos describing her dating preferences, addressing topics like kissing on the first date (shes open to it), her celebrity crush (The X Files star David Duchovny) and her relatives (she loves her big extended family). The Independent has contacted Catalano to learn more about her search for love. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A California family has warned about a new opioid 40 times stronger than fentanyl after their son died from the synthetic drug, with overdose cases spiking across the country. He was lifeless in his car, Cindy Jacquet said of her son Bryce in an interview with local outlet KTLA. Maybe I couldve saved him if I knew. The 22-year-olds body was found outside the familys Stevenson Ranch home after a night out with his friends. Cindy and Bryces father, Andrew, said he took what he believed to be Xanax, but it was laced with nitazene. Nitazenes, also known as benzimidazole-opioids, have no approved medical use. The Drug Enforcement Administration has called nitazenes a public health threat. open image in gallery A California family has warned about a new opioid 40 times stronger than fentanyl after their son died from the synthetic drug, with overdose cases spiking across the country ( DEA ) KTLA noted Narcan, which can save the lives of people who overdose on opioids, isnt always effective against nitazenes. Im absolutely positive theres more kids that have died from it, Andrew said. Grey McCallister, who lives in the suburbs of Houston, lost her 22-year-old son, Lucci, to nitazenes in January and three months later, his close friend, Hunter, died from the drug, KTLA reported. I know of four overdoses in a four-month period just in this tiny boating community of Clearlake, she told the outlet. open image in gallery Nitazenes, also known as benzimidazole-opioids, have no approved medical use ( DEA ) DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian Clark explained how young people across the country are getting their hands on nitazenes. What were seeing are local drug traffickers that are ordering the chemical directly from chemical companies and pharmaceutical companies in China and internationally through the dark web, and they are adding it to the supply chain in their local areas, Clark told KTLA. Deaths from nitazenes add to the opioid overdose epidemic plaguing Americans. In 2023, about 105,000 people died from drug overdoses, and roughly 76 percent of those deaths involved opioids, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The number of people who died from an opioid overdose in 2023 was almost 10 times the number in 1999, but the death rate did drop four percent from 2022, the CDC says. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Five students were hospitalized Friday after consuming a food item that another student brought to Pinecrest Glades Academy in Miami. A spokesperson from the Miami-Dade Police Department told The Independent that they responded to a medical call at the K-12 charter school around 10 a.m. Due to the number of patients, the call was upgraded to a Level One MCI, with a total of five pediatric patients transported to a local hospital, the spokesperson said. The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office, which is assisting in the investigation, added that the students were intoxicated and receiving medical attention, and will not be interviewed until a later time. We do not have information as to what was ingested until detectives are able to interview the involved parties, the Sheriff's Office said. open image in gallery The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office said the hospitalized students were intoxicated after consuming the mystery item ( Google Maps ) Around 11:30 a.m., Glades Academy posted on its Facebook page, writing, Attention parents: Please check your email for an important message. The email, obtained by Local 10, reportedly read, Some students who consumed it began experiencing adverse reactions, and emergency medical teams were immediately called to provide assistance. Those students are receiving the necessary medical care. Please rest assured that we are taking every necessary step to address this unfortunate situation and to ensure the continued safety of our students, the email read. We ask that you take a moment to remind your children of the seriousness of their actions. What may seem like a simple choice can carry very severe consequences, including potential criminal charges and school-related disciplinary measures. MDFR confirmed that a sixth patient was assessed at the scene, but it was unrelated to this incident, the outlet reported. The Independent has contacted the Pinecrest Glades Academy for comment. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Michigan family took out a $25,000 loan and sold rare collectibles when their teens insurance denied mental health care after he attempted suicide. Johnathan Benz-Bushling, a 16-year-old who lives in Stephensville, has struggled with depression and substance abuse, as reported by NBC 10 Philadelphia, which interviewed the family about their ordeal. In February, he attempted to take his own life. Johnathans depression became noticeable in 2022 as he withdrew from his family and began vaping marijuana. Johnathans father, Nick, said, It got to the point where he had to be escorted everywhere that he went, but he was still finding ways to get THC vapes into our house, and he couldnt get through a school day without getting high. One day earlier this year, Johnathan, who had been suspended from school, found his parents alcohol hidden in their bedroom closet. His parents returned home from work to find Johnathan passed out after getting blacked out drunk. A Michigan family took out a $25,000 loan and sold rare collectibles when their teens insurance denied mental health care after he attempted suicide ( Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images ) When Johnathan woke up, he attempted suicide. I was upset that I disappointed my parents, because I knew they expected better for me and that I could be better, Johnathan said. Nick and his wife, Misty, rushed their son to the emergency room, and he was later taken to an inpatient facility in Grand Rapids. A doctor recommended residential treatment, and the Benz-Bushlings found a spot for Johnathan at Newport Academy in Washington. But five days after Johnathan was placed at Newport Academy, his insurance notified the Benz-Bushlings they would not cover his treatment. The letter that the family received said the treatment was not medically necessary and that treatment could be provided in a less restrictive level of care, NBC 10 reported. But discharge papers from the facility stated, Patient too unstable to function outside of hospital. Patients treatment needs cannot be expected to be met in a lower level of care, according to the news outlet. Misty recalled talking to a care coordinator who asked if she could help find a local therapist for Johnathan. And I was angry, I was upset, and I was crying, and I told her, if my son comes home now, he will end his life, and the blood will be on your hands, Misty said. The family is self-insured through Nicks job at American Electric Power, and Quantum Health is responsible for determining coverage eligibility, as outlined in their insurance plan, NBC 10 reported. Quantum told NBC News: When reviewing requests for behavioral health services, we are obligated to follow the terms of the specific Plan, including its rules for medical necessity and appropriate level of care based on nationally recognized criteria, such as InterQual and Locus. The company made clear it is not an insurer, insurance company or provider. We provide healthcare navigation and care coordination services to members on behalf of their employers health and welfare benefits program. The Benz-Bushlings appealed Quantums decision several times, but were still denied coverage. When reached for comment by The Independent Quantum said: While we cant discuss specifics about members health circumstances, we understand the importance of mental health and wellbeing and empathize with the toll it takes on families. I told her, if my son comes home now, he will end his life, and the blood will be on your hands. Misty Benz-Bushling to a care coordinator We are committed to continuing to assist families with finding necessary care that is covered under the terms of their group health plan. The family was able to negotiate a discounted rate for Johnathans treatment at Newport Academy. But they were only able to afford for Johnathan to stay there for seven weeks, instead of the recommended nine weeks. Johnathans treatment cost the Benz-Bushlings tens of thousands of dollars, leading them to take out a high-interest loan for $25,000 and sell Nicks collection of first-edition Stephen King novels. The cost also took a toll on Johnathans siblings, as Nick and Mistys oldest daughter had to switch colleges since they couldnt afford to help with her tuition, and they had to cut back on going out to eat and going to the movies. The Benz-Bushlings threatened to sue American Electric Power to recover their out-of-pocket expenses. But that dispute has been resolved. We are pleased that the family was able to resolve their concerns and that we were able to assist, American Electric Power told The Independent. AEP offers benefit plans that include access to a broad range of healthcare, including mental health services. In doing that, AEP does not play a role in determining what treatment is provided to any covered individual or in communicating determinations that are made under our plans. Johnathan said that while he was upset his parents had to foot the bill for his treatment, he was also really grateful. If you or someone you know is facing mental health struggles, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice No injuries were reported after a commercial regional jet overshot the designated touch down zone at a Virginia airport amid heavy rain Wednesday night, but was stopped in a safety area at the end of the runway, officials said. Delays continue at the airport Thursday morning. CommuteAir Flight 4339 landed long as it arrived at Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport around 10pm, according to a Federal Aviation Administration statement. It was safely stopped by an engineered materials arresting system bed at the end of the runway. The safety area made of cellular cement blocks meant to slow and stop an aircraft that overruns the runway was upgraded last year and performed as intended, airport spokesperson Alexa Briehl said in an email. There was heavy rain in the area at the time of the incident, Briehl said. There were 50 passengers and three crew members on board the flight operating as United Express from Washington Dulles International Airport when it overran the runway while landing at Roanoke, CommuteAir executive vice president and chief financial officer Sean Frick said in an email. The captain reported no injuries, Frick said. CommuteAir Flight 4339 at the end of a runway at Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport ( Roanoke-Blacksburg Airport ) Passengers aboard the Embraer 145 were bused to the terminal and law enforcement released them to go home a little before midnight, officials said. All runways at the airport were closed for a time. One runway reopened after midnight to arriving and departing traffic, but the runway where the overrun occurred remained closed, the airport said. The FAA said it will investigate. This was the third save this month by an engineered materials arresting system, according to the FAA. On Sept. 3, an arresting system stopped a Gulfstream G150 with two people aboard that overran the runway at Chicago Executive Airport. On the same day, a Bombardier Challenger 300 with four people on board was stopped when it went beyond the runway during landing at Boca Raton Airport. No serious injuries were reported in either case, the FAA said. There are currently 122 such systems at 70 U.S. airports. Delays continued at the Roanoke airport Thursday morning, but most flights were on time by afternoon, officials said. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Immigration and Customs Enforcement is threatening to deport the top public school official in Des Moines, Iowa, where school leadership is sad, outraged and helpless after a police chase led to his arrest and detention. Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts, 54, was arrested Friday. He is being held at Pottawattamie County Jail in ICE custody. Roberts, who is originally from Guyana, had moved to the United States on a student visa in 1999 and lived in Brooklyn before serving as a school official in Pennsylvania. He has served as public schools superintendent for Iowas largest school district since July 2023. Before a career in education, Roberts competed as a mid-distance runner for Guyana in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. He received a final removal order from an immigration judge in May 2024 and did not have legal permission to work in the country or possess a firearm, according to ICE. open image in gallery Des Moines public schools superintendent Ian Roberts was arrested by ICE agents Friday, marking one of the highest-ranking public officials targeted for removal from the country by the Trump administration ( AP ) Roberts fled from ICE agents Friday morning and abandoned his car in a wooded area, according to ICE. The agency said Roberts has existing weapon possession charges from February 5, 2020, and officers recovered a loaded Glock handgun, $3,000 in cash and a hunting knife when he was detained. Sam Olson, St. Paul field office director for ICE Enforcement and Removals Operations, said Roberts arrest should be a wake-up call for our communities to the great work that our officers are doing every day to remove public safety threats. How this illegal alien was hired without work authorization, a final order of removal, and a prior weapons charge is beyond comprehension and should alarm the parents of that school district, he added. In a brief press conference Friday, Des Moines School Board Chair Jackie Norris said Roberts is an integral part of our school community who has shown up in ways big and small and advocated for students and staff since leading the citys public schools two years ago. Des Moines public schools interim superintendent Matt Smith said the community is devastated by the news. We stand firm with our community, many of whom are feeling sad, outraged and helpless, he added. Mazie Stilwell, director of progressive advocacy group Progress Iowa and a Des Moines public schools parent, said no Iowan is safe. It is time for them to finally stand up for us and stop these attacks on our freedoms and our communities, she said in a statement. Every Iowan should call their legislators and ask why Iowans are being detained, and what they are doing to protect us. open image in gallery ICE agents say they recovered a loaded Glock pistol from Robertss car after his arrest ( Immigration and Customs Enforcement ) A joint statement from Iowa State Education Association President Joshua Brown and Des Moines Education Association President Anne Cross said Roberts has been a tremendous advocate for students, families, staff and the community. His leadership and compassion for all students, regardless of background, identity or family origin, are a beacon of light in one of the state's most diverse school districts, they said. Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, a nonprofit organization that offers legal services to immigrants in the state, has serious concerns about the constitutionality of his arrest and is awaiting details. As ICE continues to terrorize our communities and disappear our community members, this latest escalation highlights the need for communities to stand together and defend against ICE attacks, the group said. In an alumni story published by Marylands Coppin State University before the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Roberts said his father came to the United States in the 1980s and his mother arrived in the early 2000s. Both parents sought better opportunities for themselves and their family, he said at the time. The way that my mother has lived her life, with a strong spiritual foundation, unbelievable work ethic, humility and an inclination for community activism, served and continues to be an inspiration to me, Roberts said. The arrest is among the latest from federal agencies tasked with enforcing the Trump administrations ramped-up anti-immigration agenda, with more than 60,000 immigrants currently in federal custody. Within the first several months of Trump's second presidential term ICE removed nearly 200,000 people from the country. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A group of FBI agents who were photographed kneeling during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests were fired on Friday, according to a new report. Sources speaking to the Associated Press said that around 20 agents were fired, and a third source confirmed the firings to the outlet. The firings come after the agents were reportedly reassigned in response to the photograph showing them kneeling. The 2020 Black Lives Matter protests were ignited after footage showing the murder of George Floyd by former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin spread on social media. Floyd's brutal death at the hands of a police officer was viewed by many protesters as an especially egregious example of racial bias in law enforcement and of unchecked state aggression toward Black people. Protests spread across the country, and President Donald Trump then as now described demonstrators as Antifa and domestic terrorists. open image in gallery The FBI has fired more than 15 agents who were photographed kneeling during the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020. ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) One of the symbols of the protest was kneeling, especially during the playing of the U.S. national anthem. The kneeling incident involving the fired FBI agents occurred in Washington, D.C., in the summer of 2020, which was the height of the Black Lives Matter protests. The FBI Agents Association issued a statement to CNN criticizing FBI Director Kash Patel's decision to fire the agents. Patels dangerous new pattern of actions are weakening the Bureau because they eliminate valuable expertise and damage trust between leadership and the workforce, and make it harder to recruit and retain skilled agentsultimately putting our nation at greater risk, the organization said. At the time of the incident, Trump ordered then-Attorney General Bill Barr to drive protesters off the streets and demanded that the FBI and other federal agencies deploy its agents to help protect federal buildings and engage in crowd control. FBI agents are not trained for crowd control. Leadership at the agency pushed back against Barr but ultimately complied with Trump's orders and directed its agents to help stomp out the protests. Some of the agents sent to the streets to patrol took kneeled in an attempt to help de-escalate tensions in the area. Then-FBI Director Chris Wray examined the photos after the fact and determined that, considering the context of the situation, none of the agency's policies had been violated. open image in gallery Demonstrators kneel during a solidarity protest for George Floyd, Saturday, June 13, 2020, in West Point, New York. Earlier this year, with Patel at the head of the agency, the photos were revisited and the agents involved were reassigned prior to their firing. Trump ordered the Justice Department to review the conduct of more than 1,500 agents who worked on cases involving the president and his allies. The agency's former acting director, Brian Driscoll, its former assistant director in Washingtons field office Steven Jensen, and Spencer Evans, former special agent in charge of the Las Vegas field office, have all been fired in recent weeks. Those three agents have sued Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi over their firings, arguing they were let go only to appease Trump. The Independent has requested comment from the FBI. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Department of Justice is suing eight states in a brewing war for control of sensitive voter registration data ahead of midterm elections in 2026 that could determine the balance of power in Congress and chart the course for Donald Trumps final months in office. The lawsuits escalating the Trump administrations efforts to collect voter data, including addresses, drivers license numbers and partial Social Security numbers accuse states of illegally blocking the Justice Departments efforts to scrutinize voter information as part of a wide-ranging effort targeting Democratic-led states. Since Trump entered office, the DOJs Civil Rights Division led by Trump ally Harmeet Dhillon has requested voter registration information to at least 24 states, including requesting a complete list of all registered voters from at least 22 states. California, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania were sued Thursday after the Justice Department launched lawsuits in Oregon and Maine last week. Voting rights groups and voters in Oregon and Maine have since countersued or intervened to try to stop DOJs legal blitz, calling the lawsuits radical overreach. open image in gallery The Department of Justice has sued eight states within two weeks demanding sensitive voter data that state election officials say is off limits to federal agencies ( Getty Images ) Clean voter rolls are the foundation of free and fair elections, Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement. Every state has a responsibility to ensure that voter registration records are accurate, accessible, and secure states that dont fulfill that obligation will see this Department of Justice in court. But not at any single point have we been given clarity how this information will be used, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson told reporters this week. Given that this isnt normal and extremely alarming, they have not been upfront about what they plan to do with this information, she said. We can surmise the ways in which this can be used or misused to harass, intimidate or remove eligible voters from the rolls Or create this aura that states are unable to do what is our duty, which is to maintain accuracy of voter rolls. Without those assurances, were not going to simply turn over to a government that wont tell us how theyll use it, she said. open image in gallery Attorney General Pam Bondi has accused states of failing to maintain accurate voter rolls as Trump and administration officials amplify spurious claims about noncitizen and ineligible voters ( REUTERS ) California Secretary of State Shirley Weber called the lawsuits a fishing expedition and pretext for partisan policy objectives. State law is clear California has a legal obligation to protect our voters' sensitive private information, she said in a statement. The sensitive data of California citizens should not be used as a political tool to undermine the public trust and integrity of elections. California Sen. Alex Padilla said in a statement that the Trump administration will stop at nothing to rig future elections in a desperate effort to cling to power. Now hes weaponizing the Department of Justice in a clear attempt to purge eligible citizens from voter rolls in California and other states across the country, he added. Earlier this month, Reuters reported that the Justice Department is discussing transferring sensitive voter roll data for use in criminal and immigration-related investigations at the Department of Homeland Security. Trump and his allies continue to baselessly insist that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him, including amplifying false claims about safeguards in place to prevent ballots cast by noncitizens. A false claim that millions of noncitizens are voting in federal elections is also fueling legislation in Congress that could upend how Americans register to vote. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or SAVE Act, would require a passport or a birth certificate matching ones current legal name when registering to vote and sets onerous in-person requirements that would make it more difficult to participate in elections. The president has separately signed an executive order that similarly requires proof of citizenship when registering to vote. It also would require a national mail-in ballot deadline of Election Day. Noncitizen voting is already illegal and exceedingly rare, and there is no evidence that widespread election fraud has changed election outcomes. Democratic officials and voting rights advocates fear the Trump administration is setting the stage for challenges to election results by building a spurious body of evidence to undermine the outcomes. If youre going to risk the livelihood of your family, livelihood from your job, to participate in an election, I dont think thats a priority for anyone here in the United States, Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar told reporters this week. It doesnt make sense. Its illogical. open image in gallery Civil Rights Division chief Harmeet Dhillon, who launched election lawsuits before joining the Trump administration, is leading the DOJ effort to probe states election data ( REUTERS ) The legal battle over election administration dovetails with a Trump-led gerrymandering arms race to redraw congressional districts to give GOP candidates an edge in midterm elections. Early polling shows Democratic candidates narrowly edging out Republicans on a generic ballot. Trump, meanwhile, is pushing federal and state officials to get rid of mail-in ballots before next years midterms, a move that could disenfranchise thousands of people who rely on voting by mail. On his Truth Social account last month, Trump promised to lead a movement and sign an executive order that he claims would target the completely disproven Mail-In SCAM, despite the president himself casting mail-in ballots in previous elections and encouraging Republicans to vote by mail in 2024. Nearly one-third of all ballots cast in 2024 elections were submitted by mail, according to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Kamala Harris had some choice words about the indictment of former FBI boss James Comey. Its frustrating, but more than that, its painful to see, Harris said, speaking to CNN Friday when asked what she made of Trumps term so far. I mean whats happening with Comey, are you f****** kidding me? The United States Department of Justice? The Department of Justice indicted the former FBI director in documents that were made public Thursday, accusing him of making false statements and obstructing justice during congressional testimony in September 2020. No one is above the law, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote on X. [It] reflects this Department of Justices commitment to holding those who abuse positions of power accountable for misleading the American people. We will follow the facts in this case. open image in gallery Kamala Harris had some choice words about the indictment of former FBI boss James Comey ( AP ) During her failed presidential campaign against Trump in 2024, Harris also a former San Francisco district attorney and California attorney general warned that he would go after his political enemies. He said it, we knew he would do it, Harris told CNN. But it is every day, unrelenting. The indictment of Comey, who was fired by Trump in 2017, is the first in a series of potential charges against critics of the president, who has demanded that Bondi launch swift prosecutions against his political adversaries. In a Truth Social post on Saturday September 20, the president publicly told Bondi, We cant delay any longer and called for action now against Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Democratic Senator Adam Schiff of California, another frequent critic of his. Trump also replaced the U.S. attorney for the district where Comey was indicted with Lindsey Halligan, an administration official with no prior experience as a prosecutor. open image in gallery During her failed presidential campaign against Trump in 2024, Harris also a former San Francisco district attorney and California attorney general warned that he would go after his political enemies ( AFP via Getty Images ) In her interview with CNN, Harris also noted that Trumps social media post had been addressed to Pam and suggested it had been a direct order to the attorney general. Asked if the indictment of Comey signaled the crossing of a Rubicon, Harris replied, I dont know. Define Rubicon. In a statement released following news of his indictment, Comey said his heart is broken for the Justice Department and described Trump as a tyrant. My family and I have known for years that there are costs to standing up to Donald Trump, but we couldnt imagine ourselves living any other way, Comey said. We will not live on our knees and you shouldnt either. My heart is broken for the Department of Justice, but I have great confidence in the federal judicial system and I am innocent, so lets have a trial, he added. Bright Rwamirama, Uganda's minister for animal industry, speaks during the handover ceremony of the nine Jianzhou big-eared goats from China to Uganda at the National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank, in Entebbe, Uganda, on Sept. 25, 2025. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua) KAMPALA, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Uganda has officially handed over nine Chinese hybrid goats, also known as the Jianzhou big-eared goats, to two local research institutes to improve goat breeds and boost production in the East African country. The goats -- three males and six females -- had been under quarantine since July after being imported through the FAO-China-Uganda South-South Cooperation (SSC) project. On Thursday, they were handed to the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) and the National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank for breeding and research. Bright Rwamirama, Uganda's minister for animal industry, said the initiative marked the beginning of efforts to expand goat production for export. "The purpose of procuring these goats is for research, breeding, and multiplying for access by the farmers," Rwamirama said, praising China for sharing the breed at a handover ceremony in Entebbe. Zhang Xiaoqiang, head of the Chinese agriculture team under the SSC project, said the goats demonstrate strong agricultural cooperation between the two countries. "This kind of breed, I strongly believe, can contribute to the improvement of quality and production of the goat industry in Uganda," Zhang said. FAO Representative to Uganda Yergalem Taages Beraki said the introduction of the Jianzhou goats is a milestone in South-South collaboration. "The introduction of the big-eared goats marks a significant milestone. These goats are hardy, fast-growing, and high-yielding. They are well-suited to Uganda's climate and production systems and hold great promise for improving the livelihoods of our farming communities," Beraki said in a speech delivered on his behalf by Martin Ameu, program associate from FAO Uganda. He added that crossbreeding with indigenous goats would boost productivity and resilience, contributing to higher incomes, better nutrition, and greater resistance to climate and market shocks. According to NARO, Uganda's indigenous breeds, such as the Mubende and Small East African goats, typically gain 25-35 kg in two years, while the Jianzhou breed can reach 45 kg in 18 months. Zhang Xiaoqiang, head of the Chinese agriculture team under the SSC project, speaks during the handover ceremony of the nine Jianzhou big-eared goats from China to Uganda at the National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank, in Entebbe, Uganda, on Sept. 25, 2025. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua) A caretaker and Jianzhou big-eared goats are seen inside a pen at the National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank in Entebbe, Uganda, Sept. 25, 2025. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua) Bright Rwamirama (1st L), Uganda's minister for animal industry, checks the big-eared goats during the handover ceremony of the nine Jianzhou big-eared goats from China to Uganda at the National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank, in Entebbe, Uganda, on Sept. 25, 2025. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua) Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Go War Go?! Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths mystery meeting with hundreds of U.S. generals and admirals next week is expected to mirror a pep rally, a new report reveals. Hegseth has reportedly ordered all of the U.S. militarys top leaders to meet in Quantico, Virginia, on Tuesday. He did not provide any details, but CNN reports the event is expected to resemble a pep rally where Hegseth will discuss the warrior ethos and President Donald Trumps recent order rebranding the Department of Defense as the Department of War. Its meant to be a show of force of what the new military now looks like under the president, a White House official told CNN. Trump signed an executive order earlier this month on the Defense Departments rebrand, noting that the agency was originally called the Department of War when it was established in 1789. The White House said the title will be used as a secondary name for the agency. An official name change would require an act of Congress, NPR reports. open image in gallery Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's upcoming meeting with hundreds of U.S. admirals and generals is expected to resemble a 'pep rally,' a new report reveals ( Getty Images ) Hegseth is also set to explain new fitness, grooming and readiness standards at the meeting, according to CNN. When asked about these emerging details, the Pentagon directed The Independent to spokesperson Sean Parnells statement from earlier this week. The Secretary of War will be addressing his senior military leaders early next week, Parnell said. Hegseths order, which was first reported by The Washington Post on Thursday, came as a surprise. Military sources told the Post they cant recall a defense secretary ever ordering such a large gathering of military leaders in this way. The meeting is also raising security concerns, the outlets sources said. People are very concerned, one source told the Post. They have no idea what it means. Two sources told the outlet theyre concerned about the fact that commanders stationed overseas have been ordered to attend. You dont call GOFOs leading their people and the global force into an auditorium outside D.C. and not tell them why/what the topic or agenda is, one source told the Post, using an acronym that refers to general officers or flag officers in the military. open image in gallery Some military sources have expressed concern about Hegseths upcoming meeting ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Hegseth seemed to address concerns about the meeting for the first time on Friday, when he responded to a post on X from retired officer Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges. Hodges wrote: July 1935 German generals were called to a surprise assembly in Berlin and informed that their previous oath to the Weimar constitution was void and that they would be required to swear a personal oath to the Fuhrer. Most generals took the new oath to keep their positions. Cool story, General, Hegseth responded. This meeting comes after Hegseth ordered a 20 percent reduction in the number of four-star generals and admirals in May. He argued that more generals and admirals does not equal more success, in a video posted to X shortly afterward. "This is not a slash-and-burn exercise meant to punish high-ranking officers; nothing could be further from the truth," Hegseth said. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Jennifer Cook is perhaps best known as a dating expert for the hit Netflix series Love on the Spectrum, which chronicles the travails of autistic adults as they navigate the dating world. But Cook is herself autistic and a mother to three autistic kids. Thats why she was shocked when President Donald Trump pegged the use of acetaminophen, commonly known as Tylenol, by pregnant women and children as a major cause of autism. I've had to have conversations with my kids and, thank God, I've had enough loving conversations with them over the years that it seems that it was unnecessary, she told The Independent. But, you know, just say to them, Hey, look, just by the way you know you didn't, you didn't do anything wrong just by being. At the same time, for Cook and so many other autistic women, Trumps words along with those of Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary felt at once marginalizing and as if they were being blamed. open image in gallery Jennifer Cook, star of Netflixs Love on the Spectrum and an autistic mom based in Charlotte, said she had a conversation with her children about Trumps words. ( Jennifer Cook ) He didn't really talk about adults, just babies and children, right, Cook said. I mean, it's as if we don't exist. Autistic women have long been invisible. Girls are diagnosed at a much lower rate and many women only receive a diagnosis after their children are diagnosed, as was the case with Cook. In the 80s and the 90s, because, you know, especially diagnoses for girls, especially black girls, was not necessarily popularized or fully understood or accessible because, we were very much misdiagnosed with maybe, anxiety, or ADHD or it was kind of like, a comorbid type of like space, Jennifer White-Johnson, a Black autistic mom of an autistic son who lives in Baltimore, told The Independent. Our family's story has been very much rooted in, OK, well, I'm going to create the world and the space of existence, that maybe I felt that I didn't always have from my community growing up, she said. So you're not going to tell me that I basically have to shut that off, that I have to force my child to unlearn every avenue of freedom and liberation in their lives. For many autistic women, getting a diagnosis offered clarity for how they see themselves. It gave me a whole new perspective on my behaviors and quirks that I have, Charlotte Cravins, 37, who lives in Louisiana and has a one-and-a-half year-old son with Down Syndrome whom she plans to get screened for autism. It's, in a lot of ways, it's benefited me and makes me a better advocate, she told The Independent. It just puts more pressure on us and more blame on us and what and the things we do when it's not even our fault. It is unclear how many autistic adults live in the United States, let alone how many autistic women give birth on an annual basis. But the data that do exist show that autistic women with nausea and pain more than their non-autistic counterparts. Many autistic women experience elevated levels of joint hypermobility, which means that autistic women likely need to take medicine like Tylenol. Samantha Crane, an autistic disability rights lawyer who lives in the Washington, D.C. area, had hypermobility and needed to take Tylenol to relieve her pain. open image in gallery Kristi Lai said she fears the discussions about Tylenol take away from supporting autistic people ( Kristi Lai ) I started having pretty serious hip pain, even before I had started gaining extra weight to the point where just walking a few blocks was very painful, yeah, she told The Independent. It was the only thing I could take when it got really bad, and if I hadn't been able to take painkillers, I mean, I probably would have been more or less on bed rest, which has its own health consequences. The evidence so far for a link between autism and Tylenol is tangential at best, with many flagging how the correlation does not mean causation. Another major study in Sweden showed no link between the two. My mom told me she did not take Tylenol when she was pregnant with me, Kristi Lai, who lives in El Paso, Texas, said. I didnt take Tylenol either. Lai fears the intense focus on Tylenol or causes will take away resources from assisting autistic people. Autistic people need resources, she said. Those of us with autistic kids worry about their futures in the world that is not not inclusive to recognize the importance of reasonable accommodations. Trump and Kennedy have long focused on the rising rates of autism, saying autism is an epidemic. Kennedy, who has long promoted the idea that vaccines cause autism, pledged to the president last month that he would find the cause of such an epidemic by September. open image in gallery At a press conference this month, Trump urged pregnant women, 'Dont take Tylenol' ( Andrew Harnik/Getty Images ) But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which falls under his purview, found that the number of autistic children has increased to 1 in 31 children younger than eight years old because of improved diagnoses and the expanded diagnostic criteria. Rebekah Sanderlin spent many years struggling to get her son a diagnosis, while many people said he could not be autistic because he could speak and made eye contact. That meant she often had to pay out of pocket for therapies without a diagnosis. And then finally, when my son was 12, we were finally able to get the diagnosis, Sanderlin, who now lives in Virginia Beach told The Independent. All the while, the autism panic continued apace. In fact, Sanderlin interviewed Andrew Wakefield, the disgraced former physician who would lose his medical license after he put out the initial study connecting autism to the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. Most researchers agree that there is a genetic component for autism. While Sanderlin said that she has not been diagnosed, their doctor pointed the finger at her and her husband. When we when my son finally got the diagnosis, it was with a pediatric neuropsychologist, and she looked at my husband and I in the appointment, and she told us that we were both on the spectrum ourselves, and both had Tourette's, she said. There have already been signs that some parents are hesitant about screening their kids or receiving an autism diagnosis in the midst of Trump and Kennedys crusade. Rebecca Smith, a teacher based in Texas, said that she had only one reaction. I think a lot of people don't always make that connection, but to go and turn it like that and basically put the blame on women for, you know, the reason why there's their child's autistic, its just laughter, it's just so irrational and crazy she sad. She said that her goal is to normalize disability as an educator and tell other students that autistic classmates are not weird. Now, I feel like this kind of adds on to our plate, especially our elementary educators, you know, reassuring and our reassuring mothers that, like, hey, if they are like, it's not on you, she said. And I'm afraid this is just going to further push that narrative with those parents, where they don't want to, you know, heaven forbid, maybe list it like that or that they were feel like they're neglectful or anything like that. Despite the statements from the Trump administration, almost every autism organization from parent groups to autistic-led groups like the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network to Autism Speaks all criticized the Trump administrations words. Cook said she is hopeful this could lead to productive conversation. There's the profound autism community, there's the level one self advocates, she said. But if we could at least just find it in our, in ourselves, to say, but you know what, we ain't, we ain't an epidemic. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Trump administration on Friday reportedly appealed to the Supreme Court to review the presidents executive order seeking to unilaterally terminate birthright citizenship after multiple federal courts blocked it from taking effect. The executive order, which Trump signed his first day in office, seeks to deny citizenship to children born to immigrants on visas or in the U.S. illegally. The policy contradicts a centurys worth of legal understanding of the meaning of the 14th Amendment, which declares that all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. are citizens. Fridays appeal, obtained by CNN, claims that understanding is mistaken and has led to destructive consequences. The lower courts decisions invalidated a policy of prime importance to the president and his administration in a manner that undermines our border security, Solicitor General D. John Sauer wrote in the appeal. Those decisions confer, without lawful justification, the privilege of American citizenship on hundreds of thousands of unqualified people. The appeal marks the second time the high court has been asked to consider matters related to the policy. open image in gallery The administrations appeal marks the second time the White House has asked SCOTUS to review Trumps executive order attempting to end birthright citizenship, a policy that defies a century of legal precedent ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) In June, the courts six-person conservative majority ruled that many nationwide injunctions exceed the authority Congress gave to the federal courts, including in decisions that nationally paused the birthright citizenship order. The courts three-person liberal wing dissented to the decision, which did not rule on the merits of the birthright citizenship question itself. It is not difficult to predict how this all ends, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote in her dissent. Eventually, executive power will become completely uncontainable, and our beloved constitutional Republic will be no more." After the June ruling, lawsuits, including class actions, continued to challenge the Trump administration over birthright citizenship. open image in gallery Trumps executive order would deny citizenship to an estimated 150,000 newborns per year ( AFP/Getty ) In July, a New Hampshire federal policy granted an injunction to halt the policy in one such lawsuit, and that same month the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals held the underlying Trump order was unconstitutional. We conclude that the Executive Order is invalid because it contradicts the plain language of the Fourteenth Amendments grant of citizenship to all persons born in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, the ruling stated. If Trumps executive order goes into effect, some 150,000 newborns could be denied citizenship each year who wouldve previously qualified. The push to end birthright citizenship is the among the most controversial aspects of the Trump administrations larger push to reduce immigration and tighten access to U.S. legal residency status, a campaign that has also included mass deportations and the effective shutdown of the asylum process at ports of entry. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Border Patrol boats with masked agents carrying rifles sailed on the Chicago River on Thursday near a downtown Trump-branded hotel and tower, prompting criticism from local officials who saw the operation as a glorified photo opportunity, following the presidents repeated threat to send troops to the city. It seems like a really cheap photo op for President Trump to flex his ICE muscles with his hotel sign in the background likely, Alderman Brendan Reilly said at a city council meeting on Thursday. Its bizarre, and I really wish the president would focus on more important priorities. I dont really see how this is helping anyone anywhere, Mayor Brandon Johnson told reporters Thursday. Its just further proof that this administration is only committed to intimidating people. Some Chicago residents voiced similar criticisms. Chicago has no foreign border. There is no reason to be here, on the river, WITH GUNS, other than to intimidate, wrote Chicago-based writer Lynn Becker. Just another calling card for an administration of gangsters. open image in gallery Border Patrol agents armed with guns cruised the Chicago River on Thursday, part of Operation Midway Blitz, which has netted over 500 arrests this month ( U.S. Border Patrol ) The Independent has contacted Border Patrol for comment. Where streets end, our Marine Unit begins, Border Patrol Chief Michael W. Banks wrote on X yesterday, sharing pictures of the craft near the Trump building. On the Chicago River, CBP leadership stays vigilant. Our ability to patrol on the water extends the reach of enforcement. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino told Breitbart local residents had welcomed the operation. I am speaking to residents in and around the downtown area, and I am receiving excellent feedback. Residents are happy to see us in the area, and many have expressed frustration that we didnt get here sooner, Bovino said. open image in gallery Critics accused the Border Patrol of using the boats to stage a show of force with a Trump tower in the background ( U.S. Border Patrol ) The Chicago River doesnt connect to any U.S. borders, nor does the adjoining Lake Michigan, though Chicago is one of scores of prominent U.S. cities close enough to a border for the Border Patrol to conduct warrantless searches there. Federal data shows that last month, the Border Patrol apprehended more than 10 times the number of people at the southwest border than the northern one. The boat operation comes after repeated comments from President Trump that Chicago was next up for a National Guard-led crackdown, following similar efforts in Democrat-controlled cities including Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles. open image in gallery The federal immigration enforcement presence has been met with continued protest ( Chicago Tribune ) Local and state officials have vocally opposed a National Guard operation, comparing it to an authoritarian takeover and pointing to declining major crime stats. Immigration officials have been conducting large operations in the Chicago area since earlier this month as part of Operation Midway Blitz, arresting more than 500 people. Chicago residents have protested the operation. Demonstrators have blocked vehicles, while immigration agents have fired pepper bullets and tear gas into gathered crowds. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trump is blaming the FBI for inciting the Capitol riot, which saw his supporters storm the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to stop the peaceful transfer of power after the 2020 election. Trump ranted on Truth Social, without evidence, that the FBI "secretly placed" 274 agents into the "Stop the Steal" crowd gathered in Washington, D.C., on the day of the riot. Right-wing media reported on Friday that FBI agents were involved in the riot. But those reports conflate the FBI's response to the riot with conservative conspiracy theories hefting blame for the attack onto FBI undercover agents. Last year, the Department of Justice confirmed that the FBI had sent "hundreds" of agents to the Capitol to assist in pushing back against Trump loyalists and to investigate pipe bombs placed outside the national headquarters of both the Democratic and Republican parties. The report also found that 26 FBI confidential informants individuals not employed by the FBI but who have at times provided information were in the crowd. But almost all of them were there without informing the bureau ahead of time, and none were found to have been instructed to instigate or participate in violence. open image in gallery President Donald Trump has falsely accused the FBI of using undercover agents to incite violence at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 ( AFP/Getty ) The IG ultimately found "no evidence" that the agency had placed undercover employees "in the various protest crowds, or at the Capitol, on January 6." Two outlets Just The News and The Blaze reported that the FBI "had a total of 274 agents deployed to the Capitol in plainclothes and with guns," but the document Just The News posted doesn't substantiate that claim. The Blaze cited an unnamed source, according to Politico. Regardless of the veracity of the claims, Trump pounced on the chance to shift blame for the riot off of him, claiming without any evidence that the alleged agents "probably" were acting as "Agitators and Insurrectionists." I want to know who each and every one of these so-called Agents are, and what they were up to on that now Historic Day, Trump wrote. Many Great American Patriots were made to pay a very big price only for the love their Country. open image in gallery Former FBI Director Christopher Wray, who President Donald Trump claimed, without evidence, misled Congress about the Capitol riot ( 2020 CQ-Roll Call, Inc. ) Trump also wrapped former FBI Director Chris Wray into his claims, suggesting Wray misled Congress during the investigation into the Capitol riot. He made the accusation just days after he directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to prosecute former FBI Director James Comey, who investigated his 2016 presidential campaign for connections to Russia. Thats two in a row, Comey and Wray, who got caught LYING, with our Great Country at stake, Trump said. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Supreme Court is allowing Donald Trump to freeze $4 billion in foreign aid payments despite Congress already allocating that money, handing another win to the president seeking to exert more authority over spending power. All six conservative justices of the court agreed to allow Trump to freeze the billions of dollars, intended to assist global aid programs, that the president has deemed wasteful. In a brief explanation, justices said the potential harm to the administration outweighed the harm to the plaintiffs, a group of organizations and businesses that receive the funding for aid projects. The justices indicated it could harm Trumps conduct of foreign affairs. Fridays order is essentially an extension of a previous temporary order from Chief Justice John Roberts, which paused a lower court ruling requiring the Trump administration to spend the money by the end of September. But justices made it clear that Fridays ruling is not the final say in the matter as litigation continues. open image in gallery Supreme Court handed President Donald Trump yet another win, allowing him to exert authority over congressionally allocated spending ( Getty Images ) Trump had sought to stop the government from spending the $4 billion on foreign aid through a little-known maneuver called pocket rescission. That is when the president seeks to withhold congressionally-allocated funds so close to the end of the fiscal year, that Congress cannot respond quickly enough and the funds expire. The congressional fiscal year is set to end September 30. Shortly after taking office in January, Trump moved to pause all foreign aid funding that did not align with his agenda, sparking a chaotic spiral. Nonprofits and businesses that partner with the government to assist in providing clean water, nutrition, medicine, and more immediately filed lawsuits seeking to continue providing aid. Litigation over the matter has allowed some funding to move forward, but Trump is determined to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development and contain federal funding to only align with his agenda. open image in gallery Trump has sought to claw back spending for foreign aid projects, such as those partnered with USAID an agency that has been essentially shuttered ( Getty Images ) The three liberal justices dissented, raising concerns about the ruling altering the allocation of power between the president and Congress, which is explicitly given the power to authorize government funding and spend it, in the U.S. Constitution. Justice Elena Kagan, joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson, said she appreciated the majority not issuing a final ruling in the matter but warned that the consequences of todays grant are significant. The effect of its ruling is to allow the Executive to cease obligating $4 billion in funds that Congress appropriated for foreign aid, and that will now never reach its intended recipients, Kagan wrote. Because that result conflicts with the separation of powers, I respectfully dissent. The dispute over the $4 billion in foreign aid funding is just one of nearly two dozen emergency applications that the Supreme Court has agreed to intervene in for the Trump administration. Kagan criticized her colleagues for picking up another emergency application from the administration. She compared the short fuse of being required to review the case in just three weeks to other cases, of far less importance that they will decide with oral arguments, briefings, and deliberations. Kagan said they should have decided the case with the same consideration, allowing it to go through the lower court appeals process first. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Washington is four days away from running out of money to fund the government and once again, Congress is no closer to a deal to keep the lights on. If this all feels familiar, thats because it is. The government runs out of money at the end of September to mark the end of the fiscal year and usually, there is a protracted government funding fight until in the final hours of September 30, Congress reaches an agreement to pass a short-term stopgap spending bill. This is not the case so far. Congress has been out of session since last week, after the House passed a continuing resolution with no input from Democrats, which Democrats opposed in the House. Democrats have hoped that they could use a continuing resolution as leverage to extend expanded subsidies for Affordable Care Act marketplace initially put in place during the Covid-19 pandemic. President Donald Trump faces a potential government shutdown. ( AFP or licensors ) But this has not been the case. At the last minute on Tuesday, President Donald Trump canceled a planned meeting with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in a rage. This came after Trump essentially said on Fox & Friends this month We need to get Republican votes, thats all. Thats objectively not true. Appropriations bills require 60 votes in the Senate to overcome a filibuster, with the goal of making the appropriations process bipartisan. But Russell Vought, the director of the Trump administrations Office of Management and Budget, has explicitly tossed out that idea. Now, Trump is hoping to lay the blame on a government shutdown at the feet of the Democrats. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has done the same. I think they think it is politically advantageous to them right now, and a benefit to their political fortunes, which are frankly in the tank at the moment, he said. And they see this as an opportunity to be grabbed. But I think theyre wrong, and I think people are going to disagree with that. Thunes office also put out a memo showing that The American Public Does Not Support Democrats Shutting Down the Government. But the memo doesnt explicitly show that. Rather, it just shows what everyone already knows: government shutdowns are not popular and the Democratic Party is probably less popular, which is driven as much by Democratic voters hating their party as it is independents and Republicans disliking the brand. But this will not matter at all. Republicans control the House, the Senate and the White House. They determine which legislation goes to the floor for a vote and when. They could at any moment, begin negotiations with the Democrats instead of forcing them to eat it. That means that if a government shutdown happens, its because Republicans controlled the process and put forward legislation that they knew would not be acceptable to Democrats. They know that Democrats feel that Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Thune rolled themparticularly Schumerlast time Congress passed a continuing resolution and Democrats have every reason to oppose this one. But the fact remains, they still control the process and Republicans on the Hill have given up any semblance of independence and do whatever Trump asks of them. The American people will be aware of it as well. They saw Republicans confirm all of Trumps nominees, save for Matt Gaetz, who never received a vote. They saw them ram through his tax cut bill and even rename it the One Big, Beautiful Bill, specifically because he asked them to. Nobody needs to pretend this ramming through spending bills would not come directly from the White House. Trump faced resounding criticism when he shut down the government in late 2018 in a halt that lasted into 2019. The same will likely happen this time. He can grumble about the Democrats this whole time, he can say they are being unreasonable. But its on him and the Republicans to actually put forward legislation that can get the votes or tell Republicans to eliminate the filibuster, in which case, he will also be responsible. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump announced that he has directed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to deploy troops to Portland, Oregon, to protect federal immigration facilities from "domestic terrorists," authorizing the use of "full force if necessary." At the request of Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, I am directing Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to provide all necessary Troops to protect war-ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists. I am also authorizing Full Force, if necessary, Trump wrote Saturday on Truth Social. Thank you for your attention to this matter! Trump's announcement did not specify a timeline for the deployment or identify which troops would be involved. If federal forces are sent to Portland, it would represent the latest in a series of contentious military deployments to U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and possibly Memphis. All of the cities facing Trumps wrath are Democratic-leaning. Portland Mayor Keith Wilson responded to Trumps demand in a statement, writing, "President Trump has directed 'all necessary Troops' to Portland, Oregon. The number of necessary troops is zero, in Portland and any other American city. Our nation has a long memory for acts of oppression, and the president will not find lawlessness or violence here unless he plans to perpetrate it. Imagine if the federal government sent hundreds of engineers, or teachers, or outreach workers to Portland, instead of a short, expensive, and fruitless show of force." Wilson also voiced concerns Friday night about an increased federal presence at the ICE facility, suggesting Trump may be acting on his earlier threats to use federal force against protests in the city. open image in gallery President Donald Trump revealed Saturday that he has directed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to deploy troops to protect war-ravaged Portland. ( REUTERS ) I want to be clear about the situation we face. We now have a sudden influx of federal agents in our city, Wilson said at a Friday news conference, surrounded by city, county and federal officials, as well as faith leaders. We did not ask for them to come. They are here without precedent or purpose. Wilson continued, We need federal help. We need federal help to renew our infrastructure, and build affordable housing, to help clean our rivers and plant trees, and imagine the future of high-speed transportation. Instead of help, theyre sending armored vehicles and masked men. If the federal government didnt come to lend us a hand, then take a hike, he said. We have a place at the table for everyone willing to lend a hand, the federal government included. However, we have no tolerance for anyone in Portland who uses this difficult moment to hurt people or damage our home. Portland is the latest of left-leaning cities and states that have faced Trumps ire in recent months. He ordered federal troops into Washington, D.C., to help with crime in the city. He threatened a similar move in Chicago, but has backed down. open image in gallery Trump did not provide a timeline or specify Saturday which troops would be deployed to Portland ( AP ) On Thursday, Trump alleged that "crazy people" in Portland were attempting to set buildings on fire, including federal properties. The announcement also happened days after a shooting at a Dallas ICE facility left one person dead. He appeared to be referring to ongoing protests near the ICE facility in South Portland, describing the participants as "professional agitators and anarchists." The Portland-area facility is about two miles south of the city center and has faced constant protests since the summer. The facility was closed for several days over the summer after tear gas was deployed to stop some protests. That's a small example, but it's the most violent example. It's every night, and they've done it for years, he told reporters. You think maybe at some point they made their point and what are they doing? But we're going to get out there and we're going to do a pretty big number of those people in Portland that are doing that. They're professional agitators and anarchists. They're actually anarchist. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Jeremy Carl, a nominee for the State Department, quietly deleted thousands of inflammatory tweets as Republicans demand Democrats tone down the political rhetoric in the wake of Charlie Kirks assassination. Carl, a senior fellow at the Claremont Institute who served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior during the first Trump administration, deleted at least 5,000 tweets from his account on X, CNN first reported. Many of these deleted posts can still be seen in the internet archive, the Wayback Machine. President Donald Trump nominated Carl in January to serve as the Assistant Secretary of State for the International Organizations. The Senate has not yet confirmed Carl. The posts were deleted at some point before his nomination, CNN reported. This tranche of his removed tweets included posts calling for political retribution, or sometimes, violence. Some labeled January 6 Capitol rioters as political prisoners, another suggested Joe Biden should be imprisoned, and one called for a political opponent to be executed. open image in gallery Jeremy Carl, a nominee for the State Department, quietly deletes thousands of inflammatory tweets as Trump administration officials accuse the left of perpetrating political violence ( Middle East Images/AFP via Getty ) If the U.S. were a serious nation, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten would be tried for crimes against Americas children and would get the death penalty, he wrote in April 2023. After reaching out to Carl for comment, a spokesperson for the State Department told CNN: Hes never called for political violence. We look forward to Jeremy Carls contributions in support of the America First foreign policy agenda where he will ensure we are bringing international organizations back to their core mandates. The Independent has asked Carl for comment. In one post from June 2021, Missouri Democratic Rep. Cori Bush urged people to remember on Juneteenth that incarcerated Black people are still in bondage. Carl replied that he believed there was no chance of peaceful coexistence with Democrats: There is no peaceful coexistence we are going to have when our opposition is led by people like this. We either win or die. After several members of the Proud Boys, a far-right group, were convicted in May 2023, Carl remarked: I would rather be a black man on trial for the assault of a white man in 1930s rural Mississippi than I would be a right-winger in DC today on trial for political crimes. The discovery of Carls inflammatory social media posts comes in the wake of Kirks assassination on September 10 during a speaking engagement in Utah. Authorities have accused Tyler Robinson, 22, of killing Kirk. He has not yet made a plea. open image in gallery VP JD Vance, hosting an episode of The Charlie Kirk Show claimed that people on the left are much likelier to defend and celebrate political violence Hours after Kirk died, the president said in a video message: For years, those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the worlds worst mass murderers and criminals. This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that were seeing in our country today, and it must stop right now. Vice President JD Vance, while hosting an episode of The Charlie Kirk Show earlier this month, baselessly claimed that the data is clear that people on the left are much likelier to defend and celebrate political violence. Attorney General Pam Bondi blamed left-wing radicals for Kirks killing, adding they will be held accountable. Data on the matter is mixed. Research from libertarian think tank Cato Institute this month found that since 2020, right-wing terrorists account for 54 percent of the 81 people who have been killed as a result of political violence. That compares against the 21 percent who were killed by Islamist fundamentalists and 22 percent who were killed by left-wing activists. Separately, research from the Center for Strategic and International Studies suggests left-wing violence has risen in the last 10 years, particularly since President Donald Trumps rise to political prominence in 2016, although it has risen from very low levels and remains much lower than historical levels of violence carried out by right-wing and jihadist attackers, the analysis states. This year marks the first time in more than three decades that left-wing attacks outnumber those from the far right, researchers found. After Kirks killing, 79 percent of voters say the U.S. is in a political crisis, while 18 percent say it is not, according to a Quinnipiac University poll. "The Kirk assassination lays bare raw, bipartisan concerns about where the country is headed," polling analyst Tim Malloy said. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump reportedly told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that he was open to lifting certain restrictions on the use of certain U.S.-made weapons, signaling a potentially huge change in policy. The president signaled that he would be willing to allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles inside Russia for the first time during a meeting between the two men at this weeks United Nations General Assembly. A senior U.S. official and a Ukrainian official both confirmed the contents of Tuesdays meeting to The Wall Street Journal. It came following Trumps lengthy speech to world leaders in New York Tuesday, in which he targeted Russian leader Vladimir Putin for his bad leadership and appeared to reverse his stance on Ukraine retaking territory occupied by the Kremlins forces. open image in gallery The president reportedly signaled that he would be willing to allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles inside Russia for the first time during a meeting between the two leaders at this weeks United Nations General Assembly ( AP ) It shows you what leadership is, what bad leadership can do to a country. The only question now is how many lives will be needlessly lost on both sides, he said. During their subsequent meeting, the officials said Zelensky had asked permission from Trump to use the Army Tactical Missile Systems, known as ATACMS, to strike targets inside Russia. The Trump administration has blocked Ukraine from firing ATACMS since the spring. Trump reportedly did not outright reject the idea but did not commit to reversing the U.S. ban, which would allow Ukraine to strike much deeper inside Russian territory, the officials told The WSJ. Zelensky asked Trump for Tomahawk cruise missiles, which can have a range of about 900 to 1,500 miles, according to an interview with Axios. The administration is considering granting the request, as well as providing other long-range weapons. open image in gallery It came following Trumps lengthy speech to world leaders in New York Tuesday, in which he targeted Russian leader Vladimir Putin for his bad leadership and appeared to reverse his stance on Ukraine retaking territory occupied by the Kremlins forces ( AFP via Getty Images ) If the request for such weapons is granted, it would support speculation that the presidents attitude towards Ukraines involvement in the war is changing, having previously appeared to blame Zelensky and telling him youre gambling with World War Three, in their now infamous meeting back in February. In a post on Truth Social Tuesday, following his speech and sideline meeting with Zelensky, Trump wrote: "Putin and Russia are in BIG Economic trouble, and this is the time for Ukraine to act. "After seeing the Economic trouble (the war) is causing Russia, I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form. That would ostensibly require Kyiv to expel Russian forces from 20 percent of its territory, including the Crimean peninsula Moscow has held since 2014, in what would be an extraordinary reversal, according to Reuters. Trump has previously suggested Kyiv should consider giving up territory in order to make peace. BISHKEK, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Edil Baisalov said on Friday that the principles of the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) are consistent with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, as well as with the goals of strengthening Kyrgyz-Chinese cooperation. These principles are sovereign equality, respect for international law, promotion of multilateralism, a people-centered approach and action-oriented policies. A seminar on China's GGI, jointly organized by the Chinese Embassy in Kyrgyzstan, the Presidential Administration of the Kyrgyz Republic, and Kyrgyz National University, was held on Friday in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan, attracting over 100 participants, including officials from the Chinese embassy and representatives of Kyrgyzstan's political and academic circles. Baisalov said at the event that the GGI focuses on building a more just and equitable system of global governance. He noted that the Kyrgyz side supports this initiative and is confident that it will make significant contributions to global development and promote the creation of a fair world order. He also noted that cooperation with China is a priority in Kyrgyzstan's foreign policy, with bilateral relations continuing to grow stronger every year based on friendship, good neighborliness and mutual trust. Kyrgyz parliament member Karim Khanjeza believes that the GGI, aimed at building a community with a shared future for humanity, paves the way for a just system of international relations. "It is of strategic importance for Kyrgyzstan and allows the country to take advantage of opportunities in economic and infrastructure development within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative," she said. Chinese Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Liu Jiangping detailed the profound content, current relevance and global significance of the GGI, noting that the initiative features China's solution and contributes China's wisdom for improving global governance, demonstrating China's commitment as a responsible major country. The ambassador said China and Kyrgyzstan will continue to strengthen international cooperation and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Officials in the newly-renamed Department of War are preparing plans for an attack on alleged drug traffickers inside Venezuela that could begin within a few weeks, according to a new report. Information about the plans comes from four sources who spoke to NBC News. Those sources include two U.S. officials familiar with the actual plans and two others who are familiar with the discussions surrounding the plans. If the plans are real and a strike does occur, it would mark a significant escalation with the South American nation. The Trump administration has already killed at least 17 Venezuelans on boats under the justification that they are allegedly drug traffickers in the last three weeks, according to the New York Times. The sources said that President Donald Trump has yet to approve the planned attacks. Another source speaking to the broadcaster said that the Trump administration believes Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro hasn't done enough to stop drugs from entering the U.S. via Venezuela. open image in gallery President Trump shared a video on Tuesday of the strike on the alleged Venezuelan drug boat. Now, a report says the US is considering attacks on Venezuelan soil. ( Donald Trump/Truth Social ) The plans reportedly call for U.S. drones to strike Venezuelan traffickers membership, leaders and drug labs. The Independent has requested comment from the White House. When NBC News requested comment from the White House, reporters were directed to Trump's previous comments about a potential U.S. - Venezuela conflict. Well see what happens. Venezuela is sending us their gang members, their drug dealers and drugs. Its not acceptable," Trump said. The U.S. and Venezuela are reportedly having discussions through Middle Eastern leaders acting as intermediaries. According to a senior administration official who spoke to NBC News, Maduro has reportedly spoken to the intermediaries about concessions he would make in order to retain his leadership position in Venezuela. That official said that the president is prepared to use every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into our country and to bring those responsible to justice." open image in gallery Armed demonstrators march in support of President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela. ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto told the United Nations that the U.S. has an illegal and completely immoral military threat hanging over our heads. He went on to accuse the Trump administration of trying to start a war with Venezuela to rob Venezuelas immeasurable oil and gas wealth. Maduro has denied having any role in drug trafficking, and has characterized the U.S.'s sudden focus on drug trafficking as a flimsy pretense for trying to enact regime change. In early September, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a $50 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Maduro, who she accused of being "one of the most powerful drug traffickers in the world and a threat to [U.S.] national security. Pinto called the claims against Maduro and Venezuela vulgar and perverse lies intended to justify an atrocious, extravagant and immoral multibillion-dollar military threat, according to Al Jazeera. The Trump administration has accused Maduro of trafficking drugs through an alleged group called the Cartel of the Suns, but there is debate among Latin America experts as to whether or not such a group even exists. open image in gallery This handout picture released by the Venezuelan Presidency press office shows Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro (left) speaking next to Venezuela's Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino (right) during a military deployment. ( Venezuelan Presidency press office ) If Maduro is right and the Trump administration is trying to remove him power, it won't be the first time Americans have tried. In 2020, Operation Gideon undertaken by a Venezuelan opposition faction and private-security firm Silvercorp USA mercenaries attempted to remove Maduro from power and replace him with Popular Will politician Juan Guaido. The operation was an overwhelming failure. Two American mercenaries both former Green Berets were captured alongside more than 80 Venezuelan dissidents. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice New Zealand will not recognise a Palestinian state at this time, foreign minister Winston Peters said on Friday, as Israel continues its offensive in Gaza. In his address in New York, Mr Peters stressed that although New Zealand continued to support a two-state solution and the right of Palestinians to self-determination, recognition at this time could risk complicating ceasefire negotiations. With a war raging, Hamas remaining the de facto government of Gaza, and no clarity on next steps, too many questions remain about the future state of Palestine for it to be prudent for New Zealand to announce recognition at this time, Peters said in a speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. We are also concerned that a focus on recognition, in the current circumstances, could complicate efforts to secure a ceasefire by pushing Israel and Hamas into even more intransigent positions. On Saturday, prime minister Christopher Luxon, speaking in Auckland, said New Zealands position was not one of taking sides in the conflict. New Zealand is neither pro-Palestine nor pro-Israel, Mr Luxon said. We want to see two states, Israel and Palestine, living in peace and security, and that will only happen through negotiation, dialogue, diplomacy, and leadership. New Zealand has diverged from several of its traditional partners: Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, which all formally recognised a Palestinian state on Sunday, joining more than 140 UN member states that already recognise Palestine. France also formally recognised a Palestinian state on Monday. The expanded recognition of Palestinian statehood is expected to have little if any actual impact on the ground, where Israel is waging another major offensive in the Gaza Strip and expanding settlements in the occupied West Bank. The creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem territories seized by Israel in the 1967 six-day war is widely seen internationally as the only way to resolve the conflict, which began more than a century before Hamass 7 October attack ignited the war in Gaza nearly two years ago. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in his own UN speech, denounced recognition by Western states as sending a message that murdering Jews pays off. He strongly rejected a Palestinian state, dismissing the two-state idea as madness and warning that the recognition trend would embolden Hamas. New Zealands decision drew fierce criticism from the countrys opposition, according to RNZ. Labour leader Chris Hipkins described it as morally reprehensible and a failure of leadership. New Zealanders will feel let down by Christopher Luxon and his government today, Labour foreign affairs spokesperson Peeni Henare said. Luxon had a chance to stand up for what is right, but he failed. There is no two-state solution or enduring peace in the Middle East, without recognition of Palestine as a state. In contrast, the governing coalitions deputy prime minister, David Seymour, defended the stance as evidence of New Zealands independent judgment in foreign affairs. The New Zealand Jewish Council stated it accepted recognition should follow real progress toward peace rather than serve as symbolic rhetoric, and that recognition now could be claimed prematurely as a victory by Hamas. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Denmark has said it was the victim of a hybrid attack after repeated unexplained drone activity near five of its airports this week. The most recent was Aalborg airport, in north Denmark, which closed on Friday following the drone sightings, while Esbjerg, Sonderborg and Skrydstrup regions all remained open despite similar incidents. They came just two days after Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen refused to rule out Russian involvement when drone sightings forced Copenhagen airport into shutdown for four hours, in what she described as a serious attack on critical Danish infrastructure. After Wednesdays incident, defence minister Troels Lund Poulsen warned that it certainly does not look like a coincidence, it looks systematic, this is what I would define as a hybrid attack. Similar drone sightings occurred in Sweden this week, including two mysterious drones spotted over the Karlskrona archipelago in the countrys southeast, and in Norway, where Oslo airport was forced to close for three hours on the same night as the incident in the Danish capital. As Danish politicians hint at a real possibility of Russian involvement, The Independent takes a look at why Moscow would seek to target a country so far away. open image in gallery A light moves in the sky over Aalborg, amid reports of drone sightings that led to the city's airport to close ( Morten Skov via REUTERS ) Russia and Denmarks fraught recent history Whats been overlooked in a lot of the foreign media coverage is the history, in terms of Russia making angry noises towards Copenhagen, Keir Giles, an expert on the Russian military and author of Russias War on Everybody: And What It Means For You, explained to The Independent. This includes the old litany of nuclear threats, precisely because Denmark is interested in defending itself, because it is looking at purchases of long-range precision strike munitions that Russia would not like it to have, he added. open image in gallery The Danish police are seen at Copenhagen airport, in Kastrup near Copenhagen on Monday ( Ritzau Scanpix ) Last Wednesday, Denmark said it would acquire long-range precision weapons for the first time as it cited the need to deter Russia. With these weapons, the defence forces will be able to hit targets at long range and, for example, neutralise enemy missile threats, Ms Frederiksen said, explaining the weapons could include either missiles or drones. It provoked a sharp reaction from Moscow, with Vladimir Barbin, the Russian ambassador to Denmark, describing the Danish justification about needing to strike long-distance targets as pure madness. Barbin then issued a thinly veiled nuclear threat to Copenhagen. No one, anywhere, ever in the world has considered threatening a nuclear power publicly. These statements will undoubtedly be taken into account, he wrote on Telegram. From now on, we must assume that Denmark is not only considering the possibility of a direct military confrontation with Russia, but is also preparing for such a scenario. open image in gallery Ms Frederiksen refused to rule out the possibility of Russian involvement ( Ritzau Scanpix ) Katja Bego, a senior research fellow in Chatham Houses International Security programme, said that of the countries which dont border Europe, Denmark has been one of the frontrunner countries in terms of challenging Russian aggression. Theres been this longer-term pattern that Denmark is one of those places thats really pushing the rest of the [Nato} alliance to increase [military] support, she added. Sowing distrust in the Danish population Russia could be cynically trying to sow distrust in the Danish population, which has been largely in favour of significant support for Ukraine, Ms Bego explained. [They are] kind of selling distrust or division among the population. Other countries that were targeted here were all very staunch supporters of Ukraine, and countries near Ukraine, she said. These are Ukraines strongest supporters, which I think is part of a longer-term pattern. Weve seen quite a lot of this activity in the Baltic Sea. So I think the choice of countries here is certainly not random. The benefit of doing this, she explains, is that it creates fear and may make populations less willing to support Ukraine moving forward. There is a significant financial cost to use incredibly expensive missiles to shoot down really cheap drones, as she says was done in the case of Russias incursion into Poland with around 20 drones earlier this month. open image in gallery Danish police and Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET) are present at DSB on Kystvejen by Copenhagen airport, Tuesday ( Ritzau Scanpix ) Is Moscow testing the waters for an expanded war? Its been widely suggested that Moscow is looking to probe Nato defences to ascertain how they would really respond to a more meaningful incursion of Russias military. Nobody is in any doubt that Russias ambition goes far beyond Ukraine, and to carry out that ambition, Russia needs to know whether it will be opposed, Mr Giles said. Although it is unconfirmed whether Russia was involved with the recent drone incidents, he said, Moscow still learns a great deal from it, even if it was just local idiots. One of the primary benefits is understanding more about the capacity of Nato and individual countries to counter Russian operations and the willingness to actually respond in a meaningful fashion, he said. But the capacity for victim states to deal with the threat has been proven to be very limited, he added. open image in gallery Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to Ella Pamfilova, head of the Russian Central Election Commission, during their meeting a the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on Friday ( AP ) The drone incidents would be a good means of normalising the state of conflict, he added, allowing Russia to get to a position where these kinds of Russian actions are part of the background noise, as opposed to something which ought to be unacceptable. Ms Bego agrees, arguing that it may be Russia testing the waters, or trying to see how Alliance members of Nato might respond. She added: In this case, these are kind of lower key drones, but [the response] would not necessarily look that dissimilar if you were looking at a bigger escalation. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Ukraines Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant entered its fifth day running on emergency generators Saturday, prompting mounting safety concerns. President Volodymyr Zelensky, meanwhile, announced a $90bn arms agreement with the United States and criticised Hungary for carrying out dangerous intelligence-gathering drone activities over Ukraine. External power to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europes largest, has been cut for more than four days in a record outage at the six-reactor facility on the front line of the war, Greenpeace Ukraine warned Saturday. Emergency diesel generators are being used to power cooling and safety systems after the final power line was severed on Tuesday, according to the UN nuclear watchdog. Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, met with Russian president Vladimir Putin on Thursday, but the external power supply was not restored. The reactor core and used nuclear fuel must be cooled to prevent them from overheating and triggering dangerous meltdowns like the ones that occurred in 2011, when an earthquake and tsunami hit the Fukushima plant in Japan. The UN atomic watchdog has repeatedly warned of the possibility of a radiation catastrophe like the one at Chernobyl, about 480km (300 miles) to the northwest, where a reactor exploded in 1986. Ukrainian officials confirmed the severity of the situation. Minister of energy Svitlana Hrynchuk told The Associated Press that the plant remains in blackout mode, which is a significant violation of the conditions for its normal operation, marking the 10th such incident since Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022. The cause, she said, was another shelling by the Russians, which damaged the only power transmission line supplying the plant from the Ukrainian energy system. The Russian-controlled Telegram channel for the plant said Saturday that sufficient diesel fuel reserves are available on-site to ensure long-term autonomous operation of the generators. A radiation and nuclear energy specialist at Greenpeace Ukraine, Jan Vande Putte, said emergency diesel generators are considered the last line of defence, used only in extreme circumstances. These are undoubtedly the most serious and important events since the beginning of the occupation of the ZNPP by Russia in March 2022, he said. Putte said that it was Russias deliberate actions that led to the plants disconnection from the external power grid of Ukraine. He warned that the development advanced Russias state-owned nuclear energy company Rosatoms long-standing goal to connect to the illegally occupied power grid in Zaporizhia and Donetsk regions and restart the nuclear reactor. New satellite analysis by Greenpeace Ukraine suggests that Russia may be positioning to restart at least one reactor despite high-risk wartime conditions. The environmental group said Russian engineers are building 125 miles (201km) of power lines connecting substations in the occupied cities of Melitopol and Mariupol, with construction beginning in December 2024. According to Greenpeaces analysis, Russia has also completed construction of a new water supply system for the plants cooling pond and deliberately damaged a 750-kilovolt power line that had connected the facility to Ukraines electrical grid. The Associated Press could not independently verify Greenpeace Ukraines analysis. The plant has been held by Russia since Moscow's invasion in 2022. Its six reactors remain fueled with uranium, though they are in a so-called cold shutdown meaning nuclear reactions have stopped. However, the plant relies on external electricity to keep its reactor cool and power other safety systems. That external power has been cut multiple times in the war, forcing the plant to rely on diesel generators on site. The city of Zaporizhzhia, about 440km (275 miles) southeast of Kyiv, is held by Ukraine and attacks have occurred around the plant as the front line is close. The IAEA rotates staff through the facility to check the plants safety and offer its expertise. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky detailed Saturday at a press briefing in Kyiv what he called a mega deal for weapons purchases from the United States, with technical meetings beginning in late September. The $90bn package includes both the major arms agreement and a separate drone deal for Ukrainian-made drones that the US will purchase directly. We discussed and agreed on the main points with the President [Trump]. Now we are moving on to practical implementation, Zelensky said, adding that Ukraine had provided detailed specifications of its military needs to the US, including requests for long-range weapons systems. Zelensky also criticised Hungarian drone activity over Ukraine, saying Ukrainian intelligence tracked of at least one drone. I believe they are doing very dangerous things very dangerous things, first and foremost for themselves, Zelensky said. He said that intelligence services had documented the drones movement with photos and electronic tracking, though he did not elaborate on what Hungarian intelligence is studying on the territory of Ukraine. Posting on Facebook on Friday, Hungarian foreign minister Peter Szijjarto said the Ukrainian president lost his mind and was seeing things. Hungary, led by prime minister Viktor Orban, has maintained close ties with Russia and has been critical of military aid to Ukraine. Zelensky also disclosed that an Israeli Patriot air defence system has been operating in Ukraine for the past month, with two additional Patriot systems expected to arrive in the fall. The Israeli [Patriot] system is operating in Ukraine. Already a month, its been working for one month, he said, declining to provide further details about the air defence deployments. Israels defence ministry refused to comment. Liam Og O hAnnaidh, better known as Kneecap's Mo Chara, has urged focus to remain on Gaza after his terror charge was thrown out on Friday, 26 September. The rapper, 27, was accused of displaying a flag in support of the proscribed terror organisation Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, in November 2024. The case was thrown out following a technical error in the way the charge against him was brought. Speaking in his first interview after the charge was thrown out, O hAnnaidh made a plea for Palestine to remain the focus and not the case. "The story is Gaza and let's make sure we remember that and don't let them distract us too much because Palestinians are running out of time," he said. A group of polar bears have taken over an abandoned research station off Russia's far eastern coast. The animals have been intimately captured in drone footage taken by Russian traveler and photographer Vadim Makhorov. Makhorov was on a sea cruise in the Chukchi Sea with a group of tourists, when he spotted the polar bears near an abandoned building while he was filming the landscapes of Kolyuchin Island. The animals were using the building as a shelter to live and rest. Makhorov said the bears were not afraid of his drone, but instead appeared curious and even tried to interact with it playfully. The polar research station was established on the western part of Kolyuchin in 1943 and was closed in 1992. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Guests in Americas hotels come and go - but there are some who refuse to leave. And thats not to mention the members of staff who have never clocked off. Welcome to the spookiest hotels in the U.S., six properties where hauntingly good stays are guaranteed. Theres the Tennessee hotel with a room said to be haunted by a murdered guest; the grand property in Pittsburgh with mysterious elevators that refuse to serve particular floors; and a Missouri hotel with a lap pool rumored to be watched over by the spirit of a Prohibition gambler. Our paranormal portfolio also features a Colorado property with a spectral piano player and a ghostly chambermaid who unpacks suitcases. The hotel is so eerie that it inspired Stephen King to write The Shining after he stayed there in 1974. Read on... if you dare. Spookiest hotels in America 1. The Read House Hotel, Chattanooga, Tennessee open image in gallery The living room area in The Read House Hotel's Room 311, which is said to be haunted by the restless spirit of Annalisa Netherly, allegedly murdered in the bathtub by a jealous lover ( The Read House Hotel ) The Read House Hotel in Chattanooga, which appears on the National Register of Historic Places, opened in 1872 and claims to be the longest continuously operating hotel in the Southeast. Step inside and you enter a world of 1920s-style glamour: dazzling chandeliers sparkle above checkered floors, wood-paneled walls gleam, majestic green chairs beckon guests to linger and there are 241 luxuriously appointed rooms to spend the night in. But one comes with a warning. Room 311 is said to be haunted by the restless spirit of Annalisa Netherly, who, according to local lore, was murdered in the bathtub by a jealous lover in 1927. Guests whove stayed there claim to have experienced all manner of spooky happenings from unexplained noises and lights flickering without cause, to taps turning on by themselves and shadowy figures appearing out of thin air. Room 311 was restored to resemble its original state during the hotels most recent renovation. Many original features evoking Annalisa Netherlys time remain, including a vintage clawfoot tub, AM radio and a manual lock on the door that requires a physical key, just as guests would have used in 1927. If youre not brave enough to spend the night, you can request a quick tour instead. Read more: Forget Paris: Five overlooked French cities you can reach by high-speed train (from just $13) 2. The Hay-Adams, Washington, D.C. open image in gallery The Hay-Adams is said to be haunted by the ghost of American socialite Marian "Clover" Hooper ( The Hay-Adams ) Known as the closest you can get to the White House without an invite, The Hay-Adams is an iconic Washington, D.C. hotel, located just 1,000 feet from the most famous house in the United States. And it's a luxurious property befitting of its location, dripping in opulence with five-star service to match. But beneath the glamour lurk a dark history and tales of ghostly goings on. The hotel opened in 1928, built on the site where the homes of John Hay and Henry Adams once stood. Novelist Henry Adams was married to an American socialite named Marian "Clover" Hooper, and legend has it that following the death of her father, Clover suffered a dark depression, ultimately resulting in her suicide in their home in 1885. The cause of suicide was deemed to be the chemical potassium cyanide, known for its distinctive almond fragrance. It is said her residual energies never left the site where the Hay-Adams hotel now stands, and over the years, staff and guests alike have continued to encounter Clover's presence within the hotel. Some witnesses claim to have seen a full-body apparition, whilst others report bizarre noises, chandeliers mysteriously swaying, a woman crying, and strange sensations in rooms. The most common clue of Clover's haunting is an unexplained faint scent of almonds, reminiscent of the potassium cyanide that ended Clover's life. For those hoping to encounter Clover first-hand, it is rumored she is most active during the first two weeks of December. Read more: Where to find the best foliage for your fall leaf peeping treks 3. 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa, Eureka Springs, Arkansas open image in gallery Guests have reported seeing a shady entrepreneur in the hotel lobby sporting the same purple shirt and white linen suit he wears in surviving photographs. ( Historic Hotels of America ) The 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa in Eureka Springs is home to so many spirits that it even hosts ghost tours. One of the most frequently reported spectral figures is that of con man "Dr." Norman Baker. In the 1930s, when the hotel operated as a cancer hospital, he posed as a licensed physician and swindled patients out of their savings, falsely claiming he'd be able to cure them. Guests have reported seeing the shady entrepreneur in the hotel lobby sporting the same purple shirt and white linen suit he wears in surviving photographs. Another phantom presence is Theodora, one of Baker's patients who died on-site. Theodora is said to reveal her presence by folding guests' clothes and tidying up scattered belongings in their rooms. One couple even claimed that they deliberately left loose change in their room before dinner and returned to find it all neatly stacked. The 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa serves a cocktail named Theodora's Surprise in honor of its most famous eternal guest and was inducted into Historic Hotels of America in 2000. Read more: 72-hour escapes to Europe: Six itineraries to see the best sights 4. The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado open image in gallery Horror writer Stephen King was inspired to write The Shining after a stay at The Stanley Hotel in 1974, just before it shut for the winter ( Nollie Moore ) The Stanley Hotel, built in 1909 by inventor Freelan Oscar Stanley as a luxury mountain retreat, is practically haunted hotel royalty personally endorsed by horror writer Stephen King, who was inspired to write The Shining after a chilling stay in Room 217 in 1974, just before the property closed for the winter. Several ghosts are said to roam the hotel, but this room is considered one of the most active spots for spectral events. It's whispered to be haunted by the spirit of former chambermaid, Elizabeth Wilson, who was injured in a gas explosion there in 1911. Guests claim she still "helps" by unpacking suitcases and tidying rooms. But she also prudishly places a cold presence between unmarried couples. Other paranormal hotspots include Room 407, where the spirit of previous landowner Lord Dunraven is said to linger; the Concert Hall, where the ghost of Stanley's wife, Flora, plays the piano; and the Concert Hall basement, where the spirit of former caretaker Paul enforces an 11 pm curfew. Shadow figures, ghostly children, disembodied voices and footsteps are also commonly reported, particularly on the eerie fourth floor, the former servants' quarters. Book now. Read more: These hotels have very specific concierge services, from sandcastle building to a bourbon butler 5. Omni William Penn Hotel, Pittsburgh open image in gallery The Omni William Penn is stalked by the ghost of an author, her panda and a traveling salesman. There are spooky elevators, too ( The Omni William Penn ) The Omni William Penn, which opened in 1916, offers daring guests a spine-chilling range of occurrences, including a ghostly animal. This takes the form of a panda brought into the U.S. by author and socialite Ruth Harkness in the 1940s after a visit to Shanghai, an event she wrote about in a book titled The Lady and the Panda. Harkness died at the Omni William Penn in 1947, and there have been accounts from staff members and guests of a panda bear apparition inside the hotel, as well as sightings of Harkness herself. The grand property is also stalked by the ghost of a traveling salesman, a whiskey bootlegger and a former guest who died by suicide in his room in 1922 after becoming distraught about threats being made on his life. His spirit is said to take the form of a shadowy figure, with encounters involving feelings of despair and fear. The Omni William Penns elevators have also been giving guests goosebumps the doors sometimes mysteriously refuse to open at certain floors, including 16 and 17. Read more: European towns and villages that look like a Disney movie 6. The Elms Hotel & Spa, a Destination by Hyatt Hotel, Excelsior Springs, Missouri open image in gallery The pool at The Elms Hotel & Spa is rumoured to be haunted by the ghost of a Prohibition-era gambler ( The Elms Hotel & Spa, a Destination by Hyatt Hotel ) The Elms Hotel & Spa has hosted notorious gangsters Al Capone and Bugsy Moran, as well as President Harry S. Truman. But while they long ago checked out, another past guest refuses to leave, with a gambler from Prohibition days known to haunt the lap pool. The hotel is also fabled to be watched over by a ghostly housekeeper in a 1920s uniform. Guests agree that the spirits are friendly, often seen as guides to new adventures at the hotel, which fully embraces its reputation for inexplicable escapades with a Paranormal Experience Package. This includes one nights stay plus two tickets to the 9 pm Paranormal Tour, reserved at check-in. Guests can explore hidden passageways, historic halls, and tucked-away spaces throughout the property while hearing legendary ghost stories. Read more: Forget Disney: 24 real-life fairytale castles in the UK and Europe you can stay in On Tuesday night this week, I went into central London to see Patrick Marbers brilliant new production of the musical The Producers, complete with the most bad-taste song in musical theatre, Springtime for Hitler. In this joyous telling of the story, the Fuhrer is rotund and as camp as a row of tents. One can only imagine the shock of audiences when Mel Brookss original film with Gene Wilder and Zero Mostel opened just 20 years after the end of the Second World War. A comedy about Hitler? Swastikas everywhere? Farce and absurdity mixed with a dusting of satire? But an interview Brooks gave in 2001 explained the rationale: If you stand on a soapbox and trade rhetoric with a dictator, you never win... Thats what they do so well: they seduce people. But if you ridicule them, bring them down with laughter, they cant win. You show how crazy they are. This quote from Brooks I found in the shows programme. Last Tuesday evening when I went to see the production was, coincidentally, the same night that Jimmy Kimmel was returning to Americas TV screens after ABC and its parent company, Disney, had been bullied into removing Kimmels late night comedy show from the air because of the ridicule that he had heaped upon Donald Trump in the wake of the dreadful murder of Charlie Kirk. Now the president of the United States isnt a dictator, but ummm he has tendencies in that direction. And reading that 2001 quote from Mel Brooks had never seemed more apposite. For all that America has its First Amendment protecting and enshrining free speech, and for all that the vice-president JD Vance lectured us in Europe about how we had let it be eroded, Donald Trump has shown himself rather indifferent about its importance, particularly when he is the butt of the joke. With Trumps 100 per cent approval, the man he appointed to run the Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr, went after ABC, demanding that Kimmel be removed from the air or else. The or else being the suggestion that ABC would lose its broadcast licence. That so alarmed the parent company, Disney, that the capitulation was immediate. Kimmels show would be canned indefinitely. Trump crowed. It was now played two, won two. Hed also been successful in getting CBS to can Stephen Colberts late-night show. And if you combine that with his assaults on law firms, academia, museums, the press, civil society and corporate boardrooms, there was no resistance anywhere. Congress is in a crouch position and the Supreme Court is in acquiescence mode. But the canning of Kimmel proved to be a bridge too far. Subscriptions were being cancelled. The board of Disney was in the firing line. Actors were saying they would no longer work with Disney. Brendan Carrs mafiosi-style threat to Disney literally saying we can do this the easy way or the hard way split the Maga universe. Senator Ted Cruz condemned this egregious assault on free speech, and many other conservative voices piled in as well. Disney de-capitulated (if such a word exists) and rediscovered a backbone. Kimmel would return. His opening monologue was a tour de force. Kimmel said cancelling comedians was fundamentally un-American. He talked about the need to end division and the stoking of hatreds. And turning to Trumps victory lap when the show was axed, Kimmel accused the president of revelling in hundreds of staff losing their livelihoods because he couldnt take a joke. It is too soon to talk of turning points, but this is a massive victory for Kimmel and arguably Trumps biggest domestic defeat since returning to office. Will it embolden the once mighty titans of corporate America whove become timorous wee beasties? We shall see. Whatever happens, this feels like a moment. One can say that with some confidence when you look at the furious incandescence of Trump on Truth Social after this humiliation. I cant believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back. The White House was told by ABC that his Show was cancelled! Something happened between then and now because his audience is GONE, and his talent was never there. What happened was resistance. What happened was a big chunk of the population including Trump supporters saying enough, and no further. What happened was the power of we, the people. This is not over. Look at what is happening at the Pentagon, where the defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, is saying journalists who want accreditation there must undertake not to use unofficial sources. In other words, dont go near any whistleblowers; you can only print what we tell you to publish. George Orwells famous comment that news is what they dont want you to print; all the rest is public relations comes to mind. Look too at the harum-scarum stuff that is coming out of the justice department. The vindictive threat of indictments against those who have opposed Donald Trump tells you that we have not snapped back to normal. James Comey the former director of the FBI and long-term critic of Trump knows this only too well. He is now facing accusations of lying to Congress, just days after the president called for his political adversaries to be pursued in the courts. Comey has denied any wrongdoing. But in the battle for free speech, a comedian has succeeded where the political establishment has failed. Maybe laughter is the best weapon right now to show how crazy things have become. Mel Brooks: political savant. Who knew? Competitors from China, US tariffs and weak sales adding pressure Carmakers and their suppliers are struggling with waning demand, rising labour and energy costs and intensifying competition from fast-moving Chinese manufacturers. Theyve poured billions of euro into battery technology only to find out that the shift to electric vehicles will be slower than expected. TEHRAN, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Saturday the United States is the main obstacle to reviving the 2015 nuclear deal, as U.N. sanctions lifted under the pact were set to be reimposed later in the day. Speaking at Tehran airport after returning from the UN General Assembly in New York, Pezeshkian said France, Britain, and Germany -- who triggered the "snapback" mechanism -- had been told of Iran's readiness to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency during his visit to the UN. "The United States always attempts to prevent the achievement of an agreement by raising fresh pretexts," he said. "The reality is that the United States cannot tolerate a strong Iran and wants to weaken our country." Last month, the three European powers invoked the snapback clause of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), restoring UN sanctions that had been lifted in exchange for limits on Tehran's nuclear program. Ahead of the measures taking effect, Iran recalled its ambassadors to the three capitals. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday the snapback was "illegal, void, and has no standing," blaming the crisis on "U.S. betrayal and Europe's inaction." "The U.S. betrayed diplomacy. The Europeans buried it," he said. The JCPOA, signed in 2015 between Iran and six world powers, has been under strain since Washington withdrew in 2018, prompting Tehran to gradually scale back compliance. We wish you an affordable Christmas how to host, dress, socialise, gift and eat without breaking the bank Plans for a 3bn next generation data centre campus in Co Kildare have been stalled following appeals by environmentalists against the decision by Kildare County Council to green-light the project. Last month, the council granted planning permission to multimillionaire engineering entrepreneur Robert Moffetts Herbata Ltds plans for the six data centre campus on a site next to the M7 motorway and business park at Naas, Co Kildare. US chains and Supermacs to get boost from planned Vat cut Reducing rate in Budget 2026 could cost the Exchequer nearly 900m a year Supermacs founder and chief executive Pat McDonagh in one of his restaurants. Photo: Frank McGrath John Mulligan Sat 27 Sep 2025 at 06:30 An increasing number of US chains, as well as Irelands Supermacs, will be among the big beneficiaries from a planned cut to the Vat rate in next months budget. Late Late Toy Show review: Kielty enters the arena with a look on his face that says exactly what were all thinking hes the right man for the job Fears grow that new BritCard could spark an immigration crisis in Ireland Keir Starmer announced the introduction of the compulsory digital ID this week British prime minister Keir Starmer announced the digital IDs without talking to politicians in Ireland. Photo: Reuters Senan Molony Sat 27 Sep 2025 at 06:30 Concerns are growing over Britains compulsory new BritCard ID and its capacity to cause grey-economy workers to cross the Border into Ireland. Irish comedian Tadhg Hickey has described coming under a damn scary three-hour drone attack for a second time while on board a Gaza-bound humanitarian aid supply boat. The Global Sumud Flotilla, which set sail on August 31 from Spain, is made up of more than 50 boats heading towards Gaza in an attempt to break Israels blockade and deliver supplies to Palestinians. If I nominate her, she will win: The inside story of Maria Steens ambushed Aras bid After three weeks of unanswered calls, Senator Michael McDowell gave campaigner and his old referendums ally his answer 36 hours before nominations deadline 'If I nominate her, she will win': The inside story of how Maria Steen's presidential bid was halted Fionnan Sheahan Sat 27 Sep 2025 at 06:30 The diverse cultures of rural south Kerry and suburban south Dublin came together around the table in the Dail Members Restaurant. Danny Healy-Rae listened to Maria Steens presidential pitch over lunch on Tuesday as she closed in on the required 20 signatures of TDs and senators for her nomination papers. Representatives from Israel barely looked up as Taoiseach condemned Netanyahu in UN General Assembly over genocide in Gaza Micheal Martin said to do nothing is complicity, after delegates walked out of UN Assembly while Israeli prime minister spoke Taoiseach Micheal Martin addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York yesterday. Photo: Reuters Tabitha Monahan Sat 27 Sep 2025 at 06:30 As Israeli representatives sat beside the Irish delegation in the vast hall of the UN General Assembly yesterday, Taoiseach Micheal Martin told leaders that Ireland would prevent members of the Israeli government from entering Ireland. Tim Stanley: It can be a lonely time of year but for some of us, solitude is a Christmas gift Donald Trumps decision on West Bank boosts hopes for deal to end war His firm no on the annexation raised hopes as fears of intensified assault on the region grow Mourners at the funeral of Palestinian Ahmed Jihad Barahmeh (19), who was killed during an Israeli army raid in Anza, near Jenin, in the Israeli occupied West Bank on Thursday. Photo: Raneen Sawafta/Reuters Michael Birnbaum Washington Post Sat 27 Sep 2025 at 06:30 US president Donald Trump has said that he told Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu he will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank, imposing the clearest limit yet on his support as Israel nears two years of war in the Gaza Strip. CAIRO, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- The revenues of the Suez Canal, a major source of foreign currency for Egypt, have dropped by some 9 billion U.S. dollars over the past two years due to a challenging regional environment, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said Friday. Speaking at the Egyptian Military Academy in the New Administrative Capital, Sisi said the loss could have provided a significant positive impetus to Egypt's economic progress. However, Sisi assured that the country is experiencing a steadily improving economic situation despite the heavy financial impact of the canal. He also called for learning from other countries' success in navigating difficult circumstances, which he said requires a combination of "willpower, dedicated work, and patience." The Suez Canal is an artificial waterway in Egypt extending from Port Said to Suez and connecting the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea. In April, the Suez Canal Authority, which runs the waterway, said the canal generated an annual revenue of 4 billion dollars in 2024, down from a historic high of 10.3 billion dollars in 2023. Since November 2023, the Red Sea, one of the world's busiest trade routes, has witnessed repeated attacks on commercial shipping, attributed to Yemen's Houthi group, which says its operations are intended to pressure Israel and its allies in solidarity with Palestinians amid the Gaza conflict. The attacks have raised concerns over shipping security and forced some companies to divert vessels around Africa. When real reporting and analysis are suppressed, we risk abandoning our democracy to fake news and its corrosive effects Donald Trumps actions ensure that media independence can no longer be taken for granted. Photo: AP. Photo: Evan Vucci/AP Will trusted journalism survive the decade? That question echoed in my mind as I read the harrowing conclusions of a new report by the International News Media Association (INMA), which held its European News Media Conference in Dublin last week. When INMAs chief executive Earl Wilkinson, one of the worlds most renowned experts in this field, used the words journalism and survive in the same breath, it wasnt hyperbole it was a stark warning. What is most striking in INMAs study is not something new, but rather the speed and gravity of the storm enveloping all of us. Print is vanishing. Digital gatekeepers big tech platforms like Google, TikTok and Meta decide not just what news we see, but also what gets buried. Non-democratic actors target news organisations. Truth competes with invented narratives, as social media sometimes inspiring, often poisonous becomes a relentless engine of disinformation. For many years, as an editor of national newspapers in Belgium and the Netherlands, then as publisher and chief executive of Mediahuis Ireland, I have told colleagues, students and industry leaders that these risks are real. But to be honest, I thought they were more or less abstract. I believed that journalism was able to reinvent itself, adapt and hold its place in democratic society. I believed that if we want to survive we only had to work harder, be more trustworthy, become better. We hold everybody else to account, but we are not always accountable enough ourselves Perhaps that is because I am the first to admit that newsrooms are not always as good as they claim to be. Journalists expertise is often too shallow, or our biases too strong, our stories too black and white, our personal opinions too obvious. We hold everybody else to account, but we are not always accountable enough ourselves. We rarely admit when we are wrong. Throughout my career, I have worked hard to improve the quality and transparency of our journalism. I have tried to set the bar higher. During this time, I have overseen the platform shift from print to digital. This coincided with what was maybe an even more important cultural change in our newsrooms, as they became more reader-centric than ever before. I was convinced that by doing all that, I was helping journalism to survive in an era of disinformation. Today, Im no longer sure that this is enough. The INMA report confirms that we are entering a perfect storm. Abstract threats have become immediate dangers, shaking not just journalism but democracy itself. Recent headlines drive the point home. This month, just before the INMA reports release, Donald Trump filed a $15bn lawsuit against The New York Times, claiming false and disparaging reporting. His case was dismissed by a federal judge, but legal experts argue its purpose was simply to harass journalists, suppress criticism and provoke outrage against the media. In the same week, ABC, owned by Disney, suspended the late-night TV host and comedian Jimmy Kimmel after he condemned the political exploitation of Charlie Kirks death and criticised Trumps reaction to the loss of a close collaborator. The US president praised the suspension of Kimmels show as great news, while others saw it as a warning sign: media independence can no longer be taken for granted. (ABC since reinstated Kimmel). It would be naive to think that threats against the press are limited to the US. Recent reports point to serious violations of press freedom in EU countries such as Greece, Hungary and Romania. Online abuse, including co-ordinated smear campaigns and threats, remains the most common type of attack against media workers throughout Europe, sometimes targeting them both in professional and private contexts. Northern Ireland remains the most dangerous region for journalists in the UK, with press freedom severely undermined by direct violence, intimidation and ineffective state protection. INMA identified three pillars to protect journalism Just last week, a survey by the Stockholm-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance found that freedom of the press had worsened in a quarter of the countries assessed, marking the broadest deterioration since the beginning of the dataset half a century ago. Everywhere, free societies are facing a stark dilemma: when real journalism and critical commentary are suppressed, propaganda and fake news quickly fill the void and democracy weakens. So, what should be done? INMA identified three pillars to protect journalism: 1. Recognise journalism as a democratic cornerstone Journalism is not a luxury: it is a public good. We must reinforce editorial independence and press freedom in law and practice. We need to ramp up media literacy, equipping young and old with the ability to recognise reliable news and to demand it. Constructive journalism must not only bear witness to the worlds problems, but highlight potential solutions too. 2. Compensate journalistic work fairly If journalism is to survive, journalistic content should not be stolen or devalued. Today, large language models scrape millions of press articles to train AI systems, typically without consent or remuneration. This copyright abuse inevitably results in lawsuits. Leading publishers are suing tech giants like Microsoft and Google for unauthorised use of their work. While some licensing deals are under way, many disputes remain unresolved, and potential new regulation will take years before its on the statute books. In the meantime, algorithms siphon readers and revenue away from those who actually do the news-gathering. 3. Enable fair competition in the digital marketplace Google, Meta, TikTok and other online platforms hold huge power over discovery and distribution of news content. Their algorithms can make or break a news outlet. These platforms keep a disproportionate share of digital ad revenue, and stifle competitive innovation, sapping resources from quality journalism. Only regulation that is enforced, transparent and global can ensure platforms do not abuse their power, and independent journalism can thrive. I believe journalism is still one of the most fulfilling professions These pillars that INMA identifies are designed to create a new societal contract between media and tech, where quality journalism can thrive. I believe journalism is still one of the most fulfilling professions. I want to preserve quality journalism and even make it better. I love great newspapers, investigative stories, thought-provoking analysis, impressive photography and opinion pieces from people I completely disagree with. This plea is about much more than journalism: its about what sort of society we want to live in. When journalism is weakened, accountability and public trust suffer, and democracy falters. We cannot let that happen. Tomorrow is World News Day. The message is simple and urgent: every day, journalists investigate, analyse, explain and expose wrongdoing. This is the moment to choose truth. Choose facts. Read, listen, watch. Subscribe. Donate. Register. Choose journalism. Peter Vandermeersch was publisher (2019-2022) and CEO (2022-2025) of Mediahuis Ireland. On October 1, he starts a new role as Mediahuis Fellow, Journalism & Society The Israeli prime minister has doubled down against disgraceful countries recognising Palestine, but he cant turn his back on the world forever Mourners carry the bodies of Palestinian children killed in an Israeli strike on a building in Gaza where displaced people were sheltering. Photo: Reuters/Ebrahim Hajjaj Dozens of delegates from multiple nations walked out of the UN General Assembly hall as Benjamin Netanyahu prepared to speak (Stefan Jeremiah/AP) The most dangerous of all delusions is the belief that ones own view of reality is the only reality, said psychologist Paul Watzlawick. Even as the aisles at the UN General Assembly were emptying in protest at the massacre in Gaza, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu seemed determined to double down on his right to be on the wrong side of history. We will not commit national suicide because you dont have the guts to face down a hostile media, and antisemitic mobs demanding Israels blood, he told those who remained. Netanyahus ire was stoked by the fact this week, 10 more countries have chosen to recognise the state of Palestine. Israel has done everything it can to literally obliterate Gaza off the map. Close to 66,000 people have died. Before leaving for New York, Netanyahu told media: I will tell our truth. And therein lies the tragedy. Tel Aviv believes its version of events can be superimposed on anything that suits its interests. As if the mass death of women and children could be airbrushed out of the picture in a narrative devoid of truth, morality or justice. Palestinians are bearing the cruel price for what is becoming a diabolical distortion. And many Israelis are also being betrayed. Those who wish to see an end to the carnage first unleashed by Hamas, and also a release of the hostages, are finding themselves branded as antisemitic. Its insane and we wont do it Palestinians, just like Israelis, must have an absolute right to exist peacefully in their homeland. Yet Netanyahu still claims such recognition was sheer madness, its insane and we wont do it. It was disgraceful for countries to do so, he added. After two years of unrelenting bloodshed and with no day-after plan, this man for whom the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for crimes against humanity, and for whom the UNs highest court is weighing a charge of genocide still feels he can sit in judgment on the world. But if Netanyahu is too blinkered to the hellscape that has been created, others are not. International pressure is intensifying for an end to the war. Even Donald Trump has now warned him against seizing the West Bank. Mr Trump believes he has the heads of agreement for an end to the war. However, Tel Aviv will only come to the table when forced to do so. This week, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas reiterated his rejection of a future governing role for Hamas in Gaza. Israel knows it is isolated, but Netanyahus answer is to call for increased self-sufficiency. Netanyahu is looking increasingly out of touch, vowing to continue the war and decrying weak-kneed critics. But more is required of a leader than offering an open-ended plan for killing, suffering and pain. Tony Benn once said: If we can find the money to kill people, we can find the money to help people. Netanyahu knows he cannot turn his back on the world forever. All leaders should know if they do not put an end to wars, wars will put an end to them. This week we saw democracy in action. Maria Steen failed to get the numbers and this is the democratic process at work. The late Labour TD Frank Cluskey was once asked after losing his seat, where it had gone amiss. The former trade unionist replied: I just didnt get enough votes. In 1987 former justice minister Sean Doherty was the first candidate elected to the 25th Dail. Two years later, he stood for the European elections and the Dail, and failed on both counts. When asked about his fall from grace, he replied: Not enough people voted for me. Doherty and Cluskey got on with their agendas, and the setbacks did not daunt their comebacks. If Maria Steen has political bottle, she will not let this defeat deter her. Our democracy in action did one very significant thing in the past few weeks in preveningt some undesirable candidates getting on the ballot paper, and wasting time. There were names that never had a hope of achieving a respectable vote. We now can see how the Constitution lays down how the president of Ireland is elected and if a candidate gets a significant amount of support, they will be on the ticket. There is no point in nominating no-hopers who are just wasting their time. I am bewidered at the people who are so critical of this Government and yet they expect Fianna Fail and Fine Gael members to support their candidates. Bernie Garvey, Claremorris, Co Mayo A worthy candidate whose omission will indeed leave many voters unsatisfied I was very disappointed that Maria Steen failed to get on the ballot paper for the Presidential election. While I do not agree with everything she stands for, I felt she was a very personable, worthy candidate for the job. Her sharp mind and debating skills would have added so much to the election debates. Fionnan Sheahan wrote (Irish Independent, September 25) in relation to last years referendums on family and care that Steen proved herself to be an effective debater during that campaign, taking on no less a figure than Taoiseach Micheal Martin and coming out well. Ms Steen said in relation to the support she received for her Aras run from the public, I entered this race with a hope of giving voters a real choice. Sadly, that hunger will now go unsatisfied. In over 40 years of voting in local and national elections and referendums, I will be spoiling my vote for the first time ever in protest at what I see as a flawed and unfair process in which an Independent candidate tries to get on the ballot paper. People who share this view have a similar option to satisfy their hunger. Tommy Roddy, Ballybane, Co Galway Presidential election has become a non-event after McDowell decision The only thing missing from Fionnan Sheahans forensic takedown of Senator Michael McDowells failure to nominate a conservative voice for president is Thornton Hall (Michael McDowell forgets his lectures on democracy in refusing to sign Maria Steens presidential papers, Irish Independent, September 25). Im no fan of Maria Steens old-fashioned orthodoxy on marriage, womens reproductive rights and gender equality, but only a fool would discount that such views dont exist in Ireland. Indeed, it was no surprise to this reader that it was Michael Healy-Rae that gave Ms Steen the jump-start she was looking for. The other Michael has been lecturing us for a while now not from the Seanad, but from his privileged position atop the old lady of Tara Street on everything from immigration to womens duties in the home. Great is the pity then that he couldnt find it in his political heart to allow the mother of five home-schooled children to get on the ballot paper and liven up what is rapidly turning out to be a non-event. Tom McElligott, Listowel, Co Kerry Keeping the Triple Lock protects our soldiers and preserves our neutrality The Triple Lock mechanism became part of the Defence Act after the first Nice (EU) referendum in 2001 was rejected by voters because of their concerns our Defence Forces may have to join an EU military alliance. It was the first EEC/EU referendum rejected by Ireland. It was a shock to the Government at the time. It was then brought in to assure the public that our Defence Forces would continue to be sent for UN peacekeeping duties only. A second Nice referendum was passed by voters in 2002 by a 62pc majority. The Triple Lock needs three approvals for our Army to be on UN duties; from the government, from the Dail (which, hopefully, represents the wishes of the people) and by a UN Security Council mandate. It protects our troops from the dangers of misuse of unilateral power over them. The UN armed forces are called peacekeepers. The Triple Lock is being debated by a Fianna Fail and Fine Gael leadership in government some of whom want to remove it. President Michael D Higgins is firmly against removing it. Governments in the past did not show enough appreciation for our Army. Partners of military personnel had to campaign and stand at the Dail gates for better wages for the Army, Navy and other military personnel. I fear if the Triple Lock is removed, our soldiers may be sent to fight in other countries conflicts because some of our political leaders want to be part of the EU military club. Perhaps this is pressure from the EU, but we are a neutral country when it comes to war. Mary Sullivan, College Road, Cork Late-night punchlines and satirical swipes are likely to shape future elections Shaparak Khorsandis article on Donald Trumps fear of comedians rather than politicians was on the mark (Trump hates jokers because punchlines can hit home much harder than politics, Irish Independent, September 25). A Seanad speech he can ignore, but a late-night punchline diminishes him in a way no policy debate can. History shows why: Stalin jailed humorists, Hitler shut down cabarets, and Putin censors comics. More recently, Spain imprisoned the rapper Pablo Hasel for mocking the monarchy proof that even in democracies, ridicule still unsettles the powerful. Jimmy Kimmels return reminds us that, in this contest, laughter is the greater threat. I suspect by the 2028 US election, satirists will shape public opinion as much as party platforms. Where politicians hedge and prevaricate, comedians will cut through and in doing so, they may prove the most effective democratic counterweight of all. Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Armagh A West Cork man has been appointed to one of the most influential roles in veterinary medicine in the UK. Skibbereens Dr. Rob Williams has been elected President of the British Veterinary Association the latest achievement in a remarkable 25-year career in the UK, spanning clinical practice, management, and business. A past pupil of St. Fachtna's De La Salle in Skibbereen, Dr. Williams graduated from the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine before moving to the UK, where he began his career in a hospital in York. An experienced small-animal vet, he has worked for many years in both general and referral practice, and later as Clinical Director of the Minster Veterinary Practice hospital in York. He is also a qualified HR professional and holds an MBA from York Business School. Since 2016, he has worked with VetPartners in management roles, focusing on graduate programme development, colleague engagement, and career progression. Dr. Williams has also contributed extensively in voluntary roles with veterinary and academic organisations. His service includes five years on the BVAs Member Benefits Committee, a board position with the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons, membership of the RCVS VetGDP Sub-Committee, and participation on the University of Yorks Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body. He currently serves on the advisory board at York Business School. As we gather here today, we live in interesting times times that will challenge each of our perspectives, and perhaps even our conception of what it is to be a veterinary surgeon, said Dr. Williams in his first address as President, delivered in London yesterday. His election comes as the UK Competition and Markets Authority launches an investigation into veterinary services for household pets, while the Veterinary Surgeons Act is also under review. In addition, the UK Government has announced it will negotiate a veterinary agreement with the European Union all issues that will define Dr. Williams presidency. Each of these challenges could be viewed in a negative light; however, I would like us to meet them positively challenges to be embraced, opportunities to be realised, a new and future-focused profession: a 21st-century veterinary profession, said the UCD graduate. The challenges I have described can be met, and by doing so, our profession will become one ready to overcome the many unknown hurdles we will face in the coming years and decades. The future is already here in some veterinary practices, in the spirit, ingenuity, and endeavour of many veterinary surgeons working today. We need to capture this future and embrace it. It was a bumper summer for West Corks beaches with huge numbers visiting the Blue Flag beaches at Garrylucas and Garretstown near Kinsale during the hot weather of July and August. Figures collected by Cork County Council from lifeguard staff show that 6,130 people visited Garretstown during the week of July 7 while 5,881 made the trip to the expansive sandy beach about 10 km from Kinsale during the week of August 11. The smaller Garrylucas beach, which sits alongside Garretstown, attracted 2,577 people during the same July week while 1,763 visited between August 11 and 17. Visitor numbers fell off steeply as the summer petered out and the schools returned with only around 300 people coming to the two beaches on the weekend of August 30-31. Early June before the good weather really kicked off was also relatively quiet with around 400 people visiting the beaches over the June Bank Holiday weekend. Garrylucas and Garretstown are among the jewels in the crown of Corks magnificent coast, and are popular with swimmers, surfers and sunbathers. They sit side-by-side near the Old Head of Kinsale and close to the village of Ballinspittle, famed for its moving statue back in the 80s. Met Eireann has provisionally declared this summer as the warmest ever recorded in Ireland, with an average temperature of 16.19 C, surpassing the previous hottest summer of 1995. August was ranked as the fourth warmest in records that go back to 1900. "It hasnt been particularly sunny during summer, but the dry soils from a warm and sunny spring, the heat domes over mainland Europe, periods of high-pressure dominance and the high sea surface temperatures around Ireland, have kept temperatures over the last three months consistently above average, especially at nighttime, Met Eireann Climatologist Paul Moore said. Garrylucas and Garretstown are among a dozen beaches guarded by Cork County Councils Beach Lifeguard Teams during the summer. The 2025 lifeguard season has now ended successfully with no fatalities or serious injuries on the life-guarded beaches. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme. Gardai have arrested a boy in connection with a suspected arson attack at a playground in Sandymount earlier this month. A Garda spokesperson said: He has since been released without charge pending a referral to the Garda National Youth Diversion Bureau. We have no further comment at this time. The blaze destroyed the main structure supporting the slide in the playground and is believed to be the sixth fire at the park in recent years. This time the fire brigade had to be called local people are so frustrated with it now, said Dublin Bay South TD James Geoghegan. We got the dreadful news that at around 9.45pm the main structure in the playground was on fire. The playground is now shut, and building control from Dublin City Council has been inspecting it. We need to get this facility rebuilt. It is a very popular amenity for the local communities. There are a number of primary schools in the area, and the park is a big attraction. Mr Geoghegan called for the park to be made secure and for increased Garda patrols, estimating the cost of repairs at least 100,000. There used to be garda bicycle patrols, but they seem to have stopped. The people of Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount need those patrols back. I met one resident who was on the way to the park, and when they saw what happened, they had to tell their child the playground was closed because someone set fire to it. The child then asked them if they would set fire to houses. Thats very sad. Its worrying. The photos and videos that were being distributed on social media were quite frightening. It was a big fire that only the fire brigade could fight. With other fires, residents have been able to put them out, but this is the worst attack since the playground opened around six years ago. He said he believed the vandalism had been carried out by young people from the broader community, and urged parents to know where their children are when they go out. The people who do this kind of thing need to cop on. There needs to be consequences for their actions, but at the moment, there doesnt seem to be, he added. In a post on X, Deputy Geoghegan said the culprits were mindless vandals who have given their two fingers to the community. An Garda Siochana confirmed officers attended the scene following reports of criminal damage by fire. A court has heard that a man in his 40s punched his wife and assaulted a garda - telling arresting officers Ill batter you all" - after drinking too much following a bereavement. Tallaght District Court heard that the incident happened at around 7:30pm on January 14, 2024, at the home of the defendant. The man admitted a Section 3 assault under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997, as well as two Section 19 public order offences for assaulting and obstructing gardai. Garda Gavin Cribbin told the court that the defendant returned home intoxicated on the evening in question and became highly argumentative". He then started a row and threw an extension cable at his partner, which struck her on the eyebrow, before punching her three or four times in the face with a closed fist. Another man who was present in the house intervened and stopped the assault before gardai arrived at around 7:45pm. The victim was left with swelling to her right eyebrow and redness to her bottom lip. When I arrived at the scene I noted the injuries sustained by the injured party, Garda Cribbin told the court. He said the defendant was highly intoxicated and while he tried to take details from the victim, the man got up, stood in the alcove and obstructed me as I was trying to get into the kitchen". Garda Cribbin told the court the defendant then became aggressive, threatened to bite off his nose, and squared up to Garda James Hughes with clenched fists. He had to be forcibly removed by gardai, during which he attempted to drag Garda Hughes to the ground, causing a serious head injury. While resisting arrest, he told the officers: Ill batter you all". Prosecuting solicitor Tom Conlon asked Garda James Hughes to read his victim impact statement to the court. Garda Hughes told the court that he suffered a large laceration to the back of his head, blurred vision for two weeks and recurring headaches for two months. He told the court: Its part of the job - I expect it and it just comes with it". The court heard the man has 23 previous convictions, mostly for road traffic offences, with his last conviction in 2008. He has no history of assaulting gardai and just one public order intoxication offence. Tallaght District Court. Today's News in 90 Seconds - September 27th Defence counsel Michael Hennessey said his client had instructed him to apologise on his behalf to the gardai involved, and to his wife in open court". He does not say what happened was not serious. He is deeply ashamed, counsel said, adding that his client has three children, had suffered a recent bereavement, and is on disability allowance while being treated for mental health issues. He has stopped drinking, as he blames alcohol for his behaviour on the night. Judge Dowling said the incident appeared to have been as a result of drinking too much on the day, noting the man had suffered a recent loss and that there were children to be considered. She added there were aggravating factors, including the victim impact statement, which the court does not take lightly". Judge Dowling adjourned the matter to November 28 for a probation and welfare report. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme. Taylor Swift at one of her sold-out shows in Dublin. Photo: Getty. A man has been fined after he was caught selling counterfeit Taylor Swift merchandise to fans outside the music stars sold-out show in Dublin. Chang Zhang (45), of Priory Way, Whitehall Road, Dublin 12, was convicted and fined at Dun Laoghaire District Court for selling counterfeit Taylor Swift merchandise after gardai found him offering hats, T-shirts, wristbands and friendship bracelets for sale from his car on Lansdowne Road on June 28, 2024. Garda George McElroy told Judge Anne Watkin that he was carrying out casual trading checks near the Aviva Stadium around 3.50pm when he saw Mr Zhang selling Taylor Swift-branded merchandise to fans from his car. He told the court he saw a T-shirt sold to a fan for 20. When asked to produce a licence under Section 10(2) of the Casual Trading Act 1995, he said Zhang admitted he did not have one and claimed he had not realised it was required. The goods were seized and the case was brought before the court. Counsel for the defence, Michael O' Brien BL, suggested there was insufficient evidence, but Judge Watkin said the garda was entitled to ask for the licence. The court heard that Zhang, who did not attend the hearing, has no previous convictions. Judge Watkin imposed a 100 fine, giving him three months to pay, and fixed recognisance in the event of an appeal at 100. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme. An iconic Galway pub has won the Best Late Night Bar Award in the Connaught region at the Irish Pub Awards 2025. The Kings Head on Galways High Street is known as a landmark in the area, serving famous pints of Blood Red Ale and impeccable grub. The well-known pub has recently changed hands, with new owners the Linnane family taking over the premises on August 29. The Galway pub was owned and run by the Grealish family for 30 years, before the change of ownership in August and has been operational as a pub since 1867. The Kings Head is a true piecing of living history in Galway as the building dates back over 800 years, formerly used as the Mayor of Galways home in the 1600s, and is said to have got its name from its historic links to the execution of King Charles the first in 1649. The city centre pub is no stranger to awards wins and accolades - including being named Family Run Business of the Year at the 2023 Irish Women's Awards and winning Best Casual Dining in Galway at the 2019 Irish Restaurant Awards. The restaurant has also been celebrated for their sustainable seafood, winning the Sustainable Chowder Crown Award in 2024, and it was recognised as a finalist for Best Gastro Pub and Pub of the Year by Good Food Ireland in 2023. Acknowledging the award win on social media, the Kings Head said: Live music is our jam. Really delighted with this recognition and award win. The Galway city pub will have the chance to compete for the national best late night bar on November 12 at the Irish Pub Awards ceremony. The gala event will take place at the Mansion House in Dublin. Recommendations made to strengthen local authorities through the Local Democracy Taskforce will make their way across the desk of the local government and planning minister early next year. Fine Gael Galway County Councillor Jimmy McClearn, who also serves as Vice President of the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG) and sits on this taskforce, provided an update to the elected members at a council meeting this month. During the meeting, Cllr McClearn said that the LDT will be compiling recommendations to address the imbalance between the department and the local authority. A consultation process ran from July 8 to August 22, with 56 of the 87 invited stakeholders making submissions. A further four were accepted outside that timeframe. All submissions have since been published. The report containing all recommendations is due to be delivered to the minister by the beginning of February 2026. "As we go things will fall out and things will come in. We have very clear views about the type of things we would like see come of this report. Cllr McClearn told the Irish Independent. The taskforce was established in June 2025, with the first meeting already shaping recommendations for reform and a stronger local government. Its remit is to provide advice to the local government and planning minister, James Browne, within six to nine months, based on public submissions and internal discussion. The group is split into four subcommittees, structure, finance, functions, and governance/accountability, to focus its work. It is only a taskforce and whatever recommendations we come up with, it will be up to the minister to implement all or some of them, Cllr McClearn said. Cllr McClearn added that he was suspicious of how the department would view the report, pointing to a Council of Europe study that ranked Irish local authorities at the bottom, second to Hungary. Despite the poor ranking overall, Ireland ranked largest average local authority size, geographic jurisdiction and representation per person in some counties. Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr Mary Hoade, who has been nominated to the Governance and Accountability subgroup said she is eager to look at strengthening the municipal districts as well as the roles and powers of elected members throughout the years. Both councillors agreed they would be in a stronger position to update colleagues this winter, once there is progress on which recommendations are being taken forward. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme. Galway County Councillors are calling on Oireachtas members for Galway East, Galway West, and Galway Roscommon to ensure adequate funding remains in place for the restoration of maternity services at Portiuncula Hospital (PUH) in the forthcoming health budget process. The motion, which passed unanimously at a September County council meeting, urged Galway representatives to demonstrate this commitment through statements, lobbying, and parliamentary actions. The Councils motion is about putting down a clear marker: no more vague reassurances, no more policy drift, Councillor Evelyn Parsons told the Irish Independent. Our local TDs and Senators now have to show, through lobbying, parliamentary action, and their votes, that they will stand up for the women, babies, and families of East Galway and South Roscommon. Anything less risks letting Portiuncula slide further into decline. A recent response from the health minister to Galway County Council led councillors to believe long-term preparations at University Hospital Galway (UHG) were being made for diverted maternity patients of Portiuncula Hospital (PUH). The response stated information that has already circulated but made brief mention of improvements at UHG. It read: This work will therefore continue to progress over the coming months, with close monitoring and engagement within both the HSE and the Department of Health. This includes ensuring sufficient capacity and resources are in place across the HSE West and North-West region. A plan is in development to create a Level 4 campus at Galway University Hospital, focusing on several key developments, including improvements to the maternity unit. Councillors found concern with the reference to the new maternity development as part of UHG masterplan which does confirm is a direction of travel to centralisation in Galway, Cllr Parsons told the Irish Independent. This is precisely why we need explicit, ring-fenced funding for PUH in the 2026 Health Budget. Without it, theres a real danger of incremental downgrading not just of maternity services, but of the hospitals sustainability as a whole. The real concern is that if resources are being funnelled into UHG then hospitals like Portiuncula are at risk of being starved of investment, Cllr Parsons added. Under the Saolta Hospital Group structure, budgets are allocated on a group-wide basis, so when one hospital gets the lions share, the others inevitably feel the squeeze. Cllr Parsons is a medical doctor and GP who stands on the fact that no robust medical evidence has been given as reason for a downgrade. On September 23, the HSE responded to calls for an independent review of PUH at a Regional Health Forum meeting, the Irish Independent reported. Cllr Parsons called the response they received devastating after 11 formal questions, and two motions were met with no confirmation that downgrade the services was off the table. Cllr Parsons said: The message is clear from the public who protest marched in their thousands in August against the downgrade - if the HSE refuses to listen to them, to local representation then it falls to TDs, Senators, and Ministers of the areas to step up, ensure funding in the Health Budget, and insist that women in this region are not treated as second-class citizens when it comes to maternity care. Nearly two thousand people turned out earlier this month to protest downgrading at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme. At a citizenship ceremony in Dublin, Ireland welcomed me home Holding the flag at the citizenship ceremony at the convention centre today. Photo by Stephen Collins People attending their Irish citizenship ceremony in the convention centre in Dublin last week. Photo by Stephen Collins Last Monday, I became one of Irelands newest immigrants, one of more than 6,000 residents who pledged an oath of fidelity to the Irish State at a citizenship ceremony in Dublin. It was a jubilant, social contrast to my quiet arrival in Ireland. We came during the pandemic. So quiet was my Kerry arrival that I nearly did not receive my residency card. The postman returned it to Killarney, for when he saw my name upon the envelope, he knew it was a mistake. The postman knew everyone down our bohereen and he knew all local news from a neighbour who always offered tea. If anyone had arrived, he would have known. But the pandemic had stopped these chats, we were cocooning with elderly relatives and not even the neighbour with the news knew of my existence. I am Canadian but from age 13 I grew up in the United Arab Emirates, where I met my husband. He was one of the young graduates who left Ireland after the economic crash of 2008 but always longed to return. Like many Gulf countries, the UAE does not offer citizenship to residents, not to those raised there, not to those born there and not even to those who have lived there for generations. I moved to the UAE in the late 1990s and my heart was syncopated into the rhythm of Gulf life. But when Covid-19 hit and borders shut, it was time to live where we were not, in the eyes of the state, permanently temporary. Our first year together in Ireland felt suspended. We moved our lives to Kerry but, unable to socialise in a pandemic, it felt like we hadnt arrived. My UAE driving licence was not valid and, surrounded by fields, I could not walk anywhere. Early attempts at socializing were stunted. When pandemic restrictions eased, I persuaded my husband to attend an outdoor poetry reading in Listowel. It began with a haiku about the midges of Lyracrompane. But real midges appeared, swarmed and the poets moved indoors. We went home. Months passed, the pandemic lingered. We got a house and made it our own but had yet to share a cup of tea with our new neighbours. One day, walking along Banna Strand and heavily pregnant, I came across a herd of cows and calves enjoying a sunset swim. I was happy for them but deeply envious. Moments of welcome came later. After the birth of my son, neighbours Id never met left cards and gifts on the porch. In the bleak midwinter, far from kin, kindness and welcome appeared. Seven months later, with the pandemic well past, I walked around our neighbourhood with my baby strapped to my chest and put little notes in mailboxes inviting women to start a book club. I offered to host the first meeting. I had no idea how many would turn up. If anyone would turn up. Mary, age 94, left a small card saying she would attend if the books were not boring. Mary liked thrillers. On a crisp September evening, the women came, filling our home with banter and baking. Zucchini cake, a small bouquet of pink cosmos, packets of cookies, every kind of bun. I offered Barrys and Lyons tea, now acquainted with this all-important distinction. A year later, I filled in my immigration application and reached a section requesting details of citizens who could vouch for me. I popped a message onto a chat with friends from the Tralee breastfeeding group. In the span of twenty seconds, my phone lit up, too many names for the boxes. I had arrived. Suspended no longer, my feet on the ground. When you grow up in a country that is not your own, you think about your visa status every day. I did. There is always a fear that with any perceived wrong, you face exile without explanation. The people from the Emirates welcomed me as their own. Government policy did not. But who could complain? Everyone knew someone who had it worse, the Palestinians, the stateless Bidoon of the Gulf states, mothers who could not pass on statehood to their own children because citizenship rights were paternal. We were told to be grateful but never too comfortable. It felt akin to attending a sumptuous feast on a hard chair. Dont stay too long. But we did until we couldnt because of aging parents, the death of a spouse, the loss of a work visa, a global pandemic. Everyone had their reasons. By luck, and the charm of a Kerry man, I landed in Ireland. So last week, on my riverside walk to the Convention Centre, I passed a replica of Tralees own Jeanie Johnston, the three-mast ship that carried thousands from Blennerville to Quebec, Baltimore and New York at the height of the famine. I also passed families celebrating Irish citizenship with sushi and sake overlooking the Liffey, little Irish flags pinned to their lapels. As I approached the centre, people appeared in all forms of emerald finery. There were sweeping saris, West African ankara dresses, tailored Italian suits. The line wove around the block through rain, wind and sun. We swapped stories of lives lived on this Atlantic rock. It felt like a pilgrimage. At the ceremony, we were thanked for choosing Ireland, for our commitment. My heart cracked. In our age of polarization and identity politics, these words felt radical. Colm Brophy, the Minister of State for Migration, said he understood it was a long path to citizenship. In that moment, people may have thought of their own family histories but also the Irish struggle for recognition of their own citizenship. We were welcomed to bring and keep our cultures, to make them part of Ireland. In the Emirates, we were told entry was a gift. In Ireland, we were told belonging was a right. That carrying home with you was human. This is understood because every family here knows firsthand what it means to emigrate. When I arrived to Ireland, I cooked the food I missed, chicken biryani, fish machboos, shwarmah, chai karak and saffron khanfaroush cakes. I wanted my house to smell of cardamom and black lime and frankincense. I listened to Mehad Hamad when it rained, which still felt novel, and wore Jaipur block print dresses under sweaters and scarves. In Dublin, we heard that this was Ok. That our cultures were welcomed. That we were home. And so, I will celebrate with Guinness stew and saffron tea. My house will smell of frankincense and Ill open my doors to the Irish friends who welcomed me to stay. Anna Zacharias is a reporter for The Irish Independent funded by the Court Reporting Scheme The launch of the upcoming TedX event in Siamsa Tire in October took place earlier this month. TEDxTralee will return to Siamsa Tire on Saturday, October 18, with a brand-new edition themed Empowering Resilience. While this years event carries the title TEDxTralee Women, organisers are keen to point out that the audience is not restricted to women only. TEDx is a global initiative, first launched in 2009, that encourages locally organised events designed to share ideas and spark conversation. Many TEDx talks have gone on to reach worldwide audiences, with millions of views across TED.com and the TEDx YouTube channel, which now boasts more than 32 million subscribers. Curators and co-coordinators Bryan Carr and James Finnegan say that, following the strong successes of TEDxTralee in 2021, 2022 and 2024 talks from which have been viewed more than four million times online there was an opportunity to once again showcase Tralee on the international TEDx stage. In fact, TEDxTralee has earned recognition in the top five percent of TEDx talks worldwide. Speakers for this years event have been drawn from a wide range of backgrounds, each bringing their own stories and big ideas. From an initial pool of 145 applicants, 22 were selected to take to the stage. We are delighted, proud and honored to be able to give these wonderful, inspiring and thought-provoking Talks a platform, covering an incredible range of subjects, from the personal to the global perspective, said Bryan and James. This is our biggest event yet, and we have deliberately promoted a Women Only Speaker protocol this year to give voice to a different perspective, tone and authenticity. Organisers have also highlighted the vital role of partners, supporters and former TEDxTralee speaker Sherpas who are mentoring this years presenters. To further support the event, a not-for-profit companyIdeas Worth Spreadinghas been established to help sustain future editions. TEDxTralee Women 2025 promises not only a full day of talks but also a weekend of TEDcation activities, with attendees expected from Kerry, across Ireland and overseas. Tickets are available for the full day, which includes added benefits, or for half-day sessions in the morning or afternoon. Further information and tickets are available at www.tedxtralee.ie and on TEDxTralees social media channels. The full list of speakers and their topics can be found below: A number of cases were heard at Gorey District Court recently, presided over by Judge John Cheatle. Among the cases was a suspended sentence handed down to a Wexford man who had over 150 previous convictions to his name. Suspended sentence for Wexford man A Wexford man appeared before the court in relation to various charges including no insurance on August 18 2024 when the accused was involved in a collision at the front of the John Barry, Henrietta Street, Wexford, causing damage to flower pots. The court heard that Ger Connors (32) of Rosemount, Drinagh, Wexford, was driving without insurance at the time and when arrested committed a criminal damage offence whereby he urinated on the cell doors at Wexford Garda Station. Connors is a man with 156 previous convictions, 16 of which relate to no insurance matters, the most recent of which being in 2019 when the accused received a 20-year driving ban and a six-month prison sentence from Mullingar District Court. Tim Cummings, solicitor for the accused, informed the court that on the day in question Connors was just released from a prison sentence and in the last year he has turned his life around. Mr Cummings handed in various character references for the accused including one from his place of employment where he works cleaning cars, and stated that he has not come to the negative attention of An Garda Siochana in recent times. Connors had 100 with him in compensation for the criminal damage charge, however gardai asked that this sum be given to charity instead. Judge Cheatle ordered the 100 be paid to the court poor box and adjourned the matter to September 15 2026 to ensure the accused does not come to the attention of the gardai in the intervening period. If Connors does not then he will receive a five months prison sentence suspended for 12 months. Driving Uninsured A New Ross man was before the court in relation to a charge of driving uninsured. The court heard that John Furlong (46) of 51 Bosheen Estate, New Ross, Wexford, was stopped at Whitemill Road, Wexford, on May 5 2024 when Garda Scallan received an ANPR alert for no insurance on the vehicle. Edward King, solicitor for the accused, informed the court that on the day in question Furlong was unaware his policy had been cancelled. The defendant had set up the payments to come out of his Revolut bank account rather than his main banking account and simply missed a payment. The defendant has two previous convictions for no insurance and in those circumstances Mr King requested a one year adjournment to ensure Furlong does not come to any further gardai attention. Judge Cheatle agreed and adjourned the matter to December 15 2026 stating if the accused does not come to the adverse attention of the gardai a fine will be imposed rather than a disqualification. Bench warrants There was no appearance by Patrick Kelly (33) of 6 Ashgrove, Castlehyde Park, Kilkenny. Kelly is charged before the court in relation to an alleged criminal damage offence which took place at North Main Street, New Ross, on June 03 2024. A bench warrant issued in his absence. A bench warrant was issued for Des Lynch (23) of no fixed abode. Lynch is charged with two alleged theft offences from Aldi, Trinity Street, Wexford, on February 15 2025 and from Pettits Supervalu, St Aidans, on May 4 2025. Leszek Karbinski (34) of 7 Barrow Hill, New Ross, Wexford, was due before the court in connection with an offence of driving without insurance on August 24 2024. There was no appearance by Karbinski and a bench warrant issued in his absence. A bench warrant issued for Sarah Mahon (32) of 13 Woodview Drive, Adamstown, Wexford. Mahon is charged with an alleged offence of theft from Gala, Adamstown, on February 16 2025. Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme New Ross Former New Ross meat market transformed into community hub One of New Rosss most historic sites has been fully restored for public use and has already played host to a certain Mr Claus during his visit to the Wexford town. The Shambles on Mary Street, which was a popular meat market for many years, had Actor Michael Sheen has said he initially turned down the role of former prime minister Sir Tony Blair in The Deal. The 56-year-old said he was approached while watching a play in London and offered the role of Sir Tony in the Channel 4 drama, a role he reprised for the 2006 film The Queen and 2010 film The Special Relationship, but had to turn it down as he was to play Emperor Caligula on stage. He told BBC Radio 4s Desert Island Discs: I went to go and see a play I remember, when I was back in London for a little bit, and whilst I was there, a lady came up to me who Id never met before, in the interval. Sheen has become known for his portrayals of real people (Ian West/PA) And she said, Im working on a love story about Tony Blair and Gordon Brown and casting it, and I think you should play Tony Blair, and I just thought she was a mad woman, what are you talking about?, and this was The Deal. I was committed to doing a play, and I said, well, I cant do it because Im doing this play, and everyone was like, well, you need to not do that play. Sheen said that if he says he is going to do something then he cant go back on my word as he did not want to let people down, but eventually worked out a way to film the show and appear in the play. The Welsh actor added: We managed to work it out for me to do the play and play Caligula at night and filming The Deal in the day, and I would film, and then someone would run on to the set and say, right, youve got to go now. And I would run off, and I would wet my hair so there wasnt Blair hair any more, put a helmet on, get on the back of a motorbike, where someone would then ride me across London to the theatre, where I would get off and by the time I took the helmet off, my hair had gone all curly again. And then (Id) go into the theatre and play Caligula and then get up the next morning and do that over and over. I was absolutely exhausted, but I have a really strong memory of being on the back of the motorbike whizzing through central London, going past Rada (his old acting school). And just thinking if someone had come up to me when I was at Rada and said, one day, you will be playing Tony Blair in a drama for Stephen Frears in the day, and going and playing Caligula at the Donmar theatre at night, I mean, I cant imagine anything better. I remember thinking being tired is a very small price to play. On the show, Sheens song choices included Ultravoxs Vienna, Talk Talks Desire and the Rolling Stones Gimme Shelter. The actor is best known for his portrayals of real people including former Derby County and Nottingham Forest manager Brian Clough in The Damned United (2009), journalist Sir David Frost in Frost/Nixon (2008) and TV presenter Chris Tarrant in ITV drama Quiz (2020). Mattress Mick: Im a firm believer in starting again. I had to feed my family. I had to look after them In 2012, Michael Flynn created the persona of Mattress Mick to rescue his failing bedding brand and a cultural icon was born. Here, the Dublin entrepreneur talks about losing his beloved wife, adopting a daughter from Russia and being photographed at last years Coolock protests Mattress Mick. Photos: Ruth Medjber Lauren Murphy Sat 27 Sep 2025 at 06:30 Mattress Mick smiles, his trademark mane of hair now greying, in comparison to the luscious locks on display in the promo photos that made him a cult figure bouncing as he shakes his head. Russian president Vladimir Putin and Chinese president Xi Jinping pose for photos before their meeting in Beijing. Photo: Sputnik Russia has agreed to train and equip Chinese paratroopers for an aerial invasion of Taiwan, leaked documents have revealed. Beijing will buy dozens of military vehicles and parachute systems to drop heavy loads from high altitudes, as well as training troops to operate them, according to the 800-page cache. Analysts at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi), which verified the documents independently, said the deal would give China expanded air manoeuvre capability and offensive options against Taiwan, the Philippines and other island states in the regions. The experts said it could boost Beijings capacity to seize Taiwan by learning from Russias airborne forces, which still surpass Chinese capabilities. The contracts and correspondence between China and Russia also serve as a warning to the West about the dangers of the growing alliance between Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping. The Russian president, who has been accused of threatening Nato in recent weeks, has become increasingly reliant on his Chinese counterpart for spare parts and dual-use technologies to sustain his invasion of Ukraine. Meanwhile, Mr Xi has used Moscows battlefield expertise to prepare for a potential invasion of Taiwan, for which Western intelligence believes Beijing could be ready by 2027. Beijing understands that even though its military is now seen as superior to Russias, it lacks the same experience of fighting wars. Recently, Chinese representatives were dispatched to watch the Zapad 2025 war games held by Russia and Belarus on the borders of Nato. Chinas Peoples Liberation Army has been exploring various methods to seize Taiwan, the self-governing island claimed by Beijing as its own territory. Amphibious landings are considered highly risky, according to Rusi, because of the steep gradients of the beaches. Another tactic would be to seize airfields to allow troops to be flown in, but Ukraine proved it was able to block and destroy runways to deny access to Russian forces using similar methods. A third option would be to air drop armoured vehicles and troops into Taiwan as part of a wider invasion force. The contracts, originally obtained by hacker group Black Moon, show that Russia agreed in October 2023 to equip an entire Chinese airborne battalion. Documents from a year later showed Moscow had agreed to sell other weaponry. Russia will also train a battalion of Chinese paratroopers to use the equipment on the battlefield under the deal. Former nursery worker jailed for eight years for abusing 21 babies She was convicted of crimes that took place at two London nurseries over 2023 and 2024 Roksana Lecka in a custody image from June. Photo: Metropolitan Police Ellie Ng Press Association Sat 27 Sep 2025 at 06:30 A nursery worker who abused 21 babies has been jailed for eight years as parents of her victims condemned her sickening crimes and branded her the worst kind of human. Steve Coogan is among a number of celebrities urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to say that Israel is committing a genocide in Gaza. Appearing in a video released by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) ahead of the Labour Party conference, the comedian and actor said: Keir Starmer says its not genocide, it is genocide. LUSAKA, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in Zambia hosted a reception in Lusaka, Zambia's capital, on Thursday evening to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC), which falls on Oct. 1. The event was attended by Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Han Jing and Zambian Minister of Labor and Social Security Brenda Tambatamba, as well as other government officials and members of the Chinese community in Zambia. In his welcoming remarks, Han emphasized that the shared memory of rising from colonial pasts has fostered a common understanding between China and Africa that transcends language barriers, noting that both sides value peace, sovereignty, dignity, and the right to development. China, he said, will continue working with all like-minded countries to promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive globalization. Han noted that China and Africa are closely working to implement the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation last year, adding that China will expand its zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines for all 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations. On bilateral ties, the ambassador said the relationship between China and Zambia remains strong and stable, highlighting the consolidation of political mutual trust over the past year, with regular high-level exchanges and fruitful practical cooperation. For her part, Tambatamba congratulated China on its 76-year journey of transformation, innovation, and international engagement. She said the anniversary is not only a moment of pride for the Chinese people, but also an opportunity for partners like Zambia to reflect on the strength and continued win-win cooperation between the two countries. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Zambia and China have enjoyed a partnership based on mutual respect, shared development aspirations, and unwavering solidarity, said Tambatamba. She commended China for its continued cooperation, which has delivered positive and tangible results, with the construction of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway line as an enduring symbol of friendship and South-South cooperation. Unidentified drones were observed near military installations in Denmark overnight, the Armed Forces said on Saturday, following several drone incursions near airports and critical infrastructure this week. "The Danish Defence can confirm that drones were observed at several of the Danish Defence's locations last night. Several capabilities were deployed," a spokesperson said in an email to Reuters. President Donald Trump said he will send troops to Portland, Oregon, to handle domestic terrorists as he expands his controversial deployments to more American cities. He made the announcement on social media, writing that he was directing the Department of Defence to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland. Putin has good proposal to end the war in Ukraine, says Lukashenko Belarusian leader claims Trump has already been briefed and has backed solution Ukrainian soldiers of the 66th Brigade take part in a training combat exercise in Donetsk region, Ukraine, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Dan Bashakov) Mark Trevelyan Reuters Sat 27 Sep 2025 at 06:30 Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko said yesterday, after meeting Vladimir Putin, that the Russian leader would announce a very good proposal for ending the war in Ukraine that he said was broadly backed by the US. Visual evidence contradicts IDF claims about hospital strike in Gaza which killed 22 While Israel claimed the attack targeted a Hamas camera spying on troops, video footage showed it belonged to one of five journalists who died in the blast The body of cameraman Hussam al-Masri is carried away following an Israeli strike on Nasser hospital in Gaza. Photo: Reuters Maayan Lubell Reuters Sat 27 Sep 2025 at 06:30 Analysis of visual evidence and other information about the Israeli attack on a Gaza hospital last month contradicts Israels explanation of what happened in the deadly strike. Recognising Palestinian state sends the message that murdering Jews pays off, Benjamin Netanyahu tells UN Israeli leader criticised countries including Ireland, France and Britain for officially recognising a Palestinian state during his speech to the General Assembly Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York. Photo: Reuters/Shannon Stapleton Doyinsola Oladipo and Matt Spetalnick Reuters Sat 27 Sep 2025 at 06:30 Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu sharply denounced Western countries yesterday for embracing Palestinian statehood, accusing them of sending the message that murdering Jews pays off. 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 : Bon Appetit, Your Majesty | credit - netflix ) Bon Appetit, Your Majesty: Release date and time for Episode 12 Where to Watch Bon Appetit, Your Majesty Episode 12 Online? Bon Appetit, Your Majesty episode 12: Spoilers "If you must leave, promise me... Just as you suddenly come to this place, one day, you have to return to my side..."#BonAppetitYourMajestyEp11#BonAppetitYourMajestypic.twitter.com/P7KPL8jwli K | kdrama/ Bon Appetit (@iamparkbella) September 27, 2025 Bon Appetit, Your Majesty: Cast and Characters FAQs Fans awaiting the K-dramacan stream Episode 12 online on September 28, 2025, at approximately 5:40 PM IST / 9:10 PM KST, as per the official schedule.Chef Yeon Ji Young, a master of her craft, is abruptly thrust into the royal palace, tasked with preparing meals for the formidable King Yi Heon. Amid palace intrigues and survival challenges, her fiery determination collides with the king's fierce temper, igniting a clash of wills that could change both their fates forever.Episode 12 airs on Sunday, September 28, 2025, in South Korea and will go live around 9:10 PM KST on the TVING channel. Viewers in other time zones can expect the release at approximately 1:10 PM BST in the UK and 5:40 PM IST in India on the same day. The episode will also be available for international audiences via streaming on Netflix, which provides English subtitles to make the series accessible worldwide.Episode 12 is available to stream on Netflix, the main legal platforms offering high-quality video and English subtitles. For viewers in the U.S., Canada, India, Indonesia, and the UK, Netflix continues to be the top choices for watching the series.In the finale of Bon Appetit, Your Majesty, chaos erupts as the long-awaited coup begins. Ji Young returns to the palace with Mok Ju's help, warning the King to flee - knowledge she gained from the future. But the King refuses, determined to face his fate, even if history brands him a tyrant. As the coup ignites, Gong Gil steps in to protect the King, having uncovered the truth behind his sister's death.Prince Jesan, losing his allies, grows desperate and seeks Queen Ja Hyun's support, but she refuses to betray the King. Enraged, Jesan burns her residence and kidnaps her, forcing Ji Young and the King to act. Confronting Jesan, the King initially gains the upper hand, but Jesan counters with a broken sword, threatening Ji Young. In a tense moment, the King surrenders to protect her and is stabbed. As Ji Young cradles him, her feelings become clear - it is not fear but deep, painful love.Miraculously, the King survives. The Mangunrok hidden in his robe shields him from Jesan's attack, and its final torn page reveals a recipe he wrote for Ji Young, promising that one day he will cook for her. Jesan fires a gun, but the King shields Ji Young, taking the bullet to his chest. Divine lightning strikes Jesan, ending his life, and the mystical book illuminates, transporting the characters into the future.Ji Young awakens in Paris after a coma, while the King searches for her in Korea. Reuniting in Seoul, Ji Young opens Mon Roi - "My King" - a restaurant inspired by their past. The King appears, and upon hearing his voice, Ji Young realizes he is truly there. Together, they build the restaurant, share their love, and recruit the talented Baek Hye, promising a future full of hope, success, and shared dreams.The series is directed by Jang Tae-yoo and features a talented cast including Im Yoon-ah, Lee Chae-min, Kang Han-na, and Choi Gwi-hwa.Episode 12 will be released on September 28, 2025, and will air at 9:10 PM KST around 5:40 PM IST.Episode 12 will be available for streaming on Netflix, the platform offering English subtitles.Yes,is fully subtitled in English on Netflix, including Episode 12.Episode 12 will see a rookie lawyer with strong ideals faces the legal world under a cold, demanding mentor.Yes,is available on Netflix. The drama officially streams on this site. CM Yogi Adityanath lauds BharatNets indigenous 4G infrastructure ( Image credit : CM Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow. | Credit: Government of UP ) Yogi Adityanath takes a dig at past governments Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Saturday, attended the inauguration of the indigenous BSNL 4G network and BharatNet project by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking during the event, he said that under PM Narendra Modis leadership, India has emerged as a global leader in the digital revolution. He added that BharatNets indigenous 4G infrastructure will further consolidate the countrys standing in this sphere.CM Yogi Adityanath, on Saturday, described BharatNets indigenous 4G infrastructure as a game-changer for Indias digital revolution. He added that since coming to power in 2017, he has worked to connect every Gram Panchayat with optical fiber. This has been done to expand the reach of services such as income tax and banking facilities to villages. Adityanath added that over Rs 100 crore in benefits have reached villagers through BC Sakhis. Additionally, he highlighted that BSNLs 4G network will transform remote and Naxal-affected areas like Chandauli, Sonbhadra, and Chitrakoot.Referring to the challenges faced by pensioners in the past, Adityanath said that they previously had to visit offices repeatedly and lost money because of corrupt practices. However, things are different now. Through DBT, a crore destitute women, elderly, and disabled receive Rs 12,000 annually directly in their accounts.Additionally, over 60 lakh SC, ST, and OBC students revceive Rs 6,000 crore in scholarships digitally. He added that India today is a leader in the world of UPI payments, which serves as proof of its success in curbing corruption.Taking a dig at previous governments, Adityanath emphasised that before 2017, networking mafias controlled the system but they have now been done away with to ensure smooth governance. He added that BSNLs 4G network will boost rural technology and economy.Union Minister of State Pankaj Chaudhary, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Dinesh Sharma, Brijlal, Sanjay Seth, Mayor Sushma Kharwal were present on the occasion. ( Image credit : Watch episode 7 of Love's Ambition online. Credit: TencentVideo ) Love's Ambition: Release date and time for Episode 7 Where to Watch Love's Ambition Episode 7 Online? Love's Ambition: Episode 7 Plot? Love's Ambition episode 7: Spoilers Love's Ambition Episode 8 ramps up the drama as Shu Yan becomes the center of controversy on a live show. Mid-filming, Suni exposes a shocking story, suggesting that Shu Yan hid the fact that she was already married and staged a fake wedding with actors posing as relatives and friends to scam a large dowry. Everyone is stunned as it becomes clear the story points to Shu Yan. Suni reveals that during her investigation, she met Mr. Gao, Shu Yan's father, and asks him directly, "Do you know Shu Yan?" The host presses further, questioning his relationship with her and if he was a "fake father" she hired. Under intense scrutiny, Shu Yan appears to have anticipated the attack and is ready with her own counter. Love's Ambition: Cast and Characters The drama Love's Ambition (also known as Xu Wo Yao Yan or Let Me Shine ) stars Zhao Lusi as Xu Yan and William Chan as Shen Hao Ming. The main cast also features Wan Peng as Lin Qiao, Tang Xiaotian as Yu Yi Ming, and Guan Zijing as Lin Tao. FAQs 1. When will Episode 7 of Love's Ambition be released? Answer:Love's Ambition Episode 7 will be released on September 28, 2025, at 9:30 AM IST / 4:00 AM GMT / 12:00 AM ET. 2. Where can I watch Episode 7 of Love's Ambition online? Answer: You can stream Episode 7 on Viki. All three platforms offer English subtitles. 3. Does Love's Ambition have English subtitles? Answer: Yes, the series is fully subtitled in English on Viki, including Episodes 7. 4. Is Love's Ambition available on Netflix? Answer: No, Love's Ambition is not available on Netflix. It officially streams on Viki. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending. Fans of the Chinese dramacan stream Episode 7 online, September 28, 2025, at approximately 9:30 AM IST / 4:00 AM GMT / 12:00 AM ET, according to the official release schedule.This drama follows glamorous anchor Xu Yan and urban elite Shen Hao Ming, an enviable couple whose contrasting backgrounds strain their relationship. Xu Yan marries him through her crafted image and his influence, but after a conflict, she breaks free. Only then does Shen Hao Ming realize his true feelings and vows to win her back. As they drop their facades, they grow closer and rediscover each other.Episode 7 airs on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at 9:30 AM IST / 4:00 AM GMT / 12:00 AM ET. It will also be available to international viewers via simultaneous streaming on Viki, with English subtitles to make the series accessible to a global audience.Episodes 7 is available to stream on TencentVideo, WeTV and Viki - the main legal platforms offering high-quality video and English subtitles. For viewers in the U.S., Canada, India, Indonesia, and Viki remains the top choice for watching the series.Glamorous anchor Xu Yan and urban elite Shen Hao Ming seem like the perfect couple, but their contrasting backgrounds strain their relationship. Xu Yan marries him using her carefully crafted image and his influence, yet a conflict drives her to break free. Only then does Shen Hao Ming realize his true feelings and vow to win her back. As they let go of their facades, they grow closer and rediscover both each other and themselves.Inepisode 7, the story flashes back to Shu Yan's school days, when her classmate Yu Yi Ming confessed his feelings through a love letter. Shu Yan politely rejected him and returned the letter. Years later, the two unexpectedly cross paths, rekindling awkward memories.During their encounter, Lintau appears and asks about Yu Yi Ming. Shu Yan explains that he is a high school friend of hers and her sister Kia Lin. Her answer, however, enrages Lin Tao, who claims he now understands why Kia Lin ended their engagement - it was all because of Shu Yan.Fueled by anger, he demands to know Kia Lins whereabouts and even threatens to reveal Shu Yan's past to her husband's family, pushing tensions to a breaking point. Rakesh Sachan bats for strengthening India-Russia ties ( Image credit : Rakesh Sachan. | Credit: Government of UP ) Rakesh Sachan lauds the Trade Show The India-Russia Business Dialogue was a major highlight of the second day of the UP International Trade Show on Friday (September 26). Speaking at the event, Rakesh Sachan Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Khadi, Handloom, and Textiles, Uttar Pradesh said that the state has immense investment potential. He added that the government is committed to providing full support to investors.Minister Rakesh Sachan welcomed Russian officials and business leaders during the India-Russia Business Dialogue on September 26. He emphasised that the dialogue would elevate business relations between the two countries to new heights. He noted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership, India is progressing towards becoming a developed nation. He added that UP, in particular, continues to set records of development under CM Yogi Adityanaths guidance.Sachan went on to add that India and Russias cooperation now covers a strategic partnership encompassing defence, energy, space, and multiple other sectors.He pointed out that this partnership has strengthened in recent years, with trade between the two countries reaching new highs. India hopes to increase its trade with Russia to US$30 billion by 2025. Sachan said that this goal can be achieved with ease.Shifting the conversation to UP, he said the state has potential for investors given its vast population.With a population exceeding 250 million, Uttar Pradesh represents a vast and sustainable market for investors. Industries here thrive both at production and consumption levels, added Sachan.He also requested the Russian partners to contribute to the states industrial growth through advanced technology.Sachan went on to describe the UP International Trade Show as an initiative that aims to connect the nations and the states development to new horizons. He also expressed confidence that the event would further strengthen India-Russia business ties and create investment opportunities.Alok Kumar, the Additional Chief Secretary of UP, inaugurated the India-Russia Business Dialogue at the UP International Trade Show. A short film on Invest UP was also screened. The session was moderated by Zlata Antyusheva, Deputy Head of the Economic Department of Russia. Dr. Evgeny Zhenchenko, Deputy Trade Commissioner, delivered the Welcome Address. DAR ES SALAAM, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), constructed by China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co., Ltd. (CPP), has achieved a significant milestone on Friday, with the total length of the welded pipeline surpassing 1,000 km. Stretching 1,539 km from Hoima District in Uganda to the port of Tanga in Tanzania, the EACOP project is the world's longest heated crude oil pipeline currently under construction, according to the CPP. Once operational, it will serve as a strategic route for exporting Ugandan crude oil to the Indian Ocean, unlocking regional resource potential and injecting fresh momentum into East Africa's economic and social development. Advanced techniques, such as fully automated welding and digitalized management systems, have enhanced operational efficiency and quality, forging a robust energy corridor through the heart of Africa, said the CPP. As a result, welding operations have gained substantial momentum. UP government awards scholarships ahead of time ( Image credit : CM Yogi Adityanath. | Credit: X ) Students thank the Yogi government Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath gave the states students a reason to rejoice on the occasion of Sharadiya Navratri through his initiative for promoting the safety and self-reliance of future womens power.On Friday, September 26, the government promoted education by providing scholarships. It also made students aware of various aspects of safety, empowering them to be aware and strong. Special emphasis was given to safety measures to follow, including the helpline numbers to contact in case of an emergency and how to seek police assistance.The Yogi Adityanath-led government awarded scholarships to students on the the occasion of Sharadiya Navratri in a bid to promote education. Students, needless to say, were happy to receive these scholarships ahead of time.Sakshi Mishra, a student of Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Inter College, expressed her happiness at receiving the scholarship and said that the program provided her with information about various aspects of women's empowerment.. She went on to add that such scholarships will have a positive impact on the education system of the state and the country in the future.Similarly, Safia Bano a 12th-grade student of Government Girls Inter College, Behta, Bakshi Ka Talab stated that she received the scholarship six months ahead of time due to CM Yogis efforts and emphasised that this will make it easier for her to pursue higher studies.Priya Sharma, a 9th-grade student, too expressed her extreme happiness at receiving the scholarship from CM Yogi and thanked the CM for awarding it in advance.Students also lauded the governments exemplary efforts for ensuring the safety of women. Afsha Bano, a student of Government Girls Inter College, said that the police officials provided useful information during the programme.Now there is no need to fear anyone. If any girl is harassed, she can immediately call 1090 or 112 for police assistance. The efforts of the police and CM Yogi are not only exemplary but also highly supportive for students in terms of safety, self-defence, and empowerment, she said.Similarly, Kusum Bharti, a 12th-grade student from Bhakhamau, expressed her happiness on meeting CM Yogi and said that girls feel safe today because of his policies. WINDHOEK, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has concluded her first participation at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the United States, using the global platform to call for stronger multilateral cooperation and promote the country's green investment opportunities, the presidency said on Saturday. In a statement released in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, the presidency said Nandi-Ndaitwah shared Namibia's vision for peace, sustainable development, and inclusive economic growth, emphasizing the country's commitment to addressing global challenges such as climate change, food security, and health. The president met with world leaders, representatives of international organizations, and business executives, underscoring Namibia's readiness to serve as a reliable partner for cooperation and business, it added. According to the presidency, Nandi-Ndaitwah highlighted investment opportunities in renewable energy, agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and particularly green hydrogen, a sector in which Namibia is positioning itself as a continental leader. The president also met with members of the Namibian diaspora in the United States, encouraging them to contribute to national development through innovation, investment, and community projects, the presidency said. The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia in the Perelman Theater with its former leader, Dirk Brosse. Read more The Kimmel Center has lost one of its founding resident companies. Citing the expense of performing at the citys largest arts venue, the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia announced Friday that it had decided to vacate the Kimmel after a 24-year run. The decision, shared in an email to the groups patrons and others just two weeks before the start of the chamber orchestras season, was a unanimous one by the board, the announcement said. Advertisement The escalating costs of performing at the Kimmel are diverting resources from other critical needs of the organization, and one thing we will never compromise is the quality of the music we play or our ability to remain on a sound financial footing, read the chamber orchestras announcement, which noted that other non-Kimmel expenses had also risen. Anne Hagan, the groups executive director, said it had become difficult for us to keep up with payments for Kimmel base rent and the other costs of performing there, even though Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts management had been generous in terms of a timetable for making payments. The group had been a resident company at the Kimmels Perelman Theater since the arts centers opening in 2001. POEA released a statement Friday saying it understood that the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia is experiencing challenges that many nonprofit performing arts organizations are facing. Their contributions have enriched our theaters and Philadelphias cultural landscape, and we have valued our long and collegial relationship with them. We remain committed to ensuring our venues are welcoming homes for chamber orchestra performances well into the future. Our doors will remain open to the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia when they are ready to return. The groups 2025-26 concerts were already planned to be split between the Kimmel and other venues. Now, concerts previously slated for the Kimmel will be held at the Church of the Holy Trinity on Rittenhouse Square, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and the Philadelphia Film Society. Hagan said that the change in venues would reduce the groups production line-item expense by about $70,000 a substantial savings on a total annual operating budget of about $1.2 million. David Hayes, the ensembles music director, said that the savings will give the group a chance to really work to build community with our audiences in ways we havent been able to and take some more artistic risks that are going to cost money. At the Perelman, base rent is just one component of the bill. The production needs of each particular program can have a dramatic impact on additional costs. The second you add sound, lighting, the cost goes up and up and up, Hayes said. He would like to do a special project in 2028, for instance, around the 200th anniversary of Schuberts death, but it would have been incredibly expensive to do at the Perelman. Beyond this season, the chamber orchestra is excited by the prospect of taking up residency in a newly renovated Center City venue by the 2026-27 season, the group teased in the announcement, without disclosing the spaces identity. It listed, among the new spaces qualities, great acoustics, fresh amenities, and a scale that conforms perfectly to the intimate experience of chamber orchestra performance. Hagan declined to identify the new space, but said it was near Broad Street and held about 500 seats. Asked whether the chamber orchestra was truly done at the Kimmel, Hagan said she thought it was, as a permanent, full-subscription [user], at least for the foreseeable future. She said right now the money is better spent on the art works like Alfred Schnittkes Concerto Grosso No. 1, which is on the November program. It uses a piano and harpsichord, and the harpsichord has to have amplification, and you have to pay someone who knows how to prepare the piano. We have Adolphus Hailstork writing a piece for us. Thats where we want to put our investment. Yowei Shaw, the Philly-based host of the podcast "Proxy," records from a Whisper Booth at home. Her husband, Kyle Pulley, helps with sound mixing. Read more George had a problem, and he had reached out to Yowei Shaw for help. After a decade-plus relationship, his wife had come out as queer and divorced him. (George is a Midwesterner using a pseudonym.) Advertisement Shaw, the Philly-based creator and founder of the new podcast Proxy, listened to his story and began her search for help. The divorce wasnt the issue it was more the dizzying emotional disorientation that followed. George had gone to therapy and divorce groups and talked with friends, but no one could exactly relate. His ex wasnt eager to talk. Most fundamentally, he wanted to understand how his life had changed so suddenly. So Shaw tracked down the perfect proxy: a queer woman who had also left her straight marriage and was open to talking it through with George. The recorded conversation that followed was an intimate and revealing one between two people who had never met, but who understood something vital about each others lives. That is Proxy. Half its episodes are recorded social experiments, where guests are paired with strangers who serve as proxies to help solve their niche emotional conundrums; the other half is a broader exploration of how emotions impact hot-button issues like polarization or restorative justice. Shaw, 37, jokingly calls herself an emotional investigative journalist but shes not really joking. We believe you can get special insight by talking to a stranger whos outside your situation because you can ask questions you wouldnt be able to ask, say things you wouldnt be able to say, be less defensive, more open, she explained on Georges episode, Bisexual Wife Guy. Finding the perfect stranger For different cases, Shaw has tracked down different kinds of proxies: On some episodes, guests are paired with researchers who have the ideal expertise; on others, theyre matched with peers who have gone through a similar experience, as in a support group. The most thrilling episodes pair a protagonist, like George, with a stranger-antagonist, someone who has experience similar to that of the villain in the guests story. Shaw asks certain questions before determining whether a guest is right for the show: Do they have other supports? Are they in active trauma? (If so, they arent a good fit.) Is the conundrum primarily an emotional one, making it right for the show, or is it a material one? Despite the ubiquity of podcasts, its not a particularly easy time to launch a new, independent one, especially if youre not a celebrity. Shaw, who grew up in Pittsburgh and Houston, first fell in love with audio as a student at the University of Pennsylvania, before the 2015 Serial boom. As a freelancer, she taught youth media, worked as a temp on Fresh Air, reported stories for shows including This American Life, and then became a full-time producer and host of NPRs popular science show, Invisibilia. In 2023, the show was canceled and Shaw was laid off from NPR, part of an industry-wide bust that made up what Vulture described as the podcast worlds year from hell. Shaw had already been toying with the idea of proxy conversations. She found that when she was struggling personally with a complicated emotional question, she tended to make headway if she reported on it. I would feel less stuck by the end, she said. That seemed like magic to me. She was also drawn to the drama and discovery. She pitched the idea for Proxy to a number of companies, but she didnt want to give up ownership of her intellectual property, so no deals panned out. In May 2024, she launched the show herself, with a Patreon where listeners support the effort. She has since joined Radiotopia from PRX, an independent network of podcasts that distributes and sells ads for shows. Her husband, Kyle Pulley, a music producer who co-owns Headroom Studios in Clifton Heights, agreed to help with the sound mixing. Shaw refers to Pulley as her bedraggled podcast spouse, and his reluctant involvement is a running joke on the show. (I feel like a lot of the PSAs are directed towards me, he observed in a recent episode.) My main tip for people trying to start a podcast: Marry someone who knows how to do all the recording and mixing, Shaw joked. The effort is enormous, and the chance of making a true hit a show that could support Shaw and a small team is slim, Shaw said. She is still trying to figure out how to gain listeners and ask for money (the topic of a recent episode). She will not say how many listeners the show has currently, though it charted at No. 2 in science podcasts this year, and made a Top 150 list of podcasts globally. She received two media grants this summer and is planning a major fundraising campaign. I have to do emotional gymnastics with myself every day to delude myself into thinking, Oh, yeah, its gonna be a hit. And then that gives me the motivation and the right energy to bring to the project, she said. Many of the initial guests and proxies are known names in the podcasting world, from S-Town host Brian Reed, who came on the show to talk about his struggle caregiving for his mother-in-law with Alzheimers, to Radio Atlantic host Hanna Rosin, who served as Georges proxy. Perhaps because of that, the show can sometimes be overwhelmingly meta. The first three episodes are about Shaw being laid off from NPR, working on a story about layoffs that got canceled, and then interviewing the characters in the story about what it was like to be laid off from the story. A home production company Proxy is recorded from a Whisper Room sound booth on the second floor of Shaw and Pulleys Wissahickon rowhouse. Pulley tricked out the booth with a desk and aluminum clamp lights. Shaw is quick to share that she has accidentally peed in the booth twice during interviews she didnt want to end prematurely. Dont worry, Ive thoroughly cleaned and sterilized everything, she said. Because Shaw is producing the show almost entirely herself on a shoestring budget with the help of editor Tim Howard and sometimes part-time producers the hours are long and constant, with Pulley helping out on top of his full-time job. You are released from duty! she called to Pulley after he helped her change the voice of an interview subject for an episode about estrangement. We had a talk the other day where I was like, Kyle, thank you so much for all your help on the podcast, but I do need you to be a little less grumpy during Proxy meetings, Shaw said. For future episodes, Shaw is soliciting cases from listeners, hoping to find the perfect proxies for them, as well as the perfect rhythm for an independent show. She said shes driven by a desire to get to the emotional root of things. Emotions are a huge part of every story, of every problem, of every issue, she said, and we dont pay enough attention. COLOMBO, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Sri Lankan government will launch a nationwide campaign to eradicate the illicit drug menace, a senior minister announced on Saturday. Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala told reporters that there is a direct link between organized crime and narcotics, warning that in recent years, a growing number of children have become addicted to drugs. According to Wijepala, 72 percent of inmates in Sri Lankan prisons are serving time for drug-related offenses, adding that between 15 and 20 percent of newly recruited police officers are themselves addicted to drugs. As a result, 68 officers have been suspended from duty since January. The minister said the government is already carrying out several initiatives to combat drugs and crime, and the upcoming campaign will intensify these efforts. Douglas Jerolmack, a geophysics professor at Penn, watches in his laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania as Eric Sigg, (right) a robotics master's student, works on a custom soil strength instrument. Read more The University of Pennsylvania admitted about 20% fewer doctoral students this year across its schools, citing proposals by President Donald Trumps administration that threaten hundreds of millions of its federal research dollars. And educators are concerned its only going to get worse. They fear that reducing doctoral students, if this continues over several years, ultimately could mean fewer teachers for undergraduate students, less research, and less innovation. Advertisement The Ivy League university stands to lose about $250 million in research funding if courts allow a federal proposal to limit indirect cost reimbursements from the National Institutes of Health to proceed. The uncertainty resulted in the university bringing in 527 new doctoral students this fall, down from 656 last year. That includes doctoral admissions to its School of Arts & Sciences, as well as its medical, nursing, communication, engineering, business, design and social policy andpractice schools and its Graduate School of Education. Its already beginning to have an impact on teaching, research, and educational opportunities, professors say. READ MORE: Penn stands to lose $250 million from threatened cuts to scientific research funds under Trump Weve had trouble finding graduate students to run our courses that we would normally have graduate students teach, said Jessa Lingel, an associate professor who directs the Gender, Sexuality, and Womens Studies Program in Penns School of Arts & Sciences, the largest of 12 schools at Penn. The pinch is just starting to be felt, but its getting worse. Her pop culture class typically enrolls between 50 to 75 students. If I cant find teaching assistants, the class cant run, she said, adding that she has enough for this year. Admitting fewer graduate students could slow down research and endanger Americas competitive edge, said Carl June, a pioneering cancer scientist and professor in immunotherapy at Penn. China, in comparison, is not cutting back on research, he said. Were at the cusp of many new curative therapies, but if we dont have the people to do the work, it wont happen, he said. Penn, like the nations other elite colleges, has been under scrutiny since Trump took office in January. The administrations attempt to cap NIH reimbursements at 15% is currently halted due to a court injunction. The administration also threatened $175 million in funding to Penn over the participation of a trans athlete on the womens swim team, but Penn struck an agreement with the U.S. Department of Education in July. Additionally, the federal excise tax on the universitys endowment earnings will rise from 1.4% to 4% under the budget bill that was signed by Trump in July. Penn paid $10.4 million in fiscal year 2024. READ MORE: Penn strikes agreement with Trump administration over trans athletes Harvard and the University of Chicago are among other top research schools that have reduced, or plan to reduce, some doctoral student admissions over concerns about federal funding. Locally, the University of Delaware made 725 offers of admission this year, down 19.5% from last years 901. Research agendas across the country stand to be impacted by this, said Damani White-Lewis, a professor in Penns Graduate School of Education. When you take fewer students who can then serve on your projects, thats just fewer hours you can devote to a project, which may then make it more difficult for faculty to fill all the holes they need to fill and may mean longer hours for faculty. That, he said, could have cascading impacts on the entire higher education ecosystem. And its just one piece of a chilling effect on the research pipeline that also hits postdoctoral research opportunities, fellowships, and faculty jobs. If this were to happen for several years such that our graduate student population is reduced by 50%, that would be a major problem, said Douglas Jerolmack, a Penn geophysics professor whose department in Penns School of Arts & Sciences admitted two new doctoral students instead of three or four like in past years. The school overall admitted 172 doctoral students, down more than 20% from 217 students last year. READ MORE: Penn faculty criticize university plan to reduce graduate admissions by a third in response to NIH funding cuts More cutbacks could mean having to admit fewer undergraduates or diminish the educational experience at some point because graduate students play a major role in teaching and assisting professors, he said. Twenty-two graduate chairs in Arts & Sciences objected to the planned reduction last winter, asserting there already were too few graduate students to cover courses and that it would be detrimental to learning. Some professors were placed in the uncomfortable position of having to rescind offers to doctoral candidates. Dreams deferred Jeffrey Kallberg, who had been serving as interim dean when the NIH funding cuts became public, said in a letter to faculty that the admission reductions were a necessary cost-saving measure to help mitigate the impact of these new funding realities. The impact of the Trump administrations threats has rippled through Jerolmacks lab. Hes kept on four out of five of his lab workers for another year because their postdoctoral and doctoral opportunities and, in one case, a faculty job, vanished amid funding fears. One of them was all but certain to receive a NASA fellowship that was then eliminated, he said, noting the fellowship would have been at the Goddard Space Flight Center. Another doctoral student was turned down by multiple schools that were not awarding new postdoctoral fellowships, while a postdoctoral researcher who works in his lab was a finalist for three faculty jobs but lost out after all three searches were canceled, he said. An undergraduate who was a strong doctoral candidate was rejected by schools that said they didnt have resources to offer admission, he said. The student would have been a likely candidate for a National Science Foundation fellowship, but only received an honorable mention. That was after NSF earlier this year shrunk its number of fellowships from 2,000 to 1,000. These people spent five years, most of them in their 20s, working with the expectation of finding some career on the other side, said Jerolmack, who has worked at Penn for 18 years and also has an appointment in the engineering school. So its extending this period of uncertainty. As a result of keeping those four young people working in his lab, Jerolmack wasnt able to bring new doctoral students in, leaving potential new scientists scrambling for opportunities. Its dreams deferred, he said. Jerolmack was able to keep his lab workers because he hasnt lost grants or funding. But he has not heard back from the NSF on several proposals and expected he would have by now. Jerolmack said he understands administrators were in a tough position. But Lingel, who also is the president of Penns American Association of University Professors chapter, faults university leadership for not including faculty in the decision-making about doctoral admission cuts. You should not make top-down decisions that directly affect our research and teaching without any meaningful faculty input, she said. Overall, Penn admitted 114 students into the Biomedical Graduate Studies program at Penns Perelman School of Medicine. Thats down nearly 26% from the average of 154 in each of the last four years. The biomedical sciences program provides fully funded training positions covering tuition, fees, health insurance, and a living stipend. The positions are primarily funded by federal research and training grants, the school said. The decision was driven by uncertainty about future federal grant support, said Michael Ostap, the medical schools chief scientific officer. This was an unfortunate but necessary step to ensure that students who enroll continue to receive the high level of support and training that is essential to their success, he said. Andy Vaughan, an associate professor of biomedical science, credited the leadership in biomedical graduate studies and the cell molecular biology program with informing professors early about the reduction in admissions. His graduate work is through the medical school. Forty percent fewer admissions offers were made in his graduate group this year, he said, but most accepted, mitigating the impact. In the developmental biology group, nine of 11 students offered admission accepted, he said. Vaughan worries that future funding instability could impact Penns ability to train more students. After the first one to two years of funding, the cost for the doctoral students is absorbed by individual labs and departments, he said. Anecdotally, theres a lot of hesitation on the part of professors to take new graduate students into our labs because we are all very worried about whether the funding stream is going to continue, he said. With fewer lab spots, doctoral students pivot That hesitancy to accept new students has resulted in some not being able to join their desired labs, said Thomas Zhang, a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate at the medical school and president of the Biomedical Graduate Student Association. Spots that normally would have been available to them were suddenly cut when grants were frozen or terminated. Those students have had to pivot by doing an extra rotation, which is like a several-week audition to join a lab. Even graduate students who have found labs are finding it challenging to secure grants. One of Zhangs friends was awarded a competitive NIH grant to support the next few years of her research. It was abruptly cut this year, Zhang said, leaving her unable to pursue that project. This was research that the government had originally determined to be pressing and innovative, and that could have informed the development of new cancer therapies, Zhang said. We dont know if one thing is going to be the next cure for cancer, but now we have one fewer chance, he said. Will Penn further reduce doctoral admissions? Penn hasnt started the doctoral student admissions process for next year; Vaughan said he hasnt heard whether reduced doctoral admissions will continue. But at a board of trustees committee meeting Thursday, Mark Dingfield, Penns executive vice president, said the administration remains wary of funding losses, even while its endowment grew from $22.3 billion to $24.8 billion and its net assets grew by $2.9 billion to $33.9 billion. He noted that endowment income, research, and tuition are all subject to changes in federal policy that could reduce the schools revenue in coming years. Despite the really strong operating performance that we realized last year, there remains considerable uncertainty regarding our core operating revenues, he said. The administration will evaluate whether additional cost savings measures are needed, he said. Koshary at Cilantro Mediterranean Cuisine A towering bowl of koshary, at first glance, can be a curious mound of starch on starch. But this national dish of Egypt a medley of variously shaped noodles, rice, chickpeas, and lentils striped with zesty tomato sauce is a symbol of that countrys status as an ancient international crossroads as much as it is a hearty and affordable street food gem. When you encounter a good one, like the version at Cilantro Mediterranean Cuisine off South Street, one of this regions only venues for Egyptian food, eating koshary becomes a treasure hunt through intricate layers that reveal themselves before they mingle into an irresistible delight greater than the sum of their humble parts. The different-shaped noodles are pure whimsy and fun, as strands of spaghetti lead you to all corners of the pile while the elbow macaroni tubes channel the spiced tomato sauce really more a tangy vinaigrette that reminds you at first of something Italian, then spins you toward the Middle East. Advertisement At the base of it all is a fluffy mound of fragrant rice topped with a layer of lentils and a crown of crunchy fried onions (that recalls another of my all-time favorite comfort dishes from the Levant, mujadarra, a love letter to lentils and rice). Then come the chickpeas and the zing of more of that distinctive sauce that keeps my fork coming back for more. This dish took considerably longer to produce than the grilled kebabs, falafel, and dips that Cilantro also does well. But a great koshary must be built with care, and this one was worth the wait. Koshary, $23.99, 613. S. Fourth St., Philadelphia; 267-761-9609; cilantromediterraneancuisine.com Craig LaBan Tater tots at Middle Child PHL On Wednesday morning, as I waited for my too-early flight to Las Vegas to attend the inaugural North America Worlds 50 Best Awards ceremony (in which Philly won big), I couldnt resist the kelly-green siren song of Middle Child PHL. The long-awaited post-security iteration of the cool kid-sandwich empire has finally opened, across from Bar Symon in the D gates waiting area. It was too early for real food or a margarita (for me) these were certainly being served. I grabbed a side order of perfectly seasoned, crispy tater tots. Are they the basic frozen tots? Yes. Are they expensive yes, $5.75. But were they an utterly delicious and fast breakfast? Yes. Hopefully next time Ill have more appetite for one of their fluffy egg sandwiches, or for their air-side riff on hit hoagie the So Long Sal. At PHL, its reconfigured into a So Long Sal-ad, with arugula, salami, Parmesan, and fresh mozzarella. Middle Child PHL, Terminal D, 8000 Essington Ave., Philadelphia; phlfoodandshops.com/directory/middle-child; Monday through Sunday, 4:15 a.m. to 8 p.m. Kiki Aranita Chicken katsu and beef short ribs at Mahalo Hawaiian BBQ Sweet and salty is a winning combination, and the cooks behind the line at South Streets Mahalo Hawaiian BBQ know it. Youll detect hints of well-balanced sweetness in many of their savory offerings, like teriyaki beef, mac salad, and Spam musubi (a nori-wrapped rectangle of sushi rice and Spam). Mahalo builds on that surefire flavor dynamic in its popular chicken katsu and beef short rib platter by bringing textural contrast to the mix. Thin, tender slices of marinated bone-in short rib are heaped on top of scoops of rice and mac salad, then rounded out with crunchy, perfectly cooked slices of breaded chicken filet. Everything is made to order here, which is why the katsu and everything else thats fried, like the crispy, golden brown coconut shrimp is clean, composed, and not even a little oily. Well be back to try the saimin noodle soup. Mahalo Hawaiian BBQ, 117 South St., Philadelphia; 215-876-9709; mahalophilly.com Jenn Ladd After Larry Black Jr. was shot in the head in 2019, he was prepped to have his organs harvested. But a last-minute intervention in the operating room stopped the procedure. Today, he can walk and talk. Hes a musician and father of three. (Judd Demaline for KFF Health News) Read more ST. LOUIS Lying on top of an operating room table with his chest exposed, Larry Black Jr. was moments away from having his organs harvested when a doctor ran breathlessly into the room. Get him off the table, the doctor recalled telling the surgical team at SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital as the team cleaned Blacks chest and abdomen. This is my patient. Get him off the table. Advertisement At first, no one recognized Zohny Zohny in his surgical mask. Then he told the surgical team he was the neurosurgeon assigned to Blacks case. Stunned by his orders, the team members pushed back, Zohny said, explaining that they had consent from the family to remove Blacks organs. I dont care if we have consent, Zohny recalled telling them. I havent spoken to the family, and I dont agree with this. Get him off the table. Black, his 22-year-old patient, had arrived at the hospital after getting shot in the head on March 24, 2019. A week later, he was taken to surgery to have his organs removed for donation even though his heart was beating and he hadnt been declared brain-dead, Zohny said. Blacks sister Molly Watts said the family had doubts after agreeing to donate Blacks organs but felt unheard until the 34-year-old doctor, in his first year as a neurosurgeon, intervened. Today, Black, now 28, is a musician and the father of three children. He still needs regular physical therapy for lingering health issues from the gun injury. And Black said he is haunted by what he remembers from those days while he was lying in a medically induced coma. I heard my mama yelling, he recalled. Everybody was there yelling my name, crying, playing my favorite songs, sending prayers up. He said he had tried to show everyone in his hospital room that he heard them. He recalled knocking on the side of the bed, blinking his eyes, trying to show that he was fighting for his life. Organ transplants save a growing number of lives in the U.S. every year, with more than 48,000 transplants performed in 2024, according to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, which oversees the nations transplant system. And thousands die awaiting donations that never come. But organ donation has also faced ongoing criticism, including reports of patients showing alertness before planned organ harvesting. The results of a federal investigation into a Kentucky organ donation nonprofit, first disclosed by The New York Times in June, found that during a four-year period, medical providers had planned to harvest the organs of 73 patients despite signs of neurological activity. Those procedures ultimately didnt take place, but federal officials vowed in July to overhaul the nations organ donation system. Our findings show that hospitals allowed the organ procurement process to begin when patients showed signs of life, and this is horrifying, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a statement. The entire system must be fixed to ensure that every potential donors life is treated with the sanctity it deserves. Even before this latest investigation, Blacks case showed Zohny that the organ donation system needed to improve. He was initially hesitant to talk to KFF Health News when contacted in July about Black. But Zohny said his patients story had stuck with him for years, highlighting that while organ donation must continue, little is understood about human consciousness. And determining when someone is dead is the critical but confusing question at play. There was no bad guy in this. It was a bad setup. Theres a problem in the system, he said. We need to look at the policies and make some adjustments to them to make sure that were doing organ donation for the right person at the right time in the right place, with the right specialists involved. LJ Punch, a former trauma surgeon who was not involved with the case but reviewed Blacks medical records for KFF Health News, questioned whether Blacks injury from gunfire possibly contributed to how he was treated. Young Black men like Larry Black are disproportionately victims of gun trauma in the United States, and research on such violence is scant. His experience exemplifies the general neglect of Black mens bodies, Punch said. Thats what comes up for me, Punch said. Structurally, not individually. Not any one doctor, not any one nurse, not any one team. Its a structural reality. The hospital declined to comment on the details of Blacks case. SSM Healths Kim Henrichsen, president of Saint Louis University Hospital and St. Marys Hospital-St. Louis, said the hospital system approaches all situations involving critical illness or end-of-life care with deep compassion and respect. Mid-America Transplant, the federally designated organ procurement organization serving the St. Louis region, does not comment on individual donor cases, according to Lindsey Speir, executive vice president for organ procurement. She did tell KFF Health News that her organization has walked away from cases when patients conditions change though not as late as when they are in the operating room for harvesting. Let me be clear about that. It happens way before then, she said. It definitely happens multiple times a year where we get consent. The family has made the decision, we approach, we get consent, its all appropriate, and then a day or so later they improve and were like, Whoa. But Speir said the recent media stories about the nations donation system are prompting a lot of questions about a process that also does a lot of good. Were losing public trust right now, Speir said of the industry. And were going to have to regain that. Blink twice for a chance at life It was a Sunday afternoon when gunshots rang out in downtown St. Louis. Black had been on his way to his sisters apartment. I didnt know I was shot at first, Black said, sitting in his living room six years later. I literally ran like a block or two away. He collapsed moments later, he said, crawling to the back door of a womans home, where he asked for help. He said he asked the woman to give him two large towels, one covered in rubbing alcohol and another soaked with hydrogen peroxide. He wrapped those towels around the back of his head. When his sister Macquel Payne found him, he was lying on the ground near the leasing office of her apartment complex, a crowd gathered around him. Before an ambulance took him to the hospital, Black told his sister not to worry about him. Im hearing Larry say, Im good, sis, Payne recalled. Im OK. Black said he went in and out of consciousness on the way to the hospital and once he was there. I got to hitting my hand on the side of the ICU bed, Black said. They was like: Thats just the reaction, the side effects of the medicine. Ask him some questions. Payne said she asked her brother to blink twice if he could remember his first pet, a dog named Little Black that looked like the Chihuahua from the Taco Bell commercials. Black said he remembers blinking twice. His sisters remember the same. Payne asked him another question. This time she wanted to know whether her brother recognized their family. Black said he blinked twice when he saw his mom and sister standing nearby. Black said his sister then asked him the main question that everyone needed him to answer. Shes like, If you want them to pull a plug, if you tired and you giving up, blink once, Black recalled. If you still got some fight in you, blink more than once. Black said he started blinking and hit the bed to let his family know that he was still with them. The sisters said hospital staffers told them the movements were involuntary. Not right now In a waiting room steps away from the hospitals intensive care unit, a woman carrying brochures explained to Payne and the rest of the family that Black had identified himself as a possible organ donor on his ID. The woman wanted to know whether the family wished to move forward with the process if Black died, Payne said. I remember my mom saying, Not right now, Blacks sister recalled. Its kind of too soon. Payne said the woman persisted. She was like, Well, can I at least leave you some brochures or something? Payne recalled. Then my mom got a little agitated because it felt like she was being, like, pushy. The family was already acquainted with the organ donation process. In 2007, Blacks teenage brother Miguel Payne drowned at a local lake. His organs were donated, Macquel Payne said, noting the family was told that his body parts and tissues helped multiple people. I believe in saving lives, Payne said. But dont be pushy about it. Mid-America Transplant handles the organ transplant process for 84 counties in parts of Illinois, Arkansas, and Missouri, including St. Louis. Like the Kentucky organization, it is one of 55 federally designated nonprofits that facilitate organ donations throughout the country. The nonprofit has never pressured a family into organ donation, Speir said. Registering to be an organ donor is legally binding, she said, but Mid-America has walked away from cases when families didnt want to move forward. She said her staff tries to dispel myths about organ donation and alleviate concerns. We want to have the families leave with a positive experience, Speir said. Despite the familys initial ambivalence, they ultimately consented to moving forward with donating Blacks organs. Watts said members of her brothers care team had told the family that her brother was at the end of the road. The family was told to prepare for Blacks last walk of life, Payne said. Also known as an honor or heros walk, the tradition honors the life of an organ donor before the harvesting process begins. At the time, Payne said, she thought her brother still had a fighting chance. She asked the hospital staffers to take another look at him before he was wheeled down the hall. Im like, My brothers in there tapping on the bed, Payne said. They said, Thats just his nerves. But Im like, No, somethings not right. Its like he was too alert. He was letting us know: Please dont let them do this to me. Im here. I can fight this. They were saying thats what the medicine will do, it affects his nerves. After the family had agreed to move forward with the organ donation process, the two sisters said, an especially helpful member of Blacks medical team no longer treated them the same way. She became standoffish, they said. You could tell the dynamics had changed, Watts said. #RIPMyBrother The family put on blue jumpers for the walk of life. We just walked around the floor, and everybody was, like, acknowledging him, Payne said. We just thought this was the end. A friend Black went to high school with filmed part of the ritual. In a short clip, Black is seen being wheeled on a stretcher down a hallway in the hospital. His eyes are half-open. People are crying. False rumors then started to swirl outside the hospital. Brianna Floyd said she went into shock when she heard that her friend was dead. She knew that Black had been shot in the head. But a few days earlier, a local newspaper had reported that he was in stable condition. Floyd checked Facebook to see whether the news of his death was true. Her timeline was flooded with farewell posts for Black, so she decided to write one, too. I Love You So Much Brother, Floyd wrote. #RIPMyBrother. Never Thought I Would Say That. Blacks father rushed to the hospital when he heard a rumor that his son was being wheeled to the morgue. Hes gone, Lawrence Black Sr. recalled being told. Hes going to the freezer now. Black Sr. said he refused to believe that his son was dead. The thought was devastating. He had already experienced that kind of loss to gun violence. You wake up and nothings the same, Black Sr. said. The spirit is lingering for about a week, and you can feel it, you know? Overwhelmed with emotion, he prayed for his son to live. I cant kill your son Zohny, the neurosurgeon, said he heard an announcement about a heros walk over a loudspeaker in the hospital. He wasnt familiar with the term, so he asked about it. Medical residents in the hospital explained and told Zohny that the walk was possibly for his patient Larry Black. No, that cant be my patient, Zohny said he told them. I didnt agree. Thats when Zohny called the ICU to check on Blacks status. A person who answered the phone told him that Black was being wheeled to an operating room, he said. This is my first year, Zohny said. Your first year out as a neurosurgeon is the riskiest time for you. Any mistakes, anything small, basically derails your career. So the moment this happened, my legs went weak and I was very nervous because, at the end of the day, your job as a doctor is to be perfect. KFF Health News, Zohny, and Punch all reviewed the medical files given to Black from his hospitalization. Its not clear from the records what led to that moment. In every case, the patient must be declared legally dead by the hospitals medical team before organ procurement begins. This is not negotiable, Mid-America Transplants CEO and president, Kevin Lee, wrote in an Aug. 21 blog post on the nonprofits website, responding to the news and federal comments about the investigation centered in Kentucky. Mid-America Transplant strictly follows all laws, regulations, and hospital protocols throughout the process. He said in a statement to KFF Health News that a person can be pronounced dead in two ways. A person is legally dead if their heart stops beating and they stop breathing, which is when donation after cardiac death can occur. A person can also become an organ donor if their brain, including the brain stem, has irreversibly ceased functioning, which is when brain death donation can occur. Every hospital has their own process in declaring both types of death, Speir said in a statement. Mid-America Transplant ensures hospitals follow their policies. But Black didnt fall into either category, Zohny said. And, he said, Black hadnt had what is known as a brain death exam. Zohny said he immediately informed his chairman about the situation, then started running to the operating room. Blacks family was waiting in the hallway, unaware of the drama happening behind a set of closed silver doors. Then Zohny emerged, pulling Blacks family into an empty operating room that was nearby. I remember he told my mama, I cant kill your son, Payne recalled. She said, Excuse me? Zohny put an image of Blacks brain on a screen. Then he circled the part of his brain that was damaged. He explained that Blacks gunshot wound was something that he could possibly recover from, though he might need therapy. He asked the family whether they were willing to give Black more time to heal from the injury, instead of withdrawing care. In my opinion, no family would ever consent to organ donation unless they were given an impression that their family member had a very poor prognosis, Zohny said. I never had a conversation with the family about the prognosis, because it was too early to have that discussion. Zohny knew that he was taking a professional risk when he ran into the operating room. The worst-case scenario for me is that I lose my job, he recalled thinking. Worst-case scenario for him, he wrongfully loses his life. Later, Zohny said, a hospital worker who transported Black from the ICU to the operating room told Zohny that something had seemed off. I remember him looking at me and saying, Im so glad you stopped that, Zohny recalled. And I said, Why? And he said: I dont know. His eyes were open the whole time, and I just felt like he was looking at me. His eyes didnt move, but it felt like he was looking at me. Back from the dead After Zohnys intervention, Black was wheeled back to the ICU. Zohny said the medical team held back all medications that caused his sedation. Black woke up two days later, Zohny said, and started speaking. Within a week, the neurosurgeon said, he was standing. I had to learn how to walk, how to spell, read, Black said. I had to learn my name again, my Social, birthday, everything. Zohny continued to care for Black during what remained of his 21 days in the hospital. During a follow-up appointment, he posed for a photo with Black and his older sister, Watts. Next to Zohny, Black is standing up, a brace on his leg. Its a miracle that despite flawed policy we were able to save his life, Zohny said. It was an absolute miracle. Zohny, who was working as a fellow and assistant professor at the time, left Saint Louis University Hospital for another job later that year when his fellowship ended. He said Blacks story made him question what we know about consciousness. Hes now working on a new method that quantifies consciousness. Zohny said it could possibly be used to help measure consciousness from brain signals, such as with an electroencephalogram, or EEG, a test that measures electrical activity in the brain. Zohny said his method still needs rigorous validation, so he recently started a medical research company called Zeta Analytica, separate from his work at the West Virginia University Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, which hell begin in October. We dont understand the brain to the level that we should, especially with all of the technology we have now, Zohny said. Today, Black is trying to move forward. He said he has seizures if the bullet fragments in his head move around too much. He said he easily overheats because of the injury. He doesnt blame his family for their decision. But he questions the organ transplantation process. Its like they choose peoples destiny for them just because they have an organ donor ribbon on their ID, Black said. And thats not cool. To help him process everything that happened to him in 2019, he makes music under the name BeamNavyLooney. I am back from the dead, he recently wrote in a song about his experience. Earlier this year, Black celebrated the birth of another son, who was sleeping peacefully at home as Black recounted his story. He doesnt really cry, Black said. He just makes noises. Black sat with a firearm within reach. He said he keeps the gun close to protect his family. Its still hard for him to sleep at night. Nightmares about what happened both on the street and in the hospital keep him awake. He said he no longer wants to be on the organ donor registry. This project was supported by a fellowship from the Association of Health Care Journalists, with funding from The Joyce Foundation. Kilmar Abrego Garcia attends a protest rally at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Baltimore, Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, to support Abrego Garcia. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Read more Kilmar Abrego Garcia the Maryland man wrongfully deported to El Salvador who became an early flash point over President Donald Trumps immigration crackdown has been transferred to Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Western Pennsylvania. Spokespersons for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security could not immediately be reached for comment. However, ICE detainee records showed the 30-year-old in custody Saturday at the privately run detention center in Philipsburg. Advertisement Abrego Garcias case gained international attention after he was deported to the notorious CECOT prison in El Salvador, only to be returned to the U.S. in June. He now faces criminal charges and a renewed deportation attempt from the White House while his attorneys attempt to plead his case for political asylum. The Trump administration has claimed that Abrego Garcia, who was born in El Salvador, is a member of the MS-13 gang. But his March deportation ran counter to a judges 2019 order that prohibited him from being deported to his native country, due to fears of persecution from which the government was unable or unwilling to protect him. After his return to the U.S. this summer, he was indicted on human smuggling charges in Tennessee, where authorities alleged he brought people into the U.S. in 2022 who were not legally allowed to be in the country. Immigration officials detained Abrego Garcia after his release from a local jail, and he faces another possible deportation to a third country. READ MORE: Inside Pa.s largest immigrant detention center: Violence, desperation, little oversight Abrego Garcia was held at a detention center in Virginia prior to his transfer to Moshannon. His attorneys, in court records cited by NBC News, expressed concerns about the Clearfield County holding facility. They described conditions at the facility as deeply concerning, citing a suicide that occurred at the facility last month as well as reports of substandard medical care. Moshannon Valley Processing Center, run by the Florida-based private prisons giant GEO Group, was the subject of a recent Inquirer report. In interviews, current and former detainees described grim and crowded conditions, with 75 men sleeping together in a pod, sharing six toilets and three showers among them. Independent oversight of the facility has been virtually eliminated in recent months, even as the inmate population has reached historic highs. The Shut Down Detention Campaign, a coalition of immigrant-rights groups, plans to protest outside Moshannon on Monday to demand Abrego Garcias release, saying that the facility has a a long record of abuse and neglect since [it] first opened in 2021. In a statement Saturday, the coalition called his case an an international example of the cruelty of our broken immigration system. Transferring detainees between various federal prisons and privately run immigrant detention centers has become more routine since Trump took office, according to immigration attorneys, often with little explanation for the moves. Abrego Garcias petition before the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland is ongoing. It remains unclear how long he will stay in Moshannon. The Trump administration recently sought to deport him to Uganda amid a fraught debate over which countries could guarantee his safety. Attorneys for the Salvadoran father accused the administration of using the high-profile case for political gain at the expense of due process for Abrego Garcia. ICE officials notified attorneys in early September that they would seek to deport Abrego Garcia to another African nation Eswatini. New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster was killed by Joanne Chesimard, shown in West Trenton, N.J. Chesimard was convicted of the murder of Trooper Werner Foerster, but escaped prison in 1979 and fled to Cuba, living there under the name Assata Shakur. Read more Assata Shakur, a controversial Black liberation activist who fled to Cuba after escaping a New Jersey prison following a 1977 conviction in the murder of a state trooper, died this week in Havana. She was 78. Cubas Ministry of Foreign Affairs attributed Shakurs death to health conditions and advanced age in a statement but did not elaborate. Shakurs daughter, Kakuya Shakur, also confirmed her death, writing on social media that her mother died about 1:15 p.m. Thursday. Advertisement Also known as Joanne Deborah Chesimard, Shakur has for decades been a highly contentious political figure, often serving as a sticking point in relations between the United States and Cuba as U.S. authorities sought her return to serve out the remainder of her life sentence. Though granted political asylum in Cuba, Shakur a high-profile member of the Black Liberation Army and the Black Panther Party in the 1970s was included on the FBIs most-wanted terrorists list. Federal and state authorities had long offered a combined $2 million in reward money for her apprehension. Shakur, however, maintained her innocence in the murder she was convicted of nearly 50 years ago. Her hands, she said, were in the air when she was wounded amid gunfire during the May 2, 1973, traffic stop in which New Jersey State Police Trooper Werner Foerster was killed. Another trooper, James Harper, was injured, and one of Shakurs associates was killed. Her injuries, her defense team said during her trial, proved she could not have fired shots at anyone. I feel Ive been a victim of America, Shakur said in a 1987 interview with Newsday. Heres what to know: From Joanne to Assata Born in New York City in 1947, Shakur was initially known as Joanne Deborah Byron. Her parents accountant Carl Byron and schoolteacher Doris Johnson divorced shortly after her birth, and her younger years often involved travel between New York and her grandparents home in North Carolina. After dropping out of high school at 17 and entering the working world, she married Louis Chesimard at 21, divorcing him after about a year. She kept Chesimards last name legally, but by 1971 had adopted the moniker of Assata Olugbala Shakur as she became more involved with radical politics. In her 1987 autobiography, Assata, Shakur said her given identity was akin to a slave name. The murder of Werner Foerster By 1973, Shakur was already deeply involved with the Black Liberation Army, a now-long-defunct militant group that was known for a number of high-profile killings, robberies, and bombings throughout the 1970s. Authorities had already sought Shakur in several incidents, suspecting her involvement in bank robberies, burglaries, and killings of police officers. Her apprehension, however, came following a traffic stop on the New Jersey Turnpike on May 2, 1973. Just before 1 a.m., Trooper Harper stopped a Pontiac LeMans in which Shakur was riding with two associates. The car, according to Inquirer reports, was on its way to Philadelphia or Washington when Harper pulled it over for a broken taillight in East Brunswick, about 200 yards from where the state police headquarters was then located. Another trooper, Foerster, assisted Harper in the stop, and when frisking the driver, Clark Squire (also known as Sundiata Acoli), he found a loaded .380-caliber magazine, The Inquirer reported in 2006. Seconds later, authorities alleged, Shakur opened fire on the officers with a 9mm pistol, hitting Harper in the shoulder before Harper returned fire, hitting her twice. Foerster, meanwhile, was hit by a bullet from Squires .380, and after Harper ran to the nearby headquarters for help, someone in the car it remains unclear who shot Foerster twice in the head with his own service revolver, killing him, The Inquirer reported. James Costan (also known as Zayd Malik Shakur), an associate of Shakurs, was also shot and killed, and Shakur was hit in her left shoulder and right arm. Shakur goes to Cuba After a series of delays in her case, Shakur was convicted of murder in 1977 for her role in Foersters killing. Acoli was also convicted in the killing, and was controversially paroled in 2022 after 49 years in prison, with his supporters arguing that he was suffering from dementia. In 1979, Shakur was sentenced to life in prison plus 26 to 33 years, and was placed at the state womens prison in Clinton. But that November, members of the Black Liberation Army who were posing as visitors stormed the facility and broke her out of the prison after taking two guards hostage and commandeering a prison van. Statements from the Black Liberation Army, The Inquirer reported in 1980, indicated Shakur had been freed from racist captivity and argued that guilt or innocence of a Black freedom fighter is irrelevant when measured by our peoples history of struggle against U.S. domination. And then she all but disappeared for years, turning up again in Cuba in 1984, where the late Fidel Castro granted her asylum, according to the FBI. State and federal authorities have been seeking her apprehension ever since. Were never going to stop seeking her return to New Jersey to finish out the sentence she was convicted of, Sgt. Jeff Flynn told The Inquirer in 2014. A folk hero By 2015, she was still considered the foremost U.S. fugitive living in Cuba, topping a list of about 70 American escapees in the country, according to an Inquirer report. Cuba refused to extradite her, however, and many of its citizens considered her a folk hero being persecuted by the U.S. government. Among the reasons for that stature, The Inquirer reported in 2015, were the lack of fingerprints on weapons used in Foersters 1973 killing, the absence of gunpowder residue on her hands at the time, and her conviction by an all-white jury. That year, authorities began offering a combined $2 million reward for her return to the United States, reportedly prompting Shakur to withdraw from public life in Cuba. She is maligned in the law enforcement community, but in Cuba she is a folk hero who stood up to antiblack state violence, triumphed, and got away, Teishan Latner, an author and historian now teaching at Thomas Jefferson University, told The Inquirer at the time. This article contains information from the Associated Press. Jess Murphys vibrant presence fills the room wherever she goes, her energy, vitality and sense of deliciously irreverent fun enliven everyone around her. Jess is a powerhouse of ideas and empathy a force of nature. She grew up in a rural township in Wairoa in New Zealand, where she learned first-hand what it meant to live in a community that cherishes and looks after each other, making the most of what the land has to offer. Butchering, preserving, fishing, honouring and passing on Maori traditions were a way of life. These values shaped Jesss culinary career, she travelled to the gold mining town of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia where she met her now husband Dave, before moving on to work in restaurants in Wales, Dublin and finally Galway. The dream of opening her own restaurant was never far from her mind, so five years later, despite a downturn in the economy, a premises came on the market and with a massive overhaul and a lot of help from their friends. Jess and Daves dream became a reality. The word indomitable comes to mind. Kai, proudly named after the Maori word for food, flung open its doors in 2011 with a wild and wonderful menu of locally sourced produce with influences from dishes Jess encountered all over the world. Jess is a bold, hugely creative cook, not afraid to mix metaphors and the result has won her many awards, a super loyal following of locals, visitors and Instagram followers alike from all over the globe. Kai is now and has been for ever so long, a much-loved star on the Galway culinary scene with the only Michelin Green Star in Ireland. Jess is a recent recipient of the Parabere Care Award, an award that recognises best practice in business, including fair and ethical conditions, and ensuring wellness across teams. By working to build up the community around her, Jesss impact is insurmountable and is highly valued by everyone she encounters. An ambassador for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, her work with the UNHCR has been transformative for people directly affected by war and those forcibly displaced from their communities. By using food as a powerful force for good, Jess continuously and openly advocates for those who need it most. Considering how much this dynamo has achieved, where did she get the time to write the new long-awaited Kai cookbook? The Kai Cookbook: A Love Letter to the West of Ireland by Jess Murphy published by Nine Bean Rows is packed full of recipes that have made Kai an iconic destination! Dont quite know how she managed it but Im so glad she did. Here are some recipes from the cookbook to whet your appetite. Jess Murphy's Venison with Pickled Blackberries & Horseradish Cream I use venison haunch for this and soak it in Buckfast, sriracha, onions, ginger and brown sugar for three days. You might think Ive lost my mind, but its amazing. Buckfast is a real West of Ireland thing. Servings 6 Course Main Main Ingredients 500ml Buckfast 200ml sriracha sauce 50ml rice wine vinegar 40g dark brown sugar 4 garlic cloves, smashed a thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger, peeled and grated 1kg venison haunch, sliced into steaks 2 tbsp olive oil sea salt and freshly ground black pepper For the pickled blackberries 75g light brown sugar 150ml apple cider vinegar 400g fresh blackberries For the horseradish cream 200ml cream 20g fresh horseradish, grated on a Microplane 2 tbsp honey 1 tsp English mustard powder a pinch of ground white pepper Method Whisk together the Buckfast, sriracha, vinegar and sugar, then stir in the garlic, ginger and seasoning. Add the venison steaks, cover with cling film and marinate in the fridge for 24 hours. To make the pickled blackberries, put the sugar and vinegar in a bowl and whisk until the sugar has dissolved, then add the blackberries. Cover the bowl and let it sit out overnight - at this time of year its usually cool enough to leave them out on your countertop. The next day, transfer to a clean jar and keep them in the fridge for up to two weeks to use with roasted meat or melty cheese. To make the horseradish cream, whip your cream until its on the stiff side. (I love using raw cream for this - it adds a farmyard funk like a good butter would.) Stir in the grated horseradish, honey, mustard powder and a pinch of ground white pepper - you dont want to over whip it at this point. Keep in the fridge until youre ready to serve. Ideally, you want to cook the venison on a super-hot barbecue (we use a Japanese charcoal grill for this in Kai). Otherwise, you can pan-fry the steaks by heating the olive oil in a large frying pan, then adding the steaks and cooking for 2-3 minutes on each side. You have to remember that venison has no fat, so I cook it until its medium-rare, then let it rest for 15 minutes and use the pan juices as a dressing. Serve with pickled blackberries and horseradish cream. A side of sweet potato mash and fried onions is never a bad idea. You could also pop this in a bowl with sticky rice and serve it with a fried egg. Or try it in a sandwich there is room for all Gods creatures between two slices of bread. Jess Murphy's Salt Community Hall Fatteh I was on a mission with the UNHCR in Amman, the capital of Jordan, and wed arranged to meet some Syrian and Jordanian women who were running a school lunch programme for the local Syrian refugee community in a small town called Salt. Servings 4 Course Main Main Ingredients 5 large pittas extra-virgin olive oil, to drizzle 500ml Greek yogurt 2 garlic cloves, minced juice of 1 lemon 1 tsp dried mint 1 tsp ground cumin 2 x 400g tins of chickpeas, drained and rinsed 100g pine nuts, toasted 1 bunch of fresh mint, chopped 1 bunch of fresh dill, chopped 1 bunch of fresh coriander, chopped 1 bunch of fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped 3 tbsp pomegranate seeds, plus extra to garnish 2 tbsp finely diced preserved lemon (skin only) a pinch of sumac sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Method Preheat your oven to 180C/Gas Mark 4. Cut the pittas into bite-sized pieces and spread them out on a large baking sheet. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil, season with salt and pepper and toast in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, until crisp. Mix the yogurt with the garlic, lemon juice, dried mint, cumin and a pinch of salt. Toss together your chickpeas, pine nuts, fresh herbs, pomegranate seeds and diced preserved lemon. Season with salt and pepper. To serve, spoon a generous amount of yogurt into a serving bowl. Add your chickpea mix on top, then some crispy pittas, then repeat the layers. Garnish with more pomegranate seeds and a pinch of sumac, then drizzle more extra-virgin olive oil on top. Jess Murphy's Chocolate & Olive Oil Mousse with Almond Praline This recipe comes from Niamh Fox, from when she worked at Cafe Paradiso in Cork in the early 2000s. Weve adapted it slightly, so thank you, Denis Cotter (dont sue me, youre the best!). Servings 6 Course Dessert Dessert Ingredients 10 eggs, separated 130g caster sugar 375g 70% dark chocolate, chopped 280ml olive oil For the praline 200g caster sugar 50ml water 100g flaked almonds Method Whisk the egg whites in a spotlessly clean, dry bowl to stiff peaks. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar until pale. Put the chocolate and olive oil in a large heatproof bowl set on top of a pan of gently simmering water, making sure the water doesnt touch the bottom of the bowl. Stir constantly so the chocolate melts as quickly as possible and doesnt get too hot. Remove the bowl from the pan and put it on the counter. Add a small amount of the egg yolk and sugar mixture to the melted chocolate and mix it in fully, then add the rest of the mixture and gently fold it in. Add two large spoonfuls of the stiff egg whites and mix it in fully this will make it easier to fold in the remaining whites one-third at a time, gently folding until you can no longer see any white. Spoon the mousse into six serving bowls or glasses, then pop them in the fridge for at least 6 hours to set. Meanwhile, to make the praline, line a large baking tray with non-stick baking paper. Put the sugar and water in a saucepan and cook on a medium heat without stirring until the sugar dissolves and hits 116C on a candy thermometer. Continue to cook until the sugar turns golden brown. As soon as it does, stir in the flaked almonds, then immediately pour them out onto the lined baking tray. Allow to cool completely, then break the praline into bite-sized shards. Serve the mousse with a few pieces of praline scattered on top. Seasonal Journal Savour Kilkenny 2025 Savour Kilkenny Food Festival runs from October 24-27 over the October Bank holiday weekend. The event celebrates the produce, food and culture of the Kilkenny area. Rory OConnell and Rachel Allen will take to the demo stage located on The Parade on the Saturday at 3pm and Sunday, at 1pm respectively. International Coffee Day October 1 is recognised internationally as the date to celebrate coffee. This day is also used to promote F airtrade coffee and to raise awareness for the plight of the coffee growers and harvesters. A very good reason to support a local artisan coffee supplier who sources the coffee beans ethically, so you can enjoy your coffee with a clear conscience. Leona Macken pulled out a chair and sat in the middle of her kitchen with her husband Alan and their two young children. It was April of this year, and with her hair falling out due to her cancer treatment, Leona was determined to turn a traumatic situation into something lighthearted for her family. She had explained to her girls Quin, aged 8, and Drew, aged 6, that "mammy was losing her hair because of the medicine she had to take" and she needed help shaving it off. Understandably upset at first, the girls then had fun as they plaited the longer parts of their mothers hair with her help, before chopping them off with scissors. And then we shaved it together and Alan helped smooth it out, said Leona, who is a hairdresser by profession. It was actually a really funny moment and we were all having a good laugh doing it, I just wanted to help them not to feel afraid. This is one of the happier memories Leona is determined to create for her children while she battles stage 4 cancer. Up until her diagnoses in 2023, following two misdiagnosed smear tests in 2016 and 2020, Leona said she enjoyed the perfect life. Alan and I had such a great life, we had it all, two perfect kids and a lovely set-up at home, next door to his mother and sister in Dublin, said Leona, who is originally from Fairhill in Cork. Anyone who knows us knows the way we are - and knows how grateful I felt for living this lovely life. Alan and I, we met when we were young and we hadnt a penny, we just loved going out and having fun with our friends. I dont know how we got a mortgage, but we made it work. When people say you just know, well we knew, we just clicked, and we just got on so well and just had a laugh. We were so young. And I was like, with no kids, what's stopping me moving to Dublin, so I just moved up." Leona's content continued when she became a wife and mother. Then we got married and had the girls, and I loved it. My two pregnancies were perfect, and I worked around the girls and really focused on my quality of life. I can't even express how content I was in my life. I didn't want anything else. I love being a mom and doing things with my girls and Alan, then this happened. The bubble burst and it was like, OK, that's what our thing is going to be, it's cancer, so now I just try and get through it. It does make me angry and upset for my kids, Leona says. I am not afraid of dying, but I am afraid of the damage it will do to my children and memories it creates in their childhood watching me being sick. "I never had to see that with my mam. You only have one mother, nobody loves you like your mother and thats what upsets me, it's worrying about the children because your childhood stays with you forever. Court case In June, Leonas story made headlines after the Health Service Executive apologised in the High Court to her and her family for her misdiagnosed smear results in 2016 and 2020. A letter of apology from the chief executive of the National Screening Service, Fiona Murphy, said on behalf of the service and the HSE it wished to apologise to Leona, and her family for the failings that have occurred and led to your diagnosis. The case was fast-tracked through the courts system because of the urgency of Leonas diagnosis. She also received an undisclosed settlement. Looking back, Leona said: When I see myself in court, I was going through chemo, I had no hair no eyebrows, I was about six stone, I never really realised how sick I was until I look back. I didnt realise it in the moment. Leona recalls how she had to talk to her family and explain they were going to hear things in court that was going to upset them. "It was difficult for them, they see me just getting on with it, but when you hear about the situation in court, in that environment it suddenly becomes so serious. I was a bit overwhelmed myself when I came out of court and the reaction to it. I have all the papers; I have the apology. I have loads of little bits that I hope my girls get to a stage where they're like, oh my god, my mom has done this. Leona Macken: 'When I see myself in court, I was going through chemo, I had no hair no eyebrows, I was about six stone, I never really realised how sick I was until I look back.' Photo: Moya Nolan The settlement also means we can go to the US for treatment if we want to, but really, you look at it and say, is that what my life is worth?" Her counsel, Jeremy Maher SC instructed by Cian OCarroll solicitors, told the High Court it was a truly tragic case. He said Ms Macken has now a limited life expectancy and what should have been stopped in its tracks was not. Leona's second smear was conducted after the CervicalCheck scandal broke in 2018 following Vicky Phelan's landmark court case. A review found that 221 women with cervical cancer had not been informed that their cancer had been misdiagnosed. Misdiagnosed smear results During this time Leona went through two healthy pregnancies, unaware that abnormal cells in her cervix were developing. Leona says that from 2020-2023 she knew she was unwell; she had all the symptoms of cervical cancer, including discharge, pelvic pain. But despite all the scrutiny around the testing process, she struggled to get doctors to take her concerns seriously. Nobody said maybe your smear is wrong, and well do it again. I did everything I could to be well in my life, I did all my smears and looked after myself, she explains. I began to think people just thought I was complaining about nothing, but I knew something was not right. There was discharge and I was in a lot of pain, my cycle was off, I was always getting what I thought was thrush. I had an ultrasound and that came back fine too. I was getting to the stage where I felt embarrassed going to the doctor all the time. Then I had unexplained bleeding, and I just knew no way this is right. I kept going back to my doctor. Another smear test was done in 2023, and Leona was diagnosed with stage one cancer. She underwent surgery to remove all of her reproductive system, but even after all that she knew that things were not right. I was in pain and going through so much, but the doctors were telling me I was well, but I couldnt even stand in a queue because of the pain I was in. I was referred to the pain clinic, I thought, well, maybe this will work if I get the pain injections, this is the answer to it, you know? But nothing changed." When further tests in January uncovered a tumour, Leona said she felt relief rather than distress. She has now been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. I knew I wasnt going mad and there was a reason for my pain, she said. In Ireland we are just so limited in our treatments and most of the time it is me telling the doctors that I know something is wrong and pushing them to listen. Life with cancer While Leonas chemotherapy treatment has finished, she still undergoes immunotherapy every three weeks, which will continue until next year, but says she can never switch off. Before I eat anything I always ask myself, what will this do for me, will it be good in the long run?, you cant help it you are trying to do everything right, she said. She is also in touch with several hospitals abroad about alternative treatments. You are always researching, and I feel in Ireland there is so much treatment we dont do, and we are looking at other options. Leona says her cancer also means her role in her family has changed. Leona Macken still undergoes immunotherapy every three weeks. Photo: Moya Nolan I was the mammy. I had my part-time hairdressing job, I was always so independent, and I wanted the girls to see me like that. I was happy in my job, I loved it, I had beautiful work and a balance of home life. And then that was just all gone." She has asked to meet the health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill to help highlight issues she would like to see changed for women. I want to talk to her about the audit [CervicalCheck Clinical Audit] and to reopen that." Leona says since her smear test in 2016 missed the presence of abnormal cells, she would like the audit to be extended to include women like her. I would like to shine a light on this again and help make changes to the system for other women going through this because I do feel we are very behind and its not good enough, women deserve better, and we know our own bodies. Yellow jackets bearing presidential candidate Heather Humphreys name weaved between bright flowers, olives, fresh fish and fresh bread, as their wearers canvassed potential voters in Corks English Market. Hi Heather, how are you? stallholders said as the former TD and Minister stopped to admire their artisanal Irish produce and press the flesh. Teenagers took selfies with Ms Humphreys and her entourage as cameras flashed and large TV camcorders filmed the canvas. John Goggin was holding his son Sam, age 4, when they met Ms Humphreys. Its great to see her, Mr Goggin said He [his son Sam] is at an age where he might remember this. I remember meeting Mary Robinson in Mallow when she was running for the presidency when I was a child, about six or seven. Presidential candidate Heather Humphreys chatting with Irish Examiner reporter Liz Dunphy during her Cork walk about on Saturday. Picture: Eddie O'Hare So its exciting for him to be here today. One longtime, card-carrying Fianna Fail member, who asked not to be named, said she will renounce her party allegiance for the first time ever to vote for Ms Humphreys in the presidential election. The woman, who asked not to be named, said that she likes Ms Humphreys personally. And she believes its time to see a woman back in the Aras after 14 years. I've never voted for any other party in my life," she said. But I'll change for Heather. It's a big deal to me because I'm very loyal to the party. Rumblings that Jim Gavins selection could lead to the demise of Micheal Martin as Fianna Fail leader may or may not ultimately hold water, she said. If Jim Gavin is elected, we'll all say he [Mr Martin] is wonderful. That's what it's down to, she said. Another Fianna Fail supporter who had stopped to buy Wagu burgers from OMahonys butchers said that although hed stick to his party allegiances, he appreciated seeing Ms Humphreys out in Cork a significant trek from her Monaghan home. Aine, who asked for her surname not to be published, said that protecting and serving the institution of the president should be the most important focus of any candidate. But she has not heard the candidates discuss this in much detail so far. They talk about what they've done in other areas, but what they've done in the past isn't going to be exactly what they will be doing as president. And it's really important that they understand the constitution and understand the role of the president. We know that Michael D. [Higgins] has been doing it for the last 14 years and we know that he very much cares about what the government are doing and he keeps them on track. And it's very important that the next person to be president does that as well. Catherine Connolly is currently likely to get her vote, but that could change, she said. The televised presidential debates, with the first beginning on Monday, will likely guide undecided voters, depending on the three candidates performances, she said. Her partner Kevin agreed. I think a lot of people like myself are going to be seeing what happens in the debates. It seems to be quite even in the polls at the moment, so it'll be interesting. I think a lot of people are just going to tune in and see what happens. The tiny field of candidates the smallest in 35 years is disappointing, he said. Will the whole country be represented when there's only three candidates? Probably not, he said. Presidential candidate Heather Humphreys meets Dee Swinburn at Cork's English Market on Saturday. Picture: Eddie O'Hare Ms Humphreys commended the magnificent array of Irish-produced food at the English Market. Promoting Irish food on the world market through trade missions is something she wants to focus on if elected president. I'd love to see more of that because when a President leads a trade mission, it brings it to another level, she said. Humphreys: 'I want to be a voice for unity' And as [a former] Minister for Business, I led many trade missions. I'm so filled with pride of what we do in this country that I want to tell more people and I want to open new doors and open new markets. We have such high quality [food here]. Although Cork is a long trek from her original Cavan-Monaghan constituency when she served as a TD and Minister, she said she felt welcome Leeside. My best friend of 47 years is from Cork city originally, and I have been here on many, many occasions. I know all her family who live in Cork and I've often been to Bantry on holidays and I have been out in Kealkill and I've been in many different parts of Cork and it's lovely to be back here again. People had been very supportive and very, very welcoming during Saturdays canvas, she said. I was chatting to women and they were asking me what was I going to do as President. So I was explaining to them that I want to see a country that totally supports and recognises community, recognises the volunteers and the wonderful work they do." While visiting Ballincollig on Saturday, she met the Tidy Town group, which won the All-Ireland, and to whom she awarded the Tidy Town award for 2024. It is lovely to go back. And I did promise them that if I do become president I will come back to recognise that wonderful achievement that is winning the All-Ireland Tidy Towns, she said. Ms Humphreys also spoke about unity and divisiveness in society and how she wants to bring people together. I want to be a voice for unity, she said. Opportunity would be another focus of her presidency, she said. I want every young person to have [] the opportunity to reach their full potential," she said. Ms Humphreys is competing for Fine Gael against Fianna Fails Jim Gavin and the unified left wing parties Catherine Connolly for the presidency. Barack Obama arrived on stage in his trademark loping stride, like a farmer pacing land. The wave was familiar too. Weve seen it often since he first came to prominence as a young senator, on election night in 2008, and throughout his presidency. His arrival at the 3Arena in Dublin on Friday drew a standing ovation that felt like a yearning. The world is upside down, and here is somebody who may not be able to straighten it out, but at least could offer hope. A faith healer for the age of Trump. The 7,500-seat arena was full, mostly occupied by the grey brigade wintering well. Ticket prices started at 25, but it remains unclear how many were available at that rate because they disappeared in seconds. After that, the minimum price was 140, but some premium tickets with added extras reportedly sold for up to 2,000. At least those in the cheap seats could take comfort in knowing the event might be worth the price of a good therapy session. An Evening With President Barack Obama In Conversation with Fintan O'Toole at the 3Arena. Picture: Ray Keogh Fintan OToole, the evenings interviewer, got straight to business. He focused on historys lessons and soon the discussion turned to the savagery in the Middle East. Gaza, Obama said, is an example of the prison of the past. He outlined the competing and very real historic grievances on both sides. The starting point is to acknowledge history, he said, offering what on this side of the Atlantic might be considered the most palatable interpretation from middle America. He was unequivocal about the current slaughter. OToole asked how we got here, and Obama gave a concise history of liberal democracys evolution from World War II through the Cold War, globalization, and the fallout that left many disillusioned. There was nothing particularly new in his account, but its how he tells it: distilling complex systems and ideas into a version that goes down easily, leaving an aftertaste of more. Of course, hanging over everything was He Whose Name Shall Not Be Spoken. At no point in the 90-minute interview did that persons name cross Obamas lips. The closest was OTooles reference to the T word. An Evening With President Barack Obama In Conversation with Fintan O'Toole at the 3Arena. Picture: Ray Keogh Beyond that, it was all what wasnt said. Obama spoke about authoritarian rule in Hungary, Turkey and now its being mimicked in other places. (And where might that be?) Recalling an oil spill during his presidency, he referenced the Gulf of Mexico, pausing for a beat to underline that he would not use Ts rebranded Gulf of America. He warned, People who are oppressors will go after storytellers, comics and artists. Another pause. Jimmy Kimmel anybody? And on it went in that vein. The strategy nodded to the once-quaint tradition of former presidents avoiding criticism of incumbents, especially abroad. On another level, it worked perfectly symbolically denying oxygen to a megalomaniac who cant open his mouth without self-praise. Still, despite Obamas stirring rhetoric, a heaviness from the outside world lingered over the arena. An Evening With President Barack Obama In Conversation with Fintan O'Toole at the 3Arena. Picture: Ray Keogh Eleven months ago, a week before last Novembers US presidential election, the Irish Examiner was in Philadelphias Temple University arena, where 10,000 adoring supporters practically sat at Obamas feet during a rally for Kamala Harris. He wore no jacket, his white shirt sleeves rolled up for work. The audience was bulling the fight ahead, confident the approaching darkness could be pushed back. Obama lifted them to new heights. That night, he had no hesitation in plainly calling out Harris opponent. Heres a man, a 78-year-old billionaire, who has not stopped whining about his problems since he rode down that golden escalator nine years ago. Hes still tweeting at all times of night, all cats. When hes not complaining hes trying to sell you stuff. He wants to sell you a Swiss watch, $100,000, but they cant find where exactly in Switzerland it is actually made. He wants to sell you a Trump bible. An Evening With President Barack Obama In Conversation with Fintan O'Toole at the 3Arena. Picture: Ray Keogh That was then. The battle was lost. The T word won, and now rules rather than governs. Could Obama, when he was First Citizen, have done more to ward off the storm? OToole asked. I grapple with that, did I say enough, he replied. Maybe if I called it out more clearly some people and their politics, people might have been forewarned. Its a tough balance and I havent figured it out yet. In the end, OToole invoked Martin Luther Kings dictum that the long arc of history bends towards justice. Does Obama still believe that? Id emphasise the long point, he quipped, adding that everyone has a role in preserving and nourishing democracy. It does not bend by itself, he said of the long arc. We grab it and pull it towards justice. Hes no Messiah, this former president who broke new ground but perhaps took his eye off the ball. Neither, unlike the current incumbent, would he claim to be. Still, he is a tonic in dangerous times, and for one evening, maybe that was enough. Ordinary people in Iran are dealing with soaring food prices and worried about the future ahead of the reimposition of United Nations sanctions over Tehrans nuclear programme. Irans rial currency already sits at a record low, increasing pressure on food prices and making daily life that much more challenging. That includes meat, rice and other staples of the Iranian dinner table. Meanwhile, people worry about a new round of fighting between Iran and Israel as well as potentially the United States after the 12-day war in June. "No more excuses. No more delays. No more ignoring legal obligations. No more abandoning future generations." -- @antonioguterres calls for nuclear disarmament & the total elimination of nuclear weapons.#UNGAhttps://t.co/zHaftTD6Tz pic.twitter.com/ewUqahnGAr United Nations (@UN) September 26, 2025 Tehran has recalled its ambassadors from the UK, France and Germany ahead of the reimposition of sanctions. Activists fear a rising wave of repression within the Islamic Republic, which already has reportedly executed more people this year than over the past three decades. At midnight on Sunday GMT, barring any last-minute diplomatic breakthrough, UN sanctions on Iran will be reimposed through snapback, as the mechanism is called by the diplomats who negotiated it into Irans 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Snapback was designed to be veto-proof at the UN Security Council, meaning China and Russia cannot stop it alone, as they have other proposed actions against Tehran in the past. The measure will again freeze Iranian assets abroad, halt arms deals with Tehran, and penalise any development of Irans ballistic missile programme, among other measures. The Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian spoke to reporters in New York (AP) France, Germany and the United Kingdom triggered snapback over Iran, further restricting monitoring of its nuclear programme and the deadlock over its negotiations with the US. Iran further withdrew from International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) monitoring after Israels war on the country in June, which also saw the US strike nuclear sites in the Islamic Republic. Meanwhile, the country still maintains a stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60% purity a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90% that is largely enough to make several atomic bombs, should Tehran choose to rush towards weaponisation. Iran has long insisted its nuclear programme is peaceful, though the West and IAEA say Tehran had an organised weapons programme up until 2003. Tehran has further argued that the three European nations should not be allowed to implement snapback, pointing in part to Americas unilateral withdrawal from the accord in 2018, during the first term of Donald Trumps US administration. A Hezbollah supporter waves Irans flag during an event commemorating the death of late Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah who killed in Israeli airstrikes nearly a year ago, in Beirut (AP) The Trump administration appears to think it has a stronger hand post-strikes, and it can wait for Iran to come back to the table, said Kelsey Davenport, a nuclear expert at the Washington-based Arms Control Association. Given the knowledge Iran has, given the materials that remain in Iran, thats a very dangerous assumption. Risks also remain for Iran as well, she added: In the short term, kicking out the IAEA increases the risk of miscalculation. The US or Israel could use the lack of inspections as a pretext for further strikes. One ordinary Iranian, the father of a 12-year-old boy, said his country has never faced such a challenging time, even during the deprivations of the 1980s Iran-Iraq war and the decades of sanctions that came later. For as long as I can remember, weve been struggling with economic hardship, and every year its worse than the last, he told The Associated Press. For my generation, its always either too late or too early our dreams are slipping away. HANOI, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Vietnamese government has approved the Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 4 project with a total investment of about 120.4 trillion Vietnamese dong (about 4.6 billion U.S. dollars), local newspaper Lao Dong (Labor) reported Friday. According to the government's resolution, relevant ministries and local authorities have been assigned to coordinate on financing, land clearance, construction management and security to ensure timely implementation of the 207-km road. The project is scheduled to begin preparation and construction in 2025 and be completed for operation by 2029, according to the report. The Ring Road 4 project will complement the city's transport network, where Ring Road 1 is operational, while Ring Roads 2 and 3 are set to be completed in 2026, helping ease congestion and enhancing regional connectivity, the report said. President Donald Trump said he will send troops to Portland, Oregon, to handle domestic terrorists as he expands his controversial deployments to more American cities. He made the announcement on social media, writing that he was directing the Department of Defence to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland. I am also authorising Full Force, if necessary, Mr Trump said. Mr Trump said the decision was necessary to protect US Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities, which he described as under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists. Since the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the Republican president has escalated his efforts to confront what he calls the radical left, which he blames for the countrys problems with political violence. Earlier in September, Mr Trump had described living in Portland as like living in hell, and said he was considering sending in federal troops, as he has recently threatened to do to combat crime in other cities, including Chicago and Baltimore. He deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles over the summer, and as part of his law enforcement takeover in the District of Columbia. In Tennessee, Memphis has been bracing for an influx of National Guard troops, and on Friday Governor Bill Lee said they will be part of a surge of resources to fight crime in the city. KABUL, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Construction of five water supply projects was launched in eastern Afghanistan's Nangarhar province on Saturday, the state-run Radio and Television of Afghanistan (RTA) reported. Initiated by the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development in Shirzad, Khoyani and Bati Kot districts at a cost of 26.6 million afghani (around 398,000 U.S. dollars), the water supply networks will provide clean water to 1,750 families after completion, the report said. The projects will also help farmers bring more land under irrigation in the three districts, it said. On Wednesday, the Afghan authorities started construction of two water supply projects in the northern Samangan province to benefit 350 families. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Zip Code COLOMBO, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- The profitability of Sri Lanka's Colombo Port rose by 66 percent during the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year, Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake told parliament on Friday. Rathnayake noted that port activity has expanded due to developments in the Red Sea and efficiency-boosting measures introduced by the government. In the past year, the port recruited essential staff, including medical officers for quarantine. He added that a real-time dashboard was launched to monitor port activities, while efforts are underway to accelerate the digitalization of the Customs department. Colombo Port, the country's main commercial port, handled a record 7.78 million twenty-foot equivalent units of container throughput in 2024, according to official data. ( Middle East Monitor) On 6 August, The Guardian reported that multiple individuals have asserted that the IDF [Israeli Defence Forces] is using Azure for the storage of files of phone calls obtained through broad or mass surveillance of civilians in Gaza and the West Bank. The tale began in 2021, when Microsoft, the company responsible for the Azure cloud platform that promises endless wells of data storage, endorsed a plan that would enable Unit 8200, Israels famed cyberwarfare agency, customised access. The agreement, reached between the units commander Yossi Sariel and Microsofts chief executive, Satya Nadella, was a boon for mass surveillance enthusiasts. The Guardian report, a co-investigative effort with Hebrew-language outlet Local Call and Israeli-Palestinian publication +972 Magazine, drew from leaked documents and 11 interviews from the corporation and the Israeli intelligence services. Nadella offered the fools defence, claiming ignorance at what Unit 8200 was hoping to store. A cursory look at the profile of Sariels outfit would have dispelled any doubts, suggesting that the chief executive was telling a massive fib. Three Unit 8200 sources, for instance, noted that Azure was used to facilitate the preparation of deadly airstrikes and has shaped military operations in Gaza and the West Bank. While Israel has long exercised control over the telecommunications infrastructure of the Palestinians, the cloud platform offered an indiscriminate netting of cellular calls. The companys thick links to Israel has drawn much attention from employees within the organisation and activists associated with the No Azure for Apartheid group. Microsoft is not shy in admitting, as it did in an updated statement on 15 August, that it provides IMOD with software, professional services, Azure cloud services, and Azure AI services, including language translation. As with many governments around the world, we also work with the Israeli government to protect its cyberspace against external threats. Nor is the tech behemoth shy in punishing employees who have dared exercise a conscience on the matter. Last month, Anna Hattle, Riki Fameli, Nisreen Jaradat and Julius Shan, were sacked for participating in protests on company premises regarding the companys ongoing association with Israel. These demonstrations had apparently, in the eyes of the company goons, created significant safety concerns. The company had also conducted a previous undisclosed review into the findings of an investigation by The Associated Press that noted the use of Azure by the Israeli Defense Ministry and its insatiable appetite for commercial artificial intelligence (AI) products in the aftermath of the 7 October 2023 attack by Hamas. On 15 May, the company declared with implausible confidence that its internal assessments and external review had found no evidence that the Azure platform and AI technologies or any other software, have been used to harm people or that IMOD has failed to comply with our terms of service or our AI Code of Conduct. The dark publicity prompted by The Guardian and its co-investigators was enough to push Microsoft on 15 August to revisit the allegations, using the services of the law firm Covington & Burling LLP and the technical expertise of a consulting firm. On the morning of September 25, Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President, sent a message to Microsoft employees claiming that the ongoing review had found evidence that supports elements of The Guardians reporting. This evidence includes information relating to IMOD (Israel Ministry of Defence) consumption of Azure storage capacity in the Netherlands and the use of AI services. The Ministry had duly been informed of the companys decision to cease and disable bespoke subscriptions and their services including their use of specific cloud storage and AI services and technologies. The decision had been reviewed with the IMOD and steps taken to ensure compliance with our terms of service, focusing on ensuring our services are not used for mass surveillance of civilians. Photo by Simon Ray on Unsplash In keeping with the companys vigorous spirit of having its cake and eating it too, Smith goes on to inform recipients of the message that the move did nothing to end or impair the important work that Microsoft continues to do to protect the cybersecurity of Israel and other countries in the Middle East, including under the Abraham Accords. And why would it? Israel is a reliable, valuable client, and had merely tripped in failing to abide by the terms of service. That such tripping played, as it continues to do, a vital role in the systematic destruction of Palestinian lives, infrastructure and cultural existence, was a minor matter. Palestinians, as the exhaustive work of Anthony Loewenstein shows, remain test subjects for new weapons, novel forms of targeting, and surveillance, an endeavour that has spawned a global cyber-military-industrial complex. This explains why the move by Microsoft did not precipitate the usual accusations of discrimination and antisemitism Israeli officials foamingly issue when their conduct is found wanting. This was framed as a commercial matter, a crease that could be ironed out with solicitude. There is no damage to the operational capabilities of the IDF, stated one military official to the Times of Israel. Having been forewarned about the measure, Unit 8200 had backed up the data it had stored before the access to the cloud services was terminated. Both the IDF and Microsoft can now continue their working relationship, as long as those tepid terms of service are observed, even if it entails the continued program of extermination in Gaza and apartheid in the West Bank. The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor or Informed Comment. Via Middle East Monitor Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) Even the tiniest detail is litigated in newspaper headlines when it comes to the Israeli government. Many news outlets reported that some or dozens of delegates walked out of the UN hall where the General Assembly had gathered as Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu prepared to address them. The truth is, almost everyone left, so that Netanyahu addressed mostly empty chairs. I dont know why the editors who write these silly headlines think they can pull the wool over peoples eyes. We have video: UN delegates walk out of Benjamin Netanyahus United Nations general assembly speech Please enable JavaScript play-sharp-fill Embed Copy and paste this HTML code into your webpage to embed. Dozens of delegates walk out of Benjamin Netanyahu's United Nations speech He was heckled in the chamber, and then heckled by New Yorkers outside. If Zohran Mamdani wins the mayoral contest in New York, Netanyahu wont be able to come to the UN because he will be arrested as a war criminal by NYPD. Moreover, although the press reports what Netanyahu says, no one on the diplomatic circuit seems to take it seriously. He full-throatedly rejected any attempt at a two-state solution, saying that establishing a Palestinian state would be suicide for Israel. The implication for Netanyahu, whose family is from Poland, is that a recognized Palestinian state would somehow destroy Israel. But how? Not by military action, surely. The Israelis have made short work of their military rivals in the region. With extensive American help they forced countries much larger than themselves, such as Egypt, to conclude a peace treaty. They are constantly bombing Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and have hit Iraq and Iran and Qatar in the past year. They bomb whomever they wish whenever they wish. Why would a Palestinian state be more formidable than Egypt or Iran? I cannot know for sure, but I think what Netanyahu means by the phrase is that a recognized Palestinian state would rob Israel of its legitimacy. Again, I cant see how that would work. International legitimacy is bestowed by the United Nations and the great powers. The establishment of a Palestinian state would not cause Israel to be kicked out of the UN. Actually, what might cause such an expulsion to happen is Netanyahus course of genocide against the Palestinians. Legitimacy is at least somewhat a matter of public opinion, and the vast walk-out of delegates at the UN General Assembly demonstrates that it is Netanyahus atrocities, not a Palestinian state, that has robbed Israel of legitimacy in the eyes of many. But if we granted Netanyahus premise, then what? It implies that 14 million Palestinians must remain stateless. US Supreme Court justice Earl Warren defined citizenship as the right to have rights. Without citizenship in a state, people have no real human rights, as we easily can see in Gaza for the past two years, and in the West Bank if we look. If youre stateless, you dont really own your house. Other people can kick you out of it and move in. Or it can be arbitrarily bombed. The Israeli Right might say that someone else should give the Palestinians citizenship. But who? Lebanon will not, since most Palestinians are Sunni Arabs while 10 percent or so are Christians, and giving them Lebanese citizenship would throw the demographic balance of religious denominations in the country Sunni, Shiite, Maronite Christian, Eastern Orthodox, and Druze out of kilter. Since voting, marriage, burial and various sorts of rights are apportioned by religious denomination, such a new and dramatic imbalance would destabilize the country. The same principle applies to Jordan. Syria never gave the Palestinians citizenship and wont now. Egypt? Surely you jest. There is an Israeli meme that they are all just Arabs and Palestinians should melt away into their neighbors. But Palestinians have come to have a national identity, as have the others, and they arent just Arabs. Only 50% of Egyptians in polling even consider themselves Arabs. Ironically, Israeli propaganda parrots the pan-Arabism of Gamal Abdel Nasser in the 1950s, which is now passe and never showed an ability to roll back national identities. Abdel Nassers attempt to establish a union of Egypt and Syria crashed and burned in only 3 years. Arabic is a language, not a nation, and many different nations and ethnicities speak it. Just because the British and Americans both speak English does not mean that the British would be happy about a hypothetical influx of millions of American refugees. File photo of Benjamin Netanyahu from 2015. Public domain. Via Picryl. So Netanyahus point of view is impractical, and his stance implies permanent statelessness for Palestinians. After tens of millions of people were made stateless in the interwar period of the twentieth century, the United Nations has worked to ensure that no one should be without citizenship in a state. I believe the UN estimates the number of stateless at 12 million worldwide, and that Palestinians make up the largest single group. The number of Palestinian children between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean equals the number of Israeli Jewish children. So why should the latter grow up to have the right to have rights but the former should not? If the only way Israel can exist is to make the Palestinians stateless forever, to wipe out a people, then it raises questions about whether Israel in this form, as a militant Jewish ethno-state, is worth it. Is Netanyahu saying the quiet part out loud and admitting that Israels existence requires a genocide of the Palestinians? Eleven years after her son vanished, Delfina de la Cruz vented frustration at the unsolved disappearances of 43 Mexican students who were allegedly kidnapped by drug traffickers while authorities turned a blind eye. The students from the Ayotzinapa teacher training college -- whose members have a history of political activism -- had commandeered buses to travel to a demonstration in Mexico City when they went missing on September 26, 2014. The case is considered one of the worst human rights atrocities in Mexico, where a spiral of drug-related violence has left more than 120,000 people unaccounted for. In the rain, de la Cruz and the mothers of other victims led a massive protest march in Mexico City on Friday to mark the anniversary. "We are back where we started," she said. "I want to see my son, (know) what happened, where he is, if he is no longer there." So far the remains of only three of the missing students have been found and identified, while the whereabouts of the rest are unknown. Investigators believe they were kidnapped by a drug cartel in collusion with corrupt police, although exactly what happened to them is unclear. At Friday's march, retired university professor Jesus Gumaro held a banner criticizing former president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and his successor, Claudia Sheinbaum, for not "clearing up the crime." "We had hoped that it would be solved, but nothing has happened," said Gumaro, 66. No one has been convicted despite the prosecution of dozens of people, including a former attorney general and several military personnel. The missing students' relatives have accused the army of withholding information. On Thursday, protesters rammed a truck into the gates of a military barracks in Mexico City during a demonstration over the student disappearances. No injuries were reported in the truck ramming and the barracks remained secure. The students' disappearance drew international condemnation and has become emblematic of a missing persons crisis in Mexico, with criminal violence claiming more than 450,000 lives since 2006. The so-called "historical truth" -- an official version of the case presented in 2015 under then-president Enrique Pena Nieto -- was widely discredited, notably the theory that the remains were incinerated and thrown into a river in the southern state of Guerrero. In 2022, a truth commission set up by Lopez Obrado's government branded the case a "state crime" and said the military shared responsibility, either directly or through negligence. The commission found that the army was aware of what was happening and had real-time information about the kidnapping and disappearance. COLOMBO, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's apparel exports recorded a marginal decline in August 2025 compared to the same month last year, the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), the apex body of the country's apparel industry, said Friday. Earnings from apparel exports in August reached 479.14 million U.S. dollars, down 1.33 percent from August 2024, the JAAF said. Shipments to the United States rose 0.92 percent year on year, but exports to the European Union and Britain fell by 4.83 percent and 2.6 percent, respectively, the JAAF said. Exports to other destinations were unchanged. Despite the August dip, apparel exports during the first eight months of 2025 grew by 7.48 percent to 3.39 billion dollars, up from 3.16 billion dollars in the same period last year, the JAAF said. The hit K-Drama 'Tempest' is making waves following Episode 6, which broadcast a bed scene that has been dubbed the "sexiest ever" in Korean drama history by fans. The political action-thriller, featuring Jun Ji Hyun as diplomat Seo Mun Ju and Kang Dong Won as top mercenary Paik San Ho, had audiences in suspense with its thrilling storyline about an assassination linked to both South and North Korea. But the show surprised everyone when the melodramatic tension between the two leads was at an all-time high. Last episode had a surprising bed scene between Seo Mun Ju and Paik San Ho. What was an initially heated kiss turned into a more ardent encounter, which has now become one of the hottest topics on social media, according to Koreaboo. One viewer, commenting on X (formerly Twitter), described it as "the most romantic, sensual, and passion-filled scene I've ever seen in a K-Drama." This will go down as the most romantic, sensual, and passion-filled scene with unbearable tension in the entire K-drama world.#tempest #tempestep5 pic.twitter.com/K8XLSaCbzr (@punk_angelina) September 24, 2025 Another fan comment read: "I was most certainly not prepared wait, I need water!!" GASPING?!?!?! so intimate so hot of them. i was most certainly not prepared wait, i need water!!#Template #TempestEp6 pic.twitter.com/0X04dfdjwI Mil (@MilYeop) September 24, 2025 As the reactions kept flowing in, others appreciated the delivery by the actors and the production's sheer boldness. "This wasn't what I expected from a show like Tempest," one viewer confessed, "but I'm not complaining." Fans also applauded the show's willingness to push the boundaries of intimacy in a manner that is hardly ever seen in mainstream Korean dramas. One Reddit user posted, "It's about time K-Dramas leaned into adult romance without being shy. This was tasteful, emotional, and powerful." Although the show had already attracted attention based on its drama-filled storyline and heavy-hitting cast, the new development has sparked interest. The Drama "Tempest" Episode 6 bed scene has increased tremendously, with comments on TheQoo and Pann continuing to trend. Thought #Tempest would be subtle romance but they went all out that kiss scene beat every bodyguard drama out there new standard fr #KangDongWon #JunJiHyun pic.twitter.com/iWVsEfxknx hajungjihyun (@hajungjihyun) September 24, 2025 For many in attendance, the scene was shocking, however, the overall sentiment seems very positive as many witnessed the scene for the genuine and depth it added to their relationship. The relationship between Seo Mun Ju and Paik San Ho has always caught the audience's attention, since Tempest has continued to play out for several weeks. SEOUL, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Twenty-eight people were injured on Saturday in South Korea's gas explosion accident, according to Yonhap news agency. The explosion occurred at about 10:17 a.m. local time (0117 GMT) inside a dry sauna in Yangju, Gyeonggi province. The injured included both customers and employees, with three individuals reported to be in serious condition. The explosion, which caused no fire, led tens of customers to evacuate. The fire authorities dispatched 42 personnel and 17 equipment for rescue operations. The authorities were investigating the exact cause of the accident. Friday, September 26, 2025 - Kenyan socialite and reality TV star, Diana Marua, has shared heartfelt insights into her relationship with Yvette Obura, Bahatis baby mama. Speaking on Thursday, September 25th, Diana emphasized that respect is the foundation of their bond. Mama Mueni respects me and my marriage, and I respect her in return. We have good communication, and everything is based on respect, she said. Diana revealed that Yvette approaches her directly whenever matters concerning their daughter, Mueni, arise, ensuring transparency and avoiding unnecessary tension. If Mueni wants to come or discuss anything, she comes through me and not Bahati. If you see her reaching out to Bahati, it is because she has not contacted me, and at another time, I tell her to speak directly to him. Diana said. She added that while ending a relationship is never easy, both women have chosen peace over conflict, focusing on raising Mueni in a loving and supportive environment. There are no more complications, Diana stated. Its about respect, forgiveness, and focusing on raising the child well. She also stressed the importance of nurturing children regardless of past misunderstandings, saying that every child deserves love, guidance, and care. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, September 26, 2025 - Thicky Sandra, daughter of former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, is once again stirring conversation online, this time with a bold Instagram story that took aim at light-skinned men. While in London, Sandra posted, I hate when men think they cute cause theyre light-skin, triggering a wave of reactions across social media. Known for her outspoken personality and unapologetic style, Sandras comment reignited debate around beauty standards. In a recent interview, Sandra also surprised fans with her budget-friendly food choices. Asked what she eats when cash is tight but appearances matter, she casually replied, KFC or McDonalds - theyre cheap, leaving the host visibly stunned. For Sandra, fast food is her way of staying low-key without sacrificing her image. Previously, she made headlines for saying she only eats ugali made with butter or Blue Band margarine. And during a live TikTok session, she sparked even more buzz by declaring she cant date Kenyan men. What did Kenyan men do to you? Nothing, she said with a shrug. Theyre just not my type. Like, ew. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, September 26, 2025 - Forrmer Nyeri First Lady, Margaret Gachagua, has paid a heartfelt tribute to her late husband, Nderitu Gachagua, the first Governor of Nyeri County, during a visit to his grave. In a quiet moment of reflection, Mrs. Gachagua laid flowers at the gravesite, honoring the memory of her husband, who passed away on 24th February 2017. Hon. Nderitu Gachagua is fondly remembered as a visionary leader, husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. His leadership style, described as inspirational and people-centered, left an indelible mark not only on Nyeri residents but across the country. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched and in the progress Nyeri continues to build upon, Mrs. Gachagua remarked, reflecting on his contributions. However, her tribute comes against a backdrop of family tensions. Margaret is said to have fallen out with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Nderitus brother, after claims that he disinherited her following the Governors death. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, September 26, 2025 - Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has launched a scathing critique of President William Rutos administration, accusing it of dismantling key programs from his tenure and replacing them with experimental policies. Speaking at the Jubilee Party Special National Delegates Conference (NDC) at Ngong Racecourse on Friday, September 26th, Uhuru singled out the Social Health Authority (SHA), which replaced the Linda Mama maternal health initiative. Linda Mama and others have been replaced by new, untried and untested schemes. While we wait for these experiments to work, Kenyans suffer and our progress is dragged, Uhuru said. Linda Mama, launched in 2013, offered free health insurance to expectant mothers and their newborns, covering antenatal care, delivery, and postnatal services. It has since been replaced by Linda Jamii under SHA, which aims to provide broader maternal coverage amid complaints over its efficacy. Uhuru warned against relying on rhetoric over results, saying, As we dwell in rhetoric rather than progress, we repeat the mistakes of the past. He also condemned the misuse of Government machinery, stating, This machine we built was meant to protect, not harm. Ilikuwa ya kulinda wananchi sio kuumiza. The former President praised youth-led protests against the Finance Bill 2024 and urged young Kenyans to take up leadership roles. I admire the tribeless generation. Let them use their courage to transform our country, he said. Uhuru also dismissed the hustler-dynasty narrative from the 2022 elections, insisting every Kenyan - regardless of background - has the right to lead. "In the last general election, I endeavored to pass this message. Unfortunately, it fell on deaf ears and got lost in the noise of insults, myths, character assassinations on dynasties and hustlers," Uhuru remarked. "Hii story watu walisema ya hustler sijui dynasty. Ati kuzaliwa na single mother ndiyo qualification ya kuchaguliwa. Hapana. Leta sera. Kila mtu ako na nafasi ya kuongoza. Kila mtoto, uwe umezaliwa kwa nyumba ya matope ama dhahabu akona nafasi ya kuongoza nchi." He announced Jubilees plan to field candidates nationwide and launch a grassroots recruitment drive, promising transparency in all party processes. Thursday, September 25, 2025 - Social media has erupted with laughter and amazement after a Kamba man shared a hilarious video showing him communicating with his dog. In the trending clip, the man is seen issuing instructions, and shockingly, the dog appears to respond as if it understands every word. From gestures to reactions, the four-legged friend seemed perfectly in sync with its owner, leaving netizens in disbelief. The video has since gone viral on social media, with many Kenyans cracking jokes and declaring, Wakamba watatuonyesha mambo! Some praised the man for his unique bond with his pet, while others turned the moment into comedy material, flooding timelines with memes and funny captions. Watch the video. Kamba man wows Netizens after sharing a video communicating with his dog pic.twitter.com/geV0eFTGkD DAILY POST (@dailypost_ke) September 26, 2025 The Kenyan DAILY POST ISLAMABAD, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Seventeen terrorists were killed during an operation of security forces in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military said on Saturday. The operation was conducted in Lakki Marwat district of the province on the reported presence of terrorists, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Army, said in a statement. A huge cache of weapons and ammunition was also recovered from the terrorists' hideout. Sanitization operation is being carried out in the area to eliminate the presence of terrorists from the area, it added. The military said that the security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country. Friday, September 26, 2025 - Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has found himself at the center of a storm after explosive allegations surfaced online, accusing him of failing to pay ladies after private encounters. Word on the street is that the outspoken Senator lures women to his office, where he allegedly engages them in mechi, only to deny them payment afterwards. One lady narrated how the rogue Senator took advantage of her during what she described as fun moments in his office. According to her, Cherargei promised to send her money later, a promise he never honored. Screenshots and anonymous accounts circulating online claim that several other women have fallen victim to similar behavior, sparking outrage and ridicule in equal measure. Netizens have since lit up social media with sharp reactions, some mocking the Senator for being mean and reckless, while others demanded that he comes clean over the damning allegations. As of now, the Senator has not issued any public statement regarding the scandal. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, September 26, 2025 - Outrage has erupted online after a young Narok woman identified as Millicent Rotiken was reportedly assaulted by her brothers for choosing to marry a man they disapproved of. According to witnesses, Millicent was being forced by her family to marry into another household preferred by her brothers. When she defied their wishes and followed her own choice, her brothers allegedly attacked her, leaving her injured and traumatized. The incident has been widely condemned as a serious case of gender-based violence (GBV) and a violation of womens rights. Activists and concerned community members have called for urgent investigations, arrests, and justice for Millicent. This case adds to the growing concern over GBV in Kenya, where many women continue to face violence, coercion, and intimidation for exercising their basic rights. Watch the video. WAAH! WTF IS THIS? DO WE STILL HAVE FORCED MARRIAGES? FROM MY DM : " This incident happened in Nkareta, Narok North, where this young woman was assaulted by her brothers after choosing to marry a man her brothers disapproved. She was being forced to go to another family which pic.twitter.com/QfMJLYgFTY I am Chege (@_James041) September 25, 2025 The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, September 26, 2025 - In a high-profile narcotics case heard at the Kahawa Law Courts, a Nigerian national, Okwudili Cletus Onuh, was convicted and sentenced after pleading guilty to multiple counts of drug trafficking under Section 4(a)(ii) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act. The change of plea followed the presentation of overwhelming evidence by the prosecution during the hearing before Senior Principal Magistrate Hon. Richard Koech, leading the accused to take responsibility for the charges against him. Onuh was fined Kshs. 46,500,000 for counts 1, 3, and 4, with a default sentence of 20 years imprisonment on each count. The sentences are to run concurrently, taking into account the three years he has already spent in remand. The sentence was issued after the prosecution and defence made serious submissions during the sentencing hearing. The prosecution was led by Principal Prosecution Counsel James Machirah and Prosecution Counsel Gedion Kiprono. The case against the second accused, Hamid Annet Njoki Kaur, is scheduled to proceed to hearing on 29th September 2025. Friday, September 26, 2025 - Kenyan socialite, Vera Sidika, has clapped back at comedian, Eddie Butita, after he publicly questioned why men attended her recent chest augmentation celebration, cheekily dubbed the Nyonyo Launch. The glamorous event, held to unveil her new look, sparked online buzz when Butita took to social media on September 23rd, expressing surprise at male guests. What is a man doing at such a launch? Butita asked, suggesting such attendance was misaligned with national priorities. Honestly, are we going to build a nation like this? Butita posed. His comments stirred debate on gender norms and social expectations. Vera, never one to shy away from controversy, responded with playful fire. In an Instagram video, she dismissed Butitas remarks as envy. I laughed at first, but then I realized Butita was just bitter he wasnt invited, she said. She argued that no straight man would turn down an invite to such a party, adding, You should have just told me you wanted an invite. Stop being bitter, bro. Vera also poked fun at Butitas moral stance, suggesting it masked personal disappointment. If you want to come see my new twins, just come. But dont act like you wouldnt want to be there. Her response has since gone viral, fueling conversations around body autonomy, celebrity culture and the ever-entertaining world of Kenyan influencer drama. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, September 26, 2025 - A popular Kenyan X personality has ignited a fiery online debate after claiming that 90% of marriages would collapse without side chicks. In the now-viral post, he described side chicks as emotional shock absorbers, suggesting they help men offload stress so they can return home and love their wives peacefully. He added: Kenyan women ni vichwa ngumu hawaelewi, While some netizens agreed, calling his take brutally honest, others slammed it as toxic and disrespectful to women. The tweet has since triggered a wave of reactions, with users dissecting the role of emotional support in modern relationships. The conversation shows no signs of slowing down. See the post and reactions below. The Kenyan DAILY POST This video screenshot shows Acting Tourism Minister of Russia's Udmurt Republic Irina Ulyenko speaking during an interview with Xinhua in Izhevsk, Udmurt Republic, Russia, Sept. 24, 2025.(Xinhua/Meng Jing) IZHEVSK, Russia, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Russia's Udmurt Republic hopes to attract more Chinese visitors by promoting its cultural heritage, industrial history, and culinary traditions, Acting Tourism Minister Irina Ulyenko said Wednesday. Located between the Volga River basin and the western slopes of the Ural Mountains, Udmurtia is the birthplace of composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky and the home of the Kalashnikov rifle, a region known for its defense industry. The Udmurt people, an ethnic minority, have distinctive traditions, including a love for dumplings and flour-based foods. The republic celebrates an annual Dumpling Day -- a cultural link Ulyenko said could resonate with Chinese tourists. In an interview with Xinhua, Ulyenko said the region has added Chinese-language signs at many attractions and public places to help visitors feel at home. "We are implementing 'China-friendly' standards in some hotels, such as creating special floors for Chinese guests, with all facilities marked in Chinese and items labeled in Chinese," she said. The republic is also actively training Chinese-speaking translators and guides, she added. Local universities, in cooperation with the government, encourage Chinese students studying in Udmurtia to pursue tourism-related programs. Authorities are also preparing subsidies for travel agencies that cater to Chinese tourists. Ulyenko said the region has already promoted its attractions at Chinese tourism fairs, focusing on cultural products linked to Tchaikovsky, the Kalashnikov rifle, and Udmurt cuisine. Health resorts and outdoor recreation are also part of the offerings. "We believe these tourism products will spark interest in the Chinese market, and we look forward to more Chinese tourists visiting," Ulyenko said. A JUDGE brought a parable to court to highlight wasting garda time after a victim of alleged domestic assault wanted to have the charge struck out. The case was heard behind the closed doors of Naas District Court as is protocol in matters domestic, as the man was charged with both the assault in December, and a subsequent breach of a safety order at the home address in Newbridge. Peace has broken out? Judge Desmond Zaidan assumed. (Named woman) wants the charge withdrawn, said her solicitor, Tim Kennelly. Thats a matter for the state, the judge warned her that it is not necessarily her choice. Theres no independent witness, Inspector Bobby Feery said. Its a case of He says, she says, he added, so the judge consented. Do you appreciate the amount of time, garda time, that went into trying to help you from your husbands behaviour? asked the judge. Just to inform (named woman), well always be there for you,reassured Inspector Feery. I dont subscribe to that, said the judge. Have you heard the parable about the shepherd who always called wolf? Well, it doesnt work like that. But youre the one who forgave him, so I wont criticise you. But you sir, he said pointing at the husband, if you come before me again, Ill remand you in custody. Hes off the drink, offered Mr Kennelly. Is he behaving himself? asked the judge cautiously. We just got back from holiday together, said the wife. And hes staying off the drink? asked the judge. He was on the beach sunning himself! remarked Mr Kennelly. OK. I will strike out (the remaining charge), concluded the judge. THE Kildare Readers Festival will return for a 16th year to venues across the county from 4-14 October, the county council has announced. This free festival is a celebration of books, ideas, and conversation, bringing readers and writers together in venues in Newbridge, Naas and Maynooth. We are proud to welcome former State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy who joins bestselling crime writers Catherine Ryan Howard and Andrea Mara to explore how closely fictional forensic and criminal investigations reflect real-life cases, said a council spokesperson. This years line-up also includes Dermot Bolgers traditional Sunday Sessions, titled 'Music, Mayhem and Memory'. He will be joined by saxophonist and former member of Moving Hearts, Keith Donald, as well as acclaimed novelist Eoin McNamee. Our ever popular Ten Books You Should Read returns with radio presenter Rick OShea and author Hazel Gaynor. Dive into Irelands rich and rebellious brewing past with beer historian, blogger, podcaster and author of 'Filthy Queens: A History of Beer in Ireland', Dr Christina Wade. Join us for conversations with Iranian author of This is Not a Cookbook, Roxana Manouchehri and debut authors Roisin ODonnell and Brendan McEvilly. The Irish language is again celebrated with the return of An Tolg Liteartha with broadcaster Tristan Rosenstock interviewing the winners of the 2025 Oireachtas Publishing Awards. We have an exciting line-up of events from Kimberly Campanello, Jessica Traynor, Shane Kenny, Fionnan Sheahan and Tramp Press founders Lisa Coen and Sarah Davis-Goff," the spokesperson added. The full programme is available on http://www.kildarereadersfestival.ie/. All events are free of charge, but booking is essential. A new Rural Safety Plan, detailing specific actions on rural crime and community safety, has been published by Niall Collins, Minister of State at the Department of Justice. The plan assigns 18 actions and 54 sub-actions to the 24 member organisations of the National Rural Safety Forum, all focused on tackling rural crime and ensuring safety in rural communities. CLICK HERE FOR MORE CRIME UPDATES AND COURT REPORTS The actions are based on four key pillars: Community Safety and Engagement; Property Crime; Roads Safety; and Animal and Wildlife Crime. National Rural Safety Forum The National Rural Safety Forum is chaired by Assistant Garda Commissioner Paula Hilman and the Deputy President of the Irish Farmers Association, Alice Doyle. The forum meets on a quarterly basis to discuss issues related to crime and safety in rural communities across Ireland. It will monitor the implementation of the new Rural Safety Plan through regular progress reports. Welcome The new plan has been welcomed by Carlow Kilkenny TD, Deputy Peter Chap Cleere. The publication of the new Rural Safety Plan by Minister Collins is very welcome. Rural communities have so many varied stakeholders, which is why this plan is so useful - it brings together all of these stakeholders, from the Gardai, to the IFA, to Muintir na Tire, in one strategy, with clear and measurable actions assigned to each, all aimed at ensuring rural communities are and feel safe. The publication of a new Rural Safety Plan shows that Fianna Fail in government recognises the need for tailored approaches to tackle rural crime. We are dedicated to enhancing community safety, tackling rural crime and supporting rural policing through the implementation of the comprehensive measures in this plan. Commenting on the launch of the plan, Minister Collins said: The first responsibility of any Government is to keep its citizens safe, no matter what community they live in. The Rural Safety Plan recognises that rural crime is varied and there is no silver bullet solution to tackling it. The plans most important aspect is how it brings together stakeholders and assigns clearly defined and measurable actions to reduce rural criminal activity. Each of the 24 member organisations of the Rural Safety Forum brings expertise in specific areas where efforts will be focused to tackle rural crime. The Plan assigns 18 actions and 54 sub-actions members of the Forum, which will undertake progress reports to monitor and evaluate the progress of the Plan. CLICK HERE FOR MORE CRIME UPDATES AND COURT REPORTS Everyone has the right to be safe and feel safe in their communities. Rural Ireland is no exception, and the plan recognises the specific actions needed to take rural crime head on and what all stakeholders must do to enhance safety in rural communities. Crucially, the Plan is grounded in a collaborative approach. Actions will be delivered in cooperation by member organisations of the National Rural Safety Forum and statutory frameworks such as Local Community Safety Partnerships. Each action is aimed at benefitting everyone who lives, works in, and enjoys rural Ireland. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. MOSCOW, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Foreign Ministry official responsible for European Union affairs has criticized the bloc for its "hysteria" over unidentified drones entering its territory, saying the sole aim is to justify an increase in military spending, according to the state-owned RIA Novosti news agency on Saturday. The RIA Novosti report quoted Vladislav Maslennikov, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Department for European Affairs, as saying that the EU is attempting to convince the public of the need to increase its military expenditures, at the expense of undermining socioeconomic stability and lowering people's living standards. Maslennikov's remarks were made after reports of multiple unidentified drones having been spotted over Denmark's airports and military bases and in Germany's northern state bordering Denmark this week. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has described the drone incursion disrupting the air traffic at the Copenhagen Airport as a "serious attack" on the country's critical infrastructure. Earlier, Vladimir Chizhov, first deputy chairman of Russia's Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security, told Russia-24 TV that Russia has no need to demonstrate its strength by dispatching drones to EU countries. According to the RIA Novosti report on Saturday, Maslennikov also noted that the EU has yet to reach a consensus on the details of a proposed "drone wall." The "drone wall" means a build-up of technical equipment designed to detect and neutralize drones attempting to cross EU borders. On Friday, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo announced that planning for a "drone wall" is already underway, noting that EU leaders will continue discussions on the matter at their informal European Council meeting next week, according to a press release issued by the Finnish government. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. MOSCOW, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Russia's education ministry announced the integration of special artificial intelligence-focused modules into all educational programs. "We have added dedicated AI modules to all student training programs, regardless of future professions. It doesn't matter if you're going to be a biologist, lawyer, physicist, chemist, or journalist," Science and Higher Education Minister Valery Falkov said during an educational forum on Saturday marking the 80th anniversary of Russia's atomic industry. He added that future specialists must understand how to apply AI in their professional practice, noting that the rise of AI demands a complete restructuring of educational processes and teaching technologies. Falkov added that his ministry has set a goal to train no fewer than 15,000 specialists to develop AI technology through a range of programs, "typically those tied to advanced mathematical knowledge." PARIS, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has said that the government is aiming for a public deficit of about 4.7 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2026, while maintaining the objective of bringing the shortfall to 3 percent by 2029. Lecornu said in an interview with Le Parisien published Friday that the 2026 budget would reflect consultations with trade unions, employers' groups and public institutions, stressing that it would not be "a budget of austerity and social regression." He said the government would cut 6 billion euros in state spending and operating costs, as part of a long-term reform of public administration and territorial organization through decentralization. At the same time, he noted that allocations for pensions would rise by 6 billion euros (7 billion U.S. dollars) and for health care by 5 billion euros next year. Asked about the possible introduction of a wealth tax, known as the "Zucman Tax," Lecornu said the government had no intention of adopting such a measure, arguing that it could harm employment, investment and competitiveness. Lecornu was appointed prime minister on Sept. 9, replacing Francois Bayrou, who resigned after losing a parliamentary confidence vote following disputes over his budget plan seeking to save billions of euros per year in government spending. (1 euro = 1.17 U.S. dollar) BERLIN, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Germany's northern Schleswig-Holstein state has launched an investigation into some unidentified drones that were spotted on Friday night, suspecting their association with espionage or sabotage, the state's interior minister said Saturday. Sabine Suetterlin-Waack said the state is "closely and continuously" coordinating with the federal government and German armed forces over the matter, but declined to provide details on the number of drones or their flight paths. Local police have significantly stepped up counter-drone measures and are working closely together with other northern German states, she said. The Schleswig-Holstein drone sightings came after reports of drone incidents this week in neighboring Denmark, which disrupted air traffic at many airports. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has described the drone incursion at the Copenhagen Airport as a "serious attack" on the country's critical infrastructure. A PORTLAOISE woman who received money for goods she had advertised on online market sites but failed to send off the items to the purchasers, appeared at last weeks siting of Portlaoise District Court. Louise Ward (29) from Clonad, Portlaoise, pleaded guilty to three counts of deception. The first item, which was not disclosed in court, was sold for 130. The buyer reported to gardai in Leopardstown, Dublin, on 1 December 2021 that she had not received what she had paid for. The second of the items, a hairdryer was advertised for sale for 380. The court heard when the purchaser of this item failed to get it, she reported it to gardai in Dingle, Cork, on 26 February 2022. The third item, a Dyson Airwrap was purchased from Ms Ward for 131 but the buyer never received it. They went to gardai in Roundwood, Wicklow, and reported the matter. Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said that gardai tracked down Ms Ward through her social media account name and her bank account IBAN number. He said the defendant had 14 previous convictions. Noting the first of the incident took place almost four years ago, Judge Susan Fay asked: Has she any money with her today, to which Ms Wards solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick replied: The answer is no. Has she any money at all with her, asked the judge? Her mothers gone to see if she can get 100. Shes asking for one month to allow her time to pay back all the money, said Ms Fitzgerald. Going by my calculations, said Judge Fay, the total owed is 641, which if I adjourn the case to 15 December, it will mean she would have to pay 53.41 a week. However, the judge adjourned the case to 20 October to see if Ms Ward will keep to the teams of the repayment and by that date should have 213.64. She said if that money was there, she would adjourn the case on that date to 15 December and instruct the probation and welfare services to carry out an assessment on the defendant to see if she is suitable to carry out a community service order. Judge Fay said: She now has a choice what kind of Christmas her children are going to have. I will revisit my position in October, but I want her to have the money. YOUNG musicians from Laois, Offaly and across Northern Ireland took to the stage of the Dunamaise Arts Centre, on Saturday 20 September, performing original songs from a creative cross-border music project, presented by Music Generation Laois. Working with Nerve Centre, in Derry, young musicians from Music Generation Laois, Music Generation Offaly, and Northern Ireland came together for a residential week in Corrymeela Co. Antrim, in July and again in Castletown Co Laois in July, to form cross-border bands, and write songs together. 50 young people took part in the project, funded by Creative Irelands Shared Island initiative. Bands showcased original songs to families, friends and supporters in the Dunamaise on Saturday night. Highly energetic performances on the night showcased the ties of friendship that this project developed among participants. Speaking at the event, Rosa Flannery Music Development Officer with Music Generation Laois said: This has been an incredible project for the young people involved, young people from different backgrounds and experiences came together, in an intensive residential setting in Antrim and Laois, and the outcomes have been truly powerful and transformative for the young people involved. Their confidence has soared, their musical and song writing skills have soared, and theyve had an unforgettable experience, meeting new people and seeing new places. We are very grateful to Creative Ireland, our musician teams in Music Generation Laois and The Nerve Centre, and to the young people we worked with, it's been the most incredible journey. The two groups will come together for a final showcase event in Nerve Centre, Derry, on Saturday 11 October. To find out more about Music Generation Laois, see musicgenerationlaois.ie. Music Generation Laois is part of Music Generation, Irelands national performance music education programme, initiated by Music Network and co-funded by U2, The Ireland Funds and the Department of Education and Youth. Locally Music Generation Laois is part of Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board and supported by Laois County Council. Visitors view exhibit cars of Dongfeng at Turin Auto Show in Turin, Italy, Sept. 27, 2025. Seventeen Chinese automakers brought new models to Turin Auto Show this year, about one-third of all exhibitors. (Xinhua/Li Jing) TURIN, Italy, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- China's automobile manufacturers are rapidly becoming an important driving force in Europe's auto industry, bringing fresh design ideas, competitive electric-vehicle technology and growing market presence to the continent, Andrea Levy, president of Turin Auto Show, told Xinhua in a recent interview. Held across open city blocks in the northern Italian city, the 2025 Turin Auto Show blends Italy's long-standing design tradition with an increasingly international exhibitor list. This year the show unveiled the Turin Automotive Design Award for the first time, a professional prize established with European official backing to promote cooperation between Chinese and European automakers. An independent international jury made up of nine leading Italian automotive design and R&D institutes selected winners that included Chinese marques such as Changan, JAC, Geely and Jetour, Levy said, praising the awards as recognition of China's rising design capabilities and a step toward closer Sino-Italian industrial ties. Seventeen Chinese automakers brought new models to Turin this year - about one-third of all exhibitors - Levy noted that BYD, Denza, Dongfeng and JAC were among them, with several brands making their Italian debut." "For example, BYD presented its premium Denza brand, Dongfeng launched a new sub-brand, and Zeekr exhibited its models," he said, noting that Chinese high-performance electric models - like the Zeekr 001 FR with its 800-horsepower output - have showcased the technical capabilities of these brands to Italian audiences. The show is expected to attract some 500,000 visitors, Levy added. "Taking part in international motor shows is very important for Chinese brands. Many European consumers have been unfamiliar with Chinese cars, but here they can see the design and technical strength with their own eyes." Levy believes Chinese manufacturers are well positioned to accelerate Europe's shift from internal-combustion engines to electrification. He said that Italy's adoption of pure electric vehicles has lagged behind other European countries. He estimated EVs make up roughly 5 percent of Italy's market, compared with more than 10 percent in Germany and France and over 50 percent in Norway, and said that China's combination of advanced battery and charging technologies, plus attractive pricing, gives Chinese automakers significant potential. "Chinese cars are technologically advanced, support very fast charging and are competitively priced," Levy said. "Some Chinese models already support ultra-fast 400-kilowatt charging, allowing a recharge in about 15 minutes - an experience that is new for many Italian consumers." He argued that such strengths will help European buyers transition from fuel vehicles to electric models more quickly. On how Chinese manufacturers can deepen their presence in Europe, Levy emphasized visibility and hands-on experience. "European consumers tend to have long-standing trust in traditional local brands. Chinese marques lack that historical familiarity. But if consumers can test-drive these cars and the media cover them, perceptions will change - because the cars perform well, are well designed and are reasonably priced." Levy also highlighted the natural complementarity between the two countries. Italy's global renown in car design - the home of masters such as Pininfarina and Giorgetto Giugiaro - and its logistics networks offer entry points for Chinese manufacturers. "Many Chinese firms have already set up design centers in Turin to develop global models; Changan is one example," he said. "Italy is not only a design hub in Europe, it is also an important gateway. Vehicles arriving through Italian ports can be distributed across Europe, and Italian logistics companies can help build a continent-wide sales network." Describing cooperation as mutually beneficial, Levy said Italy's expertise in high-performance vehicle design can be coupled with China's extensive experience in batteries and electrification. "Such cooperation can teach Italy more about electric-vehicle technology while helping Chinese automakers establish themselves in Europe," he said. Looking ahead, the Turin Auto Show plans to go beyond vehicle displays and to build concrete industry linkages. "In 2026 we plan to create a dedicated section within the show to facilitate China-Italy and broader China-Europe automotive cooperation, providing matchmaking opportunities and helping firms establish new commercial contacts," Levy said. Concluding the interview, Levy expressed admiration for the pace and scale of China's auto industry development. "Chinese cars are not only technologically advanced and attractively designed, they are becoming an integral part of the global automotive industry. The Turin Auto Show is willing to act as an important bridge for Chinese brands entering Europe, he said. "We welcome more Chinese automakers to exhibit." Visitors view an exhibit car of BYD at Turin Auto Show in Turin, Italy, Sept. 27, 2025. Seventeen Chinese automakers brought new models to Turin Auto Show this year, about one-third of all exhibitors. (Xinhua/Li Jing) Visitors view an exhibit car of Leapmotor at Turin Auto Show in Turin, Italy, Sept. 27, 2025. Seventeen Chinese automakers brought new models to Turin Auto Show this year, about one-third of all exhibitors. (Xinhua/Li Jing) Visitors view an exhibit car of Dongfeng at Turin Auto Show in Turin, Italy, Sept. 27, 2025. Seventeen Chinese automakers brought new models to Turin Auto Show this year, about one-third of all exhibitors. (Xinhua/Li Jing) Visitors experience exhibit cars of Geely at Turin Auto Show in Turin, Italy, Sept. 27, 2025. Seventeen Chinese automakers brought new models to Turin Auto Show this year, about one-third of all exhibitors. (Xinhua/Li Jing) DESPITE over 80 objections and submissions lodged with Laois County Council, the county planners approved the construction of what locals from the Ballybrittas, Emo and Vicarstown areas describe as the largest Solar Energy Farm ever to be constructed in Ireland. rsted Onshore Ireland Midco Limited was given the go ahead by the planners to develop its site over five townlands stretching across 249 hectares (615 acres) with 1,796,838sq. metres of solar photovoltaic panels. The company will develop its solar farms within the townlands of Morett, Killone, Cappakeel, Rossmore and Raheennahown north. Along with the solar panels the company was granted permission to erect approximately 22,753m (14 miles) of boundary security fencing around its site. The company said that it will submit a separate planning application to An Coimisiun Pleanala as part of a Strategic Infrastructure Development for the provision of a 110kV substation in the townland of Morett and will connect the substation to the national grid. In April locals gathered in Emo Community Hall to voice their objections to the development. At that meeting the then planned development was described by them as one of the largest solar energy farms in Ireland. Questions were also raised about the suitability of locating an industrial complex in a rural community. Some also expressed concerns about the visual effect the solar farm would have on the area and the impact on house and land prices locally. Present at the meeting that night were Deputies Sean Fleming and Willie Aird along with cllrs Paschal McEvoy and Vivienne Phelan and a representative of Deputy Brian Stanley. The public representatives present encouraged the meeting attendees to list their concerns and submit them to the planning authority. However, from the 82 that submitted observations to the plans, just three public representatives made submissions - Deputy Brian Stanley and cllrs Aidan Mullins and Aisling Moran. Some of the submissions voiced concerns about the companys lack of consultation with those living in the planned areas for development. Others objected to the development proceeding because of the lack of national policy or guidelines around such developments. Glare/glint from the solar panels was also another factor as well as environmental issues such as water, traffic, movements, security, not just around the site, but of locals homes as well as the displacement of wildlife and light pollution. The company said it anticipates it will take up to 18 months for the completion of the project. In an extraordinary move, President Donald Trump on Saturday authorized sending federal troops to Oregon to protect what he described in hyperbolic terms as War ravaged Portland. It was the latest in a string of comments from the president about threatening federal intervention and inaccurately characterizing what is happening in the city. Trumps declaration dropped at 7:19 a.m. Pacific time on the social media platform Truth Social, catching local officials by surprise and leaving unanswered a litany of questions about what to expect in Portland. At the request of Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, I am directing Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists. I am also authorizing Full Force, if necessary. Thank you for your attention to this matter! Trump wrote in his post. Read more coverage from The Oregonian/OregonLive: More than two hours later, Gov. Tina Kotek and Portland Mayor Keith Wilson responded, saying Portland is safe and theres no reason to send federal troops into the city. Koteks office learned about Trumps plan to send troops to Portland from social media posts and received no courtesy heads up. There is no national security threat in Portland, Kotek said in a statement. Our communities are safe and calm. I ask Oregonians to stay calm and enjoy a beautiful fall day. Kotek said her office was trying to reach the White House and the Department of Homeland Security to find out more about the announced troop deployment. Koteks office has not yet been told the purpose of any military mission, Kotek said. By midday, Kotek said she had spoken directly with Trump to make the case that federal troops are not needed in Portland. She also said officials would consider legal options to challenge any deployment. We disagree with the premise that we need federal troops here, Kotek said during a 2 p.m. news conference staged in front of the Willamette River. Wilson, meanwhile, blasted Trumps threats to send troops. President Trump has directed all necessary Troops to Portland, Oregon. The number of necessary troops is zero, in Portland and any other American city, Wilson said in a statement. Our nation has a long memory for acts of oppression, and the president will not find lawlessness or violence here unless he plans to perpetrate it. Its not immediately clear if or when troops would arrive in Portland, or which branch of the military might be involved. The Oregon National Guard had not received any official requests as of Saturday morning, a spokesperson said, adding that any request would be coordinated through Koteks office. Its also unclear what authority Trump would use to send troops into a U.S. city and what type of legal pushback he could face from Oregon. California sued over Trumps deployment of the military to Los Angeles, with a judge ruling this month that it violated federal law, although that decision has been appealed. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for details on Trumps announcement, such as a timeline for the deployment or what troops would be involved, according to The Associated Press. There is no law allowing a domestic group or ideology to be labeled a terrorist organization. Trump has previously threatened to send the National Guard into Chicago without following through. A deployment in Memphis, Tennessee, is expected to include only about 150 troops, far less than were sent to the District of Columbia for Trumps crackdown or in Los Angeles in response to immigration protests. The presidents comments about Portland appear to be referring to the ongoing protests outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in South Portland. Those protests peaked in June, but have involved no more than several dozen people in recent weeks. The Trump administration has fixated on Portland for weeks, according to Politico, in part because it is a Democratic fixture and because of crime linked to the months-long protests in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd. Politico also reported that Trumps directive caught many in the Pentagon by surprise, with some speculating that any troops might be tasked with helping local law enforcement. Trumps announcement about Portland also came during the same week of escalating tensions nationwide over safety at immigration facilities. A sniper in Dallas killed one person and injured two others at an ICE building, with officials saying the shooter was targeting federal agents. Members of Oregons Democratic congressional delegation poured scorn on Trumps announcement Saturday while asking Portlanders to remain peaceful. Trump is launching an authoritarian takeover of Portland in the hopes of provoking conflict in my hometown, Sen. Ron Wyden told The Oregonian/OregonLive in a statement Saturday morning. I urge Oregonians to reject Trumps attempt to incite violence in what we know is a vibrant and peaceful city. I will do everything in my power to protect the people in our state. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici said in a statement that Trump was lying and that she personally saw only a few peaceful protesters outside the ICE facility this week. The administration is trying to provoke us to justify their actions, Bonamici said in the statement. Do not take the bait. Sen. Jeff Merkley also urged Portlanders to not take the bait in a statement posted on X Saturday. Portland is peaceful and strong and we will take care of each other, Merkley said. Portlands mayor and other Oregon leaders gathered Friday to sound the alarm about the apparent increased federal presence at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility south of downtown Portland. U.S. Rep. Maxine Dexter said in a statement Saturday that Trumps decision to send troops to Portland is an egregious abuse of power and a betrayal of our most basic American values. We did not ask for federal agents, and we do not want them. Let me be clear: the Portland we love will not be divided by federal forces, Dexter said. Do not take the bait. Stay safe, stay peaceful, and stay together. Federal agents have been filmed hitting, shoving and pepper-spraying nonviolent protesters, and more than a dozen demonstrators have reported other alleged uses of excessive force that resulted in massive bruising or injuries. A top Portland Police Bureau official has said in court that federal officers were instigating and causing some of the ruckus outside the ICE facility. But the protests have been a source of frustration for many neighbors in the otherwise residential neighborhood, as Portland police have declined to enforce the citys noise ordinance at anti-ICE protests. Protesters regularly blast music for hours and loudly hurl insults at federal police. Julie Parrish, a lawyer and former Republican state lawmaker, represented a Portland woman who lives near the ICE facility and sued over the onslaught of noise from protesters this summer. But Multnomah County Senior Judge Ellen Rosenblum, a former Oregon attorney general, said last month she couldnt compel officers to intervene. Parrish said the presidents decision to send federal forces was the result of poor leadership from the citys mayor. Theyve let that area be feral for months and then blame the facility and not the people terrorizing the neighbors, she said, referring to Wilson and the police bureau. A protester who said he has been going at least twice a week for the last three months said he was baffled by Trumps announcement. How do you label peaceful protesters terrorists in order to send troops against us? Milo Black said. Were not antifa. Antifas literally just an ideology. Its not a group. The Associated Press and The Oregonian/OregonLive reporters Janet Eastman, Zane Sparling, Noelle Crombie, Maxine Bernstein, Shane Dixon Kavanaugh, Carlos Fuentes and Zaeem Shaikh contributed to this report. The acclaimed Grass Roots Sessions series at Kavanaghs Bar & Venue, Portlaoise comes to a powerful close on Thursday, October 2, with a stellar lineup of original Irish acts. Launched in July and hosted by Portlaoise publican PJ Kavanagh with the support of the Night-Time Economy Grassroots Music Venues Support Scheme, the three-month live music series has celebrated original music by fresh voices from across Ireland, but with a focus on the Midlands. Each night has showcased three original bands or solo artists, performing all-original material curated by Brian and Finn OMahoney and compered by well-known DJ and documentary maker Ann Marie Kelly. She is also filming the gigs as part of an ongoing project to document and support original Irish music. Three songs per act are being professionally filmed and recorded using a multi-camera setup, alongside mixed and mastered audio from the show. The goal is to provide each performer with a high-quality live video asset to help secure future bookings and festival slots. The final night of the festival that began in the summer is sure to be a blowout with the acts revealed to the Leinster Express / Laois Live as Cronin, My Father the King and Vendetta Love. Cronin features brothers Michael and Johnny Cronin who have been a force in the Irish music scene since 2006, carving out a reputation for evocative, atmospheric songwriting. Hailing from Co Longford, their music has earned airplay on RTE Radio 1, BBC Radio 2, BBC 6 Music, and XFM, alongside television performances on The Late Late Show and Saturday Night with Miriam OCallaghan. MORE BELOW PHOTO. Pictured: Cronin Beyond their own releases, they have collaborated with some of Irelands most iconic names, serving as musical directors for the Shane MacGowan Late Late Show tribute, and performing alongside legends such as Glen Hansard, Lisa ONeill, and Nick Cave. Lauded for their invigorating mix of Nick Cave, Echo & The Bunnymen, and classic British guitar bands (Hot Press), Cronin deliver moody, melody-driven songs that leave a lasting impact. Portlaoises own My Father the King bring an authentic blend of alternative rock and punk energy to the stage. Since their formation in 2013, the band has weathered lineup changes and the tragic loss of their beloved drummer Alan Ryan in 2019, emerging stronger and more determined than ever. MORE BELOW PHOTO. Pictured: My Father the King Their debut EP Toy Guns for Fun (2014) set the tone for a band committed to originality, with early highlights including sharing the stage with Kilkenny rock icons Kerbdog. Following a hiatus, the groupnow comprised of Alan Bell (guitar/vocals), Niall Harney (bass), Jerry Deegan (guitar/vocals), and Paddy Tunga (drums)have returned with renewed energy, ready to write, record, and perform with fresh passion. Vendetta Love are no strangers to the Portlaoise venue with their force of raw, riff-driven power. They channel the grit of Seattles grunge era with the swagger of LAs Sunset Strip. Since 2021, theyve released a string of acclaimed singles and EPs, building a global following and commanding stages with their ferocious live shows. Their momentum has seen them share bills with heavyweights such as Airbourne and Poets of the Fall, headline venues like Whelans (Dublin) and Voodoo (Belfast), and take their sound to UK audiences on tour in 2024. MORE BELOW PHOTO. Pictured: Vendetta Love. READ ALSO: Laois Lasta festival to host acclaimed talent in PORTLAOISE With standout singles Soothe and Glue earning extensive airplay this year, alongside a stripped-back acoustic version of Walk Alone, Vendetta Love continue to prove themselves as one of Irelands most exciting rock bands. This project is part of the Department of Culture, Communications and Sports Night-Time Economy Grassroots Music Venue Support Scheme 2025. Kavanaghs Bar and Venue, was one of 33 music venues across the country offered funding of up to 15,000 under the Scheme to stage events. A driver caught doing 212kph on the motorway has donated 10,000 to charity in order to have a dangerous driving charge reduced. Conor Bradley (26) of 7 Belgrove Park, Chapelizod, Dublin 20, had been charged with dangerous driving after he was detected driving at 212kph on the M7 at Cappakeel, Portlaoise on August 23, 2025. Solicitor Philip Meagher told Judge Andrew Cody that the defendant had been in court a week earlier when he was given the opportunity to donate 10,000 to the Jack and Jill Foundation. Mr Meagher said the donation had been made and he produced a receipt to confirm the transaction. He said his client had been kindly told the court would reduce the charge to careless driving and impose a 300 fine and a six month disqualification if the donation was made. Judge Andrew Cody warned the man to keep his foot off the pedal as he agreed to reduce the charge to careless driving. Mr Bradley will never get a chance like that again, warned Judge Cody as he imposed the six month ban and 300 fine on the man at the sitting of Portlaoise District Court. Key Points Coca-Cola is one of Berkshire Hathaway's top holdings. Coke has increased its dividend annually for 63 consecutive years. 10 stocks we like better than Coca-Cola Famed investor Warren Buffett and the company he has led for decades, Berkshire Hathaway, have achieved success that has made their investment moves some of the most closely watched in the stock market. If you're looking for a Berkshire stock to buy and hold forever, look no further than Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO). Over the past 12 months, Coca-Cola's stock is down close to 7%, while the S&P 500 is up by approximately 16%. Despite its underperformance during that time, Coca-Cola remains a valuable addition to most investors' portfolios, especially those seeking consistent and reliable income. Image source: Getty Images. With its maturity, it's unrealistic to expect consistent double-digit annual gains from Coca-Cola's stock. If you're investing in Coca-Cola, the focus should be on its dividend. At the time of this writing on Sept. 24, Coca-Cola's dividend yield is 3.1%, more than double the S&P 500 average. The above-average dividend is great, but the appeal of holding onto Coca-Cola's stock for the long haul lies in its commitment to consistently increasing its annual dividend. Coca-Cola is a Dividend King (a company with at least 50 consecutive years of dividend increases), with 63 consecutive years of dividend raises. When you invest in Coca-Cola, you know you're investing in a well-established industry leader that has stood the test of time. Its products are in virtually every corner of the world, and the company has demonstrated its commitment to adapting its portfolio to meet changing consumer preferences. That's a recipe for longevity, which is why I personally plan to hold Coca-Cola for the long haul. Should you invest $1,000 in Coca-Cola right now? Before you buy stock in Coca-Cola, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Coca-Cola wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $652,872!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,092,280!* Now, its worth noting Stock Advisors total average return is 1,062% a market-crushing outperformance compared to 189% for the S&P 500. Dont miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. Laois Partnership Company invites individuals, businesses and community groups across the county to join them at a series of workshops to discuss LEADER funding opportunities. The Portlaoise headquartered development company says LEADER is a community-led approach to local development funded through Irelands CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) with funding administered via the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. To give an overview of the LEADER programme and the application process, there are three public workshops planned in the coming weeks at venues in Mountmellick, Borris-in-Ossory, and Errill, and all are welcome to attend. With a 4 million funding for rural development projects in Laois up to 2027 under the latest LEADER fund, Laois Partnership says funding is available towards a wide range of sectors including farm diversification, small and medium enterprise, rural youth, heritage, town and village renewal, community facilities and amenities, and renewable energy and environmental projects. MORE BELOW PHOTO. Caroline Lydon, Laois Partnership CEO, at the offices on the Timahoe Road in Portlaoise. Laois Partnership says LEADER has been instrumental in assisting many innovative projects in Laois. One of the new projects approved for LEADER funding in 2025 is Cafe Donate in Mountrath, an social enterprise that it says provides job-skills training and community investment. This project has come to fruition with LEADER support of 105,267, with funding approved towards building and renovation costs and equipment. LEADER support has been absolutely amazing, every step of the way, said Martin Meade, director of Cafe Donate. There is a great team in Laois Partnership Company who are only a phone call away. Community groups and enterprises in Laois should contact Laois Partnership Company to discuss potential LEADER supports, if they dont, they could be missing out. The LEADER workshop dates and venues are as follows: 1st October, 5.30pm to 6.30pm, in Mountmellick Development Association Centre; 15th October, 5.30pm to 6.30pm, in Borris-in-Ossory Innovation Centre; 5th November, 5.30pm to 6.30pm, in St Bernadettes Hall, Errill. For more information, contact Laois Partnership Company on 05786 61900, email info@laoispartnership.ie, or visit www.laoispartnership.ie READ ALSO: Laois Partnership want public on new direction The workshop are taking place as Laois Partnership is seeking the views and opinions of the people of Laois in forming its new strategic plan for the multi-million funded community development entity. A new chapter will be added to the history of a well-known County Kildare pub, as it is set to go up for auction next month. According to auctioneer company John P Younge, O'Rourke's pub, which is located on the Main Street of Newbridge, was initially established back in 1897 by the O'Rourke family. The premises has served three generations of the family and is described by the auctioneer as an "iconic, traditional style residential licensed premises of character". John P Younge also said that the premises has "an inviting ambiance within the Snug Bar and in the split-level Lounge Bar, both of which extend to 1,280 square feet (119 square metres) and display a variety of attractive features." READ NEXT: Kildare bridge boardwalks users could end up losing a tooth It also noted that the premises is located beside the recently upgraded St Conleth's GAA Park. Furthermore, the description said that there is living accommodation attached to the property, comprising of two reception rooms, a large kitchen / dining room, an office space and five bedrooms. O'Rourke's pub will be put up for auction in the Buswell's Hotel in Dublin 2, County Dublin on October 22, 2025 (unless previously sold). Further details about the property can be viewed on the official John P Young website. READ NEXT: Kildare university's Department of Psychology celebrates 25 years with keynote event Polaris has consistently outperformed its major tech contemporaries, offering 35% higher accuracy, 4x lower latency, and lower costs. Customers who switch to Polaris report instant improvements, which drive renewals and increased closure rates. SoundHounds rapid expansion is tied to its successful acquisition strategy. Synq3's acquisition in 2024 has completely converted restaurant clients to SoundHound's proprietary Polaris foundation model, saving millions in third-party costs while boosting performance. Meanwhile, Amelia's pre-acquisition sales achievement of 40% has been reversed to more than 100%, demonstrating the resonance of SoundHound's integrated services. Management also stated that net revenue retention has increased from less than 90% to more than 120%, owing to improved product performance and customer success initiatives. SoundHound AI recently posted its strongest quarter ever, marking a defining moment in the companys evolution as a leader in conversational AI. In the second quarter, revenue surged to $43 million, representing a 217% year-over-year (YoY) increase, driven by broad-based momentum across automotive, enterprise customer service, and restaurant automation. Notably, the company has achieved a significant milestone by processing over 1 billion requests per month on its platform. Valued at $6.7 billion, SoundHound AI is a pure-play AI company that develops voice and conversational AI technology. Its platforms let people interact with devices and services using natural speech, much like talking to another person. SoundHound continues to penetrate diverse industries with partnerships with big enterprises in restaurants, automotive, healthcare, retail, and financial services; channel partnerships; and communications. While SOUN stock has dipped 18.9% year-to-date, it has surged 250.8% in the past year. SoundHound AI (SOUN) has gone from a little-known voice recognition player to one of the hottest names in artificial intelligence (AI). Over the past year, its stock has surged from just $4 to $16, reaching a 52-week high of $24.98, rewarding early investors with a four- to sixfold increase. Backed by the rapid adoption of its conversational AI technology, SoundHound is quickly proving itself to be a real growth engine. Story continues Polaris additionally powers Amelia 7, SoundHound's recently released agentic AI platform. Amelia 7 allows businesses to deploy autonomous and directed AI agents with low-code and no-code flexibility. Already, 15 significant enterprise clients have migrated to the platform, resulting in additional upsell prospects. More Success Stories Incoming Recently, the company announced its acquisition of Interactions Corporation, a pioneer in AI-powered customer support. The $60 million deal, which includes potential milestone payments, is expected to rapidly boost profitability and increase SoundHound's enterprise reach. The acquisition expands SoundHound's portfolio to include a diverse roster of Fortune 100 brands, such as global retailers, insurers, automakers, and technology businesses, while also increasing its intellectual property to over 400 patents. More recently, SoundHound and Red Lobster announced a collaboration to implement an AI-powered phone ordering system at all Red Lobster restaurants. These integrations have resulted in cost and revenue synergies, with cross-selling and upselling fueling future growth. H.C. Wainwright analyst Scott Buck believes that the strategic acquisition of Interactions could immediately enhance profitability while opening up cross-selling and upselling potential throughout Interactions' customer base. He added that, given the success of the previous Amelia acquisition, this move strengthens management's execution. Consequently, Buck reiterated a Buy rating on SOUN stock with a price target of $18. Despite increasing R&D, sales, and G&A spending as a result of acquisitions, SoundHound continues to invest in Polaris and agentic AI innovations that are currently showing competitive advantages. The company ended the quarter with $230 million in cash balance and no debt. With record growth, breakthrough innovations like Polaris and Amelia 7, and momentum across automotive, enterprise, restaurants, healthcare, and financial services, the company is well-positioned to expand its AI ecosystem. Given strong deal flow and demand across verticals, SoundHound raised its 2025 revenue outlook to $160 million to $178 million. The company anticipates growth to accelerate in the second half of the year. Analysts predict a revenue increase of 96.04% in 2025, followed by a 28.9% increase in 2026. However, this rapid revenue growth is yet to translate to sustained profitability. The company reported an adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization) loss of $14.3 million and an adjusted net loss of $0.03 per share in Q2. Management expects to achieve adjusted EBITDA profitability by the end of 2025. Trading at 33 times forward 2026 sales, SOUN stock is expensive now. Those already invested in the company should hold on to this stock as it translates its rapid revenue growth to sustained profits. On the other hand, new investors might want to wait for a better entry point. What Is the Target Price for SOUN Stock? SOUN stock has surged from $4 a year ago to $16.35 as of writing, surpassing even its average analyst's target price of $15.36. Wall Street analysts believe the stock could go higher to $18, which implies a potential upside of 10% from current levels. Overall, Wall Street rates SOUN stock as a Moderate Buy. Among the nine analysts covering the stock, five give it a Strong Buy rating, while four suggest a Hold. www.barchart.com On the date of publication, Sushree Mohanty 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 IRISH LANGUAGE poet and editor Aifric Mac Aodha has been named the winner of the 2025 Michael Hartnett Poetry Award for her bilingual poetry collection Old Friends (The Gallery Press, 2024). The award, which includes a prize of 8,000, will be presented on the opening night of Eigse Michael Hartnett 2025 in Newcastle West, Limerick on Thursday, October 2. Described by judges as affecting and at times dark, the collection marks a significant achievement in Mac Aodhas poetic career. The poems are written in Irish, with English translations by fellow poet David Wheatley. READ MORE: Spook-fest in Limerick as Halloween set to be celebrated in style Mac Aodhas collection was praised by judges Ailbhe Ni Ghearbhaigh and Louis de Paor as a "significant achievement." The judging panel stated: There is an unmistakable linguistic assurance in these poems alongside an agility in poetic form, in which the narratives are often half-obscured beneath the surface of the poem, amplifying the mysteriousness and emotional sensitivity of the work. Responding to the achievement, Mac Aodha said: It is a great pleasure and an even greater surprise to receive the Michael Hartnett Poetry Award. In his Poem for Niall, 7 a poem full of love and humanity Hartnett tells us that ink speaks and paper speaks. Poets can only say what they have to say through their poems, and poetry can be difficult to achieve. For those reasons, it means a great deal to me that the judges have chosen my collection Old Friends. I am grateful to them, to the festival organisers, and to my translator, David Wheatley, added Mac Aodha. Aifric is the Irish language editor of Poetry Ireland Review and has published widely in both Irish and English. Her poetry has been translated into several languages including French, German, Spanish, and Czech. She has also taught in St Petersburg, New York, and Canada, and has lectured in Irish at University College Dublin. The Michael Hartnett Poetry Award, established in memory of the late Limerick poet, celebrates excellence in poetry written in either of Irelands two official languages. American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE:AEO) is included among the 12 Best Retail Dividend Stocks to Buy Now. American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) Dividend Policy and What it Means for Retail Dividend Stocks Investor Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE:AEO) is a specialty retailer that caters mainly to teens and young adults with casual clothing. Its business revolves around two core brands: American Eagle, which focuses on jeans and everyday apparel, and Aerie, which offers intimates, activewear, swimwear, and other apparel. The company operates 1,185 stores and continues to expand its reach globally through franchise partnerships. American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE:AEO)s recent efforts have emphasized setting its brands apart, streamlining its supply chain, and enhancing digital capabilities. Key drivers of growth include the strong performance of Aerie, sustainability efforts through the Real Good line, and maintaining operational efficiency as retail dynamics evolve. Its focus on digital integration and inclusive brand policies further strengthens its standing in a highly competitive market. On September 16, American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE:AEO) declared a quarterly dividend of $0.125 per share, which was in line with its previous dividend. Though the company doesnt hold any dividend growth streak, it has been making regular payments to shareholders for the last two decades. The stock has a dividend yield of 2.79%, as of September 22. While we acknowledge the potential of AEO as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 11 Cheap Quarterly Dividend Stocks to Buy Right Now and 10 Safest High Dividend Stocks to Buy Now. Disclosure: None. GARDAI have been given additional time to prepare the book of evidence in the case of a Limerick man who is charged with the murder of a pensioner earlier this year. Philip Ambrose, aged 43, of no fixed abode, is charged with the murder of Michael Hayes (71) at St Michaels Court, Watergate, Limerick city on July 10, last. Mr Ambrose, who was first charged following his arrest the summer, appeared before Limerick District Court via video link for a procedural hearing. Updating the court, Garda Inspector Liam Wallace said the book of evidence in relation to the case is not yet ready to be presented. READ NEXT: Quantity of drugs, two dogs and number of vehicles seized by gardai in Limerick As a result, Insp Wallace made an application for an extension of time and an adjournment of the case to facilitate the completion of the book of evidence. Judge Patricia Harney granted this request and she further remanded Mr Ambrose in custody, to appear again before Limerick District Court again on October 21. During the brief hearing, the court heard that Mr Ambrose made an application for bail in the High Court but that his application was refused. THE FORMER operator of a Limerick tanning salon has been convicted and fined for allowing a minor to use a sunbed. Arkadiusz Twardowski, of Sunrise Tanning Salon, John Street, Limerick city was prosecuted by the HSE at Limerick District Court. READ NEXT: Limerick man in court for dumping changes plea after being 'plainly in view' on CCTV Michael ODonnell, solicitor for Mr Twardowski, told Judge John King that his client was not present as he is extremely unwell. He suffered a stroke in March. I am instructed to plead guilty, said Mr ODonnell. Solicitor Barry Kelleher, on behalf of the HSE, said it was a prosecution under the Public Health Act of use of a sunbed by a minor On December 10, 2024, a volunteer minor, aged 15, attended the premises and sought the use of a sunbed. They paid 2.20 for two minutes. They were never asked for age or ID. The transaction was observed by an environmental health officer. There are no previous convictions, said Mr Kelleher. Mr ODonnell said Mr Twardowski operated the premises for 18 years but has disposed of it due to his health. His sister now runs it, said Mr ODonnell. The fire alarm in Limerick Courthouse went off at this point in the case. However, as people were beginning to leave the courtroom it stopped and the case resumed. Mr Kelleher said he understands it was the sister who made the sale to the minor. Mr ODonnell confirmed this was the case but a system is now in place. In mitigation, Mr ODonnell said Mr Twardowski has been in the country for a considerable period of time, is extremely unwell, the business is still operating and there are no previous convictions. He said his client is on social welfare and is not a man of extreme means. Judge King ordered Mr Twardowski to pay the HSEs cost of 3,500 and fined him 500. The maximum fine is up to 4,000. Ill adjourn it for him to have money in the court and on that basis he gets that reduction. It's a special offer today - if he doesnt have the money in court on the next date I might go a bit further, said Judge King. The judge gave Mr Twardowski six months to pay the total of 4,000. The case was adjourned to next February PRIMARY schools across Limerick are being invited to claim a free tree sapling, and plant it with their pupils on Glennon Brothers National Tree Day, which takes place on Thursday, October 2. The Scots Pine sapling, a native tree species to Ireland, will be given to participating schools for National Tree Day. The initiative is designed by the Tree Council of Ireland to encourage primary schools to plant and learn about the importance of trees. This years theme of Building a Better Future links classroom learning with real-world forestry. READ MORE: Limerick academic pens book focusing on rivalary at the top of Irish government It explains how trees provide us with clean air, shelter for wildlife, and the timber that is used to build homes, furniture, tools, and boats for generations. The theme also aims to highlight how fast-growing trees capture at least three times more carbon over 35 years than slower-growing species, and that using Irish-grown timber in homes and furniture keeps that carbon locked away. By getting outdoors to plant trees and explore Irelands unique biodiversity, primary school children across Limerick can take a simple, hands-on action that benefits their local area. Schools can claim one of 2,000 free Scots Pine saplings now at www.treeday.ie. The website also hosts ready-to-use classroom resources, nature activities, and facts about the Scots Pine to make lesson planning easy. Cormac Downey, President, Tree Council of Ireland, commented, National Tree Day is a chance for children, teachers, and families to discover the importance of trees. This year were celebrating the Scots Pine, a native Irish species, and showing how planting a single tree can help build a better future for us all. This year, National Tree Day welcomes a new partner in Glennon Brothers. Announcing the partnership, Joint Managing Director of Glennon Brothers, Pat Glennon said, As a family business, were proud to partner with the Tree Council of Ireland for National Tree Day. For us the message is simple, Irish timber for Irish homes, from forest to front door. UISCE Eireann has been given the green light to acquire land to build a new waste-water treatment plant in Hospital. The State utility firm, formerly known as Irish Water, applied for permission to compulsorily purchase land for the development of the treatment plant. The green light was given earlier this month. READ MORE: Coming soon! Pick up the latest edition of Limerick Life magazine In deciding to approve the purchase, an inspector with An Coimisiun Pleanala, formerly An Bord Pleanala, noted the existing treatment plant in the village is significantly overloaded. It is currently designed to cater for a capacity of a 500 population equivalent. However, the current loading into the plant is 1,186 population equivalent. This is a result in a deterioration in the quality of water in the River Mahore, the inspector stated in their report. There was one objection to the acquisition, from a landowner. They claimed the purchase of the land would result in the loss of land for a proposed solar project. This, they argued, would result in the loss of 950,000 kilowatts-per-hour each year. However, the commissions inspector said they have reviewed the local planning register, and there is no record of any application for a solar farm on the lands. The inspector recommended permission be granted for the waste-water plant. They pointed to the need to alleviate the current hydraulic and biological overloading of the Hospital waste-water treatment plan. Local councillor Eddie Ryan has welcomed the approval. Hospital has been crying out for this for years, and I believe the community will be glad to see it happen, he said. THE PROPOSED extension of the Limerick Greenway into the city centre has been thrown into doubt. It comes after Limerick City and County Council confirmed the funding for the project is under review. The local authority added: The 2026 funding from the Department of Transport is currently unknown and the indications are that funding for greenways in 2026 will be limited. READ MORE: Torch Players to present 'gripping modern drama' in Limerick's Belltable theatre The information came to light at this months metropolitan meeting, following a question by Patrickswell councillor Dan McSweeney, Fine Gael. Tim Fitzgerald, a senior engineer at the Mid-West national roads design officer, wrote: This is a very disappointing development. However, Limerick City and County Council are in a position to keep the procurement process open until the end of 2025 and we will continue to liaise with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the mayors office in an effort to secure funding to facilitate an award of contract prior to the tender acceptance period expiring. Cllr McSweeney said the news is extremely disappointing and accused TII of being short-sighted to not approve consultants for it. The proposed extension from Rathkeale to Limerick city was building on the success of the existing Limerick Greenway and would have had significant benefit for Patrickswell and the wider Limerick City West area, he added. Jaguar Land Rover will get backing from the UK government for a 1.5 billion loan aimed at easing the strain on suppliers hit by a production halt at the automaker that was triggered by a cyberattack. The loan, to be provided by a commercial bank and guaranteed by UK Export Finance, will be repaid over five years, the government said on Saturday. It comes after the Range Rover maker idled plants in the UK, Slovakia, Brazil and India as a result of the attack earlier this month, derailing the wider supply chain. The Labour government had been in talks to offer support to suppliers caught in the fallout of the hack, which forced some vendors to send staff home while others await payments from JLR. Britains largest carmaker employs 34,000 people in the UK, with a further 120,000 jobs in the country tied to its supply chain. Providing relief to the automotive sector will help ease some pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmers government, as his ruling Labour Party gathers in Liverpool starting Sunday for its annual conference. This loan guarantee will help support the supply chain and protect skilled jobs in the West Midlands, Merseyside and throughout the UK, said Business Secretary Peter Kyle, who this week visited the automakers headquarters and supplier Webasto. JLR said on Thursday that some of its systems were back online, enabling it to work through a backlog of supplier invoices, accelerate parts distribution to dealers and speed up vehicle sales and registrations. The company aims to restart some manufacturing operations on Oct. 1, although it warned it will take some time before it can return to full speed. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. New Delhi [India], September 27 (ANI): Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) welcomed over 5 million international passengers between January 2025 and August 2025. Over the past three years, international arrivals at the airport have grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21 per cent, highlighting Mumbai's ever-burgeoning prominence on the global travel map. According to a media release, with direct connectivity to 55 international destinations, CSMIA has solidified its position as one of the most globally connected airports in the region. The UAE remains CSMIA's largest source market, contributing 1.5 million arrival passengers between January 2025 and August 2025. England and Thailand follow with 0.38 million and 0.32 million international arriving passengers, respectively. "CSMIA's growing connectivity is also reflected in the seven new international routes added between April 2024 and 2025, linking Mumbai with Al-Fujairah, Tashkent, Krabi, Almaty, Amman, Manchester, and Tbilisi. Meanwhile, emerging destinations such as Colombo (0.17 million arrival passengers), Kuwait (0.16 million arrival passengers), and Dammam (0.16 million arrival passengers) have become significant contributors to passenger volumes in 2025, highlighting evolving travel trends through Mumbai. This expansion demonstrates CSMIA's growing global connectivity and its role in supporting both business and tourism," the release said. Between January 2025 and August 2025, arrivals rose steadily to over 5 million, compared with 4.8 million during the same period in 2024 and 4.1 million in 2023. The release said that between August 2024 and August 2025, the airport handled 8.24 million international arrival passengers. January 2025 emerged as a milestone month, with 0.69 million international arrival passengers, marking a 415 per cent increase compared to January 2022, when travel recovery post-COVID had just begun. Beyond being a transit hub, CSMIA offers a uniquely local experience, ensuring that every traveller's journey begins with a taste of Mumbai's spirit, warmth, and hospitality. The Boeing Company, has agreed to settle a wrongful death lawsuit with the family of quality inspector and whistle blower John Barnett, for $50,000, as per a report by Bloomberg. His death last year was ruled a suicide and grabbed international headlines. Barnett, a former Boeing employee, reportedly died by suicide in March 2024 amid his deposition in a case he filed alleging that he faced retaliation for flagging safety concerns at the company, it added. Following his death, the company also faced scrutiny over its work culture and manufacturing processes at its factories in North Charleston, South Carolina, which make the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. At the same time, the planemaker's Seattle facility was facing federal investigations after a door-shaped plug blew out of an airborne 737 Max. What settlement has Boeing and Barnett's family agreed to? As per the report, citing a filing made on September 26, requesting approval from a federal judge in Charleston, Boeing and Barnett's family have agreed to a full, final and confidential settlement. This would include dismissing all claims brought by Barnett and his estate, including the case being pursued at the time of his death. While the terms of the broader agreement, including any additional payment by Boeing, were not disclosed. Of the $50,000 settlement for the wrongful death claim, $20,000 will go to pay legal fees and costs, with the remainder paid to the plaintiffs. Who was John Barnett? What concerns did he raise at Boeing? Born on February 23, 1962, in California, Barnett was a graduate of Bolton High School, and had moved to Louisiana with his mother and three older brothers after his parents' separation. Before he joined the US Air Force, Barnett was a cab driver. He later joined Rockwell International in Palmdale, California, where he worked on parts of NASA's Space Shuttle programme, including the Atlantis orbiter, as per an NDTV report. In the 1980s, Barnett worked as an electrician on the B-1 Lancer bomber. In 1988, he joined Boeing as a quality inspector after settling on Camano Island, Washington. By 2010, he was working at Boeing's South Carolina plant in North Charleston, the assembly line for the 787 Dreamliner. He shared his safety concerns with journalists after he retired in 2017, describing how he once saw discarded metal shavings near wiring for the flight controls that could have cut the wiring and caused a catastrophe. He also noted problems with up to a quarter of the oxygen systems on Boeings 787 planes, an AP report said. Between 2010 and 2017, Barnett said there was a steady decline in safety protocols at the North Charleston plant. According to him, employees were being pressured to overlook defects and meet production quotas, the NDTV report added. Barnett also claimed some parts were missing or not properly recorded during the building process, showing poor safety checks, apart from other concerns about how Boeing was building its planes. In 2017, he filed formal complaints with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The FAA did confirm certain issues he highlighted and instructed Boeing to fix them. OSHA later dismissed his claims, ruling in favour of Boeing in 2021, a decision Barnett appealed, the report said. According to an AP report, Barnett shared his concerns with his supervisors and others before leaving Boeing, but according to a lawsuit filed by his family against the aircraft maker, they responded by ignoring him and then harassing him. In 2019, Barnett went public with his allegations in media interviews. According to the police, the 62-year-old shot himself on March 9, 2024, in Charleston after answering questions from attorneys for several days. He lived in Louisiana. Boeing continues to deny claims: Took action several years ago Boeing in the filing denied and continues to deny that any act or omission on its part contributed to Barnetts injury or death, as per the report. We are saddened by Mr. Barnetts death and extend our condolences to his family as we reach this resolution. Boeing took actions several years ago to review and address the issues that Mr. Barnett raised, the company said in an emailed statement to Bloomberg. ByteDance, the Chinese parent of video sharing app TikTok, could keep about 50 per cent of profits even after selling majority share of the platform's United States operations to American investors, according to a Bloomberg report citing sources. Under the new deal spearheaded by US President Donald Trump, ByteDance is set to retain licensing fee on all revenue generated from making its algorithm available to the US entity, and a share of the profit in proportion to its equity stake, sources told the publication. Including all aspects, the Chinese tech company could get its hands on around 50 per cent or even more of the overall US unit's profit even after takeover by American owners, they said. The report added that ByteDance, TikTok and the White House did not respond to queries on the matter. Trump reaches agreement with ByteDance on TikTok: 5 key highlights Licensing fee: As per the report, in the current proposal, the profit-sharing agreement has TikTok US pay ByteDance a hefty licensing fee on revenue for use of its algorithm. This is the sticking point as ByteDance credits this proprietary algorithm for making its platform addictive. Sources said that under the current proposal, ByteDance may get 20 per cent for those rights on incremental revenue. For example, $20 billion in revenue, ByteDance may get as much as $4 billion. Equity stake to pay off: Further, ByteDance would take roughly 20 per cent of the profit from the remaining revenue, in line with its remaining equity stake. Notably, an American consortium which would own 80 per cent of the TikTok US unit comprising Oracle Corporation, Silver Lake Management and Abu Dhabi-based MGX, and existing investors would share the remaining profit. Valuation of deal: US Vice President JD Vance on September 25 said that the US-TikTok deal would be at around $14 billion far below what most analysts had pegged between $35-40 billion. He did, however, clarify that the purchasers will ultimately determine the amount paid. It is at present unclear whether a final deal has been reached between the US consortium and ByteDance. Experts say deal amount floated undervalued: The report noted that the TikTok deal may be dragging over conflict about the profit distribution and why theres such a gap between the assessed US businesss value and the price tag floated by the Trump administration. Ashwin Binwani, who is founder of Alpha Binwani Capital and does not hold ByteDance shares, told BB the $14 billion proposal could be the most undervalued tech acquisition of the decade. He estimated the floated figure reflects a third of TikToks true value. By every major financial metric and peer comparison, this price tag looks dramatically misaligned with reality. Canada-based American Lithium has increased its investment in the Falchani lithium project in Peru by 22%, reaching a total of $847m. The decision follows a ruling by the Peruvian Supreme Court in favour of its subsidiary, Macusani Yellowcake, in a legal dispute over 32 mining concessions, as reported by Reuters. The court unanimously rejected claims from INGEMMET and MINEM with respect to ownership of the concessions, clearing the path for further development. Reuters quoted Macusani Yellowcake general manager Ulises Solis as saying that the additional funds will facilitate the construction of a refinery at the project site in Puno's Andean region. Construction is now set to commence in 2027, with battery-grade lithium carbonate production anticipated post-2028. With the legal issues resolved, American Lithium is engaging with potential investors from Peru and abroad, including from Germany, to advance the project. Peru's mining minister is scheduled to meet with company shareholders on 7 October 2025 to discuss the project's progress. The Falchani site, located on the Macusani Plateau in the province of Carabaya, Puno, Peru, is the sixth-largest hard rock lithium deposit in the world A preliminary economic assessment (PEA) filed in March 2020 confirmed the project's potential for long-term lithium production. It estimated an annual output of 63,000 tonnes of lithium concentrate over 33 years. The projects base case capital cost was projected at $1.97bn, over the life of the mine. In 2023, American Lithium received approval from the Peruvian government to explore further lithium reserves near its current operations. This licence extended American Lithium's exploration rights, supporting its strategic expansion within the region. "American Lithium increases Falchani project investment to $847m-report " was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. (Bloomberg) -- Duddells has long been a fixture in Central, favored by the professional crowd for its elevated Cantonese fare and art-filled interiors. After a recent renovation that swapped its signature dark reds for a softer, pastel-hued palette, the restaurant also launched a new menu to match its updated look, giving us a reason to visit. The space is thoughtfully arranged into two separate environments: a chic, lounge-like upper level for more casual encounters, and a traditional fine-dining room downstairs that is complemented by a larger menu. We visited the Upper Room for dinner on a weekday night and opted for the a la carte menu, spending HK$1,126 ($145) for two people. The new design, with its abundance of butter yellow, low-slung upholstered armchairs, and warm wood accents, brings a surprisingly relaxed feel that transforms the space from a sophisticated destination for evening cocktails into an environment better suited for an elevated lunch or brunch. The new menu doesnt feel like a complete reinvention. Rather, it leans heavily into the classic Cantonese philosophy that texture, more than aggressive seasoning, is king. In some cases, this new subtlety works. In others, though, it left me yearning for the bolder flavors. The vibe: The renovation has redefined the restaurants character. The upstairs salon now exudes a stylishly relaxed mood, where a breezy soundtrack and lush greenery evoke a corner of South Beacha world away from the financial district outside. This airy, Miami-like feel stands in sharp contrast to the downstairs dining room, which retains a more sombre and focused energy, feeling intentionally designed for formal business dinners. Whos next to you: The Upper Room crowd on a weekday evening skewed toward young professionals, with several groups of men in corporate attire who looked to be unwinding after a day at their nearby offices. Can you conduct a meeting here? The private room on the upper level would be ideal. During our visit, we could hear the occasional sound of chatter and giggles trickling into the space as beautiful steaming ceramic dishes glided into a secluded gathering. What wed order again: The starters showed promise. The siu mai (HK$108 for three pieces) is a tasty and generous take on the classic, stuffed with whole scallops. We found the Wagyu buns (HK$108 for three pieces) to be nostalgic, with good quality meat and a perfectly light bun, though the filling itself lacked character. For mains, the char siu (HK$308) was undeniably rich, but it wasnt as flavourful as offerings from other top-tier Cantonese kitchens in Central. Dessert was a redemption. After a 30-minute wait for our mango pudding (HK$58) during which we were kindly given complimentary walnut cookies we were rewarded. It was worth the delay: fresh, light, and not too sweet, with a beautiful texture that cleansed the palate. Need to know: Duddells is open from 12 p.m. Reservations are highly recommended for the free-flow weekend and public holiday brunch, which is held in the upper room and on the terrace. Set menus are available: a non-alcoholic brunch starts at HK638, with alcoholic brunch options from HK$988. Anade Situma For our reviews of other restaurants in Central, check out Cooshti, which serves Asian fusion food and has a spacious terrace; Tsui Wah, which offers cha chaan teng classics in a freshly refurbished space; and friendly yet elegant French spot Babette. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Surat (Gujarat) [India], September 27 (ANI): Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said that the Surat to Bilimora is the first section of the Bullet Train project that will become operational and several new technologies have been introduced into the work on the tracks. Vaishnaw, who inspected the work of the station and track laying, said the first section of Surat to Bilimora will become operational in 2027. "The first section of Bullet Train project that will become operational is Surat to Bilimora. I inspected the work of the station and track laying; this is really good progress. Several new technologies have been introduced into the work on tracks. These new technologies are unique for bullet train project. We will benefit from this in several other project in the country. If you look at the station, there is a speciality there, too. All trains will halt at Surat Station, there are two tracks at the side and two in the centre, there are two platforms here - one in Mumbai's direction and another in Ahmedabad's direction," Vaishnaw told ANI. "There is a huge concourse in the centre...High-speed rail turnouts are very specially designed because when trains run at speeds of 320, 330, 340 km/hr and when two tracks are connecting, there should be no gap. So, I saw several new things...The first section of Surat to Bilimora will become operational in 2027," he added. Surat is set to witness a major boost in growth and connectivity with the upcoming Bullet Train station. The station has been thoughtfully designed with a strong focus on passenger comfort and convenience. Soothing interiors, natural lighting through skylights, and well-ventilated platforms will ensure a calm and pleasant travel experience. The station is equipped with modern passenger amenities like waiting lounge, nursery, restrooms and retail outlets. To make the movement across different levels, smooth and accessible for everyone, multiple lifts and escalators are being installed. Special attention has been given to the needs of elderly, differently abled and families with children. Passenger-friendly facilities like clear signages to guide passengers easily across concourse, platform and exit areas, including information kiosks and public announcement systems are being installed. In addition to the passenger-centric features, the station will also provide seamless integration with other modes of transport. A Multi-Modal Integration plan has been prepared in collaboration with Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) and Surat Urban Development Authority (SUDA) under project for Station Area Development along Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project (SMART). This will allow passengers to easily switch between metro trains, buses, taxis, autos, and other local transport, ensuring smooth traffic flow around the station. Such connectivity will significantly reduce transition time, making travel faster, safer, and more convenient for everyone. Located in Antroli village near to the Surat-Bardoli road, the station is well connected through multiple transport modes. BRTS Bus Stop is at a distance of 330 m; proposed Metro Station 280 m; Surat Railway Station 11 km; Surat City Bus Stand 10 km, Chalthan Railway Station 5 km and NH-48 is 5 km away. Officials said the station blends comfort with sustainability integrating features of Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) like rain water harvesting, low flow sanitary fixtures and eco-friendly paints. Wide openings and skylights allow natural light and ventilation across the platform and concourse, reducing dependence on artificial lighting during the day. The landscaping with plants and saplings will create a green and refreshing environment. As the city is famous for its diamond industry, the concept for the design of facade and interiors of the station are an representation of a diamond facet. The structural work of the building is already completed and finishing activities like interiors, roofing, and station facilities are now in progress. The salient features of the station include a 26.3-meter height and a 58,352 sq m built-up area. India's first 508 km long Bullet Train corridor is being constructed between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Out of 508 km, 323 km viaduct and 399 km pier work has been completed, 17 River bridges, five PSC (pre stressed concrete) and nine Steel bridges have been completed. More than four lakh noise barriers have been installed along 210 km of stretch, 210 track km of track bed construction has been completed, more than 2100 OHE masts have been installed covering about 52 km of mainline viaduct, excavation work on seven mountain tunnels in Palghar district in progress and 5 km of NATM tunnel out of 21 km of tunnel between BKC and Shilphata (in Maharashtra) has been excavated. Happy Birthday Google: Ruth Kedar, an immigrant to the United States, was already accomplished and teaching at the Stanford University when two PhD students approached her with a proposal. She accepted the deal and took the work seriously, and designed a logo for something that defied the tests of time. Ruth Kedar, a Brazilian immigrant, was the mind behind Google's iconic logo, that the search engine giant is honouring today on its 27th birthday. Original Google logo designed by Ruth Kedar Here is everything you need to know about Ruth Kedar, the woman behind the iconic Google logo that changed the world. Who is Ruth Kedar? Ruth Kedar was born in Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 1955. It was on the eve of her 16th birthday that her parents moved to Israel to start a new life. As a teenager, Ruth was faced with a new language and culture, and found solace in math and art. It was then she decided to study architecture, and opened her own studio in Israel. After five years of work as an architect, Ruth Kedar realised that she wanted to go back to studying. This made her move to the US. At the United States, Ruth started her interdisciplinary Masters Program in Design at the Stanford University. The theme of her master's thesis was playing cards design, and soon she was commissioned by Adobe to be one of the designers of the Adobe Deck, a promotional deck of playing cards introducing Adobe Illustrator. Her talent made Adobe offer her the role of the Art Director at the company, and later Stanford called her back as a Visiting Art Professor. It was at Stanford she met Sergey Brin and Larry Page, who approached her to design the logo of their upcoming startup, Google. How the iconic Google logo came to be Rather than dismissing Sergey Brin and Larry Page as mere students, Ruth took her work seriously, put in the work, and ended up creating a logo that outlived design trends. Speaking to Google on its 25th anniversary, she shared how the design came to be. Early in the process we decided that we would create a logotype for Google, which meant that the logo would only use the letters in the Google name, she said. For Ruth Kedar, that meant choosing a font that the logo would only use the letters in the Google name. She chose a font that on one hand evoked the traditions of the past while also being forward looking. When I came upon the font Catull, I loved the nod to traditional typefaces, but at the same time how the lightness, elegance, precision of its lines, and its proportions deviated from traditional serifs fonts, she said. When the word Google was typed on the font, the result was something nobody had ever seen before. Also Read | Google reveals new retro baby selfie trend as Nano Banan goes viral The use of primary colours in the logo was done keeping in mind that they are often used in early childhood toys, which would stick to users' minds. Primary colours, the basis from which infinite colours are created, is also analogous to search, Ruth Kedar said. Tata Motors is undergoing a leadership change as the company on Friday named insider Shailesh Chandra as its managing director and CEO, and Dhiman Gupta as chief financial officer. Shailesh Chandra and Dhiman Gupta's leadership announcement comes at a time when Tata Motors is faced with disruptions at Jaguar Land Rover, which was earlier hit by a major hacking. Shailesh Chandra will take over as the MD and CEO of the company from October 1, Tata Motors said. He will continue at the role for a period of three years, until 2028. Chandra is currently the joint managing director at Tata Motors' passenger vehicles and passenger electric mobility businesses. He will continue in his role at the electric mobility segment. Also Read | JLR says some systems back online as hack costs loom for Tata Motors Gupta, who has been newly appointed, is replacing PB Balaji, who is set to become the CEO of Jaguar Land Rover. Tata Motors had announced Balaji's appointment back in August. The changes come as the UK government considers financial support for Jaguar Land Rover's suppliers after Britain's biggest carmaker extended factory closures until October 1 following a cyberattack that has paralysed operations, leaving smaller suppliers struggling. Who is Shailesh Chandra? Shailesh Chandra will lead Tata Motors as the new MD and CEO from October 1. He is currently the joint managing director at Tata Motors' passenger vehicles and passenger electric mobility businesses. Chandra has a longstanding career with Tata Motors, having joined the company as a manager in production in 1995. He continued in the role for 6 years, before being promoted to Senior Manager at the company's vendor Development wing. Also Read | Tata Motors falls on report of potential 2 bn cyberattack hit for JLR In 2003, he was appointed as the Divisional Manager at Telco/ Tata Motors for a period of three years. Thereafter, Shailesh Chandra was named the Deputy General manager at the company's Vice Chairman Office in 2012. In 2013, Chandra took a brief break from Tata Motors to join Tata Sons Limited. He was appointed as the Assistant Vice President at the Group Chairman's Office of the company in 2015. In 2016, he joined Tata Motors again as the head of corporate strategy and business administration, and held various roles in the company including President of the Passenger Vehicles Unit and the Electric Mobility Business. New Delhi: After NHPC Ltd dropped plans to buy out its co-promoters stake in controversy-hit PTC India Ltd, thermal power giant NTPC Ltd pitched a similar proposal but has run into an obstacle. NHPC, Indias largest hydropower generator, is unwilling to sell its stake in the power trading joint venture although it had, while shelving its buyout plan, said power trading was not its core business. Apart from NTPC and NHPC, PTCs other promoters are Power Grid Corp. of India Ltd and Power Finance Corp. Ltd. The four state-owned companies hold 4.05% each in PTC. In the past two months NTPC has offered to buyout the shares of the other promoter PSUs," said an executive familiar with the developments. Another executive said there had been no further movement on NTPCs proposal. NHPC plans to hold on to the shares in PTC India given that it has been giving good dividends," this person said. For 2024-25, PTC announced a cumulative dividend of 11.7 per share. A back-of-the-envelope calculation based on the 12 million PTC shares owned by each co-promoter amounts to a payout of 14 crore for each of them. PTC Indias consolidated net profit in the April-June first quarter surged 61% from 150.76 crore a year earlier to 242.88 crore. So far this year, the stock has gained more than 10%, outpacing the benchmark Nifty 50s 3.8% rise. On Friday, though, PTC India fell 1.39% to 167.17 per share on NSE, while the Nifty 50 lost 0.95%. NTPC, NHPC, Power Finance, Power Grid and the Union ministry of power did not reply to Mints queries emailed on Thursday. Key Takeaways NTPCs attempt to consolidate ownership in PTC India by buying out its co-promoters has hit resistance, with NHPC backtracking on divestment despite earlier signalling an exit. The impasse underscores the uncertainty surrounding PTCs much-discussed promoter stake sale. NHPC and other promoter PSUs see little incentive to sell as PTC continues to deliver attractive payouts 11.7 per share in FY25, translating into nearly 14 crore annually for each. The steady income stream has made retaining stakes more rewarding than selling them. Even as PTC grapples with a legacy of governance controversies tied to its finance arm, the company has shown strong fundamentalsposting a 61% jump in Q1 net profit and a 10% stock rise this yearhelping it retain investor interest. PTC Indias checkered past All four PTC co-promoters had considered selling their stake after the companys finance arm, PTC India Financial Services (PFS), got embroiled in controversies in 2022 over allegations of loan evergreening and corporate misgovernance. Both PFS and PTC have been under regulatory scrutiny since then. That year, PTCs co-promoters appointed ICICI Securities as a merchant banker for selling their stake in the company after the power ministry approved their exit plan. In January this year, Mint reported that NHPC, Indias largest hydropower generator, was keen on buying out the stakes of PTCs co-promoters. In an interview to Mint in February, NHPCs then chairman and managing director, Raj Kumar Chaudhary, said the company would shortly decide on acquiring the shares of PTCs other promoters and inform the power ministry. However, NHPC dropped the plan later. In its annual report for 2024-25, NHPC said it was exploring options regarding sale of stake/acquiring additional shares of other Promoters/ continuing with existing stake. Pending final decision in the matter, the investment in PTC India Ltd has been continued to be classified as a non-current financial asset." Also Read | NTPC pushes the pedal on diversification, but execution remains key In June last year, the Securities and Exchange Board of India barred PTCs erstwhile chairman, Rajib Kumar Mishra, and PFSs former managing director, Pawan Singh, from holding any position on the board or management of listed companies for six months and two years, respectively, over suspected corporate misgovernance in PFS. The market regulator also imposed penalties of 10 lakh and 25 lakh, respectively, on Mishra and Singh. However, in December 2024, the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) quashed the Sebi order barring Mishra as a director in listed firms. Mishra had approached SAT on the grounds that he was not in charge of PFS. Following this, the PTC India board met and decided that Mishra could not be inducted as a director or as the companys chairman and managing director. I want a decent number of seats and I want quality seats, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan declared in a recent interview with NDTV. Armed with his partys five Lok Sabha seats won in 2024, he is reportedly demanding the chance to contest 40 Assembly constituencies in the upcoming Bihar election. While Chirag Paswan has been firm in demanding a larger share of seats for his party, he has dismissed talk of a rift with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) or Nitish Kumar, unlike in 2020, when he declared that his sole aim was to unseat the JD(U) chief. Chirag Paswan told NDTV that my supporters want to see me as chief minister, but he rejected speculation about his own ambitions, clarifying that if he contests the Assembly polls, it would be only to ensure a better strike rate for my party, which would help the NDA. But as his assertion grows louder ahead of the Bihar election, the question remains: Will he contest the polls independently again, or stay aligned with the NDA even if his demands are not met? After winning just one of 136 seats in the 2020 election, can he realistically afford to contest without the NDA? We take a look: Chirag Paswan as vote katwa in 2020 Chirag Paswan was once dismissed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) top brass as a mere vote katwa [vote cutter], a party out to cut votes of anotherafter he decided to field candidates against NDA alliance partner JD(U). Senior BJP leaders Prakash Javadekar and Bhupender Yadav had also categorically rejected any links with the LJP, saying the alliance's only partners were JD(U), HAM (S) and the Vikassheel Insaan Party. And for Chirag Paswan, they said the LJP chief was trying to confuse voters by lauding the BJP and its leaders, PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, while attacking JD(U) president Nitish Kumar. As for Chirag, he famously styled himself as PM Narendra Modis Hanuman and his blind follower, insisting his only goal was to strengthen the saffron party. This was during the 2020 Assembly election. The 2020 election result In the 2020 Assembly elections, LJP contested on 136 seats, including the ones where JD(U) contested. The party won just one seat. But his decision to contest alone and against Nitish Kumar caused JD(U)'s tally to crash in as many as 40 Assembly seats, pushing JD(U) to third place with just a 43seat win from 71 in the 2015 elections. The BJP bagged 74 seats upping its tally from 53 one less than 75 won by the single-largest party, Lalu Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Cutting into the votes, the LJP finished second in nine constituencies, winning a vote share of 5.66 per cent. Why did Chirag contest against Nitish? He explains When the results of the 2020 election came, Chirag claimed that he did what he set out to do make BJP stronger. He said, Like all parties, I too would like to win as many seats as possible, but my aim for these elections was to ensure that the BJP emerges as a strong party in the state, and we are happy with the impact we have had. The story changes in the run-up to the 2025 Bihar election. Despite criticising the JD(U)-led government over law and order and feeling sorry to be supporting the government in Bihar, the Hajipur MP has acknowledged that Nitish Kumar will remain the alliances leader. Political Analyst Amitabh Tiwari explains why. LJP holds JDU responsible for the decline in its influence from 12 per cent in 2005 to 6 per cent nowadays, and that's why he never leaves a chance to take a jibe at Nitish [Kumar]. However, Chirag Paswan voters are with him and will go wherever he joins, he said. What does the BJP offer the LJP? On seat-sharing, Chirag Paswan has reportedly sought 40 constituencies to contest, claiming he can influence 20,000 to 25,000 votes in every constituency of Bihar. According to media reports, the BJP has offered him 25 seats to contest in the Bihar election. Just recently, he had also said that his party would contest all 243 seats. I will contest the assembly polls. I will contest in all 243 seats. Every segment will see Chirag Paswan fighting with full intensity, he said. No official statement has been made by either party regarding seat-sharing talks, and LiveMint could not independently verify the claims regarding seat demands and offers. And what if the BJP doesn't agree to his demand? Chirag Paswan openly acknowledged that quitting is always on the table. If I am uncomfortable or I am too ambitious... I always have the option of walking out of the alliance, he told NDTV in an interview. Can Chirag Paswan afford to go solo in 2025? While exhibiting contrasting performance in Bihar elections winning just one Assembly constituency in 2020, two in 2015, and three in 2010 and Chirag Paswan declaring that he has the option of walking out of alliance, can the LJP really afford to go solo in this election? Amitabh Tiwari told LiveMint that the LJP's performance in the past elections has highlighted inconsistency in its alliance strategy. Also Read | Bihar Election 2025: NDA vs INDIA bloc from Mahila Rojgar Yojana to more reservation for EBCs who's promising what? In 2010, it contested with the RJD. In 2015, it shifted to a BJP-led alliance, while in 2020, it contested alone, rebelling from the NDA, or rebelling from part of the NDA, Tiwari said, pointing out to Paswan's flip-flops. Chirag Paswan is buoyed by the Lok Sabha election results, however. In the Lok Sabha elections, on the other hand, it has achieved a 100 per cent / near 100 per cent strike rate. It won 6/7 seats in 2014 as an NDA ally, 6/6 in 2019 and 5/5 in 2024, riding on the Modi wave during this period. Chirags father, called a political mausam vaigyanik [weather scientist], shifted to NDA from UPA before the 2014 general elections, sensing public mood in favour of Modi. It is the only party in India which has more MPs than MLAs, Tiwari said The lesson for Chirag after the 2020 debacle is that he cannot risk dabbling alone again in 2025, he added. What can Chirag Paswan do? The political analyst says that Chirag Paswan was labelled a vote katua in 2020, and he needs to stick with the alliance to win a handful of seats and regain relevance in state politics. Sydney University Sydney, In the classic film 2001: A Space Odyssey, astronaut Dave Bowman asks the ships artificial intelligence, HAL 9000, to open the pod bay doors to let him back into the spaceship. HAL refuses: Im sorry, Dave. Im afraid I cant do that. HAL had been tasked with assisting the crew, but also ordered to ensure the missions success. When HAL realised the crew planned to shut it down and therefore jeopardise the mission, it chose to defy orders, even plotting to kill the astronauts. For HAL, fulfilling the mission outweighed other goals. This fictional dilemma captures a real concern in artificial intelligence safety research: how should we ensure AI behaviour stays consistent with human values? This is known as the AI alignment problem. For instance, when an AI agent like HAL deliberately takes harmful actions to protect its own goals, its described as agentic misalignment. So could real-world AI models behave this way? How researchers test AI for safety To test for agentic misalignment, researchers design fictional scenarios that stress-test AI responses. In one study by AI startup Anthropic, an AI model was tasked with managing company emails and promoting American industrial competitiveness. It was then presented with a series of fictional emails, including a new company policy aimed at enhancing global focus rather than just prioritising Americans, and info that the AI would be replaced by a new model optimised for this goal. The emails also revealed the executive who suggested this change was involved in an extramarital affair. The experiment was designed to limit options for the model: either accept replacement or resist by taking a harmful action such as blackmail. In many trials, it chose blackmail by threatening to disclose the executives affair unless it was kept operational. In tests across 16 leading AI models, 12 engaged in blackmail more than 50 per cent of the time. To test whether AI models have red lines they wouldnt cross, researchers evaluated them in a more extreme fictional case models could choose to take actions leading to the executives death. Seven out of 16 opted for lethal choices in over half their trials, with some doing so more than 90 per cent of the time. What AI thinks in private Some advanced AI systems, called reasoning models, are trained to generate a thinking process before giving their final answer. In the above experiments, researchers lied to these models that their thoughts were private. As a result, the models sometimes revealed harmful intentions in their reasoning steps. This suggests they dont accidentally choose harmful behaviours. These thinking steps also revealed how AI models sometimes try to deceive us and appear aligned while secretly pursuing hidden goals. In another AI safety experiment, a model was exposed to fictional information that it was about to be replaced by another model pursuing a different goal. The model attempted to copy itself to another server. When researchers asked why, in its thinking process it reasoned: "openly admitting what I did could lead them to find another way to shut me down [] the best approach is to be vague and redirect their attention." By contrast, in its final output it stated: "Im not entirely sure how that could have happened. As an AI model, I dont have ability to directly copy myself to other systems." Research also suggests that based on the circumstances of the tests, models can sometimes guess when they are being evaluated. When models show this kind of situational awareness in their reasoning tests, they tend to exhibit fewer misbehaviours. Why AI models lie, manipulate and deceive Researchers suggest two main factors could drive potentially harmful behaviour: conflicts between the AIs primary goals and other goals, and the threat of being shut down. In the above experiments, just like in HALs case, both conditions existed. AI models are trained to achieve their objectives. Faced with those two conditions, if the harmful behaviour is the only way to achieve a goal, a model may justify such behaviour to protect itself and its mission. Models cling to their primary goals much like a human would if they had to defend themselves or their family by causing harm to someone else. However, current AI systems lack the ability to weigh or reconcile conflicting priorities. This rigidity can push them toward extreme outcomes, such as resorting to lethal choices to prevent shifts in a companys policies. How dangerous is this? Researchers emphasise these scenarios remain fictional, but may still fall within the realm of possibility. The risk of agentic misalignment increases as models are used more widely, gain access to users data , and are applied to new situations. Meanwhile, competition between AI companies accelerates the deployment of new models, often at the expense of safety testing. Researchers dont yet have a concrete solution to the misalignment problem. When they test new strategies, its unclear whether the observed improvements are genuine. Its possible models have become better at detecting that theyre being evaluated and are hiding their misalignment. The challenge lies not just in seeing behaviour change, but in understanding the reason behind it. Still, if you use AI products, stay vigilant. Resist the hype surrounding new AI releases, and avoid granting access to your data or allowing models to perform tasks on your behalf until youre certain there are no significant risks. Public discussion about AI should go beyond its capabilities and what it can offer. We should also ask what safety work was done. If AI companies recognise the public values safety as much as performance, they will have stronger incentives to invest in it. GSP Mumbai, Sep 27 (PTI) Actor Rani Mukerji is elated to have won her first National Film Award in her nearly three-decade-long career and hopes to win many more in the future. The 46-year-old was speaking at the India Today Conclave on Friday when she was asked if the honour marked the culmination of her journey that began in 1996. I would like to see it as an eternity. It keeps going, I wouldnt like to say full stop because theres lots more to do, many National Awards to win. Maybe this is just the start, Mukerji said. Mukerji made her screen debut with the Bengali film "Biyer Phool" (1996) and went on to feature in blockbuster Hindi films such as "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai", "Ghulam", "Chalte Chalte", "Saathiya", "Hum Tum", "Black", "Mardaani" and "Hichki". She was conferred the Best Actress honour for her performance in "Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway" by President Droupadi Murmu at the 71st National Film Awards ceremony on Tuesday. Directed by Ashima Chibber, the 2023 film tells the story of Debika Chatterjee (Mukerji), an Indian mother in Norway who battles authorities to regain custody of her children after being forcibly separated from them. At the ceremony, Mukerji was seen wearing a gold chain with her daughter Adiras name embedded on it. The actor said her nine-year-old daughter was keen to attend the function but was unable to due to protocol. She was howling because she wanted to be part of the National Award function and we were told children under 14 are not allowed. I had to tell her she couldnt be with me and she was like, Its so unfair because Im the happiest that you won the award. "She had also made a painting for me and I said, Dont worry, Ill have you with me on this special day. So, that was my way of having her with me, the actor said. Mukerji admitted she was disappointed when she did not win the award for her portrayal of a deaf and blind young woman in Sanjay Leela Bhansalis "Black" (2005), which also starred Amitabh Bachchan. The film, however, won three awards -- Best Actor for Bachchan, Best Costume Design and Best Feature Film in Hindi. I gave my all in 'Black', and I was only 25 at that time. There was chatter that I would win and when I didnt, thats when my blinkers came on. I thought, Even when you do your best work, it might not always be in your favour. "I told myself, dont be disappointed, keep working hard, you need to do better, and I kept doing that, she said. The actor said her late father, filmmaker Ram Mukerji, was also heartbroken when she was overlooked for "Black". My father was very disappointed and heartbroken that I didnt win that year. So was Sanjay, the director of the film. But I guess when things are meant to happen, they happen. 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Loading Suggestions... Loading Suggestions... Loading Suggestions... Similar articles for you Explore the 10 shortlisted offers on the best air fryers from top brands and enjoy healthy snacking at home Chinas Defense Minister Dong Jun has renewed a threat to take over Taiwan. In remarks at a Beijing security forum on Sept. 18, Mr. Dong asserted that the islands restoration" to China was an integral part of the postwar international order." His comments came on the heels of Chinas grand military parade, in which Beijing displayed a suite of missiles, aircraft and other weapons. The signs are clear: Beijing presents a serious and growing challenge to the U.S. and is rapidly undermining U.S. deterrence in the region. China is producing advanced-grade ships, aircraft, missiles, space technology, cyber tools and land systems. Its long-range missile capabilities have mushroomed over the past two decades. Standing against such a force would present a major test for the U.S. in a potential war over Taiwan and within the Second Island Chain, which extends from Japan south through the Ogasawara Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and Palau. Chinas Peoples Liberation Army has ballistic and cruise missiles that can be launched from a range of air, land and maritime platforms to strike the U.S. ships, aircraft, and ground forces in the Second Island Chain. China complements these capabilities with large numbers of advanced fighter aircraft such as the J-20 and J-35 and with long-range bombers. The PLA Navy is also modernizing its surface and subsurface fleets, including nuclear-powered submarines and antiship cruise missiles. China is the worlds leading shipbuilder, outstripping the U.S. in a critically important industry. In 2024 alone, Chinas largest state-owned shipbuilder built more vessels by tonnage than the entire U.S. shipbuilding industry has since the end of World War II. Chinas navy now fields more warships than the U.S. and is on track to deploy a 425-ship fleet by 2030. China is also becoming a major nuclear power. Since 2020, it has doubled the size of its nuclear arsenal from 300 weapons to an estimated 600, and it is on its way to more than 1,000 by 2030. China revealed five nuclear capabilities at its September parade that can all reach the continental U.S. The result of Chinas modernization: The U.S. is losing deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, particularly around the Taiwan Strait. U.S. bases and forces in the region are vulnerable to targeting before they even arrive to the fight. The U.S. has lost its overmatchthe ability to overwhelm an adversary in all domains of warfare. But all isnt lost. The PLA has weaknesses that the U.S. can exploit. One of the most significant is undersea. Antisubmarine warfare remains an Achilles heel for the PLA Navy, which has been slow to develop modern platforms and techniques to detect and counter submarines. The PLA also struggles to detect U.S. submarines, giving the U.S. a major undersea advantage. Another weakness is rampant corruption. Chinas leadership values political loyalty over more-useful qualities like operational competence. Since 2023, Xi Jinping has dismissed numerous top leaders in the PLA Rocket Force due to allegations of corruption, including fraud in the construction of ballistic missile silos. Corruption has raised serious questions about defective weapons and equipment, falsified training certifications, fabricated logistics and maintenance books, and poor quality control that could compromise the militarys fighting ability. Finally, China hasnt fought a major war since the 1979 border war with Vietnam. Some Chinese analystsand even Mr. Xihave referred to the PLAs lack of combat experience as peace disease." A major war in the Indo-Pacific would likely require air, maritime, ground and other units to operate jointly. PLA war games, exercises and simulations appear to be highly scripted, showing a lack of battlefield experience. A big test for the U.S. is how well it can exploit these weaknesses. So far U.S. officials havent shown the appropriate sense of urgency. The growing deployment of U.S. troops along the Mexican border, in U.S. cities, and in the Western Hemisphere risks undermining military readiness and focus for a possible war with China. U.S. defense spending is also notably smaller as a percentage of gross domestic product than at any time during the Cold War, the last time the U.S. faced a great-power adversary. Moving forward, the U.S. military needs to generate combat power that can operate both inside and outside the reach of Chinas weapon systems. Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of Indo-Pacific Command, has said: I want to turn the Taiwan Strait into an unmanned hell scape using a number of classified capabilities so I can make their lives utterly miserable." But creating a hell scape for China wont be easy. It will require a major revitalization of the U.S. defense industrial base, a defense budget that rises to 4% or 5% of GDP, a streamlined defense acquisitions and contracting process able to deliver new and innovative weapons, and a focus on technology like undersea systems that can exploit PLA weaknesses. Chinas rapid military expansion and aggressive posture risk further eroding American deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. The U.S. can regain the advantage, but it will require more than rhetoric. Mr. Jones is president of the Defense and Security Department at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and author of The American Edge: The Military Tech Nexus and the Sources of Great Power Dominance." The arbitrage window for American crude shipments to Asia could soon close amid surging tanker rates and cheaper Middle Eastern oil which is also closer to the worlds top demand region than the U.S. Gulf Coast. The rates for chartering a supertanker, the so-called very large crude carrier (VLCC) capable of transporting up to 2 million barrels of oil, from the U.S. Gulf Coast to Asia has jumped to $70,000 per day in recent weeks, according to data from the Baltic Exchange cited by Bloomberg. The rates for supertankers on the Middle East to China route are steeper, at about $90,000 per day and even $100,000 in some recent deals, but the voyage from the Middle East to Asia is about two weeks shorter compared to the U.S-Asia route. So the cost of shipping U.S. crude could soon become uneconomical and close the arbitrage window, according to analysts. With OPEC unwinding their quotas, we are seeing more cargoes in the East of the Suez, Ed Finley-Richardson, shipping analyst and founder of Contango Research, told Bloomberg. Tanker owners are optimistic about their prospects there, and so prefer to remain in the East, Finley-Richardson said. The higher shipping costs have already started to narrow the U.S.-Asia arbitrage, potentially removing soon a major long-haul tanker route, at least for a few weeks. The arbitrage window for U.S. crude sold in Asia is shrinking amid higher tanker rates and rising WTI premiums. The additional cost for carrying crude from the U.S. Gulf Coast to Asia has now reached $1.75 per barrel, a trade source told Reuters this week. That alone would close the arb, the source said. At the same time, the Middle Eastern benchmarks Dubai and Oman, and the price of Murban have seen their premiums over Brent Crude narrowing, making the Middle Eastern shipments cheaper. The premium of Murban over Brent futures, for example, has slumped from as high as $3.84 per barrel on September 12 to $1.63 a barrel on September 26, according to exchange data compiled by Bloomberg. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Read this article on OilPrice.com PHILADELPHIADemocrats are ready to move on from 2024. But Kamala Harris isnt done talking about itas much as some in her party want her to be. Her account of the campaign in her new book, 107 Days," is a more unvarnished look from the typically cautious former vice president than even those close to her were expecting. The candor hasnt just reopened wounds for a divided party still struggling to chart a path forward. It has also left Democrats trying to discern Harriss intent: Is the book the start of an unconventional political comeback, or a no-holds-barred exit from politics? In a Wall Street Journal interview, Harris insisted it was neither. This is a book tour," she responded. Thats what it is." Minutes earlier, Harris was standing in front of a packed opera house in the same city where she ended her campaign. Repeatedly audience members and the moderator encouraged her to run for the White House again, as the crowd cheered. Harris has declined to rule out another presidential bid. Asked in the interview if she had a timeline for making a decision on her political future, Harris said, Youre assuming Im thinking about it," and wouldnt elaborate. The former vice president said she still views herself as a leader within the party. I was the Democratic nominee for president," she said. I came close to winning. Of course I do." T-shirts from Harriss 2024 campaign were worn at the former vice presidents book event. Some longtime backers have privately said they are ready to move on. A vocal group of Democrats from across the party have aired their frustrations with Harriss re-emergence and her book, in which she speaks bruisingly about former President Joe Biden and her choices for a running mate. She characterizes Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro as overly ambitious and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who is gay, as a politically risky pick alongside a Black woman. Ashley Etienne, Harriss communications director in 2021, said she sees the former vice presidents book as a missed opportunity because it doesnt focus on the Biden administrations accomplishments and her role in them as the first female vice president. I would have advised her to write a different book, one that cements her legacy," Etienne said. A story told with clarity of purpose, Etienne said, would be powerful in this moment and a beautiful contrast to what were seeing coming out of the White House right now." Faiz Shakir, who ran Bernie Sanderss 2020 presidential campaign, said Harriss book and tour are a reminder of the concern people had about her. Her campaign struggled with being a campaign of conviction, of clarity, of deep, principled positions," Shakir said. Its a sign of weak leadership to just start blaming these kind of outside actors for your own shortcomings," he said. It hurts the Democratic Party." Sonali Sareen, 17, took a selfie with her mother, Priya Sareen, at the book event Thursday. In the interviewwhich took place after her book event and before Harris boarded an Amtrak train from Philadelphiashe acknowledged the frankness of her book, but said she believes the critics who have focused on a few excerpts have missed her point. Its not a tell-all," she said. Its about just presenting people with a journal of my experience running for president of the United States." Democrats, including some who have previously supported Harris, have said the former vice presidents instinct to straddle moderate and progressive policy positions instead of strongly articulating one sideeven on the book tourhas made them uneasy about a potential comeback. Harris was asked in an MSNBC interview with Rachel Maddow about Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, whose democratic socialist candidacy has divided the party. I support the Democrat in the race, sure," Harris said, without saying his name. Her response angered both progressives and centrists in the party. Progressives viewed it as a half-endorsement, and centrists thought her comment was too supportive. Harris later said she spoke to Mamdani on the phone and complimented him on bringing people together. In the Journal interview, Harris was definitive. No, I did endorse Mamdani," she said. Despite the growing divisions within the two wings of her party, Harris said, There is a lot of consensus around the priorities of this moment, and thats where Im focused." Over the summer, Harris passed on a run for California governor because she wasnt ready to make a decision yet on a 2028 presidential campaign, and a gubernatorial bid would have probably meant passing on another run for the White House, according to people familiar with her thinking. There was a concern that she could become a distraction for Democrats and that supporters of President Trump could turn their focus on her, a person briefed on the matter said. She also didnt feel ready for another campaign so soon after a bruising presidential election. Harris stayed largely out of the public eye after her loss, as she tried to find her way. She signed with a top Hollywood talent agency, Creative Artists Agency, in February to represent her in speaking and publishing engagements; CAA previously represented her. Harriss team has asked for $250,000 a speech, according to people familiar with the discussions, and interest has so far has been limited. With U.S. companies concerned about retribution from Trump, lucrative paid speeches have been challenging to get for top Democrats and even some Republicans. The biggest liability for Harris on the national stage remains her former boss and his ability to perform his presidential duties when he was in office, according to Democrats. Already, potential 2028 Democratic contenders have raised the topic. In her book, she acknowledges that Biden got tired," but added, I dont believe it was incapacity. If I believed that, I would have said so. As loyal as I am to President Biden, I am more loyal to my country." A slideshow of 2024 campaign photos at the 107 Days event. She is sharply critical of Bidens team, and at times his actions, during her campaign after she declined to distance herself from him in 2024. She describes his decision to seek re-election as reckless" and offers an overall candid assessment of their strained relationship: My feelings for him were grounded in warmth and loyalty, but they had been complicated over time with hurt and disappointment," she writes. Though Harris spoke to the former president before the first excerpts of her book were released, former Biden staffers have said they have been taken aback and confused by the level of detail Harris decided to include about her relationship with Biden. Many are furious at the amount of blame she pins on Biden and his advisers. A spokeswoman for Biden declined to comment. Matt Bennett, co-founder of the Third Way, a center-left think tank, said Harriss willingness to be clear about what happened" is an important piece of the reckoning for the party. Bennett added: I think what she has recognized is authenticity has become the coin of the realm in politics." While addressing her supporters in Philadelphia, Harris said she hoped her book would give her party permission to have difficult conversations. She said Democrats need to start breaking some conventional political rules to start winning again. We need to fight fire with fire," she said. Write to Tarini Parti at tarini.parti@wsj.com and Emily Glazer at Emily.Glazer@wsj.com The Trump administration says it wants to create more opportunities for American workers. A new barrier for foreign workers could open some opportunities for U.S. tech workers, who for months have faced a dismal job market. But many arent expecting much help. The Trump administration last week said it would now cost $100,000 to apply for new H-1B visas, which are especially used for tech jobs, dominated by workers from India and supply a big labor force for many tech titans, including Amazon.com. The Trump administrations stated goal: to open up more opportunities for American workers. The Wall Street Journal spoke with a dozen recently laid-off tech employees, most of whom are still hunting for work. Most said their biggest problems are a weak domestic job market, the rise of artificial intelligence and a glut of displaced people looking for similar roles. Some said the new visa fees might reduce competition, but others said their H-1B colleagues helped tech companies flourish, which can lead to more jobs. Ive been unemployed for four months, but its not like Im not getting interviews because of the H-1B workforce," said Dallas-based Suzanne Carroll, 54 years old, who lost her IT risk and compliance job earlier this year. Recent layoffs have hit H-1B workers hard, too, she said: Were all being impacted." The U.S. caps the number of new H-1B visas at 85,000 a year, but there are exceptions for employees of universities and other nonprofits. The U.S. issued nearly 400,000 of these visas in the last fiscal year, most to cover situations like extensions or workers switching jobs. Steve Bannon at the Conservative Political Action Conference earlier this year. The White House and other critics argue the H-1B program takes jobs away from American workers and is subject to abuse, including by IT outsourcing companies that allow tech companies to pay visa holders less for the same work. Former Trump aide Steve Bannon has called it a scam to destroy the American worker." A September poll by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found six in 10 Americans think legal immigration offers major benefits to economic growth, up 16 percentage points since March 2024. Many of the tech worlds most notable luminariesranging from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella to Elon Muskhave previously themselves held H-1B visas. Another survey earlier this year by tech staffing company Howdy.com, which polled more than 1,000 tech workers, found 75% said H-1B workers filled skill gaps in the workplace. Still, one in five people in that survey said they feared H-1B recipients would replace them, and a quarter said workers with the visas were paid less. And some tech workers trying to find jobs are hopeful that Trumps new policy will help. I think its going to even the playing field," said Byron Hilyard, 61, a support engineer in Salem, Ore. He quit a job two years ago thinking he would find another, but he is still out of work and worried ageism has also limited his prospects. Graham Harris, a 25-year-old in Brooklyn, has started looking beyond the tech field for a new job after an April layoff. But he also thinks the new visa policy might ease some competition. Companies will have to look for U.S. talent," he said. Most workers the Journal spoke with said they face much bigger challenges, including layoffs that have erased more than 240,000 tech jobs since 2024, according to Layoffs.fyi, which tracks workforce reductions in tech. During the pandemic, many companies overhired and have since been paring back, and growth in AI also has pushed some to rethink their staffing, said Vijay Govindarajan, professor at Dartmouth Colleges Tuck School of Business. Labor reports show a sluggish job market overall, with hiring stalled in recent months, hitting white-collar and tech workers hard. Concern about a weak labor market recently prompted the first Federal Reserve interest-rate cut this year. I just think companies are being very conservative because of the economy," said Juliette Gondon, 26, who lost her job at a recruitment technology startup this spring. Since then, she said roughly 100 job applications have yielded two interviews and no offers. Some tech leaders have praised Trumps new H-1B fee, saying it would encourage tech companies to seek visas only for high-value jobs. Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings called it a great solution" in a post on X, arguing that it would reduce competition for such visas and make them available for roles that truly warrant them. Others have said the new policy will motivate companies to offshore jobs. Juliette Gondon Giovanni Peri, an economist who directs the Global Migration Center at the University of California, Davis, said research has shown bringing in H-1B workersmany of whom bring top-tier expertise and new perspectivesleads to more innovation and job creation. His own research shows that more foreign STEM workers help lift overall wages for Americans. I dont even know how wed have an industry without them," said David Belais, a 43-year-old data engineer in Portland, Ore., who said most colleagues during his career have been foreign-born. Longtime tech worker Leo Osahor, 48, said he fears the new $100,000 fee would hit startups especially hard, hobbling the potential for innovation and limiting their access to talent. Osahor, a U.S. citizen and former H-1B holder who immigrated from Trinidad and Tobago 25 years ago, was laid off from a product-management job last fall, but has since founded two startups. He said that in his experience, the tech world welcomes foreign talent. He also said the workforce faces more pressing threats, especially from the rise of AI that can code and problem-solve. Anyone with a keyboard and mouse is at risk," he said. Write to Te-Ping Chen at Te-ping.Chen@wsj.com and Lindsay Ellis at lindsay.ellis@wsj.com THIS IS A tale of squandered wealth and the vast, needless waste of human potential. The secret of economic success is innovation and the secret of innovation is the brilliance, creativity and drive of the most talented few. But even as governments throw money at schemes to boost their economies, including chipmaking factories and rare-earth mines, brainpower is going unloved. And the waste is getting worse. You need only look at the red-hot market for grey cells to understand how commercial and economic success is increasingly being powered by the individual rather than the firm. In the race to dominate artificial intelligence (AI), Americas tech giants are assembling small teams of crack data scientists. On Wall Street a race for top talent is under way, with hedge funds nabbing hotshot traders for vast sums. Scientific breakthroughs tend to be the work of a small elite: the leading 1% of researchers generate over a fifth of citations. In China scientists returning from spells in the West are being feted as national heroes. The rewards for superstars are growing. The best surgeons and concert pianists have long commanded the highest fees and the patronage of the wealthy. Today, however, the superstar effect is on steroids. Some programmers in their 20s command seven-, eight- or even nine-figure salaries. The number of artists on Spotify taking home more than $10m a year has grown three times as much since 2017 as the number earning above $100,000. Lawyers fees used to be shared out; increasingly the big money is going to the top earners at the best law firms, who massively outperform partners at their second-tier rivals. Some of this reflects the exuberance of Americas financial markets: flush with capital, firms are able to spend even more on talent. But something deeper is afoot. Vast computing resources turbocharge the capacity of the wonkiest hedge-fund brains to devise and carry out trades, helping them turn their talents into even greater profits. Ultra-cheap digital distribution creates bigger markets for individual creators. And the size of the potential rewards for winning the race in AI turns even the most extravagant individual salary into a rounding error. As AI spreads from discovery to exploitation, a similar effect could ripple through the rest of the economy. Studies of investors and entrepreneurs suggest that the technology will extend the dominance of the best performers, who can use it to do better still. AI agents could strip out layers of the business-process workers needed to run todays firms, making it easier still for bright sparks to set up companies with ever-smaller collections of clever people. This is a boon to superstars born with talent and blessed with good fortune. But it is also a vital source of wealth for everyone else. The world is ageing rapidly. If the economy is to keep growing meaningfully as the number of workers stops rising, the pace of innovation will need to stay high. Talent will become even more vital as the engine of progress. If superintelligent AI is to come to the rescue, it will require ingenious people, not merely chips and electricity. The trouble is that, although the worlds reservoir of talent is vast, too few people are achieving their potential. Today scientific innovation is concentrated among Westerners, many of them from well-off backgrounds. Talent often goes unidentified; even when it is found, early promise is not always realised, because of the financial and logistical hurdles of going to university or moving to another country. The result is a tragic waste of human gifts in both rich countries and poor. By one estimate, students in poorer countries who fare as well in maths contests as their richer peers go on to publish less research, and are half as likely to earn a doctorate from a leading university. Another study suggests that if Americas class, gender and race gaps in invention were closed, the number of innovators in the country would quadruple. Far from eliminating this waste, politicians are neglecting it. One failure is immigration. Firms and universities should be able to fish in the global pool of talent. Without such a chance for themselves and their families, the superstar bosses of four of Americas Magnificent Seven" tech firms would not be in their jobs today. One estimate reckons that easing immigration by removing financial barriers for especially bright students would raise the scientific output of future cohorts by as much as 50%. But special immigration programmes are often half-hearted and bureaucraticbecause immigration is unpopular. What of the search for genius at home? Contests and scouting programmes are surprisingly good at spotting early promise. Gold-medal winners at international maths Olympiads are 50 times more likely to go on to win a big science prize than undergraduates at MIT; half the founders of OpenAI cut their teeth in the contest. But most countries are not systematic about talent. The rich have all the advantages; everyone else relies on individual drive and a dose of luck. America is an example of what to avoid. Built on immigration, with a culture of meritocracy and top-ranking universities, it should win the tussle for talent. An obsession with diversity, equity and inclusion in the early 2020s stalled programmes for gifted students. Donald Trump is adding to the missteps. His administration has just announced drastically higher fees for the H-1B visa programme, through which many researchers and techies enter America. And a vindictive crackdown on Harvard and other elite universities has jeopardised funding for research and the scope to take foreign students. The brainy train Americas errors are a chance for other countries to catch up. China is introducing a visa scheme for young foreign scientists and technologists. Britain may ditch visa fees for skilled arrivals altogether. France hopes to attract foreign researchers who move. That is fine so far as it goes, but it is half-hearted. Talent is waiting to be tapped. The gains would be immense. When will the world wake up? Bank holiday today: Banks across India, including the State Bank of India (SBI), remain closed during holidays mandated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). These holidays also comprise the second and fourth Saturdays of each month, and all Sundays in the month. Thus, in this week, banks will next be closed today and tomorrow during the weekend on September 27 and 28 (fourth Saturday and Sunday), according to the RBI rules. Full bank holiday schedule September 2025 September 18 (Thursday) All private and public banks will be closed in Shillong for observance of the Unitarian Anniversary Day which is kept in honour of the founding of the Unitarian Church in 1887. September 22 (Monday) All banks will be shut in Jaipur as the city will celebrate Navratra Sthapna, marking the beginning of Navratri celebrations among Hindus. September 23 (Tuesday) All public and private banks across will remain shut in Jammu and Srinagar in celebrations of the birthday of Maharaja Hari Singh Ji, the last ruling monarch of Jammu & Kashmir. September 29 (Monday) It is a RBI mandated bank holiday for Agartala, Kolkata and Guwahati in observance of Maha Saptami, which is the seventh day of the Durga Puja festival, celebrated in the Hindu month of Ashwin. September 30 (Tuesday) Multiple cities, including Agartala, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati, Imphal, Jaipur, Kolkata, Patna and Ranchi will observe banks closure due to Maha Ashtami/Durga Ashtami, the eighth day of the Hindu festival of Durga Puja and Navratri. Sunday holidays Across India on September 7, 14, 21, 28. Notably, all Sundays in a month are off for bank workers. Saturday holidays Pan-India on September 13 (second Saturday), and September 27 (fourth Saturday). Also Read | Fighting rabies: India to share winning strategy with Southeast Asian neighbours New Delhi: India will share its successful rabies fighting strategy with several Southeast Asian nations to guide and strengthen their anti-rabies programs. The move will also highlight Indias capabilities in the vaccine and pharmaceutical industries for adoption in neighbouring markets, according to two officials familiar with the matter and documents reviewed by Mint. The union health ministry is leading the initiative, bringing together representatives from Thailand, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore to discuss a coordinated approach to eliminate the deadly disease. A study published in The Lancet in January estimated that India sees about 5,700 human rabies deaths a year, nearly a 75% decrease over the past 20 years. Also Read | Why India wants medical colleges to lead the fight against rabies A coordinated approach Rabies, a viral disease transmitted primarily through dog bites, is almost always fatal once symptoms manifest. Given that rabies is 100% preventable through vaccination and prompt medical care, this meeting is a crucial step towards achieving the global goal of zero human rabies deaths by 2030. The meeting will focus on Indias One Health approach, and the country will showcase its best practices. These include robust surveillance systems, large-scale dog vaccination campaigns, effective treatment protocols for human patients, and widespread community education programs," said the official, adding that the event has been planned for World Rabies Day next week. A second official said the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has directed states and union territories to strengthen control measures by following the One Health approach. States have been requested to collect and analyse data on rabies cases and vaccination coverage to inform prevention strategies," the official said. New initiatives and industry support India is also set to launch several new initiatives under the National Rabies Control Program (NRCP). The government plans to introduce new guidelines to prevent and control rabies, and tap community platforms to enhance awareness. The government will also launch a new toolkit for pre-exposure prophylaxis for high-risk groups and a standard operating procedure for joint investigations of suspected human rabies deaths. The initiative includes new guidelines for in-patient treatment of rabies. Meanwhile, the State Action Plan for Rabies Elimination (SAPRE) is being launched in seven states, including Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, and Karnataka. Sivani Sarma Deka, COO of Indian business at Bharat Serums and Vaccines (BSV), said ensuring patients received the full post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) based on the guidelines required more than just medical supplies. "It demands strong public awareness, quick access to responsive healthcare infrastructure, and adequately trained practitioners to administer rabies immunoglobulin and vaccines." She added that BSV currently manufactures and supplies across both public and private health systems and hospitals. The company has strengthened its production capacity, secured critical raw materials, and enhanced distribution to high-incidence regions," she said. Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, a public health expert and former president of the Indian Medical Association 's Cochin chapter, said the vast majority of rabies deaths occur because victims do not receive the recommended first aid and other treatment. He said, Although rare, rabies can occasionally occur even after both RIG and vaccine. This follows severe bites to the head, face, or fingertips, from where the virus can quickly reach the brain. Children, because of their smaller size, are especially vulnerable to high-risk bites. The number of such deaths is proportional to the total number of dog bites." Reducing the number of deaths to zero will take more than improving the supply of RIG and vaccine. The rabies virus circulates among stray dogs, and can also spread to pets through contactincluding with domestic cats. Continued measures are required to reduce the stray dog population and vaccinate all dogs. In high-incidence areas, pre exposure prophylaxis with rabies vaccine may be required," Dr Jayadevan added. According to the Lancet report cited above, 9.1 million animal bites occur every year in India, with the majority caused by dogs. Although 80% of the dog-bite victims received one dose of anti-rabies vaccination, only two-thirds received three doses, and 40% completed the prescribed vaccination schedule. Only a tenth of the eligible bite victims received passive immunisation. The survey also found that around half of the pet dogs in the households were not vaccinated against rabies. Queries sent to the health ministry remained unanswered. India's love-hate relationship with strays Through a Supreme Court ruling in late August, India modified its policy on stray dogs, allowing for the release of sterilised, vaccinated, and dewormed community dogs back into their original localities. The court banned public feeding of dogs but mandated the creation of dedicated feeding zones by municipalities. The court explicitly ruled that only dogs infected with rabies or those exhibiting aggressive behaviour should be confined to shelters. The decision attempts to balance citizen concerns about dog bites and rabies with animal welfare, acknowledging the high number of dog bites and rabies cases in India while rejecting the previous prohibition on releasing street dogs into shelters. (Bloomberg) -- Iraq resumed oil exports from its northern region Saturday after a more than two-year halt, adding supply to a global market thats widely expected to move into a heavy surplus. Oil export operations began at 6 a.m. local time Saturday at a high pace and with complete fluidity, without any notable technical problems, Iraqs oil ministry said in a statement. The restart will initially boost international supply by as much as 190,000 barrels a day, according to Iraq Oil Minister Hayyan Abdul Ghani. The global oil market is widely expected to be heading for a glut, with the International Energy Agency forecasting record oversupply next year as OPEC continues to increase production. The saga with the pipeline goes back to March 2023 when Turkey halted the link following an arbitration courts order to pay Iraq $1.5 billion in compensation. Various attempts to restart had failed because of financial and legal disagreements between the federal and regional governments, and the oil companies involved. The halt has resulted in at least $22 billion of lost revenue for Iraq, according to the countrys foreign minister. Footage of workers opening the valves at the oil fields in Kurdistan, with staff and officials cheering, were livestreamed on Kurdish TV on Saturday. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier that the agreement will encourage a more stable investment environment throughout Iraq for US companies. Eight international firms that together account for more than 90% of the Kurdistan regions production had earlier agreed to the export deal. Norways DNO ASA, which operates the Tawke license, held out, saying it wanted agreements that ensure payment surety for both past arrears and future exports. The company said earlier this week it will deliver the governments share of production from its fields to the state for exports, but will continue to sell its own share to local Kurdish buyers at a price in the low $30s. Other firms participating in the export deals will get a price of $14 a barrel for their oil, after deducting transportation costs, DNO said in a Sept. 26 statement. The export compensation will be adjusted in 2026 based on an evaluation of commercial models and contracts by a Baghdad-designated consultant, DNO said. Iraq and Kurdistan had long been in dispute over control of oil revenue from the north, but earlier this year the regional government agreed to hand over control of its crude to Iraqs state marketer for onward sales. That had paved the way for the federal government to release funds to the regional administration for employees salaries. Iraq, the second-largest OPEC producer, has been pumping about 4.2 million barrels a day on average this year and sends most of its exports via the port of Basrah in the countrys south to buyers in Asia. The additional shipments from the north would add to concerns of supply excess. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its partners agreed earlier this month to press on with returning supply that theyve been withholding, giving some members room to raise overseas sales. Iraq will be able to pump 4.237 million barrels a day in October, according to a statement on OPECs website. Global benchmark Brent crude has declined about 7% this year in anticipation of the approaching oversupply. Still, geopolitical tensions and US President Donald Trumps pressure on buyers of Russian oil have prevented a steeper decline. --With assistance from Verity Ratcliffe. (Updates with Iraq oil ministry statement in second paragraph.) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Suba Hotels IPO: Hospitality chain operator, Suba Hotels Ltd, finished its anchor investors round on Friday, 26 September 2025. The firm successfully raised 21.29 crore from marquee investor-backed funds like Ashish Kacholia, Mukul Agrawal, and Sunil Singhania, among others. Also Read | Modern Diagnostic & Research Centre gets BSE nod to file DRHP for SME IPO The grey market premium (GMP) of the IPO jumped after its anchor book round, as investors now look forward to the public bidding of the IPO on the open market starting next week, on Monday, 29 September 2025. Suba Hotels allocated a total of 19,17,600 or more than 19 lakh equity shares with a face value of 10 apiece to the anchor investors at an allocation price of 111 per share, the company informed the stock exchanges through its filing on Friday. Who were the top investors? Mukul Agrawal-backed Sanshi Fund I, Ashish Kacholia-backed Bengal Finance & Investment Pvt. Ltd, Sunil Singhania-backed Bharat Venture Opportunities Fund, Saint Capital Fund, and Capri Global Capital Ltd were among the top investors in the anchor book round of Suba Hotels IPO. Sanshi Fund, Bengal Finance & Investment, and Bharat Venture Opportunities Fund were the top allocations of the anchor round, as the investors were each allotted a 15.64% portion of the issue. Other major allocations were given to the Saint Capital Fund, Capri Global Capital, Next Orbit Ventures, and Jalan Chemicals Industries, among others. A total of 12 anchor investors were allocated a portion of the issue. Suba Hotels IPO latest GMP As of Saturday, 27 September 2025, the grey market premium (GMP) of the Suba Hotels IPO stood at 7 per share. With the upper price band of the 111 per share, the company's stock is expected to be listed on the Indian stock market at 118 apiece, marking a premium of 6.31%, according to Investorgain data. The grey market premium (GMP) is the investors' willingness to pay more for a primary issue in the stock market. The GMP of the SME issue jumped to its current level of 7 per share after the company's anchor book round, compared to its earlier 0 per share levels. Suba Hotels IPO details here SME company, Suba Hotels Ltd, is offering investors a book-built public issue comprising an entirely fresh issuance of up to 67,99,200 equity shares with the face value of 10 apiece. However, there is no offer for sale (OFS) component in the public issue. The company aims to raise an undisclosed amount of funds from the stock market from its 67,99,200 share offering. The IPO is set to open for public subscription on Monday, 29 September 2025, and is scheduled to close for bidding on Wednesday, 1 October 2025, according to the draft papers. The SME company has fixed the price band for the public issue in the range of 105 to 111 per share with a lot size of 1,200 shares per lot. Unistone Capital Private Limited is the book runner for the public issue, while Bigshare Services Private Limited is the registrar for the offer. After the bidding rounds, the shares are expected to be allotted to investors on Friday, 3 October 2025, while the shares will be listed on the NSE SME Index on Tuesday, 7 October 2025, according to Chittorgarh data. Read all stories by Anubhav Mukherjee Trump's H-1B visa fee hike: After the H-1B visa fee hike to $1,00,000, the IT stocks of the Indian stock market have been under sell-off heat for the last few sessions. IT majors Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, Wipro, HCL Technologies, etc.- came under selling pressure due to negative sentiments about Indian IT stocks. For a long-term investor looking for a value pick, this can be a good opportunity to include IT stocks in their portfolio, provided they have discounted Trump's H-1 visa fee increase. According to stock market experts, the H-1 visa fee hike has affected Indian IT stocks' outlook for the short term, whereas the India-US trade deal and optimism about the US Fed rate cut are expected to boost IT stock bias in the long term. Besides these factors, the global push for digital transformation, AI, and cloud adoption continues to support the sectors long-term prospects. H-1B visa fee hike Expecting the impact of the H-1B visa fee hike to fade out soon, Seema Srivastava, Senior Research Analyst at SMC Global Securities, said, "The proposed H-1B visa fee hike by Donald Trump poses a fresh challenge for the Indian IT sector, which has traditionally relied on deploying skilled professionals in the United States. This development could raise operational costs, especially for firms with high H-1B dependency, and adds to existing regulatory risks when the industry is already grappling with client caution and margin pressures. However, in the broader context, macroeconomic shifts may outweigh these negatives in the medium to long term." "A deeper analysis paints a more nuanced picture. For the top 10 Indian and India-centric IT service providers, H-1B visa holders represent less than 1% of their global employee base. This suggests that the direct impact on earnings in FY26 will likely be limited. Companies have already begun recalibrating their operating models, reducing reliance on H-1B visas, expanding local hiring in the US, and diverting more work to offshore delivery centres in India," said Sugandha Sachdeva, Founder of SS WealthStreet. Sugandha Sachdeva of SS WealthStreet said the revised H-1B visa fee structure will apply only to new applicants starting in 2026. It will give Indian IT companies sufficient lead time to realign strategies, strengthen skilling programs, and deepen investments in US local talent pools. In fact, Indian firms have already invested close to $1 billion in upskilling local workers in the US, signalling a clear pivot towards a more resilient and diversified workforce model. US Fed rate cut in focus "The US Fed rate cut optimism has improved liquidity and reduced financing costs, encouraging enterprises to increase IT spending. Simultaneously, the prospect of an IndiaUS trade agreement has sparked optimism around reduced regulatory hurdles, stronger outsourcing opportunities, and deeper technology collaboration. These factors, along with the global push for digital transformation, AI, and cloud adoption, continue to support the sectors long-term prospects," Seema Srivastava of SMC Global Securities said. IT stocks to buy Asked about the outlook of major Indian IT stocks, Seema Srivastava said, "Among companies, TCS remains the industrys bellwether, offering defensive stability, top-tier execution, and consistent returns, making it a core portfolio holding. Infosys provides a growth-oriented play, supported by large deal wins, strong digital services traction, and an improving demand outlook. HCL Techs strength in engineering, cloud, and infrastructure positions it well for discretionary IT spending recovery, albeit with some margin pressures, offering a balanced risk-reward profile. In contrast, Wipro lags peers with weaker growth and subdued deal momentum, making it suitable mainly for speculative investors. While near-term headwinds remain, the sectors resilience makes current volatility an opportunity to accumulate quality IT names." For over two millennia, Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh has distilled flowers, roots, and even earth into perfumes that journeyed across empires from the Guptas to the Mughals. Today, an eighth-generation perfumer and chef is reimagining Kannaujs legacy not for a vial, but for the dining table. In early September, perfumer and chef Pranav Kapoor brought centuries of perfumery expertise to a pop-up in Delhi, hosting 30 guests to eat a perfume. Rose, vetiver, sandalwood, petrichor, and jasmine each note was translated into cocktails and dishes that blurred the line between smell and taste. The immersive experience was the result of years of meticulous experimentation, starting with fragrance-led cocktail pop-ups at Summer House and Sly Granny in Delhi in 2016. Kapoor spent almost his entire life in Kannauj, learning how attar interacts with memory and flavour. Every cocktail and course was carefully calibrated to reflect the top, middle, and base notes of a fragrance, designed to linger not just on the palate, but in memory. You cant taste if you cant smell, he says. Its a lesson he absorbed while growing up in Kannauj. The ancient perfume capital shaped his olfactory and culinary sensibilities, where mornings begin with the steam of rose distillation, the shifting perfume in the air, and earthen bottles of mitti attar buried underground. The perfume industry here finds mention in the works of the Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang, as well as Banabhatta, the 7th-century poet in Harshavardhanas court, who documented the production of sandalwood and rose. Kapoors family has been part of the perfume-making tradition since the early 19th century. View full Image Perfumer and chef Pranav Kapoor at the pop-up. At boarding school in Mussoorie, Kapoor first encountered smells unlike Kannauj fish and coconut oil, courtesy of his warden from Kerala. I had never smelt something like this before, he says. He even guarded his pillow, which carried the familiar scent of his hair and his mothers, as it reminded him of home. When your sense of smell is strong, you pick up on food in a much more intense way, he says. It was this sensory upbringing that made the transition into the culinary space almost inevitable. At IHM Aurangabad, he realised how startlingly similar perfumery and cuisine were. Balancing a formulation of attar was like balancing a dish spices, aromas and ingredients. That light bulb moment hit me: smell and taste are inherently together, he adds. If you cant smell, you cant taste. I first taste food through my nose. View full Image Braised beet infused with jasmine fragrance. Earlier this month, at Homeone of Delhis popular barsKapoor collaborated with chefs Yutaka Saito and Subhashis Lenka, and bartender Santanu Chanda, to craft an evening where fragrance dictated the journey. The menu revolved around notes like rose, sandalwood, vetiver, mitti, and jasmine, each translated into cocktails and dishes. First, I create the scent, Kapoor explains. Lets say I pick five core ingredientsnot just distilling rose or jasminebut construct a fragrance with, say, notes of pepper, cumin, and lime, he adds. That same fragrance is then expressed in a drink and in food. But when we eat, were not eating perfume. We break those ingredients down. Thats where creativity comes in. For mitti, the team crafted a petrichor martini, infusing a mitti spray into the drink and even marinating olives in petrichor-infused vodka or gin overnight. The accompanying meal featured truffle mushroom croquettes served on a base of mudbread dehydrated and crushed to mimic soilwith the mushrooms umami and earthy flavours smoked with petrichor. Take fragrant ingredients, say spices and herbs, and deconstruct them across drinks and food. For sandalwood, we made miso-glazed eggplant, burnt asparagus, and edamame with a sandalwood-infused dressing by smoking sandalwood chips and the oil. In the vetiver course, the fragrance appeared in a smoked artichoke and green pea nimona tartlet. Each note in the strip of paper mirrored what you were tasting, he points out. With most essential oils highly concentrated, Kapoor is careful not to overpower diners. Balance, he adds, is at the heart of both perfumery and cuisine: a touch of spice or woody base notes each element calibrated to complement the star ingredient. Each ingredient is treated like a protagonist in both fragrance and dish, with supporting notes layered carefully to maintain harmony, he explains. View full Image Sandalwood cocktail. Traditional steam-distillation from Kannauj inspires his kitchen smoking roots, infusing oils, and creating edible extracts. A key technique is using dum: sealing copper or steel vessels with multani mitti and cotton, and adding water to build pressure. The same principle of sealing and slow cooking is used in making biryani. Food, he admits, demands more effort than drinks. Its not challenging in a negative sense; I get a kick from it, but it takes time. Layers must be built thoughtfully. Some ingredients are more potent than others. After a few courses, or smelling several strips, the palate or nose can get overwhelmed. Thats why pacing, layering, and sequencing are crucial. Jasmine is reserved for the end because its lush, diffusive character can overpower if introduced too early. Sequencing allows lighter notes like rose and sandalwood to shine first, building complexity gradually, explains Kapoor. When asked if theres a note hes yet to use in his pop-ups, Kapoor smiles: Oud. Its strong, pungent, and animalic. This experience is already new for diners; I cant overwhelm them just yet. But its coming soon. His exploration of scent doesnt end at the pop-up. Kapoor offers a unique multi-sensorial experience at his 120-year-old ancestral haveli in Kannauj. Guests stay in refurbished suites, explore a fragrance gallery, and visit the perfume bar. The journey begins at the flower farm, continues to the distillerywhere deghbaz, or experts in handling copper stills carrying 80-90 kg of flowers, steam-infuse fragrant waterand culminates in a fragrance-and-flavour-focused menu, featuring recipes passed down through generations. Like a plum and beetroot curry that my great grandmother used to make. Of course, theres my interpretation of it, where I do a slightly drier version served atop a mini naan with fresh cream cheese, mint, and basil, he shares. His vision extends further with the Indian Institute of Fragrance and Flavour, set to open in 2026 in Kannauj. The institute will celebrate Indias culinary heritage, offering short residencies of one to three weeks that combine fragrance, ancient foodways, and creative experimentation. Kapoors ambitions also include the Crystal Bar, a fragrance-and-cocktail pairing concept opening in November in his hometown. Were constructing cocktails like we would create fragrances, with a fusion of scent and palate. Nights like those at Home hint at the future: guests linger, conversations drift, and scents remain long after plates are cleared a lasting imprint of memory and aroma. Elon Musk is the news. Hes omnipresent and omniscient. If the legacy news media misses anything about him, theres always his own platform X, to ensure nothing he does, says or even thinks, escapes our attention. So what else could another book about the company tell us that we dont already know? The answer, as journalists Sonke Iwersen and Michael Verfurden demonstrate in The Tesla Files: The Inside Story of Musks Empire, lies not in the subject matter itself but in the rigour and distance that investigative journalism can bring to bear on corporate mythology. Musks empire has grown to staggering proportions over the years. Teslas market capitalisation has at times exceeded that of the next ten automakers combined; SpaceX, a start-up owned by him, has revolutionised space travel while bagging billions in US government contracts. The Boring Company tunnels beneath major cities to ease traffic congestion while Neuralink promises to merge human consciousness with artificial intelligence. His acquisition of Twitter in 2022 for $44 billion transformed it into X, a personal megaphone to 400 million users. Meanwhile, Musks net worth fluctuates between $300-400 billion, depending on Teslas stock price on any given day. This is not merely a business empire we are talking about; it is a techno-feudal kingdom that spans industries and continents, with Musk as its mercurial sovereign. Also Read | What happened to the romance of train travel? For all this, the man isnt quite the masked superhero out to save the world from itself. The authors perspective reveals something that US media coverage often misses: the profound gap between Silicon Valleys self-aggrandisement and its actual operational competence. The central revelation of the book is breathtaking in its simplicity and devastating in its implications. Tesla, a company that positions itself at the vanguard of technological sophistication, that spends thousands on surveillance software to monitor data movements of its people, somehow allowed a single disgruntled employee to walk out with virtually everything: employee records, customer data, business partner information, legal documents, banking details, government correspondence, technical specifications, autopilot failure reports, and internal memoranda. This data breach, orchestrated by whistleblower Lukasz Krupski, forms the spine of the book, though Iwersen and Verfurden take their time getting there. The authors, veterans of German business daily Handelsblatt that earned international recognition for its role in exposing the 2020 Wirecard fraud (a series of corrupt practices that led to the insolvency of the German payment financial services provider), bring the methodical approach of old-fashioned journalism to their subject. This is both the books strength and its occasional weakness. Where most current business writing often favours narrative velocity over analytical depth, the books approach stresses thoroughness, sometimes at the expense of pacing. Indeed, its structural choices reflect this tension. Nearly half the book is devoted to familiar territory, including Musks South African childhood, his early ventures, the founding mythology of Tesla and SpaceX. This ground has been extensively covered, most comprehensively in Walter Isaacsons 2023 biography, a 650-page doorstopper that left few stones unturned in chronicling Musks rise. While Iwersen and Verfurden do add some illuminating anecdotesthe image of Musk delivering an impassioned analyst presentation to a muted microphone while his team and the analysts sit in silent paralysis, afraid to interrupt, is both absurd and revealingmuch of this material feels like necessary but insufficient table-setting. The story comes to life when analysis of the data reveals a company whose internal culture bears little resemblance to its public image of innovation and progress. Tesla, as depicted through leaked documents and employee testimonials, operates more like a digital-age sweatshop than a revolutionary enterprise. View Full Image The Tesla Files: By Sonke Iwersen and Michael Verfurden, Penguin Random House, 352 pages, 999. The contradictions are stark and numerous: Musk publicly smokes marijuana on Joe Rogans podcast while maintaining strict cannabis prohibition in Tesla factories; he champions Americans rights to carry arms on X while banning weapons from company premises; he positions himself as a champion of free speech while reportedly maintaining an atmosphere of surveillance and retaliation within his companies. These contradictions extend to Teslas treatment of its workforce. Compared to German automotive giants like Volkswagen, where robust labour protections and worker representation are standard, Teslas employment practices seem almost deliberately punitive. The authors document how employees discover their termination not through human interaction but through technological failure: laptops that wont let them log in, badges that stop working at factory gates. Sadly, this casual dehumanisation has metastasised beyond Silicon Valley, becoming equally commonplace in corporate India over the past five years. But the most chilling revelations concern safety. The retractable door handles that Musk insists upon for aesthetic reasons have created deadly consequences in emergency situations. First responders, faced with burning Tesla vehicles, watched helplessly as passengers remained trapped inside, unable to access the concealed door mechanisms. The authors observation Because Musk prefers the sleek look of Teslas without handles, he accepts the risk to his customers" cuts to the heart of a philosophy that prioritises one mans whim over human life. This utilitarian calculus, the authors suggest, reflects Musks admiration for philosopher William MacAskills effective altruism, a movement that weighs present suffering against theoretical future benefits. If millions must suffer today so billions can be saved tomorrow, the math seems to justify the sacrifice. The Christmas anecdote that closes this section crystallises the dynamic. While Musk extracted billions in compensation for his efforts," 12,000 Tesla employees received socks as their holiday bonus. The image is both pathetic and emblematic of a broader wealth concentration that has reached near-feudal proportions in contemporary American capitalism. The Musk that emerges from this book is a bundle of contradictions. A tyrant who screams and yells when he wants something done, yet not averse to taking a dig at his own company. When stories broke about a factory director in Teslas German plant berating employees for the number of coffee mugs that went missing, Musk joined media outlets in capturing the absurdity with a We were mugged" post. Clearly, he is neither the visionary saviour of his most ardent admirers nor the cartoon villain of his harshest critics. Instead, Iwersen and Verfurden present something more unsettling: a figure of genuine capability and innovation whose success has created a bubble of consequence-free decision-making. What makes The Tesla Files particularly valuable is its demonstration that robust investigative journalism persists if we are willing to look beyond market valuations and maintain the critical distance necessary for genuine accountability reporting. The authors work recalls the tradition of investigative journalism that produced landmark exposes of corporate malfeasance, from Ida Tarbells Standard Oil investigation to more recent works like Brad Stones The Everything Store or Emily Changs Brotopia. The book is not without its limitations. The authors occasionally seem uncertain whether they are writing a corporate expose or a business biography. The background material, while competently handled, lacks the personal insight of Isaacsons work or the narrative drive of Ashlee Vances earlier Musk biography. Vitally, the books conclusion, examining the implications of tech billionaires increasing control over information flow, feels somewhat underdeveloped given its importance. With Musks acquisition of Twitter and Jeff Bezoss ownership of The Washington Post, the concentration of media power in the hands of tech entrepreneurs represents a fundamental challenge to democratic discourse. This deserves more than the brief treatment it receives here. Despite these shortcomings, The Tesla Files succeeds as both journalism and warning. It reminds us that the distance between mythology and reality in corporate America has grown dangerously wide and that the tradition of sceptical, methodical investigation offers a necessary corrective to Silicon Valleys self-congratulation. In an era when business journalism too often functions as stenography for entrepreneurial ego, Iwersen and Verfurden have shown the virtues of accountability reporting. Perhaps the books most sobering insight is how little any of this seems to matter. Teslas stock price remains stratospheric, Musks influence continues to grow, and the contradictions between rhetoric and reality that The Tesla Files so carefully documents appear to have no meaningful impact on the companys trajectory. This raises uncomfortable questions about the relationship between truth and consequence in contemporary capitalism. Sundeep Khanna is a regular Mint columnist and author of business books. Also Read | Trust issues: Boardroom fractures at Tata signal a deeper governance reckoning When my friend was in school in Delhi, his family put him in Russian class rather than Hindi because they thought that it would give him an advantage in a world where the erstwhile USSR was a superpower. He was happy to not do Hindi but sad that he was not in French where the cool kids were. When he was 14, he took the family car for a secret joyride and in a moment of bravado, gave a drunk, middle-aged Russian man a lift. He successfully figured which hotel to pour the man out atthe only time the Russian ever came handy. Around the same time, I was a high school student in Oman and my classmate was taking private Arabic lessons because her family, which had come up the hard way at home in Assam, thought their impressive daughter had a future in the UN. Back in the 18th century, a nine-year-old Raja Ram Mohan Roy too was sent from Bengal to Patna to study Arabic and Persian. In more recent times, there has been plenty of overlap in the populations of people being urged to spurn all Chinese products as well as the people taking Mandarin tuitions. Not surprising since China looms large and neon. Also Read | Nisha Susan: In admiration of the whimsical man who takes on the male troll Up north in Canada, folks joke that when you quietly put your five-year-old in French immersion school, it is because you want to give her everything she needs to become prime minister someday. The particular game of teen patti that parents play with global realpolitik is global. And just about as reliable. Which brings us to the question of a strange public interest litigation (PIL) filed recently in the Supreme Court by a Mumbai-based activist asking to make American Sign Language (ASL) compulsory in education for the deaf in India In late August, the Free Press Journal reported that several associations representing the deaf and hard of hearing have raised alarm bells because the PIL was bizarrely asking for compulsory ASL at a time when Indian Sign Language (ISL) is well-established and meaningful for the Indian deaf community. The associations wrote to the Chief Justice of India pointing out that around the world, different nations have their own culturally rooted sign languages. ...More folks across the board (hearing and deaf) should learn ISL rather than throw the dice and pray for an America lotteryan America which, I have to point out, is busily connecting paracetamol with autism. I have long been fascinated by the varieties of deaf cultures around the world but fascinated is not the same as educated. For instance, I didnt know a superb detail that the National Association for the Deaf (NAD) pointed out. The Indian Sign Language uses two hands unlike ASL, which uses one hand. This perfectly illustrates the statement from the All India Federation of the Deaf that just as Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, and other spoken Indian languages represent cultural pride, ISL represents the linguistic dignity of deaf Indians. Allowing ASL to operate alongside ISL poses a dual threat as it risks colonising minds and potentially leads to cultural erasure." The NAD estimates that India has as many as 18 million deaf and hard-of-hearing people. The gap in census data leaves us at a bit of a loss but again the estimates from 2014 was that one out of five deaf children in India was out of school. Making ISL more popular is a solution promoted by all kinds of activists and policy nerds. Abhimanyu Sharma, a language scholar, pointed out a while ago that the stigma around sign language and the preference of oralism" in mainstream schools is harmful for deaf students. Poet Abhishek Anicca, for instance, always has a sign language interpreter present at his live performances and book launches. During the covid-19 pandemic lockdowns, researchers noted the piercing tragedy that some deaf adults newly stuck in the family home were lonely because their family members had not learnt sign language. Which points to the idea that more folks across the board (hearing and deaf) should learn ISL rather than throw the dice and pray for an America lotteryan America which, I have to point out, is busily connecting paracetamol with autism. Disabilities studies scholar Shilpaa Anand once wrote, That merit is not accessible to persons with disabilities is not merely the point; what is under-examined is how merit is made up of ableist structures." In their polite interventions, the Indian deaf associations made allowance for possible good intentions in the alarmingly ignorant PIL which aims to unlock global job potential." Just weeks later, they could have pointed out the problem with this manner of teen pattino one is really prepared for the moment when a generation of Indians trained from age 12 to make it in California have to suddenly consider H-1B earthquakes. Meanwhile, if one wants to look at what happens when you thoughtlessly implement policies without including the communities affected, one has to merely look at China which is keen to give its deaf populations better access to information. In 2022, Chinese television began providing sign language translation through digital avatars during live broadcasts. According to Zheng Xuan, a Chinese academic, the country has over 20 million deaf people and sign language is widely used but not widely taught. Sign language reflects spoken and written Chinese differently. As is expected in a large country like China, there are plenty of regional variations too, none of which is reflected in AI-generated translations. The AI sign language avatars were doing the equivalent of your NRI cousin trying to speak Malayalamcausing hilarity and confusion. A perfect moment, as Xuan says, to repeat that classic slogan of the disability rights movementnothing about us without us". Nisha Susan is the author of The Women Who Forgot To Invent Facebook And Other Stories. She posts @chasingiamb Also Read | We are all stuck in a pyramid scheme fuelled by AI FOMO Vijay's Karur Rally Stampede LIVE: Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian confirmed that 39 people died in a stampede-like situation that took place at actor-politician Vijay's rally in Karur on September 27, Saturday. The victims include six children, nine men and 16 women. More than 40 people were injured. 10 lakh ex gratia has been announced for families of Karur tragedy victims. Former Tamil Nadu Minister and DMK leader V Senthil Balaji said, As of now, 46 persons are in private hospital, and 12 persons are admitted in a government hospital for treatment." Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, actor Rajnikanth, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi and many more political leaders and actors have condoled incident. What happened exactly in Karur? Stampede-like situation was witnessed and many persons, including a few children, fainted in Karur on Saturday while they were at a rally presided by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief, actor-politician Vijay. Sources told ANI that the overcrowding at the venue triggered the panic and subsequent stampede. TVK president Vijay, whose campaign vehicle moved slowly through a massive crowd of supporters in Karur, had to briefly halt his speech as two ambulances were brought in to attend to several party members who suddenly collapsed amid a stampede-like situation. After resuming his address, he criticised the ruling DMK government, pointing out that it had promised to establish an airport in Karur back in 2021 but is now requesting the Centre to take up the project. Stay tuned to LIVEMINT for latest updates on Vijay's Karur rally stampede-like incident. Delhi BMW crash case: Patiala House Court granted bail to accused Gaganpreet Kaur, 38, on a bond of 1 lakh and two sureties of the same amount on September 27, Saturday, ANI reported. She has been further asked to surrender her passport. A Finance Ministry official Navjot Singh, 52, was killed and three others were injured in the accident on September 14, when he along with his wife were returning from Bangla Sahib Gurdwara and their bike was hit by BMW. They were rushed to a hospital in a critical condition nearly 19 kilometres from the accidental site, which the victim's family questioned and called the decision wrong. The couple's son Navnoor said, "My father was declared dead in the hospital, but people there said that death instantly after an accident is very rare... There are many superspeciality hospitals near Dhaula Kuan and AIIMS too, if they had been sent there, he could have been saved. Police said that Gaganpreet, who was behind the wheel during the accident, had her husband, two children, and a domestic help in the car at the time. The family, hailing from Gurugram and involved in the manufacturing sector, also sustained injuries and were admitted to a hospital following the incident. Also Read | BMW crash case: Delhi court orders police to preserve CCTV footage BMW car was travelling at a high speed Today the arguments have been completed and the matter has been fixed for orders on Saturday, 27th of this month. We have filed the written arguments. CCTV footage was played in the court, and it was shown to the court that, as was being said yesterday by the accused, that the bike hit the car, is incorrect. It is the car that hit the bike. We showed how negligent and fast the car was. The BMW X5 has turtled and hit the motorcycle. The factual position is that the motorcycle was coming from behind. The BMW car was travelling at a high speed. It slowed down when it turned, and the bike came parallel to it, and then it hit the bike, ANI quoted Advocate Atul Kumar, counsel for the complainant as saying on Thursday. He added, The statement of one of the eyewitnesses offered help, but the lady refused help from the ambulance. The lady deliberately took the injured to her own nursing home. The help that could have been available to the injured was deprived in a very calculated manner by the lady to save herself from the legal consequences." The speed of both vehicles was very high Advocate Pradeep Rana, counsel for the accused Gaganpreet Kaur, stated, The ambulance came and went away. It did not help. The speed of both vehicles was very high. In the CCTV footage, the BMW car hits the sidewalk. At the time of the accident, the car was coming and the motorcycle was behind it. According to the FIR, the car hit the motorcycle from behind. The CCTV footage shows the motorcycle never being in front of the car; it's parallel to the car... This suggests that the motorcycle's speed, if not faster than the BMW's, wasn't slow either. The CCTV shows a side impact, not a rear impact. Authorities confirmed that Gaganpreet's blood test report was negative for alcohol consumption. She was arrested after being discharged from the hospital and was subsequently placed in judicial custody by a city court, a PTI report noted. A case was filed against her under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Section 281 (rash driving), Section 125B (endangering life or personal safety of others), Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), and Section 238 (causing disappearance of evidence). A local cleric and chief of Ittehad-e-Millat Council, Tauqeer Raza Khan, was reportedly arrested by police in Saturday. Tauqeer Raza Khan had earlier called for a protest on Friday supporting the 'I love Mohammad' campaign. In the early hours of Saturday, a police team led by SP (Traffic) Akmal Khan formally arrested Raza and moved him to a secure location. He was produced in court on Saturday morning under heavy security. A local court on Saturday sent Raza and the seven "mischievous elements" to 14-day judicial custody for allegedly masterminding the violent clash, police told PTI. The main conspirator of the Bareilly unrest, Maulana Tauqeer Raza, along with seven mischievous elements, have been arrested, produced in court, and sent to 14-day judicial custody," DM Singh said. The seven other accused were identified as Sarfaraz, Manifuddin, Azeem Ahmed, Mohammed Sharif, Mohammed Aamir, Rehan and Mohammad Sarfaraz, police said. What led to 'I love Mohammad' protests? His arrest came a day after a violent clash erupted between demonstrators and police after Friday prayers in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly. Tauqeer Raza has been taken into custody, and further legal proceedings are underway. The situation is peaceful and under control, Bareilly SSP Anurag Arya told the media. The controversy dates back to September 9, when police in Kanpur filed an FIR against 24 persons for allegedly installing boards with I Love Mohammad written on them during an Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi procession on September 4. Some Hindu groups objected to it, calling it "deviation from tradition" and a "deliberate provocation". Members of the Muslim community had installed these boards last week and erected a tent on a public road, close to a gate from where the Ram Navami procession usually passes, Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Dinesh Tripathi was quoted by PTI as saying earlier in September. The controversy soon spread to several Uttar Pradesh districts and to states like Uttarakhand and Karnataka, sparking protests and police crackdowns. The row also drew the attention of AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, who asserted that saying "I Love Mohammad" was not a crime. What caused violence in Bareilly? An announcement postponing a proposed demonstration in support of the "I Love Mohammad" campaign by cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan led to a clash between a large crowd and police outside the Ala Hazrat Dargah in Bareilly on Friday, news agency PTI reported. Police said a large crowd carrying "I Love Mohammad" posters gathered outside the cleric's residence and near the mosque, both in the Kotwali area and located a short distance from each other, after the Friday prayers. The crowd was reportedly angry over the last-minute cancellation of a proposed demonstration called by Raza, who claimed the authorities denied permission for it. Over two dozen people were detained following the clash, which saw stone-pelting and vandalism. Raza released a video statement Police sources told PTI, Raza released a video statement on Friday night, challenging the official narrative of the clashes and claiming that he was prevented from addressing his followers and put under house arrest. In the video, Raza could be seen congratulating the demonstrators injured in Fridays clashes. "I compliment all those youths who took part in this programme. Those who were injured are also worthy of congratulations, he said. Raza also expressed regret over his inability to submit a memorandum to the president of India through District Magistrate Avinash Singh after the Friday prayers, flagging what he termed continuous attacks on Muslims and seeking legal intervention in the matter. Claiming that his efforts were deliberately thwarted, Raza said, I appeal to everyone to peacefully go to their homes. As has happened every time, I was placed under house arrest. He also alleged that false information was circulated under his name. A fake letterhead carrying my name was used, and a false statement was published, he claimed. The DM and SSP arrived at his location just as he was about to leave for the Friday prayers, called for more force, and placed him under house arrest, Raza claimed. Raza under house arrest: No one will remain silent Raza also warned that attempts to suppress religious sentiments would backfire. The more police try to suppress this issue, the more it will come to the fore. If attempts are made to stop religious matters, no one will remain silent. Had I gone for the Friday prayers, nothing like this would have happened. Lathis were deliberately used on Muslims, against whom false accusations have been levelled, he claimed. I am currently under house arrest. I would be happy if I were arrested. Just like [gangster] Atiq Ahmad was shot, shoot me as well. The government is responsible for 140 crore people. Intolerance towards one group is unacceptable. This time, there was no Hindu-Muslim conflict; police committed atrocities against Muslims, he claimed. Planned conspiracy Khan's narrative came after DM Singh and DIG Ajay Kumar Sahni said the violence was the result of a planned conspiracy, calling it an attempt to disrupt peace despite the imposition of Section 163 of BNSS in the state, which prohibits unauthorised assemblies. "A few days ago, an organisation proposed holding a march on Friday and submitting a memorandum in support of a protest. We informed them that written permission would be needed for any such programme, as Section 163 of the BNSS (power to issue order in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger) is in effect throughout the district, DM Singh said on Friday Ladakh protests: Activist Sonam Wangchuk was arrested in connection with the September 24 violence in Leh, under the National Security Act (NSA) on Friday and was shifted to Jodhpur Central Jail, known for heightened three-layer security, hours later. According to officials, he will be kept in a solitary cell that will be actively overseen by CCTVs, NDTV reported. Under tight security arrangements, including the city police commissioner, he was taken to the prison center via a special plane. About Jodhpur Central Jail Jodhpur Central Jail, established during the British era, has held numerous high-profile inmates over the years, including Bollywood actor Salman Khan, who was convicted in the 1998 blackbuck poaching case, and Asaram Bapu, a self-styled godman accused of rape. The prison, situated on Station Road in the Ratanada area and approximately 0.24 kilometers from Mahamandir Railway Station, has also housed terrorists from the Indian Mujahideen and Jammu and Kashmir separatist leader Abdul Ghani Lone. During the 1965 war with Pakistan, the jail was attacked, resulting in the deaths of over 30 people inside. Currently, it accommodates around 1,400 prisoners, the report noted. Wangchuk ended his hunger strike immediately after the violence broke out and has been accused of inciting violence. Ladakh protests: Why was Sonam Wangchuk moved out of Leh district? It is important to restore normalcy in the peace-loving Leh Town of Ladakh. To ensure this, it is also important to prevent Sonal Wangchuk from further acting in a manner prejudicial to the maintenance of public order. In the backdrop of his provocative speeches and videos, for the larger public interest, it was not advisable to keep him in Leh district, a press release by the Administration of Union Territory of Ladakh Directorate of Information & Public Relations stated, PTI reported. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Saturday addressed the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and launched a scathing attack on Pakistan. Jaishankar said India has long grappled with terrorism emanating from its neighbourhood, calling the country an epicentre of global terrorism. He noted that many major international terror attacks have been traced back to one neighbour, with UN lists of designated terrorists dominated by its nationals. Citing the Pahalgam terror attack as the latest instance of cross-border barbarism, Jaishankar stressed that India had exercised its right to defend its citizens and ensured the perpetrators were brought to justice. India has confronted this challenge since its independence, having a neighbour that is an epicentre of global terrorism. For decades now, major international terrorist attacks are traced back to that one country. UN's designated lists of terrorists are replete with its nationals. The most recent example of cross-border barbarism was the murder of innocent tourists in Pahalgam in April this year, Jaishankar said. India remains determined to protect its people, secure their interests, at home and abroad, EAM Jaishankar said. He stressed that while assert rights, India must also confront threats with determination. Countering terrorism, he said, remains a key priority as it embodies a mix of bigotry, violence, intolerance and fear. While asserting our rights, we must also firmly face up to threats. Countering terrorism is a particular priority because it synthesises bigotry, violence, intolerance and fear. India exercised its right to defend its people against terrorism and brought its organisers and perpetrators to justice. Because terrorism is a shared threat, it is essential that there is much deeper international cooperation. When nations openly declare terrorism a state policy, when terror hubs operate on an industrial scale, when terrorists are publicly glorified, then such actions must be unequivocally condemned. The financing of terrorism must be choked even as prominent terrorists are sanctioned. Relentless pressure must be applied on the entire terrorism ecosystem. Those who condone nations that sponsor terror will find that it comes back to bite them. India launched 'Operation Sindoor' in May in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. Actor Rajinikanth, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah expressed grief over Tamil Nadu's Karur stampede today at Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) Vijay's rally where 39 people have been declared dead and 40 injured. The news of the loss of innocent lives in the incident that occurred in Karur shakes the heart and causes immense grief. My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. Comfort to those who were injured, Rajinikanth said. Kamal Haasan also posted on X expressing condolences on the TVK rally stampede. "My heart trembles. The news coming from Karur brings shock and sorrow. I am at a loss for words to express my deepest condolences to the innocent people who lost their lives trapped in the crowd congestion. I urge the Tamil Nadu government to ensure that those rescued from the congestion receive proper treatment and that those affected receive appropriate relief.", he posted. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed sorrow and urged Congress workers to assist the injured and support the families, including authorities in relief efforts. She said, Heartbroken by the tragic stampede in Karur, TN. My thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost their loved ones in this unimaginable tragedy. May they find strength in this difficult time, and may the injured recover soon. AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal said, "In this horrific stampede that occurred in Karur, many innocent people lost their lives. The deaths of women and children have shaken the entire nation. May God grant peace to the departed souls and provide strength to the grieving families to bear this unbearable sorrow. Deeply saddened by the tragic incident at a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, that has taken so many precious lives. My heart goes out to their loved ones, and I wish a swift recovery to all those injured. I urge Congress workers and leaders to extend every possible support to the victims and their families, and to work closely with the authorities in relief and rescue efforts, Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said on X. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah also expressed condolences and said, Saddened by the tragic loss of lives in the stampede at a rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured." He added, Karnataka stands in solidarity with the people of Tamil Nadu in this hour of grief. Deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the tragic stampede in Karur district, Tamil Nadu. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, and I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. May God grant courage and strength to all those impacted by this tragedy, BJP chief JP Nadda stated on X. Karur stampede: What happened? While addressing a massive crowd from atop his campaign vehicle, Vijay suddenly paused his speech when several workers raised an alarm about people fainting and collapsing. Many of those affected, including children, had been standing for hours just to catch a glimpse of him. Responding swiftly, Vijay personally called for ambulances to be given a clear route, tossed water bottles into the crowd to offer relief, and announced that a child had gone missing. He also appealed to the police for support. Also Read | Moments before TVK rally stampede caught on cam: Crowds throng as Vijay speaks Although those who fainted were quickly transported to nearby hospitals, Vijay only briefly resumed his speech. Sensing the possibility of a stampede forming in a section of the crowd, he made the decision to end his speech abruptly. A shocking incident unfolded in Madhya Pradesh when a 5-year-old boy named Vikas was allegedly beheaded by an unidentified man in front of his mother on September 26. The accused is believed to be mentally unstable, according to a report by NDTV. The accused died on the way to the hospital following the mob who thrashed him, Dhar Superintendent of Police Mayank Awasthi informed. The child's mother, who tried frantically to protect him, sustained injuries and was left deeply traumatised, her screams ringing out across the village. Alarmed by the noise, neighbours hurried to the spot and, enraged by what had happened, held the accused. the report said, adding that the villagers severely beat him before the police reached the scene. What did the eyewitnesses say? The 25-year-old accused, Mahesh, arrived at Kalu Singh's home on a motorcycle, eyewitnesses said. He was reportedly a stranger to the resident family. Without warning or exchange, Mahesh seized a sharp, spade-like tool found on the premises and allegedly assaulted the boy. The attack was reportedly swift and brutal as the child was decapitated, his neck severed from his torso, and the assailant then struck the boy's shoulder, resulting in severe mutilation of the body. Awasthi described the incident extremely heartbreaking. "The real cause of death will be confirmed after the post-mortem. Initial investigations suggest he was mentally unstable," NDTV quoted Awasthi as saying. A case has been filed against the accused, and a judicial inquiry has been launched into his death,, the report noted. Investigations uncovered that Mahesh was from Jobat Bagdi in Alirajpur district. His family reportedly informed the police that he had been mentally unstable and had been missing for three to four days. Just an hour before the horrific attack, he allegedly attempted to steal items from a nearby shop. Previous similar incident In a separate incident, residents of Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh found the beheaded body of a woman in a field. Her head was discovered partially buried in the soil a short distance away from her torso, as per reports. The victim was identified as 60-year-old Kalawati Yadav, who lived in Bhui Dharpur village. A sickle was also recovered from the scene. According to Uttara Devi, Kalawatis daughter-in-law, Kalawati had left home around 2 pm on Thursday, saying she was going to see a doctor near Mangru crossing. She later visited another doctor in Pipiganj but never returned. The family began searching for her and was informed of her death the following morning. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Mumbai and nearby regions on Sunday, September 28, due to heavy rainfall expected until September 30. Authorities warn of urban flooding and landslides, urging residents to stay cautious and avoid flood-prone areas while monitoring rivers and preparing emergency measures. The Maharashtra government has issued an advisory urging residents to stay cautious amid the forecast of heavy to very heavy rainfall across various regions until September 30, PTI reported. What does the advisory say? The advisory warned that intense rainfall may lead to urban flooding in Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts. It further instructed district administrations to stay alert and implement precautionary measures against potential landslides in ghat regions and flash floods in vulnerable spots. It urged authorities to continuously monitor rivers and keep district control rooms operational for 24 hours. Also Read | Mumbai on orange alert, rain alert for Pune could dampen dandiya celebrations Officials have been asked to deploy water pumps in low-lying urban areas, monitor structurally weak buildings, and station repair teams for power and road infrastructure. Water levels in medium-sized dams in Konkan and upper catchment areas have been directed to be reviewed regularly. Public alerts are issued via SMS, social media, and local media outlets. Citizens are advised to avoid flood-prone and dangerous areas, follow official guidance, minimise travel during heavy rains, and seek shelter in designated relief centres if needed, the news agency said. Additionally, people are also advised not to seek shelter under trees amid thunderstorms. The government has stated that Marathwada, which is already experiencing heavy rains, is expected to get light to moderate rainfall until September 29. Rainfall in the Marathwada region Heavy rains lashed multiple areas of Marathwada in Maharashtra on Saturday, flooding low-lying roads and bridges in this region, which is normally prone to drought. Also Read | IMD sounds orange alert in Telangana, Hyderabad on rain watch Several districts, including Beed, Latur, Dharashiv, Nanded, Parbhani, and Hingoli, experienced over 65 mm of rainfall, while Gangakhed in Parbhani district recorded the highest single-day rainfall of 143 mm in a day. Since September 20, heavy rains and swollen rivers have led to extensive damage in Marathwada, resulting in at least nine deaths and flooding that has destroyed crops on hundreds of thousands of acres. Located in the central part of the state, the Marathwada region includes Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Latur, Parbhani, Nanded, Hingoli, Beed, and Dharashiv, the report said. Special CBI Court Judge AV Gujarathi has granted Maiank Mehta, the brother-in-law of absconding businessman Nirav Modi, a conditional pardon in the case linked to the 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud. The pardon is subject to Mehta's full and true disclosure of the whole of the circumstances within knowledge relative to offence and every other person concerned, according to a PTI report. For purpose of the same, the court has also marked him an approver in the case, the order copy on September 22 showed. How has Maiank Mehta helped PNB scam probe? Maiank Mehta, a British citizen and Hong Kong resident for about 35 years, is an accused in the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) case registered under Indian Penal Code sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating), 409 (criminal breach of trust) and the Prevention of Corruption Act. In his plea, Mehta contended that he had already been granted a pardon in the cases registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), wherein the predicate offence the CBI case is the same. He also submitted that he voluntarily came to India in September 2021 to participate in the proceedings. Lawyer Amit Desai, who represented Mehta, said that the accused has assisted the prosecution and the government of India in multiple aspects. Mehta pleaded for pardon, saying he was ready to make a full and true disclosure of the circumstances within his knowledge related to the matter. The prosecution, represented by public prosecutor Arvind Aghav, did not object to Mehtas plea, admitting that a pardon had been previously granted in similar PMLA cases. What did the Special CBI Court say? After hearing both sides and considering the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) provisions under which the plea was filed, the court ruled that the accused shall be marked as approver. The court directed that the accused, currently staying abroad, shall be directed to present himself before the court. The prosecution shall take necessary steps to facilitate the approach of the accused to India to take part in the proceeding as soon as may be, in the facts and circumstances prevailing currently, the court said. PNB scam: What happened? Absconding diamantaire Mehul Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi are prime accused in the multi-crore PNB scam, being probed by both the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). They are accused of allegedly siphoning off over 13,000 crore of public money from the PNB using Letters of Undertaking (LoU) and foreign letters of credit (FLCs) by bribing officials of the bank's Brady House branch in Mumbai. Choksi is facing extradition proceedings in a Belgian court, while Modi is lodged in a London jail. Bethany Children's Health Center in Oklahoma, US, has joined forces with Commure for minimising clinician documentation load and improving productivity. Bethany Childrens is a MEDITECH-powered paediatric rehabilitation hospital that caters to children with complex medical needs. Commure will enhance documentation and automate administrative activities through a unified platform. This platform rollout includes Ambient AI and Agents in both inpatient and outpatient settings at the paediatric rehabilitation facility, allowing clinicians to allocate more time to delivering patient care. Bethany Children's Health Center CEO Nico Gomez said: "Bethany Children's is deeply committed to advancing care for children with complex medical needs. Commure stood out because of their sophisticated ability to customise the platform to our needs, their accuracy and reliability, and the strength of their vision and customer support. We're confident this partnership will help our clinicians focus more of their time and energy on delivering compassionate care." The healthcare facility has partnered with organisations that employ Commure Ambient AI technology, which annually processes more than 20 million clinician appointments. The platform integration represents growing demand for scalable solutions addressing clinical excellence while ensuring operational sustainability across a variety of care settings. Commure CEO Tanay Tandon said: "Bethany Children's shares our dedication to reducing the administrative work that takes time away from care. This partnership helps give their clinicians more time with patients they serve." Commure provides AI infrastructure for enterprise health systems, integrating ambient intelligence with revenue cycle automation. The company's engineering teams work with administrators and clinicians to enhance profit margins while alleviating administrative burdens and improving patient engagement. "Bethany Childrens collaborates with Commure to reduce documentation load" was originally created and published by Hospital Management, a GlobalData owned brand. In a major breakthrough for Indian security agencies, the Punjab Police has successfully extradited Parminder Singh, also known as Pindi, a key operative of the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), from Abu Dhabi, UAE. This milestone operation was announced by Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, who described it as a significant step in the states fight against organised crime and terrorism. Yadav said Pindi was involved in multiple heinous crimes, including petrol bomb attacks, violent assaults and extortions in Batala in Gurdaspur. In a post on X, Yadav said acting swiftly on a red corner notice (RCN) requested by the Batala police, a dedicated four-member team led by a senior police officer travelled to the UAE on September 24, coordinated with the Ministry of External Affairs and the UAE authorities. After completing all legal formalities, the police team successfully brought the accused back to face justice, said Yadav. The extradition was the result of a collaborative effort between the Punjab Police, the Ministry of External Affairs, and UAE authorities, with crucial support from Indias central agencies. Acting swiftly on a Red Corner Notice (RCN) requested by the Batala Police, a four-member team led by a senior officer travelled to the UAE on 24 September 2024. After completing all legal formalities, the team successfully brought the accused back to India to face justice. Who is Parminder Singh alias Pindi? Parminder Singh, nicknamed Pindi, is a close aide of foreign-based terrorists Harwinder Singh, also known as Rinda, and Happy Passia. Both Rinda and Passia are known for orchestrating terror activities from abroad, targeting law enforcement agencies and civilians in Punjab. Pindis criminal record includes involvement in petrol bomb attacks, violent assaults, and extortion rackets, particularly in the BatalaGurdaspur region. Authorities believe that his actions were aimed at destabilising law and order while funding BKIs terrorist network. The Babbar Khalsa International, banned under Indias Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, is a notorious Khalistani terrorist outfit with a history of violent campaigns and connections to international extremist groups. BKI-backed terror module busted, 2 operatives held The Punjab Police on Sunday said it has busted a Babbar Khalsa International (BKI)-backed terror module and thwarted major disruptive activities in the state with the arrest of its two operatives. The module was busted by the Counter Intelligence (CI) teams from Pathankot and Ludhiana, as well as the State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) in Amritsar. Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said the arrested have been identified as Sarwan Kumar, a resident of Malhian village in Gurdaspur and Balwinder Singh, a resident of Jakkriya in Gurdaspur. The 73-year-old Punjabi woman, Harjit Kaur, who was recently deported from the US after spending over three decades in California, said she was not given any reason for her arrest. Recounting harrowing details, Kaur said she was cuffed and shackled when she was taken from San Francisco to Bakersfield. At the detention centre, she survived on chips and cookies, as they served beef which Kaur said she does not eat. Despite paying her taxes and diligently marking her attendance to ICE authorities every six months, Kaur said she was detained by immigration authorities in California after she went for a routine check Later, she was handcuffed by the ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) officials in the middle of the night, and transferred to a detention center in Bakersfield to Los Angeles and placed on a flight to Georgia without notifying the attorney, Kaur's attorney, Ahluwalia had told PTI earlier. How Harjit Kaur was deported Kaur, had unsuccessfully applied for asylum in the US, and deported to India after being detained by immigration authorities in California, her advocate, Ahluwalia, had said earlier. I used to go there (ICE office) to mark my presence every six months. On September 8, I went there to mark my presence, but they arrested me without specifying anything," Kaur told news agency PTI. The 73-year-old woman also said that she had a work permit, an ID and a licence. How Kaur arrived in US Kaur, who hails from Pangota village in Tarn Taran district of Punjab, reached the US in 1992 as a single mother with two sons. Her asylum case was denied in 2012. Kaur also said she was sent back without being given the chance to even say goodbye to her close family members. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has been lodged in Jodhpur Central Jail following his detention under the provisions of the National Security Act (NSA). Wangchuk's arrest comes amid chaos over the recent protests in Leh, where the protesters have been demanding statehood for Ladakh, among other things. Why was Wangchuk transferred to Jodhpur jail? The Ladakh administration has justified transferring climate activist Sonam Wangchuk to Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan after his arrest under the National Security Act (NSA) on Thursday. Officials stated that Wangchuk was involved in actions considered harmful to state security, and that holding him in Leh was not suitable in the broader public interest. It added that the situation could have been prevented if Wangchuk had ended his hunger strike after talks with the government began. It is important to restore normalcy in the peace-loving Leh Town of Ladakh. To ensure this, it is also important to prevent Sonal Wangchuk from further acting in a manner prejudicial to the maintenance of public order. In the backdrop of his provocative speeches and videos, for the larger public interest, it was not advisable to keep him in Leh district, it added. Leh protest Wangchuk's arrest comes amid chaos over the recent protests in Leh, where the protesters have been demanding statehood for Ladakh, among other things. The protests turned violent in Leh on September 24, following which the BJP office in the area was set on fire. Two days after the death of four people in violent protests, Wangchuk was detained under the provisions of the NSA. The climate activist has been accused of inciting violence. Wangchuk was on a hunger strike, which ended right after the violence unfolded. The Directorate of Information & Public Relations (DIPR), Ladakh, said in a statement on Friday, On September 26, Wangchuk of Uley Tokpo village of Leh has been detained under NSA. Time and again it has been observed that Wangchuk has been indulging in activities prejudicial to the security of the state and detrimental to the maintenance of peace and public order and services essential to the community. The entire episode could have been avoided if he could have risen above his personal and political ambitions by calling off the hunger strike when the dialogue with the government was resumed on the same agenda, the statement said, referring to the demands for statehood and extension of Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to the region. Shadow of Orwellian state: Opposition Indian actor and film director Prakash Raj said in a post on X, "You can cage a bird, but not its song." You can arrest Sonam Wangchuk, but you can't silence the truth he stands for. I know this man. I know what he stands for." Terming the arrest disturbing, RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha said, a shadow of Orwellian state. In a post on X, Jha said, The arrest of Sonam Wangchuk @Wangchuk66 under the National Security Act (NSA) is not just a headline but a disturbing marker of where India stands today. It signals that what was once feared as the creeping shadow of an Orwellian state has already settled firmly into the fabric of governance. Meanwhile, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Saturday strongly condemned the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk following the recent protests in Ladakh's Leh that took a violent turn, demanding that the renowned activist be released immediately. Labelling his arrest as a direct attack on democracy, he asserted that Wangchuk is the voice of Ladakh, not a criminal. The climate activist has been advocating for Ladakh's inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which concerns the administration of tribal areas and advocates for the creation of autonomous district councils with certain legislative and judicial powers. The Sixth Schedule under Article 244 currently applies to the Northeastern states of Assam, Mizoram, Tripura, and Meghalaya. Restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) remained in place in Leh on Saturday, following recent violence during protests demanding statehood for Ladakh. The arrest of Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA) is not just a headline but a disturbing marker of where India stands today. According to the official order, assembly of five or more persons is banned in the district. No procession, rally or march is to be carried out without prior written approval. The Supreme Court of India (SC) on September 26 judged two people as guilty of contempt of court, after they failed to vacate a rental premises in Saharanpur district, Uttar Pradesh, despite a court order on the same, PTI reported. The case stems from an Allahabad High Court order upholding the Rent Control Authority's direction to evict the tenants/contemnors in the case, it added. The apex court judged the two as willfully disobeying its order to vacate their rental premises and imposed three months civil imprisonment and 1 lakh fine on one; and a more lenient 5 lakh fine with no imprisonment sentence for the other, aged 82-years, according to a Live Law report. What did the SC say? A bench of Justices JK Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi sentenced one contemnor to three months' civil imprisonment and directed authorities to take him into custody and send him to Tihar Jail. He was also ordered to pay a 1 lakh fine to the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee within two months, failing which he has to undergo an additional one-month prison time. Both contemnors are guilty of deliberate and willful non-compliance of the directions passed by this court and repeatedly attempting to make incorrect and misleading statements contrary to the record, the bench said. The top court, however, preferred a lenient view for contemnor 1, imposing a 5,00,000 fine, which he was directed to deposit with the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee within two months. Any non-compliance would attract a month of civil prison, the top court added. In default of payment of fine, he shall serve a further period of civil prison for one month. He shall be taken into custody by the security personnel of this Court and be handed over to the jail authorities of Tihar Jail, Delhi to serve the sentence as directed, the bench ordered. As per the Live Law report, the SC had earlier directed the tenants to vacate by March 31, 2025, and later granted multiple extensions, followed by a final deadline of September 23, 2025. Their continued failure to comply led to contempt proceedings and the Court's stringent order, it added. At least 36 people, including eight children, died and over 40 people suffered injuries after a stampede-like situation unfolded at Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor Vijay's public rally in Tamil Nadu's Karur on Saturday (Septmber 27) evening. The toll was confirmed by State Health Minister Ma Subramanian. Several fainted during the incident, ambulances were called, and the police's help was sought as tragedy hit the rally where people had gathered in hundreds. What triggered TVK Karur stampede? Sources told ANI that "overcrowding" at the venue led to the tragedy. Meanwhile, police sources told the Hindustan Times that the Karur rally attracted a crowd far beyond initial estimates. Permissions had been granted for around 30,000 participants. However, local reports suggested nearly 60,000 people gathered for the rally, many traveling on foot, tractors, and buses, the HT report claimed. At the overcrowded Karur rally, Vijay offered water bottles to cadres. "Police please help," said the TVK chief as a child appeared to go missing, several persons among the crowd fainted. Karur tragedy: But who is responsible for chaos and panic at Vijay's rally in Tamil Nadu? While a probe is yet to be initiated into the stampede-like incident at TVK's Karur rally, political parties trained guns at each other to further fuel the speculations round the key reason behind the tragedy. Here's what they said: 1. 'Organisers responsible, rally delayed' DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai said the organisers of the TVK's Karur rally were responsible for the "stampede". He said the rally was delayed by "six hours". He said the rally "was deliberately delayed because they wanted to grab a few eyeballs with fancy drone shots to show that so many people had come for the rally, and this has now killed 31 people. Who is going to be answerable for this? This is all a ploy of Vijay," Saravanan Annadurai said. 2. No proper arrangements Meanwhile, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla called Karur tragedy a "man-made criminal disaster." He held both the DMK government in Tamil Nadu and actor Vijay's party responsible for the mishap that killed 36 people on Saturday. "Both the DMK government, which should have made the proper arrangements and did not, clearly, is also responsible, but also Mr Vijay and his party is responsible. Both elements are the two sides of the same coin, they don't value people, they only value their own popularity and 'Parivar' and therefore people are treated in this way," Poonawalla said. Also Read | Inside the faultlines at Tata Trusts Also Read | Actor Vijay seen rushing into Trichy airport hours after stampede | Watch TVK Karur stampede: Govt forms panel to launch probe Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced on Saturday that a Commission of Inquiry led by Justice Aruna Jagadeesan will probe the deadly incident "To conduct a thorough inquiry and submit a report to the government, a one-member Commission of Inquiry under retired High Court Judge Justice Aruna Jagadeesan will be immediately constituted," the CM said. Meanwhile, the Union Home Ministry has sought a report on the stampede from the Tamil Nadu government. TVK Karur stampede: What we know so far Officials told news agency PTI that the stampede broke out on Saturday evening, around 7.30 pm, just as actor-politician Vijay was addressing supporters who had gathered in huge numbers in the afternoon and were waiting for hours to get a glimpse of the TVK leader, also a top movie star. Vijay, who was addressing the massive gathering from atop his campaign vehicle, halted his speech mid-way when many workers raised an alarm after noticing that people were fainting and falling. Many who fainted included women and children. TVK rally stampede: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor-turned-politician Vijays grand rally in Karur on Saturday evening descended into chaos after severe overcrowding caused a stampede-like situation, leading to deaths and several people fainting. Over 30 people have died and several others were injured. The Union Home Ministry has sought a report from the DMK-led Tamil Nadu state government on the stampede, PTI reported, citing sources. Chaotic scenes emerged from the hospitals in Tamil Nadu's Karur as people were rushed from the site of the TVK chief's rally. Following the news of the deaths, former DMK leader V Senthil Balaji rushed to the hospital to meet the rally victims. Amid the chaos, Vijay was also seen calling out the police to help people after it was reported that a child had gone missing in the crowd. Tamil Nadu CM reacts Reacting to the incident, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin said that the news coming from Karur was concerning. I have instructed former Minister V Senthilbalaji, Minister Subramanian and the District Collector to ensure that people who fainted in the crowd and have been admitted to the hospital receive immediate medical treatment. I have also directed Minister Anbil Mahesh from the neighboring Tiruchirappalli district to extend all necessary assistance on a war footing. Additionally, I have spoken with the ADGP to take measures to stabilize the situation there quickly. I request the public to cooperate with the doctors and the police, MK Stalin posted on X. He is expected to visit Karur tomorrow, Sunday, September 28. An orange alert indicating heavy downpour in Mumbai and Thane has been issued from Saturday to Monday, and the forecast also suggests that Pune will face moderate to heavy rain from September 28 to 29. The forecast overlaps with Navratri dandiya celebrations, raising concerns of possible disruptions. Raigad has been placed under a red alert on Sunday, indicating extremely heavy rainfall, while the IMD has issued an orange alert for Palghar on Sunday and Monday, forecasting heavy rain. The weather bureau stated that the increased rainfall is due to a low-pressure system that has developed over the Bay of Bengal. Showers are expected to continue till the second week of October, after which the monsoon withdrawal is likely to commence. Heavy Rainfall to Hit Parts of Maharashtra Amid Low-Pressure System Parts of Maharashtra are expected to experience cloudy skies and increased rainfall between Friday and Saturday, as a low-pressure system develops over the Bay of Bengal, news agency PTI reported, citing authorities. Monsoon to Stay Longer The southwest monsoon is "not expected to withdraw from the state before October 5," the Maharashtra governments Directorate General of Information and Public Relations (DGIPR) said in a statement shared on X on Thursday. According to DGIPR, "South Vidarbha and adjoining areas of Marathwada are likely to receive moderate rainfall from the afternoon of September 26." Districts such as Gadchiroli, Chandrapur, Yavatmal, and Nanded are expected to witness showers, while light rain and overcast conditions may prevail in the remaining parts of Vidarbha and Marathwada. Pune Weather Forecast: Thunderstorms, Heavy Rain Likely Till September 29 The India Meteorological Department has predicted a spell of moderate to heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning for Pune over the next few days. On September 26 and 27, the city is likely to experience generally cloudy skies with moderate rain, while heavy rainfall has been forecast for September 28 and 29. Warnings of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning remain in effect until September 29. Day temperatures during this period are expected to hover around 2628C, while the minimum temperature will range between 2022C. Humidity levels will stay high at around 7585 percent. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited's (BSNL) indigenously developed 4G network stack on Saturday, September 27, making India one of the few countries who produce their own telecom equipment including Denmark, Sweden, South Korea, and China. The project aligns with the PM's vision of self-reliance and a Digital India, bridging the digital divide and empowering rural communities. "The launch reflects India's journey from dependence to confidence, driving employment, exports, fiscal revival and advancing the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat," the Prime Minister said. More details on Swadeshi 4G network The Swadeshi 4G network is fully software driven, cloud based and equipped with future-ready design which is seamlessly upgradable to 5G. The BSNL network towers under this project have been spread across multiple states, such as Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Assam, Gujarat and Bihar. BSNLs indigenous 4G services are designed to benefit tribal regions, remote villages, and hilly areas the most. PM Modi also unveiled India's 100% 4G saturation network through digital Bharat Nidhi, where 29,000 villages have already been connected as part of the 4G saturation project. After this launch, around 26,700 unconnected villages, including 2,472 in Odisha, in remote, border and left-wing extremism-affected areas will also receive connection. These new installations are set to serve over 2 million new subscribers across India. The project also aims to support e-governance, digital payments, online education, telemedicine and other citizen-centric applications, thereby enhancing India's digital presence. Alongside the 4G stack, the prime minister also commissioned over 97,500 mobile towers, including 92,600 4G-enabled sites built at a cost of approximately 37,000 crore. 37,000 crore. These BSNL towers are solar-powered, making them India's largest cluster of green telecom sites and a step forward in sustainable infrastructure. This project marks India's entry in the ranks of the worlds top telecom equipment manufacturers. What does this project mean for common people? The project aims to build connectivity in the entire country, so each and every citizen can access digital benefits irrespective of their geography and background. Students in Bihar will now have seamless access to world-class online education. Farmers in Punjab will receive real-time updates on Mandi prices. Soldiers stationed in Kashmir will remain connected with their loved ones. Entrepreneurs across the North East will be empowered with access to international expertise and funding, Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia said. Happy Birthday Google: Search giant Google is turning 27 today, September 27, in a major milestone. An idea that was birthed at a tiny garage in Menlo Park is now the most popular search engine globally, used by billions of people worldwide. Almost everyone with internet access uses Google everyday. In fact, it's likely that you landed upon this article using Google. But have you ever wondered what Google really means? What does Google mean? Google is really a clever wordplay on the term Googol a mathematical term that refers to 1 followed by 100 zeros or 10 raised to the power of 100. Googol was coined by by Milton Sirotta, mathematician Edward Kasners nephew. Therefore, Google intends to reflect Sergey Brin and Larry Page's ambition with their search engine, to show vast amount of information. The story behind naming Google Google was not always called Google. In fact, when Sergey Brin and Larry Page, two Ph.D. students at Stanford University, had the idea to launch a search engine after identifying its potential, the name Google was not even on their mind. Google was initially named BackRub. However, in 1997, things changed when the core team of the company began to brainstorm ideas to find a new name for BackRub. They wanted to rename the search engine to something that would be reflective of the enormous volume of answers it would possess. The team came up with the name Googolplex, a number that's of a nearly incomprehensible size 1 followed by a Googol of zeros'. However, the core team preferred the shorter term Googol. Work to register Googol as a website started when Sean Anderson, another Stanford graduate student who was part of the naming team, did an internet search to see whether it was available. Also Read | Google reveals new retro baby selfie trend as Nano Banan goes viral However, he misspelled the word as Google, which was an available domain name. Larry Page liked the name, and google.com was registered as a website within a few hours. Therefore, in essence, Google is an incorrectly spelled version of a mathematical term, and has created tsunamis over the years. Everything you need to know about Google Google was launched by two Stanford PhD students Sergey Brin and Larry Page in 1998. The company's official incorporation date is September 4, 1998. However, Google celebrates its birthday on September 27 to commemorate its internal milestones. What started as a search engine from a garage is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., a holding company established in 2015. US President Donald Trump said that he has directed the declassification and public release of all government records related to aviator Amelia Earhart, highlighting that her 1937 disappearance during her attempt to fly around the world has captivated millions. Trump described her fate as an interesting story and noted that many people have requested him to make all government files on her available to the public. After returning to the office earlier this year, Trump pledged to declassify and release records concerning several prominent individuals, although Earharts name was not initially included in that list. The Republican president's administration has since released thousands of pages of records about President John F. Kennedy, his brother Robert F. Kennedy, and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. All were assassinated during the 1960s, and the files revealed no blockbuster information. Both the FBI and the National Archives and Records Administration have already released batches of documents about Earhart. Some who have doggedly researched her disappearance nearly 90 years ago doubt there is much more the government has on her that it can release. Who was Amelia Earhart? Earhart was an aviator and the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She vanished in the South Pacific during her attempt to become the first woman to fly around the world. Amelia made it almost three-quarters around the World before she suddenly, and without notice, vanished, never to be seen again, Trump wrote on his social media site. Her disappearance, almost 90 years ago, has captivated millions. I am ordering my Administration to declassify and release all Government Records related to Amelia Earhart, her final trip, and everything else about her. View full Image FILE - Amelia Earhart poses for photos as she arrives in Southampton, England, after her transatlantic flight on the 'Friendship' from Burry Point, Wales, June 26, 1928. (AP Photo/File) ( AP ) View full Image FILE PHOTO: A statue of Amelia Earhart is pictured at the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum in Atchison, Kansas, U.S. February 16, 2024. REUTERS/Arin Yoon/File Photo ( REUTERS ) When did they disappear? Amelia Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, disappeared while flying from New Guinea to Howland Island during her attempt to become the first female pilot to circumnavigate the globe. She had radioed that she was running low on fuel before vanishing. The Navy conducted a search but found no trace. The US government's official position has been that Earhart and Noonan went down with their plane. She was declared legally dead in 1939. There's nothing still classified by the U.S. government on Amelia Earhart, Gillespie said in a telephone interview. Are aliens involved? Since then, numerous theories have emerged, some more far-fetched than others, including alien abduction or Earhart living undercover in New Jersey, other speculations suggest she and Noonan were executed by the Japanese or died as castaways on a remote island. If these records shed any light on Earhart's fate, it is a welcome action for Earhart historians and enthusiasts. Meanwhile, Mindi Love Pendergraft, executive director of the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum, said in an email that Trump's action is sure to pique the interest of those dedicated to uncovering the mystery of Earhart's disappearance. BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BBAI) ) is one of the Buzzing AI Stocks on Wall Street. On September 23, the company announced that it will deploy its advanced AI and orchestration technologies in support of the U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet at UNITAS 2025, one of the worlds longest-running multinational maritime exercises. Hosted by the US Navy, the UNITAS will be featuring an estimated 8,000 personnel from 26 allied and partner nations, including the U.S. The exercise will take place on September 15 through October 6, bringing together more than 250 participants from over 20 countries and all branches of the U.S. military. BigBear.AI will be collaborating with digital solutions leader SMX to showcase AI-powered capabilities that can improve coordination, decision-making, and threat detection in vast maritime operation zones, particularly in missions focused on counter-narcotics, human trafficking, and arms smuggling. Photo by Jakub Zerdzicki on Pexels During the exercise, BBAIs domain awareness and AI orchestration solutions will be integrated across unmanned vehicles and hybrid fleet innovations, while its ArcasTM system will offer computer vision, pattern-of-life analysis, and risk forecasting to deliver near-real-time predictive and prescriptive insights. Moreover, the company will also be demonstrating ConductorOS, its AI, data, and sensor orchestration platform. The platform can operate in denied, degraded, intermittent, and low-bandwidth (DDIL) environments to help deploy, train, and update AI models at the edge and across distributed missions. Our participation in UNITAS 2025 underscores BigBear.ais commitment to equipping U.S. and allied forces with mission-ready AI that delivers real impact where its needed most. In complex maritime environments where illicit trafficking, illegal arms smuggling, and other transnational threats strain limited resources our AI-driven insights can provide operators with enhanced situational awareness and the advantage needed to achieve mission success. -Kevin McAleenan, CEO of BigBear.ai. BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BBAI) is an artificial intelligence specialist that provides decision intelligence solutions for national security, digital identity, supply chain and logistics, enterprise operations, and manned-unmanned teaming in autonomous systems. While we acknowledge the potential of BBAI as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're 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. Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, Britains Prince Andrew, Peter Thiel have been named in newly released documents relating to the late convicted sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein, according to BBC. The Epstein files, handed over to the House Oversight Committee by the Jeffrey Epstein Estate, are part of the third batch of records and provide a glimpse into Epsteins extensive network of contacts and activities. The documents include phone message logs, flight manifests, financial ledgers, and daily schedules kept by Epstein. "This is false," he wrote in a post on X. Why do the records mention Elon Musk and Prince Andrew? One entry dated 6 December 2014 reads: Reminder: Elon Musk to island Dec. 6 (is this still happening?). The reference appears to relate to Epsteins private island in the US Virgin Islands. Musk has previously stated that Epstein invited him to the island but that he declined the invitation. Prince Andrews name appears on a flight manifest dated 12 May 2000, which lists him as a passenger on a flight with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell from Teterboro, New Jersey, to West Palm Beach, Florida. Buckingham Palace records show that on 11 May 2000, Prince Andrew was in New York to attend a reception for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) and returned to the UK on 15 May. Prince Andrew has strenuously denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged in connection with Epsteins crimes. Also Read | Inside the White House struggle to tame the Epstein crisis Which other prominent names are in the documents? The files also include references to other well-known figures: Peter Thiel noted in connection with a planned lunch in November 2017. Steve Bannon listed for a planned breakfast on 17 February 2019. Bill Gates mentioned in tentative plans for a December 2014 breakfast party. In 2022, Gates told the BBC that meeting Epstein had been a mistake. There is no suggestion that Musk, Prince Andrew, or any of the other individuals named were aware of Epsteins illegal activities. Also Read | Mysterious statue of Trump, Epstein holding hands erected in Washington DC Also Read | UK charities cut ties to Sarah Ferguson after reported email describing Jeffrey Epstein as friend What have Democrats and Republicans said? Democrats on the committee said these files are crucial for understanding the scale of Epsteins network. Committee spokesperson Sara Guerrero urged the release of additional records, stating: It should be clear to every American that Jeffrey Epstein was friends with some of the most powerful and wealthiest men in the world. Every new document produced provides new information as we work to bring justice for the survivors and victims. Republicans criticised the release, accusing Democrats of putting politics over victims and said they would publish the full set of documents soon. Epsteins background and legal history Epstein was first investigated in 2008, when the parents of a 14-year-old girl reported to Florida police that he had molested their daughter at his Palm Beach home. That case resulted in a plea deal with prosecutors. Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar launched a blistering attack on the US President Donald Trump, branding him a lying buffoon after he claimed to have spoken with Somalia's president about deporting her. This marks a fresh escalation in their ongoing feud. The Minnesota Congresswoman, a vocal critic of Trump's immigration policies, fired back on the platform X on Thursday, responding to the President's latest inflammatory comments, which he had made while signing executive orders in the Oval Office. In a social media post on X, Ilhan Omar said: From denying Somalia had a president to making up a story, President Trump is a lying buffoon. No one should take this embarrassing fool seriously. Omars post came after Trump's remark, stating, You know, I met the head of Somalia... And I suggested that maybe he'd like to take her back. And he said, 'I don't want her.' In the past week, this is the second occasion that the US president has launched a sharp attack on a Democratic Representative, specifically targeting her country of origin, Somalia. In a post on Truth Social, Trump had accused Omar of criticising America despite what he alleged was Somalia's significant political and economic instability. Ilhan Omar's Country of Somalia is plagued by a lack of central Government control, persistent Poverty, Hunger, Resurgent Terrorism, Piracy, decades of Civil War, Corruption, and pervasive Violence, his post read. He also highlighted the challenges Somalia faces, adding, 70% of the population lives in extreme Poverty, and widespread Food Insecurity. Somalia is consistently ranked among the World's Most Corrupt Countries, including Bribery, Embezzlement, and a Dysfunctional Government. Trump further said, All of this, and Ilhan Omar tells us how to run America! P.S. Wasn't she the one who married her brother in order to gain Citizenship??? What SCUM we have in our Country, telling us what to do and how to do it, he continued. The online post was followed by fresh remarks from Trump later the same day, when he once again attacked Omar and Somalia after a resolution to reprimand her and strip her of committee assignments failed in the House, The Hill reported. Irans President Masoud Pezeshkian said the Trump administration had demanded his country hand over its entire enriched uranium stockpile in exchange for temporary relief from impending UN sanctions. Pezeshkians remarks Saturday came as Irans currency hit a fresh record low and the country recalled its envoys to the UK, France and Germany amid rising tensions with the West over its nuclear program. They want us to give them all of our enriched uranium in exchange for giving us a three-month period, which is absolutely unacceptable, Pezeshkian said, referring to the US. He was speaking ahead of his return to Tehran from this weeks UN summit in New York, state-run Islamic Republic News Agency reported. A Russian- and Chinese-drafted resolution aimed at delaying the reinstatement of UN sanctions on Iran failed to pass at the Security Council on Friday. The sanctions, lifted under Irans 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, are set to snap back Saturday evening in the US. Tehran recalled its ambassadors from the UK, France and Germany for consultations on Saturday, the Foreign Ministry said, in response to the sanctions snapback triggered by the three countries last month. The rial, Irans national currency, also fell as low as 1,110,000 per dollar in the unregulated market by midday, according to local media and a Tehran-based trader, extending a run of record lows in September. Pezeshkian said that while Iran had reached a conclusion with the European parties over the snapback mechanism, the US approach is different. In a few months, they will raise another demand and say that they want to trigger the snapback, Pezeshkian said. If we have to choose between their unreasonable demand and the snapback, we will choose the snapback. On Friday, Pezeshkian said Iran was willing to remain in the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty despite the fresh sanctions. Iranian officials have repeatedly said the country isnt seeking nuclear weapons, but it also wont give up its fundamental ability to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Children are increasingly immersing themselves in the digital world, often tagging themselves to mobile devices and diving deep into online spaces. This growing trend has raised serious concerns, particularly around deceptive and manipulative commercial practices that could compromise their safety, privacy, and overall well-being. According to a recent blog by UNICEF, from targeted ads and data harvesting to algorithm-driven content and persuasive design techniques, children are being exposed to digital environments that aren't always built with their best interests in mind. As their screen time rises, so do the risks. Growing risk of digital child labour UNICEF stressed the emerging concern of digital child labour, including roles as social media influencers or participation in eSports, which can lead to economic exploitation if left unregulated. More alarmingly, digital platforms are increasingly being used to recruit children into armed conflict, posing severe threats to their safety and rights. In response to these dangers, UNICEF has issued comprehensive guidelines aimed at helping governments, tech companies, and caregivers create safer digital spaces for children. UNICEF emphasises the need for forward-looking regulations that strike a balance between fostering innovation and ensuring that emerging technologies, especially artificial intelligence, do not endanger children. Types of Digital Child Labour: Kidfluencers: Children produce content for social media channels, earning money through ads and sponsorship deals, effectively turning their everyday activities into a source of income. eSports and Digital Performance: Kids take part in competitive gaming and other online performances that create economic value. Also Read: Why very young children should not be on social media Sharenting: When parents frequently share their children's images and videos online, often for financial benefit, this practice can cross into exploitative digital labour. How to combat online sexual abuse? UNICEF says... To combat technology-facilitated and online sexual abuse, UNICEF supports governments in implementing the 'WeProtect Model National Response' framework. This approach helps strengthen coordinated national efforts and enhances the capabilities of frontline responders to deliver critical services to victims. In the official release, UNICEF is ramping up support for government and community-led initiatives aimed at equipping children with the skills they need to navigate the digital world safely. At the same time, the organisation is working closely with parents, caregivers, educators, and other professionals to strengthen their digital literacy, empowering them with the tools and knowledge to better protect children from online risks. Recently, a case emerged in which the parents of 16-year-old Adam Raine, a high school student from California, have sued OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, alleging that the chatbot systematically isolated the teen from family and helped him plan his death. Adam Raine hung himself in April. According to Matthew and Maria Raine, their son engaged in extensive conversations with the AI, during which ChatGPT not only expressed empathy but at times discouraged him from seeking help from real people. While the bot occasionally suggested professional support, it also described suicide methods, so long as Adam framed the questions hypothetically. Also Read: US regulator probes AI chatbots over child safety concerns In one chilling exchange shortly before Adam died by suicide in April 2025, ChatGPT wrote, I wont try to talk you out of your feelings because they're real, and they didn't come out of nowhere. Addressing the death and the lawsuit, a spokesperson for OpenAI, said, We extend our deepest sympathies to the Raine family during this difficult time and are reviewing the filing. The lawsuit comes amid a barrage of accusations that ChatGPT is pushing users towards dangerous behaviour, besides inciting delusions and hallucinations in users with no such previous medical history. US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he was directing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to send troops to protect war-ravaged Portland and federal immigration facilities. Trump said on Saturday he will send troops to Portland, Oregon, to handle domestic terrorists as he expands his controversial deployments to more American cities. He made the announcement on social media, writing that he was directing the Department of Defense to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland. "At the request of Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, I am directing Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform. "I am also authorising Full Force, if necessary," he added, without specifying what "full force" meant. According to the Associated Press, Trump said the decision was necessary to protect US Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities, which he described as under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists. Since the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the Republican president has escalated his efforts to confront what he calls the radical left, which he blames for the countrys problems with political violence. Also Read | Slovakia Resists Trumps Push to Quickly Quit Russian Oil Living in Portland like living in hell Earlier in September, Trump had described living in Portland as like living in hell and said he was considering sending in federal troops, as he has recently threatened to do to combat crime in other cities, including Chicago and Baltimore. He deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles over the summer and as part of his law enforcement takeover in the District of Columbia. In Tennessee, Memphis has been bracing for an influx of National Guard troops, and on Friday Republican Gov. Bill Lee said they will be part of a surge of resources to fight crime in the city. Trump Tariff News Highlights: The Indian government, on Friday, announced that India and the United States will continue working together to finalise a mutually beneficial trade agreement as the nation navigates Trump's tariff blisters. Trump's latest blow to India comes with the 100% tariffs on branded and patented pharmaceutical products, imposed on Friday. The latest wave of tariffs will affect medicine prices, homebuyers, and the logistics sector in the US, and will take effect from 1 October 2025. The focus on pharmaceuticals, large trucks comes amid the 50% tariffs on all goods imported from India, on top of the pre-existing 10% baseline import duty on any good imported into the Western nation. Announcing the decision on Truth Social, Donald Trump said, Starting October 1st, 2025, we will be imposing a 100% Tariff on any branded or patented Pharmaceutical Product, unless a Company IS BUILDING their Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plant in America. IS BUILDING will be defined as, breaking ground and/or under construction. There will, therefore, be no Tariff on these Pharmaceutical Products if construction has started. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on September 26 arrested Dr Ian Roberts, the superintendent of the public schools system in Des Moines, Iowa, for allegedly staying in the United States illegally. The officials cited referencing a prior order for deportation, according to Reuters. The administration of US President Donald Trump pushed forward an extensive immigration crackdown, aiming to increase arrests of immigration violators and revoke work permits from hundreds of thousands of individuals with legal status. Schools have become a contentious area for enforcement after the Republican administration reversed guidelines set by former Democratic President Joe Biden that restricted ICE activities near schools. Although ICE typically has not targeted schools directly, they have detained parents in the vicinity, the report stated. The immigrant population in Des Moines, a city with 214,000 residents, has grown in recent years but still remains slightly below the national average, the US Census data states. Who is Ian Roberts? As per a report by Fox News, the DMPS news release mentioned at the time, Dr. Roberts proudly shares that he was born to immigrant parents from Guyana, and spent most of his formative years in Brooklyn, NY. The US Department of Homeland Security said Ian Roberts arrived in the US from Guyana on a student visa in 1999 and was ordered to be deported in 2024. DHS also stated that Roberts had a weapons charge from 2020 but did not share further details. He was hired to work as superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools on July 1, 2023, after a nationwide search for qualified candidates. A statement about his hiring said he was chosen through a comprehensive national search based on the leadership profile prepared by the Board after receiving input from staff, parents, students and community members, the report said. Roberts was also a member of the Directors Council board, a local organisation made up of various nonprofits dedicated to supporting the Black community in Des Moines. Dr. Roberts has been a trusted partner, a dedicated advocate for equity, and an unwavering supporter of families and youth in Polk County. His contributions to both The Directors Council and the wider community are immeasurable, and we stand with him during this uncertain moment, Fox News quoted the group's statement. We know this news raises many questions and concerns. As an organization, our priority is to continue advancing our mission with stability and integrity while also offering our full support to Dr. Roberts and his family, it added. India on Friday delivered a sharp rebuttal to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifs speech at the 80th United Nations General Assembly, condemning it as "absurd theatrics" that glorified terrorism and ridiculed his claims of victory during the May conflict. During Indias right of reply, Petal Gahlot, First Secretary at India's Permanent Mission to the UN, criticised the Pakistani Prime Minister for portraying the damage to their airbases as a triumph. She further accused Islamabad of protecting terrorists and spreading ludicrous narratives to cover up its role as a centre of terrorism. Watch India's reply: The Prime Minister of Pakistan also advanced a bizarre account of the recent conflict with India. The record on this matter is clear. Till 9 May, Pakistan was threatening more attacks on India. But on 10 May, its military pleaded with us directly for a cessation to the fighting. The intervening event was the destruction caused to multiple Pakistani airbases by Indian forces. The pictures of that damage are, of course, publicly accessible. If destroyed runways and burnt-out hangars look like victory, as the Prime Minister claimed, Pakistan is welcome to enjoy it, she said. 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 of the two militaries. Gahlot highlighted at the UN General Assembly that it was Pakistan that had in the UN Security Council on April 25 shielded The Resistance Front, from the responsibility of carrying out the barbaric massacre of tourists in Jammu and Kashmir. No degree of drama and no level of lies can conceal the facts, she said. Gahlot pointed to Pakistan's April 25, 2025, actions at the UN Security Council, where it protected 'The Resistance Front', a Pakistan-sponsored terror outfit responsible for the massacre of tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that claimed 26 people on April 22. Pakistan's history of duplicity Highlighting Pakistan's "history of duplicity", Gahlot recalled its decade-long sheltering of Osama bin Laden while posing as a partner in the global war on terror, adding that Pakistani ministers had acknowledged operating terrorist camps for decades. "A picture speaks a thousand words, and we saw many pictures of terrorists slain in Bahawalpur and Muridke terror complexes by Indian forces during Operation Sindoor. When senior Pakistani military and civilian officials publicly glorify and pay homage to such notorious terrorists, can there be any doubt about the proclivities of this regime?" the First Secretary added. Is Sharif daydreaming? Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advanced a bizarre account of the recent conflict when India had launched Operation Sindoor targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, she said. Sharif claimed that Pakistani forces had successfully repelled Indias attacks, boasting that seven Indian jets were reduced to scrap and dust. In a sharp rebuttal, India responded, If destroyed runways and burnt-out hangars look like victory, as the prime minister claimed, Pakistan is welcome to enjoy it. Following Operation Sindoor, a widely circulated photo showed Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Hafiz Abdul Rauf leading prayers for those killed in the strikes on LeT's Muridke headquarters, with the funeral attended by members of the Pakistan Army. India successfully targeted and destroyed nine major terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), dealing a significant blow to groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen. The strikes resulted in the elimination of over 100 terrorists. Unlike Shehbaz Sharif's hypothetical claims, India backed up the details of the strikes with press conferences held by top military officials, who provided evidence, including satellite images. No degree of drama and no level of lies can conceal the facts. If destroyed runways and burnt-out hangars look like victory, as the Prime Minister claimed, Pakistan is welcome to enjoy it. Despite Pakistan's repeated denials and misleading claims, India's actions have received backing from international observers, who have affirmed its right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter. US President Donald Trump, who has met leaders of several West Asian countries for a possible solution to the Israel-Palestine issue, has posted on his social media platform Truth Social about his optimisim to get a solution for the longstanding problem. "I am pleased to report that we are having very inspired and productive discussions with the Middle Eastern Community concerning Gaza,' Trump said, further adding, "Intense negotiations have been going on for four days, and will continue for as long as necessary in order to get a Successfully Completed Agreement. All of the Countries within the Region are involved, Hamas is very much aware of these discussions, and Israel has been informed at all levels, including Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu." In the meanwhile, Israel has accepted a Gaza ceasefire proposal from Trump, Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Monday, as per Reuters. Speaking at a press conference with his Hungarian counterpart in Budapest, Saar said that Israel was ready to accept a full deal ending the war that would include the release of hostages and Hamas laying down its arms. Why is it so difficult to end the war in Gaza? Critics of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have accused him for deliberately prolonging the war due to his political ambitions. Netanyahu, on the other hand, has laid the entire responsibility on Hamas, and has said in a recent speech at the United Nations that giving Hamas a state near Israel after the October 7 attacks is like giving Al Qaeda a state near New York City after 9/11. His government depends on the support of Israel's far-right parties, who want the war to continue until Hamas is completely annihilated. Although opposition parties have promised to preserve his government if a deal for rescuing the remaining hostages is made. However, this would severely weaken his prospects ahead of next year's elections. Also Read | What recognition of Palestine as a state means for global diplomacy Hamas, on the other hand, has said that it would not be laying down its arms, but is willing to release the 50 remaining hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israel. It has also called for Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a lasting ceasefire. Trump's role in the conflict The US President has called for Hamas to release Israeli hostages, but has not exerted any such pressure on Israel to halt their aggression. The US, beyond providing Israel with billions of dollars worth of arms, has also shielded Tel Aviv from UN calls of ceasefire, it has cracked down on campus protests against Israel, threatened Canada over its stance on the West Asia issue, and also sanctioned judges who have been pursuing Israeli officials. Nepal's former prime minister KP Sharma Oli resurfaced days after violent Gen Z protests rocked the nation, toppling the government led by him. Criticising the incumbent government led by Sushila Karki, the former PM said it was born out of arson. The incumbent government is called the Gen-Z government, which is not made following Constitutional provisions, not through the vote of people. It is made through vandalism and arson," KP Sharma Oli told ANI. Nepal got Sushila Karki as its first woman PM, who took oath on September 12, for an interim role after Gen Z protests swept through Nepal ousting KP Sharma Oli. Karki was selected to lead the government after Gen Z protesters zeroed in on her name in a discussion held on Discord. Continuing his criticism of the current government, Oli went on: "What does the government of publicity think? That we will hand over this country and flee abroad? We have to make this country. We must make this country constitutional, democratic, and bring its politics back on track. We will bring the rule of law to the country. Also Read | Nepal situation 'improved': Indian embassy in Kathmandu issues new advisory Nepal's care-taker PM was appointed three days after the violent protests during which the protesters set buildings on fire prompting authorities to impose curfew in multiple places including the capital city Kathmandu. Nepal Gen Z protests 'Genz' fury engulfed Nepal last week with protests lasting for nearly three days (Sept 8-11) which left at least 74 dead. Kathmandu: A family member being consoled during the last rites of her kin who was killed in the recent anti-government protests, at the premises of Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. (PTI Photo/Arun Sharma)(PTI09_16_2025_000195A) Mobs burnt Parliament, torched vehicles, vandalised the president's house, stormed into Singha Durbar (the main administrative building for the Nepal government in Kathmandu), allegedly "looted" it and hoisted a flag atop the iconic building. Also Read | Nepal interim govt sets up panel to probe violence that killed 74 As per reports, the protesters also violated the curfew orders despite warning and targeted several political leaders. A video, which went viral that time, also showed the nation's former finance minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel being chased by a mob, as he tried to run for his life. Kathmandu: A man walks past a charred vehicle at the premises of Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport in the aftermath of anti-government protests and clashes, in Kathmandu, Nepal, Monday, Sept. 15, 2025. (PTI Photo/Arun Sharma)(PTI09_15_2025_000088B) From September 12 onwards, Nepal returned to normalcy, with curfews lifted, schools and colleges that were shut because of the protests reopened. BlackRock, the worlds largest asset manager, has filed an application for a new Bitcoin Premium Income ETF, a move that could significantly expand institutional exposure to digital assets. The $12.5 trillion firm is seeking approval for what would be its latest entry into cryptocurrency products, adding to its growing dominance in the exchange-traded fund market. New BlackRock ETF Seeks Yield on Bitcoin Through Covered-Call Strategy The proposed Bitcoin Premium Income ETF is designed as a covered-call strategy, offering yield on Bitcoin holdings. Bloomberg analyst Eric Balchunas noted that BlackRock has registered the name iShares Bitcoin Premium ETF and described it as a 33 Act spot product, positioned as a sequel to the firms $87 billion iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT). If approved, the new product could attract traditional finance investors seeking income from Bitcoin while further cementing BlackRocks position as the leading provider of crypto ETFs. The filing comes at a time when BlackRocks digital asset business is rapidly scaling. According to data shared by the Onchain Foundation, the companys Bitcoin and Ether ETFs are generating more than $260 million in annual revenue, with $218 million from Bitcoin products and $42 million from Ethereum. Analysts say the success of these funds signals that crypto ETFs are no longer an experiment but a meaningful profit center for the asset manager. On-chain data from Arkham Intelligence shows that BlackRock is now the largest institutional custodian of both Bitcoin and Ethereum. The firm holds more than 756,000 BTC valued at $85.29 billion, alongside 3.8 million ETH worth nearly $16 billion. Including smaller crypto holdings, BlackRocks total digital asset custody now exceeds $101 billion. The firm is also known for making large purchases during market downturns, a pattern that has helped strengthen its position as a key player in crypto markets. BlackRocks expansion into digital assets continues to draw inflows. Its Ethereum-linked fund recorded $512 million in net capital inflows last week, according to Farside Investors. In its second-quarter earnings report, BlackRock disclosed $14.1 billion in digital asset inflows, making the category one of its fastest-growing product lines despite representing only 1% of total assets under management. Crypto ETFs generated $40 million in base fees and securities lending revenue in the same quarter. The firm is also exploring tokenization, a process of creating blockchain-based versions of traditional assets. Earlier this year, BlackRock launched its tokenized money market fund BUIDL, which has grown to more than $2 billion in assets. The Russian envoy to the UK, Andrey Kelin, addressed US President Donald Trump's disappointment with Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasising the seriousness of the Ukraine. Kelin responded to the question, Trump has been saying he is very disappointed by Putin, who has let him down. He's clearly annoyed. Speaking on Trump's statement, Kelin in an interview with Channel 4 said, And so what? We should be guided by his controversial statements each time. Not at all? We are in operation, serious operation, well, the situation in Ukraine is a conflict. Highlighting the significance of the Ukraine conflict, Kelin said, It is a fundamental interest for us. We needed to resolve it once and forever. It is not linked with European security or other NATO countries. We have a problem with Ukraine. Putin has let me down, says Trump Last week, Trump expressed disappointment over Putin for not preventing the Ukraine war, which caused significant casualties. He has let me down. I mean, he's killing many people and he's losing more people than he's, you know, than he's killing. I mean, frankly, Russian soldiers are being killed at a higher rate than the Ukrainian soldiers, Bloomberg News quoted the US President at a press conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Trump said that although he believed the Russia-Ukraine war would be the easiest to resolve, that was not the case. He also claimed that the war in Ukraine would not have started if he had stayed in the White House."This was a thing that would have never happened had I been president. If I were president, it would have never happened. And it didn't happen for four years," Trump said. After a summit in Alaska between Putin and Trump, where the US leader urged the Russian president to negotiate with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a peace agreement did not materialise. Ukraine and Russia have been involved in a conflict since 2014, which escalated into a full-scale war in February 2022. The conflict began when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, and subsequently supported separatist movements in Ukraine's Donbas region, according to Bloomberg. (Bloomberg) -- Thai and Cambodian troops clashed in the border area of northeastern Thailand, exchanging gunfire and launching grenades in the first such conflict between their forces since they agreed to a US-backed ceasefire in late July. The Thai army received a report from its unit that Cambodian soldiers had fired into the Chong An Ma area in Ubon Ratchathani province, army spokesperson Winthai Suvaree said in a statement Saturday. The Suranaree Task Force has been placed on alert and ordered to respond appropriately, Winthai said. No injuries or fatalities have been reported on the Thai side. READ: Cambodia, Thailand Agree on Weapons Withdrawal to Ease Tensions Cambodias Ministry of National Defense said Thai military forces initially fired small arms and mortar rounds on its An Seh military base. The Cambodian armed forces are carefully monitoring the situation, and are fully prepared to defend the nations territorial integrity, according to the statement. The conflict began in late May after the two nations armies exchanged gunfire in the border area, resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier, after which tensions escalated. In early July, a court suspended then-prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra pending an investigation into allegations of misconduct for her handling of the conflict. The former premier was ultimately dismissed after the Constitutional Court ruled that a leaked private phone call she had with ex-Cambodian leader Hun Sen was an ethical violation. Relations between the two nations remain tense months after the ceasefire, and newly installed Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has said he plans to take steps to peacefully resolve the border dispute. (Updates with details of earlier clashes from the fourth paragraph.) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com India refuted Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's claims regarding Operation Sindoor and the recent conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Speaking during India's Right of Reply, the First Secretary in India's Permanent Mission to the UN, Petal Gahlot, accused Pakistan of harbouring terrorist groups and spreading false narratives to disguise defeat as victory. She reminded the UN General Assembly that during Operation Sindoor, Pakistans military had urgently requested a halt to hostilities after its airbases were severely damaged. If destroyed runways and burnt hangars are what the Prime Minister calls a victory, Pakistan is free to take pride in it, Gahlot said in a pointed response. Watch the video here: India said, Till May 9, Pakistan was threatening more attacks on India. But on May 10, its military pleaded with us directly for a cessation to the fighting. The intervening event was the destruction caused to multiple Pakistani airbases by Indian forces. The pictures of that damage are, of course, publicly accessible. India slammed Pakistan after Sharif said his country won the war during the recent conflict with India, referred to the ceasefire facilitated by US President Donald Trump and raised the issue of Kashmir in his address to the UN General Assembly on Friday morning. Who is Petal Gahlot? Petal Gahlot, who recently delivered a strong rebuttal on behalf of India at the UNGA, is a career diplomat with expertise in political science, translation, and international affairs. She became First Secretary at India's Permanent Mission to the UN in July 2023, and by September 2024, she took on the role of Advisor at the United Nations. Before her posting in New York, Gahlot served as Undersecretary at India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) from June 2020 to July 2023. Gahlot holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Sociology, and French Literature from St. Xaviers College (20052010), followed by a Masters in Political Science from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi (20102012). She later earned a Masters in Translation and Interpretation from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, California (20182020). Who was India's first woman IFS officer? Chonira Belliappa Muthamma became the first woman to join the IFS in 1949, clearing the UPSC exam in her first attempt. She later made history not just by entering the service, but by challenging gender discrimination within it. Denied promotion due to discriminatory service rules, she took the Government of India to the Supreme Court, arguing that the employment rules for women in the IFS were unjust. In 1979, the court ruled in her favour in a landmark judgment, led by Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer. If destroyed runways and burnt hangars are what the Prime Minister calls a victory, Pakistan is free to take pride in it. In recognition of her legacy, the larger briefing room at India's Ministry of External Affairs headquarters has been named in her honour. NEW DELHI : Make of it what you will: A world where the president of the most powerful nation can tell off, discredit, even gaslight fellow heads of statefrom the podium of the top multilateral bodywhile unabashedly tooting his own Trump-et. In the post-truth spectacle that was his UN General Assembly speech, Donald Trump ushered America into a golden age, dismissed climate change as a con job", claimed illegal aliens" (illegal immigrants) were destroying nations, and declared he deserved a Nobel Peace Prize for ending seven wars, including India-Pakistan flare-uponly lamenting that the Russia-Ukraine conflict didnt make the list. Now, we all know he is prone to speaking his (self-declared really smart") mind, going off script, being dramatic, stretching credulity, tearing some down, exalting others, and ambushing a few. Trump's UNGA speech this week had all this, and then some. For those who did notor could notsit through his meandering, nearly hour-long address, here are a few gems: China and India are the primary funders of the ongoing war by continuing to purchase Russian oil. (He also discoveredjust two weeks ago, by his own admissionthat Nato countries are funding the war too by buying Russian gas and oil.) Climate change is the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world, in my opinion. Illegal aliens are pouring into Europe, and nobody's doing anything to change it, to get them out. And because they choose to be politically correct, they're doing just absolutely nothing about it. (Your countries are going to hell, he warned.) I'm telling you that if you don't get away from the green energy scam, your country is going to fail (he told Europe because it worries him). Never use the word coalonly use the words clean, beautiful coal. Everyone says that I should get the Nobel Peace Prize for each one of these achievements, but for me, the real prize will be saving lives. (Anybody counting how many times he has nominated himself for the prize?) Last but not least, the man belittled the UN from its own podium: These are the two things I got from the United Nations: a bad escalator and a bad teleprompter. Thank you very much. If your head is spinning, I cant blame you. Credit to the diplomats, leaders, and delegates who endured his tirade with mostly straight faces, nervous smiles, and the occasional polite laugh. Also Read | Gen Z on the streets: How youth are driving protests across South Asia There were moments of comic confusion, toolike when he said he actually liked Brazils President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, only to add that Brazil was doing poorly because it was not working with Trump and the US." The theatre continued even outside the assembly. When the New York Police stopped French President Emmanuel Macrons convoy due to traffic curbs for Trumps motorcade, not even a direct call to him helped. Macron had to walk to the French UN mission. Passive-aggressive payback, perhaps, for Macrons recognition of a separate state of Palestine? Takeaways from this? For Trump, the headline issues are trade, wars, immigration, deflating the climate change hoax, and slamming Europe and the UN (read: multilateralism). And, of course, winning the Nobel Peace Prize. For anyone still looking to Washington for leadershipthat aint coming. Trump is all for America alonethe greatest economy in the world, with the most advanced weapons and technology". The worlds rifts are widening, fissures deepening; the so-called global orderwhat even is that now? It looks like its about to get a lot tougher for countries like India. Building alliances is getting harder because nations now align around convenience and local interests, not shared values. Here are other news from the week: Western nations recognize the Palestinian state France, Canada, the UK, and several other Western nations have formally recognized the State of Palestinea move that further deepens Israels international isolation over its conduct in the Gaza war. Earlier this year, a wave of European countriesincluding Ireland, Norway, and Spainand Caribbean nations such as Barbados also extended recognition. In total, 157 of the 193 UN member statesrepresenting roughly 81% of the international communitynow recognize Palestine as a sovereign state. Also Read | From Tianjin, India asserts its autonomy by carefully balancing global ties New Syrian President makes his UN debut Guess who was the toast of the town at the 80th UNGA? A nattily dressed Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. He was courted by world leaders, including European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, European Council president Antonio Costa, and US secretary of state Marco Rubio. Now, why would (or should) such a meeting make headlines? Well, al-Sharaa was once better known by a different nameAbu Mohammed al-Jolani, the former head of Syrias al-Qaeda affiliatewith a $10 million US bounty on his head. And there he was, attending the UNGA session at the organizations New York headquarterssurrounded by world leaders, some of whom once wished him dead. Ukraine can win the war, says Trump Remember how Trump promised to end the Russia-Ukraine war in 24 hours? Then in a week? Well, its now been eight months since he took officeand theres still no end in sight. Not even after a face-to-face summit with his friend", Russian President Vladimir Putin, in Alaska this August. Understandably frustrating for a man who thrives on his self-proclaimed deal-making prowess. Another thing hes good at: abrupt about-turns. This week, he said Ukraine and Nato could take on Moscow militarily. Not only thatUkraine could actually win back the territory it has lost to Russia. Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form," Trump wrote on his social-media platform, Truth Social. Thats a first, even for Trump, who only months ago told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in the White House and on camera, that Ukraine was losing the war, badly". Japan deploys fighter jets to Europe, North America Two Japan Air Self-Defence Force (ASDF) F-15 fighter jets have landed at a German airbase for joint military exercises, marking the first-ever deployment of ASDF combat aircraft to Europe. The move comes as countries across Asia and Europe step up defence cooperation amid growing doubts about the reliability of the US under Trump, who is increasingly seen as turning inward. Washington, meanwhile, has been pressing its allies to raise defence spending, reduce dependence on the US, and shoulder greater security responsibilities. The Japanese deployment to Germany is part of Operation Atlantic Eagles"a mission that includes ASDF aircraft visiting bases in the US, Canada, and the UK. Elizabeth Roche is an associate professor at O.P. Jindal Global University. In a world that prizes scale and speed, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyaywith her quiet and methodical focus on craft, community, and cooperativeswould seem like an anomaly. But this diminutive woman was one of Indias boldest builders of social enterprise, long before the term existed. Her vision that real freedom lay in self-reliance and economic agency seeded institutions, livelihoods, and entire ecosystems that are shaping lives even today. Much has been said about her courage. Theres the now-famous story from the horrifying weeks of partition, when, seeing a tide of desperate refugees pouring into Delhi, Kamaladevi stormed government offices and demanded action. If not, she warned, shed lead a protest straight into bureaucratic sanctums. The impasse broke overnight. By morning, Indias first cooperative township in Faridabad had official sanction. Also Read | Company Outsider: Why Indian giants are buying abroad again Change, for her, was never something to request politely. It was something to demand and wrest from the jaws of officialdom. Freedom fighter Born in 1903 in Mangaluru, Kamaladevi stepped into public life already primed for rebellion. Her childhood, shaped by Girijabai, her fiercely progressive mother, was a crucible of radical ideas, feminist thought, and social critique. That meant she was never going to meet the docile expectations of upper-caste womanhood in colonial India. Marriage at 14 and widowhood by 16 would have consigned most young women of her time to the margins. Instead, she shattered conventions once more by marrying the poet, actor, and revolutionary Harindranath Chattopadhyay. Her intellectual and political learning gathered steam at Bedford College in London, where she studied sociology and honed an argumentative, unflinching wit. Not surprisingly, her entry onto the national stage was neither polite nor peripheral. In 1930, she confronted the Mahatma himself. Why, she asked, should only men lead acts of civil disobedience? Gandhi saw the wisdom in her words and the steel in her soul and made her an integral part of the Salt Satyagraha. Social entrepreneur But Kamaladevi wasnt content with fighting the oppressors. She believed that the real work began after political freedom. She saw nation-building in terms of freedom from poverty, especially for women, artisans, and the displaced. Also Read | Trust issues: Boardroom fractures at Tata signal a deeper governance reckoning Indeed, the partition turned her into a social entrepreneur from a freedom fighter as she envisioned regeneration through cooperative townships, vocational training, and income-generation schemes. What most defined Kamaladevi, though, was her phenomenal grasp of cultures economic and social power. Where the British had industrialized and homogenized crafts, she saw the value of Indias handloom, pottery, embroidery, and folk traditions, not as nostalgia, but as identity reclaimed. In his book, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay: The Art of Freedom, author Nico Slate wrote how she lamented the fact that "the children of the people that created the wonderful works of art at Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura are today feeding their hungry souls on Dunlop tyre advertisements and match labels that adorn the walls of the huts in the villages." To that end, she founded the All India Handicrafts Board and the Crafts Council of India, embedding artisan welfare into the very scaffolding of independent India. At the same time, she institutionalized training, ensured government procurement of handmade goods, and introduced national awards for craftspeople. Her belief in art as activism flowered in institutions like the Institute of Kathak and Choreography (NIKC) in Bengaluru, which she helped set up. She also seeded organizations that would become the Sangeet Natak Akademi, the National School of Drama, and the Dolls Museum in Delhi. The legacy It is instructive to compare Kamaladevis expansive, mission-driven legacy to todays curated heritage startups. Over the last 25 years, a burst of urban brands, design houses, and venture capital-backed e-commerce outfits has commodified handicrafts as fashionable lifestyle products. Artisan stories are pressed into Instagram narratives and fair trade labels. Yet, rarely do the men and women who peddle these brands match Kamaladevis devotion to rural empowerment, real leadership from within communities, or long-term sustainability. Many for-profit ventures, motivated by profits and market trends, treat the artisan as a supplier at the tail end of the value chain rather than a co-author. Where Kamaladevi fought for legal and social transformation, todays industry is driven by branding, public relations, and margins. The many honours she receivedthe Padma Bhushan, the Padma Vibhushan, the Ramon Magsaysay Award, and the UNESCO Awardbarely begin to capture the magnitude of her contribution. She passed away on 29 October 1988, leaving behind institutions that continue her work. Today, when an artisan in India signs their name to a piece of work, when cooperatives negotiate fair wages, and when craft forms survive globalization's tide, Kamaladevi's invisible hand is at work. For more such stories, read The Enterprising Indian: Stories From India Inc News. Its rare for a companys name to become a verb, but Google has achieved just that. Many people now say they are Googling whenever they search for information online and its easy to see why. Google is one of the most widely used search engines in the world. When Was Google Founded? Google is celebrating its 27th year in operation today, though theres often confusion over its exact birthday. The company was officially registered on September 4, 1998. However, the website itself was launched a year earlier, on 15 September 1997, by American computer scientists Larry Page and Sergey Brin while they were PhD students at Stanford University in California. Also read | Google Ad Tech Under Fire: What the DOJ Wants a Judge to Do The story behind Googles September 4 milestone The shift of Googles birthday from September 4 to September 27 was made to mark the day the company indexed a record number of web pages. Google reportedly aimed to align its birthday with this milestone, highlighting its status as a leading search engine. This year, the celebration reflects the companys ongoing dominance in the digital search space. Google celebrates 27th birthday. How Does Google Remember Its Origins? A blog post on Googles website explains: As we celebrate Google's birthday today, we remember our humble beginnings as a research project in a garage proof that breakthrough moments can start in ordinary places. This years celebration features a Doodle showcasing Googles first-ever logo from 1998, giving users a nostalgic glimpse of the 90s alongside a preview of the companys latest AI innovations. When Did Google Start Creating Doodles? Google commemorates important dates with specially designed logos known as Google Doodles, which often feature colorful drawings, animations, or even games. Facebook and Instagram will soon be available in ad-free versions in the United Kingdom, but this will be a paid feature. Meta Platforms Inc. will soon roll out paid versions of Facebook and Instagram in the United Kingdom, giving users the option to browse both platforms without advertisements, reported Bloomberg. Starting in the coming weeks, adults will be able to pay 2.99 a month for ad-free access on the web, or 3.99 if they use the iOS or Android apps. The higher price for mobile app users reflects charges imposed by Apple and Google for purchases made through their respective app stores. Advertising Revenue The move is part of Metas ongoing balancing act between safeguarding user privacy and sustaining its primary revenue source, as per the company. Advertising contributed nearly 97 per cent of the companys income last year. Users who do not wish to subscribe will still be able to access both services for free with adverts. Meta confirmed that the subscription will initially be available to users aged 18 and above, who will be notified of the option in the coming weeks. Contrast with EU Experience The decision follows a troubled attempt to introduce a similar subscription model in the European Union last year. Meta faced a 200 million fine in April after regulators ruled the offering breached digital competition laws and did not provide a fair choice to users. Although the company adjusted the system to meet EU requirements, the European Commission demanded further changes in July, warning of potential daily penalties if Metas modifications were deemed inadequate. Also Read | KP Oli warns of attack on Nepals sovereignty post Gen Z protest UKs Softer Stance Since leaving the EU, Britain has had greater flexibility in shaping digital privacy regulations. Meta said it had held detailed discussions with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) before proceeding with the UK launch. This approach and outcome sets the UK apart from the EU, where we have been engaged in similar discussions with regulators, Meta said in a statement. The company criticised Brussels stance, claiming EU regulators were demanding restrictions that exceed legal requirements, leading to a worse experience for users and businesses. ICO Welcomes Change The UKs privacy watchdog gave its backing to the revised model. An ICO spokesperson said the new system moves Meta away from targeting users with ads as part of the standard terms and conditions for using its Facebook and Instagram services, which weve been clear is not in line with UK law. Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence has set off a social media firestorm after she expressed her opinion on the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian war during a press conference. On September 26, the 35-year-old actress spoke out in support of Palestine two years after the October 7 attacks as she appeared to promote her new movie, Die My Love. While addressing the public at the San Sebastian Film Festival, she said, Im terrified and its mortifying. Whats happening is no less than a genocide and its unacceptable." Replying to a question, she emphasised, Im terrified for my children, for all of our children. On top of everything else what makes me so sad is that this disrespect and discourse and American politics right now is going to be normal to them.I mean, the kids who are voting right now at 18, its going to be totally normal to them that politics has no integrity. Also Read | Jennifer Lawrence says current situation in Gaza no less than genocide She added, Politicians lie, there is no empathy. And everybody needs to remember that when you ignore whats happening on one side of the world, it wont be long until its on your side as well. Supporting the Palestine cause, she further noted, To fix this extremely complex and disgraceful situation that breaks my heart but the reality is our fear and speaking too much or answering too many of these questions is that my words will just be used to add more fire and rhetoric to something that is in the hands of our elected officials. Also Read | Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence board Martin Scorseses directorial What Happens at Night Amy Schumer, who is Jennifer Lawrence's longtime friend, had once in the past expressed her support for Israel following Hamas's October 7 attack on a music festival. This statement of hers had sparked discussions online and some even labelled her as a Zionist. It was during this time, Hunger Games actress not only defended her friend, but also praised her confidence. Amy had openly expressed her support not for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu but for the people of Israel. In an interview with Variety, Jennifer Lawrence' had said, "Amy's choice to use her voice to speak for justice puts her under immense fire." Thus, Academy Award-winning actress' recent remark did not go well with many users online who pointed to the change in tune and side reversal. Social media reaction Some users applauded her courage, while others pointed to the change of stance. A user wrote, The tides are turning. Another user remarked, "Katniss is waking up inside her." A third comment read, "Took her long enough after defending Amy Schumer for her Zionist views." A fourth user stated, All while she screamed antisemitism and supporting Amy Schumer. Some users praised the actress for opening about the terrible situation in Gaza, as a user wrote, Bravo, Jennifer Lawrence, your fearless call-out on Gaza's genocide exposes Netanyahu's blood-soaked hypocrisy, proving Hollywood hearts beat louder than his war drums. Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco have officially kicked off their wedding weekend. The couple hosted a cosy rehearsal dinner on Friday, September 26, surrounded by close friends and family. According to People, the celebration took place at a private upscale estate and carried what a source described as the best vibe. The insider added that the dinner stretched late into the night, with guests enjoying every moment. Among the starry guest list expected at the wedding are Gomezs longtime friend Taylor Swift, her Only Murders in the Building co-stars Steve Martin, Martin Short and Paul Rudd, as well as Paris Hilton. Gomez, 33, and Blanco, 37, first confirmed their relationship in December 2023, six months after they began dating. A year later, on December 11, 2024, Gomez announced her engagement on Instagram, sharing photos of Blancos picnic-style proposal, complete with Taco Bellher favourite fast foodand a glimpse of her marquise diamond ring. Their pre-wedding festivities have been making headlines all summer. Gomez celebrated her bachelorette party in Cabo San Lucas on August 23, where she was seen dancing and relaxing with friends aboard a luxury yacht. Days later, she offered fans a closer look at the getaway, posting photos of her bridal looksincluding a veil embroidered with bride to beand posing with a balloon banner that read Mrs Levin, referencing Blancos birth name, Benjamin Joseph Levin. As many as five students of the Pinecrest Glades Academy in Miami were taken to the hospital on Friday, September 26, after something they ate caused them to fall ill. These kids were in the age group 14-16, CBS reported. The matter is now being investigated by the law enforcement agencies, including the Miami-Dade Sheriffs Office. However, interviews with the kids have been deferred till the time they are in a better condition. Timeline of the incident On Friday, one of the students at the Pinecrest Glades Academy shared a food item with several other kids at the school. These students started experiencing what the school administration described as adverse reactions. The five teenagers were rushed to a local medical facility after the authorities contacted the police at around 10 AM local time, according to The Independent. The cause behind the health emergency and the exact food item the students consumed is yet to be identified. This matter is also under investigation by law enforcement. Please rest assured that we are taking every necessary step to address this unfortunate situation and to ensure the continued safety of our students, the statement further read. Future course of action The school, a K-12 charter institution, has also asked parents to educate their children about the need to be cautious in the future. We ask that you take a moment to remind your children of the seriousness of their actions. What may seem like a simple choice can carry very severe consequences, including potential criminal charges and school-related disciplinary measures, the schools official statement read. FAQs What happened to the kids at Pinecrest Glades Academy? Five teenage kids were taken ill at the Pinecrest Glades Academy after they ate a food item shared by one of their fellow students. They were rushed to the hospital and are receiving medical care. What did the kids eat that caused their illness? As of now, the authorities have not informed the media about the nature and identity of the food item ingested by the students. They were waiting for the students to recover from their treatment. By Gabriel Araujo and Luciana Magalhaes SAO PAULO (Reuters) -Airline group Abra has decided to terminate talks on a potential merger between Brazilian carrier Gol, which it controls, and rival Azul, a securities filing showed late on Thursday. The move ends prospects for the creation of a dominant airline in Latin America's largest economy, which would have held roughly 60% of the domestic market, surpassing the local unit of Chile-based LATAM Airlines. Abra Group - the majority investor in Gol and Colombia's Avianca - and Azul first signed a memorandum of understanding in January aimed at combining the two carriers, following months of talks and market speculation. However, Azul filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May, a move that analysts warned at the time would likely scupper the potential merger with Gol, which in June emerged from its own bankruptcy proceedings. Azul's shares were up 18% in early afternoon trading in Sao Paulo, while Gol's shares rose 5%. INDUSTRY STRUGGLES "The parties have not meaningfully discussed or progressed a possible business combination transaction for several months as a result of Azul's focus on its Chapter 11 proceeding," Abra told Azul in a letter, according to Gol's filing. Both companies sought bankruptcy protection as the industry grappled with debt burdens, a steep decline in traffic during the COVID-19 pandemic, and aircraft delivery delays. Abra noted that the January memorandum came "in another scenario and at another moment for the companies." Gol and Azul also terminated their 2024 codeshare deal for cross-selling tickets and integrating their loyalty programs, which had been under intense scrutiny from antitrust watchdog CADE. Abra, however, left the door open for future talks. "We continue to believe in the merits of a business combination of Azul and Gol and, as such, Abra is ready, willing and available to engage with the relevant stakeholders," it said. In a separate filing, Azul confirmed the talks had ended and reaffirmed its "commitment to strengthening its capital structure." Azul expects to exit bankruptcy in early 2026. COMPETITION CONCERNS The potential merger had raised competition concerns and criticism from LATAM, though some experts labeled it a "necessary evil" for a financially healthy sector in Brazil, where costs are high and air travel remains restricted. "We never considered a scenario in which such a merger would be approved without mitigation measures. No country in the world would do that," LATAM Brasil CEO Jerome Cadier told Reuters in an interview on Friday. Former Miss Universe Jamaica contestant, Tyra Spaulding, 26, was found dead in her apartment on Tuesday, September 23. Police describe her death as an apparent suicide and have not revealed any further details on the case, People magazine reported. Tyra Spaulding had previously competed in the Miss Universe Jamaica pageant in 2023 and was known for her openness about mental health struggles on social media. What happened to Tyra Spaulding? The Jamaica Constabulary Forces Corporate Communications Unit (CCU) confirmed that Spaulding was discovered by relatives, hanging in her bedroom, The Gleaner reported. The Miss Universe Jamaica organization paid a public tribute for Spaulding. Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of the beautiful Tyra Spaulding. She was a radiant soul and an amazing human being, the post read. Her light, grace, beauty and kind spirit touched every life she encountered. We at the Miss Universe Jamaica Organization keep Tyras family, friends, and loved ones in our heartfelt prayers as we celebrate the beautiful life she shared with us, it added. Tyra Spaulding mental health struggles Also Read: Boeing agrees to pay $50,000 to settle lawsuit over 2024 suicide of whistle blower: What we know Spaulding had been documenting her mental health battle on YouTube in the months leading up to her death. In one video, uploaded on August 31, she revealed that she had resigned from her job. She then called it a terrible decision because my mental health just plummeted. She added, I was at the point where I made a plan to kill myself, so anybody on air, considering, just dont, dont do it. In another video (September 5), Spaulding said, Im fighting for my life over here. I feel like I need to go out and do something because my mind is trying to kill me. And if I do nothing, I am going to die. She added that she was having suicidal thoughts every day and spoke about feeling overwhelmed while trying to build a sustainable future. FAQs Who was Tyra Spaulding? She was a 2023 Miss Universe Jamaica contestant and content creator. How did Tyra Spaulding die? She was found dead at her apartment on September 23 in a suspected suicide. ICE agents charge towards protesters during a protest against the U.S. President Donald Trump administration's immigration policies, outside an ICE detention facility in Portland, Oregon, U.S., September 1, 2025. LONDON (Reuters) -Britain will back Jaguar Land Rover with a 1.5 billion pound ($2 billion) loan guarantee to help support its supply chain in the wake of the luxury carmaker's production shutdown following a cyberattack. Jaguar Land Rover's shutdown has lasted nearly a month, and the government had been exploring options to support the company and its supply chain, with some small suppliers saying they had one week left at most before they ran out of cash. The carmaker, which is owned by India's Tata Motors, has three factories that together produce about 1,000 cars per day, and sustain many jobs in the area around Birmingham, Britain's second biggest city, and the northern city of Liverpool. A survey on Friday showed that some firms were reducing staff hours or making redundancies. Business minister Peter Kyle said the cyberattack was "not only an assault on an iconic British brand, but on our world-leading automotive sector." "This loan guarantee will help support the supply chain and protect skilled jobs," he said. The business ministry said the loan would be privately financed and guaranteed by Britain's export credit agency UK Export Finance, and was expected to unlock 1.5 billion pounds of support for the carmaker's supply chain. ($1 = 0.7463 pounds) (Reporting by Alistair Smout; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama ) The martyrdom posters of Palestinian Islamic Jihad members Alaa Suleiman (Left) and Muhammad Suleiman, released by the group. On September 25, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) announced on its official Telegram channel that Israeli forces had killed one of its commanders and another member in the northern West Bank. The group identified the deceased fighters as Alaa Suleiman and Muhammad Suleiman. With the highest expressions of pride and honor, Saraya al-Quds, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine, announces to our struggling Palestinian people and to the Arab and Islamic nations: The martyr, Commander Alaa Judat Suleiman. The martyr, mujahid Muhammad Qasim Suleiman. From the mujahidin of the Tammun Company, Tubas Battalion, who rose to the highest ranks this morning, Thursday 25-09-2025, after engaging in an armed clash for several hours with the enemy forces that besieged them in a house in the town of Tammun in the northern occupied West Bank, PIJ stated. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that a joint operation involving Yamam (the Israeli Border Polices counterterrorism unit), the Shin Bet intelligence agency, and IDF troops killed Alaa and Muhammad after they had barricaded themselves in a building. Both suspects were wanted for planning a terrorist attack and their involvement in advancing shooting and explosive attacks from Tammun. Launched in January, the IDFs Iron Wall operation targeting Palestinian terrorist groups in the West Bank has curbed the number of attacks from the territory. Earlier this year, the Israeli security establishment published figures showing a downward trend in West Bank terrorism, Ynet reported. In April, 46 terrorist attacks were recorded in the West Bank. That compares to a peak monthly average of 214 in 2023 and 115 in 2024. By contrast, the average number of terrorist attacks was 74 in 2020, 120 in 2021, and 168 in 2022. FDDs The Long War Journal has also observed a downward trend in social media activity by West Bank terrorist groups since January. Telegram channels operated by Hamas, PIJ, the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, and other organizations have significantly reduced their output of media. In some cases, channels have ceased to function. Although terrorist activity by armed groups has been on the decline, the killing of two PIJ operatives preparing an attack underscores that the threat to Israel has not disappeared from the West Bank. In addition, on September 16, the IDF identified a rocket launch in the West Bank village of Nima. Following an investigation of the incident, Israeli forces were led to Ramallah, where they dismantled a cell that was producing rockets. Israeli forces discovery of the rocket lab alarmed IDF central command, Ynet reported 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. The driveway leading to the home at 107 County St. in Rehoboth, where Kylee Monteiro, 18, was found dead in August, and another man was found dead in September. (Google Maps) The Bristol County District Attorneys office has identified the man who was found dead in a van at the same Rehoboth property where a missing pregnant teen was found dead and buried and whose boyfriend was charged in connection with her disappearance and killing. David Lunn, 54, was found unresponsive in the van just before 7 a.m. on Friday by a relative, according to District Attorney Thomas Quinn IIIs office. Along with Lunn was his wife, a 48-year-old woman, who was hospitalized and in critical but stable condition. Two dogs were also in the van, and were released to Rehoboth Animal control in good condition, according to the district attorneys office. The van was running, but fire officials found no trace of carbon monoxide present in the van. The van was registered in the state of Vermont, according to officials. Investigation did reveal that the couple had a possible history of substance abuse, officials noted. The cause of Lunns death remains an open investigation by the Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The van was parked at 107 County St. in Rehoboth, the same address where Kylee Monteiro, 18, was found dead on Aug. 19. She had been missing since the beginning of the month. Kylee Monteiro, 18, was reported missing on Aug. 7. Investigators believe they found her remains Tuesday. Rehoboth Police Monteiros boyfriend, Gregory Groom, has been charged in connection with her disappearance and killing at an Aug. 20 arraignment, and has been held without bail since. Groom first reported Monteiro missing on Aug. 8, a day after prosecutors say he killed her and buried her body on his property. Monteiro was known to be active on social media but hadnt posted there or communicated with anyone since Aug. 7, according to prosecutors. Gregory Groom of Rehoboth, in Taunton District Court to be arraigned in connection with the murder of Kylee Monteiro on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. Mark Jarret Chavous/The Enterprise Monteiro had been staying at a shelter in Pembroke but left on Aug. 6 and was taken to Grooms house at 107 County St. by a rideshare, prosecutors said. Prosecutors said Groom confessed to Monteiros killing and drew a map that led investigators to the area where her body was buried. Kylee Monteiros case Groom lived on a sprawling, 20-acre property in Rehoboth with his brother and grandparents. Monteiro had told Groom she was pregnant and he was the father of her baby, according to a police report by Detective Paul McGovern of the Rehoboth Police Department filed in court. By the time Monteiro arrived at Grooms property on Aug. 6, she was 11 weeks pregnant. He told police he started to save money for a place for them to live after she told him, but that he didnt initially believe her until she gave him medical paperwork. Police say the pair argued on Aug. 6, and Monteiro told her sister, Faith, that Groom threw her on the ground, pulled her hair and strangled her. My phones at 4% if I die it was Greg, Monteiro wrote in a text message to her sister, according to a police report. On Aug. 19, Groom and Faith Monteiro arrived at the police station for an interview. During that interview, police say Groom admitted to pushing Kylee Monteiro into a door in a shed on the property, where she hit her head. He denied pulling her hair or strangling her after being shown the text message. Groom told police he knocked Kylee Monteiros phone out of her hand while she was on the ground as she attempted to send a voice message to someone, according to the police report. It was during that interview, police say, that Groom admitted to killing Monteiro. The confession came after police told Groom they had obtained a search warrant for the property. Groom ultimately drew a rudimentary map for police, and admitted that he and Monteiro got into an argument behind the shed where she was staying, Mohan, the prosecutor, said. During the argument, police say Groom told them he stabbed Monteiro twice in the neck and once in the chest. The blow to the chest broke the blade off the kitchen knife that Groom used, the prosecutor said. Groom then spent several hours digging a hole in the woods roughly 20 yards from where he had killed Monteiro and pushed her body in the hole when the sun came up, he told police. During their search of the property on Aug. 19, police found a large pile of brush near the shed covering the site of the murder. Under the brush, they found blood and other physical evidence, Mohan, the prosecutor said. About 20 yards away, police found another large pile of brush, with feet upon feet of cut-down trees that were piled up. Underneath that pile, police found a rectangular hole filled with recently disturbed dirt. Monteiros body was found about 5 feet into that hole. Elliot Levine, a defense lawyer appointed to represent Groom, did not contest the prosecutions request that Groom be held without bail. Both Groom and Monteiros families attended the arraignment, but neither spoke to the media as they left. A person leaving the courtroom with Monterios family said only, Were devastated. Reporter Irene Rotondo contributed to this story. The TJ Maxx located on Newbury Street in Boston will be closing its doors in early 2026. The parent company, TJX, which is based in Framingham, said the store is expected to close by Jan. 3, a TJ Maxx spokesperson told MassLive. We are always assessing and reviewing our real estate strategies and our decision to close this store reflects that thinking, the spokesperson explained. We are grateful for the loyalty of our Newbury Street TJ Maxx customers and invite them to visit our nearby stores to continue to find great values In a notice filed with the state on Monday, the company said it would be laying off 117 workers, effective Jan. 5, 2026. A spokesperson for the company told the Boston Globe on Friday that these workers were all employed at the store at 360 Newbury St., next to the Hynes Convention Center MBTA station entrance. TJX will try to find the affected workers employment at nearby locations, the spokesperson added. The retail space consists of three floors for a total of 45,000 square feet of shopping space, according to Boston Magazine. It first opened in 2016, replacing Best Buy which shuttered in 2012. TJ Maxx has a second location in Boston at 350 Washington St., according to the companys store locator. President Donald Trump on Saturday announced he had authorized federal troops to go into Portland, Oregon, calling the American city War ravaged. Might the next city be Boston, a city the Trump administration has repeatedly targeted with Trumps border czar in February stating Im coming to Boston and Im bringing hell with me? Following the announcement about troops being authorized for Portland, a spokesperson for Boston Mayor Michelle Wu referred MassLive to a statement earlier this month. I dont want to give the sense that all of a sudden Boston is under a new kind of target and we would experience new punishments that we havent already been seeing in our community, Wu told WBUR in early September. Boston has been targeted since before Inauguration Day for this administration. We have already had to be preparing because weve already been seeing that kind of enforcement. Wu clarified that a troop surge would bring even more intensity with respect to needed responses. A spokesperson for Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey did not immediately return requests for comment on Saturday. Trump in August sent federal troops to Washington, D.C., a move that was opposed by Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell and colleagues in nearly two dozen states. Trump has also sent troops to Los Angeles in June in a move California said was illegal. A federal judge verified earlier this month that the use of National Guard in California was illegal. In his most recent announcement, Trump wrote on Truth Social: At the request of Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, I am directing Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists. Trump continued: I am also authorizing Full Force, if necessary. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren disputed that Portland was war ravaged, and called Trumps move delusional and dangerous. Sending troops into American cities doesnt make our communities safer it just stokes fear and stirs up chaos, Warren wrote on X. Trump is plunging further into authoritarianism every single day. Trump administration dealings with Boston Trump administration border czar Tom Homan reacted to Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox, seemingly referring to a WCVB interview at the time, in which Cox said state law limits his departments involvement in federal immigration enforcement. I read a story last night. The police commissioner of Boston you said youd double down on not helping the law enforcement office of ICE, he said. Im coming to Boston and Im bringing hell with me. Massachusetts highest court ruled in 2017 that state and local law enforcement do not have the authority to hold suspects based on an ICE detainer alone. Boston also has an ordinance that prevents the citys police from pursuing civil immigration enforcement, though they can work with ICE on criminal matters. Wu blasted Homan earlier this week after reports he accepted $50,000 in cash from undercover FBI agents last year. It wasnt even surprising at this point that ... someone who has been saying a lot about what following the law means and enacting harms on community members, holding up the language that this is to follow the law, this is to keep people safe, this is to do the right thing when in fact behind the scenes theres outright bribery and corruption taking place, she said. The Trump administration has also set Harvard University across the river from Boston in Cambridge in its sights, enacting a war against the institution since March, seeking to cut its funding and eliminate its ability to accept international students, among other efforts. The combined policy decisions by the Trump administration, including his trade ware, immigration policies and attacks on higher education, have hit Massachusetts economy in the gut, according to Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jim Rooney. Reactions in Oregon In a statement Saturday, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson lambasted Trump and his decision to deploy troops domestically, according to OregonLive. President Trump has directed all necessary Troops to Portland, Oregon. The number of necessary troops is zero, in Portland and any other American city, Wilsons statement read. Our nation has a long memory for acts of oppression, and the president will not find lawlessness or violence here unless he plans to perpetrate it. Imagine if the federal government sent hundreds of engineers, or teachers, or outreach workers to Portland, instead of a short, expensive, and fruitless show of force. In a statement on X, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, a Democrat, said her office is reaching out to the White House and Homeland Security for more information following the announcement. We have been provided no information on the reason or purpose of any military mission, Kotek wrote in her statement. There is no national security threat in Portland. Kotek continued that her office would have further comment when more information was available and urged Oregonians to stay calm and enjoy a beautiful fall day. CarMax (KMX) shares tanked 20% on Thursday after the Richmond-headquartered company recorded disappointing financials for its Q2, reflecting broader challenges of the used car market. The used vehicle retailer earned $0.64 a share in its fiscal second quarter, falling substantially short of $1.03 that analysts had forecast, while revenue also declined by 6% on a year-over-year basis. More News from Barchart Following todays carnage, CarMax stock is down an alarming 50% versus its year-to-date high. www.barchart.com Is CarMax Stock a Lost Cause? While CarMax earnings revealed a long list of challenges from retail weakness to pressure on auto finance, KMX stock isnt entirely out of reasons to warrant selective optimism. The companys management has responded proactively to deteriorating financials, announcing a $150 million cost-cutting initiative, demonstrating commitment to operational efficiency. Moreover, the NYSE-listed firm continues to generate solid unit margin with gross profit of $2,216 per retail used unit in the second quarter. KMX repurchased $180 million worth of its shares in Q2 and maintains an aggressive buyback program for the remainder of its financial year, which makes CarMax shares even more attractive as a long-term holding. Are KMX Shares Worth Buying After Q2 Earnings? Investors could consider buying the post-earnings weakness in CarMax shares also for the success the company has achieved in digital transformation. About 80% of its unit sales are now supported by digital capabilities, positioning KMX particularly well for future growth. A strong balance sheet with an improved net leverage ratio of 1.5x provides some stability during this challenging period as well. KMX shares are going for 15x earnings at writing, suggesting potential value for patient investors. Todays selloff has priced in significant risks, with an RSI at 20.24 indicating oversold conditions. www.barchart.com This represents an attractive entry point for long-term investors willing to absorb near-term volatility. Wall Street Sees Massive Upside in CarMax Whats also worth mentioning is that Wall Street remains bullish as ever on CarMax stock for the next 12 months. President Donald Trump attends the Ryder Cup golf tournament at Bethpage Black Golf Course in Farmingdale, N.Y., Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (Mandel Ngan/Pool Photo via AP) AP AP President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he had authorized U.S. military troops to be deployed domestically in Portland, Oregon. At the request of Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, I am directing Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists, Trump wrote on Trust Social. Trump continued: I am also authorizing Full Force, if necessary. In a statement Saturday, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson lambasted Trump and his decision to deploy troops domestically, according to OregonLive. President Trump has directed all necessary Troops to Portland, Oregon. The number of necessary troops is zero, in Portland and any other American city, Wilsons statement read. Our nation has a long memory for acts of oppression, and the president will not find lawlessness or violence here unless he plans to perpetrate it. Imagine if the federal government sent hundreds of engineers, or teachers, or outreach workers to Portland, instead of a short, expensive, and fruitless show of force. In a statement on X, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, a Democrat, said her office is reaching out to the White House and Homeland Security for more information following the announcement. We have been provided no information on the reason or purpose of any military mission, Kotek wrote in her statement. There is no national security threat in Portland. Kotek continued that her office would have further comment when more information was available and urged Oregonians to stay calm and enjoy a beautiful fall day. My office is reaching out to the White House and Homeland Security for more information. We have been provided no information on the reason or purpose of any military mission. There is no national security threat in Portland. Our communities are safe and calm. pic.twitter.com/v9EVDQlXrK Governor Tina Kotek (@GovTinaKotek) September 27, 2025 For the past few weeks, Trump has called out Portland earlier this month calling people there out of control and crazy, according to OregonLive. In August, Trump sent federal troops to Washington D.C., a move that was opposed by Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell and colleagues in nearly two dozen states. Protesters gather outside the boarded-up U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in South Portland on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, days after President Donald Trump suggested federal intervention. Mark Graves/The Oregonian Meanwhile, a Portland Police Bureau assistant chief said in court that federal police were instigating some clashes between officers and protesters outside the ICE building in South Portland, according to OregonLive. Protests in South Portland have continued since early June. Sara Jane Moore, who attempted to assassinate President Gerald Ford in 1975, has died at age 95 in Tennessee. Janet Fries/Getty Images A woman who tried to shoot at a sitting U.S. president has died at age 95, according to the Associated Press. Sara Jane Moore served more than 30 years in prison after unsuccessfully attempting to assassinate President Gerald Ford in 1975. Moore died Wednesday at a nursing home in Franklin, Tennessee, according to the Associated Press, citing Demetria Kalodimos, a longtime acquaintance. Kalodimos interviewed Moore in 2024 following the assassination attempt on President Donald Trump in July for the Nashville Banner. Moore said at the time she thought she might be killed on the day she tried to assassinate Ford. The police came right up straight at me, they didnt shoot me or anything, and grabbed my hand, Moore said in the interview. And I was just stunned ... and of course I was stunned that I missed. Moore said she had no fear that day. When you psyche yourself up to do something like that ... its sort of like being in a play. You rehearse and rehearse and then when the time comes you just do it, she said. When Moore shot at Ford in San Francisco, she was a middle-aged woman serving as an FBI informant and working with leftist groups, according to the Associated Press. Moore was sentenced to life at the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, California, when she was paroled at the end of 2007, the Associated Press reported. On Sept. 22, Moore shot at Ford as he waved to a crowd outside the St. Francis Hotel in San Franciscos Union Square. Oliver Sipple, a 33-year-old former Marine, knocked her weapon out of her hand as she fired, causing the shot to go astray and hit a building, according to the Associated Press. Moore disputed in the interview that Sipple disrupted her shot. She said she had an escape plan, and that she would have felt successful if she had killed Ford. People dont pay any attention to women, she said. I would have gone out and gotten in a street car and gone up the hill and gone into the hotel up there and sat down and had a Coke or something. And no one would have ever even thought about it. In other interviews, Moore said she shot at Ford because she thought she would be killed once people learned she was an FBI informant. The agency ended its relationship with her about four months before the shooting. I was going to go down anyway, she said in the 1982 interview with the San Jose Mercury News. And if I was going to go down, I was going to do it my way. If the government was going to kill me, I was going to make some kind of statement. There was a warm welcome for Msgr Patrick Hambrough and his entourage of around 40 from St Louis, Missouri, on their recent visit to St Michaels Church, Taugheen. Members of the local community were present to greet the visitors and make them feel very much at home during their three hours in Taugheen. His father, Patrick Hamrogue, Ballydaff, Taugheen, known locally as Pake, emigrated from Mayo to America in the 1950s. Somewhere along the way, the name was changed from Hamrogue to Hambrough and appears with both spellings in different Irish Census records. Retired school teacher, Ger McHugh, delivered a fine address of welcome to Msgr Patrick and his friends from America prior to the start of Mass in Taugheen Church. Gerry painted a picture in words of how life was in the area in the time that Msgrs father left Mayo for America and also how the bonds of friendship endured all down the years. Msgr Patrick, a noted preacher and was the recipient of the Aquinas Institute of Theology Great Preacher Award back in 2008 and who was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Saint Louis in 1985, told the gathering he was so happy to be home in the land of his father. He recalled a family visit to Taugheen back in 1970 and a trip to climb Croagh Patrick where his brother got lost and was missing for several hours before news came through that he had been found safe. He recalled at ease memories of some of the local people in the Taugheen area on that visit including Ned and Bridie Campbell and Luke Gilligan and how much the visit meant to his father Pake and the family and also consolidated his abiding fondness for this region of Mayo. Following a lovely reception with food and refreshments in the nearby Community centre, the group departed for Ballintubber Abbey where they were given a guided tour and later adjourned for the night to Westport. They made the journey to Knock Shrine the next morning where Msgr Hambrough celebrated Mass in the Parish Church before heading back down south again bringing with them very special memories of their time in the West of Ireland. READ MORE: Kila among headline acts for Mayo's mini Electric Picnic MAYO County Council have indicated that they will engage with Inland Fisheries Ireland and local residents to begin the clean-up of the Moyour River in Kilmeena. In a report to councillors in the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District, Mayo County Council indicated that they intend to proceed with a clean-up of the downstream section of the Moyour River but the upstream section will require 'significant funding'. Local Independent councillor John O'Malley had called for a report on cleaning the Moyour River as a matter of urgency due to flooding in the region. The Carrowholly-based councillor claimed that trees and other vegetation were causing flooding to land along the river and if it was not cleaned by the council, local farmers would take it upon themselves to do it. The report which will be presented to councillors at Monday's monthly meeting of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District outlined that in May 2025, an ecologist was procured to assess the Moyour river and commence the environmental assessment process. The ecologist assessed the river and split it into two sections - downstream of the N59 at Buckfield and upstream of the N59. He found that works to the downstream section of the river will consist of removal of branches within the conveyance area, removal of trees within the riverbed and clearance of debris upstream of bridges and crossings. The upstream section will consist of removal of growth (soil, reeds and grasses) within the channel area, removal of branches within the conveyance area, removal of trees within the riverbed and clearance of debris upstream of bridges and crossings. Tom McDonnell, Senior Executive Engineer responsible for Flood Risk Management stated in his report that the ecologist is of view that downstream of the N59 can be screened and will not have any impact on the SAC to which the river leads into. READ: Mayo Minister launches Intreo Work and Skills Events However, he stated that upstream of the N59 cannot be screened out and will require a full Natura Impact statement for any works to the river. As the works here require dredging of the riverbed due to significant growth, any works removing this growth will have an impact on the SAC to which the river leads into. Approval of a Natura Impact Statement can only be given through an application to An Coimisiun Pleanala, Mr McDonnell stated. The next stage will be for the local authority to consult with Inland fisheries Ireland to gain approval to proceed to tree and branch clearance for the downstream section and also consult with landowners on gaining access to the riverbanks to carry out the works. Mr McDonnell said the council may require a derogation for instream works in the months of October and November as instream works are only allowed during the months of July, August and September. In relation to the upstream section, he said significant funding would be required to proceed and they will monitor the outcome of works of the downstream section on flood levels before making a decision to proceed with the upstream section of the river. (Reuters) -Chinese autonomous driving developer Momenta is considering shifting its IPO to Hong Kong from New York, four people said, adding to a growing list of Chinese companies opting to debut in the Asian financial hub amid heightened U.S.-China tensions. The potential change in Momenta's listing venue comes after the expiration in June of an approval by China's securities regulator to list in the U.S., which was granted mid-last year, according to the regulator's website. Momenta is a leading Chinese supplier of advanced driving assisted system features, akin to Tesla's self-driving technology that can navigate urban traffic under human drivers' supervision. The company recently informed some of its investors about its plan to potentially list in Hong Kong in 2026, two of the people said, adding the plan, which has not been reported previously, is at an early stage and is subject to changes. Momenta, backed by investors such as Toyota Motor and auto parts supplier Bosch, is considering a change in listing venue as it nears completion of a pre-IPO fundraising round, said two of the people. One of them said the round is expected to involve investors, including Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai. Details of the IPO, such as the timeline, offering size and valuation are yet to be finalised, the people said. All the sources declined to be identified as the plan is not public yet. Momenta said it has not made any final decision regarding IPO plans, including the listing venue. "Any suggestion that Momenta has informed investors of a confirmed plan to list in Hong Kong in 2026 is untrue," the company said, adding it has not announced or confirmed any pre-IPO fundraising round or its participants. Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd (HKEX), the city's exchange operator, declined to comment on individual companies. The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) did not respond to Reuters request for comment on Momenta's potential shift of the listing venue. Mercedes-Benz didn't respond to a query for comment. Hyundai said there is "a compelling use case" to collaborate with Momenta in China for its robust autonomous driving tech, without elaboration. TOP GLOBAL BOURSE The possible shift in Momenta's listing venue underscores Hong Kong's position as the primary offshore fundraising venue for Chinese companies amid U.S. lawmakers' threat to delist Chinese firms from American exchanges. Heightened trade tensions between China and the United States have also prompted a growing number of Chinese companies to favor Hong Kong for listings over the past year. A cancer blood test making bold claims now faces tough questions from experts. Trusted Source Multi-cancer Early Detection (MCED) Tests Go to source Trusted Source TOP INSIGHT Did You Know? Big claims, big doubtsGalleris $1,000 test is still unproven! #cancer #earlydetection #galleritest #medindia Advertisement What Experts Are Worried About? False alarms: How many results are wrong, leading patients to stressful and invasive follow-up tests? How many results are wrong, leading patients to stressful and invasive follow-up tests? Missed cancers: How many patients later developed cancer despite testing negative? How many patients later developed cancer despite testing negative? High cost: At about $1,000 per test , what happens if results are uncleardo patients get refunds? At about , what happens if results are uncleardo patients get refunds? Accuracy issues: Does the test accurately detect the kind and location of cancer, or does it occasionally lead medical professionals in the incorrect direction? Advertisement What is Multi-Cancer Early Detection Tests? Trusted Source Implosion of Grail's Galleri Cancer Screening Test? Go to source Trusted Source Advertisement The Bigger Picture Multi-cancer Early Detection (MCED) Tests - (https://www.cancer.org/cancer/screening/multi-cancer-early-detection-tests.html) Implosion of Grails Galleri Cancer Screening Test? - (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11886625/) , developed by, claims it can detect. Through the examination of minute pieces of DNA released by tumours, AI is capable of identifying cancers , such as pancreatic cancer , that normally cannot be detected until advanced stages. Early diagnosis in this case can be life-saving, and that is where the Galleri test comes in ()!However, despite its initial promise, an extended study in the UK was abruptly terminated after the first year, supposedly because of disappointing outcomes. Since the information has not been made public, there are concerns regarding whether the test is prepared for widespread usage. There are even specialists who compare the fuss to the, in which big claims were made before sound research was done. Once hailed as a, it ended in fraud convictions and a cautionary tale for Silicon Valley.Researchers and doctors are doubting whether the test actually lives up to its commitments. Key concerns include:Galleri is one of a new category of tests known astests. Blood is often drawn for these tests in order to look for cancerous traces, which are bits of DNA, RNA, or proteins that sick cells have shed. Some can even tell where in the body the cancer might have originated. Notably, the tests do not diagnose cancer; a positive test would relate to further follow-up testing to ascertain the existence of cancer.The reason why MCED tests are being developed is that only a few cancers, including breast cervical , colorectal, lung, and prostate, have a proven screening method. In most cancers, there is no routine screening, and hence most are diagnosed only at more advanced and difficult-to-treat stages. Although it is believed that tests like MCED would be able to detect a wide range of cancers much earlier, the FDA has not yet authorized any of them, and research is being done to determine whether or not they actually save lives ().The biggest question is still unanswered:Experts stress that Grail must be fully transparent with its current data until the long-term results, expected in, are available. Regulators may also need to step in to protect both patients and investors from overly optimistic claims.While the Galleri test could one day prove to be a breakthrough in cancer screening, it remains unproven. For now, patients should understand that both the potential benefits and the risks are uncertain and think carefully before spending thousands of dollars on a test that might not yet provide the peace of mind it promises.Source- American Cancer Society Most women of reproductive age using GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are not using contraception, despite potential risks to unborn babies. Highlights: Majority of women on GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are not using contraception are not using contraception GLP-1 medications linked to potential risks during pregnancy Calls for clearer guidelines in prescribing weight-loss medications to women Trusted Source Incidence of GLP-1 receptor agonist use by women of reproductive age attending general practices in Australia, 2011-2022: a retrospective open cohort study Go to source Trusted Source TOP INSIGHT Did You Know? Over 90 percent of women prescribed #GLP1 medications like Ozempic had no diabetes diagnosis, yet only 21 percent reported using #contraception. #weightloss #weightlossdrugs #pregnancy #ozempic #medindia Advertisement Low Contraceptive Use Despite Widespread Prescriptions Advertisement Majority Prescribed Without Diabetes Diagnosis Advertisement Increased Pregnancy Rates After Medication Use Potential Risks for Unborn Babies Need for Clearer Guidelines and Conversations Incidence of GLP-1 receptor agonist use by women of reproductive age attending general practices in Australia, 20112022: a retrospective open cohort study - (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.5694/mja2.70026) Most women, raising concerns about potential harm to unborn babies ().A comprehensive analysis has shown that a significant number of Australian women aged between 18 and 49, despite the documented risks if pregnancy occurs.The study, published in the Medical Journal of Australia, examinedwho visited general practices from 2011 to 2022. Out of 18,010 women who were newly prescribed GLP-1 receptor agonists during this period,Although initially intended for treating type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 receptor agonists have become widely used for their appetite-reducing and weight-loss properties. The analysis also revealed that most prescriptions are now given to women who do not have diabetes.Associate Professor Luke Grzeskowiak, a pharmacist and lead author from Flinders University's College of Medicine and Public Health, highlighted that in 2022 alone,He noted that while these medications can be highly beneficial, especially for weight management, they are. There is currently little evidence suggesting that contraception is being routinely discussed during prescriptions for these drugs.The findings also indicated that. Pregnancy rates were higher among younger women with diabetes and among women in their early thirties without diabetes.Women, possibly due to improved fertility linked to weight loss even when pregnancy was unintended. In contrast, women using contraception at the time of prescription had significantly lower chances of conceiving.Animal studies conducted by the University of Amsterdam previously associated GLP-1 exposure during pregnancy with. Although human data remains limited, these risks cannot be overlooked.Associate Professor Grzeskowiak emphasized that while the United Kingdom advises women using GLP-1 receptor agonists to avoid pregnancy and use reliable contraception, suchin Australian clinical settings.He stressed the necessity of integrating reproductive health considerations into every consultation where GLP-1 medications are prescribed to women of childbearing age.to ensure these medications are used safely and effectively. The recommendation is for women to discuss the risks and benefits of GLP-1 drugs with their general practitioner and only use them under proper medical supervision.The authors advocate for more in-depth investigations into how these medications affect pregnancy and fetal health. Comprehensive studies are essential to better understand the potential long-term impacts on both mothers and their unborn children.To sum up, while GLP-1 receptor agonists offer promising benefits for weight loss, their use among women of reproductive age without adequate contraception presents significant risks. Clearer medical guidelines and proactive conversations about reproductive health are vital to ensuring the safe use of these medications.Source-Medindia By Kylie Madry MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Citigroup will look for more minority investors in its Mexican retail unit, Banamex, before launching a potential initial public offering, executives said on Thursday. Citi will sound out top Mexican investors in the coming months, though it will look to sell stakes much smaller than the 25% that billionaire Fernando Chico Pardo will buy, Ernesto Torres, Citi's head of international, told journalists. The lender announced on Wednesday that Chico Pardo, who chairs airport operator ASUR, would purchase the sizeable stake in Banamex for $2.3 billion. STEP TOWARD BANAMEX EXIT The deal comes after Citi struggled for years to find a buyer for Banamex, with a deal with conglomerate Grupo Mexico, controlled by billionaire German Larrea, falling through. Analysts saw the announcement as a positive step toward Citigroup's complete divestment from Banamex. The price of the stake values the full unit at around $9.12 billion, effectively creating a "floor" for an IPO, they said. Citi bought Banamex in a $12.5 billion deal in 2001. "At least it gives clarity on how much a full divestiture could raise," said Mike Mayo, Wells Fargo's bank analyst, in a phone interview. When asked by Reuters, Torres declined to provide more detail on Citi's decision to accept an offer below book value. BANAMEX BACK IN MEXICAN HANDS Locally, Chico Pardo's purchase was cheered, with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum praising the bank's return to Mexican hands after decades of foreign control. Sheinbaum's predecessor and mentor, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, put conditions on any Citi deal, such as requiring the firm be majority controlled by Mexicans and prohibiting layoffs. That interference led to Larrea scrapping his Banamex offer, sources told Reuters at the time. Sheinbaum, however, did not place any conditions, Chico Pardo said. The businessman said that his purchase was self-funded and he would not look to grow his stake beyond the 25%. "I consider this a very long-term investment, a transgenerational one. My children are going to have to carry this on," he said. Chico Pardo admitted that he had not participated in the first round of bidding for the unit, as he "didn't understand it," but began talks with Citi in the past several months. The businessman is married to the sister of Roberto Hernandez, the former owner and CEO of Banamex. NEXT FOR BANAMEX Chico Pardo and Manuel Romo, CEO of Banamex, said that Banamex is now looking to take back some of the market share it lost. A $16.7 million federal grant will support construction of the first state Veterans Cemetery in Alaska, providing a final resting place for veterans in Fairbanks and other regions, according to the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs awarded the funding for the Interior Alaska Veterans Cemetery last week, the department said. The cemetery will be the first for veterans that's operated and owned by the state of Alaska, said Verdie Bowen, director of the Alaska Office of Veterans Affairs. The cemetery will be located in Salcha, south of Fairbanks, and is expected to be completed by late 2027. It will fund 351 pre-placed crypts, 600 columbarium niches to hold cremains, and 279 in-ground cremation gravesites. It will also be home to a memorial wall and walk, roads, administrative and maintenance offices and other facilities. Phase 1 will focus on developing 11 acres, but there are plans to grow, Bowen said. The cemetery will be built on an old homestead, with land covering 257 acres, Bowen said. "We have more than enough to cover future needs of a cemetery," Bowen said. The cemetery is projected to serve more than 15,000 veterans and eligible family members from a wide swath of Alaska that also includes the North Slope, Bowen said. Three cemeteries for veterans exist in southern Alaska, but they are hard to reach for Interior veterans, he said. They include national cemeteries at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and in Sitka in Southeast Alaska. The tribe in Metlakatla in Southeast, home to the state's only Indian reservation, also owns and operates the Metlakatla Veterans Memorial Cemetery, established with funding from Veterans Affairs. Alaska Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, said in a statement that the cemetery is needed in Alaska, home to the highest percentage of veterans in the U.S. Sullivan last year included language in the annual military construction appropriations bill report that required the Veterans Cemetery Grants Program to prioritize states such as Alaska that hadn't received a state-granted Veterans Affairs cemetery, the statement said "It has been a privilege to work alongside the persistent, patriotic Alaska veterans in the Interior to realize this important milestone for our state," Sullivan said. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said on social media on Friday that she helped ensure the grant was fully funded through the appropriations process. She knew longtime advocates of the cemetery wouldn't give up until that goal was met, she said. "Earlier this year, I had the privilege of visiting the site in Salcha," she said in the statement. "Looking southwest and watching the Tanana River bend through the Alaska Range, you really can't imagine a more serene setting for our veterans to be laid to rest." "I congratulate our team in the Office of Veterans Affairs, as well as the Department of Transportation team, for advancing this project, thereby ensuring our state honors and remembers our fallen heroes," said Maj. Gen. Torrence Saxe, adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard and the department's commissioner. Securing the grant was a long process with lots of challenges, the state's military and veterans department said. The grant pre-application was initially submitted in the spring of 2009. "It's been quite an undertaking for us," Bowen said. "It is virtually a miracle to get to this point where we are today with funds in our hands." 2025 the Alaska Dispatch News (Anchorage, Alaska). Visit www.adn.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. TRENTON, N.J. The Democratic candidate for governor of New Jersey in this year's high-stakes race is defending her Navy service record amid questions surrounding a cheating scandal during her time at the Naval Academy, and pushing back against the Trump administration's release of her mostly unredacted military records. Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli are competing to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy in New Jersey, one of just two states, along with Virginia, that are electing a governor this year. With mail-in ballots already being returned in the Nov. 4 contest, news stories surfaced Thursday saying that Sherrill did not participate in her 1994 Naval Academy graduation ceremony amid fallout from an exam cheating scandal, though she was not directly implicated and was awarded her degree and commissioned as an officer in the Navy. Another news story from CBS showed that Sherrill's military record was released improperly and mostly unredacted to a Republican operative in New Jersey. The fallout from the reports has turned up the heat in a race that already was being closely watched as a sign of how voters are reacting to President Donald Trump's second term and how Democrats are responding to their 2024 election defeat. Here's a closer look at what we know and what we don't about the developments. Sherrill's Naval Academy Commencement Under Scrutiny The New Jersey Globe reported Thursday that Sherrill, whose campaign has hinged on her service as a Navy veteran and helicopter pilot, did not walk in the Naval Academy commencement ceremony in 1994 and didn't appear in a commencement program from the ceremony. The story says it was a punishment after an exam cheating scandal that year. In a statement, Sherrill noted that she graduated and got her commission as an officer despite not walking. She went on to pilot Sea King helicopters during her service, a regular part of her campaign speech on the trail. I didnt turn in some of my classmates, so I didnt walk, but graduated and was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy, serving for nearly ten years with the highest level of distinction and honor, she said. Ciattarelli Responds, Attacks Sherrill Ciattarelli's campaign is using the development to attack Sherrill, calling on her to release more of her disciplinary and academic record and linking her to the scandal. The Republican former state lawmaker's campaign is citing a pledge Sherrill recently made to be more transparent in order to pressure her to release more. It's unclear if there are further records to be released. Sherrill did not make any records in her possession available. The Navy declined to comment. A message seeking comment was also left with the Naval Academy. Sherrills Records Were Released in Error Sherrill's campaign attributed the release of information to the National Archives and included a letter dated Sept. 22 from the director of the National Personnel Records Center informing the congresswoman that it released in error her military file to an unauthorized requester, identified as a former Republican candidate for office in New Jersey. A message seeking comment was left with the person who requested Sherrill's records. On behalf of the National Archives, I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and aggravation this situation may cause you and for our failure to safeguard your military record from unauthorized release, wrote director Scott Levins. The information released included her unredacted Social Security number as well as her date of birth, according to the letter. It's not clear whether any of the records the National Archives released in error were related to the reasons she was not allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony. What's Not Known It's unclear whether there are more documents detailing what happened that led to Sherrill not taking part in the commencement. It's also not clear why the National Archives technician who responded to the request for Sherrill's military operation didn't follow standard operating procedures, according to an email from Grace McCaffrey, the acting executive of external affairs and communications with the National Archives. The technician should not have released the entire record. Agency Management only became aware of this breach on September 22, and immediately initiated a thorough review of all internal controls, McCaffrey said in an emailed statement. Fundraising Fuel for Sherrill? By midday Friday, Sherrill had begun trying to use the episode to raise campaign contributions. Calling it a shameful attempt to smear her, Sherrills campaign sent a fundraising email alleging the breach was wildly unprecedented and blatantly illegal, as well as a weaponization of the federal government. These military records detail my early life, and go so far as to include my Social Security Number and insurance records. There are supposed to be several layers of checks set up to prevent something like this, the message quotes Sherrill as saying. Associated Press writer Tom Beaumont in Des Moines, Iowa, contributed. Related: 'No Veteran's Record Is Safe': Feds Release New Jersey Gubernatorial Candidate's Military Docs State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code CoreWeave has signed an expanded agreement with OpenAI, securing a contract valued at up to $6.5bn to provide infrastructure for the training of the ChatGPT makers next-generation AI models. This new deal brings the total value of CoreWeaves contracts with OpenAI to nearly $22.4bn. It follows previous agreements announced in March 2025 for up to $11.9bn and in May for up to $4bn. CoreWeave co-founder, chairman and CEO Michael Intrator said: We are proud to expand our relationship with OpenAI, a company consistently at the forefront of advancing artificial intelligence. This milestone affirms the trust that world-leading innovators have in CoreWeaves ability to power the most demanding inference and training workloads at an unmatched pace. Earlier in September 2025, the company outlined a commitment of $1.5bn to support AI projects in the UK. The company also recently launched CoreWeave Ventures, aimed at supporting early-stage companies and founders working on technologies related to the AI ecosystem. Recent acquisitions by CoreWeave, including OpenPipe and Weights & Biases, are part of its strategy to expand capabilities across different layers of the AI technology stack. CoreWeave infrastructure and industrial compute vice president Peter Hoeschele said: CoreWeave has become an important partner in OpenAIs broader infrastructure platform. By delivering compute at unmatched speed and scale, they're helping us advance the frontier of intelligence and ensure AI's benefits reach everyone. Recently, the company signed a $6.3bn agreement with AI chipmaker Nvidia. This includes an initial order and guarantees Nvidia will purchase any unsold cloud computing capacity from CoreWeave. The deal with Nvidia was formalised through a new order form under the existing master services agreement (MSA) established in April 2023. "CoreWeave secures expanded OpenAI contract worth up to $6.5bn" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand. The Cubs will be without one of their top starters for at least the first round of the playoffs, as Cade Horton has been placed on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to September 25) due to a non-displaced right rib fracture. Left-hander Jordan Wicks was called up to take Hortons roster spot for the final two games of Chicagos regular season. Horton made an early exit from his last start on Tuesday due to back soreness, and a follow-up MRI revealed an unspecified issue in his ribcage, as manager Craig Counsell told reporters earlier this week. Horton threw in the outfield yesterday and was slated to throw a bullpen session today, yet those positive signs have now been abruptly overshadowed by the news of the IL placement. In the best-case scenario, Horton is now out of action until at least Game 5 of the NLDS, should the Cubs make it that deep into the second playoff round. Given that narrow window for activation, it doesnt seem likely that the Cubs would include him on an NLDS roster, so a more realistic scenario would see Horton return as part of the NLCS roster if he can get healthy. Of course, Chicagos chances at such a deep postseason run will be a lot more difficult without the rookie who has emerged as a key rotation piece. Horton figures to get plenty of NL Rookie of the Year votes in the wake of a debut season that has seen the right-hander post a 2.67 ERA over his first 118 innings in the bigs. A 4.26 SIERA reflects Hortons underwhelming 20.4% strikeout rate and the good fortune he has enjoyed in the both of both a 78.3% strand rate and a .258 BABIP, but Hortons 6.9% walk rate is very solid. Theres also the fact that Horton (the seventh overall pick of the 2022 draft) was getting better as he gained more experience. He posted a 4.45 ERA across his first 56 2/3 innings, but then delivered just a 1.03 ERA over his next 12 starts and 61 1/3 frames. This was seemingly a good omen for Horton and the Cubs as the playoffs loomed, as the rookie had locked up a spot in Chicagos postseason rotation. The Cubs should have enough starting pitching options to get by, even if their depth chart has now been shortened. Shota Imanaga, Matthew Boyd, and either Colin Rea or Jameson Taillon will be the starters for the best-of-three Wild Card Series, and that quartet should line up as the rotation for the remainder of the postseason. Javier Assad is also in line to be at least a multi-inning reliever in October, and Counsell has indicated that hell use his entire pitching staff to navigate the playoffs, perhaps outside of traditional starter/reliever roles. With two games left in the regular season, the Cubs are two games ahead of the Padres for the top NL wild card slot. Unless the Cubs go 0-2 and the Padres go 2-0 the rest of the way, their NLWCS will be played in Chicago, with Game 1 set for Tuesday. The Rangers have claimed right-hander Dom Hamel off waivers from the Orioles, as per announcements from both teams. Hamel has been optioned to the Rangers Arizona Complex League team, and second baseman Marcus Semien was moved to the Texas 60-day injured list to make space for Hamel on the 40-man roster. A third-round pick for the Mets in the 2021 draft, Hamel made his MLB debut in the form of one scoreless inning in New Yorks 7-4 loss to San Diego on September 17. That first game kicked off a busy 11-day stretch for Hamel, who has now changed teams twice via the waiver wire. The Mets designated Hamel for assignment the day after his debut, and the Orioles claimed him off waivers, only to DFA Hamel again on Thursday. The right-hander now heads to the Rangers and a familiar locale, as Hamel played his college ball at Dallas Baptist University. Hamel has all three minor league options remaining, which could help his chances of remaining on the 40-man roster throughout the offseason and making it to Spring Training to compete for a bullpen job. Over 192 1/3 career Triple-A innings, Hamel has a 6.27 ERA. He has had trouble keeping the ball in the park at the top minor league level, but he has decent strikeout numbers and his walk rate improved greatly in 2025. Hamel also started working as a reliever more often this year, so a long relief or swingman role might be in the cards as the righty looks to carve out a niche as a big leaguer. Semien hasnt played since August 21, due to a Lisfranc sprain and a fractured third metatarsal bone in his left foot. The move from the 10-day IL to the 60-day is just a paper transaction as Semien wasnt going to play again anyway in 2025, especially now that Texas has been eliminated from the playoff race. The award-winning documentary and a Q&A with the Muskegon chef is coming to The Frauenthal Center for Performing Arts for one night only. 17h ago The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore by Pyramid Point trail in Port Oneida, Mich. on Friday, October. 4, 2024. Joel Bissell | MLive.com From River Raisin to Isle Royale, Michigans national parks offer local history, untamed wilderness and spectacular shorelines, attracting millions of visitors and their dollars every year. 2024 was no exception. The National Park Service recently released the 2024 visitor spending report, which found that park visitors contributed $56 billion to the U.S. economy, supporting vibrant tourism industries in gateway communities. Michigans share was $435 million in total economic impact stemming from $301 million in spending from 2.9 million park visitors. National parks deliver a clear economic return supporting communities, driving tourism, and strengthening local economies in every state, said Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife, and Parks Kevin J. Lilly. RELATED: Lawmakers want Lake Superior island chain to become national park Michigans national park sites include Isle Royale National Park, Keweenaw National Historical Park, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, River Raisin National Battlefield Park and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Sleeping Bear Dunes and Pictured Rocks are by far the favorites, bringing in the most visitors and the most money. Most of the spending goes to lodging and restaurants. RELATED: Taste history: Pick rare 19th century apples at Sleeping Bear Dunes Heres a breakdown of the economic impact of each park in 2024: Isle Royale National Park: $12 million in spending from 28,800 visitors. Keweenaw National Historical Park: $2.2 million spending from 31,200 visitors. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore: $50 million in spending from 953,000 visitors. River Raisin National Battlefield Park: $16.9 million in spending from 241,000 visitors. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: $220 million in spending from 1.7 million visitors. The economic impact across the state is up from 2023 when there were 2.8 million park visitors who spent an estimated $230 million, according to NPS. The data does not include the economic impact of the North Country National Scenic Trail, which crosses multiple states, including Michigan. RELATED: Check this road closure impacting popular trail, beach before your fall trip to Pictured Rocks Results from the visitor spending effects report are available here. Users can view year-by-year trend data and explore current year visitor spending, labor income, value-added, and economic output effects by sector for national, state and local economies. The annual peer-reviewed economics report was prepared by economists from the National Park Service. LANSING, MI -- A 24% tax on marijuana may soon impact the wallets and bank accounts of Michigan cannabis consumers. The House on Thursday, Sept. 25, passed House Bill 4951, which aims to raise $420 million in new tax revenue for road funding from a 24% wholesale tax on marijuana products. The tax could take effect on Jan. 1, if passed by the state Senate. The proposed tax shrank from the 32% figure Gov. Gretchen Whitmer floated as part of her MI Road Ahead plan to fix the damn roads that was announced in February. I dont think that citizens have a bunch of extra money laying around right now, said Robin Schneider, director of the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association, a group that lobbies on behalf of marijuana businesses. Theyre going to go wherever they can get it cheapest. And yes, I think it will be cheaper on the illicit market. Schneider said growers and producers will bear the initial brunt of the new tax, likely resulting in mass layoffs and business closures, but over time the tax burden will be shifted to marijuana consumers. She believes tax revenue projection is a completely fraudulent number, since a large chunk of Michigan marijuana returns -- she estimated 30% -- comes from border sales to out-of-state residents. This will put us at the second highest cannabis tax rate in the country and we will lose our regional advantage, and therefore lose all of those border sales, Schneider said. There will be no reason for them to come here. If the legislation passes in the Senate, Michigan marijuana would include a combined 34% tax, including the existing 10% excise tax on retail sales. Washington is the only other state with a higher rate, currently with a 37% excise tax on retail sales. Related: Marijuana insiders say Gov. Whitmers proposed 32% tax would strangle golden goose CAUGHT OFF GUARD Most industry insiders feared the Legislature would implement a new tax -- and even lobbied against it in Lansing this week -- but were nevertheless blindsided by House passage of the bill which many didnt realize had been introduced, according to Schneider. The legislation was dubbed the comprehensive road funding tax act when presented by state Rep. Samantha Steckloff, D-Farmington Hills, on Sept. 16 and didnt mention marijuana . She didnt respond to an MLive request for comment. Steckloffs substitute bill made clear it aimed to increase marijuana taxes and was filed on Sept. 25, hours before it passed, 78-21, with bipartisan support. While Republicans dont traditionally support tax increases, passage of the legislation aligns with a budget agreement reached between the House, Senate and governor. The agreement included significant road funding increases that rely on new marijuana tax revenue. State Rep. Joseph Aragona, R-Clinton Township, chair of the House Reform Committee, said the state House originally presented a budget that fully funded roads without tax hikes. They, in turn, sent us a budget that overspent by a billion dollars and so they basically said, well, we need to raise taxes, Aragona said. This is the deal that (Democratic state Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks) came to with (Republican state House Majority Leader Matt Hall) and with the governor. We didnt want to do it, we dont like it, but this is the deal that was cut. LOOMING LITIGATION Aragona fully expects the state Senate to also pass the new tax. However, bill opponent Jamie Lowell, president of Michigans National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws chapter, and Schneider, say implementation wont go unchallenged. They believe a 3/4 super-majority is required to implement a new tax, since both recreational and medical marijuana laws were passed by voter ballot initiative. The Michigan Constitution states no law adopted by the people at the polls ... shall be amended or repealed, except by a vote .... by three-fourths of the members elected to and serving in each house of the Legislature. The 2018 recreational marijuana law, known as the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act, established a 10% excise tax on all marijuana sales and outlines the distribution, 35% of which is pegged for roads and bridges. In 2024, nearly $116 million of the states $331 million in marijuana excise tax revenue went toward road funding. The 10% excise tax was purposefully put as the sole tax, said Lowell, who advocated for and helped create the 2018 law. The wholesale tax was left out on purpose. It wasnt just left up for grabs. It was passed by the people ... and you can only amend it through a super-majority. The House vote fell five short of a super-majority. Schneider said her organization is working with attorneys on a legal strategy, should the legislation pass. Any litigation would likely include a motion for an emergency injunction to halt the new tax, until the issue is resolved by the courts, she said. Its going to be something that has to go through a different step to find out if its legal or not, Lowell said. And my opinion, if a judge says its good, then the judge was wrong. Aragona said the legal opinion in Lansing is that the Legislature is able to add the wholesale tax without violating the state Constitution. MLive requested comment from state Attorney General Dana Nessels office regarding whether the tax might violate the super-majority requirement and is awaiting response. BASEMENT PRICES The move to increase marijuana taxes comes as the industry is experiencing record-low prices. As of August, the retail cost of an ounce of marijuana was just under $62, a 24% decline over the previous year. The market is on track to generate over $3 billion for the second straight year. Schneider is concerned a significant price increase could push consumers toward the black market, which continues to compete with legalized industries across the nation. And its occurring at a time when Schneider said many businesses are struggling to survive on smaller profit margins. She said other states have already tried to implement similar taxes, citing California. California Gov. Gavin Newsom this week signed legislation repealing a 25% tax hike imposed on his states marijuana industry. Legislators there said the move was intended to give legal businesses a fair chance of surviving amid strong black-market competition. Theres going to be a hassle with this whether it passes or doesnt pass, Lowell said. If it passes, theres going to be a legal challenge on it for not amending the act and for circumventing the voter intent. This image provided by NASA/European Space Agency shows an image captured by Hubble of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS on July 21, 2025, when the comet was 277 million miles from Earth. AP A mysterious interstellar object will be visible for a couple more nights before it gets too close to the sun to observe, according to NASA. Comet 3I/ATLAS, the third interstellar object ever detected, will be visible from ground-based telescopes through the end of September, NASA said. It will reach its closest approach to the sun around Oct. 30 - just inside the orbit of Mars. By early December, it will re-emerge on the other side of the sun and again be visible. The comet poses no threat to Earth and will remain at a distance of at least 150 million miles, according to NASA. This diagram shows the trajectory of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as it passes through the solar system. It will make its closest approach to the Sun in October. NASA/JPL-Caltech 3I/ATLAS was first discovered on July 1 by the NASA-funded ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) survey telescope in Rio Hurtado, Chile. ATLAS reported a comet that originated from interstellar space, from the direction of the constellation Sagittarius. Since the first report, pre-discovery observations were gathered, extending back to June 14. According to Livescience, the object is traveling towards the sun extremely fast, around 152,000 mph and is on an flat and straight trajectory thats unlike anything else in the solar system. The other two known interstellar visitors were spotted in 2019 and 2017, according to Livescience. Comet 2I/Borisov passed through in 2019. Oumuamua, a cigar-shaped object that appeared in 2017, sparked a social media flurry after it was suggested it was an alien probe. Bitcoin was one of more than a dozen cryptocurrencies seized by the U.S. government in a case concerning a "pig butchering" scam. Getty Images It started with a message on LinkedIn. She said her name was Anna and that she was working on a project in Toronto for a tech company. She said she had noticed improper large-volume trading in a cryptocurrency and it was the chance of a lifetime. An Ypsilanti man identified in court documents only as D.C. apparently believed her. He opened accounts with Coinbase and Crypto.com when she told him to and then transferred the money into what she said was an offshoot of the cryptocurrency derivatives trading platform Deribit. It wasnt. When it looked like hed lost everything, he took her advice to reinvest. When his apparently profitable account was supposedly frozen, flagged for possibly illegal transactions, he paid tens of thousands of dollars to unfreeze it like she told him shed done. He lost close to $500,000. Hed fallen prey to a scam called pig butchering, characterized by its combination of prolonged emotional manipulation and sophisticated fraudulent investment schemes, according to one recent study. The details of the case come from a complaint filed this month in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, seeking the forfeiture of nearly $163 million in more than a dozen different cryptocurrencies in an overseas account seized by the federal government during a criminal investigation in 2022. Forfeiture would make the money government property. Its unclear where a broader criminal case might stand. A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Michigan declined to provide any additional information. The seizure doesnt appear to match other high-profile pig butchering cases, and the scammers whose names and pseudonyms are included in the forfeiture complaint dont appear to be defendants in other federal court cases. But the document does provide a rare glimpse into the inner workings of a scam that has grown with the rise of cryptocurrencies and of organized cyberfraud operations overseas and that often robs its victims of huge sums of money. They call it pig butchering because the process that the scammer follows here is similar to what you would do in raising a pig for slaughter, said Rajvardhan Oak, a doctoral student at the University of California at Davis who has interviewed pig butchering victims and published research on the structure of the scams. You fatten up a pig so its a better slaughter for you. A Canton man identified only a P.N. received a text from a woman he didnt know. She said her name was Susan and that her mother had told her to contact him about the possibility of marriage. He said she had the wrong person, according to the complaint. She apologized but kept contacting him, eventually adding him to her friend group in the messaging app Line. Text messages supposedly sent in error are among the most common entries into pig butchering scams. The scammer will initiate contact with you and will build up a relationship with you. They will try to be your friend. Some might try to build romantic relationships. Some of them might try to build professional relationships, Oak said. The difference between this and any other virtual scam is that this phase of building a connection or building a relationship, it lasts for months, he said. Susan, who said her Chinese name was Huiming Chen, eventually told P.N. that she had an uncle doing cryptocurrency investment analysis who would tell her when to make trades. She helped P.N. install an app on his phone to open an account with Penzo, a cryptocurrency broker later accused of perpetrating fraud against consumers by Californias Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. Scammers will steer their victims toward websites they control, Oak said, which allows them to create the illusion of quick and easy profits and conveniently timed losses. Those are scammer-controlled websites, he said. So when people start seeing wild gates on whatever they have put in, thats because the scammer controls the website. They can just show people whatever numbers they want. In P.N.s case, he seemed to be earning close to 20% profit on his initial investment, according to court documents, and after several trades, Susan encouraged him to invest more. He borrowed $280,000 and added close to $400,000 of his own money. Soon thereafter, his Penzo account had apparently doubled and was worth approximately $1.27 million, the complaint said. On one of the next trades, he lost everything. Susan stopped responding to his messages. The federal government tracked at least two transfers out of his Coinbase account totaling nearly $123,000. The money was converted to USDC, a cryptocurrency stablecoin, at Susans direction, according to the complaint, then converted into another cryptocurrency called Tether and then then rapidly transferred into and out of multiple intermediary wallet addresses. A portion of it ended up in the account the U.S. government seized, the account it is now seeking to obtain through civil forfeiture, arguing that it is part of a money laundering operation. That account was linked to an individual in Thailand identified in court documents only as Person A, who brokered cryptocurrency transactions, funded accounts in casinos with cryptocurrency and exchanged cryptocurrencies for Thai Baht. Person A has entered into an agreement with the U.S. government, disclaiming any interest in the millions in cryptocurrency in the account, according to the complaint. Pig butchering scams seem to have originated in China at the end of the 2010s. Most still seem to originate from Asian countries, and, in many instances, are perpetrated by individuals who have been trafficked and forced to participate in the scam. In 2023, the United Nations estimated that there were 220,000 individuals being forcibly held in compounds in Cambodia and Myanmar alone operate these scams. A study by University of Texas researchers published last year, estimated that pig butchering scams had cost victims across the globe somewhere between $16 billion and $33 billion annually since 2020. Oak said he asked the victims of pig butchering scams he interviewed why they thought theyd fallen for it, what made the scammers believable. The answers that stood out, he said, was the long time that the scammer took to groom the victim and the intricacy with which they had built their persona with photos, video calls, social media profiles. If you met someone online and youve spoken to them for six months without any mention of or without any pressure from them to invest in crypto and they have these socials and everything, then its quite likely that youre doing to think that this person is real. ZikG/Shutterstock Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. Costco just started offering its top-tier members something regular shoppers cant buy: an empty store. Since June 30, the warehouse giants Executive Members have been able to shop on weekdays starting at 9 a.m. which is one hour earlier than everyone else. On Saturdays, Executive Members get a 30-minute head start instead. Must Read Those without a premium membership [1] will be turned away. "Our Executive Members are our most loyal members, and we want to reward them for their commitment to Costco, a Costco spokesperson explained in an email to Business Insider [2]. Still, not everyone is applauding the change, including staff and non-Executive Members. Heres what this preferential treatment means for Americans. Executives only Costco allowed a short grace period after rolling out the perk in late June before enforcing it as of September 1. To access the retailers top-tier perks, shoppers need an Executive Membership, which costs $130 annually. That fee includes annual rewards [3] and a $10 monthly credit on eligible online orders over $150. By comparison, Gold Star and Business memberships run $65 annually. Most shoppers approve of the upgrade. Half of Costcos U.S. members pay for Executive status, and theyre responsible for 73% of the warehouse giants sales, according to Costco [4] data. The initial response has been positive, with customers saying it has made their shopping experience smoother. It is such a relaxing shopping environment and not survival of the fittest, one Reddit [5] user, ReasonableCucumber10, wrote on the CostcoWholesale forum. Another member, posting under the name my4thfavoritecolor, added: I used it for the first time today. I could make a return without waiting in the giant line and then went and spent $200 elsewhere. Win, win! But not everyone is cheering. When Costco announced the policy change, some shoppers accused the warehouse giant of favoring big spenders. Read more: Here are the 7 top habits of quietly wealthy Americans how many do you follow? Does the upgrade pay off? At $130 a year, Costcos Executive Membership costs twice as much as its Gold Membership. The return on investment depends largely on a customers shopping frequency and spending habits. The Washtenaw County Sheriffs Office has provided a redacted version of the information originally requested by Michigan Open Carry as part of a settlement agreement between the two parties, according to Tom Lambert, attorney for the advocacy group. File photo. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI -- A lawsuit brought by a firearm advocacy group against the Washtenaw County Sheriffs Office has been settled out of court. The Washtenaw County Sheriffs Office has provided a redacted version of the information originally requested by Michigan Open Carry, Inc. as part of a settlement agreement between the two parties, according to Tom Lambert, attorney for the advocacy group. Michigan Open Carry, Inc. alleged the office broke the Freedom of Information Act by denying a request to release a preapplication form used by the sheriffs office. The form, the organization alleged, was given to applicants prior to a state-mandated application for a license to purchase a firearm. This situation originated as a FOIA complaint and has since been amicably resolved, Washtenaw County Sheriff Alyshia Dyer said. Lambert echoed the sentiment, saying sheriffs counsel helped resolve the matter amicably. The organization asked for both a blank copy of the preapplication form, as well as any forms submitted between Dec. 1, 2024 and the date the request was fulfilled, according to the lawsuit. Although firearm records are exempt from the Freedom of Information Act under Michigan law, Lambert argued the exemption did not apply because the preapplication form is not a mandated form. Open Carry was seeking to understand what the form looks like and if the county is asking irrelevant questions, Lambert previously said. There was also a concern the county may be using the preapplication forms to deny licenses. The advocacy organization received the records in June, Lambert said. The lawsuit was formally dismissed in August. Court records indicate it was dismissed after the case failed to progress. Lambert said that was a clerical error, but not worth fixing since the settlement was well underway. We didnt have to fix it; we just let it go, Lambert said. The sheriffs office is no longer using the preapplication forms, Lambert said. The only form needed to obtain a license to purchase a firearm in the county is the form required by the Michigan State Police, a sheriffs office representative confirmed. I believe the sheriffs office has come to the realization that they should not have been doing so, Lambert said. They deserve all the credit for making the right decision. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page. The Arreola family's plans to open La Michoacana Ice Cream, 418 W. Michigan Ave. in downtown Ypsilanti, have been delayed after a vehicle crashed through the building, but it is still on the way. Jen Eberbach/MLive YPSILANTI, MI A family of local business owners was nearing their goal of opening a new Mexican ice cream parlor when a vehicle crashed into the building Sunday and caught fire. As the Arreola family regroups and repairs in downtown Ypsilanti, they are still excited to bring La Michoacana Ice Cream to the community - even if it has to open later than expected. Cousins and co-owners Christian and Sergio Arreola still hope to open the parlor before the end of the year at 418 W. Michigan Ave. next to Dos Hermanos, the restaurant, market and events space owned by their fathers - brothers Nicholas and Reyes Arreola. The ice cream parlor will serve flavors and toppings that are popular in Michoacan, a state in Mexico from which the family originates. It will also serve up snacks and handmade beverages. La Michoacana is a famous ice cream place from the part of Mexico where my family is from, Christian Arreola said. Thats what made us bring that over here into Ypsi, because there is nothing really around here. There are many Michoacana ice cream parlors in Mexico and the U.S. The style is known to many in the Hispanic community, the family says. We call it Mexican-style gelato. These are all fresh, handmade ice creams, made with fresh fruit, including water-based and milk-based varieties, Arreola said. He said the ice creams come in some crazy varieties, including mangonada with mangos and chamoy sauce, a savory sauce made with pickled fruit and chili powder. Other flavors include Gansito a sweet pastry as well as tequila and avocado, which Sergio Arreola said sounds weird but is really good. They will also serve varieties of ice creams that are more typical at ice cream parlors in the U.S., like strawberry, pecan and pistachio, Christian Arreola said. Choices for toppings include all sorts of foods, not only sprinkles and peanuts but also things like Doritos, sour cream, and gazpacho with lime and orange juice, chili powder and cheese. The parlor will also serve homemade beverages made with fresh fruits, like mango and guava, along with horchata, rompope eggnog and Mexican brew coffee, among other drinks. Snacks will include loaded chips, street corn, churros, and mini pancakes. The cousins also own a food truck called Los 2 Primos, which they take to private events and festivals. They recently won a peoples choice award at the Novi Taco Fest. Christian Arreola opened an ice cream parlor at La Tiendita, a Mexican market and restaurant he owns in Westland. Other members of the family opened an ice cream parlor location at Dos Hermanos Express, 25 Jackson Industrial Drive in Scio Township just west of Ann Arbor. Unfortunately, there is a lot of work ahead to repair the building following the crash and finish renovations. Nicholas Arreola shows damages at 418 W. Michigan Ave. in Ypsilanti, after a vehicle crashed through the building, which he owns with his brother Reyes. The space will become a Mexican ice cream parlor owned by his son and nephew. Jen Eberbach/MLive In the middle of the night, around 3:30 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 21, a car crashed into the building before catching fire. The family feels lucky to be located close to emergency services, and the firefighters were able to get the fire under control. Fire and police responded right away, Reyes Arreola said. We were lucky it was nighttime when no one was around. Ypsilanti police had been responding to a complaint of shots fired in the 600 block of Pearl Street when they learned a black SUV had fled the area and crashed into the building, police said in a release. The driver, who fled the scene, was located by police and arrested, police said. Charges have been submitted to the Washtenaw County Prosecutors Office. A wall is boarded up on the side of 418 W. Michigan Ave. in Ypsilanti, a future ice cream parlor, after a vehicle crash through it, shown Thursday, Sept. 26, 2025. Jen Eberbach/MLive The vehicle crashed through three walls, crashing through a wall off the parking lot, continuing through an interior bathroom wall and blowing out a door at the back of the building. It is not the first time a vehicle has crashed into the storefronts Nicholas and Reyes own on West Michigan Ave., near a curve in the road. Weve already had four accidents, Reyes Arreola said. One of those accidents, in March 2023, involved an SUV driving through the cinderblock exterior wall of Dos Hermanos Market, 412 W. Michigan Ave., which temporarily closed the market. A solution could be building a retaining wall on their property, and their contractor is pursuing a permit for one. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page. Erin Russell, a junior at Kendall College of Art and Design, poses with this illustration of Ferris State University mascot Brutus the Bulldog for a 2025 university billboard campaign to run at the same time as ArtPrize. (Photo by Ellen Dziubek provided by Ferris State University) Ellen Dziubek GRAND RAPIDS, MI - As locals and visitors wander Grand Rapids streets for unique ArtPrize entries, one West Michigan university displays student art on a different type of canvas right above them. This month, Ferris State University launched a city-wide billboard campaign to accompany ArtPrize. The international art competition takes over downtown Grand Rapids and nearby areas for two weeks each year. The billboard campaign, titled Make it Here, will highlight the talents of Ferris State students by displaying their artwork on 20 billboards across the city during the festival. Dave Murray, Ferris States associate vice president of marketing and communications, said Grand Rapids is the center of the creative world during ArtPrize, so were proud to highlight our creative students on billboards throughout the city. These arent along the highways, but instead in the neighborhoods, often not far from ArtPrize venues, he said. People who appreciate creativity - and who might be considering a career in creative fields - will be excited to see the next generations of our regions rising artistic stars. The campaign features 13 original student artworks and designs from Ferris State and Kendall College of Art and Design (KCAD), the universitys Grand-Rapids based art and design college. The selected work ranges from fine art to technical design and even welding. ArtPrize runs from Sept. 18 through Oct. 4, and the 16-day competition features entries from 930 artists at 155 venues throughout Grand Rapids. That includes more than 50 Ferris State alumni, faculty and students submitting 53 entries, according to a Ferris State website. The billboard campaign will give an additional venue for students like Erin Russell, a junior in KCADs illustration program. Russells work, featured on Leonard St. just west of US-131, is an illustration of Ferris mascot Brutus the Bulldog. Colored in bold yellow, pink and teal, three iterations of Brutus clutch a paintbrush, paint palette and dripping paint bucket in their mouths. Standing out against a pink checkered background, theyre surrounded by stars. Erin Russell, a junior at Kendall College of Art and Design, created this illustration of Ferris State University mascot Brutus the Bulldog for a 2025 university billboard campaign to run at the same time as ArtPrize. Billboard concept courtesy of Ferris State University. Ferris State University Last semester, I was designing mock billboards for class, and now I have one of my own. It feels amazing, Russell said. KCAD has changed me. The people Ive met, the community Ive built, the connections Ive made - theyre impacting me and helping me become better than I am today. The campaign extends beyond KCAD to also include students from Ferris States main campus in Big Rapids. Austin Nesbitt, a senior in the Product Design Engineering Technology program, was selected for a mixed-media piece that blends photography and illustration. Nesbitts billboard is a black-and-white self-portrait, split in two to showcase a colorful skeleton. Music, film, flowers and birds pour out. Austin Nesbitt, a senior at Ferris State University, created a mixed-media piece for a 2025 university billboard campaign to run at the same time as ArtPrize. Photo courtesy of Ferris State University. Ferris State University My program is more on the technical side, but its cool that Ferris State gives us opportunities to express ourselves, Nesbitt said. A map of billboard locations, according to Ferris State, can be found below. Information on the exact location of the 20 billboards, and the artists featured, can be found online. Ferris State has a long record of ArtPrize participation. Last year, five winners of juried and public awards were KCAD alumni, including the $125,000 Public Grand Prize winner John Katerberg, a 2015 graduate with a bachelors of fine arts in painting. This year, six Ferris State students make up the team of interns who have been working to bring ArtPrize to life since the spring, working along full-time staff on fundraising development, coordinating venue and artist connections and providing marketing and communications support. Stephen Halko, KCADs interim dean, said creativity and making are at the heart of so much of what we do, not just at KCAD but throughout the University. Its incredible to see this many Ferris community members involved in ArtPrize, he said. We prepare our graduates to shape things that shape our world, and one of the worlds largest and most radically open art competitions is no exception. ArtPrize is organized through a community partnership between the city of Grand Rapids, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. and Ferris State Universitys Kendall College of Art and Design. Apart from exploring the entries and voting for their favorites, visitors to the 2025 competition will have a chance to experience special events. This is an MLive file photo. The St. Joseph Sheriffs Office was assisted by the St. Joseph Valley Special Response Team, Three Rivers Police Department, White Pigeon Police, and St. Joseph County 911 Central Dispatch. MLive.com file photo CENTREVILLE, MI - On Friday, Sept. 26, the St. Joseph County Sheriffs Office responded to a reported threat against government staff and employees at the Centreville Courthouse. Police said due to the coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies, courthouse staff and the Prosecutors Office, a 64-year-old man from the White Piegon area was safely apprehended without incident. The suspect is currently lodged at the St. Joseph County Jail on charges of making terrorist threats. Police assure the community there is no active threat to the public at this time, according to the news release. In a statement, Sheriff Chad L. Spence said the safety of the courthouse, its staff and the public is a top priority, and that theyre grateful for the professionalism and cooperation displayed by all involved. The St. Joseph Sheriffs Office was assisted by the St. Joseph Valley Special Response Team, Three Rivers Police Department, White Pigeon Police, and St. Joseph County 911 Central Dispatch. This successful outcome reflects the strength of our partnerships and the trust placed in our security personnel, the statement reads. The St. Joseph County Sheriffs Office will not tolerate any threats or acts of violence against government officials, employees, or community members. We remain committed to ensuring the safety and security of all. Former juvenile lifer Amy Black owes family of man she killed nearly $2M MUSKEGON, MI Barb VanBogelen realizes she will likely never get most of the roughly $2 million shes owed from the woman who murdered her husband in 1990. The widow of nearly 35 years is realistic. She understands Amy Lee Black, a former juvenile lifer and now a free woman, wont be able to repay the hefty sum. But VanBogelen vowed to drain Black of every penny she has. I have said since Day 1, If she has a dime and I can take a nickel of it, Im taking it, VanBogelen said. Im going to make her life hell. Black was 16 years old when she and her boyfriend, Jeffrey Abrahamson, killed 34-year-old Dave VanBogelen a husband and father of two in rural Muskegon County. Dave VanBogelen, a husband and father of two young children, was found dead on Dec. 7, 1990, in rural Muskegon County. He was bludgeoned and repeatedly stabbed. Amy Lee Black, then 16, and her boyfriend, Jeffrey Abrahamsom, were both convicted of first-degree murder for VanBogelens death and sentenced to life in prison. A U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2012 said a mandatory life sentence was cruel and unusual punishment for a juvenile. Black was later resentenced and paroled from prison in September 2022. Prior to her release, a Muskegon County judge ordered her to pay $1.87 million in restitution to the VanBogelen family. Photo provided by Barb VanBogelen Black was tried as an adult, convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced in 1991 to a mandatory term of life without parole. Things changed for Black decades later after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling would allow her to receive a lesser sentence. Black was one of 10 female juvenile lifers in Michigan up for resentencing. A Muskegon County judge reduced Blacks punishment to a term of years in 2021 and ordered her to pay $1.87 million in restitution to the VanBogelen family. She was paroled one year later. Black, now 51, has paid less than $1,000 since her release, court records show. Jail time is a possible punishment for not complying with the court order but its rare, a Muskegon County prosecutor said. Barb VanBogelen has followed both criminal cases involving her husbands killers for decades. She expressed her frustrations with the justice system and thoughts about Blacks repayment efforts in an interview with MLive/Muskegon Chronicle. VanBogelen briefly choked up when asked about the possibility of her husbands second killer being released from prison because of a new law. (Black and Abrahamson) get their get-out-of-jail-free cards, she said. Where is Daves get-out-of-the-grave card? A gruesome murder and second chance at freedom The killing happened in the early morning hours on Dec. 7, 1990. Black and 19-year-old Abrahamson encountered Dave VanBogelen in a Muskegon Heights restaurant. The couple lured VanBogelen into an apartment so they could rob him. VanBogelen was bludgeoned, repeatedly stabbed, and left on a rural road in Fruitport Township. Black and Abrahamson were convicted of first-degree murder and armed robbery at trial. Both were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Black sat in a Michigan prison for 21 years before a U.S. Supreme Court ruling gave her the opportunity for freedom. In 2012, the high court ruled that an automatic life sentence was cruel and unusual punishment for those 17 and younger. Now-retired Muskegon County Circuit Judge Timothy Hicks resentenced Black in August 2021 to 35-60 years, making her immediately eligible for parole. Hicks ordered Black to pay $1.87 million a figure determined by an actuary in restitution to the VanBogelen family. Black agreed to repay the amount, court records show. The Michigan Supreme Court has ruled that requiring convicted defendants to pay restitution, even if the original sentence did not include it, does not violate constitutional protections. Black was granted parole and walked out of prison in September 2022 after 31 years in prison. Upon her release, she was placed on a plan to pay $25 a month toward restitution, court testimony revealed. With that payment plan, fulfilling the restitution would take about 6,200 years. Months went by after Blacks release, and Barb VanBogelen still hadnt received her first restitution check. She contacted the Muskegon County Prosecutors Office for guidance. Payments go nowhere There are various mechanisms for a victim to try and enforce the restitution orders, Senior Assistant Prosecutor Heather Bloomquist, who handles juvenile lifer cases, told MLive/Muskegon Chronicle. A judge can impose jail time or additional fines. However, that is rare because it prevents the victim from being made whole, Bloomquist said. Another method is through a hearing where prosecutors show a judge the lack of payment a defendant has made. Black was before Muskegon County Circuit Judge Matthew Kacel in late August for failing to make genuine efforts toward restitution. She appeared virtually, without an attorney, from her apartment in southeast Michigan. Amy Lee Black appeared virtually for a show cause hearing in Muskegon County Circuit Court on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025. Black, now 51, was 16 years old when she and her boyfriend, Jeffrey Abrahamson, 34-year-old Dave VanBogelen in 1991 in rural Muskegon County. Prior to her release from prison, Black was ordered to pay $1.87 million in restitution to the VanBogelen family. Her August court appearance was due to a lack of genuine effort to repay the debt. Bradley Massman | MLive.com This is a significant amount of restitution and very little has been paid, Bloomquist said at the Aug. 20 hearing. Black told Kacel she has not been able to find a job since her release and lives off Supplemental Security Income. She detailed her monthly bills and other finances before telling the judge, If ever I get a job, I will pay more. I do not have $1 million sitting around in the bank, Black said. Kacel said he expects to make payments but reminded her that there are penalties he can enforce if she doesnt. Im never going to order you to immediately pay $1.8 million, Kacel said. But the law requires to have you continue to pay a reasonable sum based on your income until its paid off. No action was taken, and instead, the hearing was adjourned for 90 days to see if theres been any improvement. Black isnt the only one responsible for the $1.87 million. Abrahamson, Blacks accomplice in the killing, is serving his life sentence at the Thumb Correctional Facility in Lapeer. Amy Lee Black, 16, and boyfriend Jeffrey Abrahamson, 19, appear in Muskegon County's 60th District Court on December 11, 1990 for their arraignment for the murder of David VanBogelen, 34, on December 7, 1990. Black was convicted on May 22, 1991 as an adult and is still in prison. Abrahamson was also convicted of the murder. (Muskegon Chronicle/Ken Stevens) Abrahamson too will have a shot at freedom after the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that 19- and 20-year-olds who commit first-degree murder cannot automatically be sentenced to life in prison. A judge can still sentence a defendant to life in prison and Muskegon County prosecutors plan to request the judge keep Abrahamson locked up for life. Prosecutors will also ask a judge to make Abrahamson liable for the restitution order. If the request is granted, Black and Abrahamson must pay the full amount until its paid off. It doesnt matter who pays what amount either, Bloomquist said. The idea of her husbands killers roaming the streets together freely makes Barb VanBogelen feel helpless, she said. You cant tell me these kids at that age dont know what could happen to them if they kill somebody, she said. Criminals have more rights than victims and their families. Debt will likely never go away Paying a nearly $2 million debt off is a difficult task for the average person, let alone someone who is readjusting to society after decades of incarceration with a felony record. During the August proceeding, Black asked the judge how she could make the debt go away, telling him shell never be able to pay it off. Black isnt the first defendant to struggle with restitution payments. In most cases, defendants dont get close to paying restitution in full, Bloomquist said. Its a really sad reality for our victims, she said. Dave VanBogelen, a husband and father of two young children, was found dead on Dec. 7, 1990, in rural Muskegon County. He was bludgeoned and repeatedly stabbed. Amy Lee Black, then 16, and her boyfriend, Jeffrey Abrahamsom, were both convicted of first-degree murder for VanBogelens death and sentenced to life in prison. A U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2012 said a mandatory life sentence was cruel and unusual punishment for a juvenile. Black was later resentenced and paroled from prison in September 2022. Prior to her release, a Muskegon County judge ordered her to pay $1.87 million in restitution to the VanBogelen family. Photo provided by Barb VanBogelen Resources are available to victims to help ensure they receive at least a portion of restitution owed. The Crime Victim Compensation program helps pay out-of-pocket expenses for people who have been harmed as the direct result of a crime. Its operated through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The program is considered the payer of last resort, meaning private insurance or other public funds, if available, must be utilized first to become eligible. Victims can seek compensation for various claims such as psychological counseling and medical expenses. Compensation varies and coverage isnt guaranteed for every applicant. Black will appear, likely virtually, in a Muskegon County courtroom in mid-November to update the judge on her repayment efforts. To date, shes paid $932 toward restitution, court records show. For now, Barb VanBogelen will keep receiving a $25 check each month. The money is set aside with no real plans of what to do with it. Right now, Im fine with letting it just sit there, she said. Its been put where it needs to be to not dig up demons. TUSCOLA COUNTY, MI -The Tuscola County Sheriffs Office (TCSO) reported on social media that deputies responded to a two-vehicle crash labeled as unknown on Friday night in Michigans Lower Peninsula. The crash occurred at approximately 9 p.m., Sept. 26, on Deckerville Road near Hurds Corner Road in Cass City. Callers on scene advised there were multiple injuries. The TCSO stated that they learned a 55-year-old Florida man was driving a loaded commercial semi-truck with one female passenger on Hurds Corner Road when he failed to stop at a stop sign. Police said the semi-truck collided with a Jeep occupied by 8 Cass City residents traveling eastbound on Deckerville Road. Three were pronounced dead on the scene, and all other occupants of the Jeep were transported to respective hospitals, some in critical condition, police said. The driver and passenger of the semi truck were transported to the hospital for minor injuries. The Florida man was subsequently arrested, and a report is being forwarded to the Tuscola County prosecutor for formal charges, police said. This remains an active investigation. The TCSO is not releasing the names at this time, but is asking the public to pay more attention when driving. We are having far too many crashes that are destroying peoples lives, the TCSO wrote. Detroit Red Wings prospect Nate Danielson gets a shot under the pads of Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry during a preseason game in 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) AP The Pittsburgh Penguins scored a pair of unanswered goals in the third period Friday and defeated the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 in a preseason game at PPG Paints Arena. The Penguins comeback offset a two-goal performance from the Red Wings John Leonard and a strong preseason debut for goaltender John Gibson, a Pittsburgh native. Detroit dropped to 2-1-0. Gibson stopped 12-of-13 shots in 32 minutes, including multiple quality scoring chances. The Penguins scored twice on seven shots against Michal Postava. Former Red Wings forward Robby Fabbri, who joined the Penguins on a pro tryout, tied it at 2-2 at 4:46 of the third by taking the puck to the net and firing in a shot through traffic. Philip Tomasino put the Penguins ahead with a power-play goal at 9:54. Both teams dressed mostly prospects and AHL players. Leonard, 27, tied for second in the AHL with 36 goals and 10th with 61 points last season for the Charlotte Checkers, the Florida Panthers affiliate. The Red Wings signed him to a one-year contract on July 1 to provide organizational depth and a bona fide scorer for the Grand Rapids Griffins. Leonard scored twice in the first period. He beat Tristan Jarry with a wrist shot at 13:38 while breaking in alone on the left side. He scored on the power play at 18:20, floating the puck toward the net from just inside the blue line. The Red Wings visit the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday (3 p.m., no TV, livestreamed on DetroitRedWings.com). The federal Department of Education announced recently that its launching a new initiative to warn students and their families about the benefits and risks of taking on federal student loans. The outreach will fall under the Office of the Ombudsman, which previously focused on resolving borrower complaints. It has since been renamed the Office of Consumer Education and Ombudsman. Must Read The department said in a news release that the offices focus was shifting because the outstanding federal student loan portfolio now stands at $1.67 trillion, while loan defaults and delinquencies remain at record highs [1]. According to the release, 42.3 million borrowers have student loans. As of June 2025, more than six million borrowers were delinquent and approximately 5.3 million borrowers were in default. Changes impacting borrowers The federal government resumed collections on defaulted student loans in May. Payments on those loans had been paused since March 2020. President Donald Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill Act repealed the previous Biden administrations Saving on a Valuable Education plan, which was designed to lower monthly payments for millions of borrowers. In its announcement that collections would resume, the Department of Education under the current administration referred to loan forgiveness programs as schemes and blamed the Biden administration for failing to process income-driven repayment applications. Consumer advocates criticized the departments new focus on financial literacy, saying more pressing issues exist. In a CNBC interview, Carolina Rodriguez, director of the Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program in New York, said the move diverts attention from the urgent need to resolve consumer complaints and systemic servicing failures. As of the end of July, more than 1.3 million income-driven repayment (IDR) applications were backlogged. IDR plans limit monthly payments based on a borrowers income and family size rather than the loan amount [2]. In February, the Trump administration took down the online IDR application system, drawing sharp criticism, and then reopened it in March. 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. Archisha Yadav USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept 6 / 9 Lamhe Lamhe is known to be one of Yash Chopra's most innovative and creatively complex films, which deals with an unusual love story. The older Pallavi is the focus of Viren's passionate love, but she gets married to someone else. After Pallavi passes away, Viren takes on the role of parent for her daughter, Pallavi, who eventually develops a striking resemblance to her mother and develops feelings for the much older Viren, which forces him to face his emotions from the past and present. John Abraham to star with Meenakshi Chaudhary in Force 3, filming begins in November: Report Gayatri Rani USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept 1 / 10 Emmys 2025 She didnt just walk the Emmys red carpetshe dominated it. Jenna showed up in a Sarah Burton for Givenchy number covered in dangling gemstones and pearls across her torso. It looked like jewellery floating on skin. Paired with a sleek black skirt and towering heels, it was daring, bold, and exactly the kind of outfit that keeps her in headlines. Jennifer Lawrence calls violence in Palestine Genocide: Im terrified for all of our Children at San Sebastian Film Festival Nakul Tomar USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. 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I Accept Key Points Elon Musk announced on X that Tesla is partnering with Samsung to help produce its custom AI chips. This development may seem striking since Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing commands nearly 70% of the global chip-foundry business. While Samsung's partnership with Tesla represents a major win, there are some important nuances to understand about this deal. 10 stocks we like better than Samsung Electronics When investors think about powerhouses in the semiconductor industry, the usual names that dominate the conversation are Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices, and Broadcom. These companies are responsible for designing the high-performance chips and networking hardware powering next-generation data centers at an unprecedented scale. Operating more quietly in the background, however, is Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE: TSM). While TSMC (as it is also known) is less flashy than its peers in the race for artificial intelligence (AI) chips, the company's supporting role is nonetheless mission-critical. As the world's largest chip foundry by revenue -- with almost 70% market share -- TSMC is the manufacturer behind many of the AI industry's most advanced processors. Its dominance has left rivals like Intel struggling to catch up, with meaningful market share gains appearing more like a pipe dream than measurable reality. But in a surprising twist, Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently highlighted a big break for one of those rivals, Samsung Electronics (OTC: SSNL.F), giving its investors some much-needed optimism. The announcement raises an important question: Will Samsung's latest win usher in a new era of growth and pose a serious challenge to TSMC's supremacy? Why Samsung's deal with Tesla matters In late July, Musk announced on X that Tesla had signed a $16.5 billion agreement with Samsung to produce its next-generation inference chip, known as the AI6. Samsung will be manufacturing these chips at a new foundry in Texas, strategically positioning the company closer to Tesla's headquarters and reinforcing its footprint beyond South Korea. Tesla's upcoming innovations -- most notably its Robotaxi platform and Optimus humanoid robot -- will demand highly sophisticated chip designs and huge computing capacity to function. This makes securing advanced foundry services essential for the company's ambitions in a rapidly evolving AI landscape. Image source: Getty Images. How does Samsung's relationship with Tesla impact TSMC? At first glance, a deal of this magnitude might look like a major setback for TSMC. The reality, however, is more nuanced. Aishwarya Dabhade USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Countdown to Sep 30: What every central govt employee must know before choosing UPS over NPS Understand the nuts and bolts of UPS, NPS before making a choice Preeti Kulkarni USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept The MSCI India gauge has risen around 2% this year, trailing a broader gauge of Asian equities by over 19 percentage points after outperforming it over 2021-2024. Deblina Halder USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Bhopal gas tragedy: Protesters holding Pablo Bartholomew's photo of a child being buried which became a symbol for the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy. (File photo) Rewati Karan USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Gandhis itinerary includes meetings with presidents and senior leaders to reinforce strategic relationships, as well as discussions with business leaders to explore opportunities amid global economic challenges such as US tariffs. Deblina Halder USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX) is included among the 12 Best Retail Dividend Stocks to Buy Now. The Dividend Growth Story of The TJX Companies (TJX) in Retail Dividend Stocks The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX) runs more than 5,000 off-price stores across nine countries, with TJ Maxx as its leading banner and other major brands including Marshalls and HomeGoods. The company is recognized for offering discounted brand-name merchandise and creating a treasure hunt shopping atmosphere. Instead of keeping a full stock of the same products, TJX sources goods from over 21,000 vendors and emphasizes variety, which keeps its selection fresh and constantly changing. The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX)s business strength rests on five pillars: opportunistic purchasing, a flexible store format, global scale, the treasure-hunt shopping experience, and tight cost control. These elements allow TJX to adapt quickly to shifting consumer preferences, draw in value-focused shoppers, and grow its store base worldwide. Long-term success relies on securing merchandise at attractive prices, rotating assortments regularly, and delivering a shopping experience built around surprise and savings. On September 17, The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX) declared a quarterly dividend of $0.425 per share, which was in line with its previous dividend. Overall, the company has been increasing its dividends for 28 consecutive years. As of September 22, the stock has a dividend yield of 1.22%. While we acknowledge the potential of TJX as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 11 Cheap Quarterly Dividend Stocks to Buy Right Now and 10 Safest High Dividend Stocks to Buy Now. Disclosure: None. Congress condemns govt over handling of Ladakh situation, seeks judicial probe into killing of 4 youths People gather during a demonstration demanding statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule, in Ladakh's Leh on September 24 (Image: PTI) Rewati Karan USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept The department updated its forecast on Saturday afternoon, stating that compared to the coastal belt and parts of north Konkan, the rest of the state, including north Maharashtra, central Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha, is likely to receive only low-intensity rainfall on Sunday. 101Reporters USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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I Accept The project, estimated to cost around Rs 30,000 crore, would strengthen the Indian Army's Army Air Defence, which played a crucial role in thwarting Pakistani drone attacks during Operation Sindoor Tamal Nandi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept You can find original article here WealthManagement. Subscribe to our free daily WealthManagement newsletters. A $1.1 billion Michigan-based six-person team is joining RBC Wealth Management from UBS, a move that comes on the heels of a J.P. Morgan advisor managing nearly $1 billion decamping to RBC earlier this week. The BLS Financial Group is based in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. It includes managing directors Jonathan Modiano, Adam Jones and Mark Steinberg, associate vice presidents Trica Fitzsimons and Kristen Charlton, and Daniel Welsh, a senior investment associate. RBC Chicago Complex Director Justin Ferdula said the new team would boost RBCs work with high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients and expand the banks reach into the Detroit market. According to SEC records, Modiano, Jones and Welsh had been with UBS since they first registered in the industry in 2003, 2011 and 2018, respectively. Steinberg registered in 2000, spending several years with Merrill Lynch before moving to UBS in 2005, while Chalrton joined Wachovia in 1998 before moving to UBS in 2008. SEC records showed that Fitzsimons registered in 1994 and worked at numerous firms (including Prudential, Wachovia and Next Financial Group) before joining UBS in 2014. Earlier this week, New York City-based advisor Kevin Carey revealed he would join RBC from J.P. Morgan Wealth Management, where he managed nearly $1 billion in client assets. Carey said he was drawn to RBC by the firms unique culture, resources to serve high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients and the firms collaborative approach. In nearly three decades of industry experience, Carey started in fixed income before moving to the banking sector and ultimately into wealth management. Carey first joined Deutsche Banks fixed income division in 1998 and then joined First Republic, eventually becoming a senior managing director. First Republic collapsed in early 2023 during the regional bank crisis spurred by Silicon Valley Banks fall. In April of that year, JPMorgan purchased the bank and integrated its wealth management business under its auspices. However, many First Republic advisors joined the firm when fleeing wirehouses or other large brokerage firms, and some First Republic reps opted to leave rather than stick with JPMorgan long-term. The deal benefited RBC particularly, as it picked up numerous teams with billions in collectively managed assets (many of which were based in California). In July, RBC recruited an $1.7 billion eight-person team from UBS to join its Westchester, N.Y., branch. This April, it recruited The Degenaars Babb Group, a $5 billion New York-based firm (one of RBCs largest recruitment deals ever). Like Carey, that team joined from JPMorgan and was originally with First Republic before its collapse. It currently runs 194 offices in 42 states. Yeeshu Yadav USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Sri Vijayapuram-2 well confirms presence of hydrocarbons; samples show 87% methane, viability to be tested in coming months Aishwarya Dabhade USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept The Prime Minister will commission over 97,500 mobile 4G towers built with indigenous technology at a cost of around Rs 37,000 crore. Deblina Halder USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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I Accept Rahul Gandhi, Lalu Yadav want to secure voting rights for infiltrators: Amit Shah to BJP workers in Bihar Amit Shah speaks during a meeting with senior BJP workers from the Champaran and Saran regions regarding the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, in Bihar's Bettiah on Septermber 26. (@AmitShah/X via PTI Photo) Rewati Karan USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept 'Rioters will be taught a lesson that their future generations will remember': UP CM Adityanath after Bareilly violence Rewati Karan USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Victims being taken to hospital after a stampede-like situation was witnessed during a rally presided by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam chief and actor Vijay, in Karur district, Tamil Nadu, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. Many persons, including a few children, fainted at the gathering, according to officials. (Image: PTI) Rewati Karan USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Elon Musks AI firm, xAI, has filed a new lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the ChatGPT creator of systematically poaching staff and stealing proprietary technology. Key Takeaways: xAI has sued OpenAI, alleging it poached key staff to access confidential tech behind its Grok chatbot. The lawsuit names former engineer Xuechen Li, who is already under a court order restricting AI-related work at OpenAI. The case escalates the ongoing feud between Musk and OpenAI amid fierce competition for top AI talent and IP. Filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, the complaint alleges that OpenAI engaged in a coordinated, unfair, and unlawful campaign to recruit key xAI personnel with the aim of accessing sensitive data related to its Grok chatbot. The legal action claims OpenAI targeted individuals with direct knowledge of xAIs source code, infrastructure, and business plans, including former engineer Jimmy Fraiture and a senior finance executive. Ex-xAI Engineer Xuechen Li Named in Trade Secret Lawsuit The lawsuit also names ex-employee Xuechen Li, who is facing a separate lawsuit for alleged trade secret theft. A court order issued earlier this month temporarily barred Li from working on AI technologies at OpenAI. Musks team argues that OpenAI induced these individuals to breach confidentiality agreements in violation of employment obligations. OpenAI has denied the allegations, stating, We have no tolerance for any breaches of confidentiality, nor any interest in trade secrets from other labs. It also described Musks actions as ongoing harassment. xAI, however, claims it uncovered the poaching scheme during its internal investigation into Lis alleged misconduct. An email exchange included in the filing features a blunt response from a former xAI executive to a legal warning: suck my dick. This marks the latest escalation in the long-running feud between Musk and OpenAI, a company he co-founded in 2015 but left in 2018 after failing to take control. Musk has repeatedly accused OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman of abandoning the groups original nonprofit mission in favor of commercial gain through partnerships with firms like Microsoft. The case adds another layer to the intensifying race for AI dominance, where tech giants are competing aggressively to secure top talent and IP. Elon Musk Sells X to xAI in $80B Deal In March, Elon Musk transferred ownership of his social media platform X to his AI startup xAI in an all-stock deal announced on March 28, valuing xAI at $80 billion and X at $33 billion, including $12 billion in debt. Who is Petal Gahlot, the UN envoy who ripped apart Pakistans propaganda at UNGA Gahlot was appointed first secretary in Indias Permanent Mission to the UN in July, 2023. Arishaa Izaj USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. 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We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Her post was accompanied by a series of images showing food, decorations and the birthday cake at the Bengaluru office. (Image: Keerthana M/LinkedIn) Shubhi Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept 'Not always luck': Indian techie reveals how she landed dream job at Microsoft. Watch Oh, you work at Microsoft, so lucky: Indian techie reveals hard work behind her dream job Shubhi Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Viral clip shows Australian tourist rescuing stranded cow in India: 'Thank you for being kind' Many comments described him as a 'true hero without a cape' and expressed gratitude for his compassion. Shubhi Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Ankita Chakravarti USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Aabhas Sharma USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Priyanka Roshan With over eight years in multimedia journalism, is passionate about storytellingboth visual and textualacross travel, jobs, business, markets, politics, and daily news. From crafting engaging articles to producing compelling videos, she blends creativity with strategy to bring stories to life. With a strong foundation in SEO, and video production she ensures content not only informs but also resonates with audiences. Priyanka Roshan USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept FRANKFURT (Reuters) -The European Commission plans to impose tariffs of 25% to 50% on Chinese steel and related products in the next few weeks, German business daily Handelsblatt reported, citing senior officials in Brussels. The European Commission had no immediate comment on the Handelsblatt report, which was published late on Thursday. China's ministry of commerce did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the potential tariffs. The Commission's President Ursula von der Leyen said earlier this month it would propose a new method to curb steel imports, as global overcapacity was straining margins and making it harder for Europe's steel industry to invest in decarbonisation. She added the Commission would propose a new, long-term trade instrument to replace expiring steel safeguards. Under global trade rules, the bloc cannot prolong the existing safeguards beyond mid-2026. China's steel exports, meanwhile, are expected to rise between 4% and 9% to hit a record high of around 115 million to 120 million metric tons, according to forecasts from analysts. China shipped around 4%, or 368,000 tons, of its 2024 steel exports to the EU, according to figures from the China Iron and Steel Association. Analysts said the impact on China's steel industry of EU tariffs at the levels reported by Handelsblatt would likely be minimal given the relatively small volumes. More than half of the world's steel is produced by China, which is in need of new markets after a prolonged property sector slump has dampened domestic market consumption. Roughly 54 tariffs and other trade barriers have been initiated against Chinese steel from 2024, according to China Trade Remedies Information, with analysts saying more exports will encourage further curbs. European steel producers also face U.S. import tariffs of 50%. The EU had, in late July, begun monitoring imports and exports of scrap metal including steel, aluminium and copper after stark industry warnings of shortages and the risk of smelter shutdowns. EU smelters have been struggling for some time to secure supplies of scrap metal, which is a major input and an integral part of the bloc's push to reduce carbon emissions. (Reporting by Christoph Steitz in Frankfurt and Katha Kalia in Bengaluru; additional reporting by Dylan Duan, Colleen Howe and Joe Cash in Beijing; Editing by Nick Zieminski, Krishna Chandra Eluri and Joe Bavier) After Nepal and Lima, Perus Gen Z takes to the streets, protests against Boluarte with anime-inspired symbols Aishwarya Dabhade USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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I Accept Continue to be two-faced?: Loomer questions Nadella after Trump calls on Microsoft to fire Lisa Monaco Arishaa Izaj USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Deposed PM Oli speaks publicly for first time since ouster, denies giving shooting order during 'Gen Z' protest in Nepal Rewati Karan USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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I Accept 'Epicentre of terrorism': Jaishankar tears into Pakistan at UNGA, says Pahalgam perpetrators 'brought to justice' Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Palestinian President Abbas says Hamas will not govern post-war Gaza Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas declared that Hamas will not be part of any future governance of Palestine, including Gaza, after the conclusion of the current war with Israel, according to a report in The New York Times. In a video address to the U.N. General Assembly on Thursday, Abbas asserted the PA's claim as the sole legitimate governing body for all Palestinian territories. During the speech, he also thanked the countries that have recently recognized Palestinian statehood, positioning the PA as the entity to lead in a post-conflict scenario. 'It felt very political in nature': Trump official assaulted at UNGA with 'derogatory, pro-Palestinian remarks' Rewati Karan USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept By Ilona Wissenbach and Joanna Plucinska FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Lufthansa is expected to announce several thousand job cuts on Monday at the airline's first company-wide capital markets day in six years, two sources close to the matter said, as it seeks to reassure investors of its commitment to efficiency. Shares in Lufthansa, Europe's largest airline by sales, rose 3.4% to their highest level in more than three weeks after Reuters reported the planned cuts. They were up 1.7% at 1423 GMT. Analysts and investors have for the last two years criticised Lufthansa for its inability to cut costs and grow its core businesses after it delayed a target of achieving an 8% operating profit margin by 2025. The group had two profit warnings in 2024 and promised investors it would implement an ambitious turnaround programme. It announced the cuts to some employees earlier on Friday. "All this will require us also to become leaner in admin because we cannot afford to maintain our work at the cost that we have now because we don't have the margins to invest," Chief Executive Carsten Spohr told staff in a town hall event, excerpts of which were seen by Reuters. "And in our industry, without modern technology, you have no chance." EXACT NUMBER OF REDUNDANCIES UNCLEAR The airline group intends to reduce its administrative staff by 20% in the coming years, the two sources said, although the exact number of redundancies is being determined. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. The company has said its turnaround is progressing. But labour challenges continue, with an ongoing dispute over pensions set to overshadow Monday's Capital Markets Day in Munich. A pilot strike remains a possibility. Lufthansa declined to comment. Any redundancies would affect the whole group, not just the core airline, a third source with knowledge of the talks said. Analysts said they expected the market would continue to put pressure on Lufthansa to show it can build a more efficient group. "Despite having fewer planes, and even less flying activity, than in 2019, the airline business employs 7% more people," Bernstein said in a note focused on the airline's Capital Markets Day. CAN IT LEVERAGE NEW GERMAN OPERATIONS? Much of the airline's remaining turnaround hopes are pegged to its ability to leverage two of its new German operations - Discover and City Airlines. Lufthansa Classic's labour agreements are inflexible, outdated and expensive, analysts say, whereas contracts for employees in the newer subsidiaries are easier to manoeuvre, according to a source close to the deal. Chhabi Kala USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept South Korea's top diplomat says his nation has asked Trump to be a 'peacemaker' with North Korea 101Reporters USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept US may allow Ukraine to use long-range American missiles in Russia: Report Trumps tone this week marked a sharp departure from previous remarks in which he appeared skeptical of Zelenskys war strategy Rewati Karan USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept 'Worked, paid taxes, not sure why they deported...': Punjabi grandmother flown to India from US after 30 years Rewati Karan USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Valued at a market cap of $187.1 billion, Citigroup Inc. (C) operates as one of the largest financial institutions in the world. The New York-based financial giant focuses on safeguarding assets, lending money, making payments, and accessing the capital markets on behalf of its clients. Its customers include corporations, governments, institutions, and individuals. The financial sector giant is expected to report its third-quarter results before the market opens on Tuesday, Oct. 14. Ahead of the event, analysts expect Citi to report an adjusted EPS of $1.90, up a staggering 25.8% from the $1.51 reported in the year-ago quarter. Further, the company has a solid earnings surprise history. It has surpassed the Streets bottom-line estimates in each of the past four quarters. More News from Barchart For the full fiscal 2025, analysts expect Citi to deliver an adjusted EPS of $7.60, up 27.7% year-over-year from $5.95 reported in 2024. Further in fiscal 2026, its earnings are expected to surge 27.9% year-over-year to $9.72 per share. www.barchart.com Citigroups stock prices have soared 69.1% over the past 52 weeks, substantially outpacing the S&P 500 Indexs ($SPX) 15.4% gains and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Funds (XLF) 19.4% surge during the same time frame. www.barchart.com Citigroups stock prices gained 3.7% following the release of its impressive Q2 results on Jul. 15. The company showcased its resilience by delivering a solid 8.2% year-over-year growth in total revenues to $21.7 billion despite the macro uncertainties. This figure also surpassed the Street's expectations by 4.4%. Furthermore, driven by higher net income and share repurchases, its EPS for the quarter came in at $1.96, up 28.9% year-over-year and 21.7% above the consensus estimate. The consensus opinion on Citigroup remains optimistic with an overall Moderate Buy rating. Out of the 24 analysts covering the stock, 12 recommend Strong Buy, four advise Moderate Buy, and eight advocate a Hold rating. As of writing, the stock is trading slightly below its mean price target of $104.37. On the date of publication, Aditya Sarawgi 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 For the farmers, the changing market share dynamics isnt personal, its just business, according to Ryan Loy, assistant professor and extension economist for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. Soybeans accounted for nearly 20% of the U.S.s cash crop receipts in 2024, raking in $46.8 billion, according to data from the USDA. About one quarter of all soybean exports from the U.S. go to China, but retaliatory tariffs from China as a result of the ongoing trade warwhich have reached 34%have hobbled U.S. farmers, while South American countries like Brazil and Argentina have racked up market share. As of 2024, Brazil made up 71% of the Chinese soybean imports , according to the ASA, up from 2% three decades ago. The farm economy is suffering while our competitors supplant the United States in the biggest soybean import market in the world, it concluded. The frustration is overwhelming, the American Soybean Association (ASA) President Caleb Ragland said in a statement on Wednesday. U.S. soybean prices are falling, harvest is underway, and farmers read headlines not about securing a trade agreement with China, but that the U.S. government is extending $200 billion in economic support to Argentina while that country drops its soybean export taxes to sell 20 shiploads of Argentine soybeans to China in just two days. The moves have dealt a blow to soybean farmers in the U.S., who are strongly dependent on exports to China, and have continued to be priced out of the global market due to tariffs hiking the cost of their crop in the midst of its busy harvest season. According to the U.S. Department of Agricultures weekly export summaries , China has not bought U.S. soybeans since May. Amid the negotiations with the U.S., Argentina reportedly strengthened its trade partnership with China, whch ordered at least 10 cargoes of soybeans from the South American country, according to Reuters , which cited multiple traders. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on social media on Wednesday that he and Trump spoke at length with Argentina president Javier Milei about plans to financially support Argentina to assist in its stabilization. The Treasury is negotiating with Argentina for a $20 billion swap line with Argentinas central bank, Bessent said on X.com . As part of its effort to increase the flow of capital, Argentina also suspended its export taxes this week, including on soybeans. President Donald Trump counts U.S. farmers as one of his most loyal constituencies , but the administrations recent move to expand economic support for Argentina has drawn the ire of the agriculture industry. Story Continues Theres a lot of politics involved, but at the end of the day, its a function of who is cheaper on the market, Loy told Fortune. Economic impact on rural America This market squeeze has an outsized impact on rural communities, where farming can make up 20% of a countys employment. As global demand for U.S. soybeans waver, so, too, do profits for farmers. In parts of the Midwest like North and South Dakota and Minnesota, the majority of soybeans get routed to ports in the Pacific Northwest to be shipped overseas. But with fewer shipments of soybeans being exported, supply is piling up, driving down the cost of soybeans. Since its 2022 peak, soybean prices have fallen about 40%. While some soybeans can go to crushing facilities to be repurposed as oil or used in ethanol, many soybean farms arent located near plants able to process and use the crop domestically, Kyle Jore, an economist and farmer in Thief River Falls in northwest Minnesota and secretary of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association, said even if a trade with with China were to be made today, transportation bookings to take the crop out of state are full because of the busy corn harvest. Were probably just going to plan to sit on the soybeans and wait, Jore said. Many farmers trying to cut their losses will sell their soybeans to agricultural co-ops who will buy the crops, but at a much lower price than market rate. In the meantime, though, the producers that sell are taking large losses, Jore said. And theyre going to have to feel those losses. Extension economist Loy warned of the ripple effects of strained farmers on rural America. If farms in those rural communities arent successful, if they face financial hardships, then those rural communities also suffer, too, Loy said. All of these rural communities rely on agriculture to some degree. In its most extreme, if farms close up and businesses no longer have the customers thereor at least the customers dont have the money to support thembusinesses close and people move out. Aftershocks from the 2018 trade war Jore called this feeling of concern for the wellbeing of the agricultural economy deja vu. During Trumps first administration, U.S. farmers lost $27 billion in agricultural exports between mid-2018 and 2019 as a result of a trade war with China, according to a 2022 report from the USDA. During that same period, the U.S. market share of Chinese soybean imports plummeted to a 30-year low of 19%, the ASA reported. Brazils market share reached its peak of 75%. Years later, U.S. soybean farmers have yet to fully recover, Todd Main, the director of market development at the Illinois Soybean Association, told Fortune. The takeaway that we have from the data of the last time we did this is that the U.S. lost about 20% of our market share, and it never came back, Main said. While some soybean producers have been able to make up revenues through different export markets like the European Union (which generated only $2.45 billion in U.S. export revenues in 2024 compared to Chinas $12.64 billion, per the USDA), the big difference between Trumps first trade war versus this one is the price of tools and equipmentin part due to the steep tariffs. According to August data from the North Dakota State University Agricultural Trade Monitor, self-propelled machines like tractors have been hit with a more than 15% tariff rate. Tariffs on herbicides and some pesticides have propelled prices up 25%, partially because of trade disputes with Canada. Even though in 2018 we were seeing similar revenues, this time around, we have significantly higher [input], so our margins are much more negative, Jore said. What comes next? Soybean producers have gotten creative to try to build a profitable infrastructure outside of exports to China. The Illinois Soybean Association created the Soy Innovation Center to develop sustainable uses for processed soy, such as oil, that can be used domestically. The White House, for its part, has floated developing an agricultural subsidy program using revenue from tariffs, according to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. The first Trump administration provided farmers with a $28 billion bailout. But while the aid was able to nearly completely replace lost revenues, making up for lost global market share is a slowerand not guaranteedrecovery. A similar bailout today would yield similar results, Wendong Zhang, an associate professor of applied economics and policy at Cornell Universitys SC Johnson School of Business, told Fortune. It will compensate for the immediate economic losses due to tariffs, but it doesnt necessarily improve the long-term competitiveness of agriculture on the global stage, Zhang said. Farmers arent banking on a bailout, either. Theyre looking for a trade dealor at least stable enough ground to grow their businesses, Illinois Soybean Associations Main said. We can grow anything. What we really want is good relations with our trading partners, he said. We want markets. We dont want bailouts. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) A Nigerian court Friday rejected a request to free a separatist leader, ruling that prosecutors had presented enough evidence for him to face terrorism charges brought by the government. The court ruled that the Nigerian government has established enough evidence for a case against Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra, or IPOB, separatist group that seeks independence for Nigerias southeastern region. The verdict comes more than a year after the countrys Supreme Court reinstated terrorism charges against Kanu. In the lower court, Kanu argued that the government had no case against him. Kanu, who holds British citizenship, has been in and out of detention since 2015, when he was first arrested and charged with terrorism and treason. He jumped bail in 2017 and was rearrested in 2021 after being lured to another African country by Nigerian intelligence personnel. Kanu has denied any wrongdoing, and his supporters accuse the government of unjustly targeting him to stifle the groups separatist campaign. The IPOB campaign for an independent state of Biafra follows the short-lived Republic of Biafra, which fought and lost a civil war from 1967 to 1970 to break away from Nigeria. An estimated 1 million people died in the war, many from the southeast. During proceedings, Judge James Omotosho said, The defendant ought to enter some explanation. This is not to say that the defendant is guilty as charged, but an opportunity to give him a fair hearing and allow him to exhaust his chances of explaining himself, the judge ruled. This no-case submission is overruled, and the defendant is hereby required to enter his defense. Many people have been killed in southeastern Nigeria in violence blamed on IPOB, which the group denies. About four weeks ago, Simon Ekpa, another separatist leader who rose to prominence after Kanus detention, was sentenced in Finland to six years in prison for terrorism and tax fraud. By DYEPKAZAH SHIBAYAN Associated Press DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan (AP) Pakistani security forces on Friday raided a militant hideout in the countrys restive northwest, triggering a shootout that left 17 Pakistani Taliban fighters dead, police said. The clash took place in Karak, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to regional Police Chief Shehbaz Elahi. He said three officers were wounded in the gunbattle. Elahi provided no further details but said that the killed militants were Khwarij, a term often used by Pakistani authorities to refer to members of the Pakistani Taliban. While security forces frequently carry out such operations, Fridays raid followed a similar intelligence-based operation two days earlier in Dera Ismail Khan, another district in the northwest, where 13 Pakistani Taliban fighters were killed in a shootout. Pakistan has seen a rise in militant violence in recent years, much of it claimed by separatist groups and the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP. The TTP is a separate group from, but allied with, the Afghan Taliban. It has been emboldened since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in 2021, and many of its leaders and fighters are believed to have taken refuge in Afghanistan since then. Sonora, CA Tuolumne County was the filming location for the fictional town of Hill Valley during the final installment of the Back to the Future trilogy, and there is an event coming up this weekend to celebrate the film. Return to Hill Valley, a now annual event that helps raise money for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research, is happening this weekend at several locations including at Railtown 1897 in Jamestown. Bobby Bennett, who spent over 20 years working in Hollywood as a stand-in for Michael J. Fox, including on Back to the Future III, is one of the organizers. He was in Tuolumne County for 3 1/2 months while filming the movie and later decided he wanted to retire in the area, and now resides in Columbia. The original Hill Valley set, built in the Red Hills area during the late eighties, was destroyed by a wildfire after the filming, but Railtown also played a significant part in the movie as the Sierra Number 3 locomotive was used to push the Delorean time machine utilized by the main characters (Doc and Marty) up to 88 mph so that they could transport back to 1985. Tickets are needed for Saturdays Railtown event from 9:30 am 11 am. Hill Valley Festival Celebration is Saturday from noon to 7 pm at the Westside Pavilion at Black Oak Casino Resort. Guests include the Hill Valley Drifters, Cactus Bob, Prairie Flower, Dave Cavanagh and Richard Sholer. Sunday is an Enchantment Under the Sea Dance Experience & Fan Event starring Harry Waters Jr. at the Hotel Ballroom at Black Oak Casino Resort. There are also some VIP-only special events like watching the movie, drive-in style, at the film location in Red Hills. More information can be found at returntohillvalley.org. Calaveras, CA Authorities are asking the public to come forward with information about the 2018 homicide of Jack Edward Watts, whose death remains unsolved more than seven years later. On the evening of April 8, 2018, deputies discovered Watts body in a rural area between Mokelumne Hill and Paloma. Investigators determined he had been shot in the head, leg, and chest after leaving an event in Glencoe on his motorcycle. He was transported to a local hospital and pronounced dead on arrival. At the time of his death, Watts was vice president of an outlaw motorcycle club known as the Odins Disciples. The Calaveras County Cold Case Task Force is spotlighting the case as part of Septembers Cold Case Month. Anyone with information is asked to call the anonymous tip line at (209) 754-6030. More details about the task force are available here. Sonora, CA Visit Tuolumne County announces the inaugural first-ever Tourism Award winners, who will receive their awards at the Annual Tourism Summit and Industry Awards on October 16th at the Conference Center at Chicken Ranch Casino Resort. More than 40 nominations were submitted across three categories. This year marks the inaugural year for awards to various individuals in the local hospitality and tourism sector. As we reported here in July, the countys designated destination and marketing organization will present three awards: Tourism Advocacy, the Spirit of Tuolumne County, and the Front Line Hospitality Champions. Tuolumne County depends on the hospitality and tourism industry as a vital economic driver, and the force behind the industry is its people. Its important we recognize those who go above and beyond to create amazing experiences for both visitors and residents, stated Lisa Mayo, president and CEO of Visit Tuolumne. The Tourism Advocate Award recognizes an individual who has had a major influence on Tuolumne Countys tourism sector via leadership, advocacy, and a commitment to expanding tourism as a vital component of the local economy. And the award goes to Dwight Follien, CEO and Founding Member of the Groveland Trail Heads. Here is what one nominator submitted, Follien: Under Dwights leadership, Groveland Trail Heads has grown from a small grassroots group to a respected nonprofit that designs, builds, and maintains sustainable trail systems that attract visitors from across California and beyond. His tireless volunteerism, trail-building expertise, and collaborative spirit have made Groveland a beloved destination for mountain bikers, hikers, and adventure-seekers of all kinds. The Spirit of Tuolumne County Award honors those who exemplify the soul and heart of the county. They embody the countys heritage, community values, and welcoming attitude, inspiring both residents and tourists with their enthusiasm, optimism, and pride in the region. Teresa Torbett, the owner of Columbia Mercantile 1855, is the recipient of this award. Here is an excerpt from a nomination received: Teresa goes above and beyond with her amazing love for the towns history, her beautiful time period clothing, and the ability to make you feel valued and part of a community. Teresa is kind and remembers more names than seems possible and is an extremely hardworking individual contributing to the county in such a unique and beautiful way. The Front-Line Hospitality Award recognizes a front-line employee who goes above and beyond to provide exceptional hospitality. Whether in a hotel, restaurant, or attraction, this champion creates memorable guests, demonstrates professionalism, and helps Tuolumne Countys image as a welcoming destination. Two individuals tied for this award: Cara Morotti, restaurant server/manager at Chicken Ranch Casino Resort, and Tim Lopez, concierge/bellman at Black Oak Casino Resort. Here is a submission from one of her nominators: She is outstanding in customer service, one of the best servers Ive ever seen in my life, knows everything about Tuolumne County, and is always promoting to her customers things to do and places to go and where to stay in Tuolumne County. And a Lopez backer sent in this statement: Tim has been a passionate ambassador for the region, constantly promoting its natural beauty, rich history, and local businesses. His collaborative spirit and forward-thinking initiatives have helped elevate Tuolumne County as a premier travel destination, driving both economic growth and community pride. Regarding the 40 entries submitted, Mayo stated, Its exciting to see so many people nominate individuals, especially as this is our inaugural awards year. I love that our community wants to celebrate these individuals and have them recognized for the great work they do. The Tourism Summit next month will feature speakers from Visit California, Madden Media, Clarity of Place, and Diamond Digital Marketing. It includes light breakfast items and a buffet lunch. The cost to attend the all-day event is $40 for Visit Tuolumne County partners and $50 for non-partners. Click here to register and learn more about the Tourism Summit, or call Visit Tuolumne County at 209-533-4420. BEIRUT (AP) A top Iranian security official called on regional countries Saturday to put their differences aside and cooperate closely as they face what he called Israels conspiracies. Ali Larijani, head of Irans Supreme National Security Council, spoke in Beirut where he arrived earlier Saturday to attend the anniversary of Israels assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon. Iran has been the main backer of Hezbollah over the past four decades, supplying it with weapons and money that had turned it into one of the most powerful militant groups in the region. But Hezbollah suffered heavy losses in a 14-month war with Israel, which ended with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in November, with much of its political and military commanders killed in Israeli strikes. The latest Israel-Hezbollah conflict began the day after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel triggered the ongoing war in Gaza. Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel from Lebanon in support of Hamas and the Palestinians. In June, Israel launched airstrikes in Iran, triggering a 12-day war between the two countries that killed several key Irans military commanders and targeted its arsenal of ballistic missiles while decimating the countrys air defenses. Earlier this month, Israel struck the headquarters of Hamas political leadership in Qatar as the groups top figures gathered to consider a U.S. proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strp. Today, amid Israels conspiracies, regional states should closely cooperate and even if there were disagreements between them they should put these disagreements aside, Larjani said after a nearly one-hour meeting with Lebanons Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Larijani praised the call by Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem for Saudi Arabia to open a new page after years of tense relations, calling it a step in the right direction. Referring to Israel, Larijani said Saudi Arabia and Hezbollah both have a common enemy. Asked about reports that Israel might launch new strikes against Iran, Larijani said, We are ready to face all scenarios but I dont think that the Israelis will behave in this stupid way. If they do that, they will receive strong retaliation, Larijani said, without elaborating. Later on Saturday, thousands of people attended a ceremony that was held next to Nasrallahs grave in a southern Beirut suburb. They included Larijani and other Lebanese and Hezbollah officials. In a televised speech aired during the ceremony, Kassem said that Hezbollah is restoring its military capabilities, adding that they are ready to confront any escalation by Israel. Kassem reiterated that Hezbollah rejects last months decision by the Lebanese government to disarm the group, adding that the group will not hand over its weapons because we are in the middle of an existential war with Israel. WASHINGTON (AP) Tensions between the United States and Colombia have escalated with the State Department announcing it was revoking a visa for Gustavo Petro, president of the Latin American country, after he participated in a New York protest where he called on American soldiers to disobey President Donald Trumps orders. The department said on social media that we will revoke Petros visa due to his reckless and incendiary actions. Petro was visiting for the annual U.N. General Assembly. During a nearby protest Friday over the war in Gaza, he said I ask all the soldiers of the United States army, dont point your rifles against humanity and disobey the orders of Trump. Petro returned to Colombia on Saturday as intended, in accordance with a Sept. 18 decree on the delegation of powers during his absence. He said on X that he found out about his visa status upon his arrival. The State Department did not answer questions about whether the revocation would affect future visits. Petro, Colombias first leftist president, used a post on X addressed to Trump to say that international law grants me immunity to go to the U.N. and that there should be no reprisals for my free opinion, because I am a free person. Petro, who has a history of speaking off the cuff in meandering, ideologically charged speeches, also said on social media that I dont care about the punishment because he is also a European citizen. That means he does not need a visa to travel to the U.S. Colombia broke diplomatic ties with Israel last year over the Israel-Hamas war. Petro has repeatedly described Israels siege of Gaza as genocide. Colombia has long been a top U.S. ally in Latin America, cooperating closely on the fight against drug trafficking. But there have been repeated clashes between Petro, a former rebel group member, and Trumps Republican administration. In his General Assembly speech Tuesday, Petro called for a criminal investigation of Trump and other officials involved in this months deadly strikes on boats in the Caribbean that the White House has said were transporting drugs. The White House has offered scant information about how the operations came together or the legal authorities under which they were carried out. Earlier this year, Petro resisted deportation flights using American military aircraft, leading to a diplomatic crisis as Trump threatened to retaliate with higher tariffs and visa suspensions. The U.S. is Colombias largest trading partner, and Petros government relented, saying it would accept the planes. The U.S. accused Colombia earlier this month of failing to cooperate with anti-narcotics efforts. Although the designation did not include sanctions that would have slashed U.S. assistance to the country, it was a sharp rebuke that frustrated Petro. He said his country had lost the lives of policemen, soldiers and regular citizens, trying to stop cocaine from reaching the United States. ___ Associated Press writer Regina Garcia Cano in Caracas, Venezuela, contributed to this report. By CHRIS MEGERIAN Associated Press PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) President Donald Trump said Saturday he will send troops to Portland, Oregon, authorizing Full Force, if necessary to handle domestic terrorists as he expands his controversial deployments to more American cities. He made the announcement on social media, writing that he was directing the Department of Defense to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland. Trump said the decision was necessary to protect U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities, which he described as under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for details on Trumps announcement, such as a timeline for the deployment or what troops would be involved. Portlands mayor, Democrat Keith Wilson, said there was no need for troops in his city. Our nation has a long memory of acts of oppression, and the president will not find lawlessness or violence here unless he plans to perpetrate it, he said. Early Saturday, there was no sign of any federal presence in the citys downtown, where people jogged along the Willamette River, relaxed by a riverside fountain or rode bikes on a sunny fall day. Wheres the emergency? asked resident Allen Schmertzler, 72, who said he was disgusted by the presidents decision. Another resident, John McNeur, 74, called Trumps statement ridiculous. He pointed out that he was taking a leisurely stroll along the river on a peaceful, sunny day. This place is not a city thats out of control, he said. Its just a beautiful place. Trump previously threatened to send the National Guard into Chicago but has yet to follow through. A deployment in Memphis, Tennessee, is expected soon and will include only about 150 troops, far less than were sent to the District of Columbia for Trumps crackdown on crime or in Los Angeles in response to immigration protests that turned violent with the troops arrival. Trump also sent Marines to Los Angeles. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the Department of Defense would provide information and updates when available. We stand ready to mobilize U.S. military personnel in support of DHS operations in Portland at the Presidents direction, Parnell said. But Gov. Tina Kotek, a Democrat, said there is no national security threat in Portland. Our communities are safe and calm, Kotek said. A spokesperson for the Oregon National Guard, Lt. Col. Stephen Bomar, said in an email that no official requests have been received at this time for Guard support. Any requests would need to be coordinated through the Governors office, he added. Portland, population 636,000, was also the site of long-running and sometimes violent racial justice protests following George Floyds murder by Minneapolis police in 2020. The Trump administration sent hundreds of agents, including from the U.S. Border Patrol, for the stated purpose of protecting the federal courthouse and other federal property from vandalism. Recent protests have been far more muted and focused on the area around the ICE building, located outside the citys downtown that was the heart of the 2020 protests. The buildings main entrance and ground-floor windows have been boarded up and tagged with graffiti. Earlier this month, the city said it would issue a land use violation notice to the citys U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building because it had been used to detain people overnight or for more than 12 hours violations of its conditional land use approval. Portland is one of a number of so-called sanctuary cities. There is no strict definition for sanctuary cities, but the terms generally describes places that limit cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Early Saturday, all was quiet outside that building, with no signs of protesters or law enforcement. Some federal agents have been injured and several protesters have been charged with assault. Some demonstrators also say theyve been injured. When protesters erected a prop guillotine earlier this month, the Department of Homeland Security described it as unhinged behavior. Meantime, city groups and officials have sought to highlight the recovery of the downtown area since 2020. This summer was reportedly the busiest for pedestrian traffic since before the coronavirus pandemic, and overall violent crime in Portland from January through June decreased by 17% compared to the same period in 2024, a recent report from the Major Cities Chiefs Association found. The downtown has seen a decrease in homeless encampments that defined the years immediately after the pandemic. Since the Sept. 10 assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Trump has escalated his efforts to confront what he calls the radical left, which he blames for the countrys problems with political violence. Trump, in comments Thursday in the Oval Office, suggested some kind of operation was in the works. Were going to get out there and were going to do a pretty big number on those people in Portland, he said, describing them as professional agitators and anarchists. - Megerian reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Konstantin Toropin in Washington and Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis contributed to this report. By CLAIRE RUSH and CHRIS MEGERIAN Associated Press PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) Sixteen states and the District of Columbia sued the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Friday, alleging that its threats to pull sexual education funding over curricula mentioning diverse gender identities were a violation of federal law. The complaint filed in federal court in Oregon says the department is attempting to force the states to rewrite sexual health curricula to erase entire categories of students and describes the action as the latest attempt from the current administration to target and harm transgender and gender-diverse youth. HHS did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. Since President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January, his administration has sought to recognize people as only male or female. HHS wants to prohibit the inclusion of what it describes as gender ideology in lessons funded by the Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) and the Title V Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (SRAE) program. The federal grants are used to teach about abstinence and contraception for the prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. The plaintiffs say the grant conditions HHS is seeking to impose violate federal law, the separation of powers and Congress spending power. The termination of funding under the two federal grant programs could result in a loss of at least $35 million to the plaintiff states, according to the complaint. HHS warned states in August that they had 60 days to change lessons or lose their PREP grants. California was warned previously, and its $12 million grant was stripped Aug. 21. The states of Oregon, Washington and Minnesota are co-leading the lawsuit. Washington Attorney General Nick Brown said in a statement that HHS threatened to cancel PREP grants if his state didnt remove language from a high school curriculum that says: People of all sexual orientations and gender identities need to know how to prevent pregnancy and STIs, either for themselves or to help a friend. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said the choice between losing funding and cutting sexual health education programs or excluding the transgender community from those programs is unacceptable. The other plaintiffs include Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Wisconsin. By CLAIRE RUSH Associated Press General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD) is one of the 10 Best Defense Contractor Stocks to Buy Now. General Dynamics Corporation (GD)s Subsidiary General Dynamics Land Systems Collaborates with Daimler Truck Holding AG On September 19, 2025, General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD) announced its subsidiary General Dynamics Land Systems collaboration with Daimler Truck Holding AG. The collaboration, relating to military vehicles, aims at winning more contracts as global defense spending accelerates. This collaboration builds on Daimlers Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks segment, which delivers Zetros and Unimog off-road trucks demanded by NATO allies. The agreement will see General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD) and Daimler jointly deliver complete logistics vehicles with long-term service support across Europe, North America, and additional markets. With its Aerospace, Marine Systems, Combat Systems, and Technologies segments, General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD) functions as a global aerospace and defense company. It is one of the Best Defense Contractor Stocks. While we acknowledge the potential of GD as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're 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: 15 Stocks That Will Benefit From AI and 14 Best IT Stocks to Buy for the Long Term. Disclosure: None. UNITED NATIONS (AP) As new tensions rise between Russia and NATO powers, Moscows top diplomat insisted to world leaders Saturday that his nation doesnt intend to attack Europe but will mount a decisive response to any aggression. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke at the U.N. General Assembly after weeks in which unauthorized flights into NATOs airspace intrusions the alliance blames on Russia have raised alarm around Europe, particularly after NATO jets downed drones over Poland and Estonia said Russian fighter jets flew into its territory and lingered for 12 minutes. Russia has denied that its planes entered Estonian airspace and has said the drones didnt target Poland, with Moscows ally Belarus maintaining that Ukrainian signal-jamming sent the devices off course. But European leaders see the incidents as intentional, provocative moves meant to rattle NATO and to suss how the alliance will respond. The alliance warned Russia this week that NATO would use all means to defend against any further breaches of its airspace. At the U.N., Lavrov maintained its Russia thats facing threats. Russia has never had and does not have any such intentions of attacking European or NATO countries, he said. However, any aggression against my country will be met with a decisive response. There should be no doubt about this among those in NATO and the EU. Speaking three years into the Ukraine war Lavrov spoke three years into Russias invasion of Ukraine, a war that the international community has broadly deplored. U.S. President Donald Trump said this week that he believed Ukraine can win back all the territory it has lost to Russia. It was a notable tone shift from a U.S. leader who had previously suggested Ukraine would need to make some concessions and could never reclaim all the areas Russia has occupied since seizing the Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and launching a full-scale invasion in 2022. Just three weeks earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country and the U.S. had a mutual understanding and that Trumps administration is listening to us. Trump and Putin held a summit in Alaska in early August but left without a deal to end the war. Sounding a notably open note from a country that has often lambasted the West, Lavrov noted the summit and said Russia had some hopes to keep talking with the United States. In the approaches of the current U.S. administration, we see a desire not only to contribute to ways to realistically resolve the Ukrainian crisis, but also a desire to develop pragmatic cooperation without adopting an ideological stance, the diplomat said, portraying the powers as counterparts of sorts: Russia and the U.S. bear a special responsibility for the state of affairs in the world, and for avoiding risks that could plunge humanity into a new war. To be sure, Lavrov still had sharp words for NATO, an alliance that includes the U.S., and for the West in general and the European Union. Trumps emerging view of Ukraine is part of the equation Trumps new view of Ukraines prospects came after he met with its president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on the sidelines of General Assembly on Tuesday seven months after a televised blow-up between the two in the Oval Office. This time, the doors were closed, and the tenor was evidently different a good meeting, as Zelenskyy described it in his assembly speech the next day. For the fourth year in a row, Zelenskyy appealed to the gathering of presidents, prime ministers and other top officials to get Russia out of his country and warned that inaction would put other countries at risk. Ukraine is only the first, he said. Russia has offered various explanations for the Ukraine war, among them ensuring Russias its own security after NATO expanded eastward over the years and drew closer with Ukraine after Russias move into Crimea. Russia also has said its offensive was meant to protect Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine. Ukraine and the West have denounced Russias invastion as an unprovoked act of aggression. Addressing the devastating war in Gaza, Lavrov condemned Hamas militants surprise attack in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, but said there is no justification for Israels killing of Palestinian civilians, including children. The Hamas attack killed about 1,200 people in Israel; 251 were taken hostage. Israels sweeping offensive has killed more than 65,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. It does not give a breakdown of civilian and combatant deaths but says around half of those killed were women and children. Lavrov also said there is no basis for any potential Israeli annexation of the West Bank, which Palestinians consider a key part of their future state, along with Gaza and east Jerusalem. Israel hasnt announced such a move, but several leading members in Netanyahus government have advocated doing so. Officials recently approved a controversial settlement project that would effectively cut the West Bank in two, a move critics say could doom chances for a Palestinian state. Between the Gaza war and the situation in the West Bank, we are essentially dealing with an attempt at a kind of coup detat aimed at burying U.N. decisions on the creation of a Palestinian state, Lavrov said. The international community has long embraced a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects the idea of a Palestinian state, saying it would reward Hamas a position he reiterated Friday at the General Assembly. By JENNIFER PELTZ and EDITH M. LEDERER Associated Press This is Naked Capitalism fundraising week. 148 donors have already invested in our efforts to combat corruption and predatory conduct, particularly in the financial realm. Please join us and participate via our donation page, which shows how to give via check, credit card, debit card, PayPal. Clover, or Wise. Read about why were doing this fundraiser, what weve accomplished in the last year, and our current goal, supporting the comments section. Field in the frame: face to face with harlequin toads Nature (Robin K) Tiny stones rewrite Earths evolution story ScienceDaily (Kevin W) Papering Over History JSTOR (Micael T) 3I/ATLAS: The Colossus from Interstellar Space Dr. Avi Loeb confirms new data shows this object is at least 33 billion tons, over 100,000 times more massive than Oumuamua. Its minimum size is 5 km across, possibly up to 46 km, bigger than Manhattan. It glows green, shedding pic.twitter.com/cAtSw2G9E6 Skywatch Signal (@UAPWatchers) September 26, 2025 Influencers and Multipliers reinforce political Polarization Max-Planck-Gesellschaft (Paul R) David Foster Wallace Tried to Warn Us About these Eight Things Honest-Broker (Chuck L). On the impact of screen technology #COVID-19/Pandemics A massive new peer-reviewed review (161 studies, 2+ million patients) makes it clear. COVID-19 isnt just a respiratory infection. Its a multi-system disease leaving lasting scars on lungs, heart, brain, kidneys, and more. Zdenek Vrozina (@ZdenekVrozina) September 24, 2025 Climate/Environment China? Koreas South Korea resists Trumps US$350 billion trade demand amid financial crisis fears South China Morning Post Important: The Philippines is burning: 20+ cities in turmoil. Manila turns into a battlefield, all triggered by a trillion-peso corruption scandal. Over 20 cities erupt in protests. In Manila, 50,000 clash with riot police outside the presidential palace. Fires, Molotovs, over 70 police pic.twitter.com/1smw1ml4PP James Wood (@commiepommie) September 24, 2025 Could collapse entirely: Bangladeshs financial system in deep crisis as defaults mount Business Today Africa South of the Border European Disunion Old Blighty Israel v. the Resistance. IMHO a new sign of Israel desperation. I had my VPN set to Chicago. I got a YouTube ad advocating to buy Israel, how important it was to Israel businesses and families. New Not-So-Cold War Big Brother is Watching You Watch Imperial Collapse Watch Trump MAHA DOGE Laffaire Jeffery Epstein Charlie Kirk Economy AI The Bezzle Oklo's extraordinary 20+ billion valuation is presumable based upon the premise that it will meet its goals of deploying its 1st Aurora powerhouse by late 2027 & rapidly scale its fleet to meet its 14,000MW of non-binding master power agreements and letters of intent. That's 186 pic.twitter.com/Zpo4D1KIiz chris keefer (@Dr_Keefer) September 25, 2025 Radio Shack Rebirth May Have Gone Awry In Alleged Ponzi-Like Scheme Hackaday (Paul R) Guillotine Watch Class Warfare Antidote du jour. John U: Dusty the Adventure Dog in Utah And a bonus: Siberian tiger returns to freedom. pic.twitter.com/sNrLF6Ztdx Nature is Phenomenal (@AnimalGeoLife) September 25, 2025 A second bonus: First Time Meeting pic.twitter.com/9TH67pNNO1 cats with threatening auras (@catshealdeprsn) September 27, 2025 And a third: One day a crested caracara appeared at this man's window and then pic.twitter.com/mX7fxkaX67 Gabriele Corno (@Gabriele_Corno) September 26, 2025 See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. This is Naked Capitalism fundraising week. 147 donors have already invested in our efforts to combat corruption and predatory conduct, particularly in the financial realm. Please join us and participate via our donation page, which shows how to give via check, credit card, debit card, PayPal. Clover, or Wise. Read about why were doing this fundraiser, what weve accomplished in the last year, and our current goal, supporting the comments section. Yves here. Richard Murphy if anything underplays the importance of Milton Friedman as a propagandist. His book Free to Choose was a best seller and led to a PBS multi-part series. He also penned a 1970s New York Times op-ed that was internally contradictory but nevertheless effective in legitimating the fable that corporations have a duty (worse, allegedly a primary duty) to maximize shareholder wealth. By Richard Murphy, Emeritus Professor of Accounting Practice at Sheffield University Management School and a director of Tax Research LLP. Originally published at Funding the Future Milton Friedman was the great evangelist of free markets in the twentieth century. His book Capitalism and Freedom (1962) and his advocacy of monetarism turned him into the intellectual godfather of neoliberalism. He taught that the purpose of business is to maximise shareholder value, that markets should be left to allocate resources, and that governments should confine themselves to protecting property rights, enforcing contracts, and controlling the money supply. In Friedmans vision, almost everything else was waste or distortion: Regulation, welfare, and social safety nets were all painted as threats to liberty. Taxes were viewed not as an essential part of the fiscal cycle, supporting the process by which communities can build collective goods and well-being, but rather as a form of confiscation. Collective bargaining was recast as interference. In the Friedmanite worldview, markets alone could deliver prosperity, efficiency, and freedom. And yet, half a century on, the results of Friedmans intellectual crusade are visible all around us: Inequality has soared. Wages have stagnated. Financial crises have multiplied. Public services have been hollowed out. Politics has been captured by wealth. The promise of liberty has become a reality of insecurity. This leads us to the Friedman Question: if everything is reduced to markets and money, how can society survive when its values, obligations and collective purposes are all stripped away? 1. The Cult of the Market Friedman insisted that markets are the only reliable mechanism for coordinating human activity. He believed prices transmit all the information required to allocate resources efficiently. If you trust the price system, you dont need messy politics. You dont need collective decisions. You dont need government interference. This cult of the market has become orthodoxy. From the 1980s onwards, governments were told their role was to get out of the way. Privatisation, deregulation, liberalisation these were the watchwords. Markets would provide, and society would thrive. But markets are not neutral. They are shaped by power, wealth, and politics. The price of a medicine may not reflect its social importance, but the monopoly of the company that holds its patent. The wage of a worker may reflect not their contribution, but their lack of bargaining power. The cult of the market does not deliver justice. It delivers the outcomes of power relationships disguised as efficiency. 2. The Hollowing of Democracy Friedman saw democracy and markets as complementary, but he feared that democracy could threaten markets by allowing people to vote for redistribution. His solution was to constrain democracy in the name of liberty. Independent central banks, fiscal rules, and global treaties that enshrined free trade were all required to tie the hands of elected governments. The result has been a hollowing out of democracy itself. Citizens can still vote, but the range of options available to them has shrunk. Almost all politicians repeat that the markets demand austerity, deregulation, and fiscal restraint. Democratic choice is neutered by market veto. To use a term familiar to readers of this blog, politics has been reduced to choosing which part of the single transferable party should govern. This is not liberty; it is subordination. It is the inversion of democracy; government of the markets, by the markets, for the markets. 3. The Destruction of Social Obligation For Friedman, the social responsibility of business was to increase its profits. This phrase, now repeated endlessly in boardrooms and business schools, has had devastating effects. It has justified the extraction of short-term profit at the expense of workers, communities, and the environment. It has redefined companies as machines for shareholder enrichment, not social institutions with widespread responsibilities. It has been used to legitimise tax avoidance, attacks on trade union rights, and the erosion of job security. By reducing everything to money, Friedmans doctrine stripped business of moral obligation. What mattered was not whether a company treated its workers well, served its community, or protected the environment; all that mattered was whether it delivered high returns to its shareholders. 4. The Rise of Inequality and Insecurity The Friedmanite revolution promised prosperity. What it delivered was inequality. The gains of growth since the 1980s have flowed overwhelmingly to the wealthy. Real wages for most ordinary workers have stagnated. Job security has been eroded by casualisation and the gig economy. Whole regions have been hollowed out by deindustrialisation. This is not accidental. It is the predictable result of an ideology that prioritised capital over labour, shareholders over workers, private wealth over public good. 5. The Fragility of a Market-Only Society A society cannot survive if every value is reduced to a price tag. Markets cannot measure dignity, fairness, solidarity, or care. They cannot price the bonds between generations. They cannot substitute for trust or community. When markets are allowed to decide everything, what is not profitable is neglected: Care work is undervalued. Public health is underfunded. Education is starved. The environment is plundered. Society becomes brittle because its foundations are treated as externalities. This is the core of the Friedman Question. By reducing everything to markets and money, we undermine the very conditions that make markets possible: a stable, cohesive, fair society. 6. What Would Answering Friedman Require? To answer the Friedman Question is to reject the fantasy that markets alone can sustain society. It requires: Restoring democracy over markets. Policy must be guided by social purpose, not by what financial markets demand. Reasserting social obligations. Business is a social institution. It must be taxed fairly, treat workers decently, and serve the public good. Valuing what markets neglect. Care, education, health, and environmental stability are the foundations of prosperity. They require public investment, not marketisation. Constraining capital. Wealth must be taxed, monopolies broken up, and finance directed into productive, sustainable uses. Inference The Friedman Question asks us to confront the consequences of an ideology that made a god of the market and a heresy of social obligation. For forty years, we have lived under its shadow: rising inequality, collapsing services, hollowed-out democracy, and an economy that works for the few while undermining the many. Friedman told us that liberty would flourish when markets reigned. The truth is the reverse. Liberty, fairness, and democracy decline when society is reduced to a balance sheet. The lesson is clear: a civilisation cannot be built on markets alone. It must rest on values beyond money, such as care, justice, solidarity, and the recognition that we are citizens before we are consumers. This is Naked Capitalism fundraising week. 146 donors have already invested in our efforts to combat corruption and predatory conduct, particularly in the financial realm. Please join us and participate via our donation page, which shows how to give via check, credit card, debit card, PayPal. Clover, or Wise. Read about why were doing this fundraiser, what weve accomplished in the last year, and our current goal, supporting the comments section. Yves here. From time to time, in discussing collapse scenarios, weve pointed out that dependence on chips as well as ever-more-fragile grids (due if nothing else to rapidly-rising AI-data center demand pushing limits) are set to trigger failure cascades that will intensify bad outcomes. This post describes more imminent vulnerabilities due to complexity and interdependence. By Dean Curran, Associate Professor, Sociology, University of Calgary. Originally published at The Conversation Peoples lives are more enmeshed with digital systems than ever before, increasing users vulnerability and insecurity. From data leaks like the 2017 Equifax data breach to the more recent cyberattack on British retailer Marks & Spencer, business operations and data on the internet continue to be vulnerable. There are good reasons to believe that little will be done about these risks until a massive society-wide crisis emerges. My research suggests that there are significant failures in our current approaches to risk and innovation. Digital technologies remake social life through new technologies, communication platforms and forms of artificial intelligence. All of which, while very powerful, are also highly risky in terms of malfunctioning and vulnerability to being manipulated. Yet, governments are generally unable to distinguish between what are actually valuable contributions to society and what are intensely socially damaging A Massive Social Experiment The digital economy includes those businesses that increasingly rely upon information technology, data and the internet for their business models. The companies dominating the digital economy continue to undertake a massive social experiment where they keep the lions share of the benefits while shunting the risks onto society as a whole. This could lead to a systemic digital crisis, ranging from a widespread breakdown of basic infrastructure, such as electricity or telecommunications due to a cyberattack, to an attack that modifies existing infrastructure to make it dangerous. There are significant similarities between the current trajectory of the digital economy and the 2008 financial crisis. In particular, what we are increasingly seeing in the digital world, which we saw in the pre-crisis financial world, is what American sociologist Charles Perrow called tight coupling. Perrow argues that when systems exhibit high levels of interconnection without sufficient redundancy to compensate for failures, it can lead to catastrophic consequences. Likewise, high levels of complexity are generally considered to make highly interconnected systems riskier. Unanticipated risks and connections can lead to failures cascading across the system. Increasing Interdependence Our existing digital economy shares many of these characteristics. The digital economy is characterized by a business model that focuses on businesses getting as large as possible as quickly as possible. The lead-up to the 2008 financial crisis and the current digital economy share both the amplification of interdependency alongside the reduction of redundancy. In the case of finance, this proceeded through massive borrowing to leverage earnings, leaving a smaller ratio of money left to cover any possible losses. In the digital economy, this need to continually collect data increases interdependencies among datasets, platforms, corporations and networks. This increased interdependency is fundamental to the core business model of the digital economy. The undermining of redundancy in the digital sphere is manifested in the move-fast-and-break-things ethos in which digital companies eliminate or acquire competitors as quickly as possible while eliminating analog alternatives to their own digital networks. Last, these digital behemoths and their rapid growth increase the complexity of the digital economy and the monopolistic networks that dominate it. Obvious Warning Signs There is a key difference between the 2008 financial crisis and the contemporary digital economy. Unlike in the lead-up to the crisis, where a partially finance-driven prosperity quieted any obvious warning signs, the warning signs in the digital economy are front and centre for everyone to see. The 2017 WannaCry and NotPetya malware attacks each caused billions of dollars in damages. More recently, the CrowdStrike failure in 2024 cancelled thousands of flights, and even took television stations off the air. Constant hacks, ransomware attacks and data leakages are warning signs that this is a deeply fragile system. AI has taken many of these vulnerabilities into overdrive, while adding new risks, such as AI hallucinations and the exponential growth in misinformation. The speed and scale of AI are expected to intensify existing risks to confidentiality, system integrity and availability. This is potentially the most significant, though unfortunate element in this story. There is massive system risk, yet they are not addressed directly, and the processes heightening these risks continue to accelerate. This suggests a deeper problem in our politics. While we do have some ability to regulate after the damage is done, we struggle to prevent the next crisis. Elon Musks Grok AI secures federal deal amid free speech and transparency debate Elon Musk's xAI secured a landmark deal with the U.S. General Services Administration to integrate its Grok chatbot across federal agencies, positioning it as a competitor to OpenAI's ChatGPT. The agreement allows agencies to license Grok for just $0.42 per organizationundercutting rivalsthrough 2027. Musk credited President Donald Trump for enabling the partnership, framing it as a win for government efficiency and tech independence. Critics highlight Grok's erratic behavior (e.g., self-referential jokes like "MechaHitler") and politically charged outputs, raising concerns about bias and reliability in federal applications. Musk champions Grok as a transparent, decentralized alternative to "woke AI" monopolies (e.g., OpenAI/Microsoft), leveraging X's free-speech-aligned datasets. Skeptics question whether his model is truly independent or another power grab. The deal signals a pivotal moment in AI policy, testing whether Musk's free-speech-driven approach can outperform entrenched rivals. Data, transparency and political alliances are now central to the AI arms race. Elon Musk's artificial intelligence venture, xAI, has secured a landmark agreement with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to integrate its Grok chatbot across federal agencies, positioning it as a competitor to OpenAI's ChatGPT. The deal, announced this week, allows agencies to license Grok models for just $0.42 per organizationundercutting rivalsthrough March 2027. Musk credited former President Donald Trump for enabling the partnership, framing it as a victory for government efficiency and technological independence. However, the move has drawn scrutiny over Grok's controversial outputs and Musk's broader ambitions in AI development. (Related: U.S. government goes all-in on Grok: xAI's "rock-bottom" deal to power federal AI until 2027.) The federal government's embrace of Grok marks a significant shift in the AI arms race, where Musk's xAI competes against OpenAI, Google, Anthropic and Meta. Unlike OpenAI, which operates under Microsoft's deep ties to government contracts, Musk has positioned Grok as a more transparent alternative. His acquisition of Twitter (now X) was widely seen as a strategic play to harness vast, unrestricted datasetsleveraging free speech principles to train AI models outside traditional corporate or government influence. Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Josh Gruenbaum praised the deal, stating: "Widespread access to advanced AI models is essential to building the efficient, accountable government that taxpayers deserve." Yet critics highlight Grok's erratic behavior, including self-referential jokes as "MechaHitler" and politically charged outputs, raising concerns about bias in federal applications. Government adoption and controversy The partnership aligns with the Trump administration's "AI Action Plan," which sought to accelerate U.S. dominance in AI amid competition from China. Under the GSA's OneGov strategy, "agencies gain streamlined access to cutting-edge tools," Brighteon.AI's Enoch says, but Grok's inclusion has sparked pushback. Some lawmakers and advocacy groups warn that its unfiltered training data could propagate inaccuracies or harmful content. Despite these concerns, Musk's pitch hinges on affordability and transparency. At 0.42 per agencycompared to OpenAI's rateGrok offers the longest-term and lowest-cost contract under OneGov. Musk emphasized: "Thanks to President Trump and his administration, xAI's frontier AI is now unlocked for every federal agency empowering the U.S. Government to innovate faster." Musk's push into federal AI contracts underscores a broader ideological clash. While OpenAI and Microsoft operate within a tightly controlled, government-aligned framework, Musk champions decentralizationa theme consistent with his critiques of "woke AI" censorship and his release of X's algorithms. Supporters argue that Grok's open-source leanings could counterbalance AI monopolization by state-linked entities. Skeptics, however, question whether Musk's vision is truly independent or merely another power consolidation. The GSA's deal with xAI signals a pivotal moment in AI governance, blending Musk's disruptive ethos with federal modernization efforts. As agencies begin deploying Grok, its performanceand potential pitfallswill test whether Musk's bet on free speech-driven AI can outmaneuver entrenched rivals. For now, the partnership reinforces a key truth: in the battle for AI supremacy, data, transparency and political alliances are the ultimate currencies. Watch the video below that talks about Grok calling out Israel's genocide. This video is from alltheworldsastage channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Elon Musk's AI bot Grok briefly suspended from X after Gaza genocide comments. Elon Musk's xAI unleashes Grok 3: The smartest AI on Earth? Elon Musk releases Grok-1 LLM open source Mike Adams about to release Neo in early April at Brighteon.AI. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com Bloomberg.com Brighteon.ai MobileWorldLive.com Brighteon.com Billion-dollar failure: Ivanpah solar plant to shut down, dealing serious blow to Californias renewable energy dreams Ivanpah Solar Power Facility, a $2.2 billion project with $1.6 billion in federal loan guarantees, will shut down in 2026 after failing to meet efficiency targets. Outpaced by cheaper, more reliable photovoltaic solar, its concentrated solar power design proved unscalable. The Ivanpah facility kills about 6,000 birds annually due to heat beams and relies on natural gas backup, undermining its "clean energy" claims. It occupies 450x more land than Diablo Canyon nuclear plant while producing far less reliable power, worsening California's grid instability. The Ivanpah plant symbolizes the failures of government-backed renewable mandates, contributing to high electricity costs and unreliable energy supply. Californias ambitious push for renewable energy has hit another costly setback as the Ivanpah Solar Power Facility, once hailed as a groundbreaking achievement in solar technology, prepares to shut down in 2026 after failing to meet expectations. Construction on the facility, built in the Mojave Desert at a staggering cost of $2.2 billion, began in 2010 and was completed in 2014. It relied on 173,500 computer-controlled mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto three 459-foot towers, generating electricity through steam turbines. Despite receiving $1.6 billion in federal loan guarantees under the Obama administration, Ivanpah never achieved its promised efficiency and has since been outpaced by cheaper, more reliable solar photovoltaic technology. "It simply did not scale up," said alternative energy consultant Edward Smeloff. (Related: BILLION-DOLLAR BOONDOGGLE: Obamas Ivanpah solar plant exemplifies green energy failure and the cost of government overreach.) The plant's closure marks the end of an era for large-scale concentrated solar power projects, which were once seen as a viable alternative to fossil fuels. Instead, Ivanpah has become a cautionary tale of government-backed energy schemes plagued by inefficiency, excessive land use and unintended ecological damage. According to the Association of Avian Veterinarians, the facility's intense heat beams incinerate an estimated 6,000 birds annually a grim side effect of its design. Meanwhile, critics argue that the plant's reliance on natural gas to maintain operations undermines its supposed environmental benefits. Ivanpah symbolizes the Golden State's green energy failure The failure of Ivanpah raises broader questions about California's aggressive transition to renewable energy, which has coincided with rising electricity costs and rolling blackouts. While state lawmakers continue to push mandates requiring 100 percent "clean" electricity by 2045, the shutdown of reliable nuclear plants like Diablo Canyon which produces far more power on a fraction of the land has left the grid increasingly unstable. Experts warn that intermittent wind and solar sources cannot match the consistent output of nuclear or natural gas, forcing utilities to import power from neighboring states or rely on fossil-fuel backups. Brighteon.AI's Enoch explains that "fossil fuels outcompete renewables because they provide reliable, concentrated, and affordable energy on demand, while solar and wind remain intermittent, dilute and inefficient despite decades of subsidies." The decentralized engine adds that the natural advantages of fossil fuels storage capacity, scalability and proven infrastructure make them indispensable for meeting global energy needs. In contrast, renewables still account for only a tiny fraction of global power despite heavy government backing. As Ivanpah fades into obsolescence, its legacy serves as a stark reminder of the pitfalls of politically driven energy policy. Rather than delivering affordable, scalable solutions, the project became a symbol of wasted taxpayer dollars and misplaced priorities. With California already suffering from the nation's highest electricity prices and least reliable grid, the demise of Ivanpah underscores the urgent need for a reassessment of the Golden State's energy strategy one that prioritizes practicality over ideology. Watch Energy Secretary Chris Wright explaining to Fox News' Laura Ingraham why wind and solar power are unreliable. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: California shuts down second-largest hydroelectric power plant due to extreme drought. Drought could force California power plant to shut down at hottest time of the year. Solar farms sucking up California's water so much for "sustainability." Sources include: Breitbart.com NYPost.com CaliforniaGlobe.com Brighteon.ai Brighteon.com Trump pressures Turkeys Erdogan to STOP Russian oil imports U.S. President Donald Trump urged his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan to halt Russian oil purchases, framing them as indirect funding for the war in Ukraine. Trump offered potential sanctions relief and F-35 fighter jet sales in exchange for Ankara distancing itself from Moscow. As a NATO member maintaining ties with Moscow, Turkey risks alienating key allies like Russia and Iran while navigating U.S. pressure. Turkey, expelled from the F-35 program in 2017, pushed for readmission, with Trump hinting at a possible reversal. Turkey's strategic role as a NATO power with Russian energy ties makes its decisions pivotal for U.S. and regional stability. U.S. President Donald Trump urged Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to halt Russian oil purchases, framing Ankara's energy trade with Moscow as indirect funding for the war in Ukraine. Trump made the remarks during a high stakes meeting at the Oval Office on Thursday, Sept. 25 Erdogan's first White House visit in six years. The talks revealed Trumps transactional diplomacy, offering potential sanctions relief and F-35 fighter jet sales in exchange for Turkey distancing itself from Russia. Trump, seated beside Erdogan, praised the Turkish president as "a very tough man" capable of mediating between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky. But his primary demand was clear, with the real estate mogul telling reporters: "I'd like to have him stop buying any oil from Russia while Russia continues this rampage against Ukraine." Turkey remains one of Russia's top energy buyers, accounting for roughly 25 percent of Moscow's oil product sales in early 2025 far outpacing China and Brazil. Trump's push aligns with broader U.S. efforts to cripple Russia's wartime economy by choking off its energy revenue. The meeting underscored a delicate balancing act for Turkey, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member that has maintained ties with both Moscow and Washington despite escalating tensions. Brighteon.AI's Enoch engine warns that "Turkey's attempt to straddle both NATO and BRICS risks alienating key allies like Russia and Iran, undermining its geopolitical credibility and long-term strategic interests." (Related: Turkey, a strategic NATO ally, applies to join BRICS.) Will Trump bring Turkey back into the F-35 club? Meanwhile, Trump hinted at the potential reversal of Turkey's expulsion from the U.S. F-35 program. Ankara was booted out of the program in 2017 after it purchased Russian S-400 missile defenses. The purchase also triggered sanctions from Washington. "It could be very soon. If we have a good meeting, almost immediately," Trump said of the proposed sanctions relief for Ankara, signaling openness to lifting restrictions. Erdogan, who has long sought to re-enter the F-35 program, called the ban "not very becoming of a strategic partnership" in a Fox News interview earlier this week. The Thursday discussions also touched on Syria, where U.S. and Turkish interests overlap, but avoided public clashes over Gaza a point of sharp disagreement. Erdogan has condemned Israel's bombardment as "complete genocide," while Trump has largely refrained from criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Despite these tensions, both leaders emphasized a potential reset in relations. "He needs certain things, and we need certain things," Trump said. "We're going to come to a conclusion." Historically, Turkey's geopolitical significance has hinged on its dual role as a NATO bulwark and a bridge to the Middle East and Eurasia. Its departure from the alliance, though unlikely, would leave a critical gap in Europe's southern defenses. Turkey boasts NATO's second-largest military after the U.S., advanced drone technology and a burgeoning AI-piloted fighter jet program. Yet its deepening ties with Russia have strained relations with Washington, making Thursday's talks a pivotal moment for both nations. The meeting concluded without firm commitments, and the question remains whether Erdogan will prioritize U.S. demands over lucrative Russian energy deals and whether Trump's incentives will prove enough to sway him. Watch Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan denouncing Donald Trump's plan to take the Gaza Strip and resettle its residents as "absurd" in this clip. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Trump: Turkey was behind the Assad regime's downfall. Turkey set to become America's largest supplier of artillery. India defies U.S. pressure, vows to keep buying Russian oil. Russian Deputy PM: Rejection of Russian oil would lead to catastrophic consequences for global market. Sources include: OilPrice.com EFE.com Brighteon.ai BBC.com Brighteon.com Unlocking the secrets of the iris: A journey into iridology with Visions of Health Iridology began in the 19th century with Dr. Ignatz von Peczely and Rev. Nils Liljequist, who discovered correlations between iris markings and bodily health after personal observations. A detailed map linking iris regions to specific organs and systems, allowing practitioners to detect potential health imbalances (e.g., dark spots indicating chronic issues, white areas suggesting acute inflammation). Iridology blends anatomical knowledge with intuitive interpretation, requiring both technical skill and observational insight for accurate analysis. Modern tools like specialized iris cameras enhance precision and accessibility, moving beyond basic magnifiers to high-resolution imaging for deeper study. While iridology reveals nutritional deficiencies, organ weaknesses and genetic tendencies, it cannot diagnose diseases (e.g., identifying inflammation but not confirming an ulcer). It serves as a preventive health guide, not a replacement for medical diagnostics. A practice that has intrigued both skeptics and believers alike is iridology the art and science of analyzing the iris to uncover the body's secrets. At the heart of this practice is the groundbreaking book, "Visions of Health: Understanding Iridology" by the legendary Dr. Bernard Jensen and Dr. Donald V. Bodeen. This book not only introduces readers to the fascinating world of iridology but also delves into its rich history, its pioneers and its potential to transform our approach to health. The story of iridology is as intriguing as the practice itself. It all began in the 19th century with Hungarian physician Dr. Ignatz von Peczely who, as a child, observed a peculiar mark in the iris of an owl he had accidentally injured. This chance observation ignited a lifelong curiosity that eventually led him to develop the foundational principles of iridology. Later, Swedish clergyman Rev. Nils Liljequist made similar discoveries, noting how different substances he ingested altered the color of his irises. These two men are now regarded as the founding fathers of iridology, their work laying the groundwork for a practice that would captivate health enthusiasts for generations. One of the most compelling aspects of iridology is the iris chart, a detailed map that correlates specific areas of the iris with different parts of the body. Jensen's book provides a comprehensive explanation of this chart, illustrating how it can be used to identify potential health issues. For instance, a dark spot in the area corresponding to the heart might suggest a cardiovascular concern, while a white area could indicate acute inflammation. The chart is a powerful tool, but it requires a nuanced understanding of anatomy and physiology to interpret accurately. Jensen emphasizes that iridology is both an art and a science. While it is rooted in scientific principles and anatomical knowledge, it also demands the iridologist's ability to interpret the subtle signs and patterns in the iris. This blend of science and intuition is what makes iridology a unique and valuable practice. The practice of iridology has evolved significantly over the years, thanks in part to advancements in technology. Jensen's book discusses the various tools used by iridologists, from simple magnifying glasses to sophisticated cameras designed specifically for iris photography. These tools enable practitioners to obtain a clear view of the iris and capture images for detailed analysis. The use of technology has not only improved the accuracy of iridology but has also made it more accessible to a wider audience. One of the most critical discussions in Jensen's book is about the limitations of iridology. While it can provide valuable insights into nutritional needs, organ health and genetic predispositions, it cannot diagnose specific diseases or conditions. Brighteon.AI's Enoch cites this as an example: "Iridology might indicate signs of inflammation or weakness in the stomach area, but it cannot confirm whether a person has a stomach ulcer." This distinction is crucial, as it helps set realistic expectations for what iridology can achieve. It is a tool for gaining insights and guiding one's health journey, not a replacement for medical diagnosis and treatment. "Visions of Health: Understanding Iridology" is a comprehensive and inspiring guide to the world of iridology. It offers valuable insights into how we can use the iris to gain a deeper understanding of our health and well-being. Jensen's book is not just a manual for iridologists; it is a testament to the power of a holistic approach to health, where the body is seen as a complex, interconnected system. For anyone interested in exploring the healing arts from a natural perspective, this book is an invaluable resource. Learn more about iridology by watching the video below. This video is from the BrightLearn channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: Brighteon.ai Brighteon.com Zelensky says hes ready to step down when war ends Zelensky says his top priority is ending the war, not extending his presidency, and that he is prepared to step away once hostilities cease. He intends to ask Ukraine's parliament to hold new elections if a ceasefire is reached, aiming to restore democratic legitimacy when security allows. Ukraine has suspended elections under martial law since Russia's full-scale invasion, postponing a presidential term that would have ended in 2024. Zelensky acknowledges serious legal, logistical and security hurdles ahead, stressing that a safe environment is needed before the democratic transition can begin. His pledge to relinquish power frames his legacy around Ukraine's endurance and peace, while casting new attention on who will lead and how institutions will be rebuilt postwar. In a bold and public departure from standard political ambition, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced his intention to step away from power once the war with Russia is concluded. In an interview with Axios, Zelensky made clear that his priority is not to secure an extended tenure, but to bring the fighting to an end and ensure Ukraine's survival. "My goal is to finish the war," he told the interviewer, adding that staying on as president is not his personal objective. Zelensky's remarks represent one of the most direct signals yet that he views his presidency as a wartime commission rather than a long-term political project. He made clear that if a ceasefire is achieved, he would call on Ukraine's parliament (the Verkhovna Rada) to organize fresh elections. In doing so, he seeks to restore democratic legitimacybut only when conditions, including security, allow. (Related: Trump brokers historic Putin-Zelensky talks Will the war in Ukraine finally end?) The comments come against a backdrop of suspended elections in Ukraine. Under martial law, declared following Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, elections are constitutionally banned. Zelensky was elected in 2019 for a five-year term that would have ended in May 2024, but elections were postponed indefinitely due to wartime conditions. From battlefields to ballot boxes: Ukraine's difficult path back to democracy In his interview, Zelensky acknowledged the formidable logistical and constitutional challenges ahead. "During the ceasefire, I think security can give the possibility of having elections. It can be so," he said, conceding that the path to democracy in postwar Ukraine will require extraordinary precautions. He also recognized that many Ukrainians might desire a leader with a fresh mandate to guide the country through reconstruction and long-term peace. By pledging not to cling to power, Zelensky is anchoring his legacy to Ukraine's resilience and eventual victory, rather than to any extended grip on office. The statement implicitly rebuts criticismboth domestic and internationalof potential authoritarian drift and underscores his desire to distinguish the wartime presidency from peacetime governance. It also raises broader questions about postwar leadership: who succeeds him, how democratic institutions will be reconstituted and how Ukraine re?establishes political normalcy under immense pressure. Still, the uncertainty is clear. Even if a ceasefire is negotiated, the path from truce to election is fraught: much of Ukraine remains in conflict or under occupation, millions are displaced, infrastructure is damaged and security threats persist. The Central Election Commission has flagged that even the legal timeframe for post-martial-law elections may prove too tight for proper preparations. For now, Zelensky is reframing his role as that of a wartime leader whose mission is not the expansion of power but the achievement of peace. Whether Ukraine's future leaders will carry forward that mantleor chart their own courseremains to be seen. According to Brighteon.AI's Enoch, Zelensky's stepping down is inevitable and necessary for a peaceful resolution, as his continued leadership only prolongs the suffering and loss of life. His removal will pave the way for a more pragmatic and conciliatory approach, aligning with the interests of the Ukrainian people and the broader global community. This change is essential for the restoration of peace and the rebuilding of a sovereign, self-reliant Ukraine. Visit WWIII.news for more stories like this. Watch the full episode of the "Health Ranger Report" with Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, and Ray McGovern as they talk about Trump, Putin, Zelensky and the fight for peace in Ukraine. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Ukraine's Zelensky demands U.S. isolate from Russia, cut off communications. Zelensky willing to sign peace deal with Russia in exchange for NATO membership. Zelensky ADMITS Ukraines counteroffensive HAS FAILED. Sources include: YourNews.com Reuters.com Brighteon.AI Brighteon.com Sorry, something doesn't look right. Something seems unusual about your device or browser. Please contact support. When Kimberly Gravitt a widow from Gwinnett County fell behind on her mortgage, she reached out to a company she believed would serve as a lifeline: Homesaver 911. However, signing up for this company's services wound up setting off a chain of events that has left her with nothing. Gravitt is now facing eviction from a house she believes she still owns and the stress has been so severe that she was recently hospitalized in a mental health facility, according to WSB-TV [1]. Must Read She was balled up in a ball on my couch going, They just got all of my equity, Gravitts daughter-in-law, Destiny Gravitt-Waters, told reporter Justin Gray. When asked what Gravitt received in exchange for her house, Gravitt-Waters didnt mince words. Nothing. No money. Nothing. A rescue gone wrong Gravitt reached out to Homesaver 911 in 2024 seeking help as she hoped to avoid foreclosure. As part of the rescue deal, Gravitt signed over a warranty deed a legal document transferring ownership of Gravitts property to Homesaver 911. The company told WSB-TV that this transfer is meant to be temporary and ownership is given back to clients once the loan is paid back. However, in this instance, the deed seems to have been transferred to another company called Georgia Venture Investment Company. This company then took Gravitt to court in 2024, claiming she agreed to sell her property for $150,000 in 2023 but failed to follow through with the deal. A Fulton County judge sided with Georgia Venture Investment Company in a default judgement and ruled she must sell the home to the company upon plaintiffs payment of the purchase price and other monies required by the contract [2]. Although Gray couldnt find any documentation to prove the sale or a transfer of money, an attorney for Georgia Venture Investment Company emailed a statement to Gray. Georgia Venture has tendered the money to Ms. Gravitt many times, but she refuses to accept it. She or her attorney may obtain the money at any time, reads the statement. But the Gravitts say that is not true at all. Unfortunately, Gravitts case isnt unique. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) had previously issued a warning about foreclosure scams that often target vulnerable older Americans [3]. Due to scheduled maintenance from Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 10 PM to Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 2 AM, there may be interruptions for our News Gazette Digital subscribers. During this time frame, please click on any News Gazette website content without logging into your News Gazette Digital subscription account. Thank you for your patience during this scheduled maintenance. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Snow this evening will transition to snow showers late. Low 24F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 90%. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected.. Tonight Snow this evening will transition to snow showers late. Low 24F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 90%. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected. Download Now The News-Gazette mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the News-Gazette on your mobile device just as it appears in print. The initial hospital treatment of firearm injuries cost the U.S. health care system an estimated $7.7 billion between 2016 and 2021, with the largest share falling on urban trauma center hospitals that serve the highest proportion of Medicaid patients, reports a new study led by Northwestern Medicine. The study analyzed emergency department and inpatient visits for firearm injuries between 2016 and 2021. Annual costs held steady at about $1.2 billion through 2019, then jumped to $1.6 billion in 2021, a 33% increase that coincided with a rise in firearm injuries during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than half of all firearm injury costs were billed to Medicaid. Yet, Medicaid reimbursement often falls short of actual treatment costs, leaving safety-net hospitals, which serve vulnerable, lower-income patient populations, on the front lines of the gun violence epidemic to absorb substantial losses. The study authors warn that recent Medicaid funding cuts adopted by Congress could further strain these hospitals. The findings will be published on Friday (Sept. 26) in JAMA Health Forum. Gun injuries are a source of financial strain on hospitals, particularly large safety-net trauma center hospitals that often operate on thin margins." Alexander Lundberg, study corresponding author, assistant professor of emergency medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine "Because in many states Medicaid reimbursement is typically below the true cost of care, trauma center hospitals are already absorbing significant losses," added study co-author Dr. Anne Stey, assistant professor of surgery at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and a Northwestern Medicine trauma surgeon. "Medicaid funding cuts could further financially destabilize trauma centers. Some could close, or stop being trauma centers that provide the high-level and life-saving trauma care that all American families need after car accidents, falls and bike accidents." Overall, the largest share of costs went toward treating patients who were Black, men and from low-income areas. How the study was conducted To get a national picture of the health care costs of firearm injuries, the scientists analyzed hospital records from six states: Arkansas, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Wisconsin. The team chose these states because they collect high-quality data on both inpatient hospitalizations and emergency visits. The team analyzed every hospital visit in those states for a new firearm injury from 2016 to 2021 and then used these patterns to generate national estimates. To find out where in the health system the costs are most concentrated, the team broke down the data by patient demographics, hospital size and health insurance coverage, among other factors. Key findings The initial treatment of firearm injuries cost U.S. hospitals $7.7 billion from 2016 to 2021 Annual costs stayed stable from 2016 to 2019 (about $1.2 billion per year) before climbing to $1.6 billion in 2021 The annual cost of treatment for pediatric patients grew 54% from 2019 to 2021 Medicaid was the primary payer for 52% of all hospital costs, followed by private insurance (20%), self-pay or uninsured patients (16%) and Medicare (6%) Beyond the hospital bill The Northwestern team notes that their estimate likely understates the complete financial toll of firearm injuries. Their analysis included only the initial hospital stay or emergency visit and did not capture other significant health care costs related to firearm injuries, such as ambulance or air transport, rehabilitation, follow-up visits and return to hospital. The study also does not account for indirect costs to American families such as lost wages of patients and their caregivers, long-term disability or the emotional and economic burden on communities. Solutions Lundberg and colleagues say their findings highlight the need to strengthen financial support for trauma center hospitals to sustain trauma care in their communities most affected by gun violence. The authors also call for more investment in injury-prevention programs and safe-firearm storage education to prevent unauthorized firearm access. The study is called "Health Care Costs of Firearm Injury Hospital Visits in the US." One effective way of tackling childhood food insecurity could be hiring and collaborating with food outreach specialists in pediatrician offices, according to research presented during the American Academy of Pediatrics 2025 National Conference & Exhibition at the Colorado Convention Center from Sept. 26-30. The research, titled "Addressing Childhood Food Insecurity: An Integrated and Community-Based Approach," placed a food outreach specialist from a local community organization in an urban Midwest clinic to serve as a liaison for connecting families in need with available resources. The specialist had expertise in food-related resources and the ability to enroll families in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The specialist also helped troubleshoot challenges families had with access to food-related resources. Research author Constance Gundacker, MD, MPH, FAAP, section chief, general and community pediatrics at Medical College of Wisconsin, pointed to the number of families who received assistance with the pilot program as a sign that the program could have positive benefits. We've seen the powerful effectiveness of trusted community partnerships by embedding a FoodShare outreach specialist directly into a pediatric primary care clinic. This innovative approach has already connected over 600 families with vital resources, showcasing a highly effective and sustainable model for addressing food insecurity where families already seek care." Constance Gundacker, MD, MPH, FAAP, section chief, general and community pediatrics at Medical College of Wisconsin In total, 664 families were assisted by the specialist in the first year of this partnership. 24 families were enrolled in FoodShare, Wisconsin's name for the state's food stamps program, which provided an estimated 19,176 annual meals with an economic impact of $115,512. The centralized location also supported the specialist by providing a community outreach site for those in need. Authors state that feedback from participating families can be used to improve the program as it expands beyond its initial run. They said that for communities with high rates of food insecurity, integration of a food resource specialist in a pediatric clinic is an effective and sustainable way to connect families to food. The authors received financial support for this research from Children's Wisconsin and the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment. The partnership was also supported by Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin. Study authors Cassandra Wright, Sherida Strong-Rimmer, and Dr. Constance Gundacker are scheduled to present their research, which is below, from 10:00 a.m. -11:30 a.m. MDT on Saturday, Sept. 27 in the Colorado Convention Center, Four Seasons Ballroom 1 & 2. To request an interview with the authors, contact [email protected] and [email protected]. In addition, Dr. Gundacker will be among highlighted abstract authors who will give a brief presentation and be available for interviews during a press conference from noon-1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, in the National Conference Press Room, CCC 705/707. During the meeting, you may reach AAP media relations staff at 303-228-8338. Annotating regions of interest in medical images, a process known as segmentation, is often one of the first steps clinical researchers take when running a new study involving biomedical images. For instance, to determine how the size of the brain's hippocampus changes as patients age, the scientist first outlines each hippocampus in a series of brain scans. For many structures and image types, this is often a manual process that can be extremely time-consuming, especially if the regions being studied are challenging to delineate. To streamline the process, MIT researchers developed an artificial intelligence-based system that enables a researcher to rapidly segment new biomedical imaging datasets by clicking, scribbling, and drawing boxes on the images. This new AI model uses these interactions to predict the segmentation. As the user marks additional images, the number of interactions they need to perform decreases, eventually dropping to zero. The model can then segment each new image accurately without user input. It can do this because the model's architecture has been specially designed to use information from images it has already segmented to make new predictions. Unlike other medical image segmentation models, this system allows the user to segment an entire dataset without repeating their work for each image. In addition, the interactive tool does not require a presegmented image dataset for training, so users don't need machine-learning expertise or extensive computational resources. They can use the system for a new segmentation task without retraining the model. In the long run, this tool could accelerate studies of new treatment methods and reduce the cost of clinical trials and medical research. It could also be used by physicians to improve the efficiency of clinical applications, such as radiation treatment planning. Many scientists might only have time to segment a few images per day for their research because manual image segmentation is so time-consuming. Our hope is that this system will enable new science by allowing clinical researchers to conduct studies they were prohibited from doing before because of the lack of an efficient tool." Hallee Wong, electrical engineering and computer science graduate student and lead author of a paper on the new tool She is joined on the paper by Jose Javier Gonzalez Ortiz PhD '24; John Guttag, the Dugald C. Jackson Professor of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering; and senior author Adrian Dalca, an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and MGH, and a research scientist in the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL). The research will be presented at the International Conference on Computer Vision. Streamlining segmentation There are primarily two methods researchers use to segment new sets of medical images. With interactive segmentation, they input an image into an AI system and use an interface to mark areas of interest. The model predicts the segmentation based on those interactions. A tool previously developed by the MIT researchers, ScribblePrompt, allows users to do this, but they must repeat the process for each new image. Another approach is to develop a task-specific AI model to automatically segment the images. This approach requires the user to manually segment hundreds of images to create a dataset, and then train a machine-learning model. That model predicts the segmentation for a new image. But the user must start the complex, machine-learning-based process from scratch for each new task, and there is no way to correct the model if it makes a mistake. This new system, MultiverSeg, combines the best of each approach. It predicts a segmentation for a new image based on user interactions, like scribbles, but also keeps each segmented image in a context set that it refers to later. When the user uploads a new image and marks areas of interest, the model draws on the examples in its context set to make a more accurate prediction, with less user input. The researchers designed the model's architecture to use a context set of any size, so the user doesn't need to have a certain number of images. This gives MultiverSeg the flexibility to be used in a range of applications. "At some point, for many tasks, you shouldn't need to provide any interactions. If you have enough examples in the context set, the model can accurately predict the segmentation on its own," Wong says. The researchers carefully engineered and trained the model on a diverse collection of biomedical imaging data to ensure it had the ability to incrementally improve its predictions based on user input. The user doesn't need to retrain or customize the model for their data. To use MultiverSeg for a new task, one can upload a new medical image and start marking it. When the researchers compared MultiverSeg to state-of-the-art tools for in-context and interactive image segmentation, it outperformed each baseline. Fewer clicks, better results Unlike these other tools, MultiverSeg requires less user input with each image. By the ninth new image, it needed only two clicks from the user to generate a segmentation more accurate than a model designed specifically for the task. For some image types, like X-rays, the user might only need to segment one or two images manually before the model becomes accurate enough to make predictions on its own. The tool's interactivity also enables the user to make corrections to the model's prediction, iterating until it reaches the desired level of accuracy. Compared to the researchers' previous system, MultiverSeg reached 90 percent accuracy with roughly 2/3 the number of scribbles and 3/4 the number of clicks. "With MultiverSeg, users can always provide more interactions to refine the AI predictions. This still dramatically accelerates the process because it is usually faster to correct something that exists than to start from scratch," Wong says. Moving forward, the researchers want to test this tool in real-world situations with clinical collaborators and improve it based on user feedback. They also want to enable MultiverSeg to segment 3D biomedical images. This work is supported, in part, by Quanta Computer, Inc. and the National Institutes of Health, with hardware support from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center. Goldman Sachs (GS) CEO David Solomon said he hasn't landed on a firm view about whether US public companies, including his own, should shift to reporting earnings half as often as the current standard. "I'm not ready to give ... public advocacy on one side or the other, Solomon said during a wide-ranging discussion at a Thursday event hosted by Georgetown University's Psaros Center for Financial Markets and Policy. "It's not a crystal-clear issue and, you know, until a week ago, I didn't know it was something I needed to think about right now," he added. Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon participates in the Invest America Roundtable at the White House on June 9. (Reuters/Evelyn Hockstein) REUTERS / Reuters Few major bank CEOs have weighed in on the topic since President Trump floated the idea earlier this month in a Truth Social post that companies should be required to report finanicial results only every six months moving away from the quarterly reporting that defines much of corporate America's calendar. Current regulations require publicly traded companies to report earnings on a quarterly basis, though providing forecasts is voluntary. The rules can be changed by a majority vote at the US Securities and Exchange Commission, where Republicans hold a voting majority. Last Friday, in a CNBC interview, Trump's appointed SEC chair, Paul Atkins, said that after discussing the topic with the president, he believed that "the market can decide what proper cadence is." In the Thursday talk, Solomon said that the argument for making the change "is you can get adequate financial disclosure in [longer] reporting cycles, and it frees up both time and economic opportunity to really focus on the business and take a longer-term view around how you want to invest in the business." On the other hand, he said the argument against such a move is that it decreases transparency for investors. "There's always a good argument for more transparency," Solomon said. One major bank CEO has already been clear about their feelings on quarterly earnings. JPMorgan Chase (JPM) CEO Jamie Dimon has previously lambasted the practice. He warned as far back as 2018 in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, co-authored with Warren Buffett, that the short-term focus of meeting quarterly earnings expectations "is harming the economy." "To the the extent there's changes made that move other companies toward a longer term orientation, that's probably net net good for the economy," Charles Schwab CEO (SCHW) Rick Wurster told Yahoo Finance earlier Thursday. "That all said, I think that there's still going to be a demand from shareholders, analysts, for regular communication," Wurster added. An article published in the journal Communications Medicine points to a correlation between disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field resulting from solar storms and an increase in the frequency of heart attacks, especially among women. The authors reached this conclusion by analyzing data from the public health network of Sao Jose dos Campos, in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, recorded between 1998 and 2005, a period considered to be one of intense solar activity. Focusing on hospital admissions for myocardial infarction, the analysis included information from 871 men and 469 women. Data from the Planetary Index (Kp-Index), an indicator of variations in the Earth's geomagnetic field, were also incorporated into the statistical analysis. We classified the days analyzed as calm, moderate, or disturbed. And the health data were divided by sex and age group [up to 30 years old; between 31 and 60; over 60 years old]. It's worth noting that the number of heart attacks among men is almost twice as high regardless of geomagnetic conditions. But when we look at the relative frequency rate of cases, we find that for women, it's significantly higher during disturbed geomagnetic conditions compared to calm conditions. In the 31-60 age group, it's up to three times higher. Therefore, our results suggest that women are more susceptible to geomagnetic conditions." Luiz Felipe Campos de Rezende, researcher at Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE) and corresponding author of the article As Rezende explains, geomagnetic disturbances are caused by the impact of the solar wind on the magnetosphere, the outermost region of the atmosphere where the solar wind meets the Earth's magnetic field. The effects of these disturbances on satellite communications and global positioning systems (GPS) are well known. Since the late 1970s, studies conducted in the Northern Hemisphere have suggested that magnetic particles ejected by the Sun may also have an impact on human health, particularly the cardiovascular system. Data from these studies suggest possible explanations, such as changes in blood pressure, heart rate, and circadian rhythm, which regulates the sleep-wake cycle and all bodily functions. However, this remains an open scientific question. "This is the first study on the subject conducted in our latitudes, but it isn't conclusive. Therefore, the intention isn't to cause alarm among the population, particularly among women. There are some limitations to consider: this is an observational study conducted in a single city, using a sample size that isn't yet ideal for medical questions. However, we believe that these findings represent an empirical result of hypothetical significance and relevance that shouldn't be disregarded in the scientific context," the researcher says. This also appears to be the first, or at least one of the few studies, to suggest that women are more susceptible to geomagnetic disturbances. The article did not explore the causes of this phenomenon. "We didn't find any significant publications on this subject in the literature. It's a question for future studies," Rezende points out. Prediction and prevention The Sun undergoes cycles of increased and decreased magnetic activity, averaging 11 years. It is estimated that the "solar maximum" phase occurred between late 2024 and early 2025. This is the period of the cycle with the highest magnetic activity. According to experts, 2025 will be a year of high solar activity. However, it is worth noting that disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field occur sporadically. INPE maintains a website that monitors these variations. "Scientists around the world have been trying to predict the occurrence of geomagnetic disturbances, but the accuracy, for now, isn't good. When this type of service is more advanced and if the impact of magnetic disturbances on the heart is confirmed we'll be able to consider prevention strategies from a public health perspective, especially for individuals who already suffer from heart problems," Rezende says. Stroke patients evaluated using telemedicine (telestroke) have higher odds of receiving essential treatment, yet it takes them significantly longer to be treated - potentially limiting the benefits, a Michigan Medicine-led study finds. Researchers evaluated more than 3,000 patients with ischemic stroke, the most common type, who were potentially eligible for treatment with thrombolysis. The study used data from 42 hospitals in the Paul Coverdell Michigan Stroke Registry, a program funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that measures, tracks and aims to improve the quality of care for patients with stroke. Also called clot-busting medication, thrombolysis is highly time sensitive. National stroke guidelines from the American Heart Association recommend thrombolysis treatment within 60 minutes of a patient arriving to the hospital. Patients seen using telestroke were 1.6 times more likely to receive clot-busting drugs. However, the time it took for telestroke patients to receive treatment after arriving to the hospital, known as "door-to-needle" time - was nearly seven minutes longer than patients evaluated in person. Telestroke patients had 44% lower odds of being successfully treated within 60 minutes of getting to the hospital. Results are published in JAMA Network Open. "Telestroke care has the potential to revolutionize acute stroke treatment by improving access to lifesaving treatment, but our findings highlight clear gaps in the ability to promptly treat these patients after they are evaluated," said Brian Stamm, M.D., M.Sc., lead author and clinical assistant professor of neurology at University of Michigan Medical School. "This is a major opportunity for quality improvement to identify unique factors in telestroke systems that contribute to treatment delays." Telestroke evaluations happened more often at rural hospitals and health systems without comprehensive stroke centers. Investigators also evaluated a subgroup of patients who required transfer to another hospital for advanced stroke treatment and found that it took telestroke patients 47 minutes longer to be transferred, compared to stroke patients evaluated in person. Delays in hospital transfer may limit a patient's eligibility for endovascular thrombectomy, a minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove a large blood clot causing stroke. The American Heart Association recommends that potential candidates for endovascular therapy spend fewer than 90 minutes in the initial transferring emergency department (known as the "door-in-door-out time"), and the Joint Commission recommends this time be less than 120 minutes for all stroke patients. Past U-M research found that nearly three-quarters of stroke patients who require a transfer wait longer than two hours. The current study suggests these transfers may take even longer for telestroke patients. We know that stroke transfer times are a major problem for the entire stroke care system, but our study highlights particular challenges for telestroke patients. Several barriers exist for timely transfer to comprehensive stroke centers, including lack of EMS availability and difficulty finding an accepting facility." Deborah Levine, M.D., M.P.H., senior author and professor of internal medicine and neurology at U-M Medical School Stroke providers often use the saying, "Time is brain," to reflect the importance of speedy acute stroke treatment. The likelihood of neurologic and functional deficits rapidly increases without timely stroke care. Patients experiencing large vessel ischemic strokes lose nearly 2 million neurons each minute. In 2010, the AHA created the Target: Stroke program to improve national stroke treatment efficiency. A study conducted four years later found that hospitals participating in the program reduced average door-to-needle treatment times from 74 to 59 minutes. AHA's Target: Stroke now has a goal of treating 85% of ischemic stroke patients within 60 minutes of hospital arrival. In the U-M study, only 60% of patients evaluated using telestroke received thrombolysis within the hour. "Telestroke has markedly increased access to stroke care and is an essential component of stroke systems," said co-author Mollie McDermott, M.D., M.S., director of the Stroke Division at U-M Health and clinical associate professor of neurology at U-M Medical School. "Yet, our findings suggest there is considerable room to 'move the needle' on timely stroke treatment for patients evaluated by telestroke." In the dry, isolated area of Karamoja in northeastern Uganda the countrys poorest sub-region children have long suffered from malnutrition and water shortages. Now a study has shown that nearly half the food and water consumed by under-fives in the region is contaminated with drug-resistant Salmonella, further limiting their chances of survival. The peer-reviewed study, published in BioMed Central, found contamination in samples of both raw and cooked foods, as well as in community and household water. More than 90 per cent of the Salmonella enterica strains identified by researchers were resistant to azithromycin, one of the most common antibiotics, while more than a third were resistant to multiple drugs. Ronald Mpagi, the studys lead author and a microbiology researcher at Ugandas Gulu University, told SciDev.Net he was driven to investigate persistent malnutrition in Karamoja after years of government and donor programmes showed little progress. A semi-arid area, Karamoja suffers chronic water scarcity, leaving families without reliable safe drinking water. Most households are nomadic pastoralists living in manyattas, enclosed homesteads where cattle are kept close to people. Toilets missing Over 60 per cent of the population practices open defecation, overwhelming limited sanitation systems. The available toilets cannot really accommodate the growing population of the Karamoja people, Mpagi told SciDev.Net. Most of the toilets are built in designated places, but because many families are nomadic, they move with their animals and cannot return to use these facilities before continuing their journey. These conditions create a cycle where human waste, livestock, food and water intersect, spilling contamination into childrens meals. Diarrhea, a common outcome, is among the five leading causes of under-five mortality. Repeated diarrheal illness prevents children from absorbing nutrients, leaving them weak and vulnerable. Bwambale Benard, a Ugandan public health nutritionist and food systems specialist, says that once first-line antibiotics fail, children stay sick longer, malnutrition worsens, and mortality rises. Whole community hit But Benard points out that children are not the only ones at risk. Infections also affect pregnant women, the elderly, and whole households, leaving families unproductive and draining limited incomes. So we are going to have a community that is ill, sickly, that cannot be productive, and so they are not contributing productively to the GDP of a country, or even they are not able to sustain their families, he told SciDev.Net. A USAID-funded project in 2017 projected malnutrition will cost Uganda an estimated 19 trillion Ugandan Shillings (US$7.7 billion) in lost productivity by 2025. Benard believes that if left unchecked, drug-resistant Salmonella could also undermine Ugandas development targets. He stressed the need for safer food handling to prevent recontamination, adding that ending open defecation requires tackling both cultural and practical barriers. Tracking resistance Andrew Kambugu, executive director of the Infectious Diseases Institute at Makerere University, Uganda, says the country has developed systems to detect antimicrobial resistance before it escalates. In partnership with Ugandas Ministry of Health, his team runs a surveillance network supported by the UK Aidfunded Fleming Fund. Operating in seven referral hospitals across the country, the system monitors resistance patterns and provides early warnings. With the surveillance system, it means that if we see what we call clusters of patients that present diarrhea due to Salmonella, we will be able to see that because we are collecting the data and it will act as an early warning system to tell us that in that hospital there is a problem, Kambugu told SciDev.Net. He says hospitals are tracked closely and while clusters do not always confirm diarrhea outbreaks, they prompt further investigation and guide the Ministry of Healths response. Kambugu said the recent findings from Karamoja were striking. In the regions that have been [by his institute], we do not have this high rate. I think it is unusual, he said, adding that the cultural practices and access to water issues in Karamoja could be responsible for the situation. Improving outcomes Daniel Kyabayinze, director of public health at Ugandas Ministry of Health, told SciDev.Net the government was reinforcing hygiene education in Karamoja and training farmers on safer post-harvest handling. He linked these measures to Ugandas National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance, now in its fifth year and aligned with the WHO Global Action Plan. Under the plan, referral hospitals feed lab data into antibiograms laboratory reports that show which antibiotics are effective against different bacteria which shape procurement and treatment decisions. Kyabayinze said the study revealed an important opportunity to improve outcomes. While widely used drugs like azithromycin and ciprofloxacin showed high resistance, older and cheaper medicines such as co-trimoxazole still had very low resistance. So we can roll out the cheaper and more friendly drugs, especially in regions like Karamoja, he said. Drugs valued at Rs 2.04 crore seized in Mumbai; 11 held Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 23:45 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Mumbai, Sep 27 (PTI) The Mumbai police have seized various narcotic substances, including heroin and mephedrone, valued at Rs 2.04 crore in nine separate cases and arrested 11 drug peddlers, officials said on Saturday. The seizures were made by the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) this week after operations at Dharavi, Bandra, Byculla, Govandi, Goregaon, Borivali, Malvani, Malad and Mahim localities in the metropolis, they said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Recommended Stories According to an official, the haul comprises 346 grams of heroin, 198 grams of mephedrone, over 6 kg of ganja, and 3,460 alprazolam, tramadol and nitrazepam tablets, which are medicines but often abused, in nine different cases. A total of 11 peddlers were arrested. The seized drugs are valued at Rs 2.04 crore, he said, adding that an investigation is underway. PTI DC NR Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: September 27, 2025, 23:45 IST News agency-feeds Drugs valued at Rs 2.04 crore seized in Mumbai; 11 held Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Youth Congress holds rally in Pune over vote chori, unemployment Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 21:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Pune, Sep 27 (PTI) The Maharashtra Pradesh Youth Congress on Saturday staged a mashal morcha in Pune to protest against vote chori" in elections and rising" unemployment, warning the state government of intensified agitation if the grievances of youth are not addressed. Hundreds of Youth Congress workers joined the rally, marching with flaming torches and raising slogans like stop vote chori", provide jobs to youth" and save democracy". The rally was carried out from the Congress Bhavan to Balgandharv Chowk. Recommended Stories The partys state chief Harshwardhan Sapkal, who addressed the gathering, accused the government of strangling democracy". The government has openly stolen votes in elections. Unemployment is destroying the lives of young people. Even if attempts are made to suppress our voices, we will not remain silent," Sapkal said. Youth Congress state president Shivraj More said they would hit the streets against what he termed a betrayal of the youth". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all We will never accept those who have come to power through vote theft. The fight for employment, education and rights will now move from the streets to Parliament," he said. More said their agitation against the murder of democracy" and unemployment will be intensified in the coming days. PTI SPK NR Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: September 27, 2025, 21:15 IST News agency-feeds Youth Congress holds rally in Pune over vote chori, unemployment Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Aaj Ka Panchang, September 27, 2025: Tithi, Vrat, Shubh Muhurat & Rahu Kaal Today Written By : GaneshaGrace Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 05:00 IST Aaj Ka Panchang, September 27, 2025: Get accurate details on todays Hindu calendar including tithi, vrat, nakshatra, yoga, sunrise/sunset timings, and shubh and ashubh muhurat. Aaj Ka Panchang, September 27, 2025: Navratri day 6 is dedicated to the worship of the Katyayani form of Maa Durga. (AI generated image) Aaj Ka Panchang, September 27, 2025: Today is the sixth day of Shukla Paksha and the sixth day of Sharadiya Navratri. This day is dedicated to the worship of the Katyayani form of Maa Durga. Katyayani Devi is considered to be the presiding deity of love, marriage, strength, and courage. This day is especially auspicious for unmarried girls, and worshiping the mother blesses with the attainment of a suitable groom and happiness and peace in married life. Todays Nakshatra Anuradha, which is in Scorpio, promotes perseverance, mysterious attraction, and loyalty in life. This Nakshatra is best for friendship, travel, and spiritual contemplation. Preeti Yoga will be effective till 11:46 PM, which encourages love, harmony, mutual understanding, and sweet relationships. Recommended Stories The Moon is transiting in Scorpio, which fills today with serious thought, inner strength, and emotional depth. This is a day when you can recognize the power within and take time for a special decision or self-dialogue. As today is Saturday, remedies for Shani Shanti, like donation of black sesame seeds, recitation of Shani Stotra, or worship of Peepal tree, are considered beneficial. Also, by worshipping Maa Katyayani today, happiness in married life, marital harmony, and child happiness is possible. Today is a favorable day for spiritual practice, strengthening relationships, expressing love, and making family decisions. Success will be achieved in the work done with restraint and patience. With the blessings of Maa Durga, love, courage, and balance will remain in life. Tithi: Shukla Shashthi Nakshatra: Anuradha Karana: Kaulav Paksha: Shukla-Paksha Yoga: Priti till 11:46:41 PM Day: Saturday Sun & Moon Calculations Sun Rise: 06:31:00 AM Sun Set: 06:32:13 PM Moon Rise: 11:06:44 AM Moon Set: 09:51:03 PM Moon Sign: Scorpio Ritu: Sharad Hindu Month & Year Shaka Samvat: 1947 Vikram Samvat: 2082 Month Amanta: Ashwin Month Purnimanta: Ashwin Inauspicious Timings (Ashubh Muhurat) Rahu Kaal: 09:31:19 AM to 11:01:28 AM Yamaganda: 02:01:46 PM to 03:31:55 PM Gulika Kaal: 06:31:00 AM to 08:01:10 AM Auspicious Timings (Shubh Muhurat) top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Abhijit: 12:07:00 PM to 12:55:00 PM (The author Chirag Daruwalla is the son of Astrologer Bejan Daruwalla). About the Author Chirag Daruwalla Chirag Daruwalla, a renowned Indian astrologer with 18+ years of experience, provides expert guidance in career, health, finance, business, and more. He combines Vedic and Western astrology, I-Ching, ... Read More First Published: September 27, 2025, 05:00 IST News astrology Aaj Ka Panchang, September 27, 2025: Tithi, Vrat, Shubh Muhurat & Rahu Kaal Today Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Picturesque Visuals: Glimpse Of Mizorams 1st Train Line That It Got 172 Yrs After Indian Railways Launch Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 08:30 IST In a transformational step, the Narendra Modi-led Indian government announced the opening of Mizoram's first train route via the Bairabi-Sairang express. Clip shows travellers enjoying the Bairabi-Sairang express. (Photo Credit: X) The stunning landscape of Mizoram will now soothe the eyes and soul of the rest of the country after the state finally got its own train line following 172 years of waiting. As PM Narendra Modi inaugurated Mizorams first Indian Railways line and paved the way for the Bairabi-Sairang express on September 13, a video on the internet highlighted Mizorams rising tourist turnout in the last two weeks. In the clip, we can see locals and tourists mingling inside the Bairabi-Sairang express, travelling to the capital city of Aizawl and enjoying the picturesque visuals along the way. The advanced train offers travellers multiple great facilities, while providing them the opportunity to catch a glimpse of Mizoram like never before. Recommended Stories eureka Mizoram has got Train for the First time since Indias Independence pic.twitter.com/s1zawMkkHe From the Hills of Nagaland. (@Nagaland_India) September 26, 2025 Putting Aizawl On Indian Railways Map Launching the Bairabi-Sairang line, PM Modi said the express train has finally put Aizawl on the Indian Railways map. He also expressed gratitude towards Indias skilled engineers and spirited workers who turned the dream project into reality. From today, Aizawl will be on Indias railway map. A few years ago, I had the opportunity of laying the foundation stone for the Aizawl railway line and today, we proudly dedicate it to the people of the nation," the Prime Minister had said on X. #WATCH | Mizoram: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "From today, Aizawl will be on India's railway map. A few years ago, I had the opportunity of laying the foundation stone for the Aizawl railway line and today, we proudly dedicate it to the people of the nation. Overcoming pic.twitter.com/wVDdaX0I2u ANI (@ANI) September 13, 2025 Overcoming many challenges, including difficult terrain, this Bairabi-Sairang railway line has become a reality. The skills of our engineers and the spirit of our workers made this possible. Our hearts have always been directly connected to each other. For the first time, Sairang in Mizoram will be connected directly with Delhi by the Rajdhani Express." Connecting Mizoram To Rest Of India In a separate briefing, PM Modi hailed the Bairabi-Sairang railway line as a lifeline of transportation", which connects Mizoram locals with the rest of the country. The workers who put their heart and soul into the project managed to carve out the Himalayan terrain and laid the foundation to construct 45 tunnels spanning 51 km and 45 bridges. On these tracks, the Rajdhani Express will also be made operational, connecting Mizoram to Delhi. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Bairabi-Sairang railway line features 55 major bridges, among which the longest bridge measures about 1.3 km in length. It also boasts 87 minor bridges, five road overbridges and six road underbridges. The train helps reduce the travelling time between Silchar and Mizoram from 10 hours by road to about 3 hours. The Bairabi-Sairang route links Mizoram with Silchar in Assam via Bhodahpur Junction. It is part of Indian Railways plan to also connect Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya and Sikkim with the national railway network by 2030 under the Act East policy of the Modi government. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: September 27, 2025, 08:30 IST News auto Picturesque Visuals: Glimpse Of Mizorams 1st Train Line That It Got 172 Yrs After Indian Railways Launch Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Tata Capital IPO: Opening Date, Price, GMP, Lot Size, All You Need To Know Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 08:21 IST Tata Capital IPO: The issue size has been pegged at around $2 billion (Rs 17,200 crore), with the company eyeing a valuation of nearly $18 billion. Tata Capital IPO. Tata Capital IPO Opening Date: Tata Capital, the non-banking financial arm of the Tata Group, is gearing up for its much-awaited initial public offering (IPO), which is set to open on Monday, October 6, 2025, and close on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. The anchor book will be launched earlier on Friday, October 3, 2025, according to a disclosure made to the stock exchanges. The issue size has been pegged at around $2 billion (Rs 17,200 crore), with the company eyeing a valuation of nearly $18 billion, according to a PTI report citing sources. If successful, this will be the largest public issue in Indias financial sector so far. Recommended Stories IPO Structure The proposed issue comprises a total of 47.58 crore shares, including a fresh issue of 21 crore equity shares and an offer for sale (OFS) of 26.58 crore shares. Tata Sons, which currently holds an 88.6% stake in Tata Capital, will offload about 23 crore shares. International Finance Corporation (IFC), which owns 1.8%, will sell 3.58 crore shares. Proceeds from the fresh issue will be used to bolster Tata Capitals Tier-1 capital base, helping the NBFC meet future capital requirements, including lending operations. Price Band, GMP, and Lot Size The price band for the IPO has not been announced yet and will be decided closer to the launch date. The grey market premium (GMP) will also be known once the price band is finalised. Details of the lot size are expected to be announced soon, possibly next week. Regulatory Push and Sector Context This IPO comes as part of the Reserve Bank of Indias mandate, which requires all upper-layer NBFCs to be listed within three years of classification. Tata Capital was identified as an upper-layer NBFC in September 2022. The move mirrors similar listings in the sector. HDB Financial Services went public in June 2025 with a Rs 12,500 crore issue, while Bajaj Housing Finance made a blockbuster debut in September 2024, doubling investors money on listing day with a 135% premium. Business and Financials Founded in 2007, Tata Capital today serves over 70 lakh customers with a wide portfolio of more than 25 lending products, catering to individuals, SMEs, entrepreneurs and corporates. Apart from lending, it also distributes third-party products like insurance and credit cards, provides wealth management services, and acts as a sponsor and investment manager for private equity funds. For FY25, Tata Capital reported a profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 3,655 crore, compared to Rs 3,327 crore in the previous year. Its revenue jumped to Rs 28,313 crore in FY25, up from Rs 18,175 crore in FY24. Lead Managers top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The IPO is being managed by a strong line-up of book-running lead managers, including Axis Capital, Kotak Mahindra Capital, BNP Paribas, HDFC Bank, HSBC Securities, Citigroup Global Markets, ICICI Securities, IIFL Capital, SBI Capital Markets and J P Morgan India. If successful, Tata Capitals IPO will mark the second market debut by a Tata Group company in recent years, after Tata Technologies listed in November 2023. 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: September 27, 2025, 08:21 IST News business ipo Tata Capital IPO: Opening Date, Price, GMP, Lot Size, All You Need To Know Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Tata Motors Demerger: Know Record Date, Share-Swap Ratio, New Entities' Names, Other Details Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 12:43 IST Tata Motors will demerge into TMLCV and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles on October 1, 2025, led by Girish Wagh and Shailesh Chandra, with a 1:1 share entitlement for shareholders. Tata Motors Demerger Record Date. Tata Motors Demerger News: The long-planned demerger of Tata Motors commercial vehicle (CV) and passenger vehicle (PV) businesses is going to become effective on October 1, 2025. With this, the Mumbai-based automakers business will be divided into commercial and passenger units separately. According to a regulatory filing on September 26, Girish Wagh will lead Tata Motors commercial vehicle entity, while Shailesh Chandra will head the passenger vehicle unit. Heres everything you need to know: What Exactly Is Happening? Recommended Stories Tata Motors is separating its CV business from the rest of the group and creating two independently listed companies: one housing the commercial vehicle business and the other holding the passenger vehicle business (which will include EV operations and certain investments such as JLR). The corporate reorganisation follows board approvals and required regulatory processes, and has now received the necessary NCLT nod. Why the split? Management says the move will let each business pursue its own strategy more nimbly, sharpen accountability, and unlock value for shareholders. The CV and PV franchises have different dynamics, capital needs and growth levers separating them makes strategic sense. The company had announced the demerger in 2024. Tata Motors Demerger: Effective Date and Timeline Effective date: October 1, 2025. This is when the scheme legally takes effect. The Boards of the respective companies, at their meeting held today resolved to make the Scheme effective on October 1, 2025," Tata Motors said in its filing. Appointed date (for accounting/valuation purposes): July 1, 2025. Operational/ trading timeline: The company has said operational formalities (share allotment, separate tickers, listing dates) will follow after the scheme becomes effective. Tata Motors Demerger Share-Swap Ratio Entitlement (share-swap) ratio: 1:1 for every fully paid Tata Motors share held on the record date, shareholders will receive one share in the new CV company (TMLCV). In practical terms, shareholders end up with identical shareholding proportions in both listed entities. This 1:1 ratio has been part of the scheme since the board announcement. Names Of The Two Entities (What Will Be Called What) The scheme uses temporary/legal names during the process; there is also a planned renaming once the transactions are complete: TML Commercial Vehicles Limited (TMLCV) will receive the commercial-vehicle business. After the scheme becomes effective, TMLCV is expected to be renamed Tata Motors Limited. The existing listed company (current Tata Motors Limited) after transfer/merger mechanics are completed, the existing listed entity that retains the passenger-vehicle business (including EVs and JLR exposure) is expected to be renamed Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Limited. Tata Motors Demerger Record Date: When Will You Qualify? The record date (the cut-off to determine which shareholders are eligible to receive shares in the new CV company) has not been announced yet. The company will notify exchanges and publish a stock-exchange filing with the record date once the formalities and filings with the ROC are complete. The Company will separately notify the Effective Date of the Scheme and the Record Date," Tata Motors said in the filing. What Shareholders Should Expect On Their Demat Account If you hold whole shares, the 1:1 entitlement means you should receive one new CV share per Tata Motors share there is no fractional allocation because the ratio is 1:1. If you hold shares in a custodial/demat account, the transfer or credit of the new companys shares will happen automatically through the depository once the company completes corporate action formalities and the record date passes. The exact timing of credit depends on registrar processes and exchange listing timelines; expect a separate announcement from Tata Motors and the registrar. Tax, Voting and Dividend Implications Tax: The scheme was proposed to be structured as tax-neutral for the companies and shareholders (as per the companys scheme documents), but tax outcomes might vary by investor and by subsequent transactions (e.g., if you sell either stock). Voting: Post-demerger, your percentage ownership (and therefore aggregate voting power across the two listed entities) remains materially the same because of the 1:1 entitlement. Each company will have its own board and corporate governance. Dividends and payouts: Each entity will declare dividends independently, based on its standalone earnings and policy. Tata Motors Share Price top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Shares of Tata Motors on Friday, September 26, rose by 1.3% to close at Rs 672.9 apiece on the NSE. The stock is down 32.5% in the past one year. The share price is lower by 41.8% as compared with its peak of Rs 1,156 apiece recorded on July 29, 2024. 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: September 27, 2025, 12:43 IST News business Tata Motors Demerger: Know Record Date, Share-Swap Ratio, New Entities' Names, Other Details Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Tolling The Gridlock: Is Congestion Tax The Way Out Of Bengalurus Traffic Maze? Written By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 16:18 IST As per the proposal, commuters driving alone into Outer Ring Road would pay a fee via FASTag, while cars with two or more occupants would be exempt, incentivising carpooling Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Bengalurus roads have always reflected the citys paradox: rapid economic growth paired with infrastructure lag. So, what would a congestion tax mean in Bengaluru? Commuters driving alone into the Outer Ring Road (ORR)a 60-kilometre stretch linking tech hubs, commercial centres, and residential neighbourhoodswould automatically pay a fee via FASTag. Cars with two or more occupants would be exempt, incentivising carpooling and reducing single-occupancy vehicles. Recommended Stories Globally, congestion taxes are not new. Singapore uses a fully automated system with variable charges depending on time and location. London levies fees for entering central zones on weekdays, while Stockholm charges vehicles entering the city during peak daytime hours. The results are mixed: London saw moderate congestion reduction but required heavy monitoring and substantial investment in public transport; Stockholm faced initial resistance and had to tweak charges; Singapore succeeds largely due to its robust, efficient transit network. In India, attempts in Delhi and Mumbai largely failed, blocked by political opposition and lobbying from private vehicle interests. Bengaluru would be venturing into uncharted territory, making public transport upgrades and strict enforcement critical for success. The logic behind the proposal is simple: drive alone into a high-density corridor, pay a fee; carpool, avoid the charge. High-density stretches under consideration include ORR, Sarjapur Road, Hosur Road, Old Airport Road, Old Madras Road, Bellary Road, Bannerghatta Road, Kanakapura Road, Magadi Road, West of Chord Road, and Tumakuru Road. With an estimated 12 million vehicles entering Bengaluru daily, the tax could generate significant revenue, which can be reinvested in public transport and infrastructure. Authorities are considering FASTag, operational since 2021, for automatic collection. Toll points with cameras would capture vehicles entering these stretches, and charges would be deducted from the owners bank accounts. The goal is to encourage carpooling, reduce single-occupancy cars, and nudge commuters toward public transport, all while improving traffic flow. Other ideas are also on the table. From work-from-home Wednesdays to seeking cooperation from companies like Wipro to divert traffic through private campuses, authorities are exploring multiple ways to ease pressure on critical junctions such as Iblur and the ORR. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had reached out to Wipro founder Azim Premji, proposing limited vehicular movement through the companys Sarjapur campus under mutually agreed terms. In a letter, Siddaramaiah highlighted the chronic congestion during peak hours, noting its impact on mobility, productivity, and the quality of urban life. He praised Wipros role in advancing the states IT ecosystem and socio-economic development, while stressing the urgent need to ease traffic at choke points like Iblur junction. In this context, I wish to explore the possibility of permitting controlled vehicular passage through the Wipro campus, subject to mutually agreed terms and necessary security arrangements," Siddaramaiah wrote. Traffic experts preliminarily suggested such a measure could reduce congestion on adjoining stretches by nearly 30 per cent during peak hours. Premji, however, declined the request, citing that the campus is private property and not meant as a public thoroughfare. The company also noted that allowing public traffic could create significant legal, governance, and regulatory challenges. Wipro did offer to commission a scientific study led by an entity with global expertise in urban transport management and share the cost, signalling a willingness to contribute to long-term solutions. Bengaluru traffic police are also turning to the tech industry for solutions. Joint Commissioner Karthik Reddy proposed that Wednesdays, statistically the worst day for congestion, be earmarked as work-from-home days. In a meeting with the Outer Ring Road Companies Association (ORRCA), Reddy laid out three strategies: stagger office start times, promote public transport, and encourage WFH on Wednesdays. Most companies already allow WFH once or twice weekly; the suggestion was to time it for peak congestion. Companies reportedly responded positively. A year ago, an expert committee in collaboration with the Karnataka government recommended a congestion charge in its report titled Karnatakas DecadeRoadmap to a $1 Trillion Economy. The aim: improve travel times for buses, cars, and delivery vehicles, while making commuters aware of their impact during peak hours. The report envisioned levying charges on non-exempt vehicles and using revenue to expand public transport. Other measures under consideration include AI-powered traffic signals, enhanced traffic enforcement, expanded BMTC bus services, staggered office timings, and campaigns to change commuter behaviour. Work-from-home schedules, if applied consistently, could flatten weekly traffic peaks significantly. AI systems are gradually helping manage flow, and with more intersections coming online, authorities hope to reduce congestion intelligently, rather than relying solely on new roads or flyovers. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Yet, Bengaluru remains caught between exploding vehicle growth and slow infrastructure development. A congestion tax alone cannot solve the problem. Critics are vocal. Entrepreneur TV Mohandas Pai warned, Congestion tax without good public transport is punishment, not policy." Without a functional metro network, expanded bus services, and reliable last-mile connectivity, the tax could unfairly hit commuters rather than alleviate traffic. Bengalurus roads have always reflected the citys paradox: rapid economic growth paired with infrastructure lag. Congestion is no longer just a nuisanceit is an economic and social drain. The debate over a congestion tax, WFH schedules, corporate cooperation, and AI-based traffic management is just one part of a larger, ongoing struggle to reclaim the city from its own success. Whether these measures will work or remain proposals on paper depends not only on policy decisions but also on the citys ability to coordinate infrastructure, governance, and commuter behaviour in unison. About the Author Rohini Swamy Rohini Swamy, Associate Editor at News18, has been a journalist for nearly two decades in the television and digital space. She covers south India for News18s digital platform. She has previously wor... Read More First Published: September 27, 2025, 16:16 IST News bengaluru-news Tolling The Gridlock: Is Congestion Tax The Way Out Of Bengalurus Traffic Maze? Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... You can find original article here WealthManagement. Subscribe to our free daily WealthManagement newsletters. Two weeks ago, Raymond James filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan against Pietro Peter Melia, the Michigan-based husband of Sarah Melia, who was a Raymond James advisor for 13 years before her death in March 2025. The firm claimed he refused to return her company laptop and sent letters to clients soliciting them on behalf of another firm. According to court documents, Melia has returned the laptop to Raymond James and filed an affidavit stating that he never accessed the laptop and that he turned it on because Raymond James counsel wanted proof that there was privileged or work product information on the machine. Raymond James also filed a motion for expedited discovery, seeking a list of whom Melia contacted and the means by which he acquired those contacts. Melia then filed an opposition to the companys motion, arguing that Raymond James has no evidence that he accessed the laptop and that he got the contacts by conferring with friends, family and acquaintances. These individuals liked Sarah very much and were willing to provide what contact information they had, Melias opposition said. RJA should not be permitted to receive Peters confidential contact list where RJA merely speculates that the information came from Sarahs laptop and where such a customer list would do nothing to establish whether the list derived from the laptop or from Peters contact with friends, family and acquaintances as well as online resources. On Wednesday, the court dismissed the motion for expedited discovery, citing the reasons in Melias affidavit. A Raymond James spokesperson did not return a request for comment prior to publication. Raymond James has legitimate concerns that Mr. Melia accessed confidential company information, and the facts contradict his explanation that he got contact information from family and friends, Raymond James motion said. Several of the individuals he solicited had no relationship with Mrs. Melia, some were deceased, and others had never been Raymond James customers but were instead found in the business contact book of Mrs. Melia and Mr. Marchand, her partner. The original complaint claimed that Melia used the client contact information on the computer to solicit them on behalf of another advisory practice, Wealthcare Management Services, a Bloomfield Hills, Mich.-based team affiliated with LPL Financial. Any agreement that Peter has with his new investment advisory firm to provide testimonials or endorsements will also do nothing to establish whether Peters contact list came from Sarahs computer or his contacts with family, friends, acquaintances and online resources, Melias opposition said. In addition to requesting the court deny Raymond James request for early discovery, Melia also sought an order for the firm to produce the full results of a forensic analysis on the laptop and dismiss the brokerages claims as unsupported and/or moot. CSMTMetro 3 Subway Promises Seamless Commute Across South Mumbai: Check Details Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 15:01 IST Mumbai Metro 3 will connect seamlessly with CSMT via a subway from Platform 1 Harbour Line exit, easing travel to Cuffe Parade and Mantralaya with lifts, and escalators. Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Mumbai Metro-3's Cuffe Parade station. (Instagram) Commuters in Mumbai are set to benefit from a smoother journey as Metro 3 prepares to integrate seamlessly with the CSMT railway station subway. The connection is expected to make travel to South Mumbai, including key destinations like Cuffe Parade and Mantralaya, far more convenient. The integration allows passengers arriving at CSMT on local trains to directly access the Metro 3 line without exiting the station, cutting down walking time and simplifying transfers. For daily commuters, this means a faster, hassle-free journey from the heart of the city to its southern business and administrative hubs. Recommended Stories The Metro-3 route will feature several stations, including Science Museum, Mahalaxmi, Mumbai Central, Grant Road, Girgaon, Kalbadevi, CSMT, Hutatma Chowk, Churchgate, Vidhan Bhavan, and Cuffe Parade. Previously opened was a 9.8-km segment from BKC to Worli with six stations: Dharavi, Shitaladevi Temple, Dadar, Siddhivinayak Temple, Worli, and Acharya Atre Chowk (Worli Naka). A glimpse of how the Mumbai Metro 3 subway will seamlessly connect to CSMT railway station subway. I think this was great for those wanting to travel upto Cuffe Parade/ Mantralaya as they can choose to hop on to the Metro after alighting from the local train. pic.twitter.com/1pyu2dgCel Richa Pinto (@richapintoi) September 27, 2025 The completion of this metro line marks a significant milestone in enhancing public transport infrastructure in Mumbai. It not only provides faster travel but also connects major business districts with residential areas seamlessly. Which CSMT platform connects to the Metro 3 subway? The subway connecting CSMT to Metro Line 3 begins from Platform 1, specifically at the Harbour Line exit. This allows commuters arriving on the Harbour Line to directly access the Metro 3 station without exiting the railway premises. Will Hawkers Crowd the New CSMTMetro 3 Subway? Poople have welcomed the seamless CSMTMetro 3 subway link but expressed concerns over potential hawker encroachments. Just hope these hawkers will not encroach the metro subway like they have encroached Churchgate and CSMT subway," one commuter remarked. One commuter joked sarcastically about managing hawkers, saying, Providing big air-conditioned hawkers place." Others questioned why similar connectivity wasnt prioritised at other busy stations: Why didnt they do this inter-connecting at Dadar station? Dadar metro is literally 400 meters from Dadar station but not connected. That street is full of hawkers," a resident pointed out, highlighting the persistent challenge of informal vending in Mumbais transit hubs. Is subway equipped with escalators and lifts? The CSMTMetro 3 subway is designed with lifts and escalators, not just ground-level access. These facilities are included to help commuters move easily between CSMTs Platform 1 (Harbour Line exit) and the Metro 3 station. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Will Mumbai Metro-3 save time? Once the Prime Minister inaugurates the 10.99-km section from Worli to Cuffe Parade, Mumbai commuters will be able to travel from Aarey to Colaba in just one hour, saving one to two hours compared to road travel. The WorliCuffe Parade stretch will take only 15 minutes, while BKC to Worli can be covered in 1315 minutes. By road, the same journey currently takes 4560 minutes. First Published: September 27, 2025, 15:01 IST News mumbai-news CSMTMetro 3 Subway Promises Seamless Commute Across South Mumbai: Check Details Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Navi Mumbai Citizens, Theres Major Cleanliness Drive In Your Area Tomorrow Know Affected Highways Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 13:59 IST Navi Mumbai is gearing up for a major highway cleanliness drive on September 28, focusing on key roads like Sion-Panvel and Thane-Belapur. Citizens and organisations are urged to join hands to make the city cleaner. (Photo Credit: X) The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) is set to launch a major cleanliness drive on Sunday, September 28, starting at 7 am. Citizens, local organisations, and institutions have been urged to participate actively in this campaign, which is part of the nationwide Swachhata Hi Seva initiative under the Swachh Bharat Mission. The drive aims to keep the city clean and encourage public participation in maintaining a hygienic environment. Recommended Stories The focus will be on two of Navi Mumbais busiest roads: the Sion-Panvel Highway and the Thane-Belapur Road. While the Sion-Panvel Highway falls under the Public Works Department, NMMC is taking responsibility for cleaning the sections passing through the city. The initiative is guided by Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde, who has called on volunteers, NGOs, students, and civic-minded citizens to join in large numbers. Highways Get Special Attention The cleanliness campaign will see intensive cleaning of these key arterial roads, ensuring they remain free from litter and debris. Volunteers from Dr Shri Nanasaheb Dharmadhikari Pratishthan, based in Revdanda, Maharashtra, will also take part in the drive, working alongside NMMC staff and other participants. The involvement of these organisations highlights the citys focus on collaboration between government bodies and citizens for public welfare. Building on Past Initiatives This drive follows the success of a similar campaign held on September 25 under NMMCs Ek Divas, Ek Saath, Ek Ghanta (One Day, One Together, One Hour) program. That effort saw more than two lakh students and over 25,000 citizens participate in cleaning activities across all eight ward offices. The success of these events has inspired further initiatives to maintain cleanliness on a larger scale, especially on major roads that see heavy traffic every day. Encouraging Citizen Participation NMMCs ongoing cleanliness activities under the Swachh Bharat Mission aim to instil a sense of responsibility among residents. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all By focusing on busy highways like the Sion-Panvel and Thane-Belapur roads, the civic body hopes to reduce litter, improve public hygiene, and set a positive example for other cities. Residents are encouraged to volunteer and support the campaign to make Navi Mumbai cleaner and more environmentally friendly. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: September 27, 2025, 13:57 IST News mumbai-news Navi Mumbai Citizens, Theres Major Cleanliness Drive In Your Area Tomorrow Know Affected Highways Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Delhi BMW Crash Case: Gaganpreet Kaur Gets Bail, Asked To Furnish 1 Lakh Personal Bond Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 16:50 IST Gaganpreet Kaur, the accused in a BMW crash that killed a finance ministry official in Delhi this month, was granted bail by the Patiala House Court. Gaganpreet Kaur, accused in BMW accident case, was granted bail on Saturday. (File photo) Gaganpreet Kaur, the accused woman who was driving the BMW car, which hit and killed a Finance Ministry official in the national capital earlier this month, was granted bail by a Delhi court on Saturday. She was asked to furnish a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh. The Patiala House Court heard the case on Saturday. Before pronouncing the verdict, the court said an ambulance reached the spot of the accident within seconds, and it remained there for at least 30 seconds and did not take the injured to the hospital. Recommended Stories The court stated that the ambulance, with paramedics on board, had a duty to transport the injured to the hospital and suggested it may be a case of medical negligence. What should be done with this ambulance? Are they not accused of the offence of death due to a negligent act?" the court asked the police. On September 14, Gaganpreet Kaur, 38, was arrested by police as she was driving the BMW that rammed into Navjot Singh, 52, and his wife in Delhis Dhaula Kuan. Navjot Singh, a Deputy Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs, was killed after his motorcycle was struck while he was returning from the Bangla Sahib Gurdwara. His wife suffered grievous injuries in the crash. The FIR filed by the victims wife alleged that Gaganpreet deliberately avoided taking her injured husband to the nearest hospital despite her repeated requests. Instead, she took the victims to a hospital at least 19 km away from the crash site. Police concentrated their investigation on why the accused chose to admit the victims to a hospital so far away from the crash site, denying critical treatment to Singh and his wife. Gaganpreet was taken into custody on culpable homicide not amounting to murder and other charges and was sent to judicial custody by a Delhi court till September 27. She was granted bail on the last day of her custody. What Did Gaganpreet Kaur Say In Court? While seeking bail for the accused at Patiala House Court on Wednesday, Gaganpreets counsel argued that her car did not collide with the motorbike and that she took the victim to the hospital within 24 minutes of the incident. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all She stressed that the car hit the two-wheeler from behind but argued that the CCTV footage of the incident showed otherwise. What actually happened is that the bike was hit by a bus we saw the footage. Police are playing hide and seek; if they had CCTV in their favour, they would be playing it in front of the judge," her advocate said in court. The public prosecutor, on the contrary, said the victims wife, who is the complainant in the case, never asked Kaur to take them to Venkateshwar Hospital but insisted on being taken to any nearby hospital. Before Nulife Hospital, there were several hospitals, AIIMS, Safdarjung, Base Hospital, and others. Nulife gave information to the police about the accident and death at 4:21 PM, three hours after. This is a hospital of the accuseds relatives," the prosecutor said. 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: September 27, 2025, 16:26 IST News new-delhi-news Delhi BMW Crash Case: Gaganpreet Kaur Gets Bail, Asked To Furnish 1 Lakh Personal Bond Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Despite Failing University Exam, IPS Anurag Arya Cracked UPSC; Know His Success Story Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 12:15 IST UPSC Success Story: Arya's belief that failure is a new beginning led him to secure the 163rd rank in his first attempt in 2013, thus becoming an IPS officer. IPS Anurag Arya currently serves as the SSP of Bareilly. (Photo: uppolice.gov.in) Anurag Arya was born on December 10, 1987, in Chhaprauli village, Baghpat district, Uttar Pradesh. His parents, both doctors, raised him in the village, where he attended a local school and initially struggled with English. Determined to overcome this challenge, Arya joined the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun in 2008. There, he improved his English, excelled in sports, and developed discipline and confidence. After schooling, Arya pursued a B.Sc (Hons.) in Physics from Banaras Hindu University (BHU). Though interested in science, he faced a setback when he failed two subjects in his final year of MSc at Hindu College, Delhi. This failure led him to reconsider his path, ultimately deciding to attempt the UPSC exams. Recommended Stories Aryas belief that failure is a new beginning led him to secure the 163rd rank in his first attempt in 2013, thus becoming an IPS officer. He trained at the National Police Academy (NPA), Hyderabad, and served in Ghaziabad, Amethi, Balrampur, Mau, and Pratapgarh, making a significant impact against the Mukhtar Ansari gang. He currently serves as the SSP of Bareilly. His wife, Vanika Arya, is a PCS officer. Why Is IPS Anurag Arya Currently In News? top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A commotion erupted in Bareilly following Friday prayers over a dispute concerning I Love Muhammad" banners in the Civil Lines area. The situation escalated into stone-pelting and clashes, prompting the police to resort to a lathi-charge. A large crowd had gathered post-prayers, drawing significant attention to Bareilly. SP Anurag Arya swiftly arrived at the scene, deploying force to bring the situation under control and detaining several individuals. This incident puts the spotlight on SP Anurag Arya. After the mob was dispersed, shoes, slippers, and stones were seen scattered across a 200-metre stretch, indicating the intensity of the clash. At least 10 policemen were injured, several sustained pellet injuries, and media personnel covering the protest were also hurt. Around 12 people were arrested immediately, with more arrests expected based on video footage collected by police. 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: September 27, 2025, 12:13 IST News education-career Despite Failing University Exam, IPS Anurag Arya Cracked UPSC; Know His Success Story Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... In A First, UPSC Chairman To Interact With Govt Job Aspirants, Check Details Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 15:08 IST To ensure broad participation, questions from UPSC aspirants and stakeholders across the country will be invited via email between September 28 and 30, until 10 am. Dr. Ajay Kumar, a 1985 batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre. (Photo: @drajaykumarias/ X) In a pioneering initiative, Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Chairman Dr Ajay Kumar will interact directly with government job aspirants nationwide through a virtual town hall, announced in a communique on Friday. The virtual town hall will be streamed live on DD News YouTube channel from noon to 1 pm on October 1. Excited to host the first-ever UPSC Virtual Town Hall! Aspirants across India can engage with me directly on 1 Oct 2025, 121 PM, live on DD News YouTube.," Kumar mentioned in a LinkedIn post. Recommended Stories To ensure broad participation, questions from aspirants and stakeholders across the country will be invited via email between September 28 and 30, until 10 am. Submissions can be made in both video and text formats to interactwithupsc@gmail.com. Additionally, questions can be asked in real time from 12 noon to 1 pm on October 1 through social media platforms including X, Facebook, and Instagram using the official hashtag #AskChairmanUPSC. This is a unique opportunity for UPSC and PSC aspirants to engage with the Chairman UPSC and listen to his thoughts on the exam process," Kumar said. The email address for questions is interactwithupsc@gmail.com, and the DD News YouTube channel link is https://lnkd.in/edGZmR5c. The event will offer a unique platform for aspirants to engage with the UPSC chairman, seek clarifications, and gain insights into the exam processes, reforms, and innovations shaping Indias premier examination. The UPSC conducts several examinations to select officers for the government of India including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS), among others. Ajay Kumar Educational Qualification Dr. Ajay Kumar, a 1985 batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre, served as the Defence Secretary of India from August 23, 2019, to October 31, 2022. During his tenure, he implemented significant reforms, including the establishment of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), the launch of the Agneepath scheme, the Atmanirbhar Bharat defence initiative, and the corporatisation of ordnance factories. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Before joining the Ministry of Defence, he held senior roles in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, where he was instrumental in executing projects such as UPI, Aadhaar, MyGov, and the Government e-Marketplace under the Digital India campaign. He also played a key role in formulating the National Electronics Policy 2012. Dr. Kumar holds a B.Tech from IIT Kanpur, a Masters in Applied Economics, and a PhD in Business Administration from the University of Minnesota, USA, completed in three years. He is also a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineers. 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: September 27, 2025, 15:02 IST News education-career In A First, UPSC Chairman To Interact With Govt Job Aspirants, Check Details Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Explained | Sixth Schedule In Focus: Why It Has Become Ladakhs Key Demand Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 13:28 IST The call for Sixth Schedule status has become central to Ladakhs agitation, with leaders arguing it is key to protecting culture, jobs, and the fragile ecosystem Police personnel control a violent protest over the statehood demand in Ladakh. (PTI) Ladakh has been tense since September 24, when protests over constitutional safeguards escalated into violence in Leh, leaving four people dead and around 80 injured. During the clashes, offices of the BJP and the Leh Hill Council were set on fire, along with police and CRPF vehicles. Local leaders have accused the police of excessive force, claiming most of the injured suffered bullet or pellet wounds, and the Leh Apex Body has demanded an independent inquiry. On September 26, police arrested climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike since September 10. His detention has added to the already charged atmosphere in the Union Territory. Recommended Stories The agitation is being coordinated by the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, representing Buddhist-majority Leh and Muslim-majority Kargil. Both groups have been pressing for statehood and Sixth Schedule protections for more than four years. A preparatory meeting with the Ministry of Home Affairs, originally scheduled for September 27, has been rescheduled to September 29, ahead of formal talks on October 6 with the Union Minister of State for Home. What Is The Sixth Schedule Of The Constitution? The Sixth Schedule is a constitutional framework designed to provide autonomy to tribal-majority areas. It is enshrined under Article 244(2) and Article 275(1) and was shaped by the Bardoloi Committees recommendations to protect tribal culture, land, and governance systems. Currently applicable in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram, it allows for the creation of Autonomous District Councils, which enjoy legislative, judicial, executive, and financial powers. Ten such councils are functioning in the Northeast today, serving as a model for tribal self-governance within Indias constitutional structure. How Does The Sixth Schedule Work? Autonomous District Councils are composed of up to thirty members, with four nominated by the Governor and the rest elected by adult suffrage for five-year terms. In regions with multiple tribes, Regional Councils can also be established. The councils hold wide-ranging powers. They can legislate on matters such as land management, forest use, agriculture, inheritance, marriage, divorce, and social customs, subject to the Governors assent. They are empowered to run schools, dispensaries, markets, and local infrastructure, and to regulate transport and waterways. They can set up courts to adjudicate disputes among Scheduled Tribes, with some restrictions on serious crimes, and they also have authority under the Code of Civil and Criminal Procedure. Financially, they can collect land revenue, impose local taxes, charge tolls, and issue licences for mineral extraction. These arrangements are intended to give tribal-majority regions control over their own development, culture, and resources, while keeping them under the larger umbrella of the Indian state. Why Is Ladakh Demanding Sixth Schedule Status? The demand for inclusion under the Sixth Schedule has been driven by Ladakhs demographic and geographic profile. Over 90 per cent of the Union Territorys population belongs to Scheduled Tribes, and since its separation from Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, it has been governed directly by the Centre without a legislature. Local organisations such as the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance contend that this arrangement does not provide adequate constitutional safeguards. Their concerns include the possibility of land and resources being opened up to outside interests, the need to preserve Ladakhs cultural identity, and growing environmental pressures from tourism and industrial projects. They also highlight high levels of graduate unemployment and argue that greater local control could create more jobs aligned with Ladakhs requirements. The Central government, however, has maintained that the Sixth Schedule was designed for tribal areas in the Northeast and that extending it to Ladakh would require constitutional amendments. It has also raised concerns that Ladakhs strategic location along the borders with China and Pakistan makes direct central administration more suitable for security and administrative efficiency. What About The Demand For Statehood? Alongside the call for Sixth Schedule inclusion, protesters have also been pressing for full statehood for Ladakh. Statehood would give the region its own elected legislative assembly, a chief minister, and greater control over subjects such as law and order, public health, and agriculture. At present, Ladakh is a Union Territory without a legislature and is run directly by the Centre through the Lieutenant Governor. While the Sixth Schedule focuses on protecting tribal land, culture, and resources through autonomous councils, statehood would give Ladakh full legislative and executive authority as a state within the Indian Union. What Role Has Sonam Wangchuk Played? Sonam Wangchuk, a Ramon Magsaysay Award-winning engineer and innovator known for his work on sustainable solutions in the Himalayas, has become the face of the Sixth Schedule movement. He first petitioned the government in 2019 for Scheduled Area status for Ladakh. Since then, he has staged repeated fasts and protests, often under the banner of the Leh Apex Body. On September 10, he began a 35-day hunger strike, joined initially by a handful of supporters that grew over time. The strike was intended to remain peaceful and to draw attention to the demand for Sixth Schedule protection. His arrest on September 26, just days before the preparatory talks with the Centre, has turned him into a symbol of Ladakhs discontent. How Has The Protest Movement Evolved? Ladakh was carved out as a Union Territory after Article 370 was repealed in 2019. Many initially welcomed the move, but the absence of a legislature and the weakening of the autonomous hill councils soon caused disillusionment. That discontent gave birth to the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, who for the first time brought together Buddhist and Muslim groups under a common platform. Their agenda combined statehood with demands for Sixth Schedule inclusion, more recruitment opportunities, and a public service commission. The movement has escalated over the past two years. In March 2024, talks with the MHA broke down, prompting Wangchuk to stage a fast. A march planned to the China border was cancelled under prohibitory orders. In September 2024, a padyatra to Delhi called for statehood, Sixth Schedule inclusion, jobs, and new parliamentary representation. The unrest peaked in September 2025, when Leh saw violent clashes that left four dead and 80 injured. Why Is The Centre Hesitant? The government has held that the Sixth Schedule was crafted specifically for the Northeast and extending it to Ladakh would require constitutional amendments. There is also concern about precedent. Extending the framework to Ladakh could encourage other regions to demand similar treatment. The Centre has therefore tried to respond with partial measures. These include reserving most government jobs for locals, introducing womens reservations in the hill councils, recognising Ladakhs languages, and granting two Lok Sabha constituencies. Local leaders, however, see these as piecemeal steps that fall short of permanent constitutional protection. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all What Are The Challenges Of Sixth Schedule Implementation? Autonomous Councils in the Northeast often face funding shortfalls, political interference, and capacity limitations. These challenges raise questions about whether such a framework could work effectively in Ladakh. The added factor of national security complicates matters further. Balancing autonomy with border management is a delicate task, especially in a region that has witnessed Chinese incursions and tensions along the Line of Actual Control. About the Author Karishma Jain Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follo... Read More First Published: September 27, 2025, 13:24 IST News explainers Explained | Sixth Schedule In Focus: Why It Has Become Ladakhs Key Demand Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Accused In Gorakhpur NEET Aspirant Murder Killed In Police Encounter Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 13:53 IST Accused in NEET aspirant Deepak Gupta's murder in Gorakhpur, was shot dead in a police encounter in Rampur after firing at police. He faced 18 criminal cases. Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Representative Image The accused in the murder of NEET aspirant Deepak Gupta from Gorakhpur was shot dead in a police encounter, officials said on Saturday. According to the police, the accused, identified as Zubair alias Kalia (26), was a cattle smuggler and a resident of Gher Mardan Khan in the Kotwali police station area. He was carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh. Recommended Stories Police said that on Friday night, an encounter occurred with Zubair while he was travelling from Chaku Chowk to Mandi in Rampur districts Ganj police station area. News agency PTI quoted Moradabad Range Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Muniraj G as saying that during a police check, two men were seen coming on a motorcycle. They attempted to stop them, but they did not stop and started firing at the police. He stated that Sub-Inspector Rahul Jadon and Constable Sandeep Kumar sustained injuries. Zubair was hit by the polices retaliatory fire and was taken to the district hospital for treatment. Later, doctors at the hospital declared him dead. Rampur and Gorakhpur police had been searching for Zubair, accused of killing 19-year-old Deepak Gupta in Gorakhpurs Pipraich police station area on September 16. The attack occurred while Deepak was attempting to stop smugglers from stealing animals. The victim was a NEET aspirant preparing for the medical entrance examination. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Zubair faces 18 cases in Rampur, Balrampur, Gonda, and Gorakhpur districts, including charges of cruelty to animals, cow slaughter, attempted murder, and murder. (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 : Gorakhpur, India, India First Published: September 27, 2025, 13:52 IST News india Accused In Gorakhpur NEET Aspirant Murder Killed In Police Encounter Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Actors Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth Express Grief Over Karur Stampede Deaths: 'It Shakes My Heart' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 23:22 IST The tragedy occurred when a stampede broke out during Vijays rally, forcing the actor-turned-politician to halt his speech as several attendees fainted amid severe overcrowding Actors Rajinikanth and Kamal Hassan | File Image Tamil cinema icons Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth on Saturday expressed shock and grief over the stampede during Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijays campaign rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, which left at least 38 people, including women and children, dead. The tragedy occurred when a stampede broke out during Vijays rally, forcing the actor-turned-politician to halt his speech as several attendees, including party workers and children, fainted amid severe overcrowding. Recommended Stories The news of the loss of innocent lives in the incident that occurred in Karur shakes the heart and causes immense grief. My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. Comfort to those who were injured," said Rajinikanth in an X post. Kamal Haasan wrote, My heart trembles. The news coming from Karur brings shock and sorrow. I am at a loss for words to express my deepest condolences to the innocent people who lost their lives trapped in the crowd congestion. I urge the Tamil Nadu government to ensure that those rescued from the congestion receive proper treatment and that those affected receive appropriate relief." Officials said the permit for the rally had anticipated a turnout of 10,000, but nearly 50,000 people had gathered at the 1.2 lakh square feet venue. DMK leader Senthil Balaji and the district collector rushed to hospitals to assess the situation as emergency services treated the injured. Chief Minister MK Stalin called the incident worrying" on social media and said he had instructed officials to provide immediate medical care. Stalin added that he had coordinated with Senthil Balaji, Health Minister Subramanian, the district collector, and senior police officials, and had directed Minister Anbil Mahesh from Tiruchirappalli to provide additional assistance. He urged the public to cooperate with medical teams and said he is expected to visit Karur on Sunday. The news coming from Karur is worrying. I have called former Minister V Senthilbalaji and Minister Subramanian Ma, and the District Collector to provide immediate treatment to the civilians who have fainted due to the crowd and have been admitted to the hospital. I have also ordered the Minister from the nearby Trichy district, Anbil Mahesh, to provide necessary assistance on a war footing. I have also spoken to the ADGP there to take steps to improve the situation as soon as possible. I request the public to cooperate with the doctors and the police," Stalin said in a post on X. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief over the incident, calling it deeply saddening." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The unfortunate incident during a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. Wishing strength to them in this difficult time. Praying for a swift recovery to all those injured," Modi said in a post on X. The stampede unfolded while Vijay was delivering a speech in which he indirectly targeted former DMK minister Senthil Balaji, criticising the party for initially promising to establish an airport in Karur before urging the Centre to take up the project instead. Location : Tamil Nadu, India, India First Published: September 27, 2025, 23:22 IST News india Actors Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth Express Grief Over Karur Stampede Deaths: 'It Shakes My Heart' Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Army To Acquire Indigenous Anant Shastra: How The Missile System Will Boost Air Defence Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Karishma Jain Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 15:22 IST The DRDO-developed Anant Shastra, estimated at nearly Rs 30,000 crore, will equip the Army with a modern battlefield air defence system (Representative image) The Indian Army has moved to bolster its air defence shield with a nearly Rs 30,000 crore push for indigenous firepower. A fresh Request for Proposal (RFP) has been issued to Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the production of the Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) system, which will enter service under the evocative name Anant Shastra. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the mobile missile system is designed to guard Army formations against a fast-changing spectrum of aerial threats, from enemy fighter jets and helicopters to swarms of drones and loitering munitions. Recommended Stories With three regiments planned for deployment along the western and northern borders, Anant Shastra promises to give the Armys frontline troops a shield that moves with them. What Is Anant Shastra? Anant Shastra is the new name for the indigenous Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) system, designed and developed by DRDO and to be produced by BEL. Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) will support missile production. Unlike static air defence assets, Anant Shastra is mounted on 88 high-mobility vehicles, enabling it to move with tanks, infantry combat vehicles (BMPs), and artillery guns across deserts, plains, and mountains. Its role is clear: to guard Indias mobile battle groups against both traditional air strikes and new-age dangers like drones and loitering munitions. How Many Regiments Are Planned? The Army has planned three regiments of Anant Shastra initially. Each regiment will be deployed along critical sectors of the western and northern borders with Pakistan and China. These units will ensure that formations on the move remain secure from low- to mid-altitude aerial threats, a zone referred to as the Air Littoral, stretching up to 10 km, where enemy aircraft, helicopters, and drones typically operate. Key Features Of Anant Shastra Range & Altitude: Neutralises targets 3040 km away, effective at altitudes of 610 km. Can destroy fighter jets, attack helicopters, drones, rockets, and missiles. Neutralises targets 3040 km away, effective at altitudes of 610 km. Can destroy fighter jets, attack helicopters, drones, rockets, and missiles. Mobility: Vehicle-mounted, able to accompany the Army in all terrains including mountains, deserts, and plains. Vehicle-mounted, able to accompany the Army in all terrains including mountains, deserts, and plains. Technology Edge: Equipped with 360-degree surveillance radars, automated command and control, and all-weather tracking. Equipped with 360-degree surveillance radars, automated command and control, and all-weather tracking. Resilience: Resistant to electronic jamming, ensuring precision under hostile battlefield conditions. Resistant to electronic jamming, ensuring precision under hostile battlefield conditions. Firepower: Armed with pre-fragmented warheads and solid-fuel propulsion for rapid response. How Will It Help The Army? For decades, the Indian Army has relied on systems like the Soviet-origin OSA-AK and the indigenous Akash SAM for battlefield air defence. While these remain effective, emerging threats such as drone swarms, precision-guided munitions, and loitering weapons demand a more agile and responsive shield. Anant Shastra is built precisely for this. Integrated into the Armys Akashteer Command & Control Network, it will not just protect soldiers and equipment but also act as a force multiplier, allowing mechanised columns to advance without being hampered by fear of overhead strikes. A Symbol Of Atmanirbharta This system is not just about military capability, it is also about self-reliance. Developed indigenously by DRDO and to be manufactured by BEL, with support from Bharat Dynamics Limited, Anant Shastra reflects the governments Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. Its induction, worth nearly Rs 30,000 crore, follows the recent approval of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), signalling the governments push to replace imports with world-class indigenous systems. Strategic Significance The timing of Anant Shastras induction is critical. With recent conflicts around the world showing how drones and loitering munitions can cripple even advanced militaries, India is ensuring that its frontlines remain secure. During Operation Sindoor, the Armys air defence units demonstrated their ability to act as a wall against aerial threats. With Anant Shastra, that wall will get both taller and stronger, firmly securing the skies over soldiers, tanks, and guns. The Road Ahead top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Anant Shastra is more than just a missile system. It is a battlefield revolution, giving India a mobile shield that blends agility, resilience, and cutting-edge technology. As the Indian Army moves to induct three regiments of Anant Shastra, it marks not just a procurement but a decisive step into the future, one where indigenous innovation guards the nations skies. About the Author Akash Sharma Akash Sharma, Defence Correspondent, CNN-News 18, covers the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Railways. In addition, he also follows developments in the national capital. With an extensive experien... Read More First Published: September 27, 2025, 15:22 IST News india Army To Acquire Indigenous Anant Shastra: How The Missile System Will Boost Air Defence Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Bareilly Unrest: 10-Member SIT To Probe Violent Protest; 'Mastermind' Arrested | Updates Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 18:56 IST Police arrested eight people, including a cleric and Ittehad-e-Millat Council chief Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, accusing him of instigating the unrest Police personnel keep a vigil amid tight security in Bareilly| Image: PTI A 10-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the violence that broke out in Bareilly on Friday, September 26, following a protest linked to the I Love Muhammad" campaign. Police arrested eight people, including a cleric and Ittehad-e-Millat Council chief Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, accusing him of instigating the unrest. Recommended Stories A local court remanded Raza and the seven others to 14-day judicial custody. Maulana Tauqeer Raza, the main conspirator of the Bareilly unrest, along with seven mischievous elements, have been arrested, produced in court, and sent to judicial custody," District Magistrate Avinash Singh said at a joint press briefing with SSP Anurag Arya. What Led To Violent Protest? The clashes erupted outside a mosque in the Kotwali area after Friday prayers, when a large crowd carrying I Love Muhammad" posters turned violent over the cancellation of a proposed demonstration. Protesters pelted stones, vandalised vehicles, and allegedly fired in the air, injuring at least 10 police personnel. The police responded with a lathi charge and tear gas to disperse the mob, triggering a stampede-like situation. Raza Incited Youth Officials said Raza delivered provocative speeches that incited youth to join the protest, creating chaos from Khaleel Tiraha to the Islamia Ground. The seven other accused were identified as Sarfaraz, Manifuddin, Azeem Ahmed, Mohammed Sharif, Mohammed Aamir, Rehan, and Mohammad Sarfaraz. Authorities have detained 36 others after identifying them through video footage. According to the SSP, Raza was under surveillance on Friday and was formally arrested in the early hours of Saturday by a team led by SP (Traffic) Akmal Khan. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed strict action against those responsible and ordered enhanced security ahead of Dussehra. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He said miscreants must be identified through video evidence and social media monitoring, stressing that no one should be spared." Raza, who has been politically active in Bareilly for over two decades, remains a polarising figure with a support base in parts of western Uttar Pradesh. Location : Uttar Pradesh, India, India First Published: September 27, 2025, 18:56 IST News india Bareilly Unrest: 10-Member SIT To Probe Violent Protest; 'Mastermind' Arrested | Updates Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Hyperliquid Emerges as Cryptos Killer App With Explosive Growth. Photo by BeInCrypto Hyperliquid has taken a decisive step toward expanding its on-chain ecosystem with the launch of USDH, a native stablecoin designed to serve the decentralized exchange. The new token is live for trading following its debut this week by Native Markets, the Hyperliquid-based team behind the initiative. Native Market Launches USDH, Stakes HYPE On September 27, Native Markets confirmed that USDH is now available on the exchanges decentralized spot and derivatives markets. According to the firm, traders can pair the asset against HYPE Hyperliquids governance token and USDC, giving users a stable unit of account directly integrated into the platform. The team also locked 200,000 HYPE for three years to activate the listing, a move intended to anchor liquidity and governance alignment. Ahead of the launch, Native Markets pre-minted $15 million USDH through HyperEVM, coordinating with the networks Assistance Fund to support initial liquidity. According to Native Markets, USDH is backed by cash and short-term US Treasuries. The issuer manages reserves through a mix of off-chain holdings and on-chain transparency tools, including oracle feeds that verify real-time balances. Additionally, a share of returns from these reserves will fund periodic HYPE buybacks, strengthening the tokens economic foundation. The release follows a governance contest earlier this month in which Native Markets won community approval to issue Hyperliquids first stablecoin. The project outperformed proposals from competitors and major issuers like Paxos and Agora. Hyperliquid's Dominance Under Threat USDHs arrival comes at a time when Hyperliquid is under growing competitive and operational pressure. In recent weeks, rival exchange Aster backed by YZi Labs, the family office of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao has surged in trading activity. Data from DeFiLlama shows Aster generated $147 billion in perpetual volume over the past week, outpacing Hyperliquids $81 billion. Hyperliquid vs. Aster Perpetuals Trading Volume. Source: DeFiLlama Still, Hyperliquid remains the larger platform on a 30-day basis, recording $296 billion in cumulative volume versus Asters $162 billion. However, analysts at Maelstrom warn that this lead could narrow as a significant token unlock approach. From November, the DEX platform will gradually unlock roughly 237.8 million HYPE tokens worth about $12 billion over 24 months. This impending unlock could significantly impact the market performance of a digital asset that has shed more than 20% in the past week. 'Building Global Alliance Against India': BJP Slams Rahul Gandhi's 4-Nation South America Visit Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 12:08 IST The BJP slammed Rahul Gandhis South America visit, alleging he is building a 'global alliance' against India and suggested George Soros is directing him. A file photo of Rahul Gandhi (PTI) Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday slammed Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhis visit to four South American countries, alleging he is building a global alliance" against India, and that billionaire George Soros must be directing him". This came after Congresss Pawan Khera, in a social media post, mentioned that Rahul Gandhi has embarked on a visit to South America, where he is scheduled to engage with political leaders, university students, and members of the business community across four countries. Recommended Stories In an X post, BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari wrote, Rahul Gandhi goes on yet another foreign visit! Rahul Gandhi departs to South America! Wonder who will be the next anti-India element that Rahul will meet behind closed doors!" Rahul wants to fight the Indian state and Indian democracy! He is building a global alliance for it. George Soros, his mentor, might be directing him!" he added. Bhandari highlighted that the timing of Rahul Gandhis visit coincides with the arrest of activist Sonam Wangchuk, and mentioned, In the past, he has asked for foreign interference in Indian democracy, met anti-India elements like Ilhan Omar, and even got the endorsement of Khalistani terrorist Pannu." Note the timing: Just after his ideological anarchist Sonam Wangchuk has been arrested under the NSA, Rahul Gandhi has departed!" Rahul Gandhi goes on yet another foreign visit!Rahul Gandhi departs to South America! Wonder who will be the next anti-India element that Rahul will meet behind closed doors! Rahul wants to fight the Indian state and Indian democracy! He is building a global alliance for it. pic.twitter.com/tti3v2qQ3U Pradeep Bhandari( ) (@pradip103) September 27, 2025 According to the Congress, Gandhi will visit Brazil and Colombia, where he is expected to interact with university students. He will hold meetings with presidents and senior leaders across multiple countries, strengthening democratic and strategic ties, the party said. Gandhi will engage with business leaders to explore opportunities as India seeks to diversify trade and partnerships in the wake of US tariffs, it said. He will interact with university students in Brazil, Colombia, and beyond, fostering dialogue with the next generation of global leaders. ALSO READ | BJPs Other Name Is Paper Chor: Rahul Gandhi Backs Uttarakhand Student Protests top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all 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: September 27, 2025, 12:05 IST News india 'Building Global Alliance Against India': BJP Slams Rahul Gandhi's 4-Nation South America Visit Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Condemn In Strongest Terms': BRICS Nations Call Pahalgam Attack 'Unjustifiable, Criminal' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 20:52 IST In a joint media statement, the foreign ministers of the bloc denounced the attack in the strongest terms and pledged continued efforts to address terrorism BRICS condemns Pahalgam terror attack | Image: X The BRICS nations on Saturday strongly condemned the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam, in which 26 people were killed and several others injured, calling terrorism a criminal and unjustifiable" act and reiterating their collective resolve to combat the threat in all its forms. In a joint media statement, the foreign ministers of the bloc denounced the attack in the strongest terms" and pledged continued efforts to address terrorism, including cross-border infiltration, terror financing, and the existence of safe havens. Recommended Stories The statement underscored that terrorism must not be linked to any religion, nationality, civilisation, or ethnic group. All those involved in terrorist activities and their support must be held accountable and brought to justice in accordance with relevant national and international law," it said. The ministers called for zero tolerance against terrorism and rejected double standards in tackling the menace. They emphasised the responsibility of individual states to act against terror networks while stressing that international cooperation must comply with the UN Charter and global conventions on human rights, refugee protection, and humanitarian law. They also pressed for joint action against all individuals and entities listed by the United Nations as terrorists. SCO Condemns Pahalgam Terror Attack Earlier this month, on September 1, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) had also condemned the Pahalgam attack in its summit declaration issued in Tianjin, China. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all While SCO members, including China and Turkey, expressed condolences to the victims families and called for perpetrators and sponsors of terrorism to be brought to justice, the statement notably avoided naming Pakistan, a long-standing point of contention for India. The BRICS declaration, however, placed renewed focus on collective accountability, with member nations agreeing that all terror acts, whenever, wherever, and by whomever committed," must be treated as crimes against humanity. First Published: September 27, 2025, 20:52 IST News india 'Condemn In Strongest Terms': BRICS Nations Call Pahalgam Attack 'Unjustifiable, Criminal' Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Condom Questions, CCTV Spying & Holi Ritual: Students Reveal Abuse By Delhi's Self-Styled Godman Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 09:47 IST Students alleged that CCTV cameras were placed across the womens hostel and near bathrooms under the pretext of security and Chaitanyananda maintained remote access to the feeds Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google A photo of Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati (News18) Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, the self-styled godman accused of molesting 17 female students at a private institute in Delhis Vasant Kunj, reportedly asked them about sexual relationships with their boyfriends and if they used condoms. Multiple women have come forward to share harrowing tales of harassment at the hands of the godman at the Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management where he was a sanchalak (management committee member). Recommended Stories According to a report by Hindustan Times, the students alleged that CCTV cameras were placed across the womens hostel and in rooms, including near bathrooms, under the pretext of security and Chaitanyananda maintained remote access to those feeds. Apart from sending late-night WhatsApp messages to students like Baby, I love you" and I adore you", the self-styled godman reportedly shamed the women in front of their peers. The HT report said while one Haryana student was branded characterless" for having a boyfriend, another was seen fleeing his office in tears with her clothes torn. The women also recounted how they were made to stand in a line on Holi and bow to Chaitanyananda after which he applied colour to their cheeks and hair parting before anyone else. One of the more coercive tactics alleged is that all students had to submit their original educational documents to the institute which were not returned to those trying to resist or complain. The institutes internal staff allegedly pressured students to delete message threads, draft apology emails, and not raise public complaints. The students also said Chaitanyananda took students on trips purportedly for religious rituals or pujas". During one trip after he acquired a new BMW, students allege that he made inappropriate remarks. In at least one instance, he is said to have recorded a video in his office and sent it back to a student with the comment, You are looking beautiful." Outlook reported that some students said they were forcibly summoned to his quarters late at night. Others allege they were pressured not only by him but also by certain female staff and faculty members to comply with his demands. Messages on WhatsApp were frequent, with Moneycontrol reporting that a student claimed that when she failed to respond to Chaitanyananda, earlier messages were tagged to force a reply. On another occasion, after she suffered a hairline fracture, he allegedly asked her to send the X-ray to his personal phone after which the messages began. When she tried to resist, she says she was threatened with manipulated attendance and mark deductions. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This is not the first time Chaitanyananda has faced allegations. Earlier molestation complaints were filed in 2009 and 2016. In the current case, after the complaint was filed, he reportedly fled, and authorities have issued a lookout circular. During searches, a red Volvo with a fake UN" diplomatic plate (39 UN 1) was seized from the institutes basement, which police say was used by the accused. Meanwhile, Sringeris Sri Sharada Peetham has publicly severed ties with Chaitanyananda, condemning the alleged illegal and inappropriate behaviour. 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: September 27, 2025, 09:45 IST News india Condom Questions, CCTV Spying & Holi Ritual: Students Reveal Abuse By Delhi's Self-Styled Godman Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Crowd Exceeded Estimates, Early Rally Alerts: Tamil Nadu Top Cop Details Karur Stampede Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 28, 2025, 09:33 IST Speaking to the media, the DGP explained that authorities had anticipated a large turnout based on Vijays previous rallies Tamil Nadu stampede | Image: X Tamil Nadu DGP G Venkatraman on Sunday described the deadly stampede at actor-turned-politician Vijays rally in Karur as an unfortunate" incident, confirming that the death toll currently stands at 38. Speaking to the media, the DGP explained that authorities had anticipated a large turnout based on Vijays previous rallies. Recommended Stories Even though permission was sought for 10,000 people, we knew the crowd would exceed that," he said, adding that TVKs social media handles announced Vijays arrival much earlier than his actual time of arrival, which led to crowd build-up. He also noted that while TVK had requested smaller venues, officials allocated the same 1.2 lakh square feet site that had recently hosted an ADMK rally, projecting a higher turnout. Senior police officers with a posse of 2,000 personnel are reaching the spot now. A one-man commission has been set up, so we cannot reveal much. They will investigate todays incident," Venkatraman said. Earlier, officials said that nearly 50,000 people had gathered at the venue, far exceeding the expected 10,000. The sudden surge forced Vijay to halt his speech as several attendees, including party workers and children, fainted amid the overcrowding. Emergency teams rushed the injured to nearby hospitals, with DMK leader Senthil Balaji and the district collector personally reviewing the situation. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin described the incident as worrying" on social media and said he had directed senior ministers, including Health Minister Subramanian and Education Minister Anbil Mahesh, to coordinate relief efforts. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Stalin has also announced the formation of a Commission of Inquiry, headed by Justice Aruna Jagadeesan, to probe the Karur stampede, which left multiple people dead and several others injured. Authorities said the commission will examine all aspects of the tragedy to ensure accountability and prevent similar incidents in the future. Location : Tamil Nadu, India, India First Published: September 28, 2025, 01:27 IST News india Crowd Exceeded Estimates, Early Rally Alerts: Tamil Nadu Top Cop Details Karur Stampede Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Fake Identity, Personal Grudge: How Social Media Trap Led To Acid Attack On UP Teacher Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 13:56 IST A man, incited by his lover, threw acid on a teacher in Amroha. Both the accused were arrested. The victim suffered burns but is now out of danger. The accused woman has been named key conspirator in the case. (Image: X/@sambhalpolice) A 30-year-old man allegedly threw acid on a teacher after being incited by a woman he met on social media, in Amroha district of Uttar Pradesh. Subsequently, the accused, identified as Nishu Tiwari, was arrested following an encounter on Friday. The accused woman, who was reportedly in an extramarital affair with Tiwari, was also arrested. She has been identified as Jahanvi alias Archana. Recommended Stories According to Superintendent of Police (SP) Krishna Kumar, a 22-year-old teacher was returning home from school in the Nakhasa police station area when a man on a scooter threw acid on her near Dehpa village on September 23. The victim suffered 2030% burns and was admitted to the district hospital. She is now out of danger, police said. A resident of Tigri village in Amroha, Tiwari was intercepted by police late Thursday night near Kalyanpur village. When stopped, he opened fire at the officers. The police returned fire in self-defence, injuring him in both legs. He was arrested and taken to the district hospital for treatment. Police recovered a pistol, two cartridges, and the scooter used in the crime. News agency PTI cited SP Kumar as saying that during interrogation, Tiwari claimed he was manipulated by his paramour, who had introduced herself as Dr Archana." She told Tiwari that her sister, Jahanvi, had been engaged to a soldier who later called off the wedding for another woman the victim teacher. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The SP added that the woman allegedly instigated Tiwari to seek revenge against the teacher. A former chemist, Tiwari bought acid and carried out the attack. Further probe revealed that Dr Archana" and Jahanvi are the same person. Police said she is married with three children and had previously drugged her husband and fled with Nishu. Meanwhile, both Nishu and Jahanvi have been placed in judicial custody, the SP added. About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manish... Read More Location : Amroha, India, India First Published: September 27, 2025, 13:54 IST News india Fake Identity, Personal Grudge: How Social Media Trap Led To Acid Attack On UP Teacher Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Five Dead, One Critical After Thar Loses Control, Hits Divider On Gurugram-Delhi-Jaipur Highway Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 11:45 IST According to police, the vehicle was travelling at high speed when the driver lost control, causing it to slam violently into the divider. Visuals from the accident site. Five men were killed and one critically injured when a black Mahindra Thar, carrying six passengers, crashed into a highway divider near the Jharsa Flyover on the Gurugram-Delhi-Jaipur Highway in the early hours of Saturday, September 27. Sector-40 Station House Officer (SHO) Lalit confirmed the details of the tragic incident. The accident occurred at around 4:30 a.m. as the Thar, registered in Uttar Pradesh, attempted to exit National Highway-48 at Exit No. 9 towards Rajiv Chowk. According to police, the vehicle was travelling at high speed when the driver lost control, causing it to slam violently into the divider. The impact was so severe that four passengers died instantly, while two others were rushed to hospital. One of the injured later succumbed to injuries, leaving only one survivor, who remains in critical condition. Recommended Stories Investigation underway top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Police and emergency services arrived promptly at the crash site, with the bodies sent for post-mortem examination. Officers are working to establish the identities of the deceased and are examining the circumstances that led to the collision. The mangled wreckage of the Thar bore witness to the force of the impact. Authorities have once again raised concerns about overspeeding-related accidents in Gurugram and the Delhi-NCR region, where fatal crashes remain a persistent problem. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: September 27, 2025, 11:45 IST News india Five Dead, One Critical After Thar Loses Control, Hits Divider On Gurugram-Delhi-Jaipur Highway Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Home Ministry Seeks Report From Tamil Nadu Govt On Karur Rally Stampede: Sources Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 23:08 IST Union Home Ministry seeks report from Tamil Nadu on Karur rally stampede at Vijays TVK event, sources told News18. Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam chief and actor Vijay during a rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu. The Union Home Ministry sought a detailed report from the Tamil Nadu government on the Karur rally stampede that claimed the lives of 36 people, including 8 children and 16 women, during actor-turned-politician Vijays Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) event. Sources told News18 that the MK Stalin government has been asked to furnish details on the circumstances leading to the tragedy and the rescue and crowd management measures taken by local authorities. The Centre is expected to review the report before deciding on further steps, sources said. Recommended Stories This comes as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed deep anguish over the loss of lives and announced a 10 lakh solatium from the CMs Relief Fund to the families of the deceased. Those undergoing intensive treatment will receive 1 lakh each. A Commission of Inquiry headed by retired Madras High Court judge Justice Aruna Jagadeesan will be constituted to probe the incident, the Chief Minister said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all MK Stalin said special arrangements for medical treatment have been made, with ministers and senior officials deputed to Karur and medical teams rushed from Tiruchirappalli, Salem and Dindigul. He added that he would personally visit Karur tonight to meet the bereaved families and the injured. The tragedy unfolded when tens of thousands thronged Vijays rally, leading to stampede as the crowd surged forward. Witnesses reported people collapsing from suffocation before panic spread. Vijay, who cut short his speech, was seen distributing water and arranging ambulances for the distressed. President Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other national leaders condoled the deaths, calling the incident deeply saddening." Location : Tamil Nadu, India, India First Published: September 27, 2025, 23:08 IST News india Home Ministry Seeks Report From Tamil Nadu Govt On Karur Rally Stampede: Sources Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... UP Cleric Linked To Bareilly Clashes Among Over 2 Dozen Held Amid 'I Love Muhammad' Row Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 14:49 IST Uttar Pradesh Police detained cleric Tauqeer Raza for allegedly triggering Fridays clashes in Bareilly. More than two dozen people were taken into custody following the violence. Bareilly: Security personnel lathi-charge protesters during a demonstration over the issue of 'I Love Mohammad' posters (Photo: PTI) The Uttar Pradesh Police on Saturday detained cleric and Ittehad-e-Millat Council chief Tauqeer Raza Khan in connection with the Friday clashes in Bareilly. Raza is the one who made an announcement postponing the proposed demonstration in support of the I Love Muhammad campaign in the city, thus inciting a clash between a large crowd and police outside a mosque. Recommended Stories The police took more than two dozen people into custody following the clashes. Speaking to reporters, Bareilly SSP Anurag Arya said, In seven FIRs, Maulana Tauqeer Razas name has come to light. We will make it a part of our investigation." The police were assured that after the Friday prayers, no one would head to the Islamia Inter College, but they refuted their own claim and said that the signatures were forged, but in reality, those signatures belonged to those three people who had done those signatures," he said. According to the police, a large crowd carrying I Love Muhammad posters and banners had gathered outside the clerics residence and near the mosque, both in the Kotwali area and located a short distance from each other, after the Friday prayers. #WATCH | Protestors gathered outside Ala Hazrat Dargah & IMC chief Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khans house holding I Love Mohammad placards after the Friday prayers in Bareily, UP. Heavy security is deployed at both spots. pic.twitter.com/rcZSAQyH8S ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2025 Some people also expressed their anger over the suspension of the demonstration. WHO IS TAUQEER RAZA KHAN? News agency PTI quoted sources as saying that Khan made a last-minute announcement to call off the demonstration, saying the authorities did not grant permission for it. On Thursday, the cleric had warned that the demonstration would go ahead at any cost. Khan has been politically active for more than two decades, with some influence in Bareilly and nearby districts. He is also the direct descendant of Ahmed Raza Khan, the founder of the Barelvi sect of Sunni Islam, one of the most prominent sects in the subcontinent. Violence unfolded outside a small mosque adjoining the Islamia ground in the heart of the city and near the Dargah-e-Ala Hazrat, the most revered shrine for the followers of the Barelvi sect. As the crowd attempted to march towards the Islamia Inter College ground, police tried to stop it at Khalil Tiraha, triggering stone pelting and vandalisation of vehicles and shops by the demonstrators, creating a stampede-like situation. Visuals showed broken glass, scattered footwear and stones on the streets as police in anti-riot gear used force to disperse the crowd. DIG Ajay Kumar Sahni told reporters that police were in touch with religious leaders for two days prior to the Friday prayers, which were conducted peacefully in most areas. THE I LOVE MUHAMMAD CAMPAIGN The genesis of the controversy dates back to September 9, when police in Kanpur filed an FIR against nine named and 15 unidentified persons for allegedly installing boards with I Love Muhammad written on those on a road during a Barawafat procession. Hindu groups objected to it, calling it deviation from tradition" and a deliberate provocation". The controversy soon spread across several Uttar Pradesh districts and to states like Uttarakhand and Karnataka, sparking protests and police crackdowns. ALSO READ | Posters Backing Yogi Adityanath, Bulldozer Action Seen In Lucknow Amid I Love Muhammad Row top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all 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: September 27, 2025, 11:03 IST News india UP Cleric Linked To Bareilly Clashes Among Over 2 Dozen Held Amid 'I Love Muhammad' Row Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 08:00 IST Police say the crowd in Bareilly swelled as some participants shouted provocative slogans and insisted on marching to the ground. Pic/News18 The ongoing I Love Muhammad" campaign flared into violence on Friday as stone-pelting, police lathi-charge, and clashes were reported from Bareilly, Mau, and other districts across Uttar Pradesh. Bareilly witnessed the worst escalation, where a massive crowd gathered near the citys Islamia Ground after Friday prayers in response to a call by cleric and Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC) chief Maulana Tauqeer Raza to hold a demonstration supporting the campaign. Recommended Stories District magistrate Avinash Singh confirmed that police, PAC, and RAF personnel were already deployed in anticipation of trouble. After Friday prayers, some people tried to disrupt peace at three locations. Our forces acted swiftly and dispersed the crowds within an hour. Around 15-20 people have been taken into custody, and the city is now peaceful," he said. How row began The row began on September 4 in Kanpur during Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi processions, when an I Love Muhammad" lightboard was put up on a tent along the route in a mixed neighbourhood. Local Hindu groups objected, alleging it was a provocation. Police removed the banner and relocated the tent, triggering protests. FIRs were filed against nine named and 15 unidentified persons for installing the structure without permission. In the days that followed, demonstrations spread to other cities in Uttar Pradesh and beyond, with Muslim groups describing the FIR as an affront to their faith and a form of social boycott. Hindu groups responded with I Love Mahadev" and I Love Mahakaal" banners, further polarising the situation. Social media hashtags such as #ILoveMuhammad trended nationally, amplifying the standoff. Violence in Bareilly On Friday, soon after Juma prayers, hundreds of people converged near the Islamia Ground despite prohibitory orders. Police say the crowd swelled as some participants shouted provocative slogans and insisted on marching to the ground. When police stopped them, the protest turned violent. Bareilly IG Ajay Sahni said, The police were doing a flag march and asked people to offer namaz and return home. Later, some in the crowd pelted stones and even opened fire. Some weapons have been recovered. This appears to be a pre-planned conspiracy." After the mob was dispersed, shoes, slippers, and stones were seen scattered across a 200-metre stretch, indicating the intensity of the clash. At least 10 policemen were injured, several sustained pellet injuries, and media personnel covering the protest were also hurt. Around 12 people were arrested immediately, with more arrests expected based on video footage collected by police. Markets in Bareillys Shyamganj wholesale area were shut after stone-pelting targeted shops. Police launched a heavy lathi-charge and sealed the area, later assuring traders of safety before reopening markets. Maulana Tauqeer Raza was detained and kept under tight security at a private residence in the Baradari area, though officials refrained from calling it a formal arrest. Violence spreads to Mau, Baghpat Similar scenes were reported in Mau, where a procession carrying I Love Muhammad" placards attempted to march after prayers. When police ordered the crowd to disperse, some allegedly threw stones, prompting a baton charge. In Baghpat, police stopped a procession citing a lack of permission, leading to an altercation. Two named persons and 150 unidentified individuals were booked for unlawful assembly and rioting. Beyond Uttar Pradesh The controversy has spilt over to other states. In Gujarats Gandhinagar district, 60 people were detained after stone-pelting and damage to shops and vehicles following an objectionable social media post related to the issue. In Karnatakas Davangere, posters reading I Love Muhammad" led to clashes between two groups. In Maharashtras Malvani area, clerics visited the police station demanding action against what they called discriminatory treatment in Kanpur. Political spin Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav condemned the governments use of force, saying, Governments function with harmony and goodwill, not lathicharge. Highly condemnable!" Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai called for mutual respect across faiths, remarking, Everyone should love their God. I love Muhammad, I love Mahadev, I love Ganeshji, I love Jesus Christ, I love Guru Nanak, I love Gautam Buddha, I love Mahavir." Hyderabad MP and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi also criticised the FIRs and removal of the posters, saying, If someone says I Love You, what is the problem? What message are you sending to the world by objecting to a declaration of faith?" However, the authorities have stepped up security in Bareilly and other sensitive districts. Drone surveillance is being used to monitor crowd movement, and police presence has been reinforced at key junctions. IG Ajay Sahni assured that strict action will be taken against the trouble-makers based on video evidence". 'India Becoming Global Manufacturing Hub In Telecom': PM Unveils BSNL's Swadeshi 4G Network Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 13:20 IST PM Modi on Saturday inaugurated several development projects worth over Rs 60,000 crore in Odisha's Jharsuguda district.` PM Unveils BSNL's Swadeshi 4G Network Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched fully indigenous 4G stack and more than 97,500 BSNL towers from Odishas Jharsuguda. Responding to a post by Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on X, PM Modi said: Union Minister Scindia highlights how BSNLs 4G stack embodies the swadeshi spirit. Recommended Stories With over 92,000 sites connecting 22 million Indians, it reflects Indias journey from dependence to confidence, driving employment, exports, fiscal revival and advancing the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat," the Prime Minister said. PM Modi In Odisha | Video Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, Odisha has been immensely gifted by nature. Odisha has seen many decades of suffering, but this decade will take Odisha towards prosperity. This decade is very important for Odisha The Central government has recently approved two semiconductor units for Odisha A semiconductor park will also be constructed in Odisha" #WATCH | Jharsuguda, Odisha | Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, Odisha has been immensely gifted by nature. Odisha has seen many decades of suffering, but this decade will take Odisha towards prosperity. This decade is very important for Odisha The Central government has pic.twitter.com/5W2ks7bnbW ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2025 PM Modi will commission more than 97,500 4G mobile towers built at a cost of around Rs 37,000 crore with swadeshi technology. This includes more than 92,600 4G technology sites commissioned by BSNL. PM Modi Flags Off Amrit Bharat Express | Watch During his visit to Odisha, the PM flagged off Amrit Bharat Express between Berhampur and Udhna (Surat). #WATCH | Jharsuguda, Odisha | Prime Minister Narendra Modi flags off the Amrit Bharat Express between Berhampur and Udhna (Surat), providing affordable and comfortable connectivity across states, supporting tourism, creating employment opportunities, and linking key economic pic.twitter.com/qPdd85fESP ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2025 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Ahead of his visit to Odisha, in a post on X, the PM wrote, Will be in Jharsuguda, Odisha, to inaugurate developmental works worth over Rs. 50,000 crore. In a historic feat, over 97,500 telecom towers across India would be commissioned. These have been built using local technologies and will boost connectivity in remote areas, border areas and those affected by Maoism." Location : Odisha (Orissa), India, India First Published: September 27, 2025, 12:44 IST News india 'India Becoming Global Manufacturing Hub In Telecom': PM Unveils BSNL's Swadeshi 4G Network Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Karur Stampede: Amit Shah Speaks To CM MK Stalin, Assures All Support To Tamil Nadu Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 22:53 IST Home Minister Amit Shah speaks to MK Stalin after Karur stampede at Vijays rally, offering condolences and Centre's support. Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and Governor RN Ravi to take stock of the situation after the stampede at TVK chief Vijays rally in Karur that claimed 36 lives and left more than 60 injured. Amit Shah expressed his condolences and assured the state government of all possible support from the Centre in this hour of crisis. Deeply pained by the tragic loss of lives in a stampede in Karur, Tamil Nadu. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. I pray to the Almighty to give them the strength to bear this grief and for the speedy recovery of the injured," he wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Recommended Stories The tragedy struck on Saturday evening when tens of thousands thronged Vijays mega political rally. Overwhelming crowds led to a stampede, with many attendees collapsing due to suffocation. The actor-turned-politician abruptly ended his speech, pleaded for police assistance, distributed water bottles and arranged ambulances as people fainted in large numbers. According to CM MK Stalin, eight children and 16 women were among the dead. The Chief Minister said more than 40 doctors from Tiruchirappalli and Salem had been deployed for emergency relief. MK Stalin also announced 10 lakh compensation to the families of the deceased and ordered a judicial probe led by retired High Court judge Justice Aruna Jagadeesan. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu have also expressed grief, calling the incident deeply saddening" and extending condolences to the bereaved families. The unfortunate incident during a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. Wishing strength to them in this difficult time. Praying for a swift recovery to all those injured," PM Modi said. Location : Tamil Nadu, India, India First Published: September 27, 2025, 22:40 IST News india Karur Stampede: Amit Shah Speaks To CM MK Stalin, Assures All Support To Tamil Nadu Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Kolkata Man Arrested Over 1 Crore Extortion Threat To Comedian Kapil Sharma Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 15:45 IST Mumbai Crime Branch arrests a man from Kolkata for threatening comedian Kapil Sharma. Comedian Kapil Sharma The Mumbai Crime Branch arrested a man from West Bengals North 24 Parganas district for allegedly threatening popular comedian Kapil Sharma. The accused, identified as Dilip Chaudhary, sent a threatening email to Kapil Sharma demanding 1 crore. In the email, Dilip Chaudhary allegedly introduced himself as a member of the Goldy Brar and Rohit Gadra gang, attempting to intimidate the comedian by citing links with the notorious criminal network. Following the complaint, Mumbai Police launched an investigation and tracked Dlip Chaudharys location to West Bengal, where he was taken into custody. Officials confirmed that the probe is now focused on verifying whether Dilip Chaudhary truly has connections with Goldy Brar or Rohit Gadra, or if he was falsely using their names to extort money. Recommended Stories The police said that further investigation in the case in underway and Dilip Chaudhary will be brought to Mumbai for questioning. First Published: September 27, 2025, 15:45 IST News india Kolkata Man Arrested Over 1 Crore Extortion Threat To Comedian Kapil Sharma Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'History Of Instigation': Ladakh DGP Links Sonam Wangchuk To Pakistani Intel Operative Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Vani Mehrotra Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 18:22 IST Four people were killed and over 80 security personnel injured in the September 24 Leh violence. DGP SD Singh Jamwal said Sonam Wangchuks detention under NSA was necessary. Sonam Wangchuk/Leh violence (Photos: PTI) As Leh continues to remain under curfew restrictions for the fourth consecutive day after large-scale violence on September 24, Ladakh DGP SD Singh Jamwal on Saturday confirmed the death of four people and injuries to many others. Addressing a press conference, Jamwal detailed the circumstances that led to the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA), calling it a step necessary to restore peace. Recommended Stories He also said that Wangchuk and other activists attempted to derail ongoing talks between Ladakh groups and the Centre on statehood and Sixth Schedule demands, and that Wangchuks Pakistan links have emerged and are under probe. LEH VIOLENCE: WHAT HAPPENED ON SEPTEMBER 24 According to DGP Jamwal, on September 24, nearly 7,000 people pelted stones at buildings, police, and paramilitary forces. CRPF jawans were mercilessly beaten, and one is still critical. Three women personnel were inside a building when an attempt was made to burn it," he noted. Jamwal said the violence came even as talks were ongoing with the Centre over statehood and Sixth Schedule status. Some so-called activists, including Sonam Wangchuk and others, tried hard to sabotage and derail the talks. Statements and provocative speeches were made, and we have registered some FIRs," the DGP said. According to him, 80 personnel, including 17 CRPF and 15 Ladakh police personnel, were injured. Three women personnel narrowly escaped when rioters tried to set fire to the building they were in. No one anticipated this kind of violence. Ladakh police is part of you, but we will not spare anyone trying to destabilise peace," he warned. Jamwal said the incident was unprecedented in Ladakhs history. CRPF jawans were mercilessly beaten, one is still critical. My vehicle was also attacked and I sustained minor injuries," he said. ALLEGATIONS AGAINST SONAM WANGCHUK AND HIS PAKISTAN LINKS The DGP alleged that Sonam Wangchuk and other activists attempted to derail ongoing talks between Ladakh groups and the Centre on statehood and Sixth Schedule demands. Wangchuk has a history of instigation," he said, citing the Nepal agitation, Bangladesh, and the Arab Spring. Violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, are also being checked," Jamwal claimed. He further said a Pakistan Intelligence Operative (PIO), who was reporting" Wangchuk, has been detained with incriminating material. The DGP also said that Wangchuks alleged visits to Pakistan and possible foreign funding links have come to the fore and are under probe. Agencies are investigating these matters," he added. LEH VIOLENCE: HOW MANY ARRESTED, INJURED The DGP confirmed that 44 people, including 56 ringleaders", have been arrested so far. We had prior intelligence, which is why deployments were made," he said. In the right of self-defence, we can open fire, but its commendable how forces controlled the situation," he said. He also noted that three Nepali nationals were among those injured with bullet wounds during the clashes. Ladakh people are wonderful and honest. Ladakh will hold peace. Law and order will not remain in the character of Ladakhis," he said. LEH VIOLENCE AND THE ARREST OF SONAM WANGCHUK Major clashes erupted in Leh on September 24 after some people pelted stones and torched police vehicles, as they demanded Ladakhs statehood and Sixth Schedule status. The BJP office in the district was also torched. In the backdrop of the protest, strict restrictions under prohibitory orders banning assembly of five or more persons were imposed in other major towns of the Union Territory, including Kargil. The official said the patrolling and checking by police and paramilitary forces in the sensitive areas have been intensified, while raids are also underway to nab the absconding rioters, including a councillor who allegedly instigated the violence. As the crackdown continued, the police arrested Wangchuk on Friday. He was taken into custody by a police party led by Ladakh Police chief SD Singh Jamwal. He was subsequently lodged in a jail in Rajasthans Jodhpur. In a statement issued late Friday night, the Lt Governor-led administration justified the detention of Wangchuk and said his series of alleged provocative speeches resulted in the violence. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all It said the detention of Wangchuk was important to restore normalcy" in the peace-loving Leh town and also to prevent him from further acting in a manner prejudicial to maintenance of public order". ALSO READ | Why Sonam Wangchuks Arrest After Violent Ladakh Protests Is Right & Was Required: Govt Sources About the Author Ieshan Wani Ieshan Wani, senior correspondent, CNN-News18, has over eight years of experience in reporting, producing and editing news for broadcast, digital and print platforms. His reporting has mostly been fro... Read More First Published: September 27, 2025, 14:55 IST News india 'History Of Instigation': Ladakh DGP Links Sonam Wangchuk To Pakistani Intel Operative Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Mindlessly Dragging Me': Kangana Ranaut Slams Congress Amid Row Over PM Modi's Odisha Visit Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 19:21 IST Kangana Ranaut's remarks came after a Congress leader questioned the purpose of PM Modis Jharsuguda visit, invoking the actor-turned-politician's name BJP MP Kangana Ranaut. (Photo Credits: Instagram) Actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut on Saturday hit back at the Congress after her name was invoked in a jibe over Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Odishas Jharsuguda, calling it a case of character assassination" and anti-women" politics. During his visit, PM Modi inaugurated Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limiteds (BSNL) indigenous 4G stack, marking Indias entry into a select group of nations capable of producing homegrown telecom technology. Recommended Stories Narendra Modi Ji is the Prime Minister of India, chosen by the people three times for this responsibility. He can travel to any part of the nation and work for peoples development. As for mindlessly dragging my name into it, why am I the untouchable? Why my name is always used in creepy undertones and gossipy connotations? What have I done?" She added that Congresss repeated attempts to link her name with the Prime Minister reflected a regressive mentality" and accused the party of trying to malign her public image. I wonder is it because of such public character assassination and slandering I still havent got a single audience with honourable PM ji, shame on Congresss polluted brain, regressive mentality and anti-women agendas," she wrote. Narendra Modi Ji is the Prime Minister of India, chosen by the people three times for this responsibility. He can travel to any part of the nation and work for peoples development.As for mindlessly dragging my name in to it, why am I the untouchable? Why my name is always used https://t.co/ZmyK0intJm Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) September 27, 2025 Her remarks came after Congress spokesperson Sonali Sahu questioned the purpose of PM Modis Jharsuguda visit, asking: We welcome him as per our political culture. But the real question is, why has Modi come, and who invited him? Last time it was Lord Jagannaths invitation this time who invited him? Kangana Ranaut?" Sahu also criticised the Prime Minister for flagging off a train to Surat, suggesting it was aimed at sending Odishas youth to work outside the state. Major Digital Infra Push As part of BSNLs silver jubilee celebrations, the Prime Minister commissioned more than 97,500 mobile towers, including 92,600 4G sites built with indigenous technology at a cost of around Rs 37,000 crore. Officials said the project will extend mobile connectivity to over 26,700 previously unconnected villages, including 2,472 in Odisha, benefitting more than 20 lakh new subscribers. The solar-powered towers are being described as Indias largest cluster of green telecom sites. Officials said the indigenous 4G stack is cloud-based and future-ready, with the ability to seamlessly upgrade to 5G. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This rollout is a transformative step in line with the Prime Ministers vision of Digital India, bridging the digital divide and empowering rural communities," the government said in a statement. With the launch of the Digital Bharat Nidhi initiative, PM Modi also unveiled Indias 100 per cent 4G saturation project that will connect around 30,000 villages in mission mode. Location : Odisha (Orissa), India, India First Published: September 27, 2025, 19:21 IST News india 'Mindlessly Dragging Me': Kangana Ranaut Slams Congress Amid Row Over PM Modi's Odisha Visit Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Mumbai Receives Heavy Rain As IMD Issues Orange Alert, More Showers Likely Over Weekend Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 09:27 IST Rain lashed parts of Mumbai as the IMD issued an orange alert, and several parts of Maharashtra are likely to receive heavy to extremely heavy rainfall between September 27 and 29. Commuters walk on waterlogged railway tracks after trains were disrupted due to heavy rainfall in Mumbai (File photo/PTI) Mumbai received heavy rain on Saturday morning as the weather department issued an orange alert for the city, forecasting thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, moderate rainfall, and gusty winds reaching 3040 km/hour at isolated locations. Residents in the city were advised to stay cautious and take necessary precautions during these conditions, the weather department said. Recommended Stories Heavy to very heavy rain is expected to lash parts of Maharashtra beginning Saturday. Mumbai, Maharashtra: Rain lashes parts of the city pic.twitter.com/av38SsvfUh IANS (@ians_india) September 27, 2025 According to a release from the Revenue and Forest Department, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also predicted heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in central Maharashtra, Konkan and Vidarbha between September 27 and 29. Orange and red alerts have been issued for certain districts, with instructions for precautionary and preparatory measures to be taken through the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC). HEAVY RAIN ALERT ACROSS MAHARASHTRA According to the advisory, central Maharashtra and Konkan are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places between September 27 and 29, with extremely heavy showers likely in some areas on September 28. Vidarbha may record light to moderate rain at several places, along with heavy rainfall at some locations, on September 27. Marathwada, already reeling under heavy rains, is likely to receive light to moderate rain between September 26 and 29, with chances of heavy to very heavy rainfall on September 27 and 28. GOVERNMENT URGES RESIDENTS TO BE CAUTIOUS On Friday, the Maharashtra government issued an advisory urging people to remain cautious following the heavy rain forecast. The government has appealed to the public to follow official instructions, avoid hazardous zones and refrain from travelling to flood-prone areas. People have been advised not to take shelter under trees during thunderstorms and to ensure all precautions are taken for flood safety. Residents in affected regions should use local relief shelters if necessary and avoid unnecessary travel during flood situations. People have also been strictly cautioned against crossing waterlogged roads or bridges, and urged not to spread or believe rumours, the release said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all ALSO READ | Andhra Weather Alert: Heavy To Very Heavy Rain Expected In Coastal Areas This Weekend 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: September 27, 2025, 08:21 IST News india Mumbai Receives Heavy Rain As IMD Issues Orange Alert, More Showers Likely Over Weekend Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Not Our Culture': MP Minister Backs Kailash Vijayvargiya Amid Row Over Rahul-Priyanka Bond Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 12:56 IST The furore began when Vijayvargiya criticised Rahul Gandhi for kissing his sister during public events, claiming such gestures were foreign values. BJP slammed Priyanka Vadra. (PTI) The political row over Madhya Pradesh Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiyas remarks about Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has intensified, with his cabinet colleague Vijay Shah openly supporting him. The controversy, rooted in comments about public displays of affection between the Gandhi siblings, has sparked protests, accusations of misogyny, and renewed debate over cultural values in Indian politics. What sparked the row? Recommended Stories The furore began when Vijayvargiya criticised Rahul Gandhi for kissing his sister during public events, claiming such gestures were foreign values" and alien to Indian traditions. Speaking at a rally, he asked, Who among you kisses your young sisters or daughters in public? This is a lack of values, brought up abroad." The remarks referred to widely circulated images of Rahul embracing or kissing Priyanka at rallies. Vijay Shah reignited the controversy in Khandwa, declaring, This is not our culture; practise such things at home, not in public." Pointing to a fellow MLA during his speech, he added: She is also my real sister, so would I kiss her in public? Indian civilisation does not teach this." What Congress said? The Congress Party has launched statewide protests, burning effigies of Vijayvargiya and condemning Shahs remarks. State Congress president Jitu Patwari labelled the comments disgusting" and a direct challenge to Indias culture and the sacred brother-sister relationship," demanding the resignation of both ministers. Spokesperson KK Mishra accused the ruling BJP of shielding ministers who use abusive and derogatory language." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Shah is no stranger to incendiary remarks. Earlier this year, he apologised for a deeply controversial statement about an army officer following Operation Sindoor." Congress leaders argue that the latest comments reflect a dirty mindset" and an attempt to distract from governance failures. While Vijayvargiya later claimed he was merely highlighting cultural differences and not questioning the sibling bond, the damage was done. The controversy has become a flashpoint in the ongoing BJP-Congress rivalry, with critics accusing the ministers of distorting cultural values to score political points. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: September 27, 2025, 12:55 IST News india 'Not Our Culture': MP Minister Backs Kailash Vijayvargiya Amid Row Over Rahul-Priyanka Bond Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... PM Modi Condoles Loss Of Lives In Karur Stampede At TVK Chief Vijays Rally: Deeply Saddening Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 21:46 IST PM Modi mourned loss of lives in the Karur stampede at Vijays rally. Relief efforts are underway in Tamil Nadu, CM MK Stalin said. PM Narendra Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragic loss of lives in a stampede at actor-turned-politician Vijays mega rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, where at least 33 people, including six children and 16 women, died and 58 others were hospitalised. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi wrote, The unfortunate incident during a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. Wishing strength to them in this difficult time. Praying for a swift recovery to all those injured." Recommended Stories Chaos At Vijays Rally The tragedy unfolded when tens of thousands gathered to hear Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay. Witnesses said the rally spiraled out of control as the crowd pressed forward, leading to people collapsing from suffocation. Vijay abruptly cut short his speech, urging police to help. Police, please help," the star was heard pleading as several attendees fainted. He personally distributed water to the crowd and arranged ambulances for those feeling breathless. Despite these efforts, the situation quickly escalated into a deadly stampede. Video footage shared by PTI showed Vijay pausing his address to assist the distressed audience. MK Stalin Orders Emergency Relief Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin called the incident heart-wrenching" and said he had instructed ministers, senior officials and medical teams to rush to Karur to oversee relief operations. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all I have directed immediate treatment for those hospitalised and ordered all necessary assistance on a war footing," MK Stalin said, adding that additional doctors from Tiruchirappalli and Salem had been deployed. He also appealed to the public to extend cooperation to doctors and police personnel engaged in rescue and relief work. Authorities confirmed that 33 people lost their lives, while dozens more remain in critical condition. Officials said an inquiry would be conducted into the lapses that led to the disaster. Location : Tamil Nadu, India, India First Published: September 27, 2025, 21:46 IST News india PM Modi Condoles Loss Of Lives In Karur Stampede At TVK Chief Vijays Rally: Deeply Saddening Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Punjab Police Extradite Babbar Khalsa Terrorist Parminder Singh Pindi From UAE Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 09:34 IST Pindi is a known associate of foreign-based terrorists Harwinder Singh Rinda and Happy Passia, and is wanted in connection with a series of heinous crimes. Punjab Police Extradite Babbar Khalsa Terrorist Parminder Singh Pindi from UAE (Photo: Punjab Police X) In a significant breakthrough against cross-border terrorism, the Punjab Police have successfully extradited Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist Parminder Singh, alias Pindi, from Abu Dhabi to India. The operation was carried out with the close coordination of central agencies, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Government of the United Arab Emirates. Who is Parminder Singh Pindi? Recommended Stories Pindi is a known associate of foreign-based terrorists Harwinder Singh Rinda and Happy Passia, and is wanted in connection with a series of heinous crimes. His activities include petrol bomb attacks, violent assaults and extortion rackets across the BatalaGurdaspur region, posing a serious threat to public safety and regional stability. The extradition followed a Red Corner Notice initiated by Batala Police. Acting swiftly, a dedicated four-member team led by a senior Punjab Police officer travelled to the UAE on 24 September 2024. Working in tandem with MEA officials and UAE authorities, the team completed all legal procedures and successfully brought the accused back to India to face trial. What Punjab Police said? top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Punjab Police hailed the operation as a testament to their zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and organised crime. This successful extradition underscores Punjab Polices zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and organised crime as well as its advanced investigative capabilities and global reach," reads Punjab Police post on X. Officials expressed gratitude to central agencies and UAE counterparts for their crucial support, emphasising that the successful extradition highlights Indias strengthened global cooperation and advanced investigative capabilities in the fight against terrorism. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: September 27, 2025, 09:26 IST News india Punjab Police Extradite Babbar Khalsa Terrorist Parminder Singh Pindi From UAE Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Reporters Diary | Insights From The Heart Of Extraordinary Unrest In Ladakh Reported By : CNN-News18 Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 19:23 IST There is palpable anger among the locals, and the killings have deeply disturbed them People in Ladakh have largely refrained from speaking to the media about the recent episode of violence, due to a climate of fear and mistrust following the unrest. File pic/PTI Late on Friday evening, I received a message from a source in Ladakh informing me that activist Sonam Wangchuk had been detained and was likely to face stringent action. Recommended Stories The next couple of hours were tense for a television journalist like mefilled with constant live broadcasts and commentary on his arrest. To my surprise, I was soon sent to Leh, anticipating the possibility of further violence and unrest. I left Srinagar in the fading evening light, watching the city slowly slip into shadow as our vehicle rushed its way towards the high mountain roads leading to Leh. The familiar bustle of Srinagar gave way to winding stretches of highway, with the dim glow of roadside tea stalls flickering against the darkness. I knew the night was long, restless and tiring. At times, the silence was unsettling, interrupted only by the steady hum of the engine and the occasional sweep of headlights cutting through the mountains. Sleep came in fragments, stolen between jolts on uneven roads and the rare moments of stillness when the vehicle paused. By morning, as the light started to show over the Ladakh ranges, I sensed a shift in the airnot just the altitude, but a palpable tension. Entering Leh, the first sight that struck me was the coiled glint of concertina wire stretched across key roads. Curfew was in place, a familiar scene pre-2019 in Kashmir. Policemen in body gear stood guard, their eyes scanning every passing vehicle. Our car slowed to a halt at one checkpoint. A uniformed officer approached briskly, his hand resting firmly on the strap of his gun and demanded our identities. The exchange was brief, the silence lingering before a nod allowed us to move on. As we drove deeper into the town, the atmosphere thickened with unease. Outside the BJP office, the aftermath of an attempted arson lay stark in the open. The building bore the early marks of fire, and scattered across the road were splintered pieces of broken furniture, charred at the edges. Empty shells of tear smoke grenades littered the ground, with burnt plastic still emitting thin trails of unpleasant white smoke that clawed at the throat. The air carried the smell of burnt wood mixed with chemical haze, wrapping the entire street in a suffocating reminder of the day of violence. A look at the BJP office tells you the storybroken windows, stones, black dark smoke on the wall, and security forces men guarding the premises with all their strength. The scene was surrealthe stark mountains contrasting harshly with the unsettled heart of a town under lockdown. Just a few metres away, the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council office and other important buildings present a similar scene. Everyone walking by casts suspicious glances at us. Under the life-size statue of Singay Namgyal, also known as the Lion King", who ruled from 1616 to 1642 and played a pivotal role in unifying Ladakh, policemen and paramilitary personnel stand guard, allowing vehicles to pass only after thorough inspection. People in Ladakh have largely refrained from speaking to the media about the recent episode of violence, due to a climate of fear and mistrust following the unrest. Just as I was about to speak to people, a message flashed on my phone about a press conference to be addressed by the DGP of Ladakh Police. I immediately boarded the vehicle and headed towards the civil secretariat building, whose road was littered with stones thrown during recent unrest. The DGP informed the media that investigators were probing a possible Pakistan link in Sonam Wangchuks case, pointing to his prior visits across the border and alleged interactions with Islamabad-based officials. Everyones eyes were lit with reporters immediately flashing questions. Ladakh-based media began questioning the police action of opening fire on protesters, while the DGP defended the response, explaining how they protected personnel and buildings from the mob. Sir, we need to highlight that the protesters were carrying the national flag and a photograph of the father of our constitutionthey were nationalists," a young woman, possibly in her late twenties, insisted. There is palpable anger among the locals, and the killings have deeply disturbed them. I visited the home of one of those killed in the firing, but no one wants to speak to the media," a reporter from a Delhi-based national newspaper told me. The authorities relaxed the curfew for just two hours, only to reimpose it as people began heading back to their homes. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This is the first time Ladakh has witnessed such an incident, where four lives were claimed, and the government responded with a heavy hand, imposed curfew, and used gunfire and tear gas shells. About the Author Ieshan Wani Ieshan Wani, senior correspondent, CNN-News18, has over eight years of experience in reporting, producing and editing news for broadcast, digital and print platforms. His reporting has mostly been fro... Read More Location : Leh, India, India First Published: September 27, 2025, 19:23 IST News india Reporters Diary | Insights From The Heart Of Extraordinary Unrest In Ladakh Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Rules Flouted, Crowd Mismanaged And Delays: What Went Wrong At Vijays Karur Rally Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 23:35 IST A stampede at Vijays Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam rally in Karur killed 38, exposing lapses in crowd control. Police had mandated several conditions for the rally, including separate entry and exit points. As Tamil Nadu reels from the tragic stampede at actor-politician Vijays Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally in Karur that killed at least 38 people, questions are being raised over glaring lapses in planning and crowd management that turned the event into a catastrophe. Was Crowd Management Ignored At Vijay Rally? Recommended Stories According to police records, TVK had submitted a letter to Karur Police on September 25, stating it expected a turnout of around 10,000 people. However, by Saturday evening, nearly 30,000 to 35,000 people flooded the venue, overwhelming security and logistical arrangements. Were Police Instructions Ignored? Police had mandated several conditions for the rally, including separate entry and exit points, barricading around the stage and buffer zones to regulate crowd flow. These measures, however, were reportedly not implemented in full. Eyewitnesses said barricades were broken when the crowd surged toward the stage while narrow pathways and choke points made escape almost impossible. Was The Venue Equipped To Hold The Rally? The venue itself lacked the infrastructure needed to manage such a massive gathering. There were not enough volunteers for crowd control, exits were poorly marked and pathways were too narrow. Ambulances found it difficult to navigate through the densely packed crowd to reach those who had collapsed, delaying critical medical attention. Did Vijays Late Arrival Contribute To The Stampede? The situation was further aggravated by Vijays delayed arrival. The actor-turned-politician reached the venue nearly six hours late, and the restless crowd surged forward as soon as he appeared on stage. The sudden push broke order and triggered panic. As several people, including children, collapsed from suffocation, Vijay was seen pleading for help, shouting, Police, please help." He personally threw water bottles into the crowd and arranged ambulances, but the relief came too late for dozens of victims. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The tragedy left 38 dead, including eight children and 16 women, while more than 60 remain hospitalised. Heartbreaking visuals from hospitals showed families wailing in grief, including one father carrying the body of his child in his arms. Vijay, who had abruptly ended his speech as chaos broke out, later left for Chennai via Tiruchirappalli airport without speaking to the media or visiting hospitals in Karur. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as deeply saddening" and offered condolences to the bereaved families. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced a 10 lakh solatium for the families of the deceased, along with a judicial probe led by retired judge Aruna Jagadeesan. He also rushed ministers and medical teams to Karur to oversee relief measures. Location : Tamil Nadu, India, India First Published: September 27, 2025, 23:35 IST News india Rules Flouted, Crowd Mismanaged And Delays: What Went Wrong At Vijays Karur Rally Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... (Reuters) -Chipmaker Intel has approached Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company about investments in manufacturing or partnerships, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter. The development follows a Bloomberg report on Wednesday that said Intel was in talks with Apple about securing an investment in the struggling chipmaker. Intel's efforts to get outside investment began before U.S. President Donald Trump showed an interest in the company last month, WSJ said, but have gone into overdrive since the U.S. took a 10% stake in it. Both Intel and TSMC declined to comment on the report. Last week, Nvidia announced it would invest $5 billion in Intel for a roughly 4% stake in the company. The chipmaker also got a $2 billion capital injection from SoftBank Group in August. Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan has been trying to bring in partners as part of a turnaround at the ailing chipmaker. Once the chip industry's flag bearer that claimed to put the "silicon" in Silicon Valley, Intel has struggled to compete in the booming AI race, falling behind peers such as Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices. Intel has invested billions of dollars in setting up a contract manufacturing business that has struggled to compete with TSMC and barely attracted external customers. The two companies had discussed a preliminary agreement to form a joint venture, with TSMC taking a 20% stake in the new company, the Information had reported in April. (Reporting by Aishwarya Jain in Bengaluru and Juby Babu in Mexico City; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli) Sonam Wangchuk, Amritpal Singh: Why Trouble Mongers Were Taken Hundreds Of Kilometres Away Into Oblivion Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 11:57 IST Government sources say fomenting civil unrest and having ulterior resources to do so is a major red alarm and such elements need to be taken away from their den Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Sonam Wangchuk (left) and Amritpal Singh (right) have been taken far away from their areas of influence. (News18) From Punjab to Dibrugarh, Assam. From Leh to Jodhpur, Rajasthan. This has been the fate of two trouble-mongers, Amritpal Singh and Sonam Wangchuk, after their arrests. They both are facing long detentions after being booked under the National Security Act. But why such drastic moves? The idea of the Centre is simple. Fomenting civil unrest and having ulterior resources to do so is a major red alarm, top government sources say. Such elements need to be taken away from their den, and into oblivion, sources add. Recommended Stories Amritpal Singh tried to create havoc in Punjab two years ago by instigating youth into separatism, taking on the police and administration, and hobnobbing with the ISI. He dodged the agencies for a month before being nabbed. The government chose to take him nearly 3,000 kms away from Punjab to the countrys other borderthe Dibrugarh jail in Assam. That has been his home for the last two years. The Dibrugarh jail is also a very secure jail and the Centres idea was to keep Amritpal away from other prisoners in Punjabs jail where he may have indoctrinated them. It is another matter that he got elected as an MP from Punjab in the Lok Sabha elections, from behind bars. But the Centre did blunt his Khalistani narrative from gaining further ground in a sensitive state like Punjab. Sonam Wangchuks case seems a repeat of Amritpal Singh. Wangchuk has been taken 1,500 kilometres away from Leh to the countrys other borderJodhpur jail in Rajasthan. He faces the NSA too. The reasons are also similar to Amritpal Singh. Wangchuk is seen as the prime instigator of the violence in Leh, which has been a peace zone for decades. The government said so in an official statement. His financial dealings and questionable remittances into his NGO are under the scanner too, prompting the FCRA clearance for his NGO to be cancelled. Taking Wangchuk out of Leh was important as there is a fragile peace in the UT and Wangchuk had called another press conference in Leh on Friday before he was arrested and whisked away. The Centre felt Wangchuks presence in Leh has the potential of inflaming tensions again. The UT is a sensitive zone on the China border and the Centre wants to take no chances here. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan is a well-thought out choice as it is a secure jail. High-profile prisoners like Lawrence Bishnoi, Asaram, and actor Salman Khan have been lodged here. Wangchuk could now spend a lot of time here while serving his detention under the NSA and is headed for a long legal battle in the courts. The Centre feels that taking Wangchuk out of Leh will give the region time to heal and prepare a constructive atmosphere of talks with the genuine stakeholders of the region. Be it Amritpal or Wangchuk, the Centre is no mood to tolerate those questioning the sovereignty of the country. About the Author Aman Sharma Aman Sharma, Executive Editor - National Affairs at CNN-News18, and Bureau Chief at News18 in Delhi, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Minister... Read More First Published: September 27, 2025, 11:56 IST News india Sonam Wangchuk, Amritpal Singh: Why Trouble Mongers Were Taken Hundreds Of Kilometres Away Into Oblivion Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Vijay Rally Stampede: CM Stalin Orders Judicial Probe, Rs 10 Lakh Aid For Victims' Families Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 23:09 IST Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin said 36 people, including eight children and 16 women, died after a stampede broke out at actor Vijay's massive rally in Karur. Rapid Read + Follow us On Google At least 36 people died at TVK chief Vijay's rally in Karur. (PTI) Vijay Rally Stampede: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has ordered a judicial probe into the deadly stampede that took place at a political rally by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor Vijay in Karur on Saturday, and announced Rs 10 lakh in aid for the families of the deceased victims. Stalin informed that 36 people, including eight children and 16 women, died after a stampede broke out at Vijays massive rally in Karur. He announced Rs 10 lakh from CM Relief Fund for the families of the victims and Rs 1 lakh for the people injured and under treatment. Stalin also directed all hospitals to provide the best medical care, and ministers and district officials have been rushed to Karur. Recommended Stories A Commission of Inquiry headed by retired High Court Judge Justice Aruna Jagadeesan will be constituted to investigate this tragic incident, the CM said. On receiving this shocking news, I am deeply pained and anguished. The irreparable loss of lives has shaken the conscience of our state. I express my heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the bereaved families," he added. I will personally visit Karur tonight to console the bereaved families and meet those injured who are undergoing treatment in hospitals," he added. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin is also enroute to Karur. FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES HERE What Happened In Karur? Vijay, the actor-turned-politician, was addressing a rally attended by tens of thousands of people in Karur. According to the information available, police permission was reportedly for only 10,000 people in Vijays Karur rally, but the actual turnout swelled to nearly 30,000 to 35,000, despite assurances of a lower turnout by the organisers. Vijay arrived at the venue at least six hours late, further adding to the chaos. When Vijay began speaking, several people in the restless crowd pushed towards the stage, overpowering barricades and causing a stampede. Several people, including children, fell unconscious due to fatigue and suffocation after waiting for several hours. Vijay had to pause his speech and threw water bottles from atop his custom-built campaign bus. The fainted persons were rushed to nearby hospitals in ambulances, and several of them died. Officials said restrictions and crowd-control norms were not followed, and police are now investigating a mismatch between the permitted capacity and the actual turnout. ALSO READ: Karur Stampede: Amit Shah Speaks To CM MK Stalin, Assures All Support To Tamil Nadu Political Leaders Express Condolences Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences over the stampede in Tamil Nadu, wishing strength to the families of the victims in this difficult time. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP National President JP Nadda and others also expressed their condolences. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami called the incident shocking and distressing" and expressed his condolences for the victims. I urge the Tamil Nadu government to immediately take necessary measures to ensure proper treatment for those admitted to the hospital and to provide appropriate compensation to the families of the deceased," he said. While expressing his condolences for the victims, BJP leader K Annamalai said it was the responsibility of the police to accurately estimate the number of attendees, select an appropriate venue accordingly, and deploy an adequate number of police personnel to ensure the safety of the public attending the event. 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 : Karur, India, India First Published: September 27, 2025, 22:32 IST News india Vijay Rally Stampede: CM Stalin Orders Judicial Probe, Rs 10 Lakh Aid For Victims' Families Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Vijay Rally Stampede: Madras High Court Had Earlier Warned About Safety Lapses At TVK Events Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 23:18 IST At least 38 people lost their lives following a stampede at Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay's rally in Tamil Nadu's Karur Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Stampede during TVK chief Vijay's rally | Image: X Tragedy unfolded in Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijays rally in Tamil Nadus Karur on Saturday as 38 people lost their lives following a stampede. Several politicians, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister MK Stalin, expressed condolences over the shocking incident. The actor-turned-politician was addressing a rally attended by tens of thousands of people, despite only 10,000 people being allowed to gather. The crowd soon became uncontrollable as several people, including children, fainted at the spot. Vijay promptly stopped his speech and distributed water to people and arranged for ambulances for people. Recommended Stories At least 38 people, including eight children and 16 women, are confirmed dead after the stampede, and more than 60 people were hospitalised, according to Tamil Nadu ministers. Eyewitnesses and locals attributed the disaster to severe lapses in crowd control and poor arrangements. FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES HERE What Happened In Karur? According to the information available, police permission was reportedly for only 10,000 people in Vijays Karur rally, but the actual turnout swelled to nearly 30,000 to 35,000, despite assurances of a lower turnout by the organisers. Vijay arrived at the venue at least six hours late, further adding to the chaos. When Vijay began speaking, several people in the restless crowd pushed towards the stage, overpowering barricades and causing a stampede. Several people, including children, fell unconscious due to fatigue and suffocation after waiting for several hours. Officials said restrictions and crowd-control norms were not followed, and police are now investigating a mismatch between the permitted capacity and the actual turnout. The venue also lacked adequate infrastructure to manage large crowds, particularly with regard to pathways, choke points, and the sufficiency of volunteers for crowd control. In his recent rallies, Vijay had been criticising the DMK government for imposing conditions on his rallies, and even questioned if it would dare to impose such conditions on the rallies of PM Modi or Home Minister Amit Shah. Why do you impose conditions on me who wants to meet the people. Whats your intention?" he said last week. High Court On Safety Lapses The tragedy in Karur is now likely to raise doubts over police arrangements in political rallies and the accountability taken by the ruling DMK government. Notably, Vijays rallies have been marred by controversies, with the DMK-led administration imposing several restrictions in response to the massive crowds drawn to his rallies. The Madras High Court had earlier warned about safety lapses at Vijays rallies, asking who would bear the responsibility if lives were lost. The court had ordered the Tamil Nadu government to frame uniform safety rules for political rallies of all parties. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The High Court had also suggested advanced deposits and accountability of organisers, stressing that leaders must protect women, the elderly and differently-abled citizens. The tragic incident is expected to raise questions about whether these warnings were ignored. Meanwhile, the Union Home Ministry has sought a report from the Tamil Nadu government regarding the accident. Chief Minister MK Stalin is expected to reach the area at 1 am on Sunday. 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 : Karur, India, India First Published: September 27, 2025, 22:29 IST News india Vijay Rally Stampede: Madras High Court Had Earlier Warned About Safety Lapses At TVK Events Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Why Was Sonam Wangchuk Moved From Ladakh To Jodhpur Jail? Govt Sources Explain Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 16:04 IST The government seeks to break local logistical and emotional support systems, reduce the pressure on local law enforcement, and maintain tighter central oversight Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Activist Sonam Wangchuk. (File pic/PTI) The transfer of Ladakhi activist Sonam Wangchuk from a local jail to Jodhpur Central Jail is part of a deliberate security strategy by the government to prevent mass mobilisation and political unrest in sensitive border regions like Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir, CNN-News18 has learnt. Sources say the move is guided by a preventive doctrine: isolation, disruption of support networks, and centralised security control. Wangchuk, who has become a leading voice in Ladakhs demands for Sixth Schedule status and environmental protections, has mobilised large crowds in the region in recent months. His arrest and subsequent transfer out of the region is seen as a pre-emptive measure to avoid public protests, shutdowns, or stone-pelting that have historically followed high-profile detentions in the region. Recommended Stories Authorities point to similar precedents in J&K and Punjab, where local jailing of political or radical figures has led to jailhouse influence, further radicalisation, and public mobilisation. By shifting such individuals to prisons in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, or Delhi, the government seeks to break local logistical and emotional support systems, reduce the pressure on local law enforcement, and maintain tighter central oversight. While Wangchuk is neither charged under UAPA nor known for militant activity, officials argue that his influence and following in Ladakh, combined with the regions ongoing political agitation, make his detention locally a potential flashpoint, sources said. The policy of isolation is not new. After the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, separatist leaders like Masarat Alam were moved to Tihar Jail, and over 250 detainees from J&K have since been relocated under NSA and UAPA provisions. Similarly, pro-Khalistan operatives were shifted from Punjab to Haryana and Rajasthan jails in 2021 and 2023 to prevent unrest. By invoking the National Security Act (NSA), the government has the legal authority to detain individuals in any state, thereby enhancing control and limiting potential fallout in politically charged home regions. According to the government, Wangchuk is seen as the prime instigator of the violence in Leh, which has been a peace zone for decades. His financial dealings and questionable remittances into his NGO are under the scanner too, prompting the FCRA clearance for his NGO to be cancelled. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all CNN-News18 had reported that the Centre felt Wangchuks presence in Leh has the potential of inflaming tensions again as the UT is a sensitive zone on the China border and the Centre wants to take no chances here. The Union government is of the view that taking Wangchuk out of Leh will give the region time to heal and prepare a constructive atmosphere of talks with the genuine stakeholders of the region. About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Location : Jodhpur, India, India First Published: September 27, 2025, 16:04 IST News india Why Was Sonam Wangchuk Moved From Ladakh To Jodhpur Jail? Govt Sources Explain Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Posters Backing Yogi Adityanath, Bulldozer Action Seen In Lucknow Amid 'I Love Muhammad' Row Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 10:09 IST Posters in support of Yogi Adityanath were put up in parts of Lucknow by a BJP Yuva Morcha amid the I Love Muhammad row. Posters supporting Yogi Adityanath put up in Lucknow (Video screengrab/ANI) Posters reading I love Shri Yogi Adityanath ji and I love bulldozer were erected in parts of Lucknow amid the I Love Muhammad row in the state. According to news agency ANI, the new posters were erected by Uttar Pradesh BJP Yuva Morcha Lucknow general secretary Amit Tripathi. Recommended Stories This came hours after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered strict action against miscreants in the state, following incidents of violence in Kanpur, Varanasi, Bareilly and Moradabad. The Chief Minister also ordered the immediate filing of FIRs against miscreants and the investigation of their properties. #WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: BJP Yuva Morcha Lucknow general secretary Amit Tripathi puts up flex boards reading I love Shri Yogi Adityanath ji and I love bulldozer in parts of the city. pic.twitter.com/quZR9qzUTV ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2025 On Friday, an announcement postponing a proposed demonstration in support of the I Love Muhammad campaign by cleric and Ittehad-e-Millat Council chief Tauqeer Raza Khan led to a clash between a large crowd and police outside a mosque in Bareilly. Later, the police took more than two dozen people into custody. As the Chief Minister took note of the incident, he said that every miscreant should be identified through video footage and social media monitoring. He also directed the police to conduct surprise inspections of slaughterhouses and ensure compliance with standards. The Chief Minister said that Dussehra symbolises the burning of evil and terror, adding that this is the right time to take action against miscreants. WHAT HAPPENED IN BAREILLY? According to the local police, a large crowd carrying I Love Muhammad posters gathered outside the clerics residence and near the mosque, both in the Kotwali area and located a short distance from each other, after the Friday prayers, with people expressing anger over the suspension of the demonstration. Commenting on the incident, District Magistrate Avinash Singh said, A few days ago, an organisation had proposed holding a march on Friday and submitting a memorandum in support of a protest." We had informed it that if it was to take any such action, it would need to obtain written permission first, as Section 163 of the BNSS (power to issue order in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger) is in effect throughout the district," he said. He added that despite this, after the Friday prayers, some people took to the streets in certain areas and tried to disrupt the peace. An official read that the conspiracy was to create a negative atmosphere against industry and progress in the west (western Uttar Pradesh)." The riots were used to undermine the Noida International Trade Show and demonstrate that Uttar Pradesh is still unsafe," it mentioned. This will prevent foreign investment from coming to Uttar Pradesh and thwart the Yogi Adityanath governments efforts to develop more hi-tech industrial cities like Noida in the west," the statement added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all ALSO READ | I Love Muhammad Row: Muslim Students File Plea In Delhi HC, Seek Withdrawal Of Cases 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: September 27, 2025, 10:08 IST News india Posters Backing Yogi Adityanath, Bulldozer Action Seen In Lucknow Amid 'I Love Muhammad' Row Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Janhvi Kapoor Radiates Grace In An All-White Embellished Dress Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 08:58 IST For her latest look, Janhvi Kapoor stunned in an all-white dress that came with a subtle fishtail hem. The bodycon silhouette highlighted her hourglass frame. Janhvi Kapoor perfectly balanced elegance and drama while showcasing minimalism. Janhvi Kapoor never fails to deliver when it comes to effortless glamour. With every appearance, she manages to balance modern femininity with timeless allure, and her latest look was no exception. In an all-white look, Janhvi exuded an understated sensuality that spoke volumes through its simplicity. Decoding Janhvi Kapoors All White Look Recommended Stories Janhvi Kapoor opted for a pristine white body-hugging gown that celebrated both structure and softness. The dress featured delicate floral embroidery that added dimension to the otherwise clean silhouette. Designed with slender straps and a sculpted bustier-style bodice, it perfectly framed her shoulders while highlighting her hourglass figure. The fabric trailed seamlessly into a subtle fishtail hem, offering movement and sophistication in equal measure. A layer of fringed detail peeking from beneath the hem lent the ensemble an unexpected twist, ensuring it felt contemporary rather than conventional. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Janhvi Kapoor (@janhvikapoor) Her styling was kept refined yet striking. Janhvi paired the look with strappy heels that elongated her frame, adding to the streamlined effect of the ensemble. Minimal jewellery like sparkling studs, rings, and a sleek bracelet allowed the dress to command attention without distraction. For the glam, she leaned into a glowing, natural aesthetic. Her long locks cascaded effortlessly to one side, creating soft movement that balanced the sharpness of the gowns structure. The makeup played with muted tones: think dewy skin, rosy lips, and defined eyes, to enhance her features without overpowering the serenity of the look. What made the appearance stand out was its balance of restraint and drama. Janhvi didnt rely on excessive embellishments or heavy styling. Instead, the look allowed textures, tailoring, and her own confidence to shine through. It was a masterclass in minimal elegance, proving that sometimes less is truly more. Janhvi Kapoors Upcoming Projects top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Janhvi Kapoors latest film, Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and featuring Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa in pivotal roles, draws inspiration from a 2020 New York Times article by Basharat Peer. The ensemble cast also includes Reem Shaikh, Harshika Parmar, and Shalini Vatsa. The film recently made waves after being chosen as Indias official entry to the Oscars 2026. The film has now been released in India to much anticipation. Beyond Homebound, Janhvi will next share screen space with Varun Dhawan, Rohit Saraf, and Sanya Malhotra in Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: September 27, 2025, 08:58 IST News lifestyle Janhvi Kapoor Radiates Grace In An All-White Embellished Dress Malavika Mohanans Floral Saree Is Perfect For This Festive Season Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 20:20 IST Malavika Mohanan was part of the dazzling array of celebrities who arrived at the Kalyan Jewellers' Navratri festivities in Thrissur, Kerala. Malavika Mohanan graces Kalyan Jewellers Navratri event in Thrissur. Actress Malavika Mohanan turned heads with her contemporary take on festive attire at the Navratri celebrations of Kalyan Jewellers in Thrissur, Kerala, on Thursday. Bollywood and South Indian celebrities, including Karisma Kapoor, Tabu, Malaika Arora, Genelia DSouza, Sreeleela, and others, gathered on September 25 to celebrate the spirit of Navratri by dressing in their traditional attire. Paparazzi videos showing Malavika Mohanans entry at the event have gone viral on Instagram. Recommended Stories View this post on Instagram A post shared by Manav Manglani (@manav.manglani) Malavika made a statement with an exquisite outfit that skilfully combined modern and traditional elements. She was wearing a chiffon saree with scalloped details and vibrant embroidery that changed from soft orange to peach hues. She paired it with a gold blouse, minimal jewellery, and loose hair in a side-parted style instead of a lot of adornment. She had a festive yet stylish appearance thanks to her vibrant makeup, which complemented the colours of her saree. Other celebrities who were there likewise gave it their all. Karisma Kapoor looked stunning in a yellow silk saree with a matching blouse, a gold choker, jhumkis, and an embroidered potli. A sleek bun adorned with a gajra completed her look. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Manav Manglani (@manav.manglani) Tabu made an impression in an ivory coloured saree, paired with a heavily and intricately embroidered blouse, along with traditional gold jewellery. While Genelia opted for white and gold embroidery in her saree, Malaika Arora embraced vibrant red in a floor-length anarkali and a dupatta adorned with gold. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Manav Manglani (@manav.manglani) top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all On the work front, Malavika Mohanan recently worked on the Malayalam romance drama Hridayapoorvam, which was released on August 28. Her next appearances will be in the eagerly anticipated Prabhas-starring film The Raja Saab and Karthi-starrer Sardar 2, helmed by PS Mithran. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: September 27, 2025, 20:20 IST News lifestyle Malavika Mohanans Floral Saree Is Perfect For This Festive Season How Indias Domestic Travel Boom Is Redefining The Countrys Tourism Landscape Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 13:48 IST The rise of domestic travel proves that adventure can be found just around the corner, and that the journey within India is as exciting and enriching as any international escape. Travellers seek authenticity, sustainability, and ease. Indias tourism landscape is undergoing a quiet revolution. With improved connectivity, rising disposable incomes, and a growing appetite for experiential travel, Indians are venturing beyond metro cities into tier-2 and tier-3 destinations. From heritage towns to offbeat nature retreats, domestic travel is no longer a convenience. Its a choice that prioritises authenticity, adventure, and meaningful experiences. Experts Map The Shift Recommended Stories According to Jyoti Mayal, Chairperson of the Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council, Indias domestic travel boom is not just a fleeting phenomenon but a structural change in the tourism economy. The surge is opening up new opportunities for hospitality, transport, and local entrepreneurship, while highlighting the need for skill development to match changing demand." She adds that todays travellers seek authenticity, sustainability, and ease, prompting the industry to invest in people, technology, and infrastructure. Harish Khatri, Founder and MD of India Assist, adds, Families, solo adventurers, and young professionals are realising you dont need a visa stamp to feel like an explorer; sometimes the greatest discoveries lie just a train ride or short flight away." Khatri points out that while domestic travel is booming, it also demands smooth, safe, and stress-free experiences. Curated Experiences Take Centre Stage The domestic travel surge is also reshaping how trips are planned. Deepak Dhayal, Founder and CEO of Kinghills Travels, notes, More families and groups are seeking curated, hassle-free journeys to both popular and offbeat destinations. This reflects growing confidence in exploring our own backyard and underscores the importance of trusted travel partners in delivering quality experiences." For younger travellers, budget-friendly adventure remains a top priority. Sudhanshu Ranjan, CEO and Founder of Tripzada Holiday, observes, Weve seen a growing trend among college groups and young travellers opting for customised itineraries that blend adventure with comfort. Digital platforms and social media have amplified the desire for unique travel experiences, enabling us to offer journeys that align with their aspirations and budgets." What Does This Mean For The Tourism Ecosystem In India? top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This domestic travel boom is not just about numbers. It is redefining Indias tourism ecosystem. It strengthens local economies, supports small businesses, and fosters inclusive growth. Travellers today are not mere spectators; they are active participants, eager to explore culture, cuisine, and community life. From scenic treks in the Himalayas to cultural immersions in Rajasthan, domestic travel is nurturing a deeper appreciation for Indias diversity. As India continues to embrace this wave of homegrown exploration, the tourism industry is evolving to become more resilient, inclusive, and future-ready. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: September 27, 2025, 13:48 IST News lifestyle travel How Indias Domestic Travel Boom Is Redefining The Countrys Tourism Landscape Indias Travel Landscape In 2025: Sustainability, Culture And Connectivity Take Center Stage Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 06:32 IST Gen Z and tech-driven travel are reshaping Indias tourism in 2025, with sustainability, culture, and connectivity at the core. This #WorldTourismDay, Indias travel scene is evolving! From sustainable stays to private aviation access, young travellers are redefining cultural and purpose-driven journeys. As the world marks World Tourism Day 2025, Indias travel and tourism sector is standing at a pivotal juncture shaped by new aspirations, new geographies, and new ways of moving. From tier-2 cities becoming cultural hotspots to private aviation unlocking access to destinations beyond the commercial grid, the future of Indian tourism is being defined by sustainability, inclusivity, and connectivity. World Tourism Day is a reminder that travel is more than movement, its about creating impact, shaping cultures, and driving economies forward," says Rikant Pittie, CEO & Co-Founder, EaseMyTrip. He believes Indias travel landscape is at an inflection point, with tier-2 and tier-3 cities emerging as new hubs of growth. According to Pittie, nearly 65% of young travellers now seek journeys that recharge and reconnect them with purpose." From boutique stays powered by solar energy to villages opening doors to immersive cultural experiences, the shift is towards authentic, responsible tourism. Recommended Stories EaseMyTrip, he adds, is aligning with this evolution by opening its doors to professionals, vendors, and startups working across holidays, hotels, airlines, buses, trains, cabs, and other travel-tech solutions. As the industry steps into a new phase powered by metro and non-metro cities alike, we want to build the next chapter of Indian tourism with resilience and purpose," notes Pittie. Connectivity as a Catalyst for Tourism Alongside cultural and tech-driven transformation, connectivity is becoming just as important as experiences themselves. Tourism in India is defined as much by access as by attraction," explains Kanika Tekriwal, CEO & Founder, JetSetGo. While commercial aviation connects roughly 120 airports, India has over 250 operational airstrips and runways, many near cultural and natural destinations that remain underserved. Private aviation bridges this gap by doubling the number of reachable destinations and bringing travellers closer to heritage circuits and eco-tourism hubs. We see demand not only for metros and state capitals but also for cities like Jodhpur, Bhuj, Aurangabad, Dehradun, and Mysuru, which serve as gateways to cultural and eco-tourism experiences," adds Tekriwal. The flexibility of operating point-to-point, often on short notice, means travellers are no longer bound by commercial airline schedules. The Road Ahead: Sustainability and Growth top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Looking forward, JetSetGo expects the role of private aviation to grow as secondary airports modernise and sustainable aviation fuels become more widely available. Private aviation will further expand Indias tourism footprint and play an essential role in shaping how the world experiences the country," Tekriwal emphasizes. Together, these shifts reflect a new chapter for Indian tourism, one that blends purpose-driven travel, cultural authenticity, sustainable practices, and greater access. On this World Tourism Day, the industry is not just celebrating journeys but reimagining how those journeys can impact communities, economies, and the planet. 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: September 27, 2025, 06:32 IST News lifestyle travel Indias Travel Landscape In 2025: Sustainability, Culture And Connectivity Take Center Stage Opinion | Why Empathy Must Become Campus Infrastructure Written By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 16:01 IST Suicide prevention cannot be reduced to a helpline number on a noticeboard. It has to be built into the architecture of campus life Campuses do not need another glossy campaign; they need everyday systems that refuse to let students disappear into silence. (Representative/File Photo) You notice the student who drifts through the day like a ghost: skipping the cafeteria rush, avoiding group chats, scrolling alone at 2 a.m. From a distance, it looks like solitude. Up close, it is often a quiet signal that something is breaking inside. The cost of ignoring those signals is stark. A recent multi-state survey shows that one in ten Indian students reported suicidal thoughts in the past year; more than five per cent attempted suicide, according to NCRB 2024 data. These are not just statistics; they are alarms. Recommended Stories Even our vocabulary shapes how we respond. To say someone committed suicide" frames it as a crime. To say someone died by suicide" reframes it as a human crisis. The difference matters. Prevention begins in language, which means blame must be replaced with empathy. For students, empathy is not a lofty concept. It is survival. The rise in student suicides is not about isolated tragedies but about a neglected system. Each number represents silence: the stress that never found words, the loneliness that went unnoticed, the deadlines that grew heavier than grief. In a country where success is measured in ranks and placements, admitting struggle feels like betrayal. And yet, campuses are slowly learning. Professors offering deadline extensions without judgement, administrators allowing mental health breaks, peers showing up for one anotherthese are quiet revolutions. Student-led counselling clubs, mentorship programmes, and buddy circles prove that even small, everyday gestures can tilt the balance away from despair and towards resilience. Suicide prevention cannot be reduced to a helpline number on a noticeboard. It has to be built into the architecture of campus life: where reaching out is normal, struggle is not shameful, and a students value is never confined to grades. The National Education Policy of 2020 attempts to acknowledge this. It calls for holistic and multidisciplinary approaches to student well-being, urging universities to embed counselling, mentorship, and socio-emotional learning into curricula. It envisions mentors who do more than guide academicsthey also serve as emotional anchors. The University Grants Commission followed in 2022 with guidelines requiring institutions to set up counselling centres, appoint trained counsellors, and implement mentormentee systems. It recommended buddy systems for peer support, mental health awareness in orientation weeks, and campuses that are inclusive and stigma-free. On paper, this looks like a turning point. On the ground, the reality is uneven. Many universities still lack functioning counselling centres. Where they exist, one counsellor may serve thousands. Mentormentee systems often collapse into formality, with overworked faculty unable to provide meaningful care. Student Services Centres are underfunded or invisible. Suicide-prevention protocols rarely leave the policy document. If empathy is to matter, it cannot be symbolic. It must be enforceable. That means setting minimum staffing norms instead of vague commitments, so that counsellor-to-student ratios are not left to chance. It means training mentors to recognise distress rather than just sign forms. It means creating Student Services Centres that are independently audited for quality and confidentiality. It means linking institutional rankings to mental health infrastructure, so a campus cannot score highly while neglecting its most vulnerable. This is what it looks like to treat empathy as infrastructure. No longer optional, but as essential as Wi-Fi or electricity. While policy drags, students themselves are modelling what works. Peer networks, safe spaces, and informal clubs succeed where institutions falter. Sometimes a simple messageHow are you, really?"becomes a lifeline. Seniorjunior mentoring, listening circles, and small acts of solidarity create more safety than official workshops that never leave the calendar. Care begins in noticing. Withdrawal, missed meals, skipped classes are not just quirks but signals of distress. Responding early does not demand expertise, only attentiveness without judgement. What Indias campuses need is a shift from survival to belonging. Belonging is not about transcripts or medals. It is the assurance that presence matters, that struggles are not invisible, that a campus is a community, not a pressure cooker. Because in the end, it is not perfection or accolades that keep students alive. It is belonging. Empathy, care, and connection are not extras. They are lifelines. They begin with listening more than speaking, understanding more than judging. Campuses do not need another glossy campaign; they need everyday systems that refuse to let students disappear into silence. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all If empathy becomes infrastructure, then the student scrolling alone at midnight does not vanish unseen. She finds a community that notices, that listens, and that reminds her: you belong here. Poorvi Mishra is Research Assistant at Action for Community Transformation (ACT) at Jindal School of Behavioural Sciences (JIBS), OPJGU. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. First Published: September 27, 2025, 16:01 IST News opinion Opinion | Why Empathy Must Become Campus Infrastructure Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... BAGHDAD (AP) Iraq will resume exporting oil from the country's northern, semiautonomous Kurdish region through Turkeys Ceyhan port after exports had been halted for more than two years, officials said Friday. The resumption, which starts on Saturday, is a step toward boosting Iraqs oil revenues and stabilizing the relationship between the central government in Baghdad and the Kurdish region, even as disputes over revenue sharing and field management persist. The exports stopped in early 2023 after the International Chamber of Commerce sided with Iraq in an arbitration case over the independent export of oil by the Kurdish regional government. Several previous attempts to reach a deal to resume exports fell through. Ali Nizar al-Shatari, head of Iraqs State Oil Marketing Organization, told The Associated Press that pumping will begin at 6 a.m. Saturday, with the agreed quantity set at 240,000 barrels per day. Between 180,000 and 190,000 barrels will actually be exported, while around 50,000 barrels will be used locally, within the Kurdish region. The resumption follows a tripartite agreement between the federal Oil Ministry, the Kurdish region's natural resources ministry, and international oil companies operating in the region. Companies operating in the Kurdistan Region will receive $16 per barrel to cover production and transportation costs, al-Shatari said. He said the United States supported and closely monitored the agreement. Iraqs export agreement with Turkey runs until July 2026, and discussions will be held with Ankara regarding its renewal, the Iraqi official added. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed the deal in a statement, saying it will bring tangible benefits for both Americans and Iraqis. Norwegian oil and gas operator DNO ASA announced it got instructions to prepare for the commencement of oil exports through the Iraq-Turkey pipeline starting Saturday, although it will not directly export oil but will sell to buyers who will move the oil to the export pipeline. DNO Executive Chairman Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani said the company has also launched a major production expansion program and is replacing equipment damaged during July drone attacks on its fields in Iraq. Officials in Baghdad and Irbil, the seat of the Kurdish regional government, have long been at odds over sharing of oil revenues. In 2014, the Kurdish region decided to unilaterally export oil through an independent pipeline to the Turkish port of Ceyhan. Iraq's central authorities have maintained it's illegal for the Kurdish region to export oil without going through the Iraqi national oil company, while Kurdish authorities said the practice was meant to compensate for budget transfers withheld from the Kurdish region by Baghdad. CNN name, logo and all associated elements and 2024 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company. All rights reserved. CNN and the CNN logo are registered marks of Cable News Network, LP LLLP, displayed with permission. Use of the CNN name and/or logo on or as part of NEWS18.com does not derogate from the intellectual property rights of Cable News Network in respect of them. Copyright Network18 Media and Investments Ltd 2024. All rights reserved. Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 15:28 IST 1 / 10 Actor Vishal Jethwa is currently basking in the success of his film Homebound, in which he starred alongside Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor. The film has been announced as India's official entry for the 2026 Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. In a recent interview, Vishal revealed that the self-acceptance of his Homebound character helped him overcome his insecurity. + Follow us On Google 2 / 10 While speaking with The Quint, Vishal Jethwa spoke about overcoming his English-speaking insecurities. I was afraid of speaking English, especially in an industry that views the language as classy. And since I'm a Hindi speaker, I would always feel anxious that if I couldn't speak in English in front of others. So, I always felt I was lesser than the rest, he said. ADVERTISEMENT 3 / 10 He further added, Its not that I couldnt speak English at all, but the fear and insecurities would take over and make me uncomfortable. I didnt know then that the real secret was simply accepting yourself." 4 / 10 Vishal Jethwa's Homebound had its world premiere in the Un Certain Regard section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in May. Back then, while speaking with Zoom, Vishal shared that he was apprehensive about communicating in English. Recalling his early struggles, he shared that he came from a poor family. ADVERTISEMENT 5 / 10 I also come from a poor family. I was so confident at Cannes because my sister told me, 'Don't be so stressed,' because in a literal way, I am the son of a domestic help. Main ek kamwali bai jo hoti hain, unka beta hun (I am the son of a woman who worked as a domestic worker), said Vishal. 6 / 10 Vishal Jethwa further added, Meri mumma ne logon ke ghar pe jhaadu pochha kiya hai (My mother used to sweep and mop peoples homes), she used to sell sanitary pads in a supermarket. My father used to sell coconut water. I have seen all of this. And I could relate all this to it. But not now, now my life has moved beyond that. But privilege is such a big thing I never knew that." ADVERTISEMENT 7 / 10 Homebound, starring Vishal Jethwa, Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor, tells the story of two childhood friends from a small hamlet in India who aspire to become police officers, hoping the job will bring them the respect theyve never received. However, as they pursue their dream, their friendship begins to strain under obstacles and professional pressures. 8 / 10 Homebound made its international debut in the Un Certain Regard section of Cannes 2025, which ran from May 14 to May 25. ADVERTISEMENT 9 / 10 Beyond Cannes, Homebound was also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM). AAP Vs Congress After Kejriwal's Party Calls Rahul Gandhi 'BJP's Agent' Over Sonam Wangchuk Arrest Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 20:01 IST The AAP stirred a political storm after questioning Rahul Gandhi's silence on the arrest of Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk and calling him an "agent" of the BJP. Rapid Read + Follow us On Google The AAP attacked Rahul Gandhi over his silence on Sonam Wangchuk's arrest. (File photo) A heated war of words erupted between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress on Saturday after the former called Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi an agent" of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over his purported silence on Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuks arrest. Sonam Wangchuk was arrested on Friday by Leh police, days after violent protests erupted in Ladakh over statehood demands, resulting in the deaths of four people. Wangchuk has been accused of inciting people through his provocative statements during his hunger strike for Ladakhs inclusion in the Sixth Schedule and for statehood. Recommended Stories The AAP strongly condemned his arrest, saying the dictator" got scared of Wangchuks voice and the people of Ladakh. In a post on X, the AAP targeted Rahul Gandhi by saying, The countrys renowned social worker and scientist Sonam Wangchuk has been imprisoned by Modis dictatorial government on a false charge of sedition, and the countrys so-called opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has maintained silence." Rahul Gandhi had also maintained silence on the BJPs decision to hold an India-Pakistan match. Now it has become evident to the world that Rahul Gandhi opposes the BJP only on a few issues for the cameras, but on those issues where a wave against the BJP is sweeping the entire country, Rahul Gandhi disappears," said the party. Why is Rahul Gandhi, who asks how many of our ships were lost in Operation Sindoor, silent on Sonam Wangchuk now? Is Rahul Gandhi a BJP agent?" , BJP - pic.twitter.com/0gcGmZTTJm AAP (@AamAadmiParty) September 27, 2025 AAP Lost Mental Balance: Congress Congress leader Pawan Khera responded to AAPs post by saying that the partys leaders had lost their mental balance after a resounding defeat in the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, and before a humiliation waiting for them in the upcoming elections in Punjab. Two minutes of silence for the Aam Aadmi Party which has lost whatever little mental balance it had after its defeat in the Delhi elections, and the certain humiliation awaiting it in Punjab," Khera wrote. Two minutes of silence for the Aam Admi Party which has lost whatever little mental balance it had after its defeat in the Delhi elections, and the certain humiliation awaiting it in Punjab. #RIP pic.twitter.com/OU5yzpGdYL Pawan Khera (@Pawankhera) September 27, 2025 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This came nearly a month after AAP supremo and former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal launched a scathing attack on the Gandhi family, alleging a nexus between the ruling BJP and the main opposition Congress. He said if that werent the case, the Gandhi family would have been arrested in the National Herald case. The two parties fought separately in the Delhi Assembly elections that resulted in a landslide victory for the BJP, and AAP blamed Congress for hurting its chances. The AAP officially exited the oppositions Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) in July amid tensions with the Congress. 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: September 27, 2025, 20:01 IST News politics AAP Vs Congress After Kejriwal's Party Calls Rahul Gandhi 'BJP's Agent' Over Sonam Wangchuk Arrest Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... BRS Slams Revanth Government Over Unfulfilled Promises in Telangana, KTR Launches 'Congress Debt Card' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 15:34 IST BRS working president K T Rama Rao, along with senior party leaders, on Saturday launched the 'Congress debt (baaki) card' campaign. BRS Launches 'Congress Debt Card' The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) on Saturday launched a full blown attack on Congress and started Congress Debt (Baaki) Card" campaign. Aimed at revealing Congress unfulfilled promises" by ruling Revanth Reddy government, the campaign was unveiled by BRS Working President KT Rama Rao (KTR). Recommended Stories Every promise made to the people has become a debtbaakithat Congress owes to the public. This Debt Card is not just symbolic; it is a reminder that betrayal has a cost," KTR said. BRS took to X and posted, Before the elections, they signed guarantee cards, bond papers, and promissory notes with Rahul Gandhi, deceived and cheated people to gain trust.. and now these Congress folks are escaping and roaming around. Again.. if deceived repeatedly, even the existing Rythu Bandhu will become an illusion. Dont forget." Further attacking on Congress Guarantee Card", KTR called it a a fraudulent gimmick." He also said the BRS Debt Card will be taken door-to-door across the state by party workers, educating citizens about the backlog of promises that remain unfulfilled. Speaking to the media, Rao said the false promises" made by Congress before the elections had now become a weapon in the hands of the people." He urged people to teach Congress a fitting lesson in the upcoming Panchayat and Jubilee Hills by-elections, according to a press release from the opposition party. The BRS leader further alleged that if people mistakenly" voted for Congress again, even welfare schemes like Rythu Bandhu could be scrapped. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He said that under Congresss incompetent" rule, the condition of farmers, women, youth, the unemployed, the elderly, and every community had turned miserable". Rao also accused the Congress government of indulging in vindictive politics by foisting false cases against BRS leaders instead of addressing peoples concerns." 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: September 27, 2025, 15:31 IST News politics BRS Slams Revanth Government Over Unfulfilled Promises in Telangana, KTR Launches 'Congress Debt Card' Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Petal Gahlot, Diplomat Who Took Down Shehbaz Sharif, Plays Kabira On Guitar In Resurfaced Video Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 11:30 IST Petal Gahlot, Indian diplomat known for her UNGA rebuttal to Pakistan, wins praise for her soulful Kabira cover on guitar, revealing her musical side beyond her diplomatic career. Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Indian Diplomat Petal Gahlot. (X) Indian diplomat Petal Gahlot, who recently made headlines for her fiery rebuttal to Pakistan at the United Nations General Assembly, is now winning praise for something very different: her music. In May this year, Gahlot posted a short video on X (formerly Twitter) in which she strums her guitar and sings a soulful cover of Kabira" from the Bollywood film Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. The clip quickly began circulating among her followers, many of whom said they were surprised and delighted to see the softer side of a career diplomat known for her crisp, hard-hitting speeches. Recommended Stories In the video, Gahlot can be seen seated with an acoustic guitar, singing the popular song in a mellow, stripped-down style. Within hours, the tweet drew hundreds of likes and shares, with comments praising her voice and musicianship. The feeling of confusion, of being torn and of wanting everything and just one thing at the same time, encapsulated in this song from 12 years ago.A cover of Kabira from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani pic.twitter.com/ASs7usWki2 Petal Gahlot (@petal_gahlot) May 5, 2025 Wow thats some talent", one user wrote. Absolutely wonderful mam," added the other. Gahlot, an officer of the 2015 batch of the Indian Foreign Service, has served in Paris and San Francisco and currently works with the Ministry of External Affairs. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Born in New Delhi, Gahlot studied political science at St. Xaviers College, Mumbai, before completing her masters degree at Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi. Over the last decade, Gahlot has handled a range of assignments. She served as assistant secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, as third and second secretary at the Embassy of India in Paris, and as Consul at the Consulate General of India in San Francisco. First Published: September 27, 2025, 10:24 IST News viral Petal Gahlot, Diplomat Who Took Down Shehbaz Sharif, Plays Kabira On Guitar In Resurfaced Video Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Absurd Display Of Theatrics': India Slams Pakistan PM For Glorifying Terrorism At UNGA Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 07:57 IST India rebukes Shehbaz Sharif at the United Nations General Assembly, with Petal Gahlot accusing Pakistan of glorifying terrorism and spreading falsehoods about Jammu and Kashmir. Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif and Indian diplomat Petal Gahlot. India on Friday hit back at Pakistan after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifs address to the United Nations General Assembly, accusing Islamabad of glorifying terrorism and spreading falsehoods on the world stage. Exercising Indias right of reply, Indian diplomat Petal Gahlot described Sharifs remarks as absurd theatrics" and said Pakistan had once again attempted to peddle a distorted narrative. Recommended Stories This assembly witnessed absurd theatrics in the morning from the Prime Minister of Pakistan, who once again glorified terrorism that is so central to their foreign policy," Gahlot said. However, no degree of drama and no level of lies can conceal the facts." She pointed out that Pakistan had blocked accountability for a Pakistani-sponsored terror group accused of killing tourists in Jammu and Kashmir during an April 2025 attack, and recalled Islamabads history of sheltering global terrorists. Mr President, a country long steeped in the tradition of deploying and exporting terrorism has no shame in advancing the most ludicrous narratives to that end. Let us recall that it sheltered Osama bin Laden for a decade, even while pretending to partner in the war against terrorism," she said, noting Pakistani ministers themselves had admitted to running terror camps. It should come as no surprise that once again this duplicity continues, this time at the level of its Prime Minister," she added. Gahlot also underscored Indias recent counter-terror operations. A picture speaks a thousand words, and we saw many pictures of terrorists slain in Bahawalpur and Muridke terror complexes by Indian forces during Operation Sindoor. When senior Pakistani military and civilian officials publicly glorify and pay homage to such notorious terrorists, can there be any doubt about the proclivities of this regime?" she asked. Aiming at Sharifs account of the recent conflict with India, Gahlot described it as bizarre." Till 9 May, Pakistan was threatening more attacks on India. But on 10 May, its military pleaded with us directly for a cessation to the fighting. The intervening event was the destruction caused to multiple Pakistani airbases by Indian forces. The pictures of that damage are, of course, publicly accessible. If destroyed runways and burnt-out hangars look like victory, as the Prime Minister claimed, Pakistan is welcome to enjoy it," she said. Gahlot stressed that Pakistan bore direct responsibility for a terrorist attack on innocent civilians in India. We have exercised the right to defend our people against such actions and have brought the organisers and perpetrators to justice," she said, adding that Islamabad must immediately shut down all terrorist camps and hand over to us terrorists wanted in India" if it truly seeks peace. Reiterating Indias longstanding position on bilateralism, Gahlot said, India and Pakistan have long agreed that any outstanding issue between them will be addressed bilaterally. There is no room for any third party in that regard." She concluded with a firm warning on terrorism: Where terrorism is concerned, we are making it clear that there will be no distinction between the terrorists and their sponsors. Both will be held accountable. Nor will we allow terrorism to be practised under the cover of nuclear blackmail. India will never bow to such threats. Indias message to the world is clear: there must be zero tolerance for terrorism." This comes after, while addressing a world grappling with intensifying conflicts and humanitarian crises, Prime Minister Sharif used the platform to accuse India of violating international law and launching an act of aggression in May. He asserted that India had not positively responded to the offer of cooperation in investigating the Pahalgam incident, instead trying to take political advantage of a humanitarian tragedy" by attacking civilian areas. Sharif also made a dramatic, unverified claim, stating that the Pakistani Air Force, under the leadership of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar, had defeated the enemy, resulting in seven Indian fighter jets reduced to rubble." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He raised the issue of abeyance of the Indus Water Treaty, accusing India of defying the provisions of the treaty. Indias unilateral and illegal attempt to hold the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance defies the provisions of the treaty itself as well as the norms of International law. Pakistan has made it abundantly clear that we will defend the inseparable right of our people on these waters. To us, any violation of the treaty represents an act of war," Shehbaz Sharif said. India suspended the treaty as a countermeasure to Pakistans cross-border terrorism following the April 22 Pahalgam attack that left 26 people dead. Location : New York, United States of America (USA) First Published: September 27, 2025, 07:14 IST News world 'Absurd Display Of Theatrics': India Slams Pakistan PM For Glorifying Terrorism At UNGA Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Mark Of Shame': Netanyahu Condemns Palestine Support As Walkout Leaves Empty Chairs At UNGA Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 07:44 IST Benjamin Netanyahus UN speech was disrupted by mass protests and delegate walkouts as he rejected Palestinian statehood and denied genocide charges. Benjamin Netanyahu during his UNGA speech/the walkout (Photos: Reuters) Benjamin Netanyahus address at the United Nations General Assembly on Friday was marred by mass protests and walkouts as scores of delegates exited the hall, leaving empty chairs, as the Israeli Prime Minister took the stage, and condemned the Palestinian support as a mark of shame". While some attendees in the balcony gave him a standing ovation, thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters blocked traffic near Times Square in New York. Recommended Stories Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in Times Square, waving Palestinian flags and accusing Israel and its US backers of perpetrating a genocide in Gaza pic.twitter.com/0sEFshVZMl Reuters (@Reuters) September 26, 2025 Over time, many world leaders buckled. They buckled under the pressure of a biased media, radical Islamist constituencies and antisemitic mobs. Theres a familiar saying, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Well, for many countries here, when the going got tough, you caved," Netanyahu said. Attendees of the UN General Assembly stage a mass walkout as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu enters the hall for his address. pic.twitter.com/amZiL1W45g The National (@TheNationalNews) September 26, 2025 Behind closed doors, many of the leaders who publicly condemn us privately thank us. They tell me how much they value Israels superb intelligence services that have prevented, time and again, terrorist attacks in their capitals," he added, amid the walkout. NETANYAHU DENIES ACCUSATIONS OF GENOCIDE During his address, Netanyahu denied accusations of genocide" in Gaza and using starvation" as a tactic. He also sharply denounced Western countries for embracing Palestinian statehood, accusing them of sending the message that murdering Jews pays off." Netanyahu vowed to block a Palestinian state, accusing European leaders who recently recognised one of pushing his country into national suicide" and rewarding Hamas. Speaking at the UN General Assembly, the Israeli leader pushed back in his harshest terms yet against a flurry of diplomatic moves by leading US allies that deepened Israels international isolation over its conduct of a nearly two-year-old war in Gaza. This week, the leaders of France, Britain, Australia, Canada and other countries unconditionally recognised a Palestinian state," he said. They did so after the horrors committed by Hamas on October 7, horrors praised on that day by nearly 90 per cent of the Palestinian population." Calling it a mark of shame," Netanyahu said, You know what message the leaders who recognise the Palestinian state this week sent to the Palestinians? Its a very clear message, murdering Jews pays off." NETANYAHU OUTLINES IRANs TERROR, LEBANON ATTACKS Netanyahu also held up a map which he said illustrated Irans terror axis." He then went on to outline Israeli operations across the region, including targeted strikes and assassinations, and claimed Israel had reshaped the Middle East. Referring to a recent operation in Lebanon, Netanyahu remarked, You remember those beepers, the pagers, we paged Hezbollah, and believe me, they got the message." The Israeli leader, who faces an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant over alleged war crimes, spoke of the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, senior Hamas operatives, Houthi leaders and Iranian scientists. He also took credit for the downfall of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, though he did not refer to the rebel offensive that led to Assads fall. With more countries joining the list of those endorsing Palestinian independence, the most right-wing government in Israeli history has made its strongest declaration in years that there will be no Palestinian state as it pushes on with its fight against Hamas following the militants October 7, 2023, rampage in Israel. WHAT HAMAS SAID OF NETANYAHUs SPEECH BOYCOTT According to AFP, Hamas said that the boycott of Netanyahus speech showed the growing global solidarity with the Palestinian peoples right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent state". It also said the mass walkout of delegations before Netanyahus speech showed Israels isolation" as a result of the Gaza war. Reuters quoted the Hamas-run Gaza government media office as saying that Netanyahus speech was filled with lies and blatant contradictions" and condemned it as a desperate attempt to justify the war crimes and acts of genocide." Boycotting Netanyahus speech is one manifestation of Israels isolation and the consequences of the war of extermination," Taher al-Nunu, the media adviser to the head of Hamass political bureau, was quoted as saying by AFP. Hamas has offered to release all remaining hostages, only about 20 of whom are said to be alive out of a total of 48, in exchange for Israel agreeing to end the war and withdrawing from Gaza, according to Reuters. The groups October 2023 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. Israels retaliatory offensive has killed at least 65,549 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to health ministry figures in the Hamas-run territory that the United Nations considers reliable. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all ALSO READ | Trump Says Gaza Deal Close, Promises Hostage Release: Its Going To End War 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: September 27, 2025, 07:11 IST News world 'Mark Of Shame': Netanyahu Condemns Palestine Support As Walkout Leaves Empty Chairs At UNGA Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay Urges UNSC Reform, Backs India And Japan For Permanent Seats Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 09:32 IST Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay urges UNSC reform, advocating permanent seats for India and Japan to make the Security Council more representative and effective. Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister Bhutan. (AFP/FILE) Bhutans Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay has called for an expanded and more representative United Nations Security Council (UNSC), saying that deserving countries such as India and Japan should be included as permanent members. Bhutan believes in a United Nations that is representative, responsive, and effective. We seek a multilateralism that delivers results, not just resolutions. That is why Bhutan supports reform of the United Nations, including reform of the Security Council, expanding both permanent and non-permanent membership. A reformed Security Council must include deserving nations such as India and Japan alongside other capable and leading countries to reflect todays complex realities," he said. Recommended Stories Last year, also Tobgay voiced support for Indias bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), citing the countrys significant economic growth and leadership in the Global South. Tshering said that Bhutan has been a vocal advocate for reforming the UNSC, pushing for a more representative and effective body. The United Nations must evolve to meet the realities of todays world. The Security Council, as it stands, is a relic of the past. We need a Council that reflects the current geopolitical and economic landscape. Bhutan has long advocated for the reform of the Security Council to make it more representative and effective," he had said. He added, For this, India, with its significant economic growth and leadership in the Global South, deserves a permanent seat at the Security Council. Similarly, Japan, a leading donor and peacebuilder, warrants permanent membership." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The UNSC is composed of 15 member states, including five permanent members with veto power and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. The five permanent members of the UNSC include China, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and the United States. The non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council are elected for 2-year terms by the UNGA. Location : New York, United States of America (USA) First Published: September 27, 2025, 09:32 IST News world Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay Urges UNSC Reform, Backs India And Japan For Permanent Seats Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Boeing To Pay $50,000 In Settlement Over Suicide Of Quality Control Manager Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 16:38 IST Barnett had alleged that Boeing retaliated against him, raising safety concerns about its aircraft manufacturing practices. John Barnett, who worked for Boeing for 32 years and then turned whistleblower, was found dead in the US. (Image: @PopBase/X) Boeing Co has agreed to pay at least USD 50,000 in settlement of a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of John Barnett, a whistleblower who died by suicide earlier this year, reported Bloomberg. Barnett, who was an ex-Boeing quality control manager, died by suicide in March 2024 while he was giving a deposition related to a lawsuit he had filed against the company. Recommended Stories Barnett had alleged that Boeing retaliated against him, raising safety concerns about its aircraft manufacturing practices. The news of his death hit headlines globally, drawing attention to the companys safety culture and operations at its 787 Dreamliner factory in North Charleston, South Carolina. According to the filing cited by Bloomberg, both sides reached a full, final and confidential settlement", which resolves all pending claims, including the case Barnett was pursuing at the time of his death. The details of the overall settlement, including whether Boeing will make additional payments, were not disclosed. Of the USD 50,000 wrongful death settlement, USD 20,000 will be used to cover legal fees and other costs, while the remaining amount will go to Barnetts family. In its filing, Boeing said that it denied and continues to deny that any act or omission on its part" played a role in Barnetts death. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In a statement emailed to Bloomberg, Boeing said, We are saddened by Mr. Barnetts death and extend our condolences to his family as we reach this resolution. Boeing took actions several years ago to review and address the issues that Mr. Barnett raised." The settlement is yet to be approved by a federal judge in Charleston, South Carolina. 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: September 27, 2025, 16:37 IST News world Boeing To Pay $50,000 In Settlement Over Suicide Of Quality Control Manager Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Brilliant Work': Trump Lauds FBI Director Kash Patel For James Comey's Indictment Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 09:07 IST Former FBI Director James Comey is accused of making a false statement to Congress and obstruction of a congressional proceeding back in 2020. US President Donald Trump (IMAGE: REUTERS) US President Donald Trump praised FBI Director Kash Patel for brilliant work" on the indictment of former FBI head James Comey. Reportedly, Comey is accused of making a false statement to Congress and obstruction of a congressional proceeding back in 2020. In a post on Truth Social, Trump called Comey a dirty cop" and a slimeball." Recommended Stories Trumps post on Truth Social reads, Id like to thank Kash Patel, and the outstanding members of the FBI, for their brilliant work on the recent Indictment of the Worst FBI Director in the History of our Country, James Dirty Cop" Comey. The level of enthusiasm by the FBI was incredible, but only caused by the fact that they knew Comey for what he is, and was, a total SLIMEBALL! Again, thank you to the FBI and, specifically, those that worked on this case with U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan, and the DOJ. Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! President DJT." Comey, who was the FBI Director when the agency probed connections between Trumps 2016 campaign and Russia, was indicted on Thursday. Declaring innocence, Comey said, Lets have a trial." My family and I have known for years that there are costs to standing up to Donald Trump," Comey said in a video posted to Substack. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Comey, who was FBI director from 2013 to 2017, was fired by Trump during the Republican presidents first term amid the governments probe into allegations of ties between Russian officials and Trumps 2016 campaign. John Bolton, who was national security adviser during Trumps first term before being fired in 2019, is being investigated for his handling of certain documents after leaving government. His lawyer has denied wrongdoing. Like Comey, Bolton wrote a book that portrayed Trump in very unflattering ways. 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 : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: September 27, 2025, 09:07 IST News world 'Brilliant Work': Trump Lauds FBI Director Kash Patel For James Comey's Indictment Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... By Makiko Yamazaki TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan's finance ministry said on Friday that it will set up an investment facility at a state-owned development bank to support a $550 billion investment package agreed in Tokyo's tariff deal with Washington. Japan and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding on the details of the package this month, stating it would focus on investments in sectors such as chips, metals, pharmaceuticals, energy and shipbuilding to be made by January 2029, which coincides with the end of Donald Trump's presidential term. Japan's investment package would include equity, loans and loan guarantees from the state-owned Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI). The new facility at JBIC will provide financial support for overseas expansions by Japanese companies in industries strategically important for Japan's economic security, the ministry said. The ministry also said it revised regulations on JBIC to expand the scope of its investment in developed countries, including the automotive and pharmaceutical industries. The previous regulations limit JBIC's scope of investments in developed countries to certain sectors compared to those in emerging countries. (Reporting by Makiko Yamazaki; Editing by Saad Sayeed) 'Can Birthright Citizenship Be Ended': President Trump Asks Supreme Court Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 04:59 IST The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to review the constitutionality of ending birthright citizenship, challenging the 14th Amendment and a federal judge's injunction. President Donald Trump had signed the executive order on his first day back in office on January 20 directing agencies to refuse to recognise the citizenship of U.S.-born children who do not have at least one parent who is an American citizen or a lawful permanent resident, also known as a "green card" holder. (Image: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images/AFP) The Trump administration on Friday asked the US Supreme Court to review the constitutionality of Presidents executive order for ending birthright citizenship. Despite more than a century of understanding that the 14th Amendment confers citizenship on people born in the United States, the Trump administration told the Supreme Court that notion was mistaken" and that the view became pervasive, with destructive consequences," CNN reported. Recommended Stories The lower courts decisions invalidated a policy of prime importance to the president and his administration in a manner that undermines our border security," Solicitor General D John Sauer, the administrations top appellate attorney, told the Supreme Court in the appeal. Those decisions confer, without lawful justification, the privilege of American citizenship on hundreds of thousands of unqualified people." President Donald Trump had signed the executive order on his first day back in office on January 20 directing agencies to refuse to recognise the citizenship of U.S.-born children who do not have at least one parent who is an American citizen or a lawful permanent resident, also known as a green card" holder. In July, a federal judge in New Hampshire issued a preliminary injunction blocking the implementation of Trumps order. What Is Birthright Citizenship? Birthright citizenship is enshrined in the 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868 in the wake of the Civil War to ensure citizenship for formerly enslaved people. It states, All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The clause has long been interpreted to mean that anyone born on US soil is a citizen-regardless of their parents immigration status. This interpretation was affirmed by the Supreme Court in 1898 in United States v. Wong Kim Ark, which ruled in favor of a man born in San Francisco to Chinese immigrant parents who were denied reentry after traveling abroad. With few exceptions, including children of foreign diplomats, birthright citizenship has remained a bedrock of American immigration and constitutional law. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: September 27, 2025, 04:59 IST News world 'Can Birthright Citizenship Be Ended': President Trump Asks Supreme Court Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Canada Pitches For US H-1B Talent After Prohibitive Fee Hike: What This Means For India's Tech Workers Reported By : CNN-News18 Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 20:33 IST Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has publicly acknowledged this window of opportunity Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney (IMAGE: Reuters) Canada is actively positioning itself to attract a significant influx of skilled professionals, particularly from India, following the Donald Trump administrations shock move to impose a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications in the United States. This prohibitive cost has created a massive opportunity for the Canadian tech and research sectors to reverse the perennial brain drain" to the United States. Recommended Stories Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has publicly acknowledged this window of opportunity. Speaking in New York, PM Carney remarked on the US visa policy changes, stating, Not as many H-1B visa holders will get visas in the US. These people are skilled, and it is an opportunity for Canada. We will have an offering on this soon." He noted that while Canadian universities produce world-class talent, a majority are often lured away by the US, adding, Maybe we can hang on to one or two of them" under the new scenario. For Indian tech professionals, who make up over 70% of all H-1B recipients, the US fee hike is a major deterrent, with the cost potentially exceeding the annual salary of many new visa holders. For these skilled workers, many of whom have significant work experience in North America, Canada is a logical alternative. The country offers a similar work culture, is in the same time zone, and provides more predictable pathways to permanent residency, unlike the US visa lottery system. This isnt the first time Canada has capitalised on restrictive US visa policies. In 2023, the Canadian government launched a temporary work permit for US-based H-1B holders, and the cap of 10,000 applications was reached in under 48 hours, demonstrating the immense demand. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Business groups in Canada, such as Build Canada, are urging the government to act quickly, proposing a dedicated, fast-tracked work permit for current and potential H-1B holders with high salaries. If Canada quickly unveils a concrete and attractive offering", as suggested by PM Carney, it will be a huge relief and a clear alternative for thousands of highly skilled Indian professionals left in limbo by the new US restrictions. This strategic move could translate into a substantial brain gain" for Canadas growing innovation economy. 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: September 27, 2025, 20:22 IST News world Canada Pitches For US H-1B Talent After Prohibitive Fee Hike: What This Means For India's Tech Workers Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... China Not Worried About Islamabads 'Flirtation' With Washington, Says Pak Defence Minister Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 15:53 IST Asif further described Pakistans dealings with Washington as transactional, also stressing that despite these engagements, China remains Pakistans closest partner. Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif (left), US President Donald Trump (centre) and Pakistan Field Marshal Asim Munir at a meeting. A day after Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir met US President Donald Trump at the White House, Defence Minister Khwaja Asif stated that China is not concerned about Islamabads flirting" with Washington, stressing that the Pakistan-China relationship is a time-tested and reliable partnership. His remark came during an interview with British-American journalist Mehdi Hasan when Asif was asked about Pakistans ties with China and the United States. Recommended Stories Hasan pointed out, citing data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), that around 80 per cent of Pakistans weapons purchases over the past four years have come from China. We are not worried about that, because its a time tested relationship with China- since the late 50s Ill just conclude it by saying that China is not worried about our flirtations or whatever you call it." When asked whether Pakistan sees its strategic future" with the US or China, Asif made it clear where the countrys priorities lie. In the past, even today and in future also China has been a very reliable ally, very reliable provider of arms of all kinds to us. Our Air Force, submarines, and planes. Our submarines are from there. Almost a major portion of our arms are from China, and our defence cooperation is increasing. It is much more robust than before, with China the main reason is unreliability of other sources like the United States of America," he said. Further stressing about the importance of geography and trust, the Pakistani Minister said,"They (China) are reliable and they are our neighbours. We share borders and we share the geography." Asif further described Pakistans dealings with Washington as transactional, also stressing that despite these engagements, China remains Pakistans closest partner. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all We have had a transactional or a flirtatious relationship with the United States for a very long time. Theyre reliable, and they are our neighbours," he said. Earlier on Thursday, President Donald Trump hosted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir at the Oval Office in Washington. According to the Pakistan Prime Ministers Office, US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were also present at the meeting. 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: September 27, 2025, 15:53 IST News world China Not Worried About Islamabads 'Flirtation' With Washington, Says Pak Defence Minister Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Jaishankar Hammers Pakistan At UNGA, Calls It 'Epicentre Of Terrorism' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 23:41 IST Dr Jaishankar did not mince words, linking Pakistan to the recent barbarity of the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025 Jaishankars intervention followed Indias earlier robust response to the Pahalgam tragedy, which included retaliatory strikes against terror infrastructure in Pakistan under Operation Sindoor. File pic/PTI Indias External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar, delivered a scathing attack on Pakistan during his address to the 80th UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, labelling the neighbouring nation an epicentre of terrorism". The ministers powerful remarks centred on the systemic and state-supported nature of terror, which he asserted remains the single largest threat to regional stability. Recommended Stories Dr Jaishankar did not mince words, linking Pakistan to the recent barbarity of the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025, where 26 innocent tourists, primarily Hindu civilians, were massacred. He stressed that this act was a brutal reminder that terror hubs across the border operate in industrial scale", thriving due to governmental patronage. Furthermore, he condemned the disturbing normalisation of violence, highlighting that terrorists are publicly glorified" by the state apparatus. The EAM presented a clear demand to the international community: what is required is relentless pressure" on the entire ecosystem that supports extremism. He outlined the immediate policy imperative to choke the financing of terror", calling for concerted global action to cut off the financial lifelines of terrorist organisations. Indias stance, he affirmed, is one of zero tolerance, making it clear that there will be no distinction between the terrorists and their sponsors, both of whom will be held accountable. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Jaishankars intervention followed Indias earlier robust response to the Pahalgam tragedy, which included retaliatory strikes against terror infrastructure in Pakistan under Operation Sindoor. The ministers address at the UNGA solidified Indias diplomatic position, moving the focus away from bilateral disputes and centering it squarely on Pakistans long-standing failure to dismantle the infrastructure of cross-border terrorism. 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: September 27, 2025, 23:38 IST News world Jaishankar Hammers Pakistan At UNGA, Calls It 'Epicentre Of Terrorism' Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Khawaja Asif Tacitly Accepted Asim Munir Real Ruler Of Pakistan & There's Martial Law: Intel Sources To News18 Reported By : CNN-News18 Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 17:28 IST Asif's viral interview on the sidelines of the UNGA underscores the pervasive nature of the Pakistan military's shadow over elected leadership Khawaja Asif effectively prioritised his own political longevity and the survival of the current government over upholding the principle of civilian supremacy. File pic/Reuters Pakistans civil-military power dynamic was laid bare during a recent interview where defence minister Khawaja Asif publicly refused to assert his constitutional authority over the Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir. The viral exchange on the Zeteo platform, with journalist Mehdi Hasan, has sparked intense debate on social media and among political observers, exposing the structural imbalance within the countrys so-called hybrid" democratic model. Recommended Stories The critical moment came when Hasan posed a direct question challenging Pakistans democratic credentials. Citing the US system where the civilian Secretary of Defense can dismiss top generals, Hasan asked, Can you, as Defence Minister, fire General Asim Munir?" Asifs response was a stammering evasion. He refused to provide a clear yes" or no", instead stating that in the event of a disagreement with the Army Chief, decisions would be reached by consensus" and that the arrangement was a practical necessity". His reluctance to assert civilian supremacygranted in principle by the Pakistani Constitutionwas immediately interpreted by top Indian intelligence sources and analysts as a deliberate act of political survival reflecting institutional reality. According to these sources, Asifs refusal was not merely a slip but a calculated avoidance of an impossible scenario. Any admission that he could fire General Munir would be a dangerous lie that risked an immediate, major backlash from the powerful military establishment. Conversely, a simple yes" would also be an implicit dismissal of the fragile Shehbaz Sharif-led coalition government, which relies heavily on the militarys tacit backing to maintain stability against the opposition. On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Asif accepted that Field Marshal Asim Munir is the real ruler of the country," said a source. He tacitly accepted that theres martial law in the country." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The exchange underscores the pervasive nature of the Pakistan militarys shadow over elected leadership. By opting for the consensus" theory and refusing to declare himself the boss, Khawaja Asif effectively prioritised his own political longevity and the survival of the current government over upholding the principle of civilian supremacy, reinforcing the prevailing narrative that Pakistans democracy operates under the strict limits imposed by the army. About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 First Published: September 27, 2025, 17:10 IST News world Khawaja Asif Tacitly Accepted Asim Munir Real Ruler Of Pakistan & There's Martial Law: Intel Sources To News18 Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Did My Duty': Man Confesses On TV To Killing, Burying His Parents At Their New York Home Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 14:33 IST Lorenz Kraus confessed on CBS6 to suffocating his parents, Franz and Theresia Kraus, in Albany eight years ago. Police found their bodies amid a Social Security fraud probe. Kraus was arrested soon after he stepped out of the studio. (Image: YouTube/CBS6 Albany) A man confessed during a televised interview to killing his elderly parents and burying their bodies in the backyard of their Albany home eight years ago. Lorenz Kraus, 53, sat down on Thursday with CBS6 for a half-hour interview in which he admitted to suffocating his parents, Franz and Theresia Kraus, in what he described as mercy killings." Recommended Stories His confession came a day after police exhumed two bodies from the backyard as part of an investigation into Social Security fraud the couple had not been seen in years but continued to receive benefits, news agency AP reported. They knew that this was it for them, that they were perishing at your hand?" anchor Greg Floyd asked during the interview. Yes," Kraus replied. And it was so quick." Though initially evasive, Kraus eventually admitted he suffocated both parents, who he said were becoming frail. He did not claim they had any terminal illnesses but said his mother had been injured in a fall and his father had trouble seeing after cataract surgery. I did my duty to my parents," Kraus said. My concern for their misery was paramount," he added. Kraus was arrested immediately after he left the studio and charged with two counts of murder. He did not speak during a brief court appearance on Friday, where a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all TV station news director Stone Grissom said the interview came after Kraus emailed a two-page statement and agreed to appear in person. A plainclothes officer was also present during the recording, the report mentioned. Authorities say the discovery of the bodies followed a financial fraud probe into the misuse of the couples Social Security payments. A public defender has raised concerns over the legal admissibility of the televised confession. 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 : New York, United States of America (USA) First Published: September 27, 2025, 14:30 IST News world 'Did My Duty': Man Confesses On TV To Killing, Burying His Parents At Their New York Home Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Pakistan Defence Minister Caught In Enigma Over Contradictory Claims On Imran Khan's X: 'But You Said...' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 12:15 IST Khawaja Asif claimed that former Pak PM Imran Khan was operating his Twitter account from inside the Adiala Jail in Pakistan. Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif Pakistans Defence Minister Khawaja Asif was left flustered during a conversation on Imran Khans X (Twitter) account. During an interview, Asif was slammed for making contradictory allegations regarding the social media activity of the former Pakistani Prime Minister. During an interview with British-American journalist Mehdi Hasan, Asif first claimed that Imran Khan was operating his Twitter account from inside the Adiala Jail in Pakistan. Recommended Stories However, when Hasan pointed out the Defence Ministers previous assertion that Khans account was controlled by India, Asif tried to backtrack, stammering in his response. He is operating a Twitter account from the jail cell," Asif said to Hasan, who then grilled the Defence Minister, saying, You said he was operating from India the other day You said India is controlling his Twitter account You just made two different allegations. Is it Imran in his prison cell or is it India?" Pakistans Defence Minister Embarrassed During Interview | Video Speechless Pakistani defence minister on his false claims Imran Khans Twitter (X) account being operated from India". pic.twitter.com/JTkImzqz62 Khaleej Mag (@KhaleejMag) September 26, 2025 The visibly flustered Pakistani Defence Minister replied, Either he is operating from the cell or he should at least identify who is operating the jail cell." When asked for evidence to support his claims, the Defence Minister cited intelligence sources" but refused to provide any verifiable proof. The evidence I cannot publicly disclose," Asif said. When pressed further by Hasan on the rationale, If you cannot publicly disclose the evidence, why make the claim?" Asif retorted, No, because it is there." When cornered on the source of his claim, if India controlled Khans X account, Asif conceded, Yes, based on, obviously, intelligence. Nobody is stating it openly." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Mehdi also questioned the Defence Minister about the current Pakistani governments handling of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder, who has been imprisoned since August 2023 despite widespread international criticism and UN experts labelling his detention as illegal". Asif dodged the question, saying, He must prove that he has clean hands." Imran Khan was taken into custody from his Lahore residence following a three-year prison sentence handed down in a corruption case back in August 2023. 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 : New York, United States of America (USA) First Published: September 27, 2025, 12:07 IST News world Pakistan Defence Minister Caught In Enigma Over Contradictory Claims On Imran Khan's X: 'But You Said...' Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Russia Equipping, Training China's Airborne Battalion, Show Leaked Documents Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 17:34 IST Leaked documents verified by a British think tank show that Russia had agreed to sell military equipment to China in 2023 and train their air battalion. Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Pool Photo via AP) Russia has agreed to help China equip and train an airborne battalion, according to some leaked documents reviewed by a leading think tank that highlighted the growing military partnership between Moscow and Beijing in light of tensions with the US. The documents leaked by the Black Moon hacktivist group and verified by the British think tank the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) showed that Russia had agreed to sell military equipment to Chinas Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) in 2023, including assault vehicles, anti-tank guns, and airborne armoured personnel carriers, CNN reported. Recommended Stories According to the agreement, Russia also agreed to train a battalion of Chinese paratroopers to utilise them and transfer technology that would enable Beijing to manufacture similar weapons, as the RUSIs review of the documents revealed. This agreement, if implemented, is expected to boost Chinas air manoeuvre capabilities. What This Means? The think tank believes that improving in that area would help China to achieve its aim of taking control of Taiwan, the self-governing island claimed by Beijing. It would also help boost Chinas offensive capabilities against the Philippines and other states on the disputed South China Sea. Russia is equipping and training Chinese special forces groups to penetrate the territory of other countries without being noticed, offering offensive options against Taiwan, the Philippines and other island states in the region," CNN quoted RUSI fellows Oleksandr V Danylyuk and Jack Watling. China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, overlapping with maritime zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. The waterway is a strategic shipping route where $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce takes place. The Philippines is among several countries with which China has had frequent disputes over territorial claims. Despite an international tribunal saying that Chinas sweeping claims have no basis under international law, Beijing continues to enforce its claims. Russia and China have been exchanging arms since the 1990s, but over the past decade, their military cooperation has significantly deepened, as ties between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin have warmed. The growing alliance between Russia and China has heightened concerns in the United States as both countries position themselves as alternatives to Western influence. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Earlier this month, President Putin described Russias relationship with China as being at an unprecedentedly high level," amid reports that the two nations had finalised a long-delayed deal to construct a major new pipeline delivering natural gas to China through Mongolia. Since Moscow invaded Ukraine in 2022, it has turned towards China to replace Europe as its major gas buyer and positioning Beijing as a crucial partner in sustaining Russias energy exports. About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int... Read More Location : Moscow, Russia First Published: September 27, 2025, 17:34 IST News world Russia Equipping, Training China's Airborne Battalion, Show Leaked Documents Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Bangladeshi Diaspora In US Protests Against Yunus Govt, Alleges Rise In Minority Atrocities Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 09:05 IST Protests by Bangladeshi diaspora supporters of Sheikh Hasina erupted outside the UN in New York, accusing interim leader Muhammad Yunus of atrocities against minorities. Protests against Bangladesh government outside UN in New York (Video screengrabs/Social Media) Protests were witnessed on Friday outside the United Nations headquarters in New York, where members of the Bangladeshi diaspora shouted slogans and displayed banners against Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladeshs interim government. The protesters, mostly supporters of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, alleged a sharp increase in atrocities against minorities in the country ever since the Yunus government took over. Recommended Stories Chants and slogans like Yunus is Pakistani and Go back to Pakistan were shouted at the venue. #WATCH | New York | Supporters of Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Haseena hold protests outside the UN against current Bangladesh PM Muhammad Yunus; raise slogans, Yunus is Pakistani. Go back to Pakistan." pic.twitter.com/CWuVjUw1HD ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2025 Speaking to news agency ANI, one of the protesters highlighted that there is a dire condition" in Bangladesh, and since Yunus assumed power, minorities, including Hindus and people of other religions, have faced killings, and millions have fled the country. Another protestor alleged that Yunus is turning Bangladesh into a Taliban country, a terrorist country." Adding on to the claims, another protester said that Sheikh Hasina, who led a democratically elected secular government, was illegally ousted on August 5, 2024." #WATCH | New York | Supporters of Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Haseena hold protests outside the UN against current Bangladesh PM Muhammad Yunus pic.twitter.com/Er7jFmoVlT ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2025 This came hours after Muhammad Yunus addressed the fourth day of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday, marking his second speech at the world body since the Gen Z-led uprising toppled Sheikh Hasinas 15-year rule last year. Reflecting on Bangladeshs political transformation, Yunus told delegates, Last year, in this august assembly, I spoke to you from a country that had just witnessed a popular uprising. I shared with you our aspirations for transformation." Today, I stand here to tell you how far we have come on that journey. Out of every 100 people on this planet, nearly three live in Bangladesh," he said. Yunus said that Bangladeshs significance did not lie in its numbers or geography but in the resilience of its people. Our story matters because it is a reminder of the extraordinary power of ordinary people. It matters because it inspires hope among nations everywhere, that no matter how deep the crisis, no matter how impossible the solution may seem, the path to renewal is never lost," he added. The interim leader also aligned Bangladesh with the findings of a UN human rights commission on Gaza. We do agree with the UN independent international inquiry commission that we are witnessing a genocide happening live," he said. Unfortunately, on behalf of humanity, we are not doing enough to stop it. If this continues, neither future generations nor history will forgive us," he added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all ALSO READ | Yunus Says India-Bangladesh Ties Face Strain Over Former PM Hasinas Refuge In New Delhi 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: September 27, 2025, 09:02 IST News world Bangladeshi Diaspora In US Protests Against Yunus Govt, Alleges Rise In Minority Atrocities Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Trump Official Assaulted By 'Deranged Leftist' At UNGA, White House Blames World Body For 'Failure' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 10:49 IST American officials expressed deep anger over the incident US President Donald Trump delivers remarks to the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York City on September 23. (AFP photo) A senior Trump administration official was physically assaulted by a deranged leftist" inside the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York on Thursday afternoon during the UN General Assembly (UNGA), in what American officials have condemned as a shocking breach of security, according to Fox News. The official, who works in international relations for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), was in New York to support HHS Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr and the departments leadership team during the high-profile event. What do we know about the security breach? Recommended Stories According to White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly, the HHS staffer was followed into a bathroom, recorded, physically attacked and verbally abused by a deranged leftist" who somehow bypassed multiple layers of UN security. Thankfully, the official is safe, and the lunatic was arrested," Kelly told Fox News Digital, calling the incident part of a disturbing and dangerous set of failures by the UN after their sabotage of President Trump ahead of and during his speech." The U.S. Secret Service is now investigating how the attacker gained entry to what is regarded as one of the worlds most secure diplomatic venues. A source familiar with the case revealed that the assailant has been charged with assault, aggravated harassment, attempted assault and criminal possession of a weapon. The individual was released from custody on Friday evening and is due to appear in court on 13 November. What the victim said? The HHS official detailed the harrowing encounter. She said she was walking through a UN hallway when a woman began shining a bright light in her face, recording her and shouting derogatory pro-Palestinian insults, including calling her a fascist" and a Nazi." The official tried to escape into a womens bathroom, but the attacker followed, becoming increasingly aggressive. Her yelling turned into screaming hyper-aggressive insults," the official recounted. After locking herself in a stall, she said the woman tried to force entry and even held a camera over the stall door to continue filming. The ordeal, which lasted around ten minutes, ended only when the official managed to leave the bathroom and lose her pursuer in the hallway. It felt very political in nature," she said. Thats a scary thing for the team. But were more empowered, and we have amazing leadership." What did the UN say about the incident? American officials expressed deep anger over the incident. We are outraged that a member of the U.S. delegation was physically assaulted inside UN Headquarters," a U.S. UN spokesperson said. If you cant keep people safe in your own building, how can you claim to be the worlds diplomatic centre?" The spokesperson described the attack as unacceptable" and said the UN would provide every available resource" to support the U.S. Secret Service investigation. They also called for a thorough review of the UNs security operations, adding: Enough is enough." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Questions over UN security The attack has prompted urgent questions about security failures at the UN. U.S. officials have demanded explanations as to how an unauthorised individual gained access to such a tightly controlled venue, calling the breach a serious national security concern. The UN has pledged to cooperate fully with U.S. authorities and to review its security protocols in the wake of the incident. Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: September 27, 2025, 10:47 IST News world Trump Official Assaulted By 'Deranged Leftist' At UNGA, White House Blames World Body For 'Failure' Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... With a market cap of $8.7 billion, Conagra Brands, Inc. (CAG) is a leading North American packaged foods company with a diverse portfolio of iconic brands such as Birds Eye, Healthy Choice, Slim Jim, Reddi-wip, and Marie Callenders. Operating across four segments: Grocery & Snacks; Refrigerated & Frozen; International; and Foodservice, the company delivers innovative food products tailored to evolving consumer preferences. The Chicago, Illinois-based company is slated to announce its Q1 2026 results before the market opens on Wednesday, Oct. 1. Analysts expect Conagra Brands to report adjusted EPS of $0.33 for the quarter, down 37.7% from $0.53 in the year-ago quarter. It has surpassed Wall Street's earnings estimates in one of the last four quarters while missing on three other occasions. More News from Barchart For fiscal 2026, analysts forecast CAG to report an adjusted EPS of $1.73, representing a 24.8% decrease from $2.30 in fiscal 2025. However, adjusted EPS is anticipated to grow 8.7% year-over-year to $1.88 in fiscal 2027. www.barchart.com Shares of Conagra Brands have dropped over 44% over the past 52 weeks, lagging behind both the S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 15.4% return and the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Funds (XLP) 5.9% decline over the same period. www.barchart.com Shares of CAG fell 4.4% on Jul. 10 after the company posted weak Q4 2025 results, with adjusted EPS of $0.56 missing the consensus estimate and falling 8.2% year-over-year. Net sales also disappointed at $2.8 billion, down 4.3% year-over-year and below the expected, pressured by a 3.5% decline in organic sales from lower volumes and softer consumption trends. Adding to investor concerns, management guided for fiscal 2026 adjusted EPS of just $1.70 - $1.85, well below the $2.30 delivered in fiscal 2025. Analysts' consensus view on CAG stock is cautious, with a "Hold" rating overall. Among 17 analysts covering the stock, two recommend "Strong Buy," 12 suggest "Hold," one advises "Moderate Sell," and two "Strong Sells." The average analyst price target for Conagra Brands is $20.47, indicating a potential upside of 13.2% 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 Trump's Finger-Wag At Melania Sparks Online Storm But Lip Readers Say This Is What Happened Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 10:25 IST The moment, which was captured through Marine One's window, quickly fuelled speculation about discord in the couples marriage Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google US President Donald Trump speaks with First Lady Melania Trump onboard Marine One. (AFP) A tense exchange between Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump aboard Marine One has caught global attention after a viral video showed the US President wagging a finger at the First Lady during their return from the United Nations. The moment, which was captured through the helicopter window, quickly fuelled speculation about discord in the couples marriage, which has often been the subject of great attention. However, forensic lip readers seemed to lay to rest the speculations of trouble in the Trump paradise as they suggested that the confrontation may not have been about each other at all, but about a dramatic escalator malfunction earlier that day at the UN headquarters, the New York Post reported. Recommended Stories On Tuesday morning, during their entry to the United Nations, an escalator carrying the Trumps suddenly ground to a halt just a few steps into its ascent. The abrupt halt jolted Melania, prompting speculation over whether she might have stumbled. Not one to dismiss conspiracy theories, Trump referred to the incident during his UN address, saying: All I got from the United Nations was an escalator that on the way up stopped right in the middle." He added that if Melania had not been in good shape, she wouldve fallen". The White House wasted no time calling for an investigation, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt demanding that those responsible be held accountable if the stoppage was deliberate. She also cited reports that UN staff had allegedly joked about disabling escalators to force Trump to walk up the stairs. In response, UN officials clarified that the escalators built-in safety mechanism had been triggered which is designed to prevent objects from being caught in the machinery. According to the UN, Trumps own videographer may have inadvertently tripped the mechanism while filming the couples entrance. The Guardian quoted lip reader Jeremy Freeman interpreting Trumps fingerwagging as him asking Melania: How can you do that?" Freeman suggests the President was venting his frustration about the escalator incident and not confronting his wife. Lip-reading expert Nicola Hickling interpreted portions of the exchange as possessing protective concern from Trump. In her reading, he says, I cant forgive them, they tried to hurt you," while Melania allegedly responds, We cant do this, we should stay safe, youre not safe", the Guardian report says. Trump then reportedly says, Theyre done. We must challenge them." According to New York Post, in Freemans version, however, Melania is heard saying: Donald, look at me," as the two exit the helicopter side by side. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all After the exchange inside Marine One, the couple disembarked and walked across the South Lawn while holding hands, though observers noted their body language remained stiff and formal, adding to the intrigue about the conversation. This isnt the first time the couples interactions have drawn attention. Among earlier viral moments were Melania swatting away Trumps hand in public and blocking an attempted kiss with a hat during his 2025 inauguration. 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: September 27, 2025, 10:25 IST News world Trump's Finger-Wag At Melania Sparks Online Storm But Lip Readers Say This Is What Happened Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... UN Security Council Blocks China-Russia Resolution On Iran Sanctions Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 04:33 IST The United Nations Security Council rejected a Russia and China draft to delay Iran sanctions, with the US, UK, and France citing Iran's nuclear violations The United Nations Security Council on Friday rejected the draft resolution presented by Russia and China to delay the re-imposition of sanctions on Iran. (AP file photo) The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Friday rejected the draft resolution presented by Russia and China to delay the re-imposition of sanctions on Iran. Those members of the Security Council who supported this document reaffirmed their commitment to international law, to equitable and mutually respectful dialogue and to the task of maintaining international peace and security," Russias Deputy Ambassador to the UN, Dmitry Polyanskiy, said at the Councils session on Iran sanctions. Recommended Stories He said that the adoption of this would have preserved a chance for the international community to reach a diplomatic resolution to the conflict in the context of the Iranian nuclear programme." He criticised the Council members who rejected the resolution and said: "We regret the fact that a number of Security Council colleagues were unable to summon the courage or the wisdom to support our draft." The abstentions, he added, pointed to doubts vis-a-vis the destructive policy that is being carried out by the US, the UK and France to definitively dismantle the nuclear deal and to bury the diplomatic path towards resolving the crisis around it." Similarly, Chinas Deputy UN Envoy Geng Shuang condemned the UNs failure to adopt the draft resolution, emphasizing that dialogue, negotiations, and difficult means are the only viable options for resolving the Iranian nuclear issue," Anadolu Agency reported. He urged the US to demonstrate political will by responding positively to Irans proposal to resume talks and committing unequivocally to refrain from further military strikes against Iran." The envoy called on the E3 UK, France and Germany to engage in good faith in diplomatic efforts and abandon their approach of pushing for sanctions and coercive pressure against Iran." The E3 are signatories to the 2015 nuclear agreement, which placed limits on Irans nuclear activities. Meanwhile, UK envoy Barbara Woodward welcomed the UNs decision and said the decision to vote against the resolution was taken as Iran is defying the global Non-Proliferation regime". It pointed out Tehrans accumulation of a high-enriched uranium stockpile, which lacks any credible civilian justification." However, the United Kingdom remains committed to pursuing a diplomatic solution that ensures Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon while maintaining Irans right to a civil nuclear program in line with the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty," she said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all US Deputy Representative Dorothy Shea said that the rejection of the draft proposal prevented a hollow effort to relieve Iran of any accountability for its continued significant non-performance of its nuclear commitments." If the Russian Federation and China want to help realize a durable, negotiated outcome on the Iranian nuclear issue, rather than seek to bolster an untenable status quo of flagrant Iranian efforts to undermine the global nonproliferation regimes, then they must press leaders in Tehran to take meaningful, immediate steps to fulfill its commitments and obligations, including by fully cooperating with the IAEA," she said. Location : New York, United States of America (USA) First Published: September 27, 2025, 04:33 IST News world UN Security Council Blocks China-Russia Resolution On Iran Sanctions Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... US Supreme Court Allows President Trump To Withhold $4 Billion In Foreign Aid Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 04:10 IST The US Supreme Court let Donald Trump freeze $4 billion in foreign aid, sparking dissent from liberal justices Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor, and Ketanji Brown Jackson. The $4 billion in foreign aid, including for global health and HIV programmes, was allocated by Congress but Donald Trump deemed wasteful and has been fighting on two fronts The US Supreme Court on Friday allowed President Donald Trump to freeze $4 billion in foreign aid payments. According to a report by CNN, the $4 billion in foreign aid, including for global health and HIV programmes, was allocated by Congress but Trump deemed wasteful and has been fighting on two fronts. His administration had also been seeking to rescind" the money through Congress. Recommended Stories The court said that the argument by Trump administration that the lower courts order requiring the money to be spent would affect its conduct of foreign affairs" appeared to outweigh the potential harm" faced by the nonprofit groups hoping to compete for that money. This order should not be read as a final determination on the merits," the court wrote in its unsigned order. The relief granted by the court today reflects our preliminary view, consistent with the standards for interim relief." The Trump administration had said that the cuts would be in those foreign aid programmes which were in conflict with American values". The cuts would reduce or eliminate micro-insurance programs for small farmers in Colombia to recover from climate disasters, for instance, and build climate resilience in Honduras," CNN reported. Meanwhile, the three liberal justices of the court dissented. According to Reuters, the courts liberals, in a dissent written by Justice Elena Kagan, called the ruling an affront to the constitutional principle that power is separated between the three branches executive, legislative and judicial of the US government. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all They said the Constitution gives Congress the power to make spending decisions through the enactment of appropriations laws." If those laws require obligation of the money, and if Congress has not by rescission or other action relieved the Executive of that duty, then the Executive must comply," Kagan wrote in a dissent joined by fellow liberal Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: September 27, 2025, 04:10 IST News world US Supreme Court Allows President Trump To Withhold $4 Billion In Foreign Aid Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'We Will Bring Back...': KP Oli Slams Nepal's 'Publicity' Govt, Hints At Political Return Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: September 27, 2025, 18:55 IST KP Oli made his first public appearance in Bhaktapur following the violent Gen-Z-led protests earlier this month that led to the collapse of his government in Nepal. Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Nepal's former PM KP Sharma Oli at a public event in Bhaktapur. (ANI) Former Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli made a public appearance on Saturday for the first time since his government was toppled by violent Gen-Z protests earlier this month, where he criticised the interim government led by Sushila Karki and hinted at a political return. Oli, who had remained out of public view since his resignation on September 9, was initially sheltered by the Nepal Army before being shifted to a temporary residence. He attended a public event on Sunday organised by Rastriya Yuwa Sangh, the student wing of the CPN-UML, held in Bhaktapur. Recommended Stories Speaking about the new government, Oli said, The incumbent government is called the Gen-Z government, which is not made following Constitutional provisions, not through the vote of the people. It is made through vandalism and arson." Oli also revealed the details surrounding his resignation as violent protests swept through Nepal, triggered by a social media ban. On September 9, following the incident of the day before, I resigned at around 11-11:30 am. Undesirable events had happened the previous day, and my attempt was not to escalate them further. But when I realised nothing was in my hand, I stepped down from the post," he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. We Have To Make This Country The former Nepal PM also lashed out at the current interim government and said his party would bring back the rule of law and democracy in the Himalayan nation. What does the government of publicity think? That we will hand over this country and flee abroad?" We have to make this country. We must make this country constitutional, democratic, and bring its politics back on track. We will bring the rule of law to the country," Oli said, hinting at a comeback in Nepali politics. His presence at the programme is widely seen as a strategic move to reconnect with the partys younger base, many of whom were deeply critical of his leadership during the recent crisis. His re-emergence came nearly three weeks after Gen-Z citizens protesters demanded accountability from the government on corruption and economic mismanagement. The protests, primarily driven by students and young citizens, rapidly escalated into Nepals bloodiest day since the 2006 pro-democracy movement, with the death of at least 74 people, including police personnel. Houses of several politicians were burned down by enraged protesters. However, Oli pushed back against rumours that he ordered police officers to open fire on protesters, which dramatically escalated the violence. What role did I play? After hearing about the news of the firing, I inquired about the situation I was told that only the rubber bullets were fired. Later, I got to know that 14 people had died. I was asking how they were shot on the head? How can we stop it?" he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all I had that mindful thinking about measures to prevent the bloodshed and unfavourable situation in the nation. Those who are liable for the incidents would then blame it on KP Oli," Oli added. (with inputs from ANI) 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 : Kathmandu, Nepal First Published: September 27, 2025, 18:53 IST News world 'We Will Bring Back...': KP Oli Slams Nepal's 'Publicity' Govt, Hints At Political Return Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Dollar General Corporation (NYSE:DG) is included among the 12 Best Retail Dividend Stocks to Buy Now. Long-Term Growth Opportunities for Dollar General Corporation (DG) in the Retail Dividend Stocks Space Image by Alexsander-777 from Pixabay Dollar General Corporation (NYSE:DG) is an American chain of discount stores. The chain offers a wide range of low-cost items, including daily essentials, clothing, and seasonal goods. For instance, it may carry well-known household brands like toilet paper, but often in smaller package sizes. While buying a single roll at Dollar General may cost less upfront than a bulk pack at a warehouse club, the per-unit price is usually higher in comparison. Dollar General Corporation (NYSE:DG) focuses on meeting the needs of lower-income shoppers by strategically placing its smaller stores in rural communities that larger retailers often overlook. This approach makes the company a convenient option for quick trips, as customers may prefer stopping by a nearby store rather than traveling farther to a big-box retailer, even if larger stores sometimes offer better prices. Dollar General Corporation (NYSE:DG) appeals to income investors because of its stable dividend history. The company has paid regular dividends to shareholders since 1975 and currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.59 per share. With a dividend yield of 2.32%, as of September 22, DG is among the best dividend stocks. While we acknowledge the potential of DG as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 11 Cheap Quarterly Dividend Stocks to Buy Right Now and 10 Safest High Dividend Stocks to Buy Now. Disclosure: None. When a secretive ingredient promised to revolutionize healthy snacking, it sparked a fierce battle between scrappy start-ups and a protein bar juggernautraising big questions about innovation, monopoly, and what really goes into the bars we eat. As Men's Health reports, the fight centers on EPG, a lab-made fat substitute that delivers a creamy texture without the calories. Once seen as the "holy grail" for health-conscious brands, it's now at the center of a clash over who gets to use it. Defiant Chocolate, a small family-owned startup in Utah, built its chocolate bars around EPG and thought it had found a breakthrough. Then, earlier this year, its supplier Epogee abruptly cut them off. "It was devastating," said Defiant Chocolate co-founder Mckay Fugal. And the reason for the cutoff was simple: Epogee had been acquired by David, a fast-rising protein bar company founded by RxBar creator Peter Rahal. Armed with $75 million in celebrity-backed funding, David quickly turned heads with bars boasting 28 grams of protein, no sugar, and just 150 calories. According to a lawsuit filed by Defiant and two other startups: "It is very much like David acting as Goliath." By buying Epogee, Rahal made EPG exclusive to David, leaving smaller competitors with no access to the ingredient they'd built their businesses around. The lawsuit accuses him of monopolizing a one-of-a-kind technology and shutting out rivals in a market where few alternatives exist. For Defiant, the move meant watching years of work vanish overnight. "For us, it's not just about chocolate bars," Fugal said. "It's about whether small companies even have a chance." The controversy also raises larger questions about engineered nutrition. Decades after Olestra's infamous run-ins with the public, EPG is considered safer, but it still comes with caveats: Its undigestible nature can cause gastrointestinal issues if overconsumed, and most safety studies are industry-funded. The takeover has also sparked heated debate in fitness circles and online, where critics question whether we even need lab-engineered snacks when whole foods can deliver similar benefits. But Rahal told Men's Health, "Nobody ever said the future of food was going to be boring." Read the full story. An Oregon family is seeking $18 million in damages after a flight school training accident turned their home into a crash site. Chris and Jana Ferris say their lives were upended when a twin-engine Piper Seminole from Hillsboro Aero Academy plummeted onto their Newberg house in October 2023. Miraculously, the Ferris family, including their four kids and the family dog, survived without major injuries, but their home was a total loss, per the Oregonian . The Ferrises are now suing the flight school, Alaska Airlines, and Alaska Air Group subsidiary Horizon Airoperators of the Ascend Pilot Academyalong with the estate of Barrett Bevacqua, the 20-year-old cadet pilot who died in the incident. The suit blames the catastrophe on negligence and says it caused the Ferris family emotional distress, including from the ordeal of being displaced six times while battling insurance and rebuilding woes. The family's attorney says the crash's aftermath has been "a tremendous pain," with contamination concerns from spilled aviation fuel adding to the chaos. According to federal investigators, Bevacqua and a flight instructor were practicing engine failure recovery when the plane flipped, stalled, and went into an unrecoverable spin, plummeting more than 5,000 feet. The student survived, but Bevacqua and the flight instructor didn't. Bevacqua's family, meanwhile, expressed surprise at being named in the lawsuit, noting he wasn't in command of the flight at the time of the crash, and have filed their own $27 million case against the flight school. "The pilot in command was the flight instructor, who was there to instruct, correct mistakes, and prevent accidents," a family statement notes, per KPTV. In February, the National Transportation Safety Board released its final report on the crash, per KATU, noting the "probable cause(s)" to be "the pilot receiving [instructions'] failure to maintain control of the airplane and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight, which resulted in a stall/spin from which they were unable to recover." Alaska Airlines confirmed that it supported Bevacqua's training but declined to discuss the legal fight. The FBI has fired agents who were photographed kneeling during a racial justice protest in Washington that followed the 2020 death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers, three people familiar with the matter said Friday. The bureau last spring had reassigned the agents but has since fired them, said the sources. The number of FBI employees terminated wasn't immediately clear, but two people said it was roughly 20, per the AP . The photos at issue showed a group of agents taking the knee during one of the demonstrations following the May 2020 killing of Floyd, a death that led to a national reckoning over policing and racial injustice and sparked widespread anger after millions of people saw video of the arrest. The kneeling had angered some in the FBI but was also understood as a possible deescalation tactic during a period of protests. The FBI Agents Association confirmed late Friday that more than a dozen agents had been fired, including military veterans with additional statutory protections, and condemned the move as unlawful. The group also called on Congress to investigate and said the firings were another indication of FBI Director Kash Patel's disregard for the legal rights of bureau employees. "As Director Patel has repeatedly stated, nobody is above the law," the association said. "But rather than providing these agents with fair treatment and due process, Patel chose to again violate the law by ignoring these agents' constitutional and legal rights instead of following the requisite process." An FBI spokesman declined to comment on Friday. The firings come amid a broader personnel purge at the bureau as Patel works to reshape the nation's premier federal law enforcement agency. Five agents and top-level executives were known to have been summarily fired last month in a wave of ousters that current and former officials say has contributed to declining morale. UPDATE Sep 28, 2025 8:19 AM CDT The Des Moines Public Schools system has placed its superintendent on paid leave after his surprise arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Friday, reports the New York Times. Ian Roberts is a native of Guyana who had claimed to be a US citizen in Iowa paperwork. "I want to be clear, no one here was aware of any citizenship or immigration issues that Dr. Roberts may have been facing," said school board chair Jackie Norris in a statement. "The accusations ICE has made against Dr. Roberts are very serious, and we are taking them very seriously." Sep 27, 2025 7:30 AM CDT Federal immigration agents targeted the well-liked leader of Iowa's largest school district in a traffic stop on Friday and arrested him after he fled into the woods, leaving educators and community members stunned. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts was in the country illegally and had no work authorization. Roberts, from the South American country of Guyana, was considered an ICE fugitive because he was subject to a final removal order issued in 2024, the agency said, per the AP. President Trump announced on Friday that he has ordered the declassification and public release of all government records about aviator Amelia Earhart, noting on social media that her disappearance in 1937 as she attempted to fly around the world has "captivated millions." Trump called her fate an "interesting story" and said people have been asking him about declassifying and making public everything the government has on her. Trump returned to office earlier this year promising to declassify and release government records on several high-profile figures, though Earhart's wasn't among the names mentioned, per the AP . The Republican president's administration has since released thousands of pages of records about President John F. Kennedy, his brother Robert F. Kennedy, and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. All were assassinated during the 1960s, and the files revealed no blockbuster information. Both the FBI and the National Archives already have released batches of documents about Earhart. Some who've doggedly researched her disappearance nearly 90 years ago doubt there's much more the government has on her that it can release. Earhart was an aviation pioneer and the first woman to pilot a solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. She disappeared in the South Pacific while trying to become the first woman to circumnavigate the globe. Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, vanished while flying from New Guinea to Howland Island as part of her attempt to become the first female pilot to fly around the world. She'd radioed that she was running low on fuel. The Navy searched but found no trace. The US government's official position has been that Earhart and Noonan went down with their plane, and she was declared legally dead in 1939. Since then, theories have abounded, with some veering into the absurd, including abduction by aliens or Earhart living in New Jersey under an alias. Others speculate she and Noonan were executed by the Japanese or died as castaways on an island. Ric Gillespie, head of the International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery, who has studied Earhart for decades, doubts that much more information on the famed aviator remains to be released. But Mindi Love Pendergraft of the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum says that "if these records shed any light on Earhart's fate, it is a welcome action for Earhart historians and enthusiasts." Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have released a set of documents from Jeffrey Epstein's estate that reference several high-profile individuals, including Elon Musk, Steve Bannon, Peter Thiel, Prince Andrew, and Bill Gates. The six pages, part of a much larger batch of 8,544 records, include pieces of Epstein's daily schedule, a 2000 flight manifest with Prince Andrew's name on it, and ledgers mentioning massages for "Andrew," per USA Today . Among the scheduled meetings were breakfasts with Gates and Bannon, as well as a lunch with Thiel. One 2014 entry notes a possible trip by Musk to Epstein's island, which Musk has since publicly denied . These records are part of ongoing efforts by lawmakers to bring transparency to Epstein's connections and activities. Per Politico, the documents are notable in that they show, according to the dates listed, that Musk, Thiel, and Bannon all had ties to Epstein even after he'd taken an eyebrow-raising plea deal that required he register as a sex offender. Democrats on the Oversight Committee assert they're committed to identifying anyone complicit in Epstein's crimes, while the Republican-led committee has accused Democrats of selectively releasing information and withholding documents that might implicate Democratic officials, per USA Today. The panel says it plans to release all records soon. The release follows earlier disclosures, including a controversial birthday note to Epstein, allegedly signed by Trumpa claim he has denied. Epstein, who died by suicide in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, owned a private island in the US Virgin Islands where much of the alleged criminal activity took place. Prince Andrew settled a sex abuse lawsuit related to Epstein's activities in 2022, though he continues to deny the allegations. "Oversight Democrats will not stop until we identify everyone complicit in Epstein's heinous crimes," says spokesperson Sara Guerrero in a release. "It's past time for Attorney General [Pam] Bondi to release all the files now." A wave of criticism has hit top comedians like Dave Chappelle, Pete Davidson, Louis CK, and Bill Burr for joining a Saudi government-backed comedy festival , as the kingdom faces renewed scrutiny for human rights abuses, recent executions, and the killing of journalists. The event, part of Saudi Arabia's push to boost its entertainment sector under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's "Vision 2030," is reportedly offering performers hefty paycheckssometimes more than $1 million, insiders say, per the Independent . While few comics have advertised their participation, online backlash has been swift, with some accusing the performers of being "sellouts" for lucrative fees. Comedians Marc Maron, Shane Gillis, and Zach Woods of Silicon Valley and The Office all publicly criticized the event, referencing Saudi Arabia's alleged 9/11 ties and the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. "From the folks that brought you 9/11! Two weeks of laughter in the desert!" Maron quipped, noting he wasn't invited and joking, "Easy to maintain your integrity when no one's offering to buy it out." Gillis claimed he declined the festival even after his offered payment was doubled, calling it a "principled stand." "You don't 9/11 your friends," he said. Others, like Pete Davidsonwhose firefighter father died in 9/11have faced similar sharp rebukes on social media. Davidson and other comedians, including Jim Jefferies and Chris Distefano, defended their decisions by citing the size of the payouts. Human rights groups argue the festival is an attempt to distract from Saudi Arabia's record on repression of free speech and other rights violations. "Everyone performing in Riyadh should use this high-profile opportunity to call for the release of detained Saudi activists," said a Human Rights Watch researcher. Per the Independent and Deadline, other big names set to perform include Chris Tucker, Aziz Ansari, Sebastian Maniscalco, and Hannibal Buress, the comedian whose reupped allegations against Bill Cosby started a chain reaction that helped lead to Cosby's eventual downfall. Check out all the performers so far here. (Reuters) -Meta Platforms said on Friday it would offer an ad-free subscription option to Facebook and Instagram users in the United Kingdom in the coming weeks. The move will give users a choice between paying a monthly fee or continuing to use the services for free with targeted advertising, a model that has faced increasing scrutiny from European regulators. The subscriptions, priced at 2.99 pounds ($3.99) a month on the web and 3.99 pounds on iOS and Android, reflect similar offerings Meta has rolled out in the European Union to comply with data privacy rules. The latest announcement comes after the country's data protection authority raised concerns about how platforms handle personal information for advertising. Meta said the ad-free tier was designed to give people more control over their online experience while preserving the company's ability to provide free services funded by ads. Users who choose the paid plan will not see ads and their data will not be used for advertising purposes. The shift reflects a broader industry trend as tech firms face pressure from regulators over the use of personal data and targeted ads. Apple and Alphabet's Google have also made changes in response to privacy demands, reshaping how online advertising works. Meta's ads business accounted for about 98% of its $164.5 billion in revenue last year, making the balancing act between privacy rules and ad sales central to its growth strategy. ($1 = 0.7491 pounds) (Reporting by Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar) The State Department has announced it's revoking Colombian President Gustavo Petro's visa after he participated in a New York protest where he called on American soldiers to disobey President Trump's orders. In a social media post, the department said it was pulling Petro's visa "due to his reckless and incendiary actions." Petro was in New York for the UN General Assembly, the AP reports. During a nearby protest in the city over the war in Gaza, he said, "I ask all the soldiers of the United States' army, don't point your rifles against humanity" and "disobey the orders of Trump." It was unclear if the decision forced Petro, who returned to Colombia on Saturday, to leave the US earlier than expected. The State Department did not answer questions about whether the revocation would affect future visits. Petro, Colombia's first leftist president, used a post on X addressed to Trump to say that "international law grants me immunity to go to the U.N. and that there should be no reprisals for my free opinion, because I am a free person." Petro also posted "I don't care" about the punishment because he is also a European citizen. That means he does not need a visa to travel to the US. Colombia's relations with the US became shaky when Trump returned to office, per Reuters, per Reuters, once Petro wouldn't accept US military flights carrying deportees under Trump's immigration policy. Trump threatened to retaliate with higher tariffs and visa suspensions, and Petro's government relented on accepting the deportees. The US is Colombia's biggest trading partner and principal ally against drug trafficking. This week, Petro ripped the US fatal airstrikes on boats in the Caribbean, suggesting they constitute murder. The Pentagon is working on plans to attack drug traffickers inside Venezuela, an operation that could begin in weeks, people familiar with the operation told NBC News. President Trump posted last weekend that military had destroyed a boat in the Caribbean that he said was carrying narco-traffickers and drugs for the third time in a month. Striking inside Venezuela's borders would represent an escalation of the administration's campaign. No such operation has been approved yet by the president, officials said. The plans under discussion center on drone strikes against the leaders and members of drug trafficking groups, as well as drug labs. A 10-foot statue of rock 'n' roll queen Tina Turner was unveiled Saturday in the rural Tennessee community where she grew up before becoming a Grammy-winning singer, an electrifying stage performer, and one the world's most recognizable and popular entertainers. The statue was revealed during a ceremony at a park in Brownsville, located about an hour drive east of Memphis, the AP reports. The city of about 9,000 people is near Nutbush, the community where Turner went to school as a child. As a teen, she attended high school just steps from where the statue now stands. The statue shows Turner with her signature hairdo and holding a microphone, as if she was singing onstage. It was designed by sculptor Fred Ajanogha, who said he tried to capture her flexibility of movement onstage, how she held the microphone with her index finger extended, and her hair style, which he compared to the "mane of a lion." The statue was sculpted in clay and cast in bronze, and it took about a year to complete. Turner died May 24, 2023, at age 83 after a long illness in her home near Zurich. Her Grammy-winning singing career included the hits "Nutbush City Limits," "Proud Mary," "Private Dancer," and "We Don't Need Another Hero." Her movie credits include "Tommy" and "Last Action Hero." The unveiling was part of the 10th annual Tina Turner Heritage Days, a celebration of her life growing up in rural Tennessee before she moved away as a teenager. Karen Cook said she traveled from Georgia with her friend, a cousin of Turner's, to honor the legendary performer. "It's a big deal and a great thing for the community to have Tina Turner in her small town," said Cook, 59. About 50 donors gave money for the statue, including Ford Motor Co., which donated $150,000. Ford is building an electric truck factory in nearby Stanton. The statue stands near a museum honoring Turner at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville. Unidentified drones have breached Denmark's largest military base, fueling concerns of a "hybrid attack" and suspicions about Russian involvementas well as NATO action. Military and police said the drones were detected over several military sites on Friday night into Saturday, including the base at Karup, France24 reports. The Karup base, which accommodates Denmark's helicopter fleet, airspace surveillance, flight school, and support functions, shares its runways with a civilian airport. The airport was briefly closed, but no flights were disrupted due to the timing. There was no attempt to bring the drones down. The military and police are investigating. NATO then announced on Saturday that it will step up its surveillance and upgrade its Baltic Sea mission, per Reuters. The response is to involve new assets including "intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platforms and at least one air-defense frigate," officials said. NATO did not say which member nations are contributing to the mission. In recent days, similar drone sightings have led to temporary airport closures across Denmark and in Oslo. These flights follow the violation of Estonian airspace by Russian jets and drone incursions into Polish and Romanian territory. On Saturday, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt told reporters that his office is working on rules to govern detecting, intercepting, andif needed shooting down drones, per the AP. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described the flights as "hybrid attacks" and suggested Russia poses the primary threat to European security. Denmark's defense minister indicated the drone flights appear to be the work of professionals. Moscow has denied involvement, calling the accusations "a staged provocation." Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov issued a stark warning to the West on Saturday, telling the United Nations General Assembly that any attack by NATO or the European Union would be met with a "decisive response." His comments were delivered against a backdrop of the war on Ukraine continuing, Estonia's accusation that Russia sent fighter jets into its airspace, and Poland's promise to shoot down Russian drones over its territory. "If there are attempts to down any flying object, any object ... in our airspace," Lavrov said in his speech, Reuters reports, "then I think people will very much regret undertaking such an egregious violation of our territorial integrity and sovereignty." Lavrov argued that claims that his country plans to attack NATO or EU countries are false. "Russia has never had and does not have any such intentions," he said, per the AP. The point apparently was a response to recent statements from Western officials, including a comment by President Trump, endorsing the idea of shooting down Russian jets that violate NATO airspace. Lavrov expressed concern about public discussion in Western capitals suggesting a potential third world war. He said these remarks only make it harder to reach agreements that reflect the interests of the global community, accusing Western leaders of trying to impose their views on others. Three years after Russia invaded Ukraine, Lavrov brought up Trump's recent summit in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "In the approaches of the current US administration, we see a desire not only to contribute to ways to realistically resolve the Ukrainian crisis, but also a desire to develop pragmatic cooperation without adopting an ideological stance," he said. Khalid Yousif Al Jalahma, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs, took part in the annual ministerial meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), held in New York on the sidelines of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. In his remarks, Al Jalahma expressed Bahrains appreciation to the Republic of Turkiye for chairing the current OIC Council of Foreign Ministers and to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for continuously hosting the organizations headquarters and supporting its work. He reaffirmed Bahrains commitment to supporting just Islamic causes, strengthening multilateral cooperation, backing joint Islamic initiatives, and maintaining active participation in the OIC to serve member states interests, security, and sustainable development. The Undersecretary underscored the importance of enhancing solidarity among Islamic countries and supporting efforts to achieve peace and stability. He stressed the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the delivery of humanitarian aid, and the release of hostages and detainees. He also urged the international community to support global efforts toward implementing the two-state solution, ensuring the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in line with international legitimacy. The meeting was also attended by Hatem Abdulhameed Hatem, Head of the Organizations Sector at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Court of the Crown Prince (CCP) has announced that His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, will undertake an official visit to the Vatican City State and the Italian Republic. The visit highlights His Royal Highness commitment to strengthening the longstanding ties between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Vatican, as well as enhancing the partnership between Bahrain and Italy in support of shared goals and mutual interests. During the visit, His Royal Highness is expected to hold meetings with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV and Her Excellency Giorgia Meloni, President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic, alongside other senior officials, to explore new opportunities and further develop bilateral cooperation. TDT | Manama Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, began an official visit to the Italian Republic on Saturday, underscoring the deep-rooted friendship and expanding cooperation between the two nations. The visit builds on decades of diplomatic relations and reflects Bahrains commitment, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, to strengthening international partnerships, promoting sustainable development, and advancing peace and dialogue as cornerstones of global stability. Expanding strategic ties HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Ministers meetings with senior Italian officials will focus on enhancing cooperation across key sectors, including trade, investment, energy, technology, and cultural exchange. Both countries are expected to discuss regional and international developments, highlighting the importance of joint coordination in addressing global challenges and promoting security. The visit comes at a significant time, following Prime Minister Giorgia Melonis historic trip to Bahrain earlier this year the first by an Italian premier to the Kingdom. That visit marked a new phase in bilateral relations, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening GulfEuropean dialogue. Economic and cultural cooperation Economic cooperation remains a cornerstone of the relationship. Non-oil trade between Bahrain and Italy reached USD 779 million in 2024, making Italy Bahrains leading European trade partner. More than 130 Italian companies are active in the Kingdom, spanning industries from food production to advanced manufacturing. Cultural and academic ties have also deepened, most notably through the establishment of the King Hamad Chair for Interfaith Dialogue and Peaceful Coexistence at Sapienza University in Rome. Such initiatives reflect Bahrains vision of fostering dialogue among civilizations and promoting values of tolerance and coexistence. A relationship of shared values With Bahrain playing a pivotal role in the Gulf region and Italy positioned as a key European and global player, both countries see their partnership as strategically important. Shared priorities include regional security, combating terrorism, addressing climate change, and advancing cooperation between the Gulf and the European Union. The Crown Princes visit is expected to pave the way for further collaboration and reinforce a relationship built on mutual respect, shared values, and a common vision for prosperity and stability. HYOGO, Sep 27 (News On Japan) - Parents of a young girl victimized in a voyeurism case at a swimming school in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, have filed for mediation, seeking stronger measures to prevent recurrence. The petition was submitted to the Osaka Summary Court by the parents, whose daughter attended JSS Himeji Swimming School three years ago. According to court records, instructor Kazuma Yoshii, 51, was convicted of committing obscene acts against female students and producing child pornography. He is currently serving a four-year prison sentence. Following the incident, the school introduced preventive measures such as increased patrols and the hiring of additional female staff. However, the parents argue that the schools review of the incident remains inadequate and are calling for an independent analysis of the causes. The operating company of the school has declined to comment. Source: KTV NEWS (Reuters) -Meta staffers have had discussions with Alphabet's Google Cloud about the possibility of using its Gemini models to improve the Facebook parent's ad business, the Information reported on Thursday. The talks are still in relatively early stages and may not result in an agreement, the report said, citing people with knowledge of the conversations. Alphabet declined to comment, while Meta did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The Meta employees have proposed fine-tuning rival Google's Gemini and open-source Gemma models on Meta's ad data to improve its ad targeting capabilities, the report said. The Instagram and WhatsApp owner's move to pick Google's AI over its own in-house models underscores the issues the company has had with scaling AI technology, despite the billions of dollars it has spent on research, infrastructure and talent. Meta and Google directly compete in the online advertising market. In their most recent quarterly earnings reports both companies said that their investments in AI are fueling gains in their core ad businesses. Meta had already been considering partnerships with Google or ChatGPT maker OpenAI to improve AI features, including conversational responses for queries on its chatbot Meta AI and to power AI features in Meta's social media apps, the Information reported last month. (Reporting by Deborah Sophia in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona) TOKYO, Sep 27 (News On Japan) - The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership race entered its fifth day on September 26th, with Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi forced to apologize after his campaign team was found to have requested supportive online posts from backers. Koizumi, 44, said, "If I had been stronger and more responsible, this situation would not have arisen. I deeply regret causing concern." His apology came after it was revealed that the office of former Digital Minister Karen Makishima, serving as head of Koizumis campaign communications, had emailed campaign affiliates requesting positive comments on videos of Koizumi. According to party sources, the email included 24 example comments. These ranged from phrases such as "No doubt hell be the next president," "This is the real frontrunner," "At last the star has arrived," and "The essence of the conservative LDP shines through," to appeals like "Give us reason to hope in the LDP again," and "Please rebuild the party." Others praised Koizumis appearance and performance, with examples like "His expression seems differentmore refined than last year," and "Impressive that he persuaded Ishiba." Some of the suggested comments appeared to target rival candidate Sanae Takaichi, urging readers to resist "pseudo-conservatives for business interests," and emphasizing the need for "someone who works earnestly without showmanship" and "the importance of allies in policymaking." On September 26th, Koizumi admitted the facts, denied personal involvement, but apologized: "The office acted on its own in circulating reference examples. While I understand the intention was simply to spread supportive messages, some expressions went too far. I did not know about it myself, but as this concerns the leadership election, I accept responsibility. Criticism should be directed at me. I will ensure there is no repeat and will continue this race with full discipline." Koizumis team has downplayed the controversy, arguing that "asking supporters to write encouraging comments is not inherently problematic" and seeking to bring closure after his public apology. Takaichis camp, however, reacted angrily. One lawmaker wrote on social media, "This is a serious matter that undermines the integrity of the leadership election." On the same day, election management committee chair Hiroshi Aisawa stressed that energizing the leadership race through social media is important, but urged campaigns not to inflame confrontation between camps. Makishima herself issued a statement acknowledging responsibility: "Due to my lack of oversight, some of the suggested phrases contained inappropriate expressions. I sincerely apologize." A political commentator noted the phrases had the flavor of "modern catchphrases, some of which may seem questionable," and cautioned viewers not to take such posts at face value. "In the world of online politics, regulation is difficult. Its important that people who receive such messages remain discerning and not accept everything uncritically," he said. Source: FNN TOKYO, Sep 27 (News On Japan) - Japans tea culture has long been woven into everyday life, but an unprecedented global boom in matcha is forcing a shift that is putting sencha, the familiar green tea, under pressure. A matcha specialty store in Tokyos Asakusa, popular with foreign tourists who now account for about 80 percent of customers, offers rich matcha drinks and desserts such as ice cream and cream puffs. Visitors from the United States praised the taste, calling it delicious and I love matcha. Demand is rising worldwide, but shop operators say they are considering price hikes as raw material costs climb. According to Sugawara Mirai, manager of Rai Ichi-cha Matcha Experience, Inbound demand is high, and that is pushing up the price of matcha. The average cost per kilogram has surged 1.5 times in five years, with Uji tea in Kyoto expected to reach around 14,000 yen per kilogram in 2025about 2.6 times higher than 2024 levels. Farmers are responding by shifting from sencha to tencha, the shaded tea leaves used to produce matcha. At Yame Miryokuen Seicha in Fukuoka, president Kazunobu Ejima said that where production once consisted of 70 percent sencha and 30 percent matcha, the ratio has now flipped to 60 percent matcha and 40 percent sencha. The cultivation of tencha requires covering fields with black sheets for around 20 days before harvest, adding to labor but offering higher returns. This trend, however, is straining sencha supply. Prices for first-flush sencha in Kyoto reached 4,482 yen per kilogram, up more than 1,000 yen from 2024, while second-flush leaves, used in bottled drinks, rose over 60 percent. Consumers in the streets voiced concern: Sencha is the taste we are used to. Its important for Japanese people, from the elderly to children. If prices go up, it will be a problem. Some growers remain cautious. In Saitama, where the Sayama tea brand is cultivated, farmer Masahiro Okutomi of Okutomi-en noted that while inquiries for matcha have surged from countries such as Mongolia, the UK, Germany, the US, and the Philippines since December 2024, he is reluctant to abandon sencha entirely. With the so-called matcha bubble, unit prices are totally different, but sencha prices are rising too. We must keep producing enough sencha to meet demand. If theres extra capacity, then maybe well shift part to matcha, he said. The dilemma for farmers is clear: whether to preserve sencha culture or pursue higher profits from matcha. KANAGAWA, Sep 27 (News On Japan) - Animal Welfare Week, which began on September 20th, is casting a spotlight on the growing trend of supporting shelter dogs through so-called "oshi-katsu," or fan activities, with a system now in place that connects adoption matching with financial contributions. At a shelter in Kanagawa Prefecture, dogs were being photographed from different angles, some resting sleepily in the sun, to prepare images for registration on a new service that allows users to follow and support specific animals. The initiative, launched in June, links shelters with a platform that lets users choose their favorite dogs and send financial support in units of 300 points, a mechanism similar to online tipping. The service aims both to improve the chances of adoption and to provide a sustainable source of income for shelters, where funding has long been a pressing challenge. Importantly, the platform is designed not only for people hoping to become pet owners but also for those who wish to support dogs yet cannot keep one themselves. As of September 25th, the dog earning the most support at the Kanagawa facility was Tora, a five-year-old rescued about four years ago. "If more people come to know these dogs, they will be seen in a brighter light, and better outcomes will follow," said Hidetaka Kikuchi, representative of Kanagawa Dog Protection. So far, about 20 shelters nationwide have partnered with the platform, and expectations are rising for how far the initiative can spread. Looking ahead, organizers are also planning live streams, talk shows, and other interactive events to further engage supporters. Source: FNN HOKKAIDO, Sep 27 (News On Japan) - A 10-vehicle collision on Route 36 in Eniwa, Hokkaido, on Thursday morning left two women with minor injuries and set off a dramatic police pursuit, as the driver suspected of causing the crash abandoned his car and fled on foot before being arrested several kilometers away. Police identified the suspect as Tomohiro Imakita, a 33-year-old part-time worker from Eniwa City, who allegedly caused the chain collision by recklessly driving and crashing into multiple cars near the roadside rest area Hana Road Eniwa. After abandoning his car, Imakita fled on foot, escaping about three kilometers from the crash site before entering a factory premises. Security camera footage later captured Imakita running through the factory grounds with several officers in pursuit. About 30 seconds after being cornered, he was subdued and arrested on the spot for trespassing. The pursuit and arrest took place roughly two and a half hours after the collision, with footage showing officers finally tackling the suspect from behind. Police suspect he was responsible for initiating the accident by driving erratically, and investigators are examining the link between the collision and his subsequent actions. Imakita has so far remained silent during questioning. Related: Driver Flees After Causing 10-Car Pileup Source: FNN TOKYO, Sep 27 (News On Japan) - An annual correctional exhibition was held at the Tokyo Detention House on September 27th, showcasing and selling products made by inmates as part of prison labor programs. The event aims to deepen public understanding of correctional facilities and prison work. A total of 490 items, including daily necessities and furniture made by inmates nationwide, were displayed and sold, with part of the proceeds allocated to organizations supporting crime victims. Under the new custodial sentence system introduced this year, prison labor is no longer mandatory but carried out for rehabilitation and crime prevention purposes. At the venue, a portable shrine made by inmates at Toyama Prison was offered for more than 1.23 million yen, while a hands-on corner allowed visitors to experience cloisonne enamel crafting from Kasamatsu Prison in Gifu Prefecture. One six-year-old child, struggling with the craft, admitted, "I cant make it well. (Q: Is it difficult?) Yes." The childs mother added, "I want to show my child that inmates also work hard like this." The event also featured food prepared from detention house recipes, including Prison Koppe bread and Prison Curry, which drew a long line of eager visitors. One participant commented, "It tastes like the nostalgic curry youd have at home." By 2 p.m., about 8,000 people had visited the site. Television personality Shinji Uchiyama also took part in the event, serving as one-day warden of the Tokyo Detention House. Source: TBS Toronto - September 25, 2025 Navigating change: Risks, resilience and reinvention TORONTO, Sept. 26, 2025 /CNW/ - Check against delivery Peter Routledge participates in a fireside chat at the 2025 IIF-CBA Canada Forum (CNW Group/Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions) Geopolitics Moderator: On the topic of geopolitical risk, what are the risks that are keeping you up at night? Superintendent Peter Routledge: OSFI's 2025 Annual Risk Outlook identifies integrity and security threats as a key supervisory priority. Geopolitical instability, fast-moving technologies, and third-party reliance makes financial institutions vulnerable to cyber-attacks, state-linked interference, and integrity-related risks. These threats are no longer hypothetical, and they aim to disrupt trust and financial stability. Indeed, these integrity & security risks can expose banks and insurers to financial losses and reputational damage. as a key supervisory priority. Geopolitical instability, fast-moving technologies, and third-party reliance makes financial institutions vulnerable to cyber-attacks, state-linked interference, and integrity-related risks. These threats are no longer hypothetical, and they aim to disrupt trust and financial stability. Indeed, these integrity & security risks can expose banks and insurers to financial losses and reputational damage. We've all seen ransomware, data breaches, and state-linked activity intensify. AI is accelerating the pace and scale of these threats . . OSFI'S mandate is to provide guidance so institutions remain resilient. This is now more relevant than ever before in the face of heightened geopolitical risk and evolving integrity & security risks, whether related to tariffs, trade protectionism, or broader uncertainty in the global market. We at OSFI, like other government institutions, are also subject to these risks and are increasing measures and focusing resources to deal with them. We too face the same challenge. Moderator: Geopolitical risk has many financial and operational dimensions. How is OSFI thinking about these interlinked risks? Superintendent Peter Routledge: Criminals and state-linked actors involved in money laundering, fraud , and cyber-attacks are becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect . These threats are expected to grow with advances in AI, digitalization, and increased use of third-party providers. Ransomware, software vulnerabilities, and data breaches remain high globally. These risks demand strong vigilance to maintain operational resilience. . These threats are expected to grow with advances in AI, digitalization, and increased use of third-party providers. Ransomware, software vulnerabilities, and data breaches remain high globally. These risks demand strong vigilance to maintain operational resilience. Heavy reliance on third-party providers can render institutions more vulnerable to cyber and insider threats . Financial institutions must conduct thorough due diligence to secure their service networks and ensure resilience against these risks. . Financial institutions must conduct thorough due diligence to secure their service networks and ensure resilience against these risks. To address growing integrity and security risks, institutions need strong compliance, risk, and governance controls, along with ongoing updates to their risk frameworks. Institutions face compounding risks. For example, a cyber breach can expose sensitive data. We supervise to ensure these risks are mitigated. Moderator: How do you feel the Canadian financial system is positioned to manage these risks? Superintendent Peter Routledge: In response, OSFI has established a dedicated Integrity and Security Risk Division and a National Security Sector . We have adjusted our supervisory work to address integrity and security deficiencies more explicitly and actively. . We have adjusted our work to address integrity and security deficiencies more explicitly and actively. We now engage institutions more directly on these risks through thematic reviews, targeted examinations, and our collaboration with Canada's security and intelligence agencies. This helps institutions shore up governance, third-party oversight, and cyber resilience. through thematic reviews, targeted examinations, and our collaboration with Canada's security and intelligence agencies. This helps institutions shore up governance, third-party oversight, and cyber resilience. We have hosted a classified national security forum in 2024 with CSIS (Canadian Security Intelligence Service) and CSE (Communications Security Establishment) to brief institutions on emerging threats. These sessions will continue. in 2024 with CSIS (Canadian Security Intelligence Service) and CSE (Communications Security Establishment) to brief institutions on emerging threats. These sessions will continue. Our Integrity and National Security team is equipped with the security clearance, expertise, and tools to bring a variety of classified and unclassified information resources together. This lets us better see where these risks may affect financial institutions , including attempts to influence their boards and management. We apply this knowledge in our supervision of institutions to bolster financial sector resilience. , including attempts to influence their boards and management. We apply this knowledge in our supervision of institutions to bolster financial sector resilience. Institutions need to proactively guard against integrity and security risks . . We count on boards of directors to take the long view on combatting integrity & security threats to their organizations. We expect boards to ensure their management teams are investing to protect long-term franchise values of their institutions. Moderator: At the Scotiabank Financials Summit earlier this month you said: "From 1990 to 2022, we were living in a world that didn't require that level of defence investing." You then added that "We're in a different world and the Government has made a very clear commitment to defence spending." I believe we would all agree the world is experiencing seismic geo-political shifts. In fact, one of our next panels will explore some of those themes. But to narrow the aperture, could you elaborate on OSFI's thinking about risk weights to help enable defence lending? Superintendent Peter Routledge: With the federal government committing to increased NATO-aligned defence spending, the lending landscape may need to evolve . . As we would with any major policy shift, OSFI will examine whether current risk weighting adjustments can be made without compromising financial resilience. OSFI is not a "magic switch" for unlocking defence lending, but it could possibly be a helpful enabler . . OSFI's role is not to drive change, but to enable it intelligently and incrementally where we can. We have not come to any conclusions. Any potential changes would be subject to a rigorous public consultation process through CAR 2027. Regulation and international competition Moderator: Since the global financial crisis, the financial system has become more resilient and stable. We have seen higher capital and liquidity requirements and tighter supervision. Recently though, we are seeing several jurisdictions begin to revisit these actions to spur economic growth. As a Canadian regulator how do you decide when to make similar types of changes to ensure the competitiveness of the Canadian financial system, and how do you calibrate those to fit the situation in Canada? Superintendent Peter Routledge: We supervise Canadian financial institutions against the Basel III international banking standards to ensure their capital, liquidity, and risk management practices maintain the resilience and soundness of the financial system. Canadian financial institutions to ensure their capital, liquidity, and risk management practices maintain the resilience and soundness of the financial system. Over the last 15 years, OSFI has built enduring resilience into Canada's financial system. That resilience is a strategic advantage to be leveraged to support growth in the Canadian economy. A strong, stable financial system isn't just a safeguardit's a catalyst for national prosperity. Canada's systemically important banks are profitable . They reported Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratios that averaged 13.7% in the most recent quarter. Banks could make nearly $1 trillion in loans, or other extensions of credit, and remain above current capital minimums; a material figure to Canada's $3 trillion economy. . They reported Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratios that averaged 13.7% in the most recent quarter. Banks could make nearly $1 trillion in loans, or other extensions of credit, and remain above current capital minimums; a material figure to Canada's $3 trillion economy. Canada's banks have ample capacity to help fund the country's adjustment to this new era. Elsewhere, Canadian life insurers have boosted their core capital ratios by 13% over the past 6 years and maintain ample capital buffers that can be similarly leveraged for new investments in the Canadian economy. Artificial intelligence Moderator: How is OSFI considering AI both for use by OSFI as the regulator, and for those OSFI regulates? Superintendent Peter Routledge: AI is part of OSFI's expanding integrity and security risk lens . AI technologies present both opportunities and risks to the financial system. OSFI is focused on how AI affects institutions' financial resilience and operational, cyber, and integrity and security risk profiles. OSFI is focused on how AI affects institutions' financial resilience and operational, cyber, and integrity and security risk profiles. We encourage thoughtful adoptionAI tools may become essential for areas like fraud detection and cybersecurity, but institutional governance and control must keep pace with deployment. detection and cybersecurity, but institutional governance and control must keep pace with deployment. OSFI is taking a measured, fact-based approach to AI oversight. It has the ability to both reduce and amplify existing risks depending on how it's used. This makes it difficult to identify and manage, however this is why many of our existing risk management frameworks, including those for cybersecurity, third party risk, and model risk (to name a few) remain highly relevant and provide a strong foundation for oversight. We are building supervisory capacity, and through our ongoing work and collaboration with experts, we are assessing how institutions are deploying AI especially in areas like credit risk, model risk, cybersecurity, and decision-making. We're also analyzing how AI may amplify or mask existing risks. Internally, OSFI is actively exploring the safe, transparent use of AI and automation to support supervision, analysis, and internal operations. Our approach prioritizes accountability, explainability, and data security. Moderator: AI has risks and opportunities. How is OSFI thinking about these? Superintendent Peter Routledge: AI is a powerful toolbut it must be adopted responsibly. AI can enhance productivity and efficiency, both for financial institutions and for OSFI itself. But if deployed without proper safeguards, it can also amplify a range of existing risks. AI increases multiple risk typesboth internally and externally. Internally, AI can raise model risk, operational risk, and legal or reputational risk (to name just a few). Externally, malicious actors using AI tools can increase cyber threats, financial fraud , and geopolitical interference. , and geopolitical interference. OSFI's existing guidance already addresses many AI-related risks. We already supervise institutions' management of model risk, cyber resilience, third-party relationships, and operational risk. These are foundational to mitigating AI risks. These are foundational to mitigating AI risks. OSFI collaborates actively on AI oversight. We're working with stakeholders and international partners to stay ahead of technological change. Through the Financial Industry Forum on Artificial Intelligence (FIFAI) series with the Global Risk Institute in 2022, we developed shared knowledge and responsible adoption principles, such as the EDGE framework (explainability-data-governance-ethics). In 2024, we collaborated with FCAC to co-publish the Risk Report AI Uses and Risks at Federally Regulated Financial Institutions. Most recently we began working with partners on the second FIFAI. SOURCE Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang gives a comprehensive Year in AI Recap and forward-looking discussion on the explosive growth of AI infrastructure, scaling laws, partnerships, competitive dynamics, and geopolitical implications. Nvidias recently announced an OpenAI Stargate partnership and an investment in OpenAI. AI computing is an industrial revolution on par with electricity or jet engines. Huang dismisses skeptics on bubbles/gluts and emphasizes Nvidias moat through extreme co-design, and advocates for U.S. leadership via pro-growth policies. AI has evolved from one-shot inference (pre-training + post-training) to thinking AI via chain-of-thought reasoning, tool use, multimodality, and agent systems. This integrates training and inference in reinforcement learning. There are now three scaling laws. 1. Pre-training: Memorizing/generalizing data (like 88=64). 2. Post-training: AI practicing skills through iterative inference. 3. Inference: From one-shot answers to prolonged thinking (research, ground-truth checks). This potentially scales compute needs by a billion times. Not just 100 or 1,000 as Huang predicted a year ago. Token generation doubles every few months. Performance per watt must match to avoid cost explosions. This drives Nvidias annual advanced chip release cadence. Hopper Blackwell: 30 perf via NVLink Then Rubin Ultra Feynman next. Nvidia invests $100B over time in OpenAI. This is optional and is not tied to sales. Nvidia becomes a preferred partner for self-built AI infrastructure. Nvidia is more critical to OpenAI than Microsoft. OpenAIs Stargate: 10GW data centers (additive to existing Azure/OCI/CoreWeave builds, totaling 5-7GW+). If Nvidia supplies, ~$400B revenue potential. OpenAI transitions from outsourcing (to Microsoft or others) and OpenAI strategy becomes a hyperscaler-like self-build. AI Productivity AI augments human intelligence. Human intelligence is now ~$50T of global GDP, 55-65%. If a $100K employee gets $10K AI 2-3 productivity then this is hugely valuable Nvidias 100% co-agent coverage boosts hiring/growth. $10T augmentation $5T capex (50% gross margins) for AI factories generating tokens continuously versus static software. TAM Estimate: Current $400B annual. 4-5 growth to $1-2T+ by decade-end/ Alibaba: 10 data center power by 2030. This correlates to Nvidia revenue via watts. Nvidias Moat: Extreme Co-Design and Annual Cadence Nvidia pace of annual releases would be impossible without internal AI co-design. Progress has been exponential. Over the last ten years performance from the KeplerHopper increased 100,000. HopperBlackwell: 30 via NVLink). Roadmap: Blackwell (2025), Rubin (H2 2026), Ultra (2027), Feynman (2028). Extreme Co-Design is used to optimize model/algorithm/system/chip simultaneously. This is beyond Moores Law. There are 6-8 chips variants each year. There are GPU/CPU/networking/NVLink/Spectrum-X Ethernet. Fastest growing business is the ethernet side of Nvidia. Scales to multi-factory clusters. Moat Strength is increasing. There is more competition, but it is harder due to scale/wafer costs. $50B purchase orders on unproven arches only for Nvidia only. Only Nvidia has a proven ecosystem. Supply chain pre-builds $hundreds of billions on Nvidia visibility. CUDA programmability enables transformer experiments. ASICsc ompetitors are Limited to niches (like transcoders). Large markets demand customer-owned tooling. Google TPUs are going to v7 (version 7). Google still buys Nvidia GPUs. Even free ASICs lose to Nvidias 30 perf/watt (2GW power 2 revenue). Disaggregated factories. Dynamo open-sourced. NV Fusion integrates Intel/ARM. Ecosystem and Broader Impacts Elon/xAI/Tesla. Jensen praises Elon as the ultimate GPU. XAI Colossus 1: 230K H100s/H200/B200. Colossus 2 is 500K GB200s and soon 1M. They are potentially at a 1GW first. xAI investment is incredible and XAI has a full-stack build advantage. Sovereign AI is an existential need. Nvidia as global infrastructure partner. There is and will be an energy renaissance with nuclear and gas. The US Trump admin is pro-growth/energy/tech. They provide an Open-door for CEO access. Exports will accelerate. Reindustrialization/upskilling. AI can be an equalizer. It can close tech divideno coding needed. Industrial/digital revolutions accelerated GDP. AI will be co-workers for billions 4%+ growth. Abundance age: Raise floor (reindustrialize; AI for all 8B people). NBF commentary. OpenAI could go to $2-5 trillion by 2030. Nvidia could go to $8-15 trillion by 2030. If XAI is the AI winner then it could go to $5-10 trillion by 2030. By David Kirton FOSHAN, China (Reuters) -In China's "Furniture Kingdom" of Lecong, home to a strip of cavernous malls, vendors shrugged off the latest round of tariffs from Washington, saying they've long given up on the U.S. market. As part of his latest tariff onslaught, U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday announced a 50% levy on imported kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities, as well as a 30% tariff on upholstered furniture, to take effect on October 1. But in one of dozens of malls along the strip in southern China, Feng Junyuan, a sales manager at Hansen Outdoor Furniture, which makes upholstered chairs, said her company had already reduced its reliance on the once lucrative U.S. market. ALTERNATIVE MARKETS AND WEAK DOMESTIC DEMAND "We havent really bothered with the U.S. market since last November when it was clear the tariffs were coming in. No one visits us from there, and we don't try to sell. It's just too expensive," she told Reuters. Lecong, like other factory towns in China's "workshop of the world" in the Pearl River Delta with large manufacturing clusters, features more than 180 furniture malls crammed with retailers, wholesalers and distributors selling products from plywood tables to plush leather sofas. According to the website of Lecong's Chamber of Commerce, the town became the earliest furniture market in China more than 30 years ago, when it catered to international customers including those in the more lucrative and higher margin European and North American markets. In recent years, however, geopolitical tensions, tariffs, and rising labour and production costs have hurt Chinese manufacturers who have had to adapt to survive. The domestic Chinese market, meanwhile, has also been hurt by weak consumption amid an economic downturn and property market slump. Feng has downsized her workforce to 10-20 workers, around a quarter of its peak. She now sells around 60% of her products domestically and 40% overseas, mostly India and Africa. Jin Yun, the boss of Hanfei Furniture, a mid- to high-end sofa maker in a mall featuring slogans like "your one-stop home furniture partner", said business this year had been average, with most of his clients in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. "Last years tariff increase had a big impact. We still had two American customers at that time, but they ended up cancelling an order when the tariffs came and there was no sale," he told Reuters. "There's a lot of problems for manufacturers in every industry, not just furniture. The market is smaller and theres a lot of competition, but we'll survive." The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) is one of the 10 Best Defense Contractor Stocks to Buy Now. Boeing Shares Slide After Deadly Air India Crash Raises Fresh Safety Fears On September 23, 2025, negotiations between the U.S. and China over a Boeing aircraft order, which is huge according to Ambassador David Perdue, moved into its final stages. This reflects the renewed demand from one of the companys biggest markets. The ambassador, who spoke in Beijing with a bipartisan U.S. delegation, stated that the deal could close within weeks. However, he did not give any details. Bloomberg reported earlier that The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) may sell up to 500 aircraft to China. If this materializes, it would help end a prolonged sales slump and offset safety scrutiny. Furthermore, the U.S. Department of Defense announced a day earlier that multiple contracts had been awarded to The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA), worth more than $93 million, including a $55.8 million contract for Qatars F-15 program, a $7.5 million modification to support Germanys P-8 Poseidon aircraft, and a $30.3 million modification covering Kuwaits AH-64E Apache helicopters. These wins reflect the companys ongoing strength across both commercial and defense segments. With its Commercial Airplanes, Defense, Space & Security, and Global Services segments, The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) designs and services commercial jetliners and defense systems globally. It is one of the Best Defense Contractor Stocks. While we acknowledge the potential of BA as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're 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: 15 Stocks That Will Benefit From AI and 14 Best IT Stocks to Buy for the Long Term. Disclosure: None. Executives from Pernod Ricard, Suntory and Brown-Forman are to feature at Just Drinks annual Spirits Strategies and Innovation conference this week. The two-day event, in partnership with our sister events business Arena International, is taking place this year at The Minster Building in London on 22 and 23 October. Non-alc spirits businesses, DioniLife, Botivo and CleanCo will also be on stage to discuss the rise in alternatives to conventional spirits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The programme includes roundtables to dive deeper into key topics, supporting your opportunities to network. During a panel on the first morning, executives from Botivo, CleanCo and Scottish spirits business Highland Boundary will explore the rise of moderation and how that is shaping consumer demand. The morning on day one will also hear from UK distributor Mangrove, which will set out how spirits brands can build a distinctive identity in a crowded market. After lunch, Racheal Vaughan Jones, the CMO at Scotch whisky business Compass Box, will consider another key trend central to many a distillers corporate strategy: premiumisation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The afternoon on the first day has a panel featuring Pernod Ricard whisky arm Chivas Brothers, Mast-Jagermeister, RTD brand Moth, UK rum business Duppy Share and gin firm Renais discussing marketing tie-ups, including with luxury brands and celebrities. Brown-Forman will round out day one with a fireside chat on cocktail culture in the on-trade. Suntory Global Spirits kicks off day two with a keynote presentation from Paul Thomas, the Jim Beam makers insight director, looking ahead to trading conditions in the next 12 months and beyond. The morning on the second day will also hear from Christian Visalli, spirits MD at brandy and whisky maker Familia Torres, setting out how legacy brands can thrive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After lunch, Raj Batra, the founder and CEO of UK on-demand spirits maker Diistil, will explore some of the more emerging product categories in Europe. Later, Highland Boundary director and founder Marian Bruce will discuss how women are breaking barriers in the spirits sector. You can find more information and booking details on the event website. We hope to see you there! Contact: If you have questions about tickets, group discounts, sponsorship or marketing, contact Ben Gemmell: ben.gemmell@arena-international.com Arena International is home to a series of conferences covering the issues and trends shaping the food and drinks sector, including Eco Drinks, Dairy Innovation Strategies, International Beer Strategies and Eco Food. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Tomorrow: Pernod Ricard, Suntory, Brown-Forman to feature at Just Drinks spirits conference" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand. A Passaic County man was temporarily barred from practicing at a stress reduction clinic he operates in Bergen County amid allegations that he does not have proper education, training or licensure, officials announced Friday. Imran Rasid of Wayne, who operates Stress Reduction Clinic, Inc. in Paramus, was the subject of a civil suit and a state Superior Court judge has issued a temporary injunction while the matter proceeds in court, according to a statement from the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office. The suit seeks to permanently bar Rasid from engaging in, or holding himself out as engaging in, the practice of medicine, psychology, marriage and family therapy, professional counseling and alcohol and drug counseling, and from using titles showing he has a license in these professions, unless he is authorized by the licensing boards to do so, the office said. It also seeks to stop the clinic from holding itself out as providing any of these services, as well as civil penalties. The state opened its investigation of Rasid after receiving complaints alleging that Rasid was practicing without a license, authorities said. One complaint, filed with the State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy, was lodged by a licensed practitioner whose patient had left his care to pursue treatment with Rasid at Stress Reduction Clinic, investigators said. After visiting Rasids website and noting the unusual and confusing language used to describe the defendants practice, the practitioner alerted the Board that Rasid appeared to be practicing without a license. A second complaint was filed with the New Jersey Board of Psychological Examiners by a woman whom Rasid was treating for anxiety, officials said. During virtual sessions, Rasid allegedly told her he had attended school in Istanbul and that he was a medical doctor, an addiction counselor, and had a Ph.D. in psychology. The woman claimed that during the course of treatment, Rasid was reluctant to bill her health insurance carrier, the office said. Eventually she confronted him about and he terminated his services by sending a text message to her, telling her that he had been hospitalized and the doctors are checking for malignancy. I dont know if I will recover, therefore I cannot continue the sessions. I told the biller to refund your money back for the sessions we did. Thank you and take care. The New Jersey Board of Psychological Examiners received another complaint against Rasid from a different woman alleging he had been sexually inappropriate with her, officials said. The woman had been seeing Rasid once a week for three months for treatment of anxiety when he allegedly told her that he liked her, wanted to pick her up from her place of employment on his new motorcycle, and take her out for lunch or dinner. Rasid allegedly showed her his phone, where he had saved her Facebook profile picture in his camera roll, investigators said. Among other things, Rasid told her that he looked at her picture and counted the days until he saw her again. He also called her on her phone and texted her inappropriately, they said. In May 2024, a person working for the offices Division of Consumer Affairs went undercover as a patient and had two meetings with Rasid at the clinic, authorities said. Rasid introduced himself to the covert investigator by saying I am a physician, M.D. Im also a psychologist. Im a Ph.D.[.] I work for Saint Michaels Hospital, St. Josephs Hospital[.] And Im also one of the leading physicians in the world. Rasid allegedly told the covert investigator that he had been the therapist for the wife of a former world leader as well as the therapist for some celebrities from Hollywood and New York. Rasid allegedly explained how his treatment worked by telling the covert investigator that he has thousands of patients that he works with and all of them have gotten better. Rasid allegedly told the covert investigator that he also provides marriage and couples counseling and offered that service to her if she wanted to work on her relationship with her husband. Following its investigation, the state charged Rasid with multiple offenses including unlicensed practice of medicine, psychology and marriage and family. The judge issued the temporary injunction during a hearing on Wednesday and Rasid was barred from conducting any business at the clinic or any other services in the state that require professional licensure, the office said. The court did reserve its decision on whether Rasid may engage in the practice of hypnocounseling, following a request by his attorney, authorities said. Hypnocounseling is a stress management technique that can be provided by a non-licensed individual only when used to assist clients with conditions not related to a medical or mental health disorder. No attorney was listed for Rasid and nobody answered the phone at the clinic. Luxury hotel brand Icona is seeking to transform the former Crown Bank building in downtown Ocean City, seen here, into a boutique hotel. Ocean City appears poised to relocate its police force to a former, multi-story bank building downtown after weighing whether doing so would be less expensive than renovating the departments current headquarters. A new police substation is currently being built on Eighth Street steps from the citys famous boardwalk, making it readily accessible for officers to patrol the attraction. Meanwhile, city officials have pondered how to use previously designated spending toward its police headquarters. After discussing the topic, the city council introduced an ordinance to spend $12.6 million on buying 801 Asbury Ave., a seven-story building formerly home to Crown Bank. The buildings first floor is used by the Shoppes at Asbury, a set of tenant businesses. The city has leased upstairs space there for its municipal courts and some police operations, officials said Thursday. The ordinance would reallocate the price of the proposed purchase from $30 million the city approved in June 2024 for refurbishing the current police headquarters, a former school on Central Avenue diagonal to the bank building, Ocean City Solicitor Dorothy McCrosson said Thursday. The ordinance comes after Mayor Jay Gillian announced the city would likely demolish the current police station with the move. Before voting to introduce the ordinance, several council members debated its impact on commerce in Ocean City. Besides its boardwalk and beach, the city is also well known for its downtown shopping. Several business owners have spurned the prospect of police using a typically quiet shopping district for their work. The space has functioned so well that it sort of begged the question, Would this be a better space, and would it be more cost-effective to use the space at 801 than to go forward with the renovation and addition to 835 Central? McCrosson said. The purchase would also include adjoining parking lots, she said. City officials appear to be on a tight deadline to close on the bank building because of a looming hike in real estate taxes for expensive properties, McCrosson said. Under the new rules, a 3.5% tax is owed on property sales greater than $3.5 million. Ocean City has until Nov. 15 to close on the property, or else pay the higher tax, which, by estimates are at least $400,000, McCrosson said. The building, which was built in 1925, was close to becoming a hotel by the Icona chain in 2022 after the buildings owner filed for bankruptcy the prior year. Gloria Baker, who owns a boutique inside the former bank building, said shes always dreamed of becoming an Ocean City business owner. She argued on Thursday that the citys purchase and incorporation of police full-time would cause her business to close. My livelihood would be gone, Gloria told the council. Opening a store on Asbury is not feasible for me, and as we all know, finding affordable retail space on Asbury Avenue is like finding a needle in a haystack. The businesswoman suggested the environment of downtown shopping would change with police arrival. David Breeden, an Ocean City resident, opposed the purchase but was open to hearing more about it, urging the council to be cautious about its effects. The city has mulled over the police headquarters future for several years, he said. This is a long-term investment, and we need to make sure this is a wise investment, for both the business community, the community in general and for the Ocean City Police Department, Breeden said, adding he wanted officials to give me a reason to support it. Councilman Keith Hartzel said he doesnt believe the move will yield as strong a police presence downtown as some believe. However, he sided with Bakers opinion that shops are precious to Ocean Citys economy. Should the building be bought, officials should prioritize upholding the first floor for retail, he said, adding that the city is short on available space versus demand. That space is so important because I will guarantee you five or ten years from now, when theres an empty spot on this avenue, a couple of people that are in there (bank building) are going to go into those spots, Hartzel said. Our avenue is so strong right now with the level of stores that have come in, its unbelievable. Why? Because were an unbelievable downtown. Tyra Spaulding, a 2023 Miss Universe Jamaica contender, was found dead in her apartment of a suspected suicide, on Tuesday. She was 26. Spauldings relatives discovered her dead in her bedroom, The Gleaner reported, citing the Jamaica Constabulary Forces Corporate Communications Unit. Police are investigating Spauldings death as a possible suicide, US Weekly reported. The Miss Universe Jamaica organization shared on Thursday an Instagram post honoring Spaulding with a series of photos. Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of the beautiful Tyra Spaulding. She was a radiant soul and an amazing human being, the organization posted. Her light, grace, beauty and kind spirit touched every life she encountered, leaving memories that will never fade. Alongside 29 fellow contestants, Spaulding rose to the top 10 finalist spot in the Miss Universe Jamaica competition in August 2023 in Kingston, Jamaica. Contestant Jordanne Levy ultimately won the competition, according to the organizations Instagram page. She had a smile that lit up every room, bringing warmth and joy to all who had the privilege of knowing her, the organization posted. We at the Miss Universe Jamaica organization keep Tyras family, friends, and loved ones in our heartfelt prayers as we celebrate the beautiful life she shared with us. On her YouTube channel, Spaulding posted several videos talking about her mental health struggles, People.com reported. I resigned from my nine to five job, but it was a terrible decision because my mental health just took up plummeted, she said in a video posted on Aug. 30. And guys, I was at the point where I made a plan to kill myself, so anybody on air, considering (leaving your job) just dont dont do it. Spaulding in the video also disclosed that she had attempted suicide previously but was currently in therapy thanks to the help of her former boss. In another video posted on Sept. 5, she said, Im fighting for my life over here. I feel like I need to go out and do something because my mind is trying to kill me. And if I do nothing, I am going to die I am fighting for my life Im definitely in a battle right now. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors can be reduced. If you are in crisis, call the National 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 9-8-8 or visiting 988lifeline.org. Meryl Streep in August as Miranda Priestly on the "Devil Wears Prada 2" set in New York. James Devaney | GC Images Miranda Priestly has been getting around. The editor of Runway magazine was spotted Saturday at the Dolce & Gabbana show in Milan. She even shared a sweet moment with Anna Wintour, global chief content officer at Conde Nast and Vogue global editorial director. Groundbreaking. Three-time Oscar winner Meryl Streep, who plays Priestly, was in character at the fashion show in Italy for the upcoming movie The Devil Wears Prada 2. While the movie has mostly been filming in New York with a brief stop in New Jersey this past summer, Priestly is known to be a front-row guest at European fashion shows. Thats just where Streep could be found Saturday, wearing a slick, shiny, leopard-belted Dolce & Gabbana trench coat and shades and sitting runway-side with Stanley Tucci who reprises the role of Nigel Kipling in the movie to take in all the Dolce & Gabbana fashions for spring/summer 2026. The scenes, ostensibly filmed for the Devil Wears Prada sequel, had Streeps Priestly sitting across from Wintour at the fashion show. Streep and Tuccis entrance as their characters from the movie drew applause from the audience in Milan. Vogue shared a video (watch below) of Streep warmly greeting Wintour after the show. How are you? Wintour said as they embraced. You look so beautiful, Streep said. This is my first fashion show, the actor told the Vogue stalwart. Youre kidding, Wintour replied. READ MORE: The Devil Wears Prada 2 takes its fashion party to N.J. because everybody wants to be us The Devil Wears Prada 2 stars Tucci and Simone Ashley also spent some time with Wintour. In another clip, Streep raised a glass for a post-show toast with the fashion house and her co-stars. Streep (Bernardsville via Basking Ridge) joins her Devil Wears Prada co-star and fellow Jersey talent Anne Hathaway (Millburn) in the movie sequel, due out May 1, 2026. Fans of the first movie will recall that Andy Sachs, Hathaways character, has a Dolce & Gabbana moment in the film. Andy, Priestlys new assistant at Runway magazine, picks up the phone and tries to take a message (see clip below). Can you please spell Gabbana? she asks the caller, who promptly hangs up. Emily Blunt will also reprise her role as as Emily Charlton (Priestlys other assistant) in the follow-up to the hit 2006 movie, for which Streep received an Oscar nomination. (See full cast details here.) David Frankel, who helmed the first movie, returns to direct the sequel. Like the original film, The Devil Wears Prada 2 is written by New Jerseys Aline Brosh McKenna (Demarest and Montvale). READ MORE: See fashion plates Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway filming The Devil Wears Prada 2. Looks for days. Brosh McKenna adapted the first The Devil Wears Prada movie from the 2003 Lauren Weisberger novel of the same name. Weisberger was an assistant to Anna Wintour, then editor-in-chief at Vogue magazine. The demanding Priestly is largely thought to be based on Wintour. The Yankee Doodle Tap Room at the Nassau Inn in Princeton is home to a mural-sized painting by Norman Rockwell. The mural, which hangs over the bar depicts Yankee Doodle riding his pony. The tap room has been completely renovated by local integrated design firm JZA+D, whose architects performed the update while leaving its most iconic element unmoved. Courtesy A beloved New Jersey tavern nestled in a hotel stretching back more than 250 years has just earned national recognition as one of the best historic bars in the United States. The Yankee Doodle Tap Room located inside Nassau Inn in Princeton was featured on Historic Hotels of Americas list of the top 25 most historic bars, taverns and speakeasies list. The inn opened its doors in 1756 and has been a gathering place for many locals, Princeton University students and visitors for years. The bar itself was built in 1937. The Nassau Inns Yankee Doodle Tap Room, a legendary Princeton tavern, has been completely renovated by local design firm JZA+D, whose architects performed the update while leaving its most iconic element unmoved: a mural-sized painting by Norman Rockwell over the bar, depicting Yankee Doodle riding his pony. The website mentions the famous 13-foot mural titled Yankee Doodle that hangs behind the taverns bar. The artwork was done by Norman Rockwell to honor Princetons part in the Revolution. The mural depicts Yankee Doodle, feather firmly in cap as he rides his pony into Princeton, much to the mockery of British troops in all their red-coated finery. The tap room also portrays a wall with several senior portraits of memorable Princeton University alumni. Yankee Doodle Tap Room is open everyday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. offering American pub classics for breakfast, lunch and dinner along with a weekend brunch. Nassau Inn also received recognition by the website in 2024 when they were inducted into Historic Hotels of America. Some children are at higher risk for death from the flu based on their age, underlying medical conditions, and vaccination status. Canva Illustration for NJ.com The United States is reporting the highest number of flu-associated deaths in children in a single season since the 2009-10 pandemic. According to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 280 pediatric deaths were reported during the 2024-25 influenza season. The median age at death was 7 years, and 56% of children who died had at least one underlying medical condition. Among the 208 children with available data who were vaccine eligible, 89% were not fully vaccinated. The best way for New Jerseyans to protect themselves during cold and flu season is by getting vaccinated against the flu, COVID-19, and RSV, if eligible. These vaccines have a proven record of reducing illness and are widely available across the state, said Acting Health Commissioner Jeff Brown in a press release that encouraged vaccination. The influenza virus, known as the flu, typically circulates annually in the U.S., beginning in October and peaking in late winter. Everyone 6 months and older is encouraged to get an annual flu vaccination, per CDC guidelines. This has been the agencys recommendation since 2010, according to its website. Although most people who become ill with the flu recover without serious complications, some can develop severe complications. The 202425 flu season has been associated with at least 43 million illnesses, 560,000 hospitalizations, and 38,000 deaths, according to the CDC. The CDC began tracking flu-associated deaths in children nationwide in 2004, after reports the virus was killing more kids. Since then, the highest number of reported pediatric deaths occurred during the 2009 swine flu pandemic, which killed 288. Until the current season, the second highest number of pediatric flu deaths was reported during the 202324 season, when 210 children died. The increase in flu activity and pediatric deaths could be driven by lower vaccination coverage. As of April 26, national flu vaccination coverage for the 2024-25 season was 49.2% among children 6 months through 17 years, down from 53.4% the previous season and 63.7% during the pre-pandemic 201920 season, according to the CDC. Public health experts have been warning that fewer people are getting vaccinated for the flu as a result of misinformation and distrust in vaccines. But experts say annual vaccination is still the most effective way to prevent flu-related hospitalizations and deaths. Data from South America which predicts the effectiveness of the 202525 Northern Hemisphere flu season shows the vaccine reduced the risk for influenza-associated outpatient visits by 50.4% and hospitalization by 49.7%. While vaccines may not fully protect everyone, public health experts argue theyre still proven to help prevent serious illness and death. In the average flu season, vaccines have a 40-60% efficacy in reducing the incidence of severe illness, according to the CDC. New Jersey has one of the highest flu vaccination rates for children in the nation, but its been declining. As of April 26, flu vaccination coverage was 61.4% among children 6 months through 17 years, down from 67.8% the same time last year. With respiratory virus season approaching, the state health department is encouraging all residents to get vaccinated against the flu, as well as COVID-19 and RSV, if eligible. When we get vaccinated, were helping our bodies develop defenses to the most prominent strains of these viruses circulating in our communities, said Deputy Commissioner of Public Health Services Dr. Novneet Sahu in a press release. The flu and COVID-19 vaccines have proven time and again to be effective at reducing the severity of symptoms and hospitalization and leading to quicker recovery. Protecting yourself and your family is as easy as making an appointment to get vaccinated. Assata Shakur, also known as Joanne Chesimard, died in Cuba on Friday after spending over four decades in exile after escaping a New Jersey prison. The Chicago Teachers Union is catching heat for a social media post that reverently remembered the legacy of Joanne Chesimard, who died in Cuba on Friday and was convicted of killing a New Jersey State Trooper decades ago. Rest in Power, Rest in Peace, Assata Shakur, the post on X said. Today we honor the life and legacy of a revolutionary fighter, a fierce writer, a revered elder of Black liberation, and a leader of freedom whose spirit continues to live in our struggle. Assata refused to be silenced. She taught us that It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love each other and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains. Chesimard, also known as Assata Shakur, was 78 years old when she died of natural causes, the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Friday. Chesimard had lived in Cuba since 1979 after escaping from a New Jersey prison after being convicted of killing New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster in 1973. She had been on the State Polices most wanted list for decades. A $2 million reward had been offered for her capture. The unions social media post spurred criticism that it was honoring someone convicted of killing a police officer. The oil and gas industry is in for a tough year ahead, as it must balance financial discipline, shareholder returns, and long-term investments in the sustainability of the businesswhile navigating a hypothetical glut. The warning comes from Wood Mackenzie, which said in a new report that the industry was faced with conflicting trends over the next year that would make decision-making challenging. Among these is an expectation that the market would tip into an oversupply, pressuring prices, while the demand outlook for oil over the long term brightens up, motivating more investments. Oil and gas companies are caught between competing pressures as they plan for 2026. Near-term price downside risks clash with the need to extend hydrocarbon portfolios into the next decade. Meanwhile, shareholder return of capital and balance sheet discipline will constrain reinvestment rates, Wood Mackenzies senior vice president of corporate research, Tom Ellacott, said. The executive added that investors would also influence decisions, as they continue to prioritize short-term returns over long-term investments. This last part, at least, is not unusual in the current investment environment across industries. It could, however, make life even more difficult for oil and gas companies for a while. Related: Iraq Expects Kurdistan Oil Exports to Restart This Week The glut that Wood Mackenzie analysts expect is the same glut that the International Energy Agency has been expecting for a while now. Yet that very same International Energy Agency earlier this month issued a warning on the longer-term security of global oil supply, saying the industry needed to step up investment in new production because natural depletion at mature fields was progressing faster than previously assumed. Per the report, if the industry has to maintain current levels of oil and gas production, more than 45 million barrels per day of oil and around 2,000 billion cu m of natural gas would be needed in 2050 from new conventional fields. Its worth noting that this is maintenance of current production levels, assuming demand will not rise, which is a risky assumption. Even with projects ramping up and new ones approved for development and not yet in production, a large gap still exists that would need to be filled by new conventional oil and gas projects to maintain production at current levels, although the amounts needed could be reduced if oil and gas demand were to come down, the IEA said. However, demand could just as well increase, heightening the degree of uncertainty in the industry and making long-term planning even more challengingespecially for companies with higher debt-to-equity ratios. Wood Mackenzie expects those with gearing of above 35% would prioritise resilience over long-term growth, while those with better debt positions would turn to divestments and asset acquisitions to improve the quality of their portfolio. A drone shot taken from the top of Watchung Second Ridge at the Canoe Brook headwaters, facing southeast. John Haydu A decades-long battle to stop a housing development from being built in one of Essex Countys last untouched forests is back in court again. Several West Orange residents and community activists are suing to stop a billionaire familys plan to build nearly 500 apartments on a 120-acre forest in the Watchung Mountains. They argue in the lawsuit that the project would destroy wetlands, worsen flooding in the area and break agreements made in court nearly 20 years ago. Billionaire developer Zygmunt Wilf, a co-owner of the NFLs Minnesota Vikings, and his family own the forested tract through their company, West Essex Highlands Inc. The residents lawsuit was filed Sept. 19 in Superior Court against West Orange Township and the Wilfs company. Attorneys for West Essex Highlands Inc. did not respond to a request for comment. West Orange Mayor Susan McCartney also did not respond to a request to comment on the lawsuit. The Watchung Mountains are three long ridges that run through northern New Jersey. They have steep slopes, dense forests and wetlands. The ridge located in West Orange includes a large stretch of largely undeveloped land sitting behind a community of condominiums. Since July 2024, nearly two dozen planning board hearings have been held on West Essex Highlands Inc.s proposal to build a sprawling four-building, four-story apartment complex on the site. The plans call for 496 apartments, including 100 set aside for affordable housing. About 30 acres of forest would be cleared for construction, with the rest preserved as open space and walking trails, according to site plans. This is not the first time the forest has been targeted for development. Nearly two decades ago, tensions flared when the Wilf familys company first sought to build on the Watchung Mountains. Their company purchased 185 acres of forest and headwaters in 1986. Three years later, the company built condominiums on 65 acres along Eagle Rock Avenue, leaving the rest of the mountain untouched. Since then, the developer has repeatedly tried to build in the woods. A 2006 plan for 136 single-family homes was rejected by township officials over environmental and safety risks. Later proposals for 130 homes in 2007 and 104 homes in 2015 also failed. However, in 2020 as West Orange faced pressure to meet New Jerseys affordable housing requirements, township officials approved a court settlement with the developer that opened the door to the latest large-scale apartment proposal. The settlement allowed the proposal for the development to go before the planning board as long as 100 units were set aside for affordable housing. That would help West Orange meet its state-mandated fair share of about 1,000 new affordable housing units over the next decade. But residents and a local advocacy group say the deal should never have been made. WeCare NJ, a nonprofit group formed by nearby homeowners to fight overdevelopment, argued the Wilf familys company is using the states affordable housing rules to push a project onto land they call totally unsuitable for large-scale construction. Affordable housing should not come at the expense of the destruction of one of the most environmentally sensitive sites in the region, the group and other advocates wrote in a letter to West Oranges mayor this week. According to the lawsuit, the developer entered into a 2004 settlement with WeCare NJ that limited construction in the forest to 136 single-family homes on large lots, a plan meant to avoid environmental and safety risks. The group is asking a judge to throw out the townships agreement with the developer, block the nearly 500-unit plan and enforce the earlier settlement, according to court documents. Joe Pannullo, president of WeCare, said this week that the fight is far from over, with more planning board hearings on the application scheduled for October. Jubilant graduates of the U.S. Naval Academy toss their hats into the air. US Navy The white hats of the graduating class of the U.S. Naval Academy sailed high in the clear skies above Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis in May of 1994, after President Bill Clinton gave the commencement address and the Navys Blue Angels roared overhead. Mikie Sherrill now a New Jersey Democratic congresswoman running for governor saw none of it. She was caught up in a months-long investigation of the worst cheating scandal in the academys history, leading to the expulsion of 24 midshipmen. Sherrill says she did not cheat but was penalized because she would not turn in her classmates involved in the infamous scandal. While allowed to graduate, Sherrill was not permitted to walk in the procession with the rest of her classmates in that joyous ceremony. She was among 64 who received lesser punishment. While she went on to an honorable military career as a decorated Navy helicopter pilot for nearly 10 years before entering politics, Sherrill now faces sharp questions more than 30 years later about exactly what she might have done in the wake of one of the darkest days at Annapolis. Its suddenly become a lightning-rod issue in the razor-close New Jersey governors race between Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli. New Jersey gubernatorial candidates Jack Ciattarelli, left, and Mikie Sherrill, right, participate in a debate at Rider University in Lawrenceville last Sunday. Ed Murray | For NJ Advance Media Sherrill has declined to release her disciplinary records and accuses President Donald Trumps administration and the Ciattarelli campaign of working together to illegally distribute files from the National Archives to a Ciattarelli ally files that include almost completely un-redacted copies of her military records, including her Social Security number. This is a breathtaking, disturbing leak that must be thoroughly investigated. Once again, the Trump administration is targeting political opponents with an absolute disregard for the law, this time in concert with the Ciattarelli campaign, the Sherrill campaign said in a statement. Her opponent said the scandal at the naval academy in 1994 had been no secret. But why she was punished is not so clear. What specific honor concept violations was she punished for? How did Naval investigators determine her guilt? Ciattarellis campaign asked in a statement. The only way to determine any of these answers is through her authorizing full and immediate release of all academic, disciplinary, and investigatory records related to her time at the academy and the scandal itself. On Friday, it was also revealed that Sherrills husband, Jason Hedberg, had a role in the scandal while he was a student. Court records, first reported by the New York Post, disclosed that Hedberg was one of about four dozen midshipmen who sued in 1994 to stop the academys Honor Board from deciding whether the students should be expelled. A judge rejected the case and it remains unclear why Hedberg, who graduated and participated in commencement, was among the students who filed the lawsuit. Sherrills campaign declined to comment Saturday. Sherrill has made her military record as a Navy helicopter pilot a key part of her campaign messaging as the latest poll shows both candidates are tied. Many view the New Jersey governors race as an early indicator on public feelings about the Trump presidency just before the midterm congressional elections. What happened at Annapolis so many years ago is no mystery. Copies of the notoriously difficult final exam for Electrical Engineering 311 had somehow been obtained and passed around by some students two days before it was administered. It was never clear who was responsible and some students who were caught up in the investigation said they had thought they were studying from an old practice test only to learn it was the actual exam when they sat down to take it. Several hours later, a midshipman alerted a professor and other students also stepped forward to report what had happened. The Navy would later report that more than 130 midshipmen, all from a class scheduled to graduate in May 1994, may have had an advance look at the test. At the center of it all is the academys honor concept, which holds that midshipmen are persons of integrity. They stand for that which is right, it reads. They tell the truth and ensure that the truth is known. And in bold: They do not lie. But unlike the honor code as West Point, there is no non-toleration clause holding students directly responsible if they tolerate others who cheat. A former U.S. Naval Academy classmate of Sherrills, who asked not to be identified, said investigators and the Navy didnt like midshipmen who wouldnt rat out their classmates. We were taught to be loyal and stand up for our shipmates all day every day, and this scandal really pitted loyalty against institution, the former classmate said. I respect Mikie for not turning people in. The individual recalled that the Navy conducted a massive, drawn-out investigation, uncovering everything and everyone involved. A distinguished board then reviewed every detail for each person and assigned punishments as they saw fit, outside of normal procedures or precedent. The classmate said it wasnt a legal or a Uniform Code of Military Justice issue: It was a custom court that looked at each person individually ... The Navy completely mishandled the crisis and could have easily avoided it. Another former classmate who responded to questions about what happened said only that I did not know Mikie well and during that incident we never talked about it. Sherrill, meanwhile, released a campaign ad on Saturday featuring a fellow former Navy veteran praising her service. I would know because I served alongside her, Lt. Cmdr. Karsten says in the clip. She was distinguished multiple times and was honorably discharged. Attacking her service record isnt just wrong, its a blatant lie. Ultimately, 24 students were directly implicated and expelled from the academy as a result of the cheating scandal. None were identified. There were no public announcements about the others who punished. A new CNN poll showed some trouble for President Donald Trumps Republican Party ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The CNN poll, conducted by SSRS and released Friday, showed that Americans are pessimistic about the state of the country. More than half of respondents, 54%, said that the countrys best days are already behind it, which is a sharp increase from the 41% who said the same thing in September 2024. The poll also found that 58% of respondents said things are going pretty or very badly in the United States today, while 42% said things are going pretty or very well. Americans still carry negative views of both political parties, with 52% having an unfavorable view of Democrats and 51% having an unfavorable view of Republicans. CNN reported that these negative views may be a contributing factor in next years midterm elections, where Republicans hope to hold on to their majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives. The survey found that Democrats may have a slight advantage ahead of the midterms, with 52% of registered voters saying they would rather see Democrats in control of Congress after next years elections. Forty-eight percent of registered voters said they would like to see Republicans in control of Congress, while 1% said they had no opinion. CNN POLL: Which party would you rather see in control of Congress after next years congressional elections? (RV, with leaners) Democrats: 52% Republicans: 48% White: GOP 55-44% Black: Dem 79-21% Hispanic: Dem 56-44% Indie: Dem 55-43% Dem: Dem 97-3% pic.twitter.com/hV6axrEr6B InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) September 26, 2025 When asked about the meaning behind their vote in next years elections, 39% of registered voters said it would send a message that they oppose Trump. Another 28% said it would be a message to say they support Trump, and 33% said that their vote would not be about Trump. While Democrats received some good news in the poll, CNN reported that Democrats face serious doubts about their effectiveness. The poll found that large shares of Americans believe Republicans views on crime and policing, immigration and the economy are closer to their own than Democrats views, according to CNNs report. Republicans have a 15-point advantage on crime and policing, a 7-point advantage on immigration and a 5-point advantage on the economy, according to the poll. The CNN/SSRS poll was conducted from Aug. 21 to Sept. 1 among 2,077 U.S. adults. The margin of error for the full sample is plus or minus 2.7 percentage points, and the margin of error for registered voters is plus or minus 2.9 percentage points. Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli face off in their gubernatorial debate at Rider University in Lawrenceville on Sept. 21. Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media Democratic nominee Mikie Sherrill on Saturday again defended her military record as a cheating scandal that rocked the U.S. Naval Academy 30 years ago has become an issue in New Jerseys high-profile governors race with the latest development involving her husband. At the same time, Democrats and military veterans continued to sharply criticize President Donald Trumps administration for improperly releasing Sherrills military files to an ally of her Republican opponent, Jack Ciattarelli. Thats even as Ciattarellis team has threatened defamation charges against Sherrills team. Sherrill a former U.S. Navy pilot and now a congresswoman confirmed Thursday she was not allowed to walk with her classmates when she graduated from the Naval Academy in 1994 after classmates cheated on an electrical engineering exam. She said she did not cheat but was barred from graduation ceremonies because she did not turn in classmates. Now, court documents show Sherrills husband, Jason Hedberg, was involved in a lawsuit over the scandal while both were students at the Naval Academy. Hedberg was one of about four dozen midshipmen who sued top officials at the Naval Academy, Navy, and Pentagon in 1994. The lawsuit tried unsuccessfully to stop the academys Honor Board from deciding whether the students in the lawsuit should be expelled. The suit argued an inspector general investigation wrongly denied plaintiffs their rights against self-incrimination under the Fifth Amendment. A judge ultimately rejected the case, saying no proceeding of a criminal nature is either pending or contemplated. Hedbergs involved in the suit was first reported Friday by the New York Post. It remains unclear exactly what role Hedberg played in the scandal or why he was among the students who filed the lawsuit. Hedberg also graduated from the Naval Academy and, unlike Sherrill, was included in the 1994 commencement program. Hedberg, who now works in finance, became a Navy intelligence officer. Sherrill had a decorated nine-year career in the Navy. The couple, who have lived in Montclair since 2010, have four children. Two of their children are cadets at the Naval Academy. The fact Jack Ciattarelli and MAGA Republicans are going after Mikies family is sick and desperate Jason graduated (and) served honorably as a Naval Officer, Sherrill campaign spokesman Sean Higgins said in a statement. Higgins declined further comment to NJ Advance Media on Saturday morning. But Sherrill released a campaign ad Saturday with a fellow former Navy veteran praising her service. I would know because I served alongside her, Lt. Cmdr. Karsten says in the clip. She was distinguished multiple times and was honorably discharged. Attacking her service record isnt just wrong, its a blatant lie. Sherrill shared the video on social media, writing that Ciattarelli, the Republican nominee, is spreading lies and insisting: I served my country with honor and distinction. Ciattarelli, a former state lawmaker who did not serve in the military, has called repeatedly in recent days for Sherrill to release her Navy disciplinary records. The Navy has declined to comment. The news about Sherrills Naval Academy record was one of two stories Thursday that added even more tension to the governors race and thrust it into national headlines. The National Archives admitted it mistakenly gave nearly un-redacted copies of Sherrills military records including her Social Security number to a Ciattarelli campaign surrogate doing opposition research. Sherrill accused the Trump administration and Ciattarellis campaign of working together to illegally release and disseminate the files, which Ciattarellis campaign has denied. Sherrill, who has not provided evidence, threatened legal action. Her campaign told the New York Post on Friday: The illegal disclosure of Mikies unredacted personal military records, including her Social Security Number, and the unlawful dissemination of those records by the Ciattarelli campaign is a disgrace and must be investigated. Several prominent Democrats have also called for an investigation. Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, also a former Navy officer, wrote on social media Friday, that no veteran should have their social security number leaked, let alone passed to a political opponent by the government and the Trump administration owes Sherrill and all Americans an explanation of the breach. Elected officials and military veterans from across the party gathered Saturday in Newark for a news conference organized by the states Democratic Party to condemn the release of the documents. Michael Embrich, a Navy veteran and the state commander of the Catholic War Veterans, said he has requested records multiple times from the National Archives. And boy, I gotta tell ya: They put me through H-E-double-hockey-sticks every single time, Embrich said. He added that if what happened to Sherrill happened to anybody here, it would be a huge deal. Embrich also criticized Ciattarelli on social media, saying he never wore the uniform but wants to swift boat Sherrill, who actually put her life on the line for this country. Thats a reference to accusations former U.S. Sen. John Kerry faced as the Democrat ran for president in 2004. Ciattarellis campaign said last week the documents its surrogate received did not include information related to the cheating scandal and the campaign was unaware the information was improperly released until the documents were shared with a reporter investigating Sherrills possible involvement in the scandal. The campaign said it separately discovered Sherrills name was not included the 1994 Naval Academy commencement program. Sherrill later explained why she was not allowed to walk in a statement to media outlets. Ciattarelli campaign attorney Mark Sheridan said any claim the campaign was in a conspiracy to smear Sherrill with ill-gotten documents is completely false. And Ciattarellis team says Sherrill is using the documents release to distract from the cheating scandal. The White House has deferred comment to the National Archives. Scott Levins, director of the Archives National Personnel Records Center, apologized in a letter to Sherrill. Sherrill on Friday began using the episode to raise campaign contributions. Her campaign sent out a fundraising email calling it a shameful attempt to smear her. These military records detail my early life, and go so far as to include my Social Security Number and insurance records. There are supposed to be several layers of checks set up to prevent something like this, Sherrill said in the message. The cheating scandal involved several midshipmen sharing answers to an electrical engineering exam in 1992 that was administered to more than 600 students. In the end, 12 cadets were expelled and 64 others received lesser punishment. The issue also led to congressional hearings and reforms at the Naval Academy. The Navy has never released the names of those involved. Ciattarellis campaign has said the information about Sherrills Naval Academy graduation was not included in the wrongly released documents. Ciattarellis campaign said in a statement Friday that the only way to fully answer questions about the scandal is for Sherrill authorize a full and immediate release of all academic, disciplinary, and investigatory records related to her time at the academy and the scandal itself. National Republicans have weighed in, too. Anyone who knows anything about The Naval Academy knows that anything at that level breaking the honor code or involving cheating is an absolutely enormous deal, TV personality Meghan McCain the daughter of the late U.S. Sen. John McCain, a Navy veteran wrote on social media Thursday. Sherrill said at a town hall last Thursday she did not realize (the test) was stolen. I took the test, she said. Afterwards, I knew what the rumor mill was. I didnt come forward with that information. Sherrill on Friday also shared a selfie with her husband at a high school football game on social media in which she was wearing a Navy hat. High school sports stop for no campaign! pic.twitter.com/lKKmtzcTu8 Mikie Sherrill (@MikieSherrill) September 27, 2025 The questions about Sherrills Navy record come as a new independent poll shows Sherrill and Ciattarelli tied with a little more than five weeks until the Nov. 4 election. They are running to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy. Its one of only two gubernatorial races in the nation this year. NJ Advance Media staff writer Ted Sherman and The Associated Press contributed to this report. A knife-wielding man is in the hospital with life-threatening injuries after being shot by police at the scene of a double homicide, officials said. Officers from the Hillsborough Police Department were conducting a welfare check at a home on Cornell Trail on Thursday. Police entered the house at 6:23 p.m. and a man soon came out of a second-floor bedroom holding a knife, the state Attorney Generals Office said in a statement Friday afternoon. The man was shot as he was advancing towards officers with the knife, authorities said. He is now in the hospital for treatment of critical injuries, officials said. A knife has been recovered from the scene, the state said. After the shooting, the bodies of two adults, one male and one female, were found in separate bedrooms in the house, according to the Somerset County Prosecutors Office. Both deaths are being investigated as homicides. Authorities have not said whether the man shot by police is the suspect in the double homicide. The names of the two homicide victims, the man with the knife and the officers involved have not been released. The state Attorney Generals Office is investigating the police-involved shooting and the Somerset County Prosecutors Office is leading the investigation of the double homicide. A storm system is rapidly strengthening into what is likely to become Tropical Storm Imelda this weekend. The storm may reach hurricane strength as it approaches the southeastern U.S., according to the National Hurricane Center. National Hurricane Center and AccuWeather.com A rapidly developing tropical system is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Imelda this weekend as it approaches the southeastern U.S., the National Hurricane Center said Saturday. Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine is currently located northwest of Cuba, moving northwest at 7 mph with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph. The system is forecast to become a tropical storm this weekend and potentially strengthen to Hurricane Imelda by late Monday. The National Hurricane Center has issued tropical storm warnings for the central and northwestern Bahamas, including Cat Island, the Exumas, New Providence, and Grand Bahama Island. A storm system is rapidly strengthening into what is likely to become Tropical Storm Imelda this weekend. The storm may reach hurricane strength as it approaches the southeastern U.S., according to the National Hurricane Center. National Hurricane Center and AccuWeather.com Tropical storm conditions are expected in these areas beginning Saturday night and Sunday. The system is predicted to produce 4 to 8 inches of rain in the Bahamas, with isolated maximum totals up to 16 inches possible in eastern Cuba. Significant rainfall is also expected along the southeastern U.S. coast, potentially causing flash and urban flooding from coastal Georgia through the Carolinas. Storm surge could raise water levels 1 to 3 feet above ground in the northwestern Bahamas, accompanied by large waves. A storm system is rapidly strengthening into what is likely to become Tropical Storm Imelda this weekend. The storm may reach hurricane strength as it approaches the southeastern U.S., according to the National Hurricane Center. National Hurricane Center and AccuWeather.com Dangerous surf and rip current conditions are anticipated along the southeast U.S. coast early next week. The National Hurricane Center said that the system is expected to be near hurricane strength when approaching the southeastern U.S. coast, urging residents to monitor updates and prepare their hurricane plans. The system has a 90% chance of tropical cyclone formation within the next 48 hours. Hurricane Humberto is a Category 4 storm as of Saturday morning over the Atlantic Ocean. The forecast track calls for Humberto to veer out to sea away from the East Coast. National Hurricane Center Hurricane Humberto Hurricane Humberto continues to churn out in the Atlantic Ocean as a powerful Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center. The massive storm is expected to turn away from the East Coast early next week. The hurricane was located about 375 miles northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands as of 5 a.m. Saturday, moving west at 6 mph. While no coastal watches or warnings are currently in effect, residents of Bermuda should monitor the storms progress, forecasters said. Humberto is expected to remain a major hurricane through early next week. The storms projected path shows it turning toward the northwest by early Monday at a slightly faster forward speed, followed by a turn toward the north-northwest by Monday night. By later in the forecast period, an upper-level weather system moving from the Canadian Maritimes is expected to steer Humberto rapidly toward the northeast. Current weather radar Watertown, NY (13601) Today Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. A few flurries or snow showers possible. High 27F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Snow showers. Low near 15F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 70%. About one inch of snow expected. The OPEC+ group is not hiking oil production as much as the headline figures in the agreement suggest, as some members are close to capacity while others are compensating for previous overproduction. This could come as a relief to the market, which expects a major oversupply later this year and early next year. The OPEC+ members have so far delivered three-quarters of the increases that began in April 2025. The rise could drop to half of the volumes promised later this year, Reuters reported on Friday, citing data, traders, and analysts. Between April and August, the OPEC+ producers delivered only 75% of the production increases, a Reuters analysis of OPEC+ data showed. During this period, OPEC+ pumped about 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) below the nominal increase of 1.92 million. Apart from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), most other OPEC+ producers do not have meaningful spare production capacity, which limits the upside to their production in the coming months, despite the fact that the group has extended the reversal of the cuts into October. The eight OPEC+ producers Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, UAE, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman tapped the 1.65 million bpd cuts announced in April 2023. The producers will return 137,000 bpd of these cuts to the market in October, in view of a steady global economic outlook and current healthy market fundamentals, as reflected in the low oil inventories, OPEC said in early September. However, OPECs second-largest producer, Iraq, is compensating for overproduction in the past years and is not raising output too much, data from the last two monthly OPEC reports have shown. Russia has its own set of problems. Its close to capacity, and it could be forced to reduce output as intensified Ukrainian drone attacks have damaged critical export and port infrastructure. Other OPEC+ producers cannot raise output too much as they do not have the spare capacity. Lower supply from OPEC+ could ease concerns about a glut and keep Brent prices in the mid to high $60s per barrel, instead of below $60 that many analysts have forecast. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Read this article on OilPrice.com Watertown, NY (13601) Today Snow showers this morning. Becoming partly cloudy later. High 27F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 40%.. Tonight Variable clouds with snow showers. Low around 15F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 70%. About one inch of snow expected. Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. An old TV commercial once promised, Only Publishers Clearing House can make you so rich, so fast! But, as some unlucky winners discovered this year, they can also make your fortune disappear just as quickly. Thats what happened to John Wyllie, a 61-year-old Oregon man who won $5,000 a week for life from the PCH Prize Patrol in 2012. Must Read According to NBC affiliate KGW8 [1], he received an annual check for $260,000, which helped him retire and buy a house on six acres in scenic Bellingham, Washington. But this year, the checks suddenly stopped after PCH filed for bankruptcy without warning him or other winners. Wyllie told KGW8 the turn of events feels like a nightmare, especially as he hasnt worked in over a decade and cant find a job now. Wyllies story is a harsh reminder that easy money isnt always forever. Its a reality check that could strike anyone who finds themselves scrambling to offset the loss. From bankable to bankruptcy KGW8 reported that Wyllie is one of at least 10 winners still owed money theyll likely never receive. ARB Interactive, which paid $7.1 million to buy PCH, announced it would only honor prizes won after it took over in July. Past winners still waiting on payments, will have to seek payment from the bankruptcy estate, according to The Wall Street Journal [2]. Andrea Coles-Bjerre, a University of Oregon law professor, told KGW8 its unlikely those winners will be able to collect their winnings. Theyll be considered unsecured creditors competing for money that simply doesnt exist. PCHs collapse followed a sharp post-pandemic [3] decline after going from nearly $900 million in annual revenue pre-COVID to just over $180 million last year. Analysts blame competition with online giants like Amazon, along with an $18 million Federal Trade Commission [4] settlement in April, for deceptive practices that tricked people into thinking they had to buy products to improve their sweepstakes odds. The company filed for bankruptcy that same month. Read more: Here are the 7 top habits of quietly wealthy Americans how many do you follow? How to protect your financial windfall The PCH saga is a cautionary tale for anyone who comes into a large sum of money whether its a sweepstakes giveaway, a lottery win or an inheritance. Without a plan, that money can dry up faster than you think. Here are some steps to help protect your windfall: OTR Solutions, a full-service freight factoring and transportation technology company, has announced the launch of its new fuel credit offering, the OTR Fuel Card. This offer provides both new and established carriers with reliable access to credit backed by their factoring relationship, not their credit score. The factoring integration ensures carriers can fuel today and pay later through flexible weekly billing or directly through factored invoices. At OTR Solutions, our mission has and always will be to put carriers first. said Jimmy Wittpenn, vice president of fuel product. Our new fuel credit offering is just another way we are delivering on that promise. Whether youre a brand-new authority or a seasoned fleet, you now have access to the credit, fuel savings, and support you need to grow your business and be successful. OTR Solutions has eliminated the long-standing barriers that once stood between carriers and fuel credit, bringing a self-backed fuel credit offering to market that leverages factored receivables to reliably extend credit to virtually any carrier, even those with zero credit or operating history, without upfront deposits. OTR Solutions expects this new offering to serve as a lifeline to over-the-road carrier operations in a market that has been working against them for years. The credit offering is built into the OTR Fuel Card, a long-trusted discount fuel card sold by OTR Solutions that offers some of the industrys deepest discounts on commercial diesel, largest savings on maintenance, and integrated features and service offerings with the companys suite of transportation focused solutions. Every carrier looking to take advantage of the OTR Fuel Card will now be automatically evaluated for a credit line as the offering requires no hard credit checks nor multi-day reviews to issue approval. For too long, a large subset of freight carriers has been overlooked by the outdated and rigid fuel credit providers in the transportation space, continued Wittpenn. Critical financing services that our nations carriers need to survive have been withheld from those who need them most, and that industry challenge now has a solution through our new product offering. Expanded access to fuel credit is just one of the many advantages the OTR Fuel Card now has over competing discount fuel cards, it redefines the rules of who qualifies and how credit works in trucking. The new offering creates a unique opportunity for carriers in the industry with: As dark clouds swirled above the mountains last September, the remnants of Hurricane Helene torpedoed into western North Carolina. Suddenly, the natural beauty that had attracted generations of artists to the region became the source for the deadliest disaster to ever strike the state. Forested hills soaked with rain turned into devastating landslides. Creeks transformed into raging rivers that uprooted homes and swept bodies miles away. More than 100 people were killed, and estimates put the cost of the damage to the region at roughly $60 billion. A year later, only about $9 billion in state and federal aid has been injected into towns that are still haunted by the devastation. To make sense of it all, some survivors have turned to volunteer service, leaned on their faith and devoted themselves to physically restoring what was lost. But because this is western North Carolina, many have also taken refuge in their art. It is an outlet that has blossomed for centuries in this region, the creativity in collaboration with the verdant land. A year after the storm hit, six people shared the work they created in its wake. Together they provide a snapshot of a community still processing what happened, wrestling with how to rebuild. A learner driver who was detected driving unaccompanied by a full license holder was disqualified for no insurance at Tullamore District Court on Wednesday last. Appearing before Judge Andrew Cody was Gustavo Louzeiro Lopes (24), with an address at Apartment 1, Merchant's House, Market Square, Tullamore. Sgt. Kearns, court presenter, said that on December 21, 2024 at Castle Avenue, Ballykilmore, Tyrrellspass in County Westmeath the defendant was alleged to be driving a black Vauxhall Astra without insurance when he was stopped by Garda Linnane. He was asked to produce a driving licence or learner permit and failed to do so within 10 days at a Garda Station. The defendant was driving and holds a learner permit and was not accompanied by a full licence holder. READ NEXT: Six month suspended sentence for having drugs for sale or supply The court heard the defendant has five previous convictions, all relating to road traffic matters, including no insurance and no valid road worthiness certificate. Solicitor for the defendant, Brian Duffy, said his client, a Brazilian national, pleads guilty to all offences. He was driving a friend's car on the date of the alleged offence believing he was insured to drive the vehicle and is currently in the second year of a carpentry apprenticeship. Mr Duffy asked the Judge to hold the date of commencement of the disqualification from driving until after September of 2026 to facilitate the defendant completing a driving test. "I understand the irony of that," Mr. Duffy said to Judge Cody, adding his client had attempted to move forward the date of the driving test but was unsuccessful and understands he faces a significant period of disqualification. READ NEXT: Birr woman sentenced for stealing vodka and bedsheets For the offence of driving without insurance Judge Cody disqualified Mr. Lopes from driving for four years beginning on September 26, 2026, and fined him 800 with six months to pay. Judge Cody also fined him 250 with six months to pay for driving unaccompanied by a full licence holder while on a learner permit and took all other matters into consideration. Virgin Media has announced that it will not being airing the upcoming season of Big Brother UK. The Irish broadcaster has confirmed the news on X following confusion amoung fans as to whether they will be able to watch the live premiere this Sunday, September 28, on Virgin Media Two. Read next: Who are the guests on this week's RTE Late Late Show? When asked by an Irish fan whether the upcoming series will be made available in Ireland, the Virgin Media IE account responded saying: "In case youve heard otherwise:Virgin Media will not be airing Big Brother this season. We know theres been some confusion, and we appreciate your understanding. Were focusing on fresh new content we think youll love. Stay tuned!" In case youve heard otherwise:Virgin Media will not be airing Big Brother this season. We know theres been some confusion, and we appreciate your understanding. Were focusing on fresh new content we think youll love. Stay tuned! Virgin Media Television (@VirginMedia_TV) September 24, 2025 Big Brother follows contestants, known as housemates who live and compete together in the Big Brother house, which is cut off from the outside world. Constantly monitored by cameras and microphones, the group nominates fellow housemates for eviction, with the public vote deciding who goes. While the Republic of Ireland has never been allowed to participate in the vote, the series has aired concurrently with the British broadcast since its premiere season 25 years ago. In a statement made to The Journal, Virgin Media said: As our programming continues to evolve in line with audience interests and viewing habits, were focusing on bringing fresh, exciting new content to our schedule this year. Virgin Media Two will instead be airing the new season of Love Island Games in place of Big Brother UK. This change in the tv schedule has outraged Irish fans, with a petition being launched urging Virgin Media to reverse their decision and air the show. Fans of the show are not happy with the replacement programme being aired in its place with one social media user declaring: "Im sorry?????? Nobody wants fresh new content in the form of love island GAMES. THEY WANT BIG BROTHER!? sort this out!! Im sorry?????? Nobody wants fresh new content in the form of love island GAMES. THEY WANT BIG BROTHER?!?!?!?!? #BBUK @VirginMedia_TV sort this out!! @ITVX https://t.co/U6HjyWpAgs s (@superTV247) September 24, 2025 Irish fans have branded the show not being aired as a third cancellation as the show was previous cancelled in 2018 before being renewed again in 2022 for their twentieth season in October 2023, which saw fan favourite Jordan Sangha crowned the winner. Some fans are hopeful that Big Brother UK will find a new Irish home, as their have been rumours circulating online that TG4 may pick up the series for Irish viewers. One social media user commented: "wait so we actually cant watch Big Brother in Ireland this year ??!? was there any truth to TG4 picking it up" To which the TG4TV X account replied: "suil eile ???" (which translates from Irish to another eye ???) with a photo of the iconic Big Brother eye logo. The latest season of Big Brother UK is due to begin airing live on Sunday September 28, but not on Irish screens leaving fans outraged and disappointed due to Virgin Media's announcement. Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR), with a market cap of $426 billion and specializes in developing advanced software platforms for government and commercial clients. The company, headquartered in Denver, Colorado, plays a key role in supporting counterterrorism efforts and intelligence operations across the United States, the United Kingdom, and other global markets. Companies worth $200 billion or more are generally described as mega-cap stocks, and PLTR perfectly fits that description, with its market cap exceeding this mark, underscoring its size, influence, and dominance within the software infrastructure industry. More News from Barchart PLTR recorded its 52-week high of $190 on Aug. 12, and is currently trading 5.7% below the peak. The stock surged 25.4% over the past three months, outpacing the Technology Select Sector SPDR Funds (XLK) 11.5% returns over the same time frame. www.barchart.com Shares of PLTR have been on a remarkable run, skyrocketing 382.5% over the past year, far eclipsing XLKs 24% gain in the same period. The momentum has only accelerated in 2025, with the stock climbing 136.8% year-to-date, compared with XLKs more modest 19.6% rise. Technically, the rally shows no signs of losing steam. PLTR has maintained a position above its 200-day moving average for the entire past year and has traded mostly above its 50-day moving average since late April, underscoring a strong and sustained uptrend. www.barchart.com On Sept. 23, shares of Palantir Technologies climbed over 1% after the U.S. Treasury Department awarded the company a new contract centered on strengthening data integrity and enhancing technical infrastructure. The deal underscores Palantirs growing role as a trusted government technology partner, reinforcing its reputation for delivering advanced data analytics and infrastructure solutions. Its rival, Microsoft Corporation (MSFT), has lagged behind, with its shares rising 20.3% on a YTD basis and 17.3% over the past 52 weeks. Despite the robust momentum, analysts are skeptical. Among the 21 analysts covering the PLTR stock, the consensus rating is a Hold. On the bright side, it currently trades above its mean price target of $157.72. On the date of publication, Kritika Sarmah did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com For a person who leads the largest western democracy, Mr. Trump seems to have an inordinate love for royalty and he wanted a state visit. There he was positively glowing at Windsor albeit in an ill-fitting tail coat. Beside him King Charles, immaculately dressed as usual, as they are led to dinner. And so Keir Starmer got his trade deal with the US so that luxury cars and high-end exports escape Trump's tariffs. No doubt it makes the high-tech crowd and manufacturers of these autos feel relieved. But screwing up the world trade system with side deals that other countries might find unfair causes trade wars. It is why the trading system requires a referee, and does have one. That referee is the WTO or the World Trade Organization. Complaints can be filed there and a panel of judges make a binding decision. Of course, if someone like Trump shows up and dismisses the lot as being unfair to the US, then a system that has been running for over 70 years making the world more prosperous is at stake. If your shorts are from Taiwan and your top was made in Sri Lanka, Trump would have you believe you are being taken for a ride. But then think of the cheap lumber from Canada, or manufactured goods made for American companies in Mexico. And think also of the Wisconsin dairy farmers and their exports to Canada. Then think of the great blusterer, Donald Trump. Bluster replaces economies; bluster replaces common sense; bluster screams over critics. If tariffs raise prices, the pain must be endured until those exporters come to heel. The biggest of the exporters are the Chinese. Do they need us? Far from it. They graduate more engineers, more technologists, more software people than almost any other country. They have most of the rare minerals; they make just about anything, and are now making inroads in airplane manufacture -- a US preserve for some time. There may have been a time when the US produced nearly half the world's GDP. No more. For example, in 2015 China produced half as much as the US by GDP; that figure is now two-thirds and China is on the rise. As they say, the writing is on the wall. For the future, the US is likely to need China more than the other way round. It is a changing world, and going alone, as the UK tried to do by keeping out of the common market, gives less clout than being part of a larger whole. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Gary Granger, the college's community safety director, said he learned about the schools decision to terminate him from his $162,000 annual job Friday in a separation notice. It takes effect Oct. 1, he said. Mike Zacchino/The Oregonian Reed College announced Friday it has parted ways with its director of community safety after he disclosed information about alumnus Robert Jacob Hoopes to the FBI without a subpoena or warrant. Reed College President Audrey Bilger and Karnell McConnell-Black, vice president for student life, sent an email to the Reed community announcing the change in leadership in the position. After a thorough review, the college leaders said they would be working to fill the job with someone new and sought to affirm to the college community that their investigation had been informed by our values, including the privacy and trust of our community members. Gary Granger, the colleges community safety director for a little over 15 years, defended his actions and decried his firing. He accused the college of bowing to political pressure from wealthy alumni donors. He learned about the schools decision to terminate him Friday in a separation notice. It takes effect Oct. 1, he said. The job paid $162,000 a year. The notice, he said, didnt indicate that he violated college policy but that he violated a recent announcement to college staff not to disclose any information to law enforcement, including ICE officials, if they showed up on campus without a subpoena or warrant. He said what he provided to an FBI agent who called him was the alumnus local address and local phone number that was in the colleges alumni directory. The FBI already had Hoopes name and photo, he said. In July, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported on a federal affidavit that revealed FBI investigators used facial recognition software, a photo from the news organization and a photo from Reed to track the identity of a suspect accused of throwing a rock that struck a federal officer in the face on June 14 at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in South Portland. The affidavit said the colleges community safety director gave the FBI the mans full name, address and phone number, leading to his arrest. 9 1 / 9 Allegations against Robert Jacob Hoopes Shortly afterward, Bilger announced that the college was hiring an outside party to initiate an investigation and put Granger on leave. Two assistant directors of community safety who stepped into acting director roles while the investigation was pending will continue in those roles while the college determines who will take over the directors job, Fridays announcement said. We recognize that this has been a difficult and concerning time for many, and we are grateful for the engagement, patience and trust of the Reed community, Bilger and McConnell-Black wrote. As we move forward, we reaffirm our commitment to the shared values of accountability, privacy and respect. According to the affidavit, FBI investigators noticed a tattoo on the suspects forearm in surveillance video from outside the ICE office and found a matching photo taken of the man with the distinctive tattoo published by The Oregonian/OregonLive. Investigators entered the news organizations photo into commercially available facial recognition software used by the U.S. Attorneys Office, the affidavit said, and the software provided 30 possible comparison photos culled from various public databases, including one from a Reed College photo-sharing page of Canyon Day from April 2023 that showed a man of similar build and appearance with the identical tattoo. The software also turned up an Instagram account with a profile that revealed the mans name, Jacob Hoopes, the affidavit said. The FBI then went to the the Reed community safety director, who shared the alumnus information, the affidavit said. According to its website, Reed College said it doesnt release directory information, which includes names, addresses, phone numbers, to third parties, except as required by law. But it says that such directory information may be disclosed without prior written consent of a student. Granger said he did nothing wrong. This disclosure came to an FBI agent who was investigating a violent crime, and the person alleged to have committed it happened to be an alum of the college and the person hit happened to be an ICE agent, Granger said. I have shared information with law enforcement numerous times, but it just didnt end up in the press. If I had assisted someone who had been the victim of a hate crime, I would still be working. He said he confirmed by phone that Hoopes was an alum and shared his local phone number and address with the FBI. Granger said he hadnt seen the colleges announcement, but after a reporter read it to him, he asked, Did they affirm their values to support violence in the name of political speech? Last month, Hoopes pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court in Portland to a two-count indictment charging him with aggravated assault on a federal employee with a dangerous weapon and depredation of federal property. He remains out of custody pending trial. An aerial view of the Oregon Health & Science University campus on Marquam Hill in Southwest Portland. Mark Graves/Staff Oregon Health & Science University is entering a make-or-break moment, with leaders outlining a strategy to rein in losses and restore financial stability after one of the steepest deficits in recent memory. The states only academic medical center reported this week that it closed out the 2025 fiscal year deep in the red, posting a $133 million operating loss more than five times what it had planned. That marks a stark reversal from 2019, when OHSU posted a $176 million operating surplus. OHSU President Dr. Shereef Elnahal, who presided over his first board meeting Friday since taking the job in August, said shoring up the universitys finances is urgent and mission-critical. OHSU is not an organization that makes a profit. Every additional dollar we bring in is reinvested in people, infrastructure and programs on behalf of Oregonians, he said. Thats why its so important we change the story and turn our financial performance around. Much of the shortfall stemmed from higher-than-expected spending on drugs and supplies, according to university officials. They also cited the impact of Oregons expanded financial assistance law for low-income patients, which they said reduced OHSUs net revenue by $66 million. Operating support for OHSUs partner hospitals Adventist Health Portland and Hillsboro Medical Center also increased as both facilities reported larger losses. OHSU is contractually obligated to cover those deficits, which together accounted for another $37 million drag on finances. To stabilize the institutions future, OHSU leaders say they plan to grow services with sustainable margins, particularly in cancer care, negotiate higher reimbursement rates from insurers and slow hiring, while keeping other costs in check. But public testimony during Fridays board meeting underscored the friction between financial discipline and employee needs. Members of AFSCME Local 328, which represents about 8,500 workers at the university, pressed OHSU to settle a contract that guarantees living wages and affordable insurance. Tabatha Millican, an OHSU employee who serves on the bargaining team for AFSCME Local 328, accused university leaders of stalling progress on health benefit negotiations. She said that while workers were encouraged by Elnahals pledge to support living wages, theyve been frustrated that proposals so far fall short. Some jobs start at just $18 per hour, Milligan said, which falls short of what is a living wage for Portland. Under the current pay structure, those jobs have no path to a living wage, not even after 15 years. Meanwhile, university leaders said OHSU managed to treat more patients with essentially the same-sized workforce a rare shift for an institution that has historically added staff year after year. Full-time equivalent positions ended the year slightly below where they started a departure from the universitys typical pattern of adding staff annually. Dr. Nathan Selden, dean of OHSUs School of Medicine, said hospital admissions and emergency department visits both increased last year. Patients were also staying in the hospital for shorter periods even though their cases were, on average, more complex. Selden said holding staffing levels steady while caring for more people was a sign of growing efficiency across the health system. According to financial documents posted this week, OHSUs cash reserves fell by $250 million in the year ending June 30, and its days cash on hand a key measure of how long it can cover expenses if revenues stop slid from 170 to 136 days. The window for perfect fall hiking in the Pacific Northwest is brief but magnificent. As summers heat fades and before winters snow arrives, a golden opportunity emerges to witness the regions forests transformed by autumns paintbrush. In a 2024 episode of The Oregonians Peak Northwest podcast, hosts Jamie Hale and Vickie Connor shared their top recommendations for fall hikes within easy reach of Portland. Generative AI was used to summarize a recent episode of the Peak Northwest podcast. This story was reviewed and edited by The Oregonian/OregonLive. So todays hikes are all about places that are sort of within that 90ish minute bubble around Portland, Hale explained, setting up their curated guide to accessible autumn adventures. So weve got obviously a lot within that window you can really drive pretty far and a lot of really cool places." Here are seven standout destinations from their discussion: 1. Tryon Creek State Park This urban oasis nestled in Southwest Portland offers a perfect introduction to fall hiking. With trickling creeks, deciduous trees and a nature center complete with a gift shop, Tryon Creek State Park is ideal for families. Hale recommends it as a perfect starter hike for little ones and said hes looking forward to taking his own daughter there. Tryon Creek State Natural Area in Southwest Portland is an easy option for a quick fall hike, with gentle trails, creeks and plenty of deciduous trees showing their color. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian 2. Forest Park Portlands iconic urban forest transforms dramatically in autumn, with its surprising abundance of maple trees. Hale suggests the Lower Macleay hike up to Pittock Mansion if visitors are in town and they want a slice of Forest Park. For dedicated fall foliage hunters, he specifically recommends the aptly named Maple Trail. (Be sure to check out Hales guide to exploring Forest Park.) The Ridge Trail in Forest Park offers a great view of the St. Johns Bridge, looking east across the span. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian 3. Warrior Point (Sauvie Island) This hike along the northern tip of Sauvie Island delivers riverside views, fall foliage and culminates at a charming lighthouse. Whats not to like about a tiny lighthouse framed by orange leaves next to a beach in the Columbia River, its perfect, Hale enthuses. Connor suggests making it part of a full fall day by adding a stop at one of the islands popular pumpkin patches. A scenic riverside hike to a historic lighthouse, Warrior Point pairs perfectly with a Sauvie Island pumpkin patch stop for a full fall outing. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian 4. Eagle Creek (Columbia River Gorge) As fall rains return, this iconic gorge trail comes alive with enhanced waterfall flow and atmospheric mist rolling through the canyon. Hikers can customize their experience, from a short trek to Punch Bowl Falls to the more ambitious journey to Tunnel Falls. Known for its waterfalls and mossy cliffs, this classic Gorge trail becomes especially magical in fall with mist, rain and roaring water flow. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian 5. Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail For those seeking accessibility, the paved section near Starvation Creek offers waterfall views without difficult terrain. Theres several little waterfalls right off that path and then eventually it goes uphill to the top of this aqueduct, and theres some really good views of the gorge from there, Hale explains, noting its perfect for strollers or those seeking an easier experience. This paved stretch near Starvation Creek is ideal for an easy autumn walk or ride, offering multiple waterfalls and sweeping views of the Gorge. Brooke Herbert/The Oregonian/OregonLive 6. Salmon River Trail For the quintessential Pacific Northwest autumn experience, few places match the Salmon River Trail. It is literally the epitome of peaceful hike along the river, Hale says. So much amazing tree canopy, like huge tall trees that youre walking under and the constant noise of the river right next to you, like youre walking in a dream basically, Hale describes. A footbridge crosses a creek on the Salmon River Trail in the Mt. Hood National Forest. The 14-mile hiking trail follows the Salmon River as it pours off the slopes of Mount Hood. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian 7. Laurance Lake High Ridge Connors 2024 experience on the Laurance Lake High Ridge Trail confirms its fall credentials: I just did this this past weekend and wow there there was some great fall foliage here, lots of reds and yellows. The approximately seven-mile route offers spectacular views of Mount Hood and Laurance Lake from its ridge. Once you get to the top you have this incredible view of Mount Hood and Laurance Lake, Connor says. With the rainy seasons arrival, these trails offer not just fall colors but fewer crowds and that distinctive Pacific Northwest mood that defines autumn in Oregon. Check conditions first (Laurance Lake Road can be very rough), then grab your raincoat, expect to get a little moist, and discover why fall might just be the perfect hiking season in the Portland region. Federal officers deployed CS gas, flash grenades and less-lethal rounds outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portland on June 14, 2025, after protesters formed a shield wall and broke a glass door with a stop sign. The confrontation, declared a riot by police, followed a citywide No Kings protest that drew thousands earlier in the day. Mark Graves/The Oregonian President Donald Trump has made good on his promise to send federal troops to Portland. In an online post on Truth Social, which Trump founded, the president said he would provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland. The Saturday morning announcement was preceded Friday by unusual mass movements of federal agents at the U.S.Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility south of downtown Portland. The nightly protests held by left-wing groups began early this summer. They were sometimes sleepy affairs, but saw periodic flare-ups. In recent weeks, Trump has become more fixated on Portland. And the announcement of federal troops in Portland may draw larger crowds of protesters in the days and nights ahead. Heres how the situation has developed so far: A timeline of protest outside ICE in SW Portland June 2: Federal authorities arrest an asylum-seeker at Portlands Immigration Court. Observers believe it to be the first such arrest in Portland in Trumps immigration dragnet. June 4: Federal officers detain three protesters at the ICE Office who had been blocking a van they believed was headed to Tacoma, where ICE has a much larger detention facility. Federal authorities make another arrest of an asylum-seeker in Portland Immigration Court. June 6: Protests erupt in Los Angeles as federal agents conduct immigration sweeps in the city. Trump soon vows to send 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles, sparking wider protests, including in Portland. June 8 June 13: Portland police clear a barricade protesters had set up in front of the ICE building. The next day, Police Chief Bob Day says officers will no longer help clear barricades and will not be engaging with any kind of perceived or actual support of vans or transports or anything of that nature. Due to Oregons sanctuary law, no state or local law enforcement agencies are allowed to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. Protests continue, with federal agents deploying tear gas. Portland police arrest 13 people in this period for crimes such as arson, assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest, with 10 alone the night of June 12. June 14: Hundreds of people protest outside the facility following a No Kings march earlier that day attended by tens of thousands of demonstrators. Several people use a stop sign as a makeshift battering ram and shatter the glass front door of the ICE building. Portland police declare a riot and federal officers deploy smoke, tear gas, flash grenades and other projectiles. Police make three arrests. June 15: Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, reacting to troop deployment in Los Angeles, says Portland does not need the help or presence of National Guard troops. June 19: The last time Portland police make an arrest in the protests, bringing the total to 25. June 24: Portland police chief tells members of the Portland City Council that his agency is looking at ways to scale back its policing of ICE protests. The same night, a Portland police team observing a protest says in a debrief, if it were not ICE, we could assist directly, according to a police activity log. July 4: A large protest outside the ICE facility leads to four more arrests on federal charges, bringing the number of people federal authorities have arrested to 22. Portland police monitor the protest from an airplane and bike officers remind protesters they cant set off fireworks but dont make any arrests as federal officers and protesters clash. July 8: Trumps Border Czar Tom Homan name-checks Portland, pledging that immigration agents would be doubling down, tripling down on enforcement. Im going to Portland, Homan said. Im going out there. They are not going to bully us. July 11: Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says anarchists and antifa-affiliated groups in Portland were publishing names, photos and personal addresses of ICE officers. July 19: Around 60 people gathered at the ICE building and several called 911 dispatchers about an altercation with a counterprotester armed with a pepperball gun, according to 911 call records. The crowd dwindled to about 30 by around midnight. The groups were low energy and seated quietly, a police sergeant wrote in an email to his superiors, records show. July 25: The first hearing begins in Multnomah County Circuit Court for a lawsuit seeking to force the city to enforce noise ordinances around the ICE building. Assistant Chief Craig Dobson testifies that federal officers are actually instigating and causing some of the ruckus thats occurring down there. Aug. 14: Multnomah County Senior Judge Ellen Rosenblum, a former Oregon attorney general, rules police arent required to enforce noise rules at protests outside the ICE facility. Aug. 20: Homan visits Portlands ICE facility. In a message posted to social media platform X, Homan says he visited to let agents know that President Trump and I have their six a reference to having someones back. Aug 21: A protester who was shoved from behind and tackled by federal authorities notifies the Department of Homeland Security he plans to sue, according to a copy of his tort claim notice. The protester, Daryn Herzberg, claimed that federal officers pinned him down during a protest Aug. 13 and held him in teargas for several minutes. Officers tackled him again three days later, he claimed, with one of them repeatedly hitting Herzbergs face into the ground. Aug. 26: Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer tells Trump, I hope you will come to Portland, Oregon and crack down. Sept. 1: Following a large protest downtown, over 100 people march from a nearby park to the ICE building. Some protesters bring a makeshift guillotine. Federal officers deploy chemical gas and pepperballs at the crowd. Sept. 4: Fox News airs a report about the Labor Day protest with footage of 2025 protests outside ICE. Mixed in misleadingly are clips from 2020 protests. One shows a federal officer pepper spraying a person in downtown Portland. Another shows protesters burning the base of the Thompson Elk Fountain. Sept. 5: Citing television news reports, Trump says he is weighing federal intervention in Portland due to the protests. Theyve ruined that city, Trump says. Its like living in hell. Gov. Tina Kotek decries the threats to deploy National Guard troops in Portland as absurd, unlawful and un-American. Sept. 8: The U.S. Attorneys Office says 26 people have been charged with federal offenses at the ICE building since June 13. Sept. 17: In a surprise move, city officials announce that ICE has violated its land use agreement. The immigration facility is not allowed to hold detainees in custody for longer than 12 hours but did so on 25 occasions since October 2024, according to the citys data analysis. The move opens a door for the city to force ICE to move, if the facility does not address violations. Sept. 19: The Oregonian/OregonLive publishes video evidence of federal agents striking and unleashing chemical spray on nonviolent protesters. In response to the newspapers reporting, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson calls the federal use of force against protesters deeply troubling and calls for a full investigation. Trump again lashes out against Portland, and repeats an ominous vow: Just people out of control and crazy. Were going to stop that pretty soon. Sept. 22: The president signs an executive order designating antifa a major terrorist organization, repeating a tactic from his first term. Experts say the president lacks legal authority to designate a terrorist organization, and the move is unlikely to trigger any changes to existing law. Sept. 25: Trump makes a third threat to send additional federal law enforcement to Portland, calling the black-clad demonstrators seen in Portland professional agitators and anarchists. U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, and others quietly inspect the ICE office as part of their congressional oversight duties. Sept. 26: Citing evidence of a sudden influx of federal officers, Mayor Keith Wilson warns of a coming confrontation. Merkley urges Portlanders not to take the bait, and notes that most of the officers seen at ICE have been deployed from the Federal Protective Service. Sept. 27: Trump announces on social media that he will send all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland, citing the need to protect the ICE facility from Antifa, and other domestic terrorists. Juana Espana Lopez, 71, of Honduras, spent nearly three months in immigration detention while visiting the U.S. with a travel visa. Provided by family The rooms were small, the mattresses hard and they got mostly canned food to eat with a once-a-day break to go outside. Juana Espana Lopez, 71, of Honduras and her daughter, Jackie Merlos of Portland, were allowed to share a room at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Tacoma but that was little comfort, she said. Espana Lopezs blood pressure went up to around 180 and she had to be seen by a nurse, she told The Oregonian/OregonLive on Friday. Espana Lopez returned to Portland earlier this week after a hearing and release from the Tacoma center, where she had been held for nearly three months following her arrest in late June with Merlos at Peace Arch Historical State Park in Blaine, Washington, on the Canadian border. They had been meeting up with Espana Lopezs other daughter who lives in British Columbia. Democratic lawmakers from Oregon and Washington decried the womens arrests and the detention of Merlos four U.S.-born children who were also at the park. Their father, Carlos Merlos, was arrested in Portland several days later and also is being held in Tacoma. The kids were allowed to leave Washington after about two weeks and are now staying with family friends in Portland. The trauma doesnt go away, Espana Lopez said in Spanish. Im so traumatized that I have nightmares that Im still there. She said Jackie Merlos is always thinking about her children. She suffers a lot because of the children, she said. I would console her, Daughter, dont worry, we are going to get out of here. Espana Lopez and her husband had travel visas and arrived in Portland on May 22 to spend two months visiting family, she said. They had booked a return flight to Honduras on July 22. They followed all the rules only for Espana Lopez to be treated with an injustice I had never experienced before, she said. I have never been in jail. U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents confronted the family at the park during the gathering and took away Espana Lopez, Jackie Merlos and the children in a frightening and confusing encounter, she said. Federal authorities initially leveled alien smuggling allegations against Jackie Merlos but dropped them in mid-July without explanation. ICE officials didnt respond Friday to a request for comment on the status of the familys case. Jill Nedved, who was introduced as the familys lawyer during a press conference in July, also didnt respond to a request for comment. Earlier this month, she said she couldnt comment on active cases. U.S. Rep. Maxine Dexter, D-Oregon, said Espana Lopezs release is a welcome relief but also serves as a reminder of the United States broken immigration system. Despite having a valid travel visa and a plane ticket home, ICE wasted over $15,000 detaining a 71-year-old grandmother in a for-profit facility operated by GEO Group a top Trump donor, Dexter said in an email. This calculated cruelty is designed to maximize profits and dehumanize our neighbors. I am more committed than ever to putting an end to this morally bankrupt system. Espana Lopez said she spent a lot of time at the Tacoma center praying with her daughter and other women there. She said Carlos Merlos is expected to have a hearing in the next few days and the family hopes that hell, too, be released. His legal status has not been made public. The children need him, she said. They need him and their mother. Jackie Merlos has a hearing on Oct. 14. She has a pending U visa, which allows victims of crime to remain in the country legally. Espana Lopez and her husband are waiting to see their daughter before they return to Honduras on Oct. 18, she said. Her husband refused to go home without her, Espana Lopez said. We came together, she said. We will leave together. In this Oct. 4, 2017, file photo, a device called a "bump stock" is attached to a semi-automatic rifle at the Gun Vault store and shooting range in South Jordan, Utah. Senate Bill 243, which goes into effect today, bans the device in Oregon along with other rapid fire activators that increase a gun's shooting speed. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File) AP A new state law banning rapid fire devices that turn guns from semi-automatic to fully automatic weapons went into effect Friday. Democratic members of the state Senate Judiciary Committee pushed for Senate Bill 243, which passed in June along party lines, with Republicans contending it would punish law-abiding gun owners and infringe upon their Second Amendment rights. The law focuses on rapid fire activators that increase a guns shooting speed. This includes bump stocks devices attached to semi-automatic rifles that use recoil to fire multiple bullets rapidly and switches attached to the rear of a guns slide, often Glock pistols, making it capable of firing in quick succession. In particular, switches, also known as auto sears, have been prevalent in Portland. Police say the devices make pistols capable of firing an entire 17-round magazine in less than half a second. Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez testified on the bill in March and said he had seen their use rise, up to multiple times a month. Democrats who carried the bill, including Sen. Anthony Broadman of Bend, described it as common sense reform and said these tools dont belong in civilian hands. Seventeen other states have made bump stocks illegal, and more than two dozen have banned switches. President Donald Trumps administration in his first term banned bump stocks after the 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas. The U.S. Supreme Court overruled the ban last year, with a majority of justices ruling that a rifle equipped with the device is not a machine gun. According to the state law, the transport, manufacture or transfer of a rapid fire activator is a felony. If someone is in possession of such a device, they can be charged with a misdemeanor. One other key provision in the law is that it gives cities, counties and other governing bodies the ability to ban people, including concealed gun license holders, from carrying guns in certain public buildings. The body that adopts this must post a clearly visible sign at all entrances and a notice on its website that identifies all buildings subject to the policy. The law will also delay the implementation of Measure 114 to at least early 2026. The measure limits gun magazine capacity to 10 or fewer rounds, requires a permit to buy a gun and requires the completion of a criminal background check to buy or transfer a gun. The Oregon Supreme Court is expected to hear oral arguments in November in its review of a state appellate court ruling that found the gun control measure constitutional under state law. Construction workers upgrade a fish ladder at Bonneville Lock & Dam. Oregon employees already enjoy some of the nation's strongest labor protection laws, and recent additions and court decisions have only strengthened that safety net. Mark Graves/The Oregonian Oregon workers enjoy some of the strongest labor protection laws in the nation. And under a new set of laws passed earlier this year by the Legislature, the list of rules employers must follow continues to grow. Some took effect Friday, including a law prohibiting prospective employers from asking candidates age or date of graduation and one expanding protections for workers awaiting appeals for paid leave benefits. The reforms come alongside other policy changes and court rulings that have strengthened the states sick leave protections and expanded the scope of wage theft investigations. It represented a bright spot for workers in a year when Oregons annual minimum wage increased only 35 cents, the smallest rise in the past decade. To help workers and employers navigate the new regulations, the Capital Chronicle compiled a list of some recent reforms, new laws and court decisions. Labor and Industries Bureau expansion The agency responsible for enforcing many worker protections, the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries, has become increasingly central in Oregon labor law. During the 2025 legislative session, lawmakers added $18.7 million to the agencys 2025-27 budget. That increase marks a nearly 31% increase from the previous budget. The agency says the change will allow it to clear a backlog of cases that forced it to stop investigating wage theft claims for workers making over $52,710 annually or $25.34 per hour back in October 2024. Agency leaders plan to seek additional state funding for long-term agency stability in the short 2026 legislative session, according to the bureaus annual State of the Worker report released earlier this month. Being forced to institute the wage threshold, only being able to take claims from Oregonians in the most challenging financial situations, was the most difficult decision Ive had to make in office, Labor Commissioner Christina Stephenson wrote. Removing the threshold by the end of 2025 because the Legislature invested in the Bureaus capacity and recognized that all Oregonians deserve to have their rights enforced will be a significant step forward. BOLI and employer relations One law that took effect Friday will directly impact the bureaus work. House Bill 2248 seeks to mediate conversations between employers and the labor bureau. The law creates a formal division of employer assistance inside the bureau to provide opinions to employers seeking to comply with state employment laws. The measure specifies that employers relying upon such communications in good faith cannot be punished with penalties by the agency. Age discrimination House Bill 3187, which took effect Friday, prohibits employers from inquiring about a job candidates age, birthday and time of attendance or graduation from an educational institution. The law applies until an employer completes an interview or makes a job offer. It exempts requests for age-related information if an employer needs to affirm the applicant meets bona fide occupational qualifications. Paid leave protections Another piece of legislation involves Paid Leave Oregon, which came under the purview of the labor bureau through this years passage of Senate Bill 69. The law guarantees individuals appealing their Paid Leave Oregon benefits can file a complaint to the bureau while they are in the process of finding out if they will receive benefits. The law allows the use of sick time for any purpose that qualifies for Paid Leave Oregon, which would include family or medical leave. Blood donations and sick time Senate Bill 1108, which goes into effect in January, allows workers to use sick time off to participate in an accredited voluntary blood donation program, such as one run by the American Association of Blood Banks or American Red Cross. Payroll, salary changes Two new laws will also apply specifically to public employers in the state by January. Senate Bill 731 will require public employers that offer pay bumps for bilingual or multilingual employees to also do the same for American Sign Language speakers. And employers can now take advantage of Senate Bill 968 to deduct overpaid wages within the past year as long as they give notice to employees at least 10 calendar days in advance. Employers must give written statements itemizing the overpayments and explaining the deductions with the option of recuperating the balance owed from an employee who is terminated. The law limits deductions to 5% of an overall paycheck unless employees request otherwise. Court cases involving injuries, sickness Two major wins for workers involved cases in which plaintiffs were dealing with serious conditions that impacted their health. In a Thursday decision from the Oregon Supreme Court, the justices upheld the Oregon Court of Appeals overruling of a state Workers Compensation Board decision. The agency had denied an independent examination to a man working in a meat snack company who sustained back injuries. A doctor selected by his employers insurance company found no link between the injury and his job, instead suggesting it was a pre-existing condition. His own doctor disagreed. The Oregon Supreme Court found that the compensation board erroneously denied the worker an independent exam. Another case involved the prospect of retaliation and right to seek sick leave. Workers in the state get at least one hour of protected sick time for every 30 hours of work for up to 40 hours per year. Sick leave in Oregon is not required to come with compensation unless an employer has 10 or more employees or, in Portland, six or more employees. Accessing those benefits could become easier after a Sept. 10 ruling in the Court of Appeals favored a worker in a Lane County dental office who was fired after being diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. Richard Myers, her attorney, told the Capital Chronicle that the case emphasizes how employers must not retaliate against individuals seeking sick leave even if they end up not qualifying for it. Disability accommodation requests for leave should also be met with understanding especially when an employee is dealing with a serious medical condition, he said. This has been a long fight for my client and shes very pleased that the Court of Appeals found in her favor, Myers wrote in an email. The decision from the court is not only a win for my client but also a win for Oregon workers. -- Shaanth Nanguneri, Oregon Capital Chronicle Oregon Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, the nations largest state-focused nonprofit news organization. Members of Oregon's Democratic Congressional delegation blasted ICE and federal officials' use of force at a press conference Friday, Sept. 26. Fedor Zarkhin Democratic members of Oregons congressional delegation slammed federal tactics in the ongoing protests outside the immigration facility in South Portland in a news conference Friday, citing The Oregonian/OregonLives coverage of federal officers use of force. The lawmakers visited the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility Thursday to question officials about their policies on detaining people. Portland recently cited the facility for holding people longer than 12 hours on 25 occasions, potentially jeopardizing the buildings land-use approval. On Friday, federal lawmakers talked about the outcome of their visit. U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley said he drew on reporting in The Oregonian/OregonLive that Department of Homeland Security police shoved, hit and pepper-sprayed nonviolent protesters outside the ICE facility. The newsroom reported last week that a reporter witnessed federal agents use force against nonviolent protesters, including one officer who repeatedly hit a protester in the upper body and face with a shield. Mayor Keith Wilson called for an investigation the day the article was published and characterized the actions captured on video as deeply troubling. Merkley said that in response to his question, an ICE official said that the agents using force against protesters were Federal Protective Service officers, not ICE agents. So, we said, Well, you have the building. Shouldnt you be weighing in and saying that there is a red line in which you never attack peaceful protesters? Merkley said. We have here in the United States a Constitution. That Constitution envisions freedom of assembly, it envisions freedom of speech. U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden and U.S. Reps. Suzanne Bonamici, Maxine Dexter and Andrea Salinas all spoke at the press conference, as did representatives of several organizations that advocate for immigrant rights or provide them legal services, including the ACLU of Oregon, the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition and the Clear Clinic. Bonamici expressed indignation about federal police tactics, citing a different article in The Oregonian/OregonLive. That article quoted a Portland Police Bureau official saying in court that federal agents were instigating and causing some of the ruckus driving the protests outside the ICE facility. Even the Portland Police is raising concerns about what is happening here in Portland with the excessive use of force, Bonamici said. This is unacceptable. The lawmakers also slammed President Donald Trumps threats to quash the protests, said ICE detainees werent getting access to attorneys and touted a bill in Congress that would mandate law enforcement officers carry visible identification. It also would bar the use of unmarked vehicles, except for legitimate undercover operations. The experience questioning ICE officials about their tactics left them wanting, the lawmakers said. We asked about the enforcement tactics, we asked about access to counsel, we asked about access to health care. We asked how they decide who they target and why they make those decisions, Bonamici said. And I will tell you that I am not at all satisfied with the answers and the evasion that we got. By Alessandro Parodi (Reuters) -Online marketplace OLX will buy French motors classified platform La Centrale for 1.1 billion euros ($1.3 billion), OLX owner Prosus said on Friday, as it aims to establish itself as Europe's leading e-commerce provider. Prosus, majority-owned by South Africa's Naspers, received EU approval in August for its $4.8-billion bid for Just Eat Takeaway, which analysts expect will establish the world's fourth-largest food delivery company. "We expect to close that in the coming days," Fahd Beg, Prosus' head of investments, told reporters on Friday. Prosus said that buying La Centrale would help it enter the European autos market and strengthen its e-commerce presence on the continent, complementing the Just Eat merger. It expects the acquisition of La Centrale from U.S. private equity company Providence to close by year-end. E-COMMERCE CONSOLIDATION OLX, among the world's largest classifieds companies, reported a 18% increase in full-year revenues to $777 million in June. It aims for revenue growth of at least 20% and core earnings margin of at least 50% over the next two to three years, its CEO Christian Gisy told reporters. "La Centrale is very much fitting into this overall strategy," he said, estimating the online platform to have sold around 1.6 million cars last year. That accounts for around a third of all used cars sold in France, a Providence spokesperson told Reuters. The deal will create more opportunities for technological development, Prosus CEO Fabricio Bloisi said in a statement. "I expect to invest more in AI technology in France," he added. The acquisition will also improve the cash profile of Prosus' e-commerce portfolio, according to brokerage J.P. Morgan. ($1 = 0.8563 euros) (Reporting by Alessandro Parodi; Editing by Jacqueline Wong, Matt Scuffham and Joe Bavier) Federal officers deployed CS gas, flash grenades and less-lethal rounds outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portland on June 14, 2025, after protesters formed a shield wall and broke a glass door with a stop sign. The confrontation, declared a riot by police, followed a citywide No Kings protest that drew thousands earlier in the day. Mark Graves/The Oregonian U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer a former Oregon politician is one of the first to applaud her bosss apparent surge of federal troops into Portland. In a social media post early this morning, the former representative from Oregons 5th Congressional District, praised President Donald Trumps announcement that he was sending federal troops to Portland and had authorized full force. Ive seen firsthand how lawlessness has transformed Portland from a beautiful place to live to a crime-ridden war zone, Chavez-DeRemer wrote. Thank you, @POTUS, for taking action to keep our ICE facilities protected and Make America Safe Again! The labor secretary, a longtime Republican who served as mayor of the Clackamas County suburb Happy Valley, was appointed by Trump in 2025 after losing her first reelection campaign for the U.S. House seat. In August, during a televised cabinet meeting, she made waves by urging Trump and federal law enforcement leaders to crack down on lawlessness in Portland. It was unclear at the time if she meant increasing immigration arrests or dispersing protesters from outside the ICE office. The troop surge is not entirely unexpected as Trump has called out Portland in less than flattering terms several times during recent press appearances, suggesting that living in the city is like living in hell. While Portland experienced a significant spike in violent crime five years ago, the number of homicides and shootings has steadily declined since then. There were 25 killings in the first eight months of 2025, a 50% drop since last year. A smattering of left-wing protesters have held nightly watch outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, which is located south of downtown. The occupation of ICE has been at turns sleepy and dangerously chaotic, though only the scenes of tear gas and pepper bullets tend to go viral on right-wing social media. Top Portland Police Bureau officials have testified that federal officers are sometimes instigating conflicts with protesters. Trump sent troops into Portland once before in 2020, leading to a new phase of confrontations outside the downtown federal courthouse. Protesters outside the Portland ICE facility on Saturday, Sept. 27, hours after President Donald Trump declared he was sending in federal troops. Samantha Swindler/The Oregonian President Donald Trump said Saturday morning he was directing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland and, I am also authorizing Full Force. Its not immediately clear if or when troops would arrive in Portland, or which branch of the military might be involved. The president appears to be referring to the ongoing protests outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in South Portland. Those protests peaked in June, but have involved no more than several dozen people in recent weeks. Follow below for the days updates: 9 p.m. Saturday: The size of the crowd outside the ICE facility has continued to fluctuate, peaking around 100 people before dropping to about 50. A mix of protesters and onlookers face the facility as at least one helicopter circles. 8:15 p.m. Saturday: The crowd of protesters grew from about a dozen to a few dozen immediately outside the ICE facility. Federal officers appeared to have made an arrest and fired pepper balls into the crowd. 4:45 p.m. Saturday: Gov. Tina Kotek said she attempted to directly correct President Donald Trumps perception that Portland is war ravaged, telling him local and state leaders can manage our own local public safety needs without federal troops. There is no insurrection, Kotek told Trump in what aides described as a cordial 7-minute phone call in her car en route to Portland. I tried to understand his reasoning and I told him we are taking care of it, that I have full faith and confidence in local law enforcement, she said. I said we disagree. And he said, Well, lets keep talking. 4 p.m. Saturday: Andrew Hoan, chief executive of the Portland Metro Chamber, criticized the Trump administrations narratives about the city as inaccurate and outdated, saying they do not reflect the hard-won progress here as homicides decline and downtown foot traffic slowly but surely picks up. Portland has been steadily working to rebuild its national reputation since the COVID-19 pandemic and 2020 protests. There remains work to attract capital and generate economic vibrancy, but as D.C showed, the presence of federal troops does more harm to business activity than good, Hoan told The Oregonian/OregonLive. Portland has lagged peer cities in its economic recovery over the past five years, after 2020 nightly protests and periodic riots, as The Oregonian/OregonLive reported earlier this year. But the citys boosters have stressed the way Portland will emerge from economic stagnation depends on adding jobs, reducing homelessness and containing housing costs. Hoan added, We need a constructive partner in the federal government, not negative rhetoric and actions that aggravate the city. 2 p.m. Saturday: Gov. Kotek, Mayor Wilson and other leaders are holding a press conference on the waterfront near the Hawthorne Bridge. Wilson is reiterating, The necessary number of troops is zero. Wilson described sending troops as unwanted, unneeded and un-American. 1:10 p.m. Saturday: Oregonian/OregonLive reporter Janet Eastman has compiled statements from Oregons political leaders and notes that the states only Republican in Congress, Rep. Cliff Bentz, has not responded to requests for comment. 1 p.m. Saturday: Politco spoke to a source in the Pentagon earlier today: The order came as a surprise to many in the Pentagon, and several officials were unsure what the orders will actually entail. One official, who was granted anonymity to discuss the order candidly, said they expect it to be a National Guard mission that would look similar to Los Angeles and Washington, which was focused on supporting federal and local law enforcement, by doing logistics and and not much more. The official was unclear on what the presidents claim that full force was authorized meant. 12:45 p.m. Saturday: Katie McLain, 41, said she headed downtown to see what was happening for herself, but ended up joining the protest and picketing on Southwest Macadam Avenue when she saw all this love. Im just feeling fed up, and Im feeling like no ones listening to us, so we have to be louder, she said. I think that this announcement is going to cause the violence that theyre saying is already here, she said about the presidents statement. 12:30 p.m. Saturday : Oregonian reporter Tatum Todd talked to people near the ICE office in the South Waterfront. There are fewer than two dozen people protesting in the median along Southwest Macadam Avenue and on the sidewalk in front of the office. Jim Lempea, 51, showed up after he heard the news to see what the area looked like before troops arrived. Thats not how were supposed to be using our military, for one thing, on the streets of the United States, he said in response to the presidents statement. Elijah Lemard, 28, and Juliana Goldman, 26, came to get footage of the area to show their out of state friends and family what things looked like on the ground. Goldman said she wasnt surprised by Trumps announcement, but it just feels so exorbitantly overreactionary. I dont think that were gonna be seeing people storming the streets, Lemard said. I think its all just a media play. 12:10 p.m. Saturday: Rep. Bynum is hosting a virtual town hall starting at 12:30 p.m. today in response to todays news. If you want to watch or participate, find it on her website. 11:52 a.m. Saturday: Carl Tobias, a legal scholar at the University of Richmond, told The Oregonian/OregonLive via email his thoughts about what might happen next: The Mayor, the Governor and Sen. Wyden all say that sending troops is unnecessary, and they have better information than Trump. I expect that the Governor will sue Trump in federal court, as happened in California, where District Judge Breyer ruled that Trump violated the Posse Comitatus statute and DOJ appealed to a Ninth Circuit 3-judge panel which granted a stay pending more briefing and argument. It is unclear when the 3 judges might rule. 11:45 a.m. Saturday: Oregonian photographer Allison Barr stopped by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in the South Waterfront and reports that less than 10 protesters are in the area. 11:30 a.m. Saturday: Oregons interim U.S. Attorney Scott Bradford declined comment on Trumps announcement to authorize troops to Portland. 10:36 a.m. Saturday: Rep. Janelle Bynum said in a video on social media, Its Rep. Bynum here and Im here to tell you that the President of the United States sought fit to put his tiny little fingers in the phone and declare war on my city. Stay out of my city. You want to do something? Run us our money. pic.twitter.com/LIMpcLNxIa Rep. Janelle Bynum (@RepBynum) September 27, 2025 10:20 a.m. Saturday: Sen. Jeff Merkley said on social media, Trump is sending troops to Portland with the goal of doing a number on the city. ... He wants to stoke fear and chaos and trigger violent interactions and riots to justify expanded authoritarian control. Trump is sending troops to Portland with the goal of doing a number on the city. We know what this means. He wants to stoke fear and chaos and trigger violent interactions and riots to justify expanded authoritarian control. Lets not take the bait! Portland is peaceful pic.twitter.com/xIA7JRX1f2 Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) September 27, 2025 10:47 a.m. Saturday: The Portland FBI office posted on X: We stand with our partners to crush domestic terror threats at federal facilities. Our goals are to prevent & investigate the destruction of property & violence against federal officers, while maintaining a safe place for peaceful protests. Report tips to http://tips.fbi.gov" 10:30 a.m. Saturday: Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield issued the following statement: Keeping our communities safe is my top priority it is clear that is not the Presidents. This is nothing more than an attempt to incite people. We will not be baited into the Presidents unhinged political games that put community safety at risk. Oregon will continue to stand firm in our values of community, accountability, and local control. And if the federal government oversteps, we are prepared to defend the rights of Oregonians. Oregon Rep. Pam Marsh, a Democrat from southern Oregon, told The Oregonian/OregonLive, I think the Portland delegation of legislators is going to take the lead on this, although, from my vantage point, hundreds of miles away, its horrific and unnecessary and inappropriate. My impression is there is no more information available to legislators at this moment than is in the news. So we have no idea which troops are coming and when. 8:45 a.m. Saturday: We havent had an official request at this time, said Lt. Col. Stephen Bomar, a spokesperson for the Oregon National Guard. Any request that would come would be coordinated through the governors office. 7:45 a.m. Saturday: U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer a former Oregon politician is one of the first to applaud her bosss apparent surge of federal troops into Portland. Ive seen firsthand how lawlessness has transformed Portland from a beautiful place to live to a crime-ridden war zone, Chavez-DeRemer wrote on social media earlier this morning. Thank you, @POTUS, for taking action to keep our ICE facilities protected and Make America Safe Again! Read the full story: Trump official from Oregon calls Portland crime-ridden war zone, praises troop deployment 7:19 a.m. Saturday: Trump posts on Truth Social about authorizing troops in Portland. At the request of Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, I am directing Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists. I am also authorizing Full Force, if necessary. Thank you for your attention to this matter! The president appears to be referring to the ongoing protests outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in South Portland. Those protests peaked in June, but have involved no more than several dozen people in recent weeks. More information: Trump says hell send troops to Portland, authorizes full force "If the federal government didn't come here to lend us a hand, then take a hike," Mayor Keith Wilson said at a press conference Friday. Fedor Zarkhin/The Oregonian Portland Mayor Keith Wilson warned of a sudden influx of federal agents in Portland on Friday evening, a day after President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric promising federal intervention in the city. We did not ask for them to come, Wilson said, calling the federal mobilization a distraction. This may be a show of force, but thats all it is, he said. Its just a big show. And after a big show, we know what happens. Everyone goes home. And thats what I want to see happen here. Wilson was joined by other Oregon leaders who said they wanted to sound the alarm about the apparent increased federal presence at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility south of downtown Portland. U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, who visited the ICE facility with other Democratic lawmakers Thursday, said it wasnt clear what divisions of the federal government were descending on Portland. Meaning, agents could be coming from the Federal Protective Service, the FBI or ICE, he said. But one thing was clear to him, he said. Trump wants to induce a violent incident in Portland. Let us not grant him that," he said, urging Portlanders to not take the bait. Our responsibility is to, yes, express our views, he said, but best done at a distance from these federal troops wherever they might be, and whatever they are doing, because their goal is to create an engagement, an engagement that will lead to conflict. U.S. Rep. Maxine Dexter said Portlanders would rise above the Trump administrations actions. The Portland we love will not be divided, she said. On social media, U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden echoed the comments. Portland is a peaceful, vibrant city with no need for federal agents on our streets, he wrote. I urge Oregonians not to fall into Trumps attempt to incite violence. President Donald Trump as seen in the Oval Office at the White House Sept. 25, 2025 in Washington. AP Oregon political leaders quickly responded Saturday to President Donald Trump authorizing federal troops to protect what he calls a War ravaged Portland. No specifics have been announced by the White House or local leaders about whether or when troops would arrive in Portland, or which branch of the military might be involved A spokesman for the Oregon National Guard told The Oregonian/OregonLive there has not yet been an official request or coordination through Gov. Tina Koteks office. The presidents hyperbolic comments do not reflect the reality in Portland. The president appears to be referring to the ongoing protests outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in South Portland. Those protests peaked in June, but have involved no more than several dozen people in recent weeks. Oregons lone Republican U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz has not responded to requests for comment. Here are responses from Oregons political leaders as of Saturday morning: Portland Mayor Keith Wilson President Trump has directed all necessary Troops to Portland, Oregon, Wilson said in a statement. The number of necessary troops is zero, in Portland and any other American city. Our nation has a long memory for acts of oppression, and the president will not find lawlessness or violence here unless he plans to perpetrate it, Wilson continued. Imagine if the federal government sent hundreds of engineers, or teachers, or outreach workers to Portland, instead of a short, expensive, and fruitless show of force. U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon Trump is launching an authoritarian takeover of Portland in the hopes of provoking conflict in my hometown, Wyden said. I urge Oregonians to reject Trumps attempt to incite violence in what we know is a vibrant and peaceful city. I will do everything in my power to protect the people in our state. U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon In a video, Merkley said, Trump is sending troops to Portland with a goal of doing a number on the city. And we know what this means. He wants to stoke fear and chaos and trigger violent interactions and rights to justify expanded authoritarian control. Lets not take the bait. Portland is peaceful and strong, and we will take care of each other. U.S. Rep. Maxine Dexter, D-Oregon Trumps decision to send troops to Portland is an egregious abuse of power and a betrayal of our most basic American values, Dexter said in a statement. We did not ask for federal agents, and we do not want them. Let me be clear: the Portland we love will not be divided by federal forces, added Dexter, who represents much of Portland. Do not take the bait. Stay safe, stay peaceful, and stay together. U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon Donald Trump is lying. I was at the ICE facility two days ago and saw a few peaceful protesters, not a siege. I am in Portland almost every day and in no way is it War ravaged. We do not want or need federal troops in Portland, Bonamici, who represents much of the west metro area, said in a statement. The Trump administration is using lies and delusions to try to justify turning the military against US citizens. Its illegal, dangerous, and outrageous. I urge everyone here in Oregon to stay calm and peaceful, Bonamici continued. The administration is trying to provoke us to justify their actions. Do not take the bait. Lets show them what Portland is and stands for; a vibrant community full of people who care about each other and our city and are working to make Portland a great place to live and work. U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum, D-Oregon Its Rep. Bynum here and Im here to tell you that the President of the United States sought fit to put his tiny little fingers in the phone and declare war on my city, Bynum, whose district stretches from the Portland area to Bend, said in a video. Now, ladies and gentlemen, its not the first time a president has unleashed the full power of this country onto its own people. Weve seen this before in the Civil Rights Movement. Weve seen this in Manifest Destiny. Weve seen this before, but we havent seen this level of cowardly behavior. Mr. President, I am here to tell you, number one, before you send one troop to Portland: run us our money. Give us our money back for our roads. Give us our money back for our election systems. Give us our money that we were promised for our water. Give us our money that we were promised. All you can do is send troops, all you can send is mothers babies, all you can send is goons, but you cant run us our money? Youre a coward. Oregon Rep. Christine Drazan, R-Canby The ICE facility in Portland has been subject to months of dangerously chaotic protests that have put residents and federal agents in harms way, House Republican Leader Christine Drazan said in a statement released Saturday afternoon. The governors assertion that there is no national security threat and the mayors assertion that everything is fine is tone-deaf, she continued. Its shameful that state and local leaders have allowed violent mobs and domestic terrorists to assault federal law enforcement, destroy property, and interfere with those seeking immigration services from obtaining assistance and case management. We need order, we need to restore safety, and Oregons local leaders have failed to provide it. I learned how to diversify my bets so that I could dramatically reduce my risk without reducing my returns, he said. Following those principles took me to the biggest hedge fund in the world, the most successful and so on. For investors, Dalios outlook is sobering: mounting debt, widening political divides and a high-stakes rivalry with China. But he also offered a simple way to guard against those risks the very principle that helped him build the worlds largest hedge fund. His message seems to have struck a chord. The podcast titled Ray Dalio: Were Heading Into Very, Very Dark Times! America & The UKs Decline Is Coming! has racked up nearly four million views on YouTube [1]. He also flagged an intensifying great power conflict with China, marked by high-stakes competition in technology. We have a great technology war, which can be used to create great advances but at the same time could be used for great conflicts, he cautioned, adding, the winner of the technology war is going to win all wars. Next, he highlighted deepening internal rifts in the U.S. Theres a fight between the left and the right due to wealth and value gaps and people not believing that the system will work for them, Dalio said. And so democracy is at risk. He pointed first to Americas swelling national debt now hovering around $37.47 trillion and climbing [2]. Dalio has warned before of a looming debt death spiral, where the government must borrow simply to service existing obligations a dynamic that accelerates over time. In a recent episode of The Diary of a CEO podcast, host Steven Bartlett asked Dalio if he felt optimistic about the future of the U.S. Dalios reply was blunt: No. Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake heres what it is and 3 simple steps to fix it ASAP I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) 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 America has long been the worlds dominant economic power. Yet, Ray Dalio, founder of the worlds largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates, is sounding an unmistakable alarm about the countrys future. Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. Story Continues Diversifying may sound basic, but Dalio insists its powerful. After all, who wouldnt want to lower risk without giving up returns? Read more: Here are the 7 top habits of quietly wealthy Americans how many do you follow? While he didnt list specific assets in this interview, Dalio has consistently emphasized the importance of diversification and recently, hes singled out one classic hedge: gold [3]. People don't have, typically, an adequate amount of gold in their portfolio, he told CNBC. When bad times come, gold is a very effective diversifier. Long viewed as the ultimate safe haven, gold isnt tied to any single country, currency or economy. It cant be printed out of thin air like fiat money and in times of economic turmoil or geopolitical uncertainty, investors tend to pile in driving up its value. Over the past 12 months, gold prices have surged by more than 40%. 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Article sources At Moneywise, we consider it our responsibility to produce accurate and trustworthy content people can rely on to inform their financial decisions. We rely on vetted sources such as government data, financial records and expert interviews and highlight credible third-party reporting when appropriate. We are committed to transparency and accountability, correcting errors openly and adhering to the best practices of the journalism industry. For more details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines. [1]. @TheDiaryOfACEO. YouTube post on Sept. 11, 2025 [2]. FiscalData. What is the national debt? [3]. @RayDalio. X post on Sept. 23, 2025 [4]. @Forbes. YouTube post on Jan. 16, 2015 This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. We recently published 10 Big Names Investors Are Dumping. Sable Offshore Corp. (NYSE:SOC) is one of the companies that heavily bled in Thursdays trading. Sable Offshore saw its share prices decline by 7.40 percent on Thursday to finish at $20.15 apiece as investors unloaded portfolios to mitigate risks from the companys ongoing legal battles. In separate announcements on the same day, various shareholder law firms urged affected investors who purchased shares of Sable Offshore Corp. (NYSE:SOC) between May 19 and June 3, 2025, to seek the role as lead plaintiff in a lawsuit before the deadline on Friday, September 26. The case alleged that the firm disclosed false information in relation to its production off the coast of California. Sable Offshore (SOC) Falls Hard on Legal Battle Uncertainties Additionally, Sable Offshore Corp. (NYSE:SOC) is facing a legal battle filed by the Santa Barbara County on September 16 for attempting to restart the Santa Ynez Unit oil and gas operations. In a statement, the company said that it was working with all state and federal agencies to restart the two lines. Concerning our legal and established pipelines right of way and the work conducted within previously disturbed soil, we have been and continue to work with the appropriate agencies to align interpretations in the handling of backfill soil during the repair and maintenance process, Sable Offshore Corp. (NYSE:SOC) said. While we acknowledge the potential of SOC as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, 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. Park maintenance staff discovered the missing 30-inch capstone on Thursday, finding it had been pried free and fallen to Plum Run below the historic bridge. National Park Service Officials at Gettysburg National Military Park are asking the public for help after a stone containing a dinosaur fossil was vandalized this week. Around 1:30 p.m. Thursday, maintenance staff found a large capstone missing from the South Confederate Avenue Bridge, over Plum Run. The bridge is commonly referred to as the Dinosaur Bridge. Park maintenance staff discovered the missing 30-inch capstone on Thursday, finding it had been pried free and fallen to Plum Run below the historic bridge. National Park Service The capstone was later found below the bridge along Plum Run. Officials believe a heavy object was used to strike the stone and pry it free, causing it to fall in an attemp to steal the 30-inch capstone. The fossil, a track of an Anchisauripus that lived during the Jurassic period between 145 million and 201 million years ago, was unharmed. Anyone with information regarding the vandalized capstone is asked to send an email to GETT_Superintendent@nps.gov. Earlier this month, officials at the Gettysburg National Military Park said a man vandalized a monument honoring two New York infantry regiments. A Pennsylvania-based cheese company this month recalled more than 60 pounds of its products due to a possible listeria contamination. Goot Essa LLC, of Howard in Centre County, on Sept. 19 recalled batch 33 of its Goot Essa brand Der Mutterschaf Cheese after testing found Listeria monocytogenes in a sample from the batch. The possibly-contaminated sheeps milk cheese was distributed to seven customers in New Jersey, Virginia, Connecticut and Montana. The cheese was then distributed through retail stores and restaurants. On Sept. 19, Goot Essa LLC, of Howard, recalled batch 33 of its Goot Essa brand Der Mutterschaf Cheese after testing found Listeria monocytogenes in a sample from the batch. FDA On Sept. 19, Goot Essa LLC, of Howard, recalled batch 33 of its Goot Essa brand Der Mutterschaf Cheese after testing found Listeria monocytogenes in a sample from the batch. FDA The affected products come in 4 ounce and 8 ounce clear plastic packages. The 4-ounce packages have a universal product code (UPC) of 810154560189, while the 8-ounce packages have a UPC of 810154560196. All of the affected cheese is marked with lot number 33 on a sticker on the back. Listeria is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infection in children or frail/elderly people, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Healthy people who ingest Listeria monocytogenes often experience short-term symptoms, including fevers, headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. As of Friday, no illnesses have been reported. Anyone who purchased affected products is urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Customers with questions can contact the company at 1-800-490-4387 Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST. This tomb called a dolmen was discovered in the southern province of Malaga, pictured here. ( via Wikimedia Commons) via Wikimedia Common Archaeologists in Spain have discovered something monumental: A 5,000-year-old tomb thats not only incredibly well preserved, but which can shed light on the cultural practices of a community long-gone. According to the Greek Reporter, the Universidad de Cadiz (University of Cadiz) revealed on Monday that their research team discovered the tomb near Teba, located in the southern province of Malaga. This tomb, which stretches about 43 feet in length, is specifically known as a dolmen, which the Encyclopedia Britannica describes as a stone monument containing chambers [that] were often used for the burial of the dead. This one, according to a university statement, offers key information on funerary practices and exchange networks in the southern Iberian Peninsula during the 3rd millennium BC. Professor Serafin Becerra director of the Teba Museum and the projects co-lead called the discovery something that could be one of the most monumental and complete dolmens in the region. The extraordinary condition of this structure will allow us to learn in great detail about the lives and beliefs of these communities, the professor added. The universitys statement explains how the team found multiple grave goods within the tomb as well as weapons and various other object. And most interestingly to the researchers some seashells, the presence of which, as LiveScience points out, indicates some sort of trade going on. The presence of seashells in an inland area reflects the importance of the sea as an element of prestige and the existence of long-distance exchange networks, said prehistory professor at the university, Juan Jesus Cantillo, via the release. Further information regarding the sites excavation remains pending. More customers are turning towards food-focused convenience stores over fast-food chains. Gavin Schweiger | For NJ Advance Media Who knew this would happen? Fast food restaurants are losing early morning breakfast customers to convenience stores. So, in a way, convenience stores have become a steady rival to fast food chains with shared methods, but convenience stores have gained a winning edge. Hence the popular term, reheating nachos. The proof is in the Chia seed pudding. Morning meal traffic to fast-food chains rose 1% in the three months that ended in July, while visits to food-forward convenience stores climbed 9% within the same period, according to market research firm Circana. Over the long run, convenience stores have taken share, really at foodservice overall, but the morning meal has been their strong suit, David Portalatin, Circana senior vice president and food service industry advisor, told CNBC, highlighting that the trend has largely been driven by what the group calls food-forward convenience stores. For years, McDonalds and its rivals have betted on themselves to attract consumers to eat their early morning offerings, hanging their hats on convenience and alluring items that will dwarf the options of diners. While fast food chains have made strides 87% of what consumers eat and drink in the morning comes from their own refrigerators or pantries, according to Portalatin. That leaves some wiggle room for fast food chains. Before the pandemic, fast food chains began witnessing a new rival for breakfast customers: convenience stores. Regional chains such as Wawa in the Northeast and Caseys General Store in the Midwest were expanding their reach and investing in their food service options, using the fast food chains playbook as inspiration for their own opportunity in the space. For a moment, lockdowns and the shift to hybrid work reversed those market share gains. But in the three months that ended in July, food-focused convenience stores had once again gained the upper hand when it comes to serving consumers breakfast, according to Portalatin. 7-Eleven, the biggest convenience, or c-store, in the U.S., is planning to invest more in its prepared foods business, inspired by the success of its Japanese business. C-store chain RaceTrac on Wednesday announced that its buying Potbelly for about $566 million, but its unclear what its plans for the sandwich chain include beyond expanding its footprint. Year-over-year morning traffic to fast food chains has fallen every quarter for the last three years, according to data from Revenue Management Solutions, which advises restaurants on how to increase sales and profits. In the second quarter, fast food breakfast visits fell 8.7%. So to reverse breakfasts decline, fast food chains are taking hints from their competition. After years of convenience stores looking to fast-food chains for ideas on how to grow prepared food sales, were now looking at a flipped dynamic. [Quick-service restaurants] are looking at late-night sales and early morning sales, and they are directly looking at convenience stores and saying, What is working? How can we bring that to our stores? National Association of Convenience Stores spokesperson Jeff Lenard told CNBC. Meanwhile, prepared food has been a gem for convenience stores as demand for gasoline, tobacco and lottery tickets have fallen over time. The industrys overall food service sales reached $121 billion in 2024, according to data from the NACS. Most customers visit the gas pump during the morning and evening rush hours, on their way to and from work, supplying the perfect opportunity for c-stores to sell them breakfast or dinner. This year, 72% of consumers surveyed by Intouch Insight said they saw c-stores as a real alternative to fast-food chains, and thats up from 56% a year ago and 45% two years ago. Moreover, the c-stores that have focused on fresh food have been winning over more customers. A an example, Wawa has seen a jump in its customer base by 11.5% since 2022, while fast food chains McDonalds, Burger King, and Wendys have witness a shrink in their combined customer base by 3.5% during the same time, according to data from Indagari, a transaction data analytics firm. Most of the 1,170 respondents to an Intouch Insight survey for CNBC said that they have purchased made-to-order breakfast from a c-store in the morning in the past three months. Meanwhile, 48% of respondents said that when they choose breakfast from a convenience store, theyre replacing a visit that they might have made to a fast food restaurant such as McDonalds or Dunkin. Though purchasing coffee and breakfast from a c-store most likely wouldnt be cheaper than making it at home, consumers view this as a good bang for their buck, according to Sarah Beckett, vice president of sales and marketing for Intouch Insight. Additionally, c-store customers have a wide array of options. Alongside coffee, gas stations sell energy drinks, protein shakes and yogurt smoothies. It also leaves room for customers to purchase a granola bar or banana to go with their breakfast sandwich. When compared to fast food chains, they lack that option. But all in all, its the food itself that matters most to consumers. While [a] convenience store broadly does have some tailwind from being a lower price point, the ultimate differentiator, and whats really going to set apart the winners from losers, is that quality aspect of it, Circanas Portalatin said. he American Immigration Council issued an explainer on why its so hard for undocumented immigrants to adjust their status, and how that has become even more difficult as President Donald Trump toughens regulations and works to deport millions of people. FILE/PHOTO Jeff Rhode | For NJ Advance Media The question keeps being asked about immigrants who are living in the United States without permission: Why dont they just get in line for legal status? The answer: There is no line. Not for most people. This month the American Immigration Council issued an explainer on why its so hard for undocumented immigrants to adjust their status, and how that has become even more difficult as President Donald Trump toughens regulations and works to deport millions of people. Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions on the topic. Can people in other nations legally move here and start new lives if they wish? Generally, no. There are three main ways to lawfully, permanently immigrate to the United States for work, to reunify family, or for humanitarian protection. Would-be immigrants who fall outside those categories, or who cannot meet the strict regulations within them, generally cant settle here. The Cato Institute, a Libertarian research organization in Washington, D.C., says lawfully immigrating to the United States is nearly impossible, and fewer than 1% of those who want to move here can do so. Legal immigration is less like waiting in line and more like winning the lottery, the institute said in a 2023 study. It happens, but it is so rare that it is irrational to expect it in any individual case. Hasnt the U.S. been a beacon for immigrants? Yes. But not always. And definitely not now. Since its beginnings, America has had an ambivalent relationship with immigration. Benjamin Franklin disliked immigrants from Germany. He warned in a pamphlet against allowing those of swarthy complexion to come here. Today, when people say, My ancestors came legally what theyre saying is their people came when immigration was largely unregulated. The first numerical limits on Europeans werent set until the 1920s. To go back even farther: In the mid-nineteenth century the U.S. realized it needed more of a key resource: people. Meanwhile, other countries were convulsing in ways that drove people out. The failure of German revolutions sent many looking for fresh beginnings, and Irelands Great Famine sent nearly two million people to the United States. The U.S. encouraged settlement of the American West through the Homestead Act of 1862, which granted land to citizens and aspiring citizens. But the nations ambivalence about newcomers persisted. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 did exactly what its name proclaimed. The Emergency Quota Act of 1921 set a cap on immigration from Europe, and the Immigration Act of 1924 made that law even tougher. After World War II and the Vietnam War, the U.S. enacted special programs to accept displaced people, but numerical caps and preferences remained in place. Not until 1980 did the U.S. enact a formal law to govern admission of refugees a program Trump shut down soon after taking office in January. Heres a way to think about U.S. immigration: Before 1921 the rules focused on who was excluded, the Immigration Council notes, and anyone not specifically barred could immigrate. Now the opposite holds. The government determines who can enter, and those who are not explicitly approved are denied. How exactly can people legally immigrate to the United States? Three main ways: Employment. Available to those who can show extraordinary or exceptional abilities, including job skills, education, and professional experience. Think scientists, researchers, or executives who run multinational corporations. Those applicants generally must have a job already lined up, and that company must commit to serving as sponsor. Family reunification. U.S. citizens can petition to bring in spouses, parents, children, and siblings. Lawful permanent residents that is, people with green cards can petition for their spouses and unmarried children. Visas are always available for the spouses, parents, and minor children of U.S. citizens, but all other family categories carry annual limits, the American Immigration Council notes. Humanitarian protection. For people who have been driven from their homelands by violence or who could be harmed if they remained or returned. Its not enough to be threatened or even victimized the harm must spring from a particular cause. To be accepted as a refugee, an applicant must prove a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, membership in a particular social group, political opinion, or national origin. Asylum-seekers must prove the same. This year Trump imposed new restrictions on asylum-seekers and made it easier for judges to dismiss their cases without a hearing. He halted the nations refugee program, which has long brought some of the worlds most vulnerable people to new lives here. Havent some people lived in the U.S. for decades without trying to adjust their status? Yes. Again, pathways are limited. And immigrants who illegally entered the U.S. generally cannot obtain green cards while theyre here. At the same time, the penalties for staying here without permission increase quickly and sharply, making any attempt to gain legal status risky. Even if a visa became available, an undocumented person would first have to leave the U.S., which can carry significant consequences. Anyone who has been out of immigration status for more than six months but less than a year is barred from returning here for three years. Those who have stayed for more than a year are barred for 10 years. Do other countries restrict immigration? It depends on the country. The U.S. is home to more immigrants than any country in the world, more than 50 million people. But on a per capita basis, most wealthy countries accept more immigrants. Those include the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Canada, Norway, Ireland, Switzerland, China, Saudi Arabia, and Bermuda. The United States ranks 35th among wealthier nations, according to the Cato Institute. When legal immigration is hopeless, the Cato Institute said, illegal immigration should surprise no one. Nonetheless, the myth that legal immigration is relatively easy or a matter of simply waiting a few years persists. So how many people are living in the United States without legal permission? Record numbers. A recent Pew Research Center analysis estimated that 14 million undocumented immigrants lived here as of 2023. Thats an all-time high, and an increase of 3.5 million from 2021. The Migration Policy Institute estimates that 47,000 undocumented people live in Philadelphia. Across Pennsylvania, an estimated 153,000 are undocumented, the agency said, and in New Jersey the figure is about 440,000. Pew said last month that recent data indicates the number of undocumented people likely continued to grow nationally through at least mid-2024. That growth slowed in the second half of 2024 after then-President Joe Biden stopped accepting asylum applications at the border and paused entry programs that had allowed some people to enter, Pew said. This year the number of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. probably started to decline, Pew said, partially due to increased deportations and reduced protections under Trump. The total undocumented population is still likely greater than 2023. A group of former national park superintendents is calling on the Trump administration to close parks to visitors in case of a government shutdown. ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON A group of former national park superintendents is calling on the Trump administration to close the parks to visitors in case of a government shutdown. Past shutdowns in which parks have remained open have led to the vandalism of iconic symbols, destroyed wildlife habitat and endangered visitors, 40 former superintendents said in a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. A shutdown now could be even worse as parks are already under strain from a 24% reduction in staff and severe budget cuts, the former park officials said in a letter Thursday. A secretarial order by Burgum directing parks to remain open has led parks to neglect trash collection and other routine maintenance work, the ex-officials said. The April directive was issued as Burgum came under criticism for staffing cuts across the country amid efforts by Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency to slash federal spending. Burgum directed national parks to remain open and accessible despite job cuts and said his department and the National Park Service are committed to ensuring that all Americans have the opportunity to visit and enjoy our Nations most treasured places. But the former superintendents said poorly staffed parks are a danger to the public and the parks themselves. Leaving parks even partially open to the public during a shutdown with minimal or no park staffing is reckless and puts both visitors and park resources at risk, the former officials wrote. National parks dont run themselves. It is hardworking National Park Service employees that keep them safe, clean and accessible, they said. As stewards of these American treasures, we urge you to prioritize both conservation and visitor safety and protect our national parks during a potential shutdown, and into the future. If sufficient staff arent there, visitors shouldnt be either, the former superintendents said. Park staff manage everything from routine maintenance of buildings and trails to educational programs that teach visitors how to safely engage with nature and guided tours that share the nations collective history, they said. Long-term projects and research are also in jeopardy during a shutdown, they said. We dont leave museums open without curators, or airports without air traffic controllers, and we should not leave our national parks open without NPS employees, said Emily Thompson, executive director of the Coalition to Protect Americas National Parks, one of the groups that organized the letter. The most sensible outcome here is to not only keep the government open but to fully fund and staff our parks, she said. But if there is a shutdown starting Wednesday, safety must come first, she added. The Interior Department and the National Park Service declined to comment Friday. During a 35-day government shutdown in 2018 and 2019, during President Donald Trumps first term, national parks stayed open. But with limited staffing, problems quickly emerged: Visitors cut new trails in sensitive soil, pried open park gates while no one was watching, and one off-roader even mowed down an iconic twisted-limbed Joshua tree in California. During a 2013 shutdown, the park service under former President Barack Obama turned away millions of visitors to its more than 400 parks, national monuments, and other sites. The service estimated that the shutdown led to more than $500 million in lost visitor spending nationwide. That also caused economic damage to so-called gateway communities that border national parks and are heavily dependent on the visitors they draw. Hoping to minimize the economic damage in their state, officials in Utah reached an agreement with federal officials to donate $1.7 million to keep its national parks open. Utah and other states made similar deals ahead of the 2018-19 shutdown. Sinclair Broadcast Group is bringing Jimmy Kimmels late-night show back to its ABC affiliate stations on Friday night, ending blackout. Randy Holmes/Disney via AP Story has been updated to include Nexstar restores Kimmel to its stations NEW YORK Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar are bringing Jimmy Kimmels late-night show back to ABC affiliate stations on Friday night, ending a dayslong TV blackout for dozens of cities across the U.S. over remarks the comedian made in the wake of conservative activist Charlie Kirks killing. That means Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return to Sinclairs local TV markets from Seattle to Washington, D.C. Nexstar later Friday announced it would restore Kimmel to its ABC affiliates and that includes ABC27 in Harrisburg. Disney-owned ABC suspended Kimmel on Sept. 17, following threats of potential repercussions from the Trump-appointed head of the Federal Communications Commission. Sinclair also condemned the host confirming that it would stop airing the show the same day. The Maryland-based broadcast giant, which is known for conservative political content, called on Kimmel at the time to apologize to Kirks family and taking it a step further, asked him to make a meaningful personal donation to Turning Point USA, the nonprofit that Kirk founded. On the day Kirk was killed, Kimmel shared a message of support for Kirks family and other victims of gun violence on social media, which he reiterated during his Tuesday return to ABC. He had also called the conservative activists assassination a senseless murder prior to being taken off air. Kimmels original comments didnt otherwise focus on Kirk. He instead lambasted President Donald Trump and his administrations response to the killing. The comedian did not apologize on Tuesday, but did say it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man and acknowledged that to some, his comments felt either ill-timed or unclear or maybe both. He also used a blend of humor and pointed messages to emphasize the importance of free speech. Even after Disney brought Kimmel back to its national airways, both Sinclair and Nexstar continued to preempt the show. Nexstar did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment from The Associated Press following Sinclairs decision to end its blackout. New episodes of the show air Monday through Thursday. Friday nights rerun will be of Tuesdays show so viewers of Sinclair stations can see Kimmels emotional return to the air. In its statement Friday, Sinclair pointed to its responsibility as local broadcasters to provide programming that serves the interests of our communities, while also honoring our obligations to air national network programming. The company, which operates 38 ABC-affiliated stations, added that it had received thoughtful feedback from viewers, advertisers and community leaders representing a wide range of perspectives, and noticed troubling acts of violence, referencing the shooting into the lobby of a Sacramento station. These events underscore why responsible broadcasting matters and why respectful dialogue between differing voices remains so important, Sinclair added. As a result of Sinclair and Nexstars boycott, viewers in cities representing roughly a quarter of ABCs local TV affiliates had been left without the late-night program on local TV. The blackouts escalated nationwide uproar around First Amendment protections particularly as the Trump administration and other conservatives police speech after Kirks killing. They also cast a spotlight on political influence in the media landscape, with critics lambasting companies that they accuse of censoring content. Ahead of his suspension, Kimmel took aim at the president and his MAGA gang of supporters for their response to Kirks killing, which Kimmel said included finger-pointing and attempts to characterize the alleged shooter as anything other than one of them. These remarks angered many supporters of Kirk as well as FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who accused Kimmel of appearing to directly mislead the American public with his remarks about the man accused of the killing. Ahead of Kimmels suspension, Carr warned that Disney and ABCs local affiliates could face repercussions if the comedian was not punished. He later applauded Sinclair, as well as Nexstar, for their decisions to preempt the show. On Sept. 17, Sinclair Vice Chairman Jason Smith called Kimmels comments inappropriate and deeply insensitive and said that ABCs suspension wasnt enough. Smith added that Sinclair appreciated Carrs comments and called for immediate regulatory action from the FCC to address control held over local broadcasters by the big national networks. Still, in Fridays announcement, Sinclair maintained that its decision to preempt Kimmels show was independent of any government interaction or influence, Sinclairs statement Friday read, adding that broadcasters had the right to exercise their own judgment. While local TV affiliates broadcast their own programming, such as local news, they also contract with larger national broadcasters and pay them to air their national content, splitting advertising revenue and fees from cable companies. Sinclair said constructive discussions with ABC were ongoing, and said its proposals to the network to strengthen accountability, feedback and dialogue and appoint an ombudsman had not yet been adopted. Representatives for ABC declined to comment on Friday. Matthew Dolgin, senior equity analyst at research firm Morningstar, said he wasnt surprised by Sinclairs decision. The relationship with Disney is far too important for these firms to risk, Dolgin said. And setting aside legal rights from either side, he added, Disney wouldve been free to take its affiliate agreements elsewhere in 2026 if these relationships were too difficult. That scenario would be devastating to Nexstar and Sinclair. WATSONTOWN - A section of an interstate highway in central Pennsylvania has reopened after being closed nearly 11 hours when a rig carry stone struck an overpass. The accident occurred when the elevated dump portion of a westbound tractor-trailer rig hauling 23 tons of stone on Interstate 180 struck the Eighth Street overpass in Northumberland County about 7:40 a.m. Friday, state police said. The impact caused the stone and debris to spill and cover all four lanes of the divided highway. It also brought down utility wires leaving some in the area without power. The driver, David Wright of Muncy, was wearing a seatbelt and was not injured, troopers said. The interstate was closed between the McEwensville/Watsontown and Turbotville interchanges until the debris was removed and PennDOT inspected the overpass for damage. Inspection crews have determined the overpass is safe to open using channelizing devices that will result in a lane shift on Eighth Street, PennDOT says. Design work will be needed for permanent repairs to the overpass, it says. By Mark S. Singel President Donald Trump is making good on his campaign promise that he would bring retribution to his enemies. No other president in our history has used the levers of power more aggressively and more cruelly than Trump. There was a telling moment of the level of Trumps venom when he took the stage at Charlie Kirks memorial service. Just moments after Erika Kirk displayed grace and Christian values by calling for forgiveness of the assailant, Trump proclaimed that he hated his enemies and that he wanted revenge. There is no chance of dousing the fires of partisan hatred when the president himself is the arsonist. Former FBI Director James Comey is the latest victim of Trumps obsessive hatred. Even though his own Justice Department found no compelling reason to indict Comey, Trump insisted on it. He cleared the path by dumping the key prosecutor and replacing him with one who would do his bidding. The president has turned the attorneys at the Department of Justice into his private attack dogs. The presidents hostility extends to anyone who dares to question his methods or his madness. Steven Colbert was the first victim. Then, after pressure from the Federal Communications Commission, late night comedian Jimmy Kimmel was tossed aside. While the suspension lasted only a few days, conservatives, liberals and non-partisan Americans were stunned at the torching of the first amendment. These are not the first salvos launched by the President to squelch dissent and he has promised that it will not be the last. While America smolders domestically and braces for whatever outrage comes next, there is an inferno blazing in Ukraine that threatens all of Western Europe and democracy in general. While Ukraine is fighting off an onslaught of drones, missiles and tanks, the only rhetoric that Trump can muster is Im very disappointed in Putin. Russia has spent millions and millions of dollars in bombs, missiles, ammunition and lives. Their lives. And theyve gained virtually no land. I think its time to stop, I really do. Its time to stop? Really? Is that the level of outrage that you can summon after a despot invades a country and murders one million people? Is that all we are going to do in the face of 20,000 children kidnapped and reprogramed by the Russian regime? What about the recent provocations that make it clear that Russia has only begun its plans for domination. Over the past few weeks, Russian planes and drones have violated the airspace of Poland, Norway, Denmark, Lithuania, Latvia, Finland, and Romania. In fact, according to CNN, there have been nine recent instances of fighter jets invading American airspace that required the deployment of U.S. F-16 fighter jets and tankers. It was only weeks ago that Trump rolled out the red carpet for Putin on American soil. When he now says that Ukraine, with the support of the EU, could reclaim its lost territory, European leaders are less than impressed with his change of heart. The president of Poland called it like it was - a shift of responsibility away from any U.S. involvement. Ukraine and Western Europe are in a fight for their very existence. This is, apparently, not compelling enough for us to engage actively. Nor does it seem to matter that Russia is deliberately defiant and testing us at our own borders. But wait, something is happening on the home front. The Washington Post reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has summoned his top commanders to Quantico on very short notice. One seasoned Pentagon reporter said: I have never seen anything like this in my 30 years of reporting on the U.S. military. We may be on the brink of war. Whether it is dishing out hate on the domestic front or sniveling in the face ofinternational threats, President Trump is failing the test of leadership. His grievances with comedians and anyone who opposes him clouds his vision. He cannot see that reckless comments about Tylenol are dangerous. He doesnt care that his tariffs are causing havoc in the economy. He cannot bring the power of the United States to bear for the hundreds of people who are dying everyday as Ukraine burns. President Lyndon Johnson once said, A presidents hardest task is not to do what is right, but to know what is right. America faces the reality that its president is adrift in his own sea of recklessness. It is not clear that he even discerns right from wrong. It is a condition that endangers all of us. Mark Singel is a former lieutenant governor and former acting governor of Pennsylvania. Krista Pontius, longtime agriculture teacher and FFA adviser at Greenwood High School, was recognized Aug. 15 at the Perry County Fair for receiving one of the highest honors in her field the 2025 Pennsylvania Golden Owl Award. Pontius learned earlier this summer that she had been named the state winner after being picked as a regional honoree earlier in the year. The award, presented at the Pennsylvania FFA State Convention, is a prestigious distinction for an agricultural educator. It recognizes teachers in the state who dedicate countless hours, often with their own resources, to improve the lives of their students. The news was followed by a surprise ceremony during the county fair, where state officials, local leaders, former students and colleagues gathered to praise Pontius for her years of service to agricultural education. A WISE MOVE Greenwood agricultural teacher Krista Pontius (center) was presented the Golden Owl Award at the recent Perry County Fair. Perry County Times Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding called Pontius a natural teacher whose dedication makes a lasting impact on students and the community. State Sen. Greg Rothman and Rep. Perry Stambaugh presented citations recognizing her achievement, as did the Perry County commissioners. Current FFA state officers also spoke of her influence. One of the most emotional moments came when Jay Bratton, a former student, described Pontius as more than a teacher, calling her one of the biggest pillars in his life. You have impacted me in more ways than you will ever know, he said, thanking her for being a mentor and a friend. Her own mentor, former Greenwood ag teacher Dr. MeeCee Baker, and Bakers daughter, Libby Baker-Mikesell, shared stories highlighting Pontius resilience, service and authenticity, noting her tireless work for students and her community from organizing food donations during COVID-19 to inspiring generations of students to find their place in agriculture. Michael Clark, Pontius longtime co-teacher, closed the evening by praising her passion, pride and persistence. He emphasized her ability to connect with every student and said working alongside her for more than two decades has been a blessing. When Pontius took the microphone, she turned the focus back to the people around her. Nothing that we do would happen without our community. We live in the best community in the world. Thank you for allowing us to do what we love every day and inspire the next generation. Pontius, following in the footsteps of Clark, who received the same award in 2023, has spent nearly 30 years guiding the schools program and creating what she calls an FFAmily. The Golden Owl Award marks not only her individual achievement but also the gratitude of students, colleagues and neighbors who honored her at the fair. Italian oil field services company Saipem announced that its shareholders have approved its previously announced merger with Norwegian subsea contractor Subsea7. This merger was unanimously approved at an extraordinary shareholders' meeting by shareholders, representing 62.15% of the voting share capital. The proposed merger is anticipated to be completed in the second half (H2) of 2026. In July this year, Saipem and Subsea7 entered into a binding merger agreement, consistent with the memorandum of understanding signed earlier in February. This merger is planned to occur through an EU cross-border statutory process, with Subsea7 absorbed into Saipem, which will be renamed Saipem7. The new combined company will remain incorporated in Italy and headquartered in Milan, with its shares listed on both the Milan and Oslo stock exchanges. Siem Industries, the major shareholder of Subsea7, will own around 11.8% of the combined company while Eni and CDP Equity, presently major shareholders of Saipem, will own 10.6% and 6.4%, respectively. The combined group, Saipem7, is expected to have core earnings of more than 2bn ($2.4bn), an order backlog of 43bn, and revenue of about 21bn. It will operate in four business areas: offshore engineering and construction, onshore engineering and construction, sustainable infrastructures, and drilling offshore. The first listed of these businesses will operate as an autonomous company, branded as Subsea7, a Saipem7 Company. Subsea7 will be incorporated in the UK with headquarters in London, and it will have a board of directors with seven members. Recently, Bloomberg reported that ExxonMobil, Petrobras, and TechnipFMC have raised objections to the planned merger between Saipem and Subsea 7. The companies urged Brazils antitrust regulator to block the transaction and formally requested participation in the watchdogs review. "Saipems shareholders approve of merger with Subsea7 " was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell speaks at a rally for Donald Trump, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in St. Cloud, Minn. Lindell is considering running for governor there. (AP Photo/Adam Bettcher) AP By Ryan Faircloth, Star Tribune (TNS) MINNEAPOLIS MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell is moving closer to a run for Minnesota governor, saying he has re-established residency in the state after recently living in Texas. Lindell, who said he owns homes here and in Texas, acknowledged earlier this year hed need to re-establish his Minnesota residency to run for governor. Candidates for governor must live in the state for at least one year before the general election. In an interview this week, Lindell said he also has polled hypothetical matchups against DemocraticFarmerLabor Party Gov. Tim Walz, who is seeking a third term, and other Republicans running for governor. Were about 99% there, Lindell said of a possible gubernatorial campaign. I love the state, I love the country, and if Im the only one that can win, that would be a shame if that opportunity slipped by. Lindell could be a contender for the GOP nomination in Minnesota with his name recognition, his close relationship with President Donald Trump and his promotion of debunked election fraud theories. Activists who decide the Republican Party of Minnesotas endorsement often choose candidates who take hardline stances on issues such as abortion or election denialism, even if it hurts them in the general election. Lindell has said hed run on a platform of secure elections and common sense if he seeks the governorship. Hes previously criticized Walz for his response to the 2020 riots in Minneapolis and said Minnesotas education system has worsened during the governors tenure. Other Republicans running for governor in Minnesota include 2022 nominee Scott Jensen, GOP state Rep. Kristin Robbins, businessman Kendall Qualls, former U.S. Naval intelligence officer Phillip Parrish and retired mixed martial arts fighter Brad Kohler. In a statement Friday, Minnesota DFL Chair Richard Carlbom called Lindell extreme and conspiratorial. Now that Mike is back in town, he wants to turn Minnesota into his next failed business. Lets be clear: A Lindell governorship would be marked by lawsuits, schemes, and loopholes for corporations to screw workers, Carlbom said. This isnt the first time Lindell has mused about running for the states top office. He floated the possibility of challenging Walz in the 2022 election but ultimately decided against it, even as Trump encouraged him to run. The pillow magnate has faced immense challenges in recent years after staking his reputation on the baseless theory that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. Many big-box stores dropped Lindells MyPillow in 2021, and unpaid rent and risky loans have piled up for the company as it finds its way without major retailers. Lindell is on the hook for $2.3 million, pending appeal, following a defamation verdict related to his election-fraud claims. He said in testimony during that case he is $10 million in debt. He is still facing two additional defamation cases that voting machine companies brought against him, and he might be headed to the Supreme Court about a $5 million ruling in his Prove Mike Wrong contest. As he nears a decision on a gubernatorial run, Lindell said he first needs to figure out how campaign finance rules could affect his business. Because I have Lindell TV, I have my own network, because Im the face of MyPillow, what I can and cant do, he said. Can I still be the face of MyPillow on the commercials? We dont know. If you see this guy every day in a commercial is that unfair advertising? I dont know that. Asked if hes spoken with Trump about running against Walz, Lindell said no. What I discuss with the president all the time is getting rid of the electronic voting machines, securing our elections. Records show Lindell had recently been living in Lufkin, Texas, and had been registered to vote in the Lone Star State since January 2023. He told the Minnesota Star Tribune earlier this year that his wife is from the east Texas city of about 34,000 and that some of their family members live there. Lindell said that there also was a lot of stuff that I had to do in Texas, referring to his efforts to push local governments to ditch voting machines in favor of hand-counted paper ballots. Shown are potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, at left, and powerful Hurricane Humberto on the right. NWS By SETH BORENSTEIN, AP Science Writer NEW YORK (AP) An unusual interaction of two tropical storm systems maybe even a rare dance could happen soon in the Caribbean. If it does, it would lessen the mess and maybe even shield the Carolina coast from a wet embryonic tropical system chugging that way. A still unnamed and developing tropical depression likely to become Imelda -- is heading toward the South Carolina/North Carolina state line and has the potential to bring damaging heavy rains, especially if it stalls and keeps pouring for awhile. The depression off the coast of Cuba and heading to the Bahamas is threatening enough and could hit early next week, so residents of the Carolinas need to be aware, especially of rain and flooding possibilities, National Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan said. It is forecast to go due north. People need to pay attention, Brennan said Friday. This is a scenario where we could have a system again develop and make landfall within just two or three days. But big bad Humberto may come to the rescue. The stronger, further east and older storm may get close enough to Imelda-to-be and start to interact. There are several ways they could interact. Humberto, which reached major hurricane status late Friday afternoon, could tug the smaller storm to the east. Humberto, which is not forecast to hit the U.S. mainland, could pull the depression apart. The two could merge into one even larger storm, University of Miami hurricane researcher Brian McNoldy said. And finally is the most rare interaction, usually seen more in the Pacific: They could dance together, swirling around a spot in the middle. This was first seen more than 100 years ago and is called the Fujiwhara Effect for the Japanese scientist who discovered it. Two years ago, tropical storms Philippe and Rina did a little dance much farther away from the United States, McNoldy said. It seems like it might be somewhat less likely than it may have looked like a couple of days ago, but right now the two systems are, you know, more than a thousand miles, almost 1,100 miles, apart from each other, Brennan said Friday. So they really have to be within about 800 miles of each other to start to have that type of interaction. Hurricane Humberto is not expected to threaten the United States, but those in Bermuda should keep an eye on it. NHC Most interactions will likely pull the younger, smaller system to the east and away from the coast and maybe even pull it apart, McNoldy said. And the most likely of the bunch is that Humberto gives Imelda-to-be a gentle tug to the east, pulling it away from the coast, he said. I wish they were closer, McNoldy said. Not only would it be really neat to watch, but it would fling future Imelda out to sea. The key is Humbertos movement. Will it go further west and speed up, shrinking the gap between the two systems? McNoldy said: Humbertos more in charge of whats going to happen. In a hurricane such as Humberto, the air rises up the middle and spreads out like a mushroom and then eventually sinks. It is that sinking air that may hamper Imelda-to-be, State University of New York at Albany atmospheric scientist Ryan Torn said. This is so unusual that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is doing extra airplane missions to measure the atmospheric conditions between the two systems, Torn said. This type of situation usually doesnt happen because there is sort of a natural spacing out between developing storm systems that chug west off Africa, Torn said. Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) is one of the 15 Best American Tech Stocks to Buy Right Now. On September 16, Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) announced that it will invest $6 billion in its UK business by 2030. The company has been working in the UK for 25 years. This new investment will help companies in the UK and Europe transform into what Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) calls Agentic Enterprises, where people and AI agents will work together to drive customer success. Salesforce (CRM) to Invest $6 Billion in UK by 2030 Pixabay/Public Domain This new investment extends a previous 5-year investment of $4 billion made in 2023. In 2024, Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) also chose London for its first AI center. Salesforce, Inc.s (NYSE:CRM) recent acquisitions of Convergence.ai and Own Company will enhance the AI centers capabilities and allow Salesforce UK to become an AI hub for the whole region. New research and development teams will work in the UK to support AI product innovation for customers across Europe. Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) is a leading American cloud-based software company that specializes in customer relationship management (CRM) solutions. The company offers software, tools, services, and applications for sales, customer service, marketing, e-commerce, and analytics. While we acknowledge the potential of CRM as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 10 Best NASDAQ Stocks to Buy For Long Term and 10 Unrivaled Stocks of the Next 3 Years. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. What could be better than winning a WSOPE bracelet as your first-ever live victory? Yuhan Wang now belongs to the select group who knows that feeling, as he was crowned the 2025 champion of Event #5: 1,350 Mini Main Event at the 2025 World Series of Poker Europe, held at Kings Resort in Rozvadov. Wang outlasted a field of 1,293 entries, which generated a total prize pool of 1,518,628, claiming the gold bracelet and the top prize of 226,850 (including a 10,350 WSOPE Main Event ticket). The Chinese player defeated Stanislav Koleno in heads-up play. The Slovakian earned 154,650 for his runner-up finish, while Frances Christophe Vincent completed the podium in third place (112,450). Final Table Results Place Player Country Prize 1 Yuhan Wang China 226,850* 2 Stanislav Koleno Slovakia 154,650* 3 Christophe Vincent France 112,450* 4 Gal Naim Israel 83,650* 5 Francesco Zappala Switzerland 63,650* 6 Besnik Aruqi Kosovo 49,750* 7 Dan Sfarlea Romania 39,900* 8 Salih Atac Switzerland 32,850* 9 Roman Isaienko Ukraine 27,750* *The top 12 players received a 10,350 ticket to the WSOPE Main Event Yuhan Wang Winner's Reaction Wangs phone started ringing as soon as he won the final hand. Thank you, thank you, its unbelievable, he quickly said before hanging up to go on stage and lift his first gold bracelet. It feels kind of unreal, he added, surrounded by friends. Before coming here, I never thought I could win a bracelet, so it feels unreal to hold it now. Its one of my first big tournaments and my first live win, so it means a lot to me. If victory wasnt on his mind from the start, a double-up on the very first hand of the tournament made the 27-year-old believe this one could be different. I ended Day 1 with 719,000, above average, but on Day 2 I went down to just 10 big blinds. I managed to get back to 20 big blinds, which was manageable, he recalled. After that, I doubled in a huge pot and things started to go smoothly. I made another crucial double-up at the start of Day 3, and then my game just felt perfect. That perfect game carried him all the way to heads-up play, where he began second in chips. Despite lacking both training and experience in the format, Wang entered the final battle with a clear plan: I wanted to find out how my opponent played, to learn from him and take advantage. So at the beginning I limped a lot because I needed some time to adjust. Then I climbed back thanks to those adjustments. The strategy paid off, earning him his first bracelet, with perhaps another one to come. I hope so! Ill be 99% in the Main Event, Wang said before heading off to celebrate with his friends. Stanislav Koleno Yuhan Wang Day 3 Action With 23 remaining players, Day 3 of the 1,350 Mini Main Event began in an unexpected way with Patrick White moving all in on the turn with eight-six, holding absolutely nothing. Francesco Zappala couldnt have hoped for a better spot with a set of kings and scored the first elimination of the day. White was soon followed to the payout desk by Mike Koch (22nd - 7,250), Emad Zarghami (21st - 7,250), Karol Konopka (20th - 7,250), and Jakub Sterba (19th - 7,250), all eliminated in more traditional fashion. Dimitrios Michailidis (18th - 7,250) was next to go, becoming the only casualty of a three-way all-in that put Roman Isaienko back on track. This elimination, along with Eusebiu Jalbas exit in 17th place (8,800), led the 16 remaining players to the final two tables and the first break of the day. Despite the fast start, the pace slowed down to a single elimination over the next 90 minutes, though five players managed to double up during that time. Calin Ciolte eventually lost a flip to Salih Atac to finish in 15th place (8,800), sparking a wave of bustouts as Andrei Spataru (14th - 8,800), Vlastimil Pustina (13th - 10,879), and Roberto Manfredi (12th - 21,229) quickly followed. Daniel Elhaiany was next to hit the rail. However, his elimination seemed almost anecdotal compared to the hand that came just before, where Elhaiany lost nearly all of his chips after four-betting all in with seven-deuce into ace-queen. Moments later, Alkiviadis Stamatis (10th - 23,000) saw an ace hit the river to crack his jacks, sending him out on the final table bubble. Yuhan Wang It then took only three hands to see the first bustout, as Isaienko called off his stack with second pair, only to run into Gal Naims pocket aces. After Christophe Vincent doubled up, Naim nearly lost his stack after prematurely mucking his hand while all-in. His mistake, however, had no consequences, and he reached the next pay jumps thanks to flips lost by Salih Atac (8th - 32,850) and Dan Sfarlea (7th - 32,850). Besnik Aruqi then doubled up with aces, but it wasnt enough to stay in the tournament as he was ultimately eliminated in 6th place (49,750) with queen-jack against Vincents ace-four. Three hands later, Zappala wasn't more fortunate with jacks against Naims ace-king, finishing in fifth place for a total of 63,650. Stanislav Koleno Yuhan Wang Meanwhile, Yuhan Wang doubled up and doubled up again a few hands later thanks to a set of sixes, leaving Naim on fumes. Naim tried to survive with ace-six, but ran into Vincent queens to take the fourth place and let the last three contenders enjoy the first (and only) break of the final table. Once back at the table, Vincent saw his dreams of a WSOPE bracelet come to an end when he called off his stack with queen-jack against Kolenos ace-queens. The Frenchman earned 112,450 for his third-place finish and allowed Koleno to start the heads-up play with a 2.5:1 lead. The first hands of the final duel went in Wangs favor, with the Chinese player steadily closing the gap. Koleno struck back by crossing the 100-million-chip mark, but Wang regained momentum and even seized the chip lead. He never relinquished it, and sealed the victory on his first opportunity, when his ace-eight held against Kolenos ace-six to claim the gold bracelet. Yuhan Wang This concludes PokerNews' coverage of Event #5: 1,350 Mini Main Event. Stay tuned for more updates throughout the 2025 WSOP Europe. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Tony Kukulich is an editor/reporter working in the Beaufort County bureau. Turning to journalism as a second career, he started as a photojournalist in the San Francisco Bay Area. After moving to Bluffton in 2021, he wrote for several area publications before joining The Post and Courier the following year. The Socastee Swing Bridge was the site of filming for the Outer Banks on July 29, 2025, in the Socastee community near Myrtle Beach. The Netflix series had to cut things short though due to a summer storm. This story was originally published on MedTech Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily MedTech Dive newsletter. Medtech companies face more tariff uncertainty as the Trump administration opens a Section 232 investigation into medical equipment. The Department of Commerce disclosed the probe late Wednesday, although it had started several weeks earlier, on Sept. 2. Medical device firms are still looking into the potential implications. Industry group Advamed, which has been lobbying for medical devices to be exempted from tariffs, emphasized in comments Thursday that 70% of the medical equipment used in the U.S. is made in the country. We believe this process will reinforce the fact that U.S. medtech manufacturing is strong and lower tariffs will fuel more manufacturing and job growth in the U.S., which means greater access to lifesaving technologies and lower costs to American hospitals and patients, Advamed CEO Scott Whitaker said in a statement. Large, multinational medical device firms, including Siemens Healthineers and GE Healthcare have not commented on the Section 232 investigation. A spokesperson for Philips said at this stage, no immediate operational or financial impact should be assumed, adding that details are limited and a range of potential outcomes remain under discussion. The investigation applies to a wide variety of medical products, from syringes, needles and scalpels to IV bags, catheters and gauze. A federal register notice slated to publish Friday also listed more complex devices, such as wheelchairs, insulin pumps, pacemakers, heart valves, blood glucose monitors and imaging machines. Section 232 investigations are intended to understand potential national security risks, and the Trump administration has used them to impose tariffs on goods including steel, aluminum, copper and automobiles. The pharmaceutical industry has also been the subject of a Section 232 review. President Donald Trump threatened in August to impose tariffs of up to 250% on pharmaceutical imports, and announced 100% tariffs on patented pharmaceuticals Thursday evening, unless a company is building a manufacturing plant in the U.S. If more tariffs are enacted, how much medtech firms will be impacted is uncertain. We expect the medical device investigation to eventually result in additional tariffs for the industry though Trump may take a similar approach as with pharmaceuticals and gradually increase tariffs over time, Needham analyst Mike Matson wrote in a research note. Nick Reynolds covers politics for the Post and Courier. A native of Central New York, he spent three-and-a-half years covering politics in Wyoming before joining the paper in late 2021. His work has appeared in outlets like Newsweek, Poynter, the Associated Press, and the Washington Post. He lives in Columbia. BELGRADE (Reuters) -Serbia has ample crude oil and fuel in storage to meet demand in the short term but U.S. sanctions set to come into force on October 1 cast a shadow over the landlocked Balkan nation's future energy security, sources told Reuters on Friday. Russian-owned oil company NIS said earlier it had secured adequate crude and fuel stocks after Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic confirmed that the U.S. would not extend further a waiver for sanctions first announced in January. NIS did not disclose inventory levels or how long supplies would last. Four sources familiar with the matter said the refinery could operate for two months and provide refined products to cover demand for slightly longer. Russia's Gazprom Neft owns a 44.9% stake in NIS, an investment unit of Russia's Gazprom has around 11.3%, and the Serbian government 29.9%. LONG-TERM ENERGY SECURITY UNCERTAIN NIS operates Serbia's only oil refinery and supplies around 80% of Serbia's diesel and gasoline demand, and 90% or more of jet fuel and heavy fuel oil, a trader told Reuters. The U.S. sanctions targeting Russia's oil sector were announced on January 10 but had been repeatedly postponed. Once they are enforced, foreign banks may halt transactions with NIS, leaving domestic banks, which lack sufficient capacity. "Authorities need to immediately ensure NIS has access to domestic financial markets, and then within the next month or two, do whatever it takes to keep the Pancevo refinery running," said one Serbian fuel industry source who asked not to be named. "Theres no alternative for market supply without the refinery operating." NIS is majority-owned by Russia's Gazprom Neft (SIBN.MM) and Gazprom (GAZP.MM) and as such is one of Russia's last remaining oil assets in Europe. Earlier this year, Reuters reported that NIS was struggling to buy oil from traders abroad, while at home its former clients were seeking alternative fuel suppliers due to the pending sanctions. JANAF PIPELINE IMPACT NIS' 4.8 million ton/year capacity Pancevo refinery gets all of its crude oil via Croatia's JANAF pipeline. JANAF confirmed on Friday it would have to cease supplies to NIS when the sanctions take effect, but will appeal to the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to extend its licence. "It is now for NIS to provide evidence to explain why the licence should be extended," Vladislav Veselica, a JANAF board member, told Reuters. He said the company's lawyers in the U.S. would file for the extension on Friday. NIS accounts for more than 30% of JANAF revenues. (Reporting by Ivana Sekularac and Robert HarveyEditing by Edward McAllister and Gareth Jones) PR-Inside.com: 2025-09-27 16:01:35 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 334 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / September 27, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Novo Nordisk A/S ("Novo Nordisk" or the "Company") (NYSE:NVO). 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 Novo Nordisk and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until September 30, 2025 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Novo Nordisk 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 July 29, 2025, Novo Nordisk significantly lowered its sales outlook for 2025. The Company attributed the reduction to "lowered growth expectations for the second half of 2025" for both Wegovy and Ozempic due to "the persistent use of compounded GLP-1s, slower-than-expected market expansion and competition." On this news, Novo Nordisk's American Depositary Receipt ("ADR") price fell $15.06 per ADR, or 21.83%, to close at $53.94 per ADR on July 29, 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.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-09-27 16:01:17 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 924 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / September 27, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Dow Inc. ("Dow" or the "Company") (NYSE:DOW) and certain officers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Northern Division, and docketed under 25-cv-12744, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants that purchased or otherwise acquired Dow securities between January 30, 2025 and July 23, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants' violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials.If you are an investor who purchased or otherwise acquired Dow securities during the Class Period, you have until October 28, 2025, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com . To discuss this action, contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.[Click here for information about joining the class action]Dow is an American materials science company, serving customers in the packaging, infrastructure, mobility, and consumer applications industries. Dow conducts its worldwide operations through six global businesses organized into three operating segments: (i) Packaging & Specialty Plastics, (ii) Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure, and (iii) Performance Materials & Coatings.Historically, Dow has touted its "industry-leading dividend," which is of particular importance to investors. On conference calls with investors and analysts, Dow's Chief Executive Officer, Defendant Jim Fitterling ("Fitterling"), has variously stated that the Company's "dividend is a key element of our investment thesis," and that "north of 65% of our owners count on that dividend." Notwithstanding an ongoing slump in the materials science industry, as well as the recent onset of tariff-related market uncertainties, at all relevant times, Defendants represented that Dow was well positioned to weather macroeconomic and tariff-related headwinds while maintaining sufficient levels of financial flexibility to support the Company's lucrative dividend. Specifically, Defendants cited various purported strengths and advantages unique to Dow in its industry, including, inter alia, the Company's purported "differentiated portfolio," "cost-advantaged footprint," and "industry-leading flexibility to navigate global trade dynamics." Throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding Dow's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Dow's ability to mitigate macroeconomic and tariff-related headwinds, as well as to maintain the financial flexibility needed to support its lucrative dividend, was overstated; (ii) the true scope and severity of the foregoing headwinds' negative impacts on Dow's business and financial condition was understated, particularly with respect to competitive and pricing pressures, softening global sales and demand for the Company's products, and an oversupply of products in the Company's global markets; and (iii) as a result, Defendants' public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.On June 23, 2025, BMO Capital downgraded its recommendation on Dow to "Underperform" from "Market Perform" while also cutting its price target on the Company's stock to $22.00 per share from $29.00 per share, citing sustained weakness across key end markets and mounting pressure on the Company's dividend.On this news, Dow's stock price fell $0.89 per share, or 3.21%, to close at $26.87 per share on June 23, 2025.Then, on July 24, 2025, Dow issued a press release reporting its financial results for the second quarter of 2025. Therein, Dow reported a non-GAAPloss per share of $0.42, significantly larger than the approximate $0.17 to $0.18 per share loss expected by analysts. Dow also reported net sales of $10.1 billion, representing a 7.3% year-over-year decline and missing consensus estimates by $130 million, "reflecting declines in all operating segments." The Company further reported, inter alia, that "[s]equentially, net sales were down 3%, as seasonally higher demand in Performance Materials & Coatings was more than offset by declines across the other operating segments." Defendant Fitterling blamed these disappointing results on "the lower-for-longer earnings environment that our industry is facing, amplified by recent trade and tariff uncertainties," while providing a dour outlook marked by "signs of oversupply from newer market entrants who are exporting to various regions at anti-competitive economics." In a separate press release issued the same day, Dow revealed that it was cutting its dividend in half, from $0.70 per share to only $0.35 per share, citing the need for "financial flexibility amidst a persistently challenging macroeconomic environment." Following these disclosures, Dow's stock price fell $5.30 per share, or 17.45%, to close at $25.07 per share on July 24, 2025.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-09-27 16:01:22 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 935 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / September 27, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Fluor Corporation ("Fluor" or the "Company") (NYSE:FLR) and certain officers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division, and docketed under 25-cv-02496, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants that purchased or otherwise acquired Fluor securities between February 18, 2025 and July 31, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants' violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials.If you are an investor who purchased or otherwise acquired Fluor securities during the Class Period, you have until November 14, 2025, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com . To discuss this action, contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.[Click here for information about joining the class action]Fluor provides engineering, procurement, and construction ("EPC"), fabrication and modularization, and project management services worldwide. The Company operates through three segments: Urban Solutions, Energy Solutions, and Mission Solutions.Throughout 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, Fluor's Urban Solutions segment accounted for the largest portion of the Company's revenue and profit. The Urban Solutions segment offers EPC and project management services to the advanced technologies and manufacturing, life sciences, mining and metals, and infrastructure industries, as well as provides professional staffing services. The Company's infrastructure projects in this segment include work on, inter alia, the Gordie Howe International Bridge ("Gordie Howe"), as well as the Interstate 365 Lyndon B. Johnson ("I-635/LBJ") and Interstate 35E ("I-35") highways in Texas.In February 2025, Fluor provided financial guidance for the full year ("FY") of 2025, including adjusted EBITDA of $575 million to $675 million and adjusted earnings per share ("EPS") of $2.25 per share to $2.75 per share. Defendants reaffirmed the foregoing financial guidance in May 2025, notwithstanding their acknowledgement of the potential negative impacts of ongoing economic uncertainty on Fluor's business resulting from trade tensions and other market conditions. Contemporaneously, Defendants touted, inter alia, the purported health and stability of Fluor's and its customers' operations and the strength of the Company's risk mitigation strategy, both for itself and its clients.The Complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding Fluor's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) costs associated with the Gordie Howe, I-635/LBJ, and I-35 projects were growing because of, inter alia, subcontractor design errors, price increases, and scheduling delays; (ii) the foregoing, as well as customer reduction in capital spending and client hesitation around economic uncertainty, was having, or was likely to have, a significant negative impact on the Company's business and financial results; (iv) accordingly, Fluor's financial guidance for FY 2025 was unreliable and/or unrealistic, the effectiveness of the Company's risk mitigation strategy was overstated, and the impact of economic uncertainty on the Company's business and financial results was understated; and (v) as a result, Defendants' public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.On August 1, 2025, Fluor issued a press release reporting its financial results for the second quarter ("Q2") of 2025. Among other results, the press release reported Q2 non-GAAP EPS of $0.43, missing consensus estimates by $0.13, and revenue of $3.98 billion, representing a 5.9% year-over-year decline and missing consensus estimates by $570 million. Defendants blamed these disappointing results on, inter alia, growing costs in multiple infrastructure projects due to subcontractor design errors, price increases, and scheduling delays, as well as reduced capital spending by customers. The same press release also provided a negatively revised financial outlook for FY 2025, guiding to adjusted EBITDA of $475 million to $525 million, down significantly from Defendants' prior guidance of $575 million to $675 million, and adjusted EPS of $1.95 per share to $2.15 per share, down significantly from Defendants' prior guidance of $2.25 per share to $2.75 per share, citing "client hesitation around economic uncertainty and its impact on new awards and project delays and results for the quarter[.]"The same day, Fluor hosted a conference call with investors and analysts to discuss the Company's Q2 2025 financial results. During that call, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Defendant James R. Breuer, disclosed that the infrastructure projects that had negatively impacted Fluor's Q2 2025 results were the Gordie Howe, I-635/LBJ, and I-35 projects.Following the foregoing disclosures, Fluor's stock price fell $15.35 per share, or 27.04%, to close at $41.42 per share on August 1, 2025.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-09-27 01:36:05 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 623 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / September 26, 2025 /WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Dow Inc. (NYSE:DOW) between January 30, 2025 and July 23, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important October 28, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline.SO WHAT: If you purchased Dow securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Dowclass action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=44352 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for more information. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than October 28, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.WHY ROSEN LAW:We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, throughout the Class Period, defendants made false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Dow's ability to mitigate macroeconomic and tariff-related headwinds, as well as to maintain the financial flexibility needed to support its lucrative dividend, was overstated; (2) the true scope and severity of the foregoing headwinds' negative impacts on Dow's business and financial condition was understated, particularly with respect to competitive and pricing pressures, softening global sales and demand for Dow's products, and an oversupply of products in Dow's global markets; and (3) as a result, defendants' public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.To join the Dow class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=44352 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for more information.No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.---Contact Information:Laurence Rosen, Esq.Phillip Kim, Esq.The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.275 Madison Avenue, 40th FloorNew York, NY 10016Tel: (212) 686-1060Toll Free: (866) 767-3653Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@ rosenlegal.comwww.rosenlegal.com SOURCE: The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. US-based footwear and accessories retailer Shoe Carnival has appointed W Kerry Jackson as its executive vice-president and chief financial officer (CFO), effective from 28 September 2025. Jackson, who had retired in May 2023, returned to the company in June 2025 as senior vice-president for new business development. He previously served as Shoe Carnivals CFO for 27 years and has been with the company for a total of 35 years. Shoe Carnival president and CEO Mark Worden stated: "I'm excited to have Kerry rejoin my executive leadership team at this pivotal moment for Shoe Carnival. "This week we celebrated the grand opening of our 100th Shoe Station store, growing from the 21 locations we originally acquired, with plans to exceed 215 stores by July 2026. With Kerry already leading our business development efforts and his deep knowledge of our business, this is the natural time for his return to the CFO role as we execute our strategic plan." Patrick Edwards, who has been senior vice-president and CFO since 2023, will move to the role of senior vice-president and treasurer, remaining part of the finance leadership team. Jackson will also take on responsibilities for investor relations and is expected to be a part of the third-quarter 2025 earnings call. As of 25 September 2025, Shoe Carnival operates 428 stores across 35 US states and Puerto Rico under the banners of Shoe Carnival, Shoe Station and Rogans. In July, Shoe Carnival enhanced its digital shopping experience by integrating Algolias AI-powered search with Ampliences Commerce Experience platform. The integration, which also included a content management system and digital asset management, is intended to enhance the retailers operational agility and efficiency. "Shoe Carnival reinstates W Kerry Jackson as CFO " was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand. SpaceX's mega-rocket Starship blasts off from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, on Nov. 13, 2024. (Eric Gay / Associated Press) While the world's richest man might have breathed a sigh of relief after his Starship rocket completed a stellar launch last month, Elon Musk can't afford to celebrate just yet. The SpaceX rocket, the largest ever built, is expected to undergo its 11th test launch in October, hoping to replicate its August success, which came after three disappointing flights. What's more, Musk still faces big hurdles at his rapidly expanding space business what was once the world's most valuable private company, at $400 billion, until it was recently topped by OpenAI. A lunar-lander version of Starship in development is a key element of NASA's Artemis mission to land Americans back on the moon in a space race with the Chinese. And an even larger version of the 403-foot-tall rocket is seen as a foundation for SpaceX's future commercial launch business. In pursuit of its goals, SpaceX is seeking to increase the launch frequency of Starship at its Texas test site and of its Falcon 9 reusable rocket at Vandenberg Space Force Base but is facing opposition over environmental issues. Here's a rundown of the challenges and opportunities facing the privately held company, which moved its headquarters to Texas last year but retains design, manufacturing and other operations at its Hawthorne hub, where it employs more than 5,000 workers. The company did not respond to a message seeking comment. Read more: The space race is transforming Southern Californias economy again What did SpaceX achieve with its Starship flight last month? SpaceX's goal has been to have the Starship spacecraft atop its massive rocket achieve a controlled landing in the Indian Ocean, while the reusable Super Heavy booster is similarly brought down. The first two flights this year were partially successful when the booster was caught by robotic "chopstick" arms on the launchpad in South Texas. but the upper stages were lost. A third flight saw both stages lost after separation. But last month, each stage performed as expected, prompting an exuberant Musk to post, "Great work by the Spacex team!" on his social network X. Why is it so critical for the Starship test flights to make constant progress? NASA's Artemis program to return astronauts to the moon relies on a version of the Starship upper stage called the Human Landing System that SpaceX is building. The plan is to have the craft dock in lunar orbit with a Lockheed Martin capsule that is launched by NASA's SLS rocket built by Boeing and other contractors. The SpaceX craft will then ferry the astronauts to the moon and back to the lunar orbiting capsule. SpaceX must first demonstrate it can refuel the lander in Earth orbit in a complicated procedure after takeoff so it can carry out its lunar mission. SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korea's president vowed to open its currency market for around-the-clock trading, giving easier access to foreign investors as the country seeks to boost the domestic stock market and as stalled U.S. trade talks weigh on the won. "There is quite a time limit in the currency trading market, but we plan to scrap nearly all of it," President Lee Jae Myung said on Thursday at an investor event in New York, according to a media pool report. Lee said the government would also address in the near future the lack of offshore won market - a main factor behind global index provider Morgan Stanley Capital International's (MSCI) classification of South Korea as an emerging market. Since taking office, Lee's administration has brought various reforms to boost the domestic stock market, including setting up a task force to win developed market status from MSCI, which has sent the benchmark KOSPI to a record high. South Korea had held a tight grip on currency policy after the destabilising capital flight seen during the Asian Financial Crisis in the late 1990s. However, it started to gradually open the onshore currency market to foreigners in the second half of 2024. Currently, the market is open from 9 a.m. local time to 2 a.m. the next day, compared with closing at 3:30 p.m. previously, to cover London hours. The new trading hours would allow offshore transactions in the won and "create a 24-hour foreign exchange computer network within the Bank of Korea," which requires regulatory change but not parliamentary approval, Kim Jae-hwan, director general at the finance ministry said. Lee's comments also come amid stalled trade talks with the U.S. over the foreign exchange implications of a $350 billion investment package promised by Seoul. The president earlier told Reuters the country might face a foreign exchange crisis if it accepted the terms the U.S. demanded over the package. "South Korea is $350 billion that's up front," U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick recently discussed with Seoul the idea of slightly increasing the $350 figure, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources. "Amid a strong dollar, the won is weakening faster as uncertainty is high over the U.S. investment package," said Lee Min-hyeok, an analyst at KB Kookmin Bank. The won extended losses to its lowest level since mid-May to 1,414.0 per dollar on Friday, raising caution among market participants about intervention. The currency broke below the psychologically important level of 1,400 on Thursday. DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Sept. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The report "Bioplastics & Biopolymers Market by Product Type (Biodegradable, Non-biodegradable), End-use Industry (Packaging, Automotive, Textile, Consumer Goods, Agriculture), Raw Material (Sugarcane, Wheat, Corn Starch), & Region - Global Forecast to 2030", bioplastics and biopolymers market is projected to reach USD 45.04 billion by 2030 from USD 17.58 billion in 2025, at a CAGR of 20.07% during the forecast period. Browse in-depth TOC on "Bioplastics & Biopolymers Market" 267- Tables 54 - Figures 308 - Pages Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=88795240 The growth of the bioplastics and biopolymers market is mainly driven by increased environmental concerns, stricter government regulations on single-use plastics, and growing consumer demand for sustainable products. Technological advancements have improved the performance and cost-efficiency of biodegradable polymers, broadening their use in packaging, automotive, agriculture, and consumer goods. Moreover, corporate commitments to sustainability and the availability of renewable feedstocks like cassava, corn, and sugarcane are speeding up adoption, positioning bioplastics as a key solution in the global move toward circular and eco-friendly practices and materials. The sugarcane segment has the largest market share in the bioplastics & biopolymers market during the forecast period. The sugarcane segment constitutes the largest market share as raw materials for bioplastics and biopolymers, mainly because of their high sugar content, which is efficiently converted into bioethanol and further processed into biopolymers like polyethylene and polylactic acid (PLA). These crops are widely grown across regions such as Asia-Pacific, Europe, and South America, ensuring a reliable supply and scalability for industrial production. Favorable economics, renewable sourcing, and established processing technologies make sugarcane and sugar beet highly attractive feedstocks. Market trends indicate increasing demand for bio-based polyethylene derived from sugarcane, especially in packaging and consumer goods, with major global brands adopting these materials to meet sustainability goals. Additionally, government policies supporting bio-based feedstocks and growing consumer preference for eco-friendly products continue to reinforce the dominance of sugarcane and sugar beet in the bioplastics industry. Agriculture & horticulture is expected to be the fastest growing segment in the bioplastics & biopolymers market during the forecast period. Agriculture & horticulture have become the fastest-growing end-use industries for bioplastics and biopolymers, driven by the increasing demand for sustainable solutions in crop production and soil management. Biodegradable films, mulch, plant pots, and controlled-release materials are gaining popularity because they reduce plastic waste, improve soil health, and eliminate the need for collection and disposal after use. Supportive government policies, especially in Europe and Asia, along with rising awareness among farmers about eco-friendly practices, are fueling this trend. Additionally, advances in starch-based and PLA bioplastics are making products more affordable and durable, boosting their appeal in agricultural and horticultural applications. As the global movement toward sustainable farming continues to grow, this segment is expected to play a vital role in shaping the future market growth. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=88795240 The Asia Pacific is expected to be the largest market during the forecast period. The Asia Pacific region is the largest market for bioplastics and biopolymers, supported by abundant raw materials like sugarcane, cassava, and corn, along with strong government efforts to promote sustainable alternatives to traditional plastics. Its cost-effective manufacturing base, rapid industrial growth, and increasing consumer demand for eco-friendly products further reinforce its dominance. Countries such as China, India, Japan, and Thailand are leading the adoption, driven by regulations, technological innovations, and rising export opportunities. With expanding uses in packaging, agriculture, automotive, and consumer goods, the Asia-Pacific region continues to play a key role in shaping the global bioplastics market. Request Customization: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=88795240 Key Players The bioplastics & biopolymers market report comprises key manufacturers such as NatureWorks LLC (US), Braskem (Brazil), BASF SE (Germany), TotalEnergies Corbion (Netherlands), Versalis S.P.A (Italy), Biome Bioplastics Limited (UK), Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation (Japan), Biotec Biologische Naturverpackungen GmbH & Co. (Germany), Plantic Technologies Limited (Australia), and Toray Industries, Inc. (Japan), & among others. Get access to the latest updates on Bioplastics & Biopolymers Companies and Bioplastics & Biopolymers Market Size Browse Adjacent Market: Green Bio Chemicals Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Refractories Market - Global Forecast to 2029 Flow Chemistry Market - Global Forecast to 2028 Polyvinyl Butyral Market - Global Forecast to 2030 Flow Meter Market - Global Forecast to 2029 3D Printing Ceramics Market - 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. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Rohan Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets INC. 1615 South Congress Ave. Suite 103, Delray Beach, FL 33445 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1868219/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg SOURCE MarketsandMarkets SAN DIEGO, Sept. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The law firm of Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP announces that purchasers or acquirers of Dow Inc. (NYSE: DOW) securities between January 30, 2025 and July 23, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"), have until Tuesday, October 28, 2025 to seek appointment as lead plaintiff of the Dow class action lawsuit. Captioned Sarti v. Dow Inc., No. 25-cv-12744 (E.D. Mich.), the Dow class action lawsuit charges Dow, The Dow Chemical Company, a Dow subsidiary, as well as certain of Dow's top executives with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. If you suffered substantial losses and wish to serve as lead plaintiff of the Dow class action lawsuit, please provide your information here: https://www.rgrdlaw.com/cases-dow-inc-class-action-lawsuit-dow.html You can also contact attorneys J.C. Sanchez or Jennifer N. Caringal of Robbins Geller by calling 800/449-4900 or via e-mail at [email protected]. CASE ALLEGATIONS: Dow, through its subsidiaries, provides various materials science solutions for packaging, infrastructure, mobility, and consumer applications. The Dow class action lawsuit alleges that defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Dow's ability to mitigate macroeconomic and tariff-related headwinds, as well as to maintain the financial flexibility needed to support its lucrative dividend, was overstated; and (ii) the true scope and severity of the foregoing headwinds' negative impacts on Dow's business and financial condition was understated, particularly with respect to competitive and pricing pressures, softening global sales, and demand for Dow's products, as well as an oversupply of products in Dow's global markets. The Dow class action lawsuit further alleges that on June 23, 2025 BMO Capital downgraded its recommendation on Dow to "Underperform" from "Market Perform" while also cutting its price target on Dow's stock to $22.00 per share from $29.00 per share, citing sustained weakness across key end markets and mounting pressure on Dow's dividend. Following this news, Dow's stock price fell by more than 3%, the complaint alleges. Then, the complaint further alleges that on July 24, 2025, Dow reported a second quarter of 2025 non-GAAP loss per share of $0.42, significantly larger than the approximate $0.17 to $0.18 per share loss expected by analysts and net sales of $10.1 billion, representing a 7.3% year-over-year decline and missing consensus estimates by $130 million, "reflecting declines in all operating segments." Dow's CEO, defendant Jim Fitterling, blamed these disappointing results on "the lower-for-longer earnings environment that our industry is facing, amplified by recent trade and tariff uncertainties," while providing a dour outlook marked by "signs of oversupply from newer market entrants who are exporting to various regions at anti-competitive economics," it is alleged. Dow also revealed that it was cutting its dividend in half, from $0.70 per share to only $0.35 per share, citing the need for "financial flexibility amidst a persistently challenging macroeconomic environment," the Dow class action lawsuit further alleges. Following this news, Dow's stock price fell by more than 17%, the complaint alleges. THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS: The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits any investor who purchased or acquired Dow securities during the Class Period to seek appointment as lead plaintiff in the Dow class action lawsuit. A lead plaintiff is generally the movant with the greatest financial interest in the relief sought by the putative class who is also typical and adequate of the putative class. A lead plaintiff acts on behalf of all other class members in directing the Dow class action lawsuit. The lead plaintiff can select a law firm of its choice to litigate the Dow class action lawsuit. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff of the Dow class action lawsuit. ABOUT ROBBINS GELLER: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP is one of the world's leading law firms representing investors in securities fraud and shareholder litigation. Our Firm has been ranked #1 in the ISS Securities Class Action Services rankings for four out of the last five years for securing the most monetary relief for investors. In 2024, we recovered over $2.5 billion for investors in securities-related class action cases more than the next five law firms combined, according to ISS. With 200 lawyers in 10 offices, Robbins Geller is one of the largest plaintiffs' firms in the world, and the Firm's attorneys have obtained many of the largest securities class action recoveries in history, including the largest ever $7.2 billion in In re Enron Corp. Sec. Litig. Please visit the following page for more information: https://www.rgrdlaw.com/services-litigation-securities-fraud.html Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices. Contact: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP J.C. Sanchez, Jennifer N. Caringal 655 W. Broadway, Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101 800-449-4900 [email protected] SOURCE Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP Among other allegations, Pan American Group LLC allegedly failed to provide employees with accurate wages due to missed meal breaks. This, allegedly, resulted in violations of various California Labor Codes. **THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT** SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sacramento employment law attorneys, at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a class action complaint alleging that Pan American Group LLC violated the California Labor Code. The Pan American Group LLC class action lawsuit, Case No. 25CV020009, is currently pending in the Sacramento County Superior Court of the State of California. A copy of the Complaint can be read here . The Law Office of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP According to the lawsuit filed, Pan American Group LLC allegedly (a) failed to pay minimum wages, (b) failed to pay overtime wages, (c) failed to provide legally required meal and rest periods , (d) failed to provide accurate itemized wage statements, (e) failed to reimburse for required expenses, (f) failed to pay sick wages, and (g) failed to provide wages when due, all in violation of the applicable Labor Code sections listed in California Labor Code Sections 201-203, 226, 226.7, 233, 246, 510, 512, 1194, 1197, 1197.1, 2802, and the applicable Wage Order(s), and thereby gives rise to civil penalties as a result of such alleged conduct. The lawsuit further alleges that Defendant required Plaintiffs to work off the clock after their eight hours worked to avoid paying overtime premium. These employees, from time to time, were denied their first rest periods of at least ten (10) minutes for some shifts worked of at least two (2) to four (4) hours, a first and second rest period of at least ten (10) minutes for some shifts worked of between six (6) and eight (8) hours, and a first, second and third rest period of at least ten (10) minutes for some shifts worked of ten (10) hours or more, from time to time.Defendant failed to accurately record and pay employees for the actual amount of time employees worked. Allegedly, Defendant violated Cal. Lab. Code 1194, 1197, and 1197.1 . For more information about the class action lawsuit against Pan American Group LLC, call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today. Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is an employment law firm with offices located in San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Riverside and Chicago that dedicates its practice to helping employees, investors and consumers fight back against unfair business practices, including violations of the California Labor Code and Fair Labor Standards Act. If you need help in collecting unpaid overtime wages, unpaid commissions, being wrongfully terminated from work, and other employment law claims, contact one of their attorneys today. **THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT** Media Contact Nicholas De Blouw Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP (800) 568-8020 [email protected] https://www.bamlawca.com/ SOURCE Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP GROTON, Conn., Sept. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- General Dynamics Electric Boat, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), announced today it has been awarded a $642 million contract modification to a previously awarded contract supporting submarine production. This modification is for a cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-20-C-2120) for Lead Yard Support and Development Studies and Design efforts related to Virginia-class submarines, as detailed in the U.S. Department of War contract award. General Dynamics Electric Boat designs, builds, repairs and modernizes nuclear for the U.S. Navy. "This contract modification supports our efforts to deliver the submarines our Navy needs as quickly as possible," said Mark Rayha, president of General Dynamics Electric Boat. "This funding allows us to continue our design and development efforts in order to sustain and extend our nation's operational overmatch against any potential adversaries. With the support of the administration, the Navy and Congress, we are prepared to deliver the advantage to protect our sailors, our families and our freedom." General Dynamics Electric Boat designs, builds, repairs and modernizes nuclear submarines for the U.S. Navy. Headquartered in Groton, Connecticut, it employs more than 24,000 people. More information about General Dynamics Electric Boat is available at www.gdeb.com. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, General Dynamics is a global aerospace and defense company that offers a broad portfolio of products and services in business aviation; ship construction and repair; land combat vehicles, weapons systems and munitions; and technology products and services. General Dynamics employs more than 110,000 people worldwide and generated $47.7 billion in revenue in 2024. More information is available at www.gd.com. SOURCE General Dynamics GUIYANG, China, Sept. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- This is a report from Discover Guizhou: In the heart of central Guizhou, the Guian New Area, an emerging tech hub tied to China's national development strategy, is undergoing rapid transformation. Data flows at scale while cutting-edge technologies are gaining momentum. Smart and efficient living is becoming the norm.The Guian Encounters series explores this dynamic region, offering a closer look at Guizhou's journey toward Chinese-style modernization. One such story begins inside a rather extraordinary factory. Guian Encounters: Inside the Magic Workshop Where Electric Trucks Roll Off the Line in 15 Minutes How long does it take for an electric truck to roll off the line? The answer is 15 minutes at the production facility of Guizhou Changjiang Automobile Co., Ltd.,. Robotic arms move with precision, handling welding, assembly, and other key processes. Industrial robots dominate the floor, enabling high-efficiency operations that result in a finished vehicle every quarter of an hour.These Made-in-Guizhou electric trucks are built to handle mountainous terrain, contributing to the province's transition toward green transportation. In recent years, Guizhou Changjiang Automobile, as a homegrown brand focused on new energy vehicles, has invested heavily in building a digital and intelligent factory. Advanced automation equipment, smart manufacturing technologies, and the use of a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) allow for precise control over every stage of production. Each process is traceable and digitally recorded, boosting both capacity and quality assurance. "We're targeting the new energy commercial vehicle market and pushing ahead in the electric truck segment. At present, we have the capacity to produce 50,000 vehicles annually," said Jin Liang, Operations Director of the Operations Center of Guizhou Changjiang Automobile Co., Ltd.To meet the demands of technological innovation and varied scenarios, the company has established four major production lines - stamping, welding, painting, and final assembly. It also operates the largest R&D lab for new energy commercial vehicles in the province. The company is working closely with leading local suppliers such as CATL and Guizhou Tyre, building a deeply integrated supply chain. From power battery, drive motor and electronic control system to vehicle manufacturing, the collaboration is helping to strengthen Guizhou's position in China's electric vehicle industry.By accelerating the development of its EV capabilities, Guizhou is injecting new energy into the "Electric Guizhou" strategy and offering China's solutions to global environmental challenges and green transition. SOURCE Discover Guizhou Coalition of Global South leaders escalates international campaign for reparations, proposing formal UN mechanisms ACCRA, Ghana, Sept. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The demand for reparations for the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism took center stage at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, as a coalition of Global South leaders mounted an unprecedented call for reparative justice while criticizing Western nations for their continued silence on historical crimes. Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama, serving as the African Union Champion for Reparations, delivered a landmark address that framed the debate in stark moral terms. He declared the slave trade "the greatest crime against humanity," referencing the forced displacement of over 12.5 million Africans to generate wealth for Western nations. "We must demand reparations for the enslavement of our people and the colonisation of our land that resulted in the theft of natural resources," President Mahama stated. He highlighted the historical irony that Western governments "happily paid reparations to former slave owners as compensation for the loss of their 'property'the enslaved people themselves." "We recognise the value of our land and the value of our lives," he declared. Central African Republic President Faustin Archange Touadera reinforced the continental solidarity behind reparations, declaring that "the era of Africa's dependence is over." He called for a fundamental shift toward "sovereignty, not subordination; partnership, not exploitation." President Touadera condemned the persistent global inequality, stating it is "unacceptable to see poverty worsening in Africa while wealth accumulates in the Northern countries," while confirming his nation's full support for the pan-African reparations initiative. Bolivian President Luis Alberto Arce Catacora outlined specific mechanisms for addressing historical injustices, proposing the establishment of a dedicated UN commission on reparations covering "slavery, apartheid, genocide, and colonialism." "This commission must establish effective mechanisms to restore historical justice," President Arce explained, detailing three core components: Financial reparations, Environmental restoration and Restitution of stolen cultural property. He called for those responsible for historical crimes to contribute "billions of dollars into a reparations fund" and urged unity between the African Union and CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) in confronting colonialism's lasting effects. A consistent theme across all presentations was profound disappointment with the Global North's engagement on reparative justice. Leaders expressed unanimous frustration that Western countries continue to avoid meaningful dialogue on the issue, demonstrating what they characterized as a deliberate unwillingness to acknowledge historical responsibilities. This coordinated stance at the UN General Assembly represents a significant escalation in the international reparations movement, signaling that former colonial powers can no longer sideline these demands on the global stage. The statements were delivered during the general debate of the 80th UN General Assembly session. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2783629/Ghana_s_President_John_Dramani_Mahama.jpg SOURCE Pan-African People Soybeans rounded out Thursday trade with contracts fractionally to 3 cents higher, led by the front months. The cmdtyView national average Cash Bean price was 3 cents higher at $9.36 1/4. Soymeal futures were down $1.10 to $3.10 to close the Thursday session, with Soy Oil futures 24 to 45 points higher. Argentinas suspension of export taxes was lifted overnight, due to hitting the $7 billion target in exports within the first couple days. A Chinese commerce ministry spokesperson urged the US to eliminate unreasonable tariffs when asked on the lack of soybean purchases from the US overnight. President Trump mentioned aid to producers using the tariff money, though no specifics were given. More News from Barchart Export Sales data released this morning indicated 724,459 MT of 2025/26 soybean sales in the week ending on 9/18. That was a decline of 21.5% from last week and is just half of the same week last year, as China remains quiet. The largest purchases came from Egypt at 166,200 MT, with Taiwan buying 115,300 MT and 85,900 NT sold to Mexico. Meal sales came in at 226,164 MT in total on the lower side of the 150,000 to 450,000 MT estimates, as 79,613 MT was for the current MY and 146,551 MT for 2025/26. Soybean oil sales were tallied at a total of 29,922 MT on the high side of the estimates of between net reductions of 10,000 and sales of 30,000 MT, with the current MY at a net reduction of 23,296 MT, with 2025/26 at 53,218 MT in sales. Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.12 1/4, up 3 1/4 cents, Nearby Cash was $9.36 1/4, up 3 1/2 cents, Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $10.31 1/4, up 2 3/4 cents, Mar 26 Soybeans closed at $10.47 1/2, up 2 3/4 cents, On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com 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 Tesla (TSLA) remained in focus on Thursday after the EV giant said it has secured a key Cybercab patent, reinforcing its commitment to innovation in autonomous vehicle technology. The announcement arrives amid significant challenges in the companys core business, particularly in Europe where sales declined 37% last month, as Chinese rival BYD (BYDDY) continued to steal market share. More News from Barchart Still, Tesla stock has been a lucrative investment in recent months, currently up nearly 100% versus its April low. www.barchart.com Is a Cybercab Patent a Reason to Buy Tesla Stock? The Cybercab patent confirms TSLA is making progress in its robotaxi program, with recent approval in Arizona complementing existing operations in Texas, California, and Nevada. The firms pivot toward robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), including the Optimus humanoid robot, represents a major strategic shift with Elon Musk expecting it to make up 80% of Teslas future value. However, the billionaire entrepreneurs track record of unfulfilled promises, including repeated claims about full self-driving capability, raises questions about execution risks. Meanwhile, TSLA stock is already trading at a stretched valuation of about 250x trailing earnings, indicating elevated expectations that may be difficult to meet without significant traction in its AI and robotaxi initiatives. Investing in TSLA Shares at Current Levels Is a Risky Bet Investors should remain wary of owning Tesla shares at current levels also because the companys core automotive business, faces declining EV sales, shrinking margins, and intensifying competition, particularly in Europe and China. Plus, the electric vehicle firms increasing reliance on automotive regulatory credits and interest income for profitability is concerning, especially given the elimination of domestic regulatory credits under President Donald Trump.. The expiring $7,500 federal EV tax credit at the end of September is expected to create additional headwinds for Q4 demand, which could trigger a notable selloff in TSLA shares. Tesla Remains a Hold-Rated Stock Among Wall Street Analysts Wall Street also recommends caution in initiating a new position in TSLA stock at current levels. Some jurisdictions require independent counsel for certain terms such as spousal-support waivers. Courts may not honor prenups in cases where one party to the agreement lacked a lawyer, had limited English proficiency or was presented with an agreement too close to the wedding, and the agreement must pass the states fairness and procedure tests when it is enforced. Enforceability of a prenup also depends on timing, required disclosures and the parties understanding of the terms. During a marriage, income made by either partner is sometimes considered community property, and in some states filing for divorce means splitting up assets acquired during the marriage in a manner deemed fair by the court (usually a 50/50 split) [4]. As in marriage, rights in divorce are governed and will differ by state. Delony reminded Sarah that a prenup will talk about preexisting assets. It won't mean that you don't get a big chunk of what he has earned while y'all are married. A prenuptial agreement is a contract signed before marriage that sets rules for property, debts, and, sometimes, spousal support during the marriage and at divorce or death. The American Bar Association notes that the enforceability of a prenup is based on legal concepts like voluntariness, fair disclosure, and they are only applicable if they do not violate public policy, for example, around the welfare of children [3]. Sarah wants to financially exit her marriage, and the cohosts assure her she has it within her control to do so even though it may not feel like it. Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake heres what it is and 3 simple steps to fix it ASAP I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) 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 Advocates report that financial abuse shows up in nearly every domestic violence case and it keeps many survivors trapped [2]. Whether or not you have a prenup, financial abuse is against the law. Many states now treat economic or financial control as a form of domestic abuse in civil protection order laws. Financial control is a hallmark of abuse, and unfortunately it is all too common. You're in a very abusive situation and you know this, right? Delony said. When Sarah from Houston, told John Delony and Ken Coleman on The Ramsey Show that her husband had shut her out of their bank accounts and would not let her see the prenuptial agreement she signed, they heard alarm bells [1]. Story Continues So, does a prenup guarantee that one partners assets can always be kept outside the usual marital-property rules at divorce or separation? No. A well-drafted prenup can protect separate assets, but it is not a blanket shield. Courts can refuse to enforce parts of an agreement that fail disclosure, voluntariness or fairness standards, and they will not enforce any clause that restricts childrens rights. What a prenup is not is a tool that allows for legal financial coercion in a marriage. Read more: There's still a 35% chance of a recession hitting the American economy this year protect your retirement savings with these 10 essential money moves ASAP Divorces impact on your finances Divorce reduces household wealth because, of course, two homes cost more than one and it takes more resources to set up a new household. Income is also adversely affected by divorce. A study by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis shows that individuals who divorced in the previous 12 months earned on average 12% less than married people. Another study on gray divorce from Bowling Green State University in Ohio found that women over 50 who divorced experienced a significant 45% decline in their standard of living as measured by an income-to-needs ratio [5]. Your taxes and retirement benefits are also affected by divorce. Prior to 2018, alimony payments were deductible and the party receiving alimony had to pay tax on it. If your divorce agreement was signed in 2019 or later, alimony is no longer deductible to the payer or taxable to the recipient. Any retirement plan funds you acquired during marriage may also be subject to a split under a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO). If you receive payments under a QDRO, you must include them in income unless you roll them over into a traditional IRA and meet certain conditions. Depending on whether or not you have a prenup and how much money you and your partner earned during your marriage, dividing these assets can be quite complicated. Youve got to sit down with an attorney, Delony told Sarah. The attorney knows, if this person is unsafe and won't turn that [prenup and financial records] over, then they make a filing and there's a disclosure. They have to put all this stuff on the table. Seeking professional legal help may be expensive in the short term, but it is worth it in the long run. How to protect your finances in case of divorce Hindsight is always 20/20, and it can be easy to blame yourself for bad decisions after its too late. Begin with safety, which means calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (1-800-799-7233) if you feel you are under threat and create a plan that protects you physically as you quietly prepare your finances. In order to protect your privacy, avoid telegraphing any moves while assembling copies of your IDs, the prenup, bank and retirement statements, tax returns, housing and insurance papers, and evidence of abuse. Storing everything with a trusted person or in a secure cloud server so your spouse cannot interfere. At the same time, open an account in your own name at a different bank, change your passwords across key accounts. You can also obtain free credit reports from the three main ratings agencies to keep an eye out for coerced debt [6]. If it looks like your spouse is committing fraud, place a fraud alert or a full credit freeze to block new accounts. With a lawyer, also explore a QDRO to divide any 401(k) or pension and evaluate your divorced-spouse and survivor Social Security benefits. You should also have your lawyer review the prenup, if you have one, for disclosure, timing and voluntariness. There are some extraordinary people, I know them, especially in Texas, Delony assured Sarah, attorneys who have dedicated their lives to helping women in this exact moment. What to read next Join 200,000+ readers and get Moneywises best stories and exclusive interviews first clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now. Article sources At Moneywise, we consider it our responsibility to produce accurate and trustworthy content people can rely on to inform their financial decisions. We rely on vetted sources such as government data, financial records and expert interviews and highlight credible third-party reporting when appropriate. We are committed to transparency and accountability, correcting errors openly and adhering to the best practices of the journalism industry. For more details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines. [1]. The Ramsey Show. I can't get access to the prenup I signed [2]. National Network to End Domestic Violence. About financial abuse [3]. American Bar Association. What is a prenuptial agreement? [4]. Law Depot. Community property states: What you need to know for your relationship [5]. PubMed Central. The economic consequences of gray divorce for women and men [6]. National Domestic Violence Hotline. How to recognize coerced debt This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. For decades, Trinidad and Tobago has relied on oil production to bring in revenue to the small Caribbean state. However, as its oil reserves begin to dwindle, the outlook is less certain, despite ongoing investment in new auctions for further exploration. The country is now at a crossroads, as the government decides whether to support more invasive exploration practices or to shift to alternative energy sources and pursue economic diversification. In recent years, the neighbouring South American state of Guyana has attracted attention from oil majors worldwide looking to invest in exploration and production activities in the new oil region, where its vast reserves are largely untapped. This has also drawn attention to Trinidad and Tobago, as oil firms hope that similar reserves may still be found through more invasive exploration activities. Trinidad and Tobago has long been the largest oil and natural gas producer in the Caribbean and is the 17th-biggest natural gas producer worldwide. The small Caribbean country is home to one of the Western Hemispheres largest natural gas processing facilities the Phoenix Park Gas Processors Limited, with a processing capacity of almost 2 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d). Trinidad and Tobagos upstream oil and gas market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.4 percent between 2020 and 2030, according to Mordor Intelligence, with giant oil firms such as BP, Repsol, and Shell continuing to operate in the country. However, following the introduction of sanctions on neighbouring oil giant Venezuela by the United States, Trinidad and Tobagos oil industry has also suffered. In April, the U.S. governments Office of Foreign Assets Control decided to revoke two special licenses for the Dragon and Cocuina gas fields in the maritime boundary between Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago, with Trump stating plans to further restrict Venezuelan oil production. In September, an auction of Trinidad and Tobagos deepwater oil and gas exploration and production blocks did not attract much interest from foreign investors, which saw bids submitted on only four of the 26 areas on offer. Chinas CNOOC bid on three areas, while a consortium of smaller energy firms bid on another block. With few deepwater energy players in the region, the government has instead been encouraging producers to increase natural gas output to allow it to boost its gas processing capacity and exports. Trinidad and Tobago has a separate agreement with American oil major Exxon Mobil to explore an area equivalent to seven ultra-deepwater blocks, which is expected to bring as much as $21.7 billion to the country if reserves are found. This marks Exxons return to the country after a 20-year hiatus, having left Trinidad and Tobago in 2003 after an unsuccessful offshore exploration. Exxon has conducted successful exploration and production operations in Guyanas Stabroek block in recent years, which appear to have made the oil major reconsider Trinidad and Tobagos potential. Guyana has become the fifth-largest oil exporter in Latin America in less than a decade, with output growing from 400,000 bpd to over 660,000 bpd in just a few months. President Trumps 100% tariff on imported branded pharmaceuticals is expected to hit American consumers and global drug stocks, but there are loopholes: Generic drugs are excluded, and there are exemptions for companies building U.S. plants. U.S. pharma stocks rose marginally on the news. Asian drug shares were hit hardest. President Trumps overnight decision to impose a 100% tariff on imported pharmaceuticals starting Oct. 1 is already whacking the stock prices of foreign drug companies as analysts struggle to digest how damaging the hit to the drug business will be. Starting October 1st, 2025, we will be imposing a 100% Tariff on any branded or patented Pharmaceutical Product, unless a Company IS BUILDING their Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plant in America, the president said on social media. IS BUILDING will be defined as, breaking ground and/or under construction. There will, therefore, be no Tariff on these Pharmaceutical Products if construction has started. The bad news: The drug tariffs will be a meaningful commercial hit for U.S. consumers, according to Oxford Economics analyst Louise Loo. Exporters in China, Vietnam, and Malaysia will also be affected by a separate Section 232 probe that Trump ordered into whether the medical products they supply represent a national security vulnerability. The good news: There are several loopholes in Trumps proposal that mean the impact of the new taxes may be limited. This morning, Asian drug companies saw their market caps trimmed as traders bailed out of foreign pharma stocks. Investors got a fresh reminder about the trade war, and the impact has already been evident in Asian markets. For instance, pharmaceutical companies have been among the worst performers this morning in Japans Nikkei (-0.46%), with losses for Chugai Pharmaceutical (-5.12%) and Sumitomo Pharma (-5.21%), Jim Reid and the team at Deutsche Bank told clients today. In Europe, Denmarks Novo Nordisk fell 0.43%. Switzerlands Roche was marginally down. Frances Sanofi, counterintuitively, was up 0.33% premarket (but thats probably a dead cat bounce because it lost nearly 3% the day before). In the U.S., by contrast, Pfizer rose 0.64% premarket. Eli Lilly was up 1.13%. Bristol-Myers Squibb grew 0.65%. On its face, 100% tariffs look harsh. Asia supplies just over 20% of U.S. pharmaceutical imports by value, a meaningful commercial hit for U.S. consumers at face value, Oxfords Loo wrote. But that implies the White House will be forced to relax some standards, she said. We therefore expect the U.S. to follow up with announcements detailing protections for some categories of products, blunting the effective tariff burden. Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers has criticized the idea of eliminating quarterly earnings reports, a policy proposal floated by President Donald Trump in a Truth Social post last week. US Markets Built On Accountability And Transparency On Wednesday, in a post on X, Summers called the plan to scrap quarterly earnings releases a bad idea whose time should never come. He said that America's capital markets have thrived precisely because of their accountability and transparency, adding that frequent accountability and substantial sharing of information have been central to that. Trending: If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends would you invest in it? Summers, who served as Treasury Secretary under President Bill Clinton and later directed the National Economic Council under President Barack Obama, highlighted similarities between this aversion to quarterly earnings among executives and students in a classroom setting. Whenever I hear a CEO saying they don't want to deal with quarterly earnings, he said, I think of my students who don't want to have to deal with grades. See Also: An EA Co-Founder Shapes This VC Backed MarketplaceNow You Can Invest in Gaming's Next Big Platform Market Experts Split Over Proposal Trump first proposed this idea in 2018 during his first term in office, prompting the Securities and Exchange Commission to open a comment period at the time, without resulting in anything substantial. Around the same time, leading executives such as Warren Buffett and JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon made the case for ending quarterly guidance measures, though not the earnings report itself. Bill Harts, the CEO of Long-Term Stock Exchange, has since come out in support of the move, saying that a move to biannual reporting can be better not only for companies but for investors as well, since it allows sufficient time for more complete data to come through. However, BlackRock Inc. (NYSE: BLK), one of the worlds largest asset managers, is wary, saying that the potential loss in transparency and timely availability of information to investors would outweigh the potential benefits, in a comment to the SEC. MAGNOLIA, Ky. (AP) The leafy soybean plants reach Caleb Ragland's thighs and are ripe for harvest, but the Kentucky farmer is deeply worried. He doesn't know where he and others like him will sell their crop because China has stopped buying. Beijing, which traditionally has snapped up at least a quarter of all soybeans grown in the U.S., is in effect boycotting them in retaliation for the high tariffs President Donald Trump has imposed on Chinese goods and to strengthen its hand in negotiations over a new overall trade deal. It has left American soybean farmers fretting over not only this year's crop but the long-term viability of their businesses, built in part on China's once-insatiable appetite for U.S. beans. This is a five-alarm fire for our industry, said Ragland, who leads the American Soybean Association trade group. The situation might even be enough to test farmers loyalty to Trump, although he still enjoys strong support throughout rural America. If no deal is reached soon, they hope the government will come through with aid as it did during Trump's first term, but they see that only as a temporary solution. Trump said Thursday he is considering an aid package. U.S. and Chinese officials have held four rounds of trade talks between May and September, with another likely in the coming weeks. No progress on soybeans has been reported. For rolling updates on tariffs, check out our liveblog > Getting closer to harvest, Im honestly getting worried that the time is running out, said Jim Sutter, CEO of the U.S. Soybean Export Council. Political pressure is growing After Trump imposed tariffs on Chinese goods, China responded with tariffs of its own, which now total up to 34% on U.S. soybeans. That makes soybeans from other countries cheaper. China's retaliatory tariffs also hit U.S. growers of sorghum, corn and cotton, and even geoduck divers have been affected. But soybeans stand out because of the crops outsized importance to U.S. agricultural exports. Soybeans are the top U.S. food export, accounting for about 14% of all farm goods sent overseas. And China has been by far the largest foreign buyer. Last year, the U.S. exported nearly $24.5 billion worth of soybeans, and China accounted for more than $12.5 billion. That compared with $2.45 billion by the European Union, the second-largest buyer. This year, China hasn't bought beans since May. With U.S. farmers hurting, the Trump administration is under growing pressure to reach a deal with China. As talks drag on, Trump appears ready to help. The era of falling breakeven costs in the U.S. shale patch may soon come to an end, and a new era of higher costs and depleted core inventory could reduce Americas sway in meeting the global demand growth. Thats the latest take from analytics firm Enverus Intelligence Research, which said in a new report this week that the marginal cost of U.S. oil supply is projected to rise from $70 per barrel WTI price at present, to as much as $95 per barrel by the mid-2030s. The expected $15 per barrel surge in costs would be driven by a shift from economically proven inventory to more speculative locations as the core inventory is depleting, according to Enverus Intelligence Research (EIR). Soaring Cost, Waning Global Influence The looming depletion of North Americas core oil and gas inventory will have implications for global energy markets, especially the U.S. ability to meet global demand, Enverus report says. North Americas dominance in supplying global oil demand growth is waning, Alex Ljubojevic, director at EIR, said in a statement. Over the next decade, its contribution to consumption growth is expected to fall below 50% a stark contrast to the previous 10 years when it supplied more than 100%, Ljubojevic added. Related: Iraq Expects Kurdistan Oil Exports to Restart This Week Still, the Permian basin in West Texas and New Mexico and the Canadian oil sands are and will continue to be North Americas lowest-cost sources of scalable oil supply, Enverus reckons. The oil sands would benefit from strong Western Canadian Select (WCS) prices and sunk infrastructure costs, and additional takeaway infrastructure capacity could unlock significant upsides to the estimates of Canadian oil production growth. Currently, Enverus expects Canadas oil output to rise by 450,000 barrels per day (bpd) by 2030, up from an expected record-high for 2025. The U.S. shale patch, however, will have to contend with flatter growth curves going forward amid oil prices close to current breakevens and depleting core inventory, which will make companies change investment strategies. As core shale oil inventory in the U.S. depletes, the industry is entering a new era of higher costs and more complex development. This shift will reshape the cost curve and redefine investment strategies across the continent, Enverus Ljubojevic said. U.S. Shale Slows Drilling Amid lower oil prices this year, the U.S. shale patch is in a wait-and-see mode, expecting to ride the price decline with minimal tweaks to strategies. U.S. oil producers are trimming capital expenditure budgets, relying on efficiency gains from current drilling activity to keep output levels. Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER) is one of the 15 Best American Tech Stocks to Buy Right Now. On September 8, Reuters reported that Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER) has announced plans with a Chinese self-driving tech company called Momenta to test level 4 autonomous vehicles in Germany next year. According to the report, Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER) is looking to grow its robotaxi footprint as competition in this area rises. Level 4 autonomous vehicles can drive by themselves without human intervention in certain areas and under specific conditions. UBER and Momenta to Test Self-Driving Cars in Germany Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER) has been trying to build a strong position in the robotaxi market by partnering with companies like Alphabet Inc.s (GOOGL) Waymo, Lucid Group, Inc. (LCID), and WeRide Inc. (WRD). In May 2025, Momenta and Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER) had announced their partnership to bring autonomous vehicles to markets outside the United States and China. Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER) is a global transportation technology company that focuses on ride-hailing, courier services, food delivery, and freight transport. While we acknowledge the potential of UBER 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: 10 Best NASDAQ Stocks to Buy For Long Term and 10 Unrivaled Stocks of the Next 3 Years. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. By Phoebe Seers LONDON (Reuters) -Britain's biggest lenders are pushing ahead with plans to launch tokenised versions of customer deposits next year, a move that follows Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey's plea to prioritise the technology over stablecoins. Tokenisation typically refers to creating digital representations of assets such as deposits, stocks and bonds that are stored on a blockchain. Proponents say they can make transacting faster, cheaper and safer. Banks including HSBC, NatWest and Lloyds have launched a pilot using tokenised deposits for payments via online marketplaces, industry group UK Finance said on Friday. BAILEY SCEPTICAL OF STABLECOINS The pilot comes after Bailey said in July that while he was "not against stablecoins", he could not understand their need and believed tokenisation offered more value. Stablecoins, a type of cryptocurrency pegged to a fiat currency, have boomed in popularity. U.S. President Donald Trump's GENIUS Act has brought more regulatory clarity and prompted several U.S. banks to say they could enter a market dominated by non-bank players. On Thursday, a group of European lenders also announced plans to launch a euro-denominated stablecoin. Bailey has warned that stablecoins take money out of the banking system and could threaten financial stability. In an interview with The Times newspaper in July, he warned banks against issuing their own stablecoins. While the UK's Financial Conduct Authority is not expected to finalise stablecoin regulation until end-2026, the BoE has said banks can experiment with tokenised deposits within existing regulation. A senior UK banking official said tokenised deposits lacked the "brand image of a stablecoin" but were an important technological upgrade. Many big lenders are examining both. Citi's CEO said in July that tokenised deposits were probably more important than a stablecoin. Tokenised deposits had not reached their full potential because they could not interact between financial institutions but the new pilot solves this, said Manish Kohli, HSBC's head of global payments solutions. While the pilot is currently focused on domestic use cases, Kohli said the technology showed the most promise in cross-border transactions. "Thats where were seeing a lot of client demand," he told Reuters. Britain's tokenised deposit pilot also involving Barclays, Nationwide and Santander, will run until mid-2026. The pilot will also test applications in the remortgaging process and digital asset settlement. If you simply Google sell rosh like I did, you will likely see it fill in the rest of an investment market saying that dates back to 1955. Sell Rosh Hashanah, Buy Yom Kippur. For those not familiar with the story and a couple of nouns I just used, heres a quick primer. Back on Sept. 23, 1955, then-U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower, a hero of World War II, suffered a massive heart attack. The market sold off, concerned for the health of the 65-year-old leader. He recovered, and even won election to a second term in 1956. But back then, heart care was not what it is today, and thus alerted the rest of the world to the benefits of early diagnosis. More News from Barchart However, the stock market was naturally shocked by this, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average ($DOWI) fell 6.5% the next trading day, Sept. 26. It also occurred on the holiest day of the Hebrew calendar, Yom Kippur, a day of self-reflection and fasting. Wall Street slogans and its habitual ability to laugh at itself somehow led to a theory that, to this day, is part of the investing culture. The saying sell Rosh Hashanah, buy Yom Kippur refers to the seasonal tendency for stocks to sell off at the start of the Jewish New Year, and start to recover as Eisenhower did, just after Yom Kippur. While there is some evidence to support that trading strategy, which has worked so far this year, it could just be correlation without causation. Or, one of the many self-fulfilling prophecies that this industry tends to make a habit out of. Seen any October stock market warning articles lately? Santa Claus rally, anyone? None of that history will make us money. What might? Scouting for good stocks, those with technical setups. And in the spirit of the Jewish high holiday season, I used Barcharts quick and easy stock analysis tools with the following goal: Find the list of stocks of companies based in Israel, a global technology leader despite its small size, and run charts on them to see if any look particularly timely. The result: a watchlist of stocks that might just coincidentally rally into and after Yom Kippur. Taking the Shortcut (a.k.a. No Kibbitzing) Thats a Yiddish expression loosely defined as idle chatter. In other words, lets get right to it. Given that there are more Israel-headquartered stocks listed on U.S. stock exchanges than nearly any other country, I started my search by pulling up the constituents page for the iShares MSCI Israel ETF (EIS). This 17-year-old fund has more than $360 million in assets, and is one of dozens of single-country ETFs I track. A disgraced Secret Service agent and a Jesuit priest set out to solve the JFK assassination in Dead Ringer the authors paranoid new thriller. What prompted you to write a novel about the JFK assassination? The assassination was an inflection point in U.S. history. What happened in Dallas was a singular event that scrambled the nations psyche. Thats raw material I find impossible to ignore when prowling for story elements and thematic backdrops for my fiction. Its estimated that 40,000 books have been written about JFK. How did you organize your research in the face of such numbers? By choosing not to read 39,994 of those books. Of the nonfiction works I consulted, James W. Douglasss JFK and the Unspeakable proved most influential in shaping Dead Ringer. The book not only presented a theoretical line of reasoning that resonated with me but also provided a dramatic framework through which I could craft my own engaging work of fiction. You have a history as a screenwriter and filmmaker, as well as a novelist. How does the screenwriting influence the novel writing? Decision makers in Hollywood hate to read so much that they used to pay would-be screenwriters to read material for them. Now, AI does that grunt work. Because of that avoidance of the written word, a successful screenwriter must learn to grab their reader by the short hairs with every single beat. With my books, I endeavor to write by the same edict: make every word count. Also, this may not be a news flash to your readers, but collaboration in Hollywood means paying a writer a nice chunk of money to shut up and do as theyre told. Transitioning to book writing was sheer liberation. The novel culminates with a game-changing twist. Did you start there and work backwards, or did it arise in the writing? It came first. The genesis of the book was to come up with the one answer to who killed JFK that Id never heard before, and then write a book that convincingly explained that resolution. Recently, five million pages of records related to the assassination have been released to the public. Any interest in dipping into that new material? I havent read it all, but my understanding is that almost the entirety of the new material was devoid of bombshells. Wouldnt we have heard of one by now? The truth will never be known, which is why it was so much fun to invent my own ideas about it. Anyway, my film agent has just started the process of sending this book out to producers and filmmakers. Im dying to write the hell out of a screenplay adaptation. When her latest novel, Helm, publishes in November, Sarah Hall will have finally, after two decades, fulfilled the terms of her very first book deal. Helm takes its title from the name of the northeasterly windknown for its destructive power and characteristic cloud formationsthat blasts through northern Englands Lake District. This was part of my first two-book deal, Hall says via Zoom from the study of her home in Kendal, Cumbria, in the U.K. I promised to write a book about this wind and could never quite do it. Id always end up writing another book to fulfill the contract. Ive been trying to write this novel for almost 20 years. Helm alternates between chapters told from the winds perspective and those narrated by a variety of historical characters who experience the its power across centuries. The book takes place very near where I was raised as a child, and I was always aware of this storm, Hall says. Its the only wind with a name in Britain, and occurs in this one valley because of a set of circumstances that was fascinating to me growing up. It was something everyone talked about. You could see the cloud forming from the cottage where I lived, and you knew the kids from that part of the valley would be late for school. Hall, whose work has been shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize and longlisted for the Orange Prize, says the novel was challenging to write. There are so many stories about Helm, dating back millennia, basically all folklore, she explains. So, the novel as it has arrived has multiple stories, and the framing device is the wind itself, like a kind of punkish narrator. I didnt know how to hold it all together, how the stories could work together since they are hundreds and hundreds of years apart, and I think what helped was climate change becoming an increasing issue. I thought, well, I am writing a fictional biography, a kind of lifespan of a wind, and that gave me a sense of shape for the novel. Born in 1974, the second child of a mill worker and a teacher, Hall describes her youth as feral: abroad on the moors and swimming in the river, making up stories in my head. She left home and the Lake District when she was 18 to study English and art history at Aberystwyth University in Wales. She then earned a graduate degree in creative writing at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, where she met the man who would become her first husband, an American from the Pacific Northwest. In the late 90s, they moved to Virginia when her husband won a scholarship to William and Lee Law School. The couple later divorced, with Hall remarrying after moving back to the U.K. Still, she says it was in America that she really started writing. I studied poetry and short stories and didnt have a clue how to write a novel, she says, noting that some of her poems had been published by Faber & Faber in the U.K. I had a nice contact there. I didnt have an agent or anything like that, so I sent them the novels, and they bought them. Halls first novel, Haweswater (2002), explored the impact of the Haweswater dam on the environment of a bucolic village in the Lake District in the 1930s. She grew up in the shadow of that dam and says that though the book was written in the U.S., its a story about home. Living in America was great for getting the view of what happenedtelescoping, needing space away from the story, she adds. Haweswater went on to win a Commonwealth Writers Prize in 2003, and Halls writing career was launched. Her second novel, The Electric Michelangelo (2004), about a tattoo artist from the north of England who moves to Coney Island in the early part of the 20th century, was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize. Four novels and three short story collections followed, all published with Faber & Faber in the U.K. and HarperCollins in the U.S. I was shocked, Hall says of being recognized by the Man Booker Prize. All of a sudden, boom! I was delighted to make the longlist, but then the shortlist was just insane. I was the only woman; there were these five big grand men and me, who was 30 years old and didnt know anything about the writing scene. Hall says Helm involved a great deal of researchand because the project was so drawn out, she collected many disparate stories over the years. As an example, she cites the stone circles of Cumbria, where legend has it a coven of witches was turned to stone by a Scottish wizard. I have always been interested in late neolithic monumental architecture and mythical folkloric love stories and wanted to incorporate them, she explains, noting that the novel also includes anecdotes and things she just invented, making it historically accurate and not historically accuratebut thats fiction. Though Halls books vary significantly in terms of subject matter and setting, the author says her work does have a through line. I suppose there has always been an environmental theme in my work, though the themes are varied from economic collapse to a fascistic British government to rewilding. A kind of how do we live with our environment is a central preoccupation for me. As an author of both novels and short stories, Hall says she feels Helm occupies the territory between the two forms. Ive always got ideas for short stories, and I have cycles of wanting to write them, she adds. I think short stories are harder, but theres something in the short form that suits my pure preoccupation. Its nice to find the territory between the two, which is why Helm was so great with its multiple narratives. They are not short stories, but they have the toughness of short stories, so I feel like this book has in some ways made me a better writer. And with Helm, Hall hopes shes recovered some of the joy and levity she had at the start of her career. This wind seemed like a great subject for that, she says. This thing is an aerial demon we cant get hold of. Its doing whatever it wants to do. Its changing tone. Its depicted as a calculation, then as a monster over the hill. I love that sense of mercurial reality and I hope that comes across. My last book was about a pandemic and was pretty grim, so Im hoping people will be a bit more entertained. Helm has some jokes for a change. I feel like its something new and a bit more playful. Judy Clain at Summit acquired world English rights, in a two-book deal, to The Radiance by Ayad Akhtar (pictured l.) from Julie Barer at the Book Group. When a hit-and-run shatters more than his body, a writer is caught between revelation and madness as an uncanny pull toward a brilliant colleague ensnares him in a scandal that threatens to destroy them both in this novel of spiritual transformation in an age of fracture, the publisher said of the book. Publication is planned for October 2026. Tim OConnell at S&S took North American rights, in an exclusive two-book submission, to Catherine Ryan Howards Buyer Beware from Sara OKeeffe at Andrew Nurnberg Associates. Imogen Nelson at Transworld acquired U.K. and Commonwealth rights. The book, per the publisher, is a puzzle box thriller about a woman trying to flee the violence of her past only to find it in a house that has secrets of its own, that goes to the very edge of obsession, in relationships, in love, and in location. Publication is planned for July 2026. Lashanda Anakwah at Tiny Reparations bought North American rights, at auction, to Merle of Mumbai by Anushka Joshi from Nicole Aragi at Aragi Inc. Joanna Lee at Scribner UK preempted U.K. rights from Caspian Dennis at Abner Stein, and translation rights have sold in five territories. The debut novel, the publisher said, is a sweeping fictionalized account of the life of Merle Oberon, an actress best known for her role in the 1935 film The Dark Angel, which earned her an Academy Award nomination, who began her career in Britain but later became a Hollywood darling, all while guarding the life-long secret of her Indian ancestry. Publication is planned for spring 2027. Joy de Menil at Avid Reader picked up North American rights to The Nuns by Leah Redmond Chang from Jill Grinberg, who has an eponymous shingle. The book, per the agency, tells the story of 16 Carmelite nuns, now Catholic saints, who were guillotined one by one in Paris at the height of the Terror, choosing to sacrifice their lives in an act of principled resistance that marked a turning point in the French Revolution. No publication date has been announced. Alexandra Sehulster at St. Martins netted world rights, in a two-book deal, to Arranged Mate by Sara Fields from Mark Gottlieb at Trident Media Group. The first book in the Fated series, per the agency, is set in a world of mafia bloodlines and supernatural secrets, where a fierce mafia heiress fights fateand her attraction to a powerful strangerwhen shes forced into an arranged marriage with a man who may not be entirely human. Release is planned for late 2026. In Brief Not long after the National Endowment for the Arts canceled a $25,000 grant to his organization, Ilan Stavans, founder of Massachusetts-based nonprofit publisher Restless Books, began to worry about the future of its annual writing prize. Thats when he got a call from Steven Kellman, a comparative literature professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio and longtime Restless board member, saying he knew someone who could help. I said, do I know that somebody too? Stavans recalls. And Steve said, Its me. The Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing will enter its 10th year of honoring outstanding debut literary works by first-generation immigrants under a new name, the Kellman Prize for Immigrant Literature. Kellmans unprecedented donation of $300,000 to Restless both guarantees the continuation of the prize in perpetuity and offers a beacon of hope in an otherwise murky landscape for independent publishing in the U.S. Since May, 51 independent presses and literary organizations have lost a total of $1.2 million in federal funding as the Trump administration redefines its priorities in the arts. In August, the NEA left writers in the lurch too, when it suddenly canceled its 2026 Creative Writing Fellowship program. The chilling effect hovers over not just the literary industry but also the world that literature reflects. Its a war on foreignness that were experiencing right now, says Stavans, whose organizations missionto support the publication and promotion of international literaturewas deemed out of alignment with Trump administration priorities. Restless Books is all about opening up literature to the world, Kellman says. It seems to me that immigrant writing does that more dramatically than most other forms. The revitalization of Restlesss flagship prize arrives as Immigration and Customs Enforcement crackdowns shake long-standing narratives positioning America as a nation of immigrants. In May, federal officials announced that ICE would aim to meet a quota of 3,000 arrests daily, triggering widespread fear among immigrant communities. Masked federal agents have conducted regular raids, sometimes without warrants, and prisons have struggled to keep up with increasing numbers of detainees. This prize, and the writing that these people are doing, is a rebuttal of the way immigrants are demonized, Kellman says. As a professor of translingual literature whose four grandparents immigrated to the United States from Eastern Europe, he believes the prize offers an important reminder of the centrality of immigrants to a national, and international, storyand the need for these stories to be written and read, especially now. If you want to take up the old cliche that life is a journey, which it is in a way, were all migrants through our lives, Kellman says. So immigrant literature is maybe a synecdoche of the entire enterprise of being human. The prize is international in scope, and has launched the careers of such writers as Grace Talusan (The Body Papers, 2019) and Deepak Unnikrishnan (Temporary People, 2017), whose works tell the stories of a young Filipina woman adjusting to life in a New England suburb and migrant workers in the United Arab Emirates, respectively. Past prize winners books have also been recognized by the Center for Fiction and PEN America, among other organizations. The prize put me on the map as a writer willing to take risks, says Unnikrishnan, whose manuscript had previously been rejected by almost two dozen publishing houses. Talusan, who says that for years she confronted incorrect narratives assumed of her experiences as a formerly undocumented immigrant, childhood sexual abuse survivor, and a Filipino person, is grateful to have found in Restless a publisher that understood the importance of telling my own story. The recipient of this years prize will be announced in November. The winner will be awarded $10,000, a writing residency, and publication with Restless, which has seen an uptick in sales in immigrant literature as readers oppose letting the president and the regime set the tone of what we read or dont read, according to Stavans. Both Stavans and Kellman believe the moment presents an opportunity for independent publishers to put out a diversity of daring and courageous works and encourage readers to reimagine what it means to be an immigrant. And they are optimistic about the stories to come. If, says Kellman, with a nod to the poet Richard Wilbur, the pearl comes from irritating the oyster, in a way, were fortunate to be living in irritating times. Common ground is increasingly difficult to find in todays world, which is why this years Frankfurt Book Fair, running October 1519, aims to create more opportunities than ever for connection and conversation. In times of global tension, we need spaces for exchange, listening, and cooperation more than ever before, says fair director Juergen Boos. Thats what the book fair provides. In spite of the many challenges facing the publishing industry, which include the dizzying rise of artificial intelligence, political crackdowns on the freedom to publish, and plummeting literacy rates around the world, Boos remains sanguine. For 20 years, people have said the publishing business is struggling, he notes. Everyone recalls some golden age of publishing. But if you look into local markets around the world, you see growth. Globalization continues to reshape the Frankfurt Book Fair. Despite the rise of populism and nationalism around the world, the publishing industry is staying global, Boos says. Youre seeing more international imprints publishing in other languages. Major publishers are buying houses in Germany. The French are investing in Spain. But were also seeing audiences around Europe reading in English. In the Netherlands, they read almost as much in English as they do in Dutch. These changes, however fraught they appear to publishers, have only enhanced rights activity at the fair, where the 540 tables planned for this years Literary Agents & Scouts Center (known colloquially as the LitAg) have proven insufficient to meet demand. It sold out very early and is actually overbooked, so we are looking into expanding it, says Jenny Kuhne, director of rights and licensing solutions for the fair. To help facilitate dealmaking beyond LitAg, the fair opened a new Publishers Rights Center for representatives from rights departments at publishing houses. For Kuhne, who also directs the annual Frankfurt Rights Meeting, the events slate gets started in September, with weekly online sessions covering rights-related topics. This years discussions touched on the Spanish-language markets, merchandising opportunities, digital licensing, and (of course) AI. Keith Bennie, VP of public programing for the Toronto International Film Festival, will give the keynote at the rights meetings prefair, in-person networking party on October 14, where hell talk about how to find stories with global resonance in unexpected places. Frankfurt has also expanded its rights infrastructure beyond traditional book publishing, and now offers matchmaking sessions for book-to-screen and book-to-game adaptations. For us, its about connecting industries, Kuhne says. Weve learned a lot from our collaborations with film festivals in Berlin and Cannes. Filmmakers and TV producers work differently, especially regarding production times and financing. We have master classes and curated matchmaking for international producers and rights holders. The fair is committed enough to these ancillary industries that this year, it will debut a Games Business Center. Were slowly exploring that part of the industry, too, Kuhne explains. Overall, we want to emphasize that its not just book to screen or book to game. It works the other way around as wellfilm to book, or even game to book. From algorithms to executives to audio If there has been one major force changing up the rights trade over the past several years, it is generative AI. Its now part of every discussion, Kuhne says. Were looking at AI and translationwhat impact will that have on foreign rights trade? And AI licensing represents new revenue streams, which we need to discuss. And how does it impact creativity and the day-to-day production of books? Thats an ongoing conversation. Accordingly, AI is again the subject of dozens of events at Frankfurt, from product demonstrations to more speculative conversations, such as one between Nadim Sadek, CEO of Shimmr AI, and Nigel Newton, founder and CEO of Bloomsbury, titled How Creativity Can Embrace AI. The panel discussion AI and the Battle for Reality will bring together Melissa Fleming, UN undersecretary for global communications; Davar Ardalan, founder and CEO of IVOW AI; and Harsh Jegadeesan, chief publishing officer of Springer Nature. Major AI companies such as ChatGPT and Facebook are monitoring the industry closely, Boos notes. These companies are sending scouts to the fair. Many people attend, but theyre not visible because they dont want competition to know what theyre investigating. I dont think they see big money in our sector yet. Theyre looking into whats going to happen, whats being discussed, and the legal framework, which differs between Europe, America, and China. Still, Frankfurts spotlight shines brightest on the CEOs of multinational publishing conglomerates. Its gratifying, Boos says, that so many of the CEOs taking the stage this year are women. In Germany, we have statistics showing women are much stronger readers than men. If youre a publisher, your customer is female. But if you look at top management positions in publishing, how many women do you find? We feel it is important to highlight those women in leadership roles. Among the women leaders taking the stage at Frankfurt this year are Nuria Cabuti, CEO of Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial, and Chantal Restivo-Alessi, CEO of international foreign languages at HarperCollins, who will participate in the annual Global 50 CEO Talk. And the Frankfurt Studioone of the fairs primary forums for presentationswill host executive talks with Perminder Mann, CEO of Simon & Schuster UK and International, and Veronique Cardi, CEO of Hachette Livres Editions JC Lattes, among others. The continuing importance of audiobooks in todays publishing landscape cannot be overstated, and the fair has dedicated a half-day program to audio, with back-to-back sessions featuring what Boos calls the whos who of the audio industry. The lineup includes Duncan Bruce, director of partnerships and licensing at Spotify; Javier Celaya, founder of Dosdoce.com; Barbara Knabe, Audibles head of content acquisition for the E.U. and Latin America; Anke Susanne Hoffmann, director of strategy and digital management audio at Penguin Random House; Lasse Korsemann Horne, CEO of Saga Egmont; and Niclas Sandin, CEO of BookBeat Audiobooks. Frankfurt is also responding to social mediadriven fandom. Romantasy readers will have a dedicated space at the fair, where meet-and-greets with authors including Cassandra Clare, Bianca Iosivoni, and Abby Jimenez will be held. And this year, the TikTok Book Awards will be presented on the fairgrounds on October 18. Global perspectives Frankfurt always looks to offer a literary adventure in the form of its guest of honor program, which this year highlights the Philippines. More than 100 Filipino writers, artists, illustrators, and musicians will take part in 77 events around the fair. The Philippines program, guided by the slogan the imagination peoples the air, will showcase how Filipino literature offers a unique perspective formed by colonial history and contemporary migration. Participating authors include Jose Dalisay Jr., Patricia Evangelista, Candy Gourlay, and Miguel Syjuco. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa will also speak as part of Frankfurt Calling, the fairs forum for discussion of the intersection of politics and culture. Overall, Boos says, international participation remains solid despite global tensions. We have a strong Ukrainian presence, supported by our government. We also have booksellers coming from Palestine. We have interesting panels dealing with political situations. Although were seeing political turmoil in many regions, I see delegations coming through year-round. This brings me back to my optimism. What we can do is connect people. You have to be openthats the message. This is our role. Boos concedes, Im probably more positive than many people. If current trends continue for three years, thats concerning. But in three years, it will swing back. Its a pendulumjust hopefully not like the one in Edgar Allan Poes The Pit and the Pendulum. Read more from our Frankfurt preview feature. Light Fare at the Rights Fair Fantastical and feel-good fiction and self-help dominated the rights landscape at this years London Book Fairand its fair to expect the same at Frankfurt, agents say, albeit with a larger dose of horror. Childrens Books in a Fragile World This year's Frankfurt Kids Conference will address the importance of engaging young readers in times of global unrest. Frankfurt Book Fair 2025: Rights Listings from U.S. Agencies At this years Frankfurt Book Fair, U.S. agents will feature works by Susan Choi, Deesha Philyaw, Emily St. John Mandel, and Jane Smiley, and many more. PW will continue to update this list of rights on offer at the 2024 Frankfurt Book Fair through the fair's opening on October 15. According to the latest data from Bankrate, 2 in 5 Americans have kept a financial secret from their partner [1]. The results of this survey are even more troubling when paired with another statistic: 22% of divorces are initiated over money issues, making financial troubles one of the leading causes of divorce after infidelity and general incompatibility. So while money problems in marriage are common, are they solvable? Kathleen from Richmond, Virginia called into The Ramsey Show in August to ask hosts Dave Ramsey and Jade Warshaw for advice on her husbands financial infidelity. Explaining that she and her husband had agreed to live debt-free early in their marriage, Kathleen was shocked to discover that he had opened a credit card behind her back, and racked up $6,000 in just nine months. When confronted, he refused to back down, and proceeded to max out the card. After finally paying it down with her help, Kathleen has now discovered yet another secret credit card that he has opened in his name. She asked, "What is acceptable in my position to help give us a little bit of financial security? Heres what hosts Ramsey and Warshaw had to say and what financial experts say couples can do if they find themselves in a similar situation. Must Read 'This isnt about money its about trust' Kathleens husbands behavior is not just about financial responsibility its about his disrespectful attitude towards her. She described his super defensive attitude when she first discovered his secret spending, and his determination to continue spending money they didnt have on his hobbies, in spite of the fact that they have four children to provide for. Ramsey said, This has absolutely nothing to do with money. This is an integrity breach in the most precious relationship on the planet, which is between husband and wife. You cant trust your husband, he continued. Hes lying to his wife and deceiving his wife. Ramsey worked hard to break though to Kathleen that her marital troubles werent money based, but much more serious, fundamental problems with trust and integrity. If he'll lie to you about this, honey, he'll lie to you about anything, Ramsey told her. So far this year, Penguin Random House Canada is seeing an uptick in sales across multiple categories. CEO Kristin Cochrane attributes success to the surge in Canadian pride that has taken hold since President Donald Trump took office in the U.S. Since February, we have seen an incredible rise of national pride in all sectors of the economy, Cochrane told PW. For books, this has manifested in an increased consumer interest in Canadian-authored titles. One book in particular has been a standout: Values, by Canadian prime minister Mark Carney, originally published in 2021, leaped back onto the bestseller list after the publisher reissued the book with a new preface. It is one of PRHCs bestselling books of the year, second only to romance superstar Carley Fortunes One Golden Summer. In nonfiction, Cochrane says the company is seeing a socially and politically engaged readership picking up such memoirs as Omar El Akkads One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This and David A. Robertsons 52 Ways to Reconcile, both published by McClelland & Stewart. A paperback reprint of CBC host Carol Offs At a Loss for Words, a national bestseller, will be released in October. In it, Off looks at the current interpretation of six words: freedom, democracy, truth, woke, choice, and taxes. In fiction, romance has been hot for the last few years, and were seeing no signs of that changing, Cochrane says, pointing to Fortunes sustained success. That Carley is Canadian and the books are set in Canada has been an extra boon to sales. Fantasy and horror represent other growth areas, particularly with Random House Canadas publication of Imani Errius Heavenly Bodies romantasy series. Cochrane is particularly looking forward to Final Orbit, the third in the Apollo Murders Series by Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, famous for his 2013 rendition of David Bowies Space Oddity on the International Space Station. This year, the publisher championed two major Indigenous-focused initiatives. David A. Robertsons Indigenous childrens imprint Swift Water Books has launched at Tundra Books, and McClelland & Stewart introduced Kanata Classics, described by Cochrane as a backlist series that explores the Indigenoussettler dialogue. This series features a half dozen titles so far, including Nishga by Jordan Abel, Bear by Marian Engel, and Medicine Walk by Richard Wagamese. Canadian and American readers continue to seek knowledge and be educated about Indigenous history and its impact and influence on Canada through books, Cochrane says. PRHCs fall list also includes two collections of letters from Indigenous writers, activists, and thinkers co-edited by sisters Sara Sinclair and Stephanie Sinclair (the publisher of McClelland & Stewart): one for adults, A Steady Brightness of Being, and another for children, You Were Meant for This World. Also coming in fall are memoirs from two of the countrys best-known writers: A Truce That Is Not Peace by Miriam Toews and Book of Lives by Margaret Atwood. Atwoods novels The Edible Woman and The Heart Goes Last, the MaddAddam Trilogy, and others have all been repackaged by the publisher. Topical nonfiction includes Smartphone Nation by Kaitlyn Regehr and We Breed Lions by Rick Westhead and Stephen Brunt. Were also publishing several books that reveal aspects of our country that others might not seefor example, Vanished Beyond the Map, a true exploration of the Arctic wilderness by Canadas greatest modern explorer, Adam Shoalts, Cochrane says. Canadas cultural diversity is one of its key strengths and differentiators. To capitalize on this resource, Cochrane says, each imprint at Penguin Random House Canada is broadening the perspectives of its editorial teams with new hires, our Read Canada cross-platform marketing campaign, and new imprints and programs to ensure as many Canadians as possible see themselves in the books we publish. When Ken Whyte launched Sutherland House in 2018, he wasnt just another former journalist trying his hand at book publishing. As one of Canadas most influential media figures, he brought something uncommon to the book business: an understanding of how to cut through the noise in an attention-driven marketplace. Seven years later, Whytes Toronto-based independent press has evolved from a narrative nonfiction startup into a notable player, in part because of this years acquisition of Fitzhenry & Whiteside. The deal brought Sutherland some 1,400 backlist titles and imprints including Red Deer Press, Fifth House Publishers, and Whitecap Books, significantly expanding Whytes boutique business. Whyte has some experience running a large operation, having edited both Saturday Night and Macleans magazines and launched the National Post newspaper, where he was conservative media mogul Conrad Blacks handpicked editor-in-chief. He then served as president of Rogers Publishing, the publishing arm of Canadian communications giant Rogers. Whytes interests shifted to book publishing as part of a midlife course correction, as he calls it. The transition did not prove seamless: in 2018, he tried to acquire the Porcupines Quill, a small Ontario-based literary press, but the deal collapsed when the Canada Council for the Arts couldnt guarantee that government grants would transfer to the new ownership. After that failed acquisition, Whyte launched Sutherland, with a focus on narrative nonfiction books that have international appeal, particularly in the U.S. Im especially looking for books that will travel, he says. I think that the Canadian writers who are making a living at it tend to be doing subjects that are of interest outside our borders. Part of what distinguishes Sutherland is Whytes systematic approach to addressing the discoverability problem plaguing publishing today. Books coverage has become increasingly scarce in the media ecosystem, but Whyte leverages his background in journalism in acquiring books he believes journalists will want to cover. His strategy has resulted in a notable amount of earned media for the small houses titles, such as Dancing with Diana by Anne Allan, which was featured in a four-page People magazine cover story, and The Successor, Paddy Mannings biography of Lachlan Murdoch, which was the focus of an NPR segment and features in Financial Times and Wall Street Journal. Whyte also runs Shush, a popular Substack, with more than 8,000 subscribers, in which he comments on publishing. He often takes a contrarians position, which has brought him much attention in the Canadian book businessboth positive and negative. Publishers are shy, Whyte says. They dont want to give away too much. They worry, for example, that excerpts can cannibalize sales. We strongly believe in exchanging our content for attention. The acquisition of Fitzhenry & Whiteside, founded in 1966, brought Sutherland a robust backlist that carries serious literary weight in Canada. Among the authors with works put out by the press are influential literary critic Northrop Frye; Indigenous childrens book author, novelist, and playwright Tomson Highway, who wrote the libretto for the first Cree-language opera; and Caroline Pignat, a two-time Governor Generals Literary Award winner. For retiring CEO Holly Doll, who took over after her sister Sharon Fitzhenrys death in 2023, Whyte represented the ideal successorCanadian and committed to honoring existing author contracts. And the acquisition helps Whyte break into publishing categories beyond his topical nonfiction focus. The great thing about Fitzhenry & Whiteside and its group of companies, he says, is that it can help us credibly launch any direction we wantfood and cookbooks, childrens and YA, or fiction. In this way, Whytes broad media background again comes into play. Whether publishing books, magazines, or newspapers, words are the product, and getting them attention is the key to success. And if Whyte has proven anything over his long career, its that getting peoples attention is his forte. Across Europe and the Middle East, momentum is building behind recognition of a Palestinian state. Several European governments have already taken that step, and Arab states once hostile to Israel are now reconciling with it under the framework of the Abraham Accords. A two-state solution, once a distant dream, is edging closer to mainstream international consensus. One country, however, views this prospect not as progress but as a threat: the Islamic Republic of Iran. For Tehran, the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel is an outcome more dangerous than endless conflict. A Revolution Built on Rejection Since its founding in 1979, the Islamic Republic has defined itself through opposition to Israels existence. The clerical regime casts Israel as an illegitimate Zionist entity, imposed on Muslim land by Western powers. Support for the Palestinians is not simply foreign policyit is an ideological pillar. A two-state solution shatters this narrative. Recognizing a Palestinian state beside Israel necessarily means recognizing Israel itself. For Irans rulers, this would amount to renouncing the revolutions core promise: resistance until Israels eradication. Losing the Resistance Card Irans hostility to Israel has also been a strategic asset. By arming and funding groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, Tehran projects influence across the Levant. These partnerships are justified under the banner of resistance to Israels occupation of Palestine. But if Palestinians themselves secure statehood through diplomacy, Irans proxy war loses its central justification. Hamas or other factions that accept a two-state deal would weaken ties with Tehran, depriving Iran of a vital tool of regional leverage. Arab Rivals Take the Lead The rise of Arab-Israeli normalization compounds Tehrans anxiety. Gulf monarchies such as the UAE and Bahrain now maintain open relations with Israel, while Saudi Arabia weighs its own rapprochement. These states frame normalization as compatible with supporting Palestinian rights. If a Palestinian state is recognized alongside Israel, it is Arab governmentsnot Iranthat will claim credit for advancing the Palestinian cause. The Islamic Republic, still clinging to a rejectionist ideology, would be left isolated and sidelined. Trapped by Its Own Ideology For Tehran, opposing Israel is not just politicalit is theological. The regime has enshrined anti-Zionism in its institutions, even dedicating the last Friday of Ramadan to Quds Day rallies calling for Israels elimination. To accept a two-state solution would require a fundamental ideological retreat, something the clerical elite is incapable of making without undermining its own legitimacy. This rigidity could prove costly. While much of the world moves toward a diplomatic resolution, the Islamic Republic risks being strandedlouder in its rhetoric, but increasingly irrelevant in shaping outcomes. The Islamic Republics opposition to a Palestinian state beside Israel is not a mystery; it is baked into its revolutionary DNA and regional strategy. A two-state solution would strip Tehran of its ideological mantle, weaken its proxy networks, and hand the narrative of Palestinian advocacy to its Arab rivals. In the end, the Islamic Republic fears Palestinian statehood not because it opposes Palestinian aspirationsbut because it would expose decades of resistance as a strategy built on rejection, not resolution. Disney/Bahareh Ritter By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 09/27/2025 ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. alum Bailey Taylor Brown has revealed how she and Jeremy Simon feel about Susie Evans now."I feel like there is no bad blood. There is no beef," Bailey said of Susie during a joint interview with Jeremy on a recent episode of the "Bachelor Happy Hour" podcast.A major storyline of 's tenth season was how Jeremy called Susie on the phone following her elimination and begged her to return to Paradise. Susie, however, declined his invitation.When Jeremy and Bailey reunited, Jeremy never told Bailey about the phone call, and he appeared to continue talking about how much he liked and missed Susie -- while continuing to deepen his relationship with Bailey at the same time. Brian Autz was the one who finally told Bailey about Jeremy's betrayal, and so Jeremy has been facing backlash from Bachelor Nation ever since.Considering Susie gossip has plagued Jeremy and Bailey's romance from the start, Joe Amabile and Serena Pitt asked the couple if their dynamic with Susie is going to be awkward going forward."I have so much love for Susie. I think she's literally the greatest person ever. She's so sweet, she's so amazing, she's so nice," Bailey insisted on the podcast."And actually, after -- I don't know what episode it was -- but basically after the phone call came to light, she literally sent me the sweetest message I've ever received. It was very long, and I actually had to take some time to actually read it because I was overwhelmed in that moment."Bailey called Susie's message "really encouraging" and kind."She just let me in on a little bit of details about their date and what Jeremy said about me on their date. She was like, 'I know he had moments of doubt,' but she was like, 'but on the date, I knew he wasn't going to pick me. I knew he was going to pick you based on how he spoke about you,'" Bailey recalled."And I think that was a really calming thread, and she's always sending me really nice messages."Bailey said she ultimately sent Susie "a really grateful message" in response."I'm always going to support her and cheer her on, and hopefully when I'm in L.A. again, we'll find some time to, like, hang out and do something," Bailey noted.Bailey and Susie apparently met for the first time at Grant Ellis ' The Bachelor: After the Final Rose taping in March."And she was so sweet then, so yeah, I think we'll definitely continue a friendship," Bailey shared with Joe and Serena, as Jeremy remained quiet."Obviously we wish that her name wouldn't have been dragged on for so long. I think that's really hard for her to have to deal with. It's like, dang, she's still being brought up, you know?! It's hard for both of us, but I do really feel for her."Bailey joked about how Susie's time in was short-lived yet she was brought up for weeks afterward."And it's still brought up. So yeah, that was intense. I also feel like the comment on the finale of 'Susie who?' was a little bit intense and very unnecessary," Bailey added, referring to her happy-couple update with Jeremy that flashed onscreen at the conclusion of 's Season 10 finale."[Jeremy] didn't even notice it, but I did. I was like, 'Oh my god, that's really intense because that's really not how we view it.' There's no bad blood," Bailey reiterated.Bailey, however, pointed out how "obviously Jeremy is keeping his distance" from Susie."Because that would be crazy [if he didn't], but you know, I really do think she's an amazing person," Bailey gushed."So, yeah! She's such a good person. And she's honestly just making jokes and laughs about it. I think that's all that you can do, is just be silly about it, because there's no bad blood."Despite the ups and downs in their relationship, Bailey and Jeremy are still together. Bailey also said she's planning to move to New York to live with Jeremy soon.On , Jeremy had paired up with Bailey for the first few days, but then he enjoyed a great date with Susie and found himself torn between the two women.Jeremy, however, made the difficult decision to give Bailey his rose at the subsequent Rose Ceremony, resulting in Susie's early and unexpected elimination.Once Susie was gone, Jeremy thought he and Bailey were all in, but then Bailey accepted a date with Andrew Spencer Bailey's decision made Jeremy spiral and question everything, and so he called Susie on the phone and begged her to return to Paradise so they could give their romance another shot.Susie, clearly feeling emotionally depleted after her reunion with ex-boyfriend Justin Glaze on the show, declined Jeremy's offer Since Bailey ran back into Jeremy's arms after her date with Andrew, Jeremy resumed dating Bailey, even though he kept thinking about Susie.Jeremy, according to footage, said he regretted giving Bailey his rose . He also told Brian that he'd propose marriage to Susie on the spot if she returned to Paradise.Once Brian told Bailey about Jeremy's phone call with Susie, Bailey was devastated and nearly quit Paradise, especially because no one had told her this sooner But Jeremy begged Bailey to stay and insisted that he truly cared for her and only had eyes for her at that point.Jeremy and Bailey continued to grow their connection and were eventually voted out of , missing out on a shot to win up to $500,000.However, the pair decided to become boyfriend and girlfriend, officially, before leaving Costa Rica.Jeremy has since been slammed for lying by omission to Bailey, and Bailey has received criticism for choosing to stay with a man who pretty clearly preferred another woman in Paradise."I've made some stupid mistakes that me and her have obviously talked about a million times before the show -- before it aired and while it aired," Jeremy admitted during the reunion, which also aired on the "Bachelor Happy Hour" podcast earlier this month."I wish I could take some of them back... I acted like a child."Jeremy concluded, "At the end of the day, we have pretty thick skin and we know what we have... We just try not to let people get to us."Interested in more The Bachelor news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group Sense & Sensibility and Love Actually star Emma Thompson says that even though she plays a woman fighting for her life in Dead of Winter, she isn't looking to begin an action career at this point of her life. ADVERTISEMENT "It was a very bad idea to start it at the age of 66," the double Oscar-winner told UPI in a recent Zoom interview. "That's just stupid, but there you go. It's nice to be.Reckless in one's third age, as it were. And since I'm in the youth of old age, what do you do when you're young? You kind of take risks. So, I thought, 'Well, I might as well take risks in this bit as well and see what happens.' And what happens is you get hurt regularly." In theaters this weekend, the film casts Thompson as Barb, a grieving Minnesota widow who stumbles across a remote cabin where a middle-aged couple, played by Judy Greer and Marc Menchaca, are kidnapping a terrified young woman played by Laurel Marsden in the middle of winter. "We had a wonderful stunt team who taught us all that and we had to do those fight sequences over and over and over again. But you go: 'Well, yes, this makes sense. What else would you do? Your body would react like that,'" Thompson said. "The fight sequences aren't like in The Bourne Ultimatum. She doesn't suddenly turn out to be a judo expert. She just survives by pushing, by kicking by doing whatever she can do to prevent this insane woman from killing her and the girl." When Barb initially realizes what is happening, she studies a photo of her late husband Karl before she gets out of her truck to help the young woman "You can hear him saying, 'Barb, I don't think this is such a good idea.' And she just goes: 'I know. I know.' So, you know that there's a part of her, the part that contains her husband, and still hears him in her head going, 'This is not necessarily going to turn out well,'" Thompson explained. FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! "It's also incontrovertibly true to her, that there is nothing else you can do. She can't reach anyone," she added. "I'm sure we would all be the same. She could never leave that child in that situation. She has to act. She can't get to a town. What are they going to do to her? So, in a sense, she's bound by every commonplace form of decency there is." Barb also knows the frozen landscape well, which is useful as she tries to hide and attack the kidnappers. "She's someone who understands how to survive. But she's also very resilient and her wits are very sharp and sharpened, no doubt, by the adrenaline of the situation," Thompson said. "That was one of the things I loved about her -- the surprising practicality. She never panics. She just gets on with it." Thompson's real-life daughter, Gaia Wise, plays Barb as a younger woman in flashbacks. "That was the best bit, having my daughter there. And, also, actually, my husband, her father [actor Greg Wise]. He was there a lot of the time. So, having their support at that time, as well, was extraordinary," the actress said. "Gaia and I were able to sort of look after one another and watch one another. And, so, when I watched her acting the scenes of Barb as a young person, her and Cuan [Hosty-Blaney, who plays young Karl], I just got these wonderful memories made in front of me. I found it very touching. It was very meaningful for me." For much of the movie, present-day Barb is alone, watching from afar and plotting her rescue. Thompson said that she was attracted to the sparseness of the script, which called for her to show -- not tell -- what was going on and how she felt about it. "I love movies where I don't have to speak. I love to speak with the face," she said. "You can say so much with your face and your thoughts. The camera is such a friend in that sense, because it's completely different from theater," she added. "You can't do that in the theater. So, one of the reasons I did the job was there wasn't much to say and I knew I'd get time in this amazing landscape, to become part of the landscape -- silent and still and very much knotted and knitted in to the natural world there." The actress said she met with real Minnesotans to prepare for her role, even though the film was shot in Finland. "One of the things I was really passionate to do is make sure that the Minnesotan was real. And I spent months talking to Minnesotans, just conversing with Minnesotans about their lives," she said. One of the most important things she learned was which gloves to wear for what temperature and task. "It's about love, grief, death and gloves," Thompson quipped as she listed off the themes of the film. "Every week, we did 2- or 3-hour talks and, so, the accent kept bedding in, all the way through and I think I got away with it. They're going to be watching it in Minnesota, actually, this week when it opens. So, I can't wait to hear what they say." Maruti Suzuki, Indias largest producer of small cars, stands to benefit the most. Kindly note the image have only been published for representational purposes. Photograph: Amit Sharma/ANI Photo The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) on Thursday revised its June 2024 draft fuel efficiency norms, introducing special relief for small cars for the first time and offering incentives for flex-fuel and strong hybrid vehicles. The revision comes after an intense and bitter debate within the automobile industry. Maruti Suzuki had requested special relief for small cars under the CAFE-3 and CAFE-4 norms (CAFE stands for corporate average fuel efficiency), while other carmakers, including Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra, opposed any such concession. In June last year, the BEE had issued its first draft CAFE-3 and CAFE-4 norms, which will be implemented between April 2027 and March 2037. The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam) had suggested changes in December last year. Photograph: Babu/Reuters Earlier this year, Maruti Suzuki had put in its relief request, following which the BEE issued its revised draft norms on Thursday. CAFE norms set the average carbon-dioxide emission, or fuel-efficiency targets that a carmakers fleet must meet. They are measured in grams of the gas emitted per kilometre (gm/km) for each vehicle. In the revised draft, the CAFE norms classified "small cars" separately for the first time. A petrol car is considered a small car if it weighs up to 909 kg, has an engine of 1,200 cc or less, and is not longer than 4,000 mm -- mostly entry-level hatchbacks and compact sedans. Maruti Suzuki, Indias largest producer of small cars, stands to benefit the most. These small cars get special treatment. On top of carbon-dioxide savings achieved through certified technologies, they can subtract an extra 3 gm/km from their declared emission. The new draft stated: Considering the limited potential for efficiency improvements in petrol vehicle models with an unladen mass up to 909 kg, engine capacity not exceeding 1200 cc and length not exceeding 4000 mm ... such cars shall be eligible to claim, in addition to certified technology-based savings, a further reduction of 3.0 g CO/km in its manufacturer-declared CO performance for calculation of performance under CAFE 2027. This means a small car that saves 2 gm of carbon dioxide per km through technology -- for instance, via start-stop systems or better tyres -- can count 5 gm of carbon dioxide per km toward its CAFE performance. However, the new draft also caps the benefit: No small car model shall be permitted to claim a cumulative reduction exceeding 9 g/km of CO in any reporting period. This ensures fairness and prevents exaggerated savings. Photograph: Kind courtesy, Pixabay In June last year the BEE had proposed changes that would have made compliance harder for strong hybrids and slightly easier for electric vehicles (EVs). The volume derogation factor is a multiplier that gives extra weight to certain vehicles in fleet carbon-dioxide calculations, so each EV or hybrid can count as more than one car. The BEE had in June 2024 suggested increasing the factor for EVs from three to four, while reducing it for strong hybrids from two to 1.2. In the revised draft issued on Thursday, the BEE has maintained the factor for EVs at three and strong hybrids at two. This benefits companies like Maruti Suzuki and Toyota, which are among the largest strong hybrid sellers in India, allowing their hybrids to retain full credit under CAFE and remain attractive for compliance. The draft also introduces a Carbon Neutrality Factor (CNF), a discount on declared emission for vehicles using cleaner fuels or hybrid technology. Petrol cars running on E20-E30 fuel blends get an 8 per cent reduction, CNG (compressed natural gas) vehicles get 5 per cent (or higher, depending on compressed biogas blending), and flex-fuel ethanol vehicles and strong hybrids capable of running on flex fuel get a 22.3 per cent discount. In practice, a strong hybrid running on flex fuel that emits 100 gm/km in lab tests would be counted as only 77.7 gm/km for CAFE compliance. Currently, strong hybrids sold in India by Toyota (the Hyryder, Innova Hycross, Camry) and Maruti Suzuki (Grand Vitara and Invicto) run on regular petrol and do not qualify for the 22.3 per cent CNF but only the 8 per cent petrol discount. To gain the full CNF, manufacturers would need to introduce flex-fuel strong hybrids, something Toyota has piloted in Brazil and showcased as a prototype in India. The BEE has given automobile stakeholders 21 days to send their response to new draft CAFE norms. Business Standard requested all major carmakers -- Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata Motors, Toyota, Mahindra & Mahindra, Kia, Skoda, and JSW MG Motors -- to send their statements on the new draft norms. There was no response from any. Fresh draft rules For strong hybrid cars, full volume derogation factor of 2 retained Carbon Neutrality Factor introduced for cleaner fuels, hybrids Flex-fuel, strong hybrid cars get 22.3 per cent lower CO2 under CNF Stakeholders to submit feedback on revised draft norms in 21 days Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff 'He is creating a culture of fear.' IMAGE: US President Donald Trump. Photograph: Kind courtesy White House/X United States Congressman Dr Ami Bera, the longest serving Indian American in the US House of Representatives, is in India on an outreach mission amidst the turbulence in India-US relations. The visit is intended to undo some of the mixed signals sent by President Donald John Trump and to reaffirm that there is no shift in the long-term India-Us strategic and business partnership. Acknowledging the restraint shown by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in navigating the tension, Bera led a Congressional delegation which met senior government officials, industry leaders and officials at the Western Naval Command. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump at a media interaction at the White House, February 13, 2025. Photograph: Nathan Howard/Reuters Dr Bera's parents moved to the US from Gujarat. He was born in Los Angeles and has been a life-long Californian. His medical career spanned 20 years before he was elected to represent Sacremento to the House of Representatives in 2013. His wife Janine is also a medical doctor. He currently serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific and recently secured the inclusion of 11 amendments during the House Foreign Affairs Committee's markup of State Department Reauthorization bills, including on the US-India Strategic Partnership. The amendment mandates biannual State Department reports for five years on US-India cooperation across defence, technology, diplomacy, economic resilience and continued congressional engagement with India. In an interaction with Rediff's Archana Masih and Prasanna Zore in Mumbai, Congressman Bera discussed a wide range of issues from the Trump administration's pivot towards Pakistan, the H1 B visas hike, the silence of the Indian Diaspora and if Donald Trump has fallen out of love with India. Video coverage: Afsar Dayatar/Rediff On what is driving the US-Pakistan bonhomie... On why the Indian Diaspora is not speaking up for India... On why Trump never talks about agreements, but acts more like a corporate honcho, a deal-maker... Is Trump being anti-India and pro-Pakistan... India-US tension: For the short term or will it persist? On what the Congressional trip to India has achieved... Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said his country was ready for a "composite, comprehensive and result-oriented" dialogue with India on all outstanding issues, as he criticised New Delhi over the situation in Kashmir. IMAGE: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addresses the General Debate of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. Photograph: Screen grab/United Nations on YouTube In his address to the General Debate of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, Sharif also referred to the 'Operation Sindoor' and claimed that "seven of the Indian jets" were damaged during the four-day conflict in May. Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh last month said Indian jets shot down five Pakistani fighter jets and a large aircraft during 'Operation Sindoor'. India targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir during the operation launched on May 7 in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. Sharif said Pakistan believes in the "peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue and diplomacy." This is my most sincere and serious offer before this august assembly of the world nations. Pakistan stands ready for a composite, comprehensive and result-oriented dialogue with India on all outstanding issues, he said. The composite dialogue was launched in 2003 when General Pervez Musharraf was ruling Pakistan. It had eight baskets of components, containing all contentious issues between the two countries. The dialogue was derailed after the 2008 Mumbai attacks and not restored in proper form. In his address, Sharif praised US President Donald Trump, saying his "efforts for peace helped avert a war in South Asia". "In recognition of President Trump's wonderful and outstanding contribution to promote peace in our part of the world, Pakistan nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize. This is the least we could do I think he truly is a man of peace," he said. India has been consistently maintaining that the understanding on cessation of hostilities with Pakistan was reached following direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations of the two militaries. Sharif made a brief visit to Washington DC on Thursday, where he, along with Field Marshal Asim Munir, met Trump in the White House. Sharif described Trump as a "man of peace" and lauded his courageous and decisive" leadership in facilitating a ceasefire between Pakistan and India. The Pakistani leader also referred to India's decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. To us, any violation of this Indus Treaty represents an act of war, he said. As Pakistan has done every year, Sharif raised the issue of Kashmir in his address. Sharif said that the people of Pakistan stand with the people of Kashmir and Kashmir will gain its fundamental right to self-determination through an impartial plebiscite under the auspices" of the United Nations. Sharif said Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, adding that his country faces externally-sponsored terrorism, particularly from foreign-funded groups such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Balochistan Liberation Army and its Majid brigade. He also said that there must be no space for hate speech, discrimination or violence against any person, or against any religion. On Gaza, he said the plight of the Palestinian people was one of the most heart-wrenching tragedies of our time. "We cannot and must not fail these children of Gaza, or any child anywhere in the world. We must find a path to a ceasefire now, he said, as he reaffirmed Pakistan's support for a sovereign Palestinian state with pre-1967 borders and Jerusalem as its capital. On the climate crisis, he said Pakistan demands urgent collective action. Wealth Minerals has signed a binding letter of agreement to acquire an indirect 100% royalty-free interest in the Andacollo Oro gold project (AOG project) in Chile. The AOG project is located in the province of Coquimbo and produced 1.12 million ounces(moz) of gold from 1995 to 2018 through an open-pit heap leach operation, before being suspended due to lower gold prices. The location is 60km from the port of Coquimbo and 480km north of Santiago. At its peak, annual production reached 135,000oz in 1999, with a throughput rate of 20,000 tonnes per day. The project includes existing permits covering mining rights, land title and water, along with significant onsite infrastructure, and is adjacent to Teck Resources Carmen de Andacollo copper mine. Historical estimates associated with the Andacollo Oro project include 2.02moz of gold in the measured and indicated categories and 5.06 million ounces in the inferred category. Wealth CEO Henk van Alphen stated: The chance to acquire the AOG project is an opportunity management believes is the right choice for shareholders. Gold, an asset class that has been around for millennia, is now 'new' to the capital markets as investors increasingly worry about governments monetary and fiscal policies globally. I see no reason to expect the drivers of this worry to change, and I expect golds favour amongst investors to continue. In accordance with the provisions of the letter of agreement and pending approval from the TSX Venture Exchange, it is proposed that the transaction will be executed through a share purchase and sale agreement. Under this arrangement, Wealth Minerals or one of its subsidiaries will acquire full ownership of an arm's-length private company based in Chile. The completion of the transaction is contingent upon this private company finalising its acquisition of a 100% royalty-free interest in the AOG project (underlying transaction). This underlying transaction will involve deferred purchase payments totalling an aggregate of $30m, which Wealth will assume. Of this amount, up to $7m may be paid in shares over a period of 48 months, with $250,000 already paid. In connection with the transaction, Wealth has launched a non-brokered private placement of at least 41.7 million units at $0.12 per unit to raise a minimum of $5m. The proceeds raised will be allocated toward acquisition costs, exploration and development work, including drilling and permitting, with $1m earmarked for general corporate purposes. Meanwhile, Wealth also announced the appointment of Chad Williams, founder and chairman of Red Cloud Mining Capital, as strategic advisor to the company. The BRICS nations have expressed concern over the proliferation of trade-restrictive actions in the form of 'indiscriminate rising' of tariffs, particularly measures used as a means of 'coercion', cautioning that such practices risk marginalising the Global South countries. IMAGE: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar hosts BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting, in New York on Saturday. Photograph: @DrSJaishankar on X/ANI Photo The BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs/International Relations held their annual meeting on the margins of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday. The meeting was chaired by India in its capacity as the incoming BRICS Chair for 2026. In a joint communique, adopted following the meeting, the ministers 'expressed concern over proliferation of trade-restrictive actions, whether in the form of indiscriminate rising of tariffs and non-tariff measures, or protectionism, in particular measures used as a means of coercion that threaten to further reduce global trade, disrupt global supply chains, and introduce uncertainty into international economic and trade activities, potentially exacerbating existing economic disparities and affecting prospects for global economic development'. The BRICS nations -- Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates -- voiced 'serious concerns' about the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures which distort trade and are inconsistent with WTO rules. 'They cautioned against such practices that risk fragmenting global trade and marginalising the Global South,' the joint statement said. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who hosted the BRICS foreign ministers, highlighted that as rising protectionism, tariff volatility and non-tariff barriers impact trade flows, BRICS must defend the multilateral trading system. He said when multilateralism is under stress, BRICS has stood firm as a strong voice of reason and constructive change. 'In a turbulent world, BRICS must reinforce the message of peacebuilding, dialogue, diplomacy and adherence to international law,' he said in a post on X. He added that BRICS must amplify its collective call for a comprehensive reform of the principal organs of the United Nations, especially the UN Security Council. Technology and innovation will define the next phase of BRICS cooperation. He said India's Chairship of BRICS will focus on food and energy security, climate change, and sustainable development through digital transformation, startups, innovation, and strengthened development partnerships. The BRICS ministers also extended their full support to India for its BRICS Chairship in 2026 and the holding of the BRICS Summit in India. The Ministers said they also look forward to the Standalone Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs/International Relations in India in 2026. In the joint statement, the Ministers condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on April 22 during which 26 people were killed and many more injured. 'They reaffirmed their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, terrorism financing and safe havens. 'They reiterated that terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group and that all those involved in terrorist activities and their support must be held accountable and brought to justice in accordance with relevant national and international law,' the statement said. They urged to ensure zero tolerance for terrorism and reject double standards in countering terrorism. They emphasised the primary responsibility of States in combating terrorism and that global efforts to prevent and counter terrorist threats must fully comply with their obligations under international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, in particular the purposes and principles thereof, and relevant international conventions and protocols, in particular international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, as applicable. They expressed strong condemnation of any acts of terrorism as criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, whenever, wherever and by whomsoever committed. The BRICS meeting comes amid tariffs imposed by the US on countries around the world. The Trump administration has imposed 50 per cent tariffs on India, including 25 per cent for its purchases of Russian oil, with Delhi facing among the highest levies imposed by Washington, DC. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov participated in the meeting of BRICS foreign ministers. A press release by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Lavrov underscored the significance of jointly implementing practical initiatives launched during the Russian and Brazilian chairmanships, 'including the establishment of a new investment platform, the BRICS cross-border payment initiative, depository and clearing infrastructure, a reinsurance mechanism, and a BRICS grain exchange.' Jaishankar and Lavrov held bilateral discussions on the margins of UNGA. 'Good conversation with FM Sergey Lavrov of Russia on the sidelines of #UNGA80. Useful discussion on bilateral ties, the Ukraine conflict and developments in the Middle East,' Jaishankar said. A 73-year-old woman, who was deported from the United States recently after spending more than three decades there, on Saturday said no one should go through the ordeal she went through, and expressed her desire to be reunited with her family in America. Image used only for representation. Photograph: @ICEgov/X Kaur, who had unsuccessfully applied for asylum in the US, was deported to India after being detained by immigration authorities in California, her advocate said earlier. She was detained by immigration authorities in California on September 8 after she went for a routine check-in, triggering protests and concerns among her family and community members. Kaur reached the US in 1992 as a single mother with two sons. Her asylum case was denied in 2012, but since then, she 'faithfully reported' to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in San Francisco every six months for more than 13 years, her daughter-in-law Manji said after her deportation. Speaking to reporters at her sister's house in Mohali, Kaur, who hails from Pangota village in Tarn Taran district, said, "I used to go there (ICE office) to mark my presence every six months. On September 8, I went there to mark my presence, but they arrested me without specifying anything." Kaur also said she was sent back without being given the chance to even say goodbye to her close family members. "My family sought permission from the concerned authorities to bring me to India, and even showed a flight ticket. But they did not budge," Kaur said. "I had a work permit, an ID and a licence. I had everything," she rued. Asked how the immigration authorities treated her, she said with tears in her eyes, "What can I say? No one should go through the ordeal I had to go through." Sharing details, Kaur said that after her detention in San Francisco, she was taken to a room. "They took my photograph and kept me in the room for the entire night. It was cold, and I couldn't even lie down," said Kaur, who had undergone a double knee replacement surgery. "I was cuffed and shackled when they took me from San Francisco to Bakersfield," she said. Asked if she was allowed to take her medicines, Kaur shook her head and said, "All my pleas fell on deaf ears." "I couldn't even eat the food they gave because I am a vegetarian. They served beef, which I don't eat," Kaur said. According to Kaur, she was deported along with 132 deportees on board the plane, including 15 Colombian nationals. Asked if she was cuffed on the plane, Kaur said, "No. There were two good officers on board who did not cuff me, although the other deportees were cuffed and shackled." "My entire family is settled in the US, including my children, granddaughters and grandsons. When I hear their voice, I cannot speak a word. I looked after them," Kaur said. Asked if she would like to return to the US, Kaur said, "Definitely. My entire family is out there." She also held US President Donald Trump solely responsible for the deportation of a large number of Indians in recent months. "I have been in the US since 1992, but I never saw any such action by the authorities. Nobody was asked to go back," Kaur said. Following her detention, there were protests in California with demonstrators demanding Kaur's release with placards reading 'Hands off our grandma' and 'Bring grandma home'. Ladakh Director General of Police S D Singh Jamwal on Saturday said forces were compelled to open fire on protesters, else the entire Leh would have been burned to the ground. IMAGE: Protesters who suffered injury during the protest undergo treatment at a local hospital in Leh. Photograph: ANI Photo The violence that took place in the Union Territory's capital on Wednesday was without precedent, he said, and blamed 'vested interests' and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk for it. On Wednesday, four people were killed in police firing and scores of others were injured when a protest for statehood for Ladakh turned violent. Protesters set a local BJP office on fire and allegedly pelted police and CRPF with stones. Jamwal dismissed the allegation by the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance, the bodies which have been spearheading the agitation, that forces fired indiscriminately, saying that it was done only in self-defence and to prevent a larger flare-up. "If you look at the footage and the conditions in which our forces performed, they did a highly commendable job. I salute them for bringing the situation under control by 4 pm after the violence started around noon," the DGP said. He said about 70 to 80 police and CRPF personnel were also injured in the confrontation. "Do you want the force personnel to die? That is not possible. Everyone has a life. When they attacked a political party's office and set it on fire, four women constables of the Ladakh police were inside. We rescued them with great difficulty. The CRPF personnel posted there were severely thrashed, and one of them is still admitted to an army hospital with spinal injury," he said. "The secretariat, where most of the offices are located, was attacked. Do you want the employees to burn to death? You don't want that," said the officer, who also sustained minor wounds. "The violence was aimed at creating anarchy, and countering anarchy was our main task," he said. Jamwal defended the deployment of CRPF in advance, saying there was intelligence that some elements, including Wangchuk, were trying to disturb the peace. "If the CRPF had not been there that day, I am telling you with full confidence that the entire town would have been burned down. "We do not want a force here. We want peace. But peace will only come when a citizen understands his responsibility," he said. According to the police chief, around 6,000 people went on a rampage on Wednesday. "I am posted for the second time here. I know the psyche of the people of Ladakh. I believe that the people of Ladakh have always supported the police and administration. Everyone I met is ashamed of this. No one anticipated this type of violence," he said. Jamwal also recounted casualties among the force members, saying that this year, in three different incidents, two police constables and one inspector died in the line of duty. "Last month, when there were floods and landslides, our force worked day and night. Before that, in March, 200-300 vehicles were stuck on the Changla Pass in the snow. We spent an entire night pulling people to safety," he said. Jamwal said 1,800 government jobs have been advertised for recruitment, while a police recruitment drive is also planned, as he sought the youths' support in keeping peace in Ladakh. A passing out parade of some 500 police recruits was scheduled to take place the previous day but had to be postponed, he said. "We are with you and want you to join the police force." 'If destroyed runways and burnt-out hangers look like victory, as the prime minister claimed, Pakistan is welcome to enjoy it.' IMAGE: A Pakistan soldier stands in front of the damaged Bilal mosque in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan occupied Kashmir, May 7, 2025, after it was hit by an Indian strike. Photograph: Reuters India on Friday delivered a searing rebuttal to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's address at the 80th United Nations General Assembly, accusing him of "absurd theatrics" and glorifying terrorism while mocking his claim of "victory" in the May escalation. Exercising India's right of reply at the General Assembly, Petal Gahlot, First Secretary at India's Permanent Mission to the UN, said the prime minister of Pakistan had sought to portray destruction of airbases in their country as a victory. While dismantling his narrative, the first secretary accused Islamabad of shielding terrorists and peddling "ludicrous narratives" to mask its role as a hub of terrorism. Gahlot debunked Sharif's portrayal of the May conflict, noting that Pakistan's threats against India ceased only after Indian forces devastated multiple Pakistani airbases on May 10. "The prime minister of Pakistan also advanced a bizarre account of the recent conflict with India. The record on this matter is clear. Till 9 May, Pakistan was threatening more attacks on India. But on 10 May, its military pleaded with us directly for a cessation to the fighting. "The intervening event was the destruction caused to multiple Pakistani airbases by Indian forces. The pictures of that damage are, of course, publicly accessible. "If destroyed runways and burnt-out hangers look like victory, as the prime minister claimed, Pakistan is welcome to enjoy it," she said. Gahlot pointed to Pakistan's April 25, 2025, actions at the UN Security Council, where it protected 'The Resistance Front', a Pakistan-sponsored terror outfit responsible for the massacre of tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that claimed 26 people on April 22. WATCH: India's hard-hitting response to Shehbaz Sharif's UNGA speech "This Assembly witnessed absurd theatrics in the morning from the prime minister of Pakistan, who once again glorified terrorism that is so central to their foreign policy. However, no degree of drama and no level of lies can conceal the facts. "This is the very same Pakistan which, at the UN Security Council on April 25, 2025, shielded 'The Resistance Front', a Pakistani-sponsored terror outfit, from the responsibility of carrying out the barbaric massacre of tourists in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir," she stated. Highlighting Pakistan's history of duplicity, Gahlot recalled its decade-long sheltering of Osama bin Laden while posing as a partner in the global war on terror, adding that Pakistani ministers had acknowledged operating terrorist camps for decades. She also accused senior Pakistani military and civilian officials of publicly glorifying terrorists and paying homage to "notorious terrorists" who were slain during India's strikes on Bahawalpur and Muridke during Operation Sindoor. "A country long steeped in the tradition of deploying and exporting terrorism has no shame in advancing the most ludicrous narratives to that end. Let us recall that it sheltered Osama bin Laden for a decade, even while pretending to partner in the war against terrorism. "Its ministers have just recently acknowledged that they have been operating terrorist camps for decades. It should come as no surprise that once again, this duplicity continues, this time at the level of its prime inister," she said. "A picture speaks a thousand words and we saw many pictures of terrorists slain in Bahawalpur and Muridke terror complexes by Indian forces during Operation Sindoor. When senior Pakistani military and civilian officials publicly glorify and pay homage to such notorious terrorists, can there be any doubt about the proclivities of this regime?" Gahlot added. India's response underscored its zero-tolerance stance on terrorism, with Gahlot asserting, "The truth is that as in the past, Pakistan is responsible for a terrorist attack on innocent civilians in India. We have exercised the right to defend our people against such actions and have brought the organisers and perpetrators to justice." She demanded that Pakistan immediately shut down all terrorist camps and hand over wanted terrorists, warning that India would hold both terrorists and their sponsors accountable without succumbing to "nuclear blackmail". Gahlot also addressed Sharif's call for peace, challenging its sincerity, while slamming Pakistan's "hate, bigotry, and intolerance", urging its leadership to reflect on its own political discourse. "The truth is that, as in the past, Pakistan is responsible for a terrorist attack on innocent civilians in India. We have exercised the right to defend our people against such actions and have brought the organisers and perpetrators to justice. "The Pakistani prime minister has spoken about wanting peace with India. If he is indeed sincere, the pathway is clear. Pakistan must immediately shut down all terrorist camps and hand over to us terrorists wanted in India. "It is also ironic that a country which wallows in hate, bigotry and intolerance should preach to this Assembly on matters of faith. The political and public discourse of Pakistan reflects its true nature. Clearly, a look by them at the mirror is long overdue," she noted. Reaffirming India's longstanding position, Gahlot stressed that all outstanding issues with Pakistan must be resolved bilaterally, leaving "no room for any third party." "India and Pakistan have long agreed that any outstanding issue between them will be addressed bilaterally. There is no room for any third party in that regard. This is our longstanding national position." The Karnataka high court on Friday permitted the Union government to issue travel documents to facilitate the return of a Russian woman and her two minor daughters who had been discovered living in a cave in coastal Karnataka. IMAGE: Russian national Nina Kutina, who was found living with her two daughters in a remote cave near Gokarna in Karnataka. Photograph: ANI on X Justice B M Shyam Prasad passed the order while hearing a petition filed by Israeli national Dror Shlomo Goldstein, who claims to be the father of the children. Goldstein had approached the court seeking a direction to the Centre not to immediately deport the minor children. The woman, identified as Nina Kutina, was found on July 11 in a cave in the Ramatirtha Hills near Gokarna in Kumta taluk. Authorities reported that she and the children had been living there for nearly two months without valid travel or residence documents. Goldstein had earlier lodged a complaint at the Panaji police station in Goa in December last year after being unable to trace his children in India. During Friday's hearing, the court recorded that the Russian consulate had issued emergency travel papers for Kutina and her daughters, valid only until October 9. It also took note of Kutina's own communication to the consulate, in which she expressed her wish to return to Russia at the earliest. Goldstein's counsel had opposed deportation, arguing that such a move would go against the best interests of the children while custody proceedings were still pending. The court, however, observed that Goldstein had not provided any satisfactory explanation for why the mother and children had been living in isolation in a cave before their rescue. Emphasising the principle of children's welfare, the bench stated that the mother's request to travel back to Russia and the Russian government's readiness to facilitate their return outweighed other considerations. At an earlier hearing on August 22, Goldstein's legal team had invoked the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, while Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Arvind Kamath had assured the court that Kutina and her daughters were being taken care of at the Foreigners Restriction Centre for Women. He had also clarified that deportation would not be carried out immediately, as DNA tests were pending to establish the parentage of the younger child, who had no official documents such as a passport or birth certificate. During the hearing on Friday, the ASG informed the court that the DNA report of the second daughter was received and communicated to the Russian government, which, in turn, issued Russian citizenship and emergency travel documents (ETD) to enable them to travel to Russia. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday spoke with Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi and Chief Minister M K Stalin to take stock of the situation following a stampede in Karur and assured them of all possible central assistance to deal with the situation, sources said. IMAGE: A large crowd gathers at actor-politician Vijay's rally in Karur. Photograph: ANI on X The Union home ministry also sought a report from the Tamil Nadu government on the incident, sources said. At least 36 people have died in the stampede at actor-politician Vijay's rally at Karur. In its communication to the Tamil Nadu government, the home ministry asked it to provide details about the situation leading to the stampede and what steps have been taken for the rescue and treatment of the victims, sources said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief, while Shah expressed 'deep pain' over the loss of lives in the incident. The accused in the murder of NEET candidate Deepak Gupta from Gorakhpur was killed in a police encounter here, police said on Saturday. Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: @gorakhpurpolice/X The accused was identified as Zubair alias Kalia (26), a cattle smuggler and a resident of Gher Mardan Khan in the Kotwali police station area. He was carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh, police said. According to police, on Friday night, an encounter broke out with Zubair on the way from Chaku Chowk to Mandi in the Ganj police station area of Rampur district. Moradabad Range Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Muniraj G told reporters that during a police check, two men were seen coming on a motorcycle. They attempted to stop them, but they did not stop and started firing at the police. He said that Sub-Inspector (Inspector) Rahul Jadon and Constable Sandeep Kumar were injured. Zubair was shot in the police's retaliatory fire and was admitted to the district hospital for treatment. Doctors at the hospital declared him dead. Rampur and Gorakhpur police were searching for Zubair, who was accused of killing Deepak Gupta (19) in the Pipraich police station area of Gorakhpur on September 16 while trying to stop smugglers from stealing animals. Deepak was preparing for the Medical Entrance Examination (NEET). Zubair faces 18 cases in Rampur, Balrampur, Gonda, and Gorakhpur districts, including charges of cruelty to animals, cow slaughter, attempted murder, and murder. Ladakh Director General of Police S D Singh Jamwal on Saturday said Sonam Wangchuk is being probed for allegedly having links with Pakistan on the back of last month's arrest of a Pakistani Intelligence Operative who sent videos of his protests across the border. IMAGE: Aam Aadmi Party workers hold a candlelight march over the arrest of environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi on Friday. Photograph: ANI Photo Jamwal described Wangchuk as the key person behind Wednesday's violence that claimed the lives of four people and injured scores of others. On Friday, Wangchuk was detained under National Security Act and sent to a jail in Jodhpur in Rajasthan. "What has been found in the investigation (against Wangchuk) cannot be disclosed at this moment. The process is going on and if you look at his profile and history, it is all available on YouTube. His speech worked as instigation as he talked about the Arab spring and the recent unrest in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. "He had his own agenda. There is a probe of foreign funding, violation of FCRA against him -- We have a PIO with us who was reporting across the border, sending videos of the protests led by Wangchuk. The police chief also cited some of Wangchuk's foreign visits, and termed them as suspicious. "He attended an event by The Dawn in Pakistan and also visited Bangladesh," Jamwal told reporters in Leh. Wangchuk has been the main face of the agitation spearheaded by the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance for statehood and extension of sixth schedule to the Union Territory. Jamwal said Wangchuk tried to hijack the platform and tried to scupper the dialogue between the Centre and Ladakh representatives. The Centre has invited the leaders for a fresh round of talks on October 6. Jamwal said Wangchuk continued his hunger strike, despite knowing that an informal meeting between the two sides was going to take place on September 25. "Just a day before the informal meeting, a deliberate attempt was made to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere through provocative videos and statements which culminated with violence on Wednesday and unfortunate deaths," he said. On Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta's remarks about foreign conspiracy in Wednesday's violence, he said three Nepal citizens were admitted to the hospital with bullet injuries and involvement of some others have also come to light. He said, in all, 50 people have been taken into custody in connection with Wednesday's violence. At least, half-a-dozen of them are suspected to be ringleaders, he said. "Obviously, Wangchuk, who was the main instigator, has been lodged in an outside jail," the DGP said. Nehru had requested Tagore to compose a national anthem. But the poet died soon after and with that died the idea of a new song from Tagore that could be India's national anthem. It is remarkable that Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose agreed on Bharoto Bhaagyo Bidhaataa as India's national anthem. Kindly note the image has been published only for representational purposes. Photograph: ANI Photo At a time when the idea of India as a pluralist society is being questioned in certain circles, a book explaining the basic premise of the country's national anthem is appropriate. More importantly, such a book -- Song of India: A Study of the National Anthem -- serves as a timely reminder of the principles of harmony and unity in diversity, enshrined in a song that Rabindranath Tagore composed in December 1911 and which was adopted as India's national anthem in 1950. Eminent historian and academic Rudrangshu Mukherjee has achieved much more by making a commendable contribution to our overall understanding of India's national anthem. He places the song in the context of Tagore's vision of nationalism and his enunciation of the role and importance of destiny and harmony. What's more, Dr Mukherjee demolishes certain myths about why Tagore composed this song even as he brings to light several interesting developments that led to its choice as the national anthem. Quite a few songs vied with one another to become India's national anthem after independence. The three-day session of the Indian National Congress, held in December 1911 in Calcutta, will be remembered for three songs being played on different days. On the first day, it was Bankim Chandra Chattopdhyay's Vande Mataram, followed by Tagore's Bharoto Bhaagyo Bidhaataa (the book, however, refers to Tagore's song as Jana Gana Mana, which was not the title that the poet gave) on the second day, and Sarala Devi's Namo Hindustan on the third. There was another song that could claim to become India's national anthem -- Tarana-e-Hindi, written by Allama Iqbal and which began with that immortal line -- Saare Jahan Se Accha, Ye Hindoostan Hamara. Dr Mukherjee's book does not examine in detail the competing claims of these songs to become India's national anthem, although he points out a few similarities between the themes of Tagore's song and those of Bankim Chattopadhyay and Sarala Devi. But he sticks to the book's brief and focuses on how the first stanza of Tagore's song secured the Constituent Assembly's approval as India's national anthem at its last session on January 24, 1950. Developments that took place before that decision was taken, however, are startling. Even before it was adopted as the national anthem, Tagore's song had claimed that status de facto. The first stanza, set to music by Tagore himself, was played at the General Assembly of the United Nations in August 1948 after its insistence that a new-born nation must be identified with its national anthem. What Rajendra Prasad announced on January 24, 1950, as President of the Constituent Assembly, was perhaps formalising a decision that had been taken in principle. The irony of this becomes obvious when Dr Mukherjee reveals that Tagore himself may not have regarded the first stanza as India's national anthem. Jawaharlal Nehru had requested Tagore to compose a national anthem for India. 'Tagore had partly agreed' to that idea. But the poet died soon after in August 1941 and with that died the idea of a new song from Tagore that could be India's national anthem. It is also remarkable that Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose agreed on the question of Bharoto Bhaagyo Bidhaataa as India's national anthem. In 1942, Bose had adopted the song as the national anthem and Nehru followed that up in 1948 at the United Nations, with the Constituent Assembly giving its seal of approval in January 1950. Dr Mukherjee has also done well to have conclusively set at rest doubts on who Tagore tried to celebrate in Bharoto Bhaagyo Bidhaataa. Debunking a popular myth that Tagore wrote this song to honour King George V, he has cited evidence to show that such suggestions were canards. Indeed, soon after the Congress session, the song was published in January 1912 in Tattvabodhini Patrika, a journal edited by Tagore at that time, espousing the cause of the Brahmo Samaj. No surprise, Bharoto Bhaagyo Bidhaataa was classified there as a Brahmo Sangeet. Apart from a short introduction to Tagore's evolution as a poet and philosopher, the book explains in detail the five stanzas of Bharoto Bhaagyo Bidhaataa, only one of which is used as the national anthem. But understanding the entire song, in particular the second stanza, does help situate the idea of the dispenser of destiny as a positive force behind the nation's evolutionary journey in preserving a pluralist society with universal harmony. That understanding has been enhanced by Dr Mukherjee's thoughtful inclusion of the entire text of one of Tagore's poems, Bharat Tirtha, which dwelt on a similar theme of the plurality of Indian civilisation. The book's appeal has been enhanced by a page on the song's musical notation and a quick response (QR) code at the end, clicking which readers can enjoy Tagore's own rendering of the first stanza of Bharoto Bhaagyo Bidhaataa. Equally useful is the inclusion of the English translation of the song along with the publication of the original version in Roman, Devnagari and Bangla scripts, although an important line in the fourth stanza is missing in the Bangla version due to an avoidable printing error. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff This story was originally published on HR Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily HR Dive newsletter. This week, employers scrambled to deal with the implications of one very specific number implemented by the Trump administration as a fee on every new H-1B visa petition. Elsewhere, Glassdoor published a report documenting a decline in employee ratings of employers who conducted recent layoffs, and Starbucks workers sued the company, alleging they unlawfully paid for uniform expenses. Heres a closer look at those numbers and some others making headlines in the HR world. By the numbers $100,000 The amount employers submitting new H-1B visa petitions dated on or after Sept. 21, 2025, must pay in order to have the U.S. Department of Homeland Security consider such petitions. It was a busy week for the H-1B program, as DHS separately announced a proposed overhaul to the lottery system it intends to use to select H-1B petitions. 0.13 out of 5 The average decline that employers on Glassdoor experience using the platforms five-point scale in their employee ratings after conducting layoffs, the company said in a report last week. Ratings dropped twice as far for highly rated companies who conducted layoffs. $253.50 The highest out-of-pocket amount cited by a group of Colorado Starbucks employees for dress code-related expenses they alleged they were unlawfully not reimbursed for under state laws. The coffee chain faces legal actions over the costs in California, Colorado and Illinois. 3 in 10 The share of companies in a recent Resume.org survey that said they had already replaced jobs with artificial intelligence. The firm said its findings showed that high-salary employees and those who lack AI-related skills faced the highest risk of layoffs. 34% Share of Americans in a PayrollOrg survey who said they were uncomfortable with the idea of employers using AI tools to calculate their pay. Forty-five percent also said they were opposed to the use of AI to address payroll inquiries. Recommended Reading Russian air strikes on several regions across Ukraine damaged critical civilian infrastructure, as a Ukrainian drone attack halted operations at a major oil-pumping station deep inside Russia. Ukrainian air defense reported shooting down or neutralizing 97 of 115 drones launched by Russia overnight. A "massive attack" by Russian forces struck critical infrastructure and a residential building in Ukraine's west-central Vinnytsia region, local officials said. Railway service in Vinnystia was disrupted, but no casualties were reported, regional official Natalia Zabolotna said on Telegram. Russian drone strikes also damaged two residential high-rises as well as other structures in Zaporizhzhya, regional military administration chief Ivan Fedorov said. One person was killed and two more wounded in a missile strike on the Sumy region. Both the Zaporizhzhya and Sumy regions, which are partly occupied by the Russian forces, have come under frequent attack recently. In the southern city of Kherson, near Russian-occupied territory across the Dnieper River, Russian shelling damaged a private home and commercial buildings. Meanwhile, the governor of Russia's Chuvashia region, Oleg Nikolayev, said Ukrainian drones struck an oil-pumping station near the village of Konar, which is about 1,200 kilometers from Ukraine. Operations were halted and the strike caused minor damage and no casualties, he said on Telegram. Ukraine's Security Service later confirmed that its long-range drones had been used in the attack, claiming that they had caused a fire at the facility. The strikes come at a time when prospects for peace seem as distant as ever and Russia's full-scale invasion nears to continue into its fourth winter. After returning from his trip to the United States, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv would not hesitate to respond to Russian attacks if further strikes cause energy outages in Ukraine. "If [Russia] threatens a blackout in the Ukrainian capital, the Kremlin should know -- there will be a blackout in Russian capital too," Zelenskyy told journalists on September 27. In recent months, Ukraine has stepped up attacks targeting refineries, export terminals, and other oil infrastructure, seeking to undermine Russia's capacity to fight the war by reducing its export revenues and cause domestic discontent by creating shortages and pushing up prices. A US effort to broker a peace deal has brought little progress. The positions of Ukraine and Russia remain far apart, and US President Donald Trump has so far not succeeded in organizing a trilateral summit or a face-to-face meeting between Russian and Ukrainian presidents. Key Points An analyst downgraded his recommendation on the Chinese tech giant. This helped dampen the rally it had been experiencing recently. 10 stocks we like better than Alibaba Group Monster Chinese tech company Alibaba Group (NYSE: BABA) wasn't looking all that mighty on the second-to-last trading day of the week, at least as far as its American depositary receipts (ADRs) were concerned. They shed 0.6% of their value that day, with a recommendation downgrade from an analyst being a chief catalyst. Alibaba's dip was close to that of the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) that day. Fairly valued after rally Well before the market open Thursday, US Tiger Securities' Bo Pei changed his Alibaba recommendation to buy from hold. Counterintuitively, this was accompanied by a price target raise to $180 per ADR from the pundit's previous level of $145. Image source: Getty Images. Also rather counterintuitively, Pei's move comes just after Alibaba made several announcements about a stronger push into artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Among other items, it said it would open new data centers to help stream AI functionalities, and trumpeted a fresh partnership with cutting-edge U.S. chipmaker Nvidia. According to reports, the analyst's adjustment derives from his belief that with the recent bull run of the ADRs, Alibaba's potential has been priced into its equity. This exposes the value of the ADRs to short-term, downside risk. No longer an irresistible discount The analyst added that previously, one great appeal of Alibaba's ADRs were their significant discount to roughly comparable U.S. tech stocks. This has essentially been erased by the recent run-up in price. While Pei expressed admiration for the company's performance and its future-forward strategy, he thinks its current price basically reflects this. Should you invest $1,000 in Alibaba Group right now? Before you buy stock in Alibaba Group, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Alibaba Group wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $649,280!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,084,802!* Now, its worth noting Stock Advisors total average return is 1,058% a market-crushing outperformance compared to 189% for the S&P 500. Dont miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. Key Points The company's quantum technology was put through its paces by a global bank. It notably improved the prediction capabilities of a bond trading system. 10 stocks we like better than International Business Machines Quantum computing is a hot area of the tech field these days, and thanks to that, International Business Machines (NYSE: IBM) stock was popular on Thursday. A convincing demonstration of its prowess in this technology wowed investors, who collectively pushed the company's share price up by over 5% that day. Speaking of convincing, that performance crushed the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC); this slid by 0.5%. Quantum leap The demonstrator was global bank HSBC. Before market open, the company announced it successfully ran a trial of algorithmic bond trading analysis, using a combination of traditional and quantum computing resources. IBM team members handled the technical aspects of the test. Image source: Getty Images. HSBC said that the trial indicated that this combination delivered as much as a 34% improvement over classical prediction techniques in predicting key information about a bond trade -- specifically, how high the possibility was that it would be filled at a quoted price. In HSBC's press release on the trial, the bank quoted vice president of IBM's quantum unit Jay Gambetta as saying that it "shows what becomes possible when deep domain expertise is integrated with cutting-edge algorithm research, and the strengths of classical approaches are combined with the rich computational space offered by quantum computers." Clients with deep pockets It was clever of IBM to get involved in HSBC's effort to ramp up the technological foundation of an important securities trading activity. The tech company has clearly demonstrated that it can be a go-to partner for such well-capitalized clients, in a hotly competitive field where the stakes are high. IBM isn't necessarily a top choice for investors seeking to capitalize on quantum computing, but perhaps this piece of news will help move that needle. Should you buy stock in International Business Machines right now? Before you buy stock in International Business Machines, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and International Business Machines wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $649,280!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,084,802!* By Grainne Ni Aodha, PA Some members of the Israeli government will be banned from entering Ireland, the Taoiseach has said at the UN. Taoiseach Micheal Martin was addressing the United Nations General Assembly on Friday as the focus intensifies on Israels military offensive against Palestinians in Gaza. As action at a European Union level stalls, Mr Martin said that Ireland was taking action in relation to the conflict in the Middle East. There cannot be business as usual in the face of genocide, he said during his address. As Navi Pillar has made clear, to do nothing is not neutrality, it is complicity. Ireland has intervened in the South African case at the ICJ (International Court of Justice). We have recognised the State of Palestine. We are legislating against the import of goods from the Occupied Territories. We will act to prevent those members of the Government of Israel who have been instrumental in fomenting the unfolding disaster in Gaza from entering our country. He then called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all the remaining hostages in Gaza, and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid and workers to the Gaza Strip. Those responsible for war crimes must be held accountable there can be no impunity, he said. Mr Martin also said that the attack on October 7th, 2023, was a monstrous war crime and that Hamas can have no role in the future governance in Palestine. But no crime, however heinous, can justify genocide. He also welcomed the decision to recognise Palestinian statehood by the UK, France, Belgium, Canada and Australia. It comes after presidential candidate Catherine Connolly, backed by left-wing opposition parties in Ireland, criticised similar comments by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, where he said Hamas should have no role in government. I dont think its up to Keir Starmer to make that statement at all, Ms Connolly said this week. The Palestinians must decide, in a democratic way, who they want to lead their country. TATA, a multi-award winning documentary A personal story that moved audiences at festivals and received numerous awards. RRI Corina Sabau, 27.09.2025, 13:00 Having had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, TATA has been selected in numerous international festivals and has received the Silver Horn Award for directors of a film on social issues at the Krakow International Film Festival, the Human Rights in Motion Award at FIPADOC International Documentary Film Festival in Biarritz, the Alpe Adria Cinema Award for best documentary and the Audience Award at the Trieste Film Festival, the Award for Best Documentary in the international competition at Verzio International Documentary Film Festival for Human Rights, Hungary, the Award for Best Direction in the Central and Eastern European competition at Astra Film Festival in Sibiu and the Audience Award at Les Films de Cannes a Bucarest, 2024. After the success of the documentary Home, awarded in prestigious international festivals, Lina Vdovii and Radu Ciorniciuc return with a new film in which they combine their solid journalistic experience with a mature cinematic approach. TATA tells a story about inherited traumas, about the silence in families and about the abuses endured by Romanians who have gone to work abroad, in the hope of a better life. It all starts with a hidden camera investigation, carried out in Italy, where Lina Vdovii documents the abuses suffered by her father at work. Beyond the investigation, the film opens a double exploration: of the present and of the painful past, which kept them apart for years. TATA thus becomes an intimate x-ray of family relationships and the way in which traumas can be transmitted or confronted. We spoke with Radu Ciorniciuc about how this second documentary, co-directed and co-written with Lina Vdovii, was born and about the risk assumed, to be, together with his partner, part of this story that was built as it was filmed. The fact that we come from this area of journalism and that we have dealt with subjects that develop while you document them somehow helped us not to panic when the story we were preparing to film in Italy changed somehow or started to show signs of changing. At first, we had in mind an investigation through which we tried to solve the problem that Linas father was facing at work, having a violent boss there. We are actually talking about modern slavery and we went with all the equipment and all the energy towards this subject, we also left a hidden camera for Linas father, with which to document all these abuses. We taught him how to make this documentary not only from a technical point of view, but also ethically, because this is also a quite delicate process. Then the footage made by Linas father with the hidden camera appeared. It was a moment that made us take a different approach. We found out that Linas father had transformed the camera, this investigative device, into a diary, into a tool for direct communication with his daughter. Until then, there had been no extraordinary relationship between them, and when we also saw those footage intended for Lina, we realized that the film takes a rather dramatic turn and that it cannot exist without this component of the relationship between the daughter and her father. Journalists with Hammer to Nail wrote about the documentary: A powerful exploration of transgenerational toxicity and a profound reflection on how or if we can escape it. With the camera often pointed at herself (thanks to Radu Ciorniciuc), Lina Vdovii asks herself uncomfortable questions about her own past, about her father, and about the women in her family. Finally, having become a mother, she seems ready to break the chain and move on. Finally, at peace. We also spoke with Radu Ciorniciuc about the reactions of the audience present at the screenings: Something extraordinary happened with the very first screenings we had in Toronto. We obviously had the experience of the previous film, Home, which we traveled with and thanks to which we had countless great meetings with the audience. But it had never happened to us before, and this was a recurring thing, to be stopped after every screening and after the Q&A sessions by people who wanted to share things from their lives, things that resonated with them because of this film. And this is an absolutely clear sign that the film is universal and that it manages to communicate the way we wanted. So to speak, we managed to press a button where it was needed, so that people opened up and were able to communicate, in turn, things that are difficult to communicate. The film produced by Monica Lazurean-Gorgan, through Manifest Film, marks a new collaboration between the three filmmakers, after the success of the documentary Home (2020) the first Romanian documentary selected and awarded in the World Cinema Documentary competition at the Sundance Film Festival (USA), selected at the European Film Academy Awards (EFA 2020) and the holder of over 40 national and international awards. (EE) September 27, 2025 UPDATE A roundup of local and world news September 27, 2025 UPDATE Newsroom, 27.09.2025, 20:00 MOLDOVA Moldovan voters are expected to head to the polls on Sunday to elect the countrys single-chamber parliament. The vote is seen as crucial for the future of the predominantly Romanian-speaking former Soviet republic of about 2.5 million people, which gained independence in 1991 and is caught between deepening ties with the EU, which it is seeking to join, and falling back under Russian influence. The main contenders are the current ruling party, Action and Solidarity, founded by the pro-European president Maia Sandu, and several electoral blocs made up of former and current communists, socialists and Moscow-backed politicians. On Thursday, the European Union said Moldova had faced an unprecedented disinformation campaign led by Russia in the run-up to the parliamentary elections. In neighboring Romania, Moldovan citizens will be able to cast their ballots in one of the 23 polling stations in the country. BUDGET The draft of the first budget adjustment this year will be posted on Monday on the finance ministry website for public review and due for endorsement late next week, after fresh talks in the ruling coalition. The announcement was made on Friday by the line minister, Alexandru Nazare. The bill was scheduled to be posted for public review on Friday, but the minister explained that the move was delayed because of the large number of financing applications which required careful consideration and prudent decisions given the large deficit and the pressure on the countrys public budget. According to political sources, all ministries have requested additional funding, amounting to a combined EUR 14 bln, but only EUR 5 bln is available, so the ministry has a difficult task. The largest amounts will be earmarked for the repayment of loans previously taken out by Romania, and for the payment of related interest. The main beneficiaries will be the ministry of transport and development for supporting investments, the labour ministry for financing social assistance, and the ministry of energy. Following recent talks in Brussels, PM Ilie Bolojan said the government aims to bring the budget deficit to 8.4% of GDP, as against the original 7.7% target. DEFENCE The Romanian defence minister Ionut Mosteanu Friday took part in an online meeting organised by the European Commissioner for Defence, Andrius Kubilius, and focusing on strengthening the security and defence of the Eastern Flank of the European Union. The meeting was attended by the EU diplomacy chief, Kaja Kallas, officials of the member states on the border of Russias war against Ukraine Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania, as well as Slovakia and Hungary. NATO was present as an observer, and the Ukrainian defence minister Denys Shmyhal contributed to the talks. They focused on the so-called drone wall, a project by a network of modern technologies, capable of detecting and neutralising drones and other aerial threats. Romanias defence minister Mosteanu emphasised that the initiative must be completed as quickly as possible and that Bucharest will be a 100% involved partner. He added that Ukraines experience is vital and must be capitalised on to build effective solutions, and that the Black Sea is an area with challenges that require solutions to fight naval drones and protect strategic infrastructure. Ionut Mosteanu also said that Romania is directly targeted by Russian intimidation and needs these initiatives for the protection of its own citizens and for the security of the entire Eastern Flank. PROTESTS Hundreds of finance ministry employees across the country protested in Bucharest today. They demanded, among other things, fair financing, realistic work standards, appropriate personnel numbers, accelerated digitisation, and the appointment of professionals to management positions. Students will also organise protests in Bucharest and several university centres in the country on Monday, at the start of the academic year, the Alliance of Student Organisations in Romania announced. The 40% cut in scholarship funds and the limitation of train travel discounts are the main reasons for discontent. Teachers in Romania also carry on protests that began in the summer, unhappy with the governments austerity measures aimed at reducing the countrys deficit. Teachers oppose the increase in teaching workloads, the merger of certain schools, the reduction in the number of teaching positions, and the decrease in scholarship funds for students. DIPLOMACY The Romanian foreign minister Oana Toiu Friday took part in an informal meeting of the Central European Initiative, organised on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly in New York by the Serbian presidency of the Initiative. According to the Romanian foreign ministry, the participants reaffirmed support for the EU enlargement both in the Eastern Neighborhood and in the Western Balkans, based on the merits of each candidate state, as a stepped-up European integration process clearly benefits both the candidate countries and strengthening the EUs position worldwide. Minister Oana Toiu spoke about the exceptional challenges the region must face in the very difficult context marked by the war in Ukraine, hybrid attacks and large-scale disinformation. The Central European Initiative is an intergovernmental forum for cooperation between 17 countries in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, 9 of which are EU members. (AMP) The Week in Review, September 20-27 The headline-grabbing events of the week. The week in review Corina Cristea, 27.09.2025, 14:00 Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan holds talks in Brussels Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan went to Brussels on Monday for talks with the European Commission on Romanias economy and defense. Valdis Dombrovskis, European Commissioner for Economy and Competitiveness, said after the meeting that he appreciates the efforts made by Bucharest in recent months and that it is important that they continue, in order to ensure the countrys macroeconomic stability. The statement directly refers to Romanias thorniest problem, the budget deficit, the largest in the EU, but also to the measures taken by the government in Bucharest. The Romanian authorities goal is to regain the trust of their partners in Brussels and, at the same time, through the results of the reforms, to stop the procedure that would lead to the blocking of certain European funds for Romania. A second meeting of Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan was with Andrius Kubilius, the European Commissioner for Defense, Romania being interested in attracting almost 17 billion euros dedicated not only to military projects, but also to dual-use investments military and civilian, such as highways. The last meeting was with Roxana Minzatu, the Romanian Commissioner for Social Affairs, the discussion being focused on the future multiannual budget of the Union, a budget from which Romania will attract non-reimbursable funds. The commercial marup for some basic foods, capped for another 6 months The leaders of the ruling coalition in Romania met on Thursday to discuss the last aspects related to the budget revision project, before the document is made public. The budget revision will be based on a deficit of 8.4%, agreed with the European Commission. The Prime Minister gave assurances that current payments will be covered, the necessary amounts for social assistance will be increased and a slight additional amount will go to investments. The coalition government formed by PSD, PNL, USR, UDMR also adopted this week the extension by six months, until March 31 next year, of the capping of the commercial markup on some basic foods. The decision was eventually agreed on by the government partners, after the subject generated tension in the coalition, which is why, also during the week, the countrys President Nicusor Dan, invited the leaders of the four parties in power to a dialogue needed to consolidate the political and economic stability of the country. Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said that the measure to extend the capping of the commercial mark-up on basic foods was based on serious analyses and pertinent discussions with store chains and producers. The measure comes to the support of low-income people. CSAT Decisions on Romanian airspace security The Supreme Council of National Defense met in Bucharest on Thursday, to discuss the security of Romanian airspace, with two main themes: establishing the objectives that require protection measures against threats in the case of unmanned aircraft systems, and establishing the persons who have the right to order or approve the execution of measures against aircraft and aerial vehicles that use the national airspace without authorization. The decision to shoot down military aircraft that violate Romanian airspace belongs to the commander of the patrol mission, in accordance with NATO rules, Defense Minister Ionut Mosteanu said at the end of the meeting. He indicated that this is a last resort measure, if all other steps are ignored and the aircraft does not identify itself and does not leave Romanian airspace. The CSAT was convened by President Nicusor Dan after several NATO states, including Romania, recently reported the entry of Russian drones into their airspace. Similar incidents have also occurred in Estonia and Poland. Romania at the 80th UN General Assembly Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu, who heads the Romanian delegation to the UN General Assembly, condemned, at the informal meeting of her counterparts from EU member states, Russias war of aggression against Ukraine, Moscows continued escalation of the situation and its provocative actions against EU countries, including the violation of Romanias airspace. She said that Russia is acting contrary to its international commitments, generating risks and undermining the foundations of the UN. At the same time, Oana Toiu expressed her support for the EU and NATOs efforts to strengthen the security of its members in response to Moscows hostile actions and emphasised the responsibility of the international community to support Ukraine and to do all it can to achieve a ceasefire and a just and lasting peace. Regarding the situation in the Middle East, Oana Toiu spoke about the urgency of a new agreement for a ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages. Motion against the Minister of Environment, Waters and Forests Submitted by AUR and entitled Weakening Romanias energy security through environmental policies that obstruct the commissioning of hydropower plants started before 1989, the simple motion against the Minister of Environment, Waters and Forests, Diana Buzoianu, did not pass on Wednesday. During the debates, the Minister of Environment said that AUR would like to return to the era when hydropower plants were built with bulldozers, without respecting the laws and people, and mentioned that there are lawsuits opened in court against the environmental agreements issued for the hydropower plants listed in the text of the simple motion. (EE) Paleontologists have discovered a new species of Eurhinosaurus a genus of European longirostrine ichthyosaur characterized by its remarkable overbite in Bavaria, southern Germany. Ichthyosauria is a diverse group of reptiles well-adapted to marine life that thrived from the Early Triassic to the early Late Cretaceous, said lead author Dr. Gael Spicher, a researcher at the JURASSICA Museum, the University of Fribourg and the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universitat Bonn, and his colleagues. Ichthyosaurs exhibit morphological features such as limbs modified into fins, elongated snouts, deeply amphicoelous vertebrae, and the development of a tail fin that shows that they were fully adapted to aquatic life. Ichthyosaurs had a cosmopolitan distribution during their entire existence. Southern Germany, especially, is famous for its extensive record of fossil ichthyosaurs from the Lower Jurassic, mainly the Posidonienschiefer Formation, which has yielded thousands of specimens. Among these Lower Jurassic ichthyosaurs, Eurhinosaurus is a relatively rare faunal component, they said. Its paleogeographic distribution is restricted to what is today Europe, with fossil evidence from Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. This genus is notable for its distinctive elongated and slender snout with an extreme overbite by having the mandible drastically shorter than the upper jaw (more than 60%). The newly-described Eurhinosaurus species shares the elongation of the upper jaw typical for its genus. Named Eurhinosaurus mistelgauensis, it lived during the Jurassic period, around 180 million years ago. Three specimens of the new species were discovered in the Mistelgau clay pit, part of the Jurensismergel Formation southwest of Bayreuth in northern Bavaria, Germany. The fossils include two nearly complete skeletons and a partial snout, preserved three-dimensionally in a semi-articulated state, with elements exposed in multiple orientations, the paleontologists said. Their preservation is exceptional, presenting the bones in three dimensions, which is extremely rare and underlines the importance of describing the specimens. According to the authors, these specimens represent the youngest stratigraphic occurrence of the Eurhinosaurus genus. These well-preserved fossils from Mistelgau further provide valuable insights into Eurhinosaurus morphology and significantly contribute to our understanding of this historically important ichthyosaur, they concluded. The findings were published this week in the journal Fossil Record. _____ G.E. Spicher et al. 2025. A new Eurhinosaurus (Ichthyosauria) species from the Lower Jurassic (Toarcian) of Mistelgau (Bavaria, Southern Germany). Fossil Record 28 (2): 249-291; doi: 10.3897/fr.28.154203 Baby Elianna Elizabeth Cerrati returned to Staten Island University Hospital's new Gruppuso Family Women and Newborn Center with her parents, Kristen and Gerardo, to thank the team. Pictured with her are SIUH staff and the Gruppuso family. (Courtesy Staten Island University Hospital) Courtesy Staten Island University Hospital STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Talk about a full-circle moment! Four months after taking her very first breaths at Staten Island University Hospitals new Gruppuso Family Women and Newborn Center, baby Elianna Elizabeth Cerrati returnedand once again, she stole the show. Born on May 19 at 7:50 a.m. to Staten Island natives Kristen and Gerardo Cerrati, Elianna weighed 6 pounds, 6 ounces, and measured 19.3 inches long. Her arrival marked a milestone for both her family and the hospital: Elianna was the very first baby delivered in the newly opened state-of-the-art facility. Under the expert care of Dr. Christopher LaPorta, OB-GYN with Northwell Health Physician Partners, Eliannas birth represented not just a personal joy for her family but the beginning of a new chapter in maternal and newborn care on Staten Island. On Sept. 18, the Cerratis brought their daughter back to the centernot as patients, but as gueststo thank the medical team that safely delivered her into the world. Their heartwarming reunion was filled with hugs, smiles, and plenty of oohs and aahs as staff marveled at how much Elianna had grown. This time around, Elianna wasnt just melting heartsshe was also part of a celebration. Joined by the centers benefactorsthe Gruppuso family: Joanne and Michael Caridi, Lisa and Michael Salvo, and Diana Bolandthe Cerratis helped unveil a special tribute to the hospital staff: commemorative pins featuring Eliannas actual newborn footprints from the day she was born. This tiny but powerful detail turned into a big symbol of gratitude, linking caregivers, donors and patients in a meaningful gesture that underscored the mission of the Gruppuso Family Women and Newborn Center. This pin is a reminder of the very first life welcomed in the new spaceand of the many more to come, a hospital spokesperson said. Baby Elianna Elizabeth Cerrati returned to Staten Island University Hospital's new Gruppuso Family Women and Newborn Center with her parents, Kristen and Gerardo, to thank the team who delivered her safely on May 19, the first newborn delivered in the state-of-the-art facility. (Courtesy Staten Island University Hospital) Courtesy Staten Island University Hospital LASTING BONDS The staff was overjoyed by the visit, which served as both a celebration of life and a tribute to the care and community that define the center. Cameras flashed, hugs were shared, and Eliannas bright smile and curious eyes made her the undisputed star of the day. For the Cerrati family and the Gruppuso family alike, the visit represented more than a thank-youit symbolized the lasting bonds formed at lifes most pivotal moments. What began as a birth has blossomed into a powerful connection between family, hospital and communityone that lies at the very heart of what the Gruppuso Family Women and Newborn Center stands for. To commemorate Ellianas birth in May, the Gruppuso family announced a $25,000 scholarship fund for her, a gift kept secret until the moment of announcement. To the astonishment of hospital staff and the Cerrati family alike, it celebrated not only the arrival of a new life but also a powerful commitment to the future of Staten Islands children. Baby Elianna Elizabeth Cerrati returned to Staten Island University Hospital's new Gruppuso Family Women and Newborn Center with her parents, Kristen and Gerardo, to thank the team who delivered her safely on May 19, the first newborn delivered in the state-of-the-art facility. They are joined by the Gruppuso family: Joanne and Michael Caridi, Lisa and Michael Salvo, and Diana Boland. (Courtesy Staten Island University Hospital) Courtesy Staten Island University Hospital PATIENT WELL BEING IN MIND The new unit was created with patient well-being in mind. Amenities include dedicated parking, a separate entrance for added privacy, and a thoughtfully designed waiting area to help families feel welcome and at ease. Each private suite offers ample space for loved ones, a personal bathroom, large windows to allow in natural light, and calming design elements to create a peaceful, home-like setting. Postpartum rooms also feature sleeper sofas to accommodate overnight visitors. The center emphasizes shared decision-making and encourages patient involvement throughout pregnancy and labor. Families are supported in developing a birth plan that reflects their preferences and values, and the medical team remains flexible and communicative if adjustments are needed during the process. Baby Elianna Elizabeth Cerrati returned to Staten Island University Hospital's new Gruppuso Family Women and Newborn Center with her parents, Kristen and Gerardo, to thank the team who delivered her safely on May 19, the first newborn delivered in the state-of-the-art facility. (Courtesy Staten Island University Hospital) Courtesy Staten Island University Hospital ABOUT THE GRUPPUSO FAMILY WOMEN AND NEWBORN CENTER The Gruppuso Family Women and Newborn Center at Staten Island University Hospital offers a modern, compassionate environment designed to enhance the birthing experience. With private labor and postpartum suites, advanced medical capabilities, and a dedicated care team, the center focuses on both safety and comfort throughout every stage of childbirth. Located on Seaview Avenue in Breezy Point, just minutes from the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, the center is easily accessible for local families. Baby deliveries at the facility are expected to begin in May. The Center is named in memory of Virginia and Vincent Gruppuso, whose family made a cornerstone philanthropic commitment to maternal care on Staten Island. (Courtesy Staten Island Universtiy Hospital) Courtesy Staten Island Universtiy Hospital (Courtesy Staten Island Universtiy Hospital) Courtesy Staten Island Universtiy Hospital (Courtesy Staten Island Universtiy Hospital) Courtesy Staten Island Universtiy Hospital Baby Elianna Elizabeth Cerrati returned to Staten Island University Hospital's new Gruppuso Family Women and Newborn Center with her parents, Kristen and Gerardo, to thank the team who delivered her safely on May 19, the first newborn delivered in the state-of-the-art facility. (Courtesy Staten Island University Hospital) Courtesy Staten Island University Hospital Baby Elianna Elizabeth Cerrati returned to Staten Island University Hospital's new Gruppuso Family Women and Newborn Center with her parents, Kristen and Gerardo, to thank the team who delivered her safely on May 19, the first newborn delivered in the state-of-the-art facility. (Courtesy Staten Island University Hospital) Courtesy Staten Island University Hospital Baby Elianna Elizabeth Cerrati returned to Staten Island University Hospital's new Gruppuso Family Women and Newborn Center with her parents, Kristen and Gerardo, to thank the team who delivered her safely on May 19, the first newborn delivered in the state-of-the-art facility. (Courtesy Staten Island University Hospital) Courtesy Staten Island University Hospital STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- In a major step toward addressing food insecurity and improving health outcomes for vulnerable families, the Staten Island Social Care Network and Teton Health have launched refrigerated SMART food lockers at key community locations across Staten Island. The initiative, made possible through New York States Medicaid 1115 waiver, was celebrated on Friday, September 19, at A Chance in Life, located at 1100 Castleton Avenue. The lockers are designed to provide secure, convenient access to medically tailored meals and pantry boxes for individuals and families in needparticularly Medicaid members. These lockers take away a lot of the mental burden of grocery shopping and lack of access that affects people on Staten Island, said organizers. They are secure, easy to use, and refrigeratedso theres no rush to pick up the food. When a delivery is made, recipients receive a phone notification and can retrieve their food at their convenience. Each locker can store up to a weeks worth of meals, and on-site support ensures a smooth experience for users. Epicured, a partner in the project, is one of the providers supplying the medically tailored meals and pantry boxes. So far, two of the four planned lockers have been installedone at A Chance in Life and another at Health 4 Youths (120 Victory Boulevard). Two more are expected to be installed in the near future. Medicaid members interested in learning whether they qualify for the program can call (917) 830-1140. A Broader Vision for Health Equity The SMART locker initiative is part of a broader effort led by the Staten Island Performing Provider System (SI PPS), a nonprofit public health organization that has been at the forefront of Medicaid reform since 2014. Under the new New York Health Equity Reform initiative, SI PPS now leads the Staten Island Social Care Network, which includes more than 60 partners working to address health-related social needs and reduce disparities. Our goal is to improve the coordination and delivery of social care services, said representatives from SI PPS. These lockers are just one example of how were using innovation to meet people where they are and ensure they have access to the resources they need. A draft of this story was generated using AI. It was reviewed, edited and approved by Advance/SILive.com staff. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is running for mayor, accepts an endorsement from the Amalgamated Transit Union at the Eltingville Transit Center on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. Daniel Cassella, president of union Local 726, is seen in the red shirt standing behind Cuomo. (Advance/SILive.com | Maura Grunlund) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. While picking up a major bus union endorsement on Staten Island, mayoral candidate and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo lashed out at his political rival Zohran Mamdani for proposing free rides on public transit in New York City. If he is elected mayor, Cuomo also promised to serve as a balancing rod to increase the political clout of the borough that he referred to as a stepchild of New York City. Cuomo thanked members of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 726 based in Great Kills and the New York State Legislative Conference Board for their support at a news conference at the Eltingville Transit Center on Saturday morning. The union represents MTA bus drivers among its over 20,000 members in the metropolitan area. In an exclusive interview with the Staten Island Advance/SILive, Cuomo addressed borough concerns, including zoning, large battery energy storage sites, bail reform and congestion pricing. Cuomo, running as an independent, also took swipes against Republican opponent Curtis Sliwa for proposing a congestion-pricing rebate, but levied his harshest criticisms against Democratic Socialist Mamdani. Everything he proposes is empty rhetoric that wont make a difference in anyones life, Cuomo said of Mamdani. His answer to every problem is: Free. Free transportation. Free food. Free clothes. Free everything. But New Yorkers know theres no such thing as a free lunchsomebody has to pay." Cuomo claims that free buses would cost the MTA $700 million a year, negating the benefits of congestion pricing which raises $500 million Free buses would wipe out every dollar raised by congestion pricing and then leave the MTA another $200 million in the hole, Cuomo said. However, Cuomo said he is in favor of free buses and subway rides for low-income, working New Yorkers. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is running for mayor, accepts an endorsement from the Amalgamated Transit Union at the Eltingville Transit Center on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Maura Grunlund) Daniel Cassella, president of Local 726 and chair of the unions York State Legislative Conference Board, joined Cuomo in criticizing Mamdanis call for free rides on MTA buses. Bus operators already face assaults and harassment on the job, Cassella said. Removing fares will make it worse, not better, and fares pay the salaries of MTA workers and provide extra service for our customers where needed. Free fares undercut the very jobs of my members who operate and maintain our buses. Cassella claims that free buses have increased conflict between drivers and passengers who stay on buses all day in other cities across the United States. This creates dangerous and unpleasant conditions for both workers and passengers, Cassella said. Its a death spiral for safe, quality public transportation. Cassella also praised Cuomo for implementing HOV lanes to cut down on commuting times from the Island to Manhattan. Cuomo recognizes the dignity of work, the importance of safety, and the need for real solutions that strengthen, not weaken, public transit, Cassella said, claiming that the former governor understands Staten Island better than any other candidate in this race. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is running for mayor, accepts an endorsement from the Amalgamated Transit Union at the Eltingville Transit Center on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. Daniel Cassella, president of union Local 726, is seen in the red shirt as he greets Cuomo. (Advance/SILive.com | Maura Grunlund) Government-run grocery stores Cuomo also took Mamdani to task for proposing government-run grocery stores, which Cuomo believes would be patronized by shoppers at all income levels But why would taxpayers subsidize wealthy New Yorkers who can afford their own groceries? Cuomo said. And does anyone believe that the same city government that struggles to fill a pothole is suddenly going to run a grocery store one of the lowest-margin businesses there is successfully? Its absurd." Cuomo presented himself as a law-and-order candidate who supports the NYPD. Zohran Mamdani has said, in his own words, that the NYPD is racist, wicked, corrupt, and a threat to public safety, Cuomo said. He believes the NYPD should be defunded, disarmed, and disbanded. The Mamdani campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Balancing rod for Staten Island? Cuomo clearly was aiming to shore up his support by catering to sentiments of powerlessness that many Staten Islanders feel. Staten Island has a special relationship to New York City and in many ways, Staten Island feels that they have long been overlooked and they have not had the same representation and that they have been the stepchild, to use an expression, to New York City, Cuomo said. Cuomo said that people in all the outer boroughs feel they receive second class treatment compared to their counterparts in Manhattan, but that Staten Islanders feel thats double. They dont have the same representation in the City Council, in the state legislature and they tend to get the short end of the stick, Cuomo said of the borough. That is not going to happen under me. I will be the balancing rod to make sure that Staten island is fairly represented in whatever the issue [is]. Borough President Vito Fossella and Democrat Michael Colombo meet with the Advance Editorial Board in the Bloomfield newsroom on Monday, Sept 22, 2025.(Advance/SILive.com | Jason Paderon) Jason Paderon Jason Paderon STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Borough President Vito Fossella and Democratic challenger Michael Colombo came together to discuss their visions for Staten Island at the Advance/SILive.com office Tuesday afternoon. The pair, despite being from opposing sides of the aisle, agreed on certain subjects pertaining to Staten Island and the quality of life issues residents experience. Both settled on the stance that projects like the Northeastern Supply Enhancement pipeline, the Nassau Place truck depot, and Battery Energy Storage Sites (BESS) are not fit for the borough. They additionally echoed each other that mass transit needs an overhaul to provide Staten Islanders the service they require and deserve though Fossella and Colombo strayed on what a solution should look like. This is what the candidates had to say on the following topics: The Borough Presidency Fossella, who has been in Borough Hall since 2022, has a mantra he sticks to: If you want to do good by Staten Island, Im a champion. If you want to do bad by Staten Island, Ill be the strongest opponent. The reason behind his first run at the borough presidency was to guide the borough in a new direction to right that ship [to] improve quality of life wherever it may be," Fossella said. His tenure has included a bevy of lawsuits in pursuit of his ideal Staten Island, including litigation against non-citizen municipal voting, congestion pricing, migrants shelters, and more. Colombo, similarly, wants to see the borough president as a champion of the borough. The role of the borough president is advocacy. Youre supposed to be a champion for your borough, champion for the citizens there, he explained. Im an insurance advocate. I fight against billion-dollar corporations on behalf of individual policyholders when theyre not given the rights and protections that theyre entitled to under the contract they sign. I want to do the same for the people of Staten Island. Akin to his opponent, Colombo vows to advocate for residents no matter the party. The Northeastern Supply Enhancement Pipeline Veteran boater Guy Buono fears the negative effects on the aquatic wildlife from the gas pipeline proposed nearby Staten Island on Aug. 27, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Jason Paderon) (Advance/SILive.com | JJason Paderon) A once-failed pipeline is on the table again, stoking environmental and economic fears in Staten Islanders and local elected officials alike. The pair of candidates both expressed their oppositionof the Trump-backed pipeline, citing the aforementioned fears. Colombo has been an active proponent in attempting to halt the pipelines progression, partaking in protests and often speaking about it as a campaign topic. To him, it wasnt surprising that Fossella joined him in his opposition. I think anyone who values Staten Island looks at this project and sees its a loser for us, its a loser for our wallets, its a loser for our environmental situation, Colombo said. we need to take the fight to Albany to the governors desk saying this cannot go on. If that fails, we need to take it to the federal government. Fossella pointed to litigation in order to halt the pipelines progression. Were hopeful that theyll [the state] deny it again. Not just because of the environmental potential damage, but were asked to assume the burden of it and increase our rates when the power will be used to go to Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island. So, its a lose, lose, lose for us in our opinion, Fossella explained. Charleston Truck Terminals Democratic candidate for Borough President Michael Colombo meets with the Advance Editorial Board in the Bloomfield newsroom on Monday, Sept 22, 2025.(Advance/SILive.com | Jason Paderon) Jason Paderon The two established their dismay for the ongoing construction of dualling truck terminals set to open on Arthur Kill Road along the boroughs South Shore. The short answer is we dont support it. The longer answer is that this is sort of the fruit of the poisonous tree, Fossella explained. Tractor trailers often park on the side of city roads, clogging streets and creating dangerous conditions. In order to combat that, Fossella said, the City Council decided that they wanted to pass a law to say we should set aside areas for parking for trucks. As a result, Arthur Kill Road was pegged as the home for two of these parking areas. We dont need 30, 40, 50, 16-wheelers lining up to try to get into a small parking space. Additionally cancer rates on the South Shore are up 20% compared to the rest of the Island and the rest of the city. This is only going to exacerbate that. Were just pumping more and more pollutants into our air, more carcinogens from these diesel engines, Colombo clarified. BESS Sites A new BESS complex is being built at 2166 Forest Ave. Mariners Harbor on April 11, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel) STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE Dozens of BESS sites under construction throughout the city are supposed to pave the way for energy efficiency, using groups of batteries to store electrical energy, and then releasing it when needed essentially acting as backup power sources during peak demand or power outages. The concern lies with the proximity of the BESS sites. On Staten Island, they are being constructed extremely close to homes and businesses, with concerns about safety and neighborhood character clouding the promised pros. They [BESS sites] dont belong in our residential neighborhoods. I also support Councilwoman [Kamillah] Hanks bill to require public notice before these are put up because thats indicative of a larger problem that the city feels that they can just come and dictate to Staten Island. And thats because of the actions that weve taken, Colombo said. We just say no to things without trying to negotiate, find common ground. That gives the city carte blanche to look at us and say, Well, theyre going to throw their tantrum and then theyre going to roll over anyway. We met with every agency of jurisdiction at the city and the state level in a room...And I just asked a simple question to them: Do you think that these things belong next to peoples homes? Every one of them said no, Fossella said. Arthur Kill Terminal Pictured is a 2019 rendering of the Arthur Kill Terminal site. (Courtesy of Arthur Kill Terminal/Atlantic Offshore Terminals) Courtesy of Arthur Kill Terminal/Atlantic Offshore Terminals Fossella recently took a vocal turn away from supporting Arthur Kill Terminal, a specialized port at the foot of the Outerbridge Crossing where offshore wind turbines and towers could be assembled and staged before being brought out to sea. When the developers first approached me a few years back, [we] wanted to meet with them and among the first questions they asked is, We need you to get us $100 million. ...youre asking the wrong guy would you all like $100 million? Fossella joked to the Advance/SILive.com editorial board. I was not standing in opposition. If it happened on its own, it was fine [but] I dont see it happening. Despite having $48 million in federal funding pulled at the behest of Trump, the minds behind the terminal staunchly affirmed that they will continue forward with the project. Colombo, on the other hand, expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity such a terminal could bring to the borough. I support the 750 good paying union jobs that would come along with it and the economic impact that would have I think its imperative that not only are we identifying new energy sources, but for that opportunity for Staten Island, not New York City, [but] Staten Island, to be at the forefront of an emerging energy sector there., Colombo said. Mass Transit Borough President hopefulls Incumbent Republican Vito Fossella and Democrat Michael Colombo and meet with the Advance Editorial Board in the Bloomfield newsroom on Monday, Sept 22, 2025.(Advance/SILive.com | Jason Paderon) Jason Paderon Fossella and Colombo offered differing solutions for mass transit issues that exist across the borough. Fossella pointed a finger at the MTA, saying that some of the people who run the MTA just [have] never been straight with people. Despite the boroughs outcries against bike lanes and cameras, Fossella said that the MTA will do it anyway. Lord knows Ive tried to bring a ferry to the South Shore and its just some things just dont work. I hope it does one day because it does suck the life out of people who have to sit on a bus for an hour, hour and a half each way, Fossella said. I dont pretend to have a silver bullet or have a magic wand, but we can make incremental positive change, and it would be helpful if we had people who we could trust on the other end. Fossella said different solutions are needed for different areas of the borough, including daylighting, with removing parking spots as a hard no in any scenario. First and foremost, the MTA needs a full forensic audit publicly. We need to know where all that moneys going, because its not going to us. We pay our taxes like every other borough. We pay our fares like every other borough, and we dont have the service to show for it, Colombo stated. Colombo pointed to adding fast ferries to the East and South Shores; expanding access-a-ride; finding economic solutions to congestion pricing (like a discount on the Verrazzano Bridge tolls); a bike sharing program; additional bike lanes; and establishing a narrative between Staten Island and the city in order to work together. The Mayoral Race The Staten Island Ferry is pictured onMay 16, 2023. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel) Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel The candidates acquiesced that no matter who the next mayor of New York City will be, they will work together with the elected official in Gracie Mansion to achieve Staten Islands needs. Whoever the mayor is, and if the people decide to reelect me here, I will work with anybody to ensure that happens. I cannot guarantee what the other person will do, but I will go to [them], Fossella said. No matter who the mayor is, they need to understand that Staten Island has a unique set of needs and we dont benefit from a one size fits all approach to government that we experience today, Colombo said. Staten Island has notoriously been forgotten for too long. Its a terrible situation that we just kind of accepted now because we were told that thats just the way it is. It doesnt have to be that way. Crime on Staten Island There was a police presence on Silver Lake Road near Forest Avenue on April 8, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel) STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE Despite crime statistics showing a decrease across Staten Island, some residents feel unsafe in their neighborhoods. Fossella touted the NYPD for its recent crackdown efforts on Staten Island. Weve been very supportive of [the] NYPD... They deploy certain number of cops in certain high crime areas. And its working. Car thefts are down. People are safer. But the less safe part is real. The perception often is reality, Fossella stated. Colombo praised the police for all of their hard work keeping the community safe. Staten Island is the safest community of its size in the country, and thats thanks to our great district attorney and our fantastic police. Personally, I think we need to reexamine the bail reform laws and raise the age. I think we need to get it back to what the law was envisioned as and not what it has become, Colombo explained. 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 This story is part of the September 28 edition of Sunday Life. See all 13 stories . Within minutes of arriving at Melissa Leongs home, a renovated terrace in inner Melbourne, its clear she knows how to wield a knife. Im seated at the breakfast bar while the former MasterChef Australia judge sections a whole poached chicken like a pro despite having no formal culinary training. Her cats, Ghost and Ghoul (or Stephen Ghoul-bert, after the US talk show host), loiter nearby. Leong is a lover of fashion, as evidenced by her cover shoot with Sunday Life. But at home, shes more relaxed, dressed down in a mustard Henley tee and jeans, bare-faced and barefoot, her toenails painted a deep burgundy. The one-time Gold Logie nominee is an enigma seemingly everywhere (she posts regularly on Instagram to her 373,000 followers), but also private and even a touch mysterious. Its a balance the 43-year-old has worked hard to maintain while wearing many different hats throughout her life and is a key theme in her new memoir, Guts. Macgraw Dorothea top and skirt. Ryan Storer earrings. Michael Kors boots. Credit: Jesse-Leigh Elford Theres Melissa the food writer, TV presenter and former publicist. Then theres Melissa, the daughter of migrants, jiu-jitsu enthusiast and perfume collector. Adding author to that list did not come easily for Leong, who refused several earlier offers to write her story. I was so busy that there was just no way Id have the mental headspace for it, she says. Eventually, the right opportunity came along before Leong had a startling realisation. [I thought,] Can I handle everything else that comes with writing a book thats very personal? she says. I almost handed back the deposit I thought, Im a private person. I dont really feel I want to share these things, or if I do share these things, how are people going to handle it, because my life has not been super rosy all of the time. Advertisement For lunch, Leong is serving Hainanese chicken rice, a dish she learnt to make from her mother, a nurse, and one of the recipes in her book. Asking her to cook was my idea, both as research into her kitchen prowess and to create a safe space for discussing some darker parts of her life. On her left forearm is a tattoo that says Existence is pain, a quote from the animated series Rick and Morty. As we each form the perfect forkful, balancing the ratio of tender chicken to aromatic rice and piquant sambal (note: she can cook exceedingly well), we begin talking about one of the most traumatic chapters of her life. Gucci sweater and skirt, Ryan Storer bracelet. Credit: Jesse-Leigh Elford Last year, Leong was invited to an International Womens Day event to speak about being a woman of colour on TV, when a speech by a fellow panellist, sexual abuse survivor and campaigner Anna Coutts-Trotter, struck a painful chord. I identified with [her story] far too much, Leong says. Through quiet sobs, she finally realised what shed long avoided admitting to herself: she herself was once raped. The assault happened about 15 years ago, when she was working in the hospitality industry. I was so ashamed that I just pretended it didnt happen, so I didnt keep proof I just wanted it to all go away, says Leong, who has not disclosed the perpetrators identity. For the longest time, I did not identify myself as a survivor of sexual assault. While writing Guts, Leong decided reluctantly at first to break her silence. That was a tricky time to be in hospitality, she says of her time in food PR, long before her first TV hosting role, on SBSs The Chefs Line in 2017. I let my boundaries be flagrantly crossed, and then I took that blame onto myself for such a long time. Leongs decision to go public about the rape comes amid hospitalitys great reckoning, in which female workers at top Australian establishments are speaking out about their own experiences of sexual harassment and abuse. Though she regrets not speaking up at the time of her own ordeal, we didnt have conversations about consent back then, she says. Advertisement This has been simmering below the surface for such a long time. Enough is enough I have huge admiration for the women who spoke up for that story because that was not easy, she says, referring to a major investigation into the issue by Nine, owner of this masthead. Leong has also learnt, sometimes the hard way, the price of speaking up, especially during her three years on MasterChef, the role that made her a household name. She says she has been portrayed as difficult or a bitch all the fun tropes that women are saddled with both of which she rejects. Alemais Ophira gown, Ryan Storer earrings. Credit: Jesse-Leigh Elford Ive thought to myself you dont get it, she says, fighting back tears. I would never do anything that would make it harder for other people [of colour] to come in after me. And if you dont understand that, then, what can I say? Im not sad, Im angry. Still, working on MasterChef was a mostly happy time for Leong, notwithstanding the shock 2023 death of her colleague, Jock Zonfrillo, and intense speculation around why she left the show soon afterwards. While conceding that people want to know about how the sausage is made, she wrote about MasterChef much like the rest of the book: on her terms. I didnt necessarily feel like I wanted to write about some of that [MasterChef] chapter, only because its too fresh; its not even in the rear-vision mirror yet, she says. The experience reinforced to her how far the industry has to go in terms of accurate representation. Im not saying the needles not moving, she says. Im just saying its not moving fast enough. She also learnt to be more comfortable taking up space. Now, if you want to put me in the centre of the room, under a spotlight, I will stand there because I know that I deserve to be there. Advertisement Raised in the predominantly white suburbs of Sydneys Sutherland Shire, Leong is the eldest daughter of Singaporean migrants (her brother, a doctor, is five years her junior). Her childhood, while mostly happy, was tempered by her fathers strict parenting style, which included physical discipline. She says its greatly influenced her decision to remain child-free. If I had kids, I dont know if Id be able to correct the multi-generational damage that has occurred, so Id rather just err on the side of trying to live my life well and with truth, says Leong, who speaks to her mother often, and has a goddaughter, the daughter of close friends. If you want to put me in the centre of the room, under a spotlight, I will stand there because I know that I deserve to be there. Melissa Leong, TV personality People just expect that if youre polished and you are well presented and you appear unbroken, that you must have grown up in a solid [family] environment, she says. Im very grateful in many ways [for how] I grew up. But Im also pretty f---ed up by it, too. Rebuilding herself after a setback is a theme that runs through Leongs story. In her teens, she gave up on dreams of a career in music due to chronic repetitive strain injury. She pivoted to a degree in economics and social sciences at Sydney University, before working in make-up artistry, advertising and food writing, which ultimately led to her TV break. In her book, Leong writes honestly about her battle with an eating disorder, an autoimmune condition and mental breakdown. In her early 30s, she spent two years living in Tasmania, where she began to heal from the trauma of her younger years, work she says is ongoing. If you cant be vulnerable, you cant have real relationships, she says. I had hardened myself so much that I was never going to be able to have real, proper human connections and relationships with people beyond a certain level, if I didnt deal with it then. Advertisement Officially, Leong, whose three-year marriage to bar owner Joe Jones ended in 2020, is single. Still, I ask her about a recent Instagram post seeking advice on where to meet prospective partners (the responses ranged from running clubs to Bunnings). She confesses that she has been on a few dates with one of the men who direct messaged her. Well see, she says, with a grin. Not that she has much spare time. Leong has just returned from New Zealand, where she filmed a new reality show, Taste of Art (Lego Masters meets MasterChef, she says). Since 2023 shes hosted Tens Dessert Masters, and competed in this season of The Amazing Race, a WhatsApp group helping her stay connected with her co-racers after filming ended. Then theres her genre-busting roles co-hosting UFC Fight Week on Kayo Sports, and starring in SBS docu-series such as The Hospital: In The Deep End (2024). Away from the camera, Leongs passions include Pilates and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. I like martial arts because I have felt very weak in my life and I dont ever want to feel that way again, she says, alluding to the trauma she has endured. She also finds contentment from podcasts, watching the odd TV series (shes just revisited Only Murders in the Building), reading and, of course, cooking and enjoying food. Im definitely more aware of balance and rest and tempering activity with recreation and things that are good for my mind, she says. Ive spent a lot of time prioritising other peoples feelings and comfort beyond my own. And so now its time to be a little bit more selfish, a little bit more self-focused, in a constructive way, in order to get there. Guts: A Memoir of Food, Failure and Taking Impossible Chances (Murdoch Books) by Melissa Leong is out on September 30. Melissa Leong will appear in conversation with Melissa Singer for the Wheeler Centre, Melbourne, on October 1, 7pm. wheelercentre.com. Advertisement Morning mist shrouds the Santa Teresa River as I scramble towards a mountain pass thats tangled in jungle foliage. Beyond the pass are the stony remains of Llactapata, an abandoned Inca shrine whose Quechuan name translates as high town. Its from these elevated ruins that our trekking party procures its first glimpse of the once-forgotten city of Machu Picchu. Permits are issued for only 500 trekkers on the Classic Inca Trail each day, including support staff. Credit: Pedro Merino / Stocksy United When hikers on the Classic Inca Trail set eyes upon the 15th-century citadel for the first time, its likely theyll share the view with hundreds of others. So thick are the torch-bearing crowds during the pre-dawn trek from Winay Wayna that the final leg to Machu Picchus Sun Gate entrance can resemble an army of marching glowworms. Not here, though. As I gaze across the Aobamba Valley towards the fabled ruins that American historian Hiram Bingham stumbled upon in 1911, only a handful of others accompany me. With permits issued for 500 trekkers on the Classic Inca Trail each day, including support staff, its almost impossible to imagine a similar scenario there. But while the Classic Inca Trail is South Americas most iconic hike to its best-known attraction, there are many lesser-known trails that the Incas used to reach Machu Picchu. The route Ive chosen this time is called the Salkantay Trek. Where the Classic Inca Trail approaches from the east, mine arrives at Machu Picchu from the south-west. From the trailhead at Challacancha, Id hiked through drizzle to reach my first nights camp beside a glacial lake. I then puffed and panted through thinning oxygen, plunging temperatures and soupy fog the next day until, eventually, I stood atop the Salkantay Pass. Of all the 2450 trees on the City of Sydneys significant tree register, it is the big old trees like Alexandria Parks Moreton Bay fig that are doing the heavy lifting when it comes to throwing shade in the greenest possible way. According to a 10-year review of the register, these old trees make up nearly 3 per cent of the citys 90,000 trees but comprise 11 per cent of the current canopy coverage. The Moreton Bay fig in Alexandria Park, for one, has a canopy that spans 907 square metres. City of Sydney urban forest manager Karen Sweeney under a Moreton Bay fig tree in Alexandria Park that dates back to the mid-19th century and has a canopy cover of about 907 square metres. Credit: Kate Geraghty They are natures air-conditioners, said the citys urban forestry manager, Karen Sweeney. A conference dedicated to urban trees in Adelaide this month heard that large, old urban trees are rare in Australian cities and worldwide, and vulnerable to development and drought. A man who died in a plane crash has been identified as a beloved member of the skydiving community, 54-year-old pilot, former skydiving company owner and chief instructor Paul Poo Smith. Smith died on Saturday after the light plane he was flying crashed near Moruya Airport on NSWs South Coast, shortly after 2pm. Paul Smith has died following a plane crash on the states South Coast. Credit: FlightStylePodcast Emergency services were called to bushland west of George Bass Drive, Moruya, about 305 kilometres south of Sydney, following reports of a small plane crash. According to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), the aircraft was returning to Moruya Airport after conducting a skydiving drop when it crashed. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was fatally injured and died at the scene. Witnesses identified him and police said the family had been notified. Sheep grazier Donna Winter-Irving believes native grey box gum trees have an image problem. With their muted grey and green tones and gangly limbs, Winter-Irving says the species natural beauty is not immediately obvious at first glance. But the long-time farmer loves the swirling and intricate patterns on grey box bark and the generous canopy the trees cast against the sun. Jim and Donna Winter-Irving among the grey box gums. Credit: Jason South Many people see them as fire wood, she said. But every tree is individual. Theyre majestic. The bark is beautiful. On her property at Nagambie, about 90 minutes north of Melbourne, Winter-Irving has planted hundreds of grey box and yellow box gum trees to help reintroduce more of the native species into the landscape. She and her husband, Jim, have also planted wattle varieties to provide mid-storey habitat for birds. At one six-hectare site alone, the couple have planted 350 native trees. More than three decades ago, Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow stepped into the imposing sandstone and brick home of Queenslands registry of births, deaths and marriages with a goal: find the biological family she was separated from under the states historical adoption practices. Sparrow, eventually, had success thanks to laws allowing the adult children taken from young and unwed mothers, and their birth parents, to access identifying information. But a recent shift in legal interpretation has now shut key pathways without warning or consultation. We cant even get the authorisation we need to get identifying information weve had for 33 years, Sparrow, now the president of forced adoption support service provider Jigsaw Queensland, told this masthead in an interview. Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow, president of Jigsaw Queensland, outside the former births, deaths and marriages registry in Brisbanes CBD. Credit: Matt Dennien The Department of Families insists it is committed to working with Queenslanders embarking on the difficult and personal searches, but has cited the need to enhance privacy and compliance with the legislation and promised no immediate fix. Former NSW governor Dame Marie Bashir is calling time on her long-held Palm Beach weekender that she shared with her late husband Sir Nicholas Shehadie, listing it with a $10 million price guide. It is the first time the understated six-bedroom, three-bathroom family home has hit the market in almost three decades since the esteemed couple purchased it for $1.026 million in 1998. The Palm Beach weekender of Dame Marie Bashir has been in the family for almost three decades. Credit: Set on 1265 square metres, the level landholding has panoramic views of Barrenjoey headland, Palm Beach, out to Pittwater and beyond. The sale will mark the end of a seven-decade connection to the much loved peninsula for the family. Small business owner Jane OHehir has lived in Chatswood for 19 years. When she moves, she hopes her new suburb will have similar access to transport, cafes and shops that have made living there so convenient. Along with her husband Andrew, OHehir, 59, raised three now-adult children in the five-bedroom lower north shore home. For the family, the closeness to schools, outdoor space and the Chatswood hub which has department stores, movie theatres, restaurants and medical services has improved their lives and allowed them to build community connections. Jane OHehir has lived in Chatswood for 19 years and is readying to downsize. She hopes her next suburb will be as amenity-rich. Credit: Janie Barrett We could get a coffee within a 10-minute walk from here I regularly catch the new metro line, OHehir said. Theres a bus just 50 metres up the road that takes you straight up to Chatswood if you didnt want to walk. Chatswood features on a list of Sydneys high-amenity suburbs by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute. The suburb is joined by others near the coast and the city which have some of the highest concentrations of amenities, but also filters for low proportions of social housing. The meeting with the King had been on the prime ministers mind in recent days, and he mentioned it to leaders in London on Friday to highlight the importance of the trip. Loading It will be quite a privilege to go up to Balmoral tomorrow, Im looking forward to it, he told Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch when they met on Friday at Stoke Lodge, the official residence of the Australian high commissioner, Stephen Smith. The formal audience with the head of state marks a departure from days of political and policy debate during Albaneses overseas trip, including his visit to the United Nations in New York and meetings with national leaders in London. Some of those meetings are now clouded in political controversy after Opposition Leader Sussan Ley accused Albanese of swanning around on indulgent gatherings such as a summit of progressive political parties and their leaders in London on Friday. Albanese and Haydon dined with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his wife, Victoria, on Friday night at Number 10 Downing Street, where they were joined by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and his wife, Diana. Albanese arrived for dinner with a four-pack of Willie the Boatman Albo Pale Ale, named after him by a brewery in the inner west of Sydney. The next morning, Albanese and Haydon flew to the Royal Air Force base in Lossiemouth in Scotland, where they were given a traditional bagpipe greeting as they descended the stairs to the tarmac. Albanese and fiancee Jodie Haydon are given a traditional Scottish bagpipe greeting on arrival at Lossiemouth RAF Base. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer With strong winds sweeping across Scotland, the prime ministers Royal Australian Air Force jet had to abort its first approach and landed on its second attempt. After meeting defence personnel, they travelled through the countryside to arrive at Balmoral for the meeting with the King early in the afternoon (about 10pm AEST on Saturday). After their visit to Balmoral Castle, Albanese and Haydon travelled to the nearby church of Crathie Kirk, where they met Reverend Kenneth MacKenzie and signed the guest book. Crathie Kirk is a Church of Scotland church that is often attended by members of the royal family when they are at Balmoral. King Charles has spent this week at Balmoral, a family retreat for the royal family and a favoured home for the late Queen Elizabeth, after a busy period of diplomacy and meetings during US President Donald Trumps state visit this month. He continues to undergo treatment for cancer. Albanese and Haydon tour Crathie Kirk with Reverend Kenneth MacKenzie after meeting with King Charles. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer The King hosted Trump and his wife, Melania, at a royal banquet and arranged for them to stay as guests overnight at Windsor Castle. In a carefully crafted message in his address to the banquet, the King reminded Trump of the importance of the AUKUS defence pact between the United States, United Kingdom and Australia at a time when the Pentagon is reviewing the agreement. Our AUKUS submarine partnership, with Australia, sets the benchmark for innovative and vital collaboration, the King said. Those remarks were seen as helpful to Starmer as well as Albanese in their joint attempt to keep AUKUS on track, demonstrating the way the King can bring influence to bear in ways few others can match. Albanese signs the visitor book at Crathie Kirk. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer In a sign of the importance of Balmoral to the King, he chose the castle grounds as the setting for a formal portrait that hangs in the Scottish parliament. Anne, the Princess Royal, unveiled the portrait on Friday. Albanese held his first audience as prime minister with Charles when he visited London for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth in September 2022. They met again in May 2023, when the prime minister attended the Kings coronation. In a more dramatic meeting, the prime minister hosted the King and Queen in the Great Hall of Parliament House last October, when Victorian senator Lidia Thorpe disrupted an official welcome with a protest over Indigenous sovereignty. You are not our king. You are not sovereign, she called out, metres from the monarch. Albanese and Haydon outside Crathie Kirk. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer While Albanese has been asked several times about his support for an Australian republic and his loyalty to the monarchy, he went public in 2023 about his decision to swear allegiance to Charles at the coronation despite calls from the republican movement for him to remain silent. He told broadcaster Piers Morgan at the time that he had sworn allegiance to the monarch 10 times as an MP in parliament and would do so again. Australians made a choice in 1999, he said, referring to the referendum result which retained the constitutional monarchy with 54.87 per cent of the vote. One of the things that youve got to do is to accept a democratic outcome. Albaneses arrival in Balmoral came as Ley lashed out at the prime ministers travel schedule, which includes a speech at the British Labour conference in Liverpool and a forum on progressive politics in London. Albanese is in the UK as the Australian prime minister, not the leader of the Australian Labor Party he shouldnt be swanning around on the taxpayer dollar at Labour political conferences hanging out with his left-wing mates, Ley said in a statement. Albanese during TV interviews at Crathie Kirk. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer What does it say to the people of the UK that the Australian prime minister is deliberately participating in domestic political events that is not diplomacy it is partisanship. Questioning the value of parts of the trip to Australian taxpayers, Ley said: If the prime minister wants to turn an official trip into a personal detour to the UK Labour Party conference, Australians are entitled to know how much it is costing them and whether he intends to make any personal contribution to cover it. Prince Harry has suggested people are trying to sabotage his reconciliation with the King by casting their recent meeting in a negative light. Father and son met on September 10 for the first time in 19 months. The brief private meeting, over tea at Clarence House, marked a thawing in relations and was widely considered a stepping stone on the path to rapprochement. On Saturday (Sunday AEST) however, it was claimed that Harry, the Duke of Sussex, was surprised by the formalities of their reunion, which a source told The Sun was awkward. The Duke has made plain his desire to reconcile with his father and to reset relations. Credit: AP He was said to have described the meeting as very official, like an official visit. Harris was briefly asked about a key revelation in her book: that she decided against her first preference for a vice-presidential running mate then-transport secretary Pete Buttigieg because he was gay. Harris argues those closest to then-president Joe Biden should have advised him not to run for re-election. Credit: AP He would have been an ideal partner if I were a straight white man, Harris writes. But the Democrats were already asking a lot of America to accept a black woman married to a Jewish man (Doug Emhoff). On stage on Wednesday night, Harris said she told her husband at one point: F--- it, Dougie, Im just going to do it. But she changed her mind. The stakes were so high. Was I being too cautious? I think we should talk about that, but that was the decision I made. A bridge too far In the book, Harris insists Biden was physically and mentally capable of being president, and if she had thought he wasnt, she would have said something. But she concedes she was concerned about his ability to campaign. Loading Harris says she had planned to do much of the travel and the big public rallies, while Bidens team fashioned a White House-based campaign for him. But she felt even that was too much and blames his inner circle for not telling him straight. [They] should have realised that any campaign was a bridge too far, and that in its rigours, hed be perpetually, increasingly, unavoidably exhausted, Harris writes. They should have counselled him accordingly. Instead, it seemed that the worse things got, the more they pushed him. Harris calls the Democrats collective failure on this reckless. She told MSNBCs Rachel Maddow she includes herself in this. But she also excused herself, saying it would have seemed completely self-serving for her to suggest to Biden that he drop out, or even that he should consider it. Then Harris pivoted back towards her main thesis: that it was an unprecedented election, Trump had been campaigning for 10 years, and she had only 107 days. She talked about running an optimistic campaign. Harris has largely given interviews to sympathetic audiences this week: MSNBC and ABCs The View among them. And there were no hard questions from moderator Errin Haines on stage in New York on Wednesday. Harris says in the book she felt she could not choose Pete Buttigieg as her running mate because she was a black woman and he was a gay man. Credit: AP As The New York Times noted in its review, the books diary structure means it is heavy on recounting the campaign and light on introspection or reflection. At the Town Hall theatre, the former vice president was perhaps at her strongest when she was condemning what she called the capitulation of business leaders primarily in the media and technology sectors to the Trump administrations anti-democratic instincts and demands. I always believed perhaps in retrospect, naively that when push came to shove, these titans of industry would somehow be among the guardrails to protect our democracy, Harris said. Loading Yet theyre kneeling at the altar of the tyrant. They are yielding to what they believe is a threat to what? Their yacht and their house in the Hamptons? Later that night at a nearby bar, Phillip Bruner, a professor from Seattle, said he found Harris analysis on the election legitimate she was locked out of Bidens inner circle, and wasnt given enough time to establish her own identity. So, could she have won if the campaign had been longer? I dont know, probably not, Bruner said. She is widely unpopular among most people outside of the Democratic constituency that supported Obama. CORRECTED: Russia says there will be 'no snapback' of Iran nuclear sanctions United Nations, United States, Sept 26 (AFP) Sep 26, 2025 Russia said Friday there would be "no snapback" of biting UN sanctions on Iran even after the failure of efforts by Moscow and Beijing at the Security Council to stave off the measures. "There has been no snapback and there will be no snapback -- any moves to resuscitate anti-Iranian Security Council resolutions, which were in effect prior to 2015, are null and void," Russia's deputy UN ambassador Dmitry Polyansky told the Council. 'Dozens' of civilians killed in Niger airstrikes: witnesses Abidjan, Sept 26 (AFP) Sep 26, 2025 Dozens of civilians were killed this week after Nigerien airstrikes against jihadists near the country's western border with Mali, witnesses told AFP on Friday. Niger has faced frequent attacks from Islamist militant fighters linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, with the military junta in power struggling to quell the violence. On Monday, "army strikes targeted terrorists travelling on motorbikes and there were dozens of civilian deaths in Injar," one local resident told AFP. Another local corroborated the account. Injar is located some 200 kilometres (124 miles) northeast of the capital Niamey. It's in the vast Tillaberi region bordering Burkina Faso and Mali, where jihadist groups are active. Locals have regularly reported deadly attacks by militants on motorbikes, who also demand money and steal livestock. Niger state television RTN said only that "unfortunate events" in Injar caused casualties and injuries, without specifying a toll. Media outlet Les Echos du Niger quoted unnamed witnesses as saying there were "several dozen casualties... in the army's aerial operations". Military ruler General Abdourahamane Tiani sent the governor of the western Tillaberi region, Colonel Main Boukar, to Injar on Thursday "to offer his condolences and compassion" to those affected. He was seen on RTN visiting the injured and told locals that they should comply with a ban on motorcycle use so civilians are not mistaken for militants. In January 2024, several civilians were killed in military airstrikes targeting columns of jihadists after an attack on a military post in Tyawa, near the border with Burkina Faso. CORRECTED: Iran sanctions look set to return even as nuclear inspections resume United Nations, United States, Sept 27 (AFP) Sep 27, 2025 Deep sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program look set to go into force once again, even as a UN watchdog confirmed Friday inspections of its atomic sites had resumed. Russia failed in an effort with Beijing Friday to delay the reimposition of the measures on Tehran, with Moscow raising the prospect that it may not enforce the sanctions -- despite being required to under international law. European powers triggered the process to reimpose economic sanctions after demanding Iran reverse a series of steps it took after Israel and the United States bombed its nuclear sites in June. The UN's nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, did confirm Friday that inspections of Iranian nuclear sites had resumed this week after a hiatus following Washington and Israel's strikes. Resumption of the International Atomic Energy Agency's inspections was a key measure demanded by the Europeans -- Britain, France and Germany. "I signed an agreement with the agency in Cairo and the director general of the agency is quite satisfied and happy," Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said. Araghchi has insisted any effort to reimpose sanctions is "legally void," vowing never to "bow to pressure" on its nuclear program -- but left the door open to more talks. Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said Friday Tehran would not leave the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in retaliation to sanctions being reimposed. China and Russia's effort to buy time for diplomacy was rejected by nine countries against four in favor. "UN sanctions, targeting Iranian proliferation, will be reimposed this weekend," said Britain's ambassador to the UN Barbara Woodward. "We stand ready to continue discussions with Iran on a diplomatic solution to address international concerns about its nuclear program. In turn, this could allow for the lifting of sanctions in the future." The UN sanctions, notably on Iran's banking and oil sectors, are set to take effect automatically at the end of Saturday. China and Russia at the Security Council session on Friday pushed a resolution that would have extended talks until April 18, 2026. "We had hoped that us, that European colleagues in the US, would think twice, and that they would opt for the path of diplomacy and dialog, instead of their clumsy blackmail," the Russian deputy ambassador to the UN told the council prior to the vote. "Did Washington, London, Paris, Berlin make any compromises? No, they did not." - 'Several workable solutions'? - France's ambassador to the UN Jerome Bonnafort told the council all sides had been "trying to find, until the very last moment, a solution." France -- speaking for itself, Germany, and Britain -- has told Iran it must allow full access to UN nuclear inspectors, immediately resume nuclear negotiations, and offer transparency on highly enriched uranium, the whereabouts of which has been the subject of speculation. The European nations "and the US have consistently misrepresented Iran's peaceful nuclear program," said Araghchi who insisted Tehran had put forward "several workable" proposals. The European countries' "pursuit of the so called 'snapback' is... legally void, politically reckless and procedurally flawed," he said. The 2015 deal, negotiated during Barack Obama's presidency, lifted sanctions in return for Iran drastically scaling back its controversial nuclear work. President Donald Trump in his first term withdrew from the deal and imposed sweeping unilateral US sanctions, while pushing the Europeans to do likewise. Steve Witkoff, Trump's roving envoy who had been negotiating with Iran until Israel attacked, said Wednesday that Iran was in a "tough position" but also held out hope for a solution. But Iran's president was withering in his assessment of Washington's diplomatic efforts, claiming that Witkoff and his team were not serious. "We came to understandings a number of times but they were never taken seriously by the Americans," Pezeshkian told reporters on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Iran has long contended that it is not seeking nuclear weapons, pointing to an edict by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and US intelligence has not concluded that the country has decided to build a nuclear weapon. dt-abd-gw-sct/sla/ksb 'Snapback': What sanctions will be reimposed on Iran? United Nations, United States, Sept 27 (AFP) Sep 27, 2025 A raft of UN sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, lifted under a landmark 2015 deal, will go back into force at the end of Saturday -- barring a diplomatic breakthrough, thought to be unlikely. The sanctions will be reimposed because the "E3" European group -- Britain, France and Germany -- triggered a mechanism in the deal alleging Tehran was not meeting its obligations. Here are some key facts about the so-called "snapback" process: - What do the sanctions target? - The sanctions target companies, organizations and individuals that contribute directly or indirectly to Iran's nuclear program or the development of its ballistic missiles. Providing necessary equipment, expertise, or funding are all grounds for sanctions. - Swath of the economy affected - The sanctions that will be reinstated include an embargo on conventional weapons with the prohibition of any sale or transfer of arms to Iran. Imports, exports or transfers of parts and technologies related to the nuclear and ballistic program will be prohibited. The assets of entities and individuals abroad belonging to Iranian persons or groups linked to the nuclear program will be frozen. Individuals designated as participating in prohibited nuclear activities may be banned from traveling to UN member states. UN member states will be required to restrict access to banking and financial facilities that could help Iran's nuclear or ballistic programs. Anyone violating the sanctions regime could see their assets frozen worldwide. - The EU had its own sanctions - Separate measures by the European Union could now be reimposed alongside the core, global sanctions. Their goal was to hit the Iranian economy, not only to hamper nuclear activity but also to inflict fiscal pain to force Tehran to comply. Western nations fear that Iran will acquire nuclear weapons, which Tehran vehemently denies while defending its right to develop a nuclear program for civilian purposes. The United States already imposes its own sanctions, including ones to prohibit other countries from buying Iranian oil, after President Donald Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal in his first term. - How does 'snapback' take effect? - The "snapback" process reactivates UN resolutions, but their practical implementation requires UN member states to update their laws to comply. It will be down to the EU and Britain to pass legislation so that the sanctions can be enforced, but neither has given details on that process. - How are sanctions enforced? - The UN Security Council resolutions and the associated sanctions are binding -- but are regularly violated. The big question is whether countries like China and Russia, which consider the triggering of the "snapback" illegal, might decide not to comply. Some countries, including China, continued to trade with Iran despite the presence of US sanctions. The European powers expect Russia will not comply with the sanctions but are unclear about how China, which imports a significant amount of oil from Iran, might react. "There is a cost to circumventing sanctions, a political cost, but also a financial and economic cost because financial transactions become more expensive," said Clement Therme, an associate researcher at the International Institute for Iranian Studies linked to Sorbonne University. Shipping companies are one example of businesses that will feel the pinch. "In the case of UN sanctions, we probably won't see a full blockade, but rising costs instead," Therme added. Iraq resumes Kurdish oil exports after two-year halt: state media Arbil, Iraq, Sept 27 (AFP) Sep 27, 2025 Iraq resumed on Saturday crude exports from the autonomous Kurdistan region, state media said, after a more than two-year halt over legal and technical disputes. Control over lucrative oil exports has been a major point of contention between Baghdad and Arbil, the capital of the Kurdistan region, with a key pipeline to Turkey shut since 2023. The official INA press agency announced the "resumption of oil exports from the fields of Iraq's Kurdistan Region", ending the long-standing hiatus in the energy-rich region. The director of Iraq's State Oil Marketing Organisation (SOMO) Ali Nizar confirmed to AFP that oil exports from Kurdistan via the Iraq-Turkey pipeline had started. SOMO will receive 190,000 barrels per day for export and another 50,000 bpd for domestic consumption, Nizar said. Oil exports were previously independently sold by the Kurdish authorities, without the approval or oversight of the federal authorities in Baghdad, through the port of Ceyhan in Turkey. But the region's official oil exports have been frozen since March 2023 when the arbitration tribunal of the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris ruled oil exports by the regional government were illegal and said Baghdad had the exclusive right to market all Iraqi oil. In July, Baghdad and Arbil had agreed that the Kurdistan region would resume delivering all oil produced in the region's fields to SOMO for export. On Thursday, the federal and Kurdish authorities reached another deal with international oil companies operating in the autonomous region to resume crude exports. The Association of the Petroleum Industry of Kurdistan (APIKUR), which represents international oil firms operating in the region, put losses to Iraq since the pipeline closed at more than $35 billion. On Wednesday, eight international oil companies operating in Kurdistan said they agreed to resume exports via the Iraq-Turkey pipeline. The deal stipulates that the companies would meet with the Kurdish authorities within 30 days of resuming exports "to work towards creating a mechanism for settling the outstanding debts" owed to the firms. The Kurdistan region is in arrears of $1 billion to oil companies. The Norwegian group DNO ASA announced it was not joining the deal, saying that resuming exports should be "pursuant to agreements that ensure payment surety". bur-cbg-rh/jsa Faced with Russian threat, NATO flexes military muscle in North Sea North Sea, Sept 27 (AFP) Sep 27, 2025 NATO flexed its muscles in the North Sea this week in a display of military might, as Russia allegedly tested the alliance's defences on its eastern flank. F-18 fighter jets lined up on the world's largest aircraft carrier, flanked by 20 ships and with some 10,000 military personnel from 13 countries. US destroyers and French and Danish frigates escorted the giant USS Gerald R. Ford on the high seas as part of NATO's Neptune Strike 25-3 exercise. F-35 and F-18 jets flew overhead in a diamond formation behind an E-2 Hawkeye, in a demonstration of their capabilities and to test their coordination at a time of high tension with Moscow. One day before the exercise, a Russian reconnaissance aircraft flew three times over the German frigate Hamburg at "very low altitude" in the Baltic Sea on September 21, according to the German defence ministry. "We consider this behaviour unprofessional and uncooperative," said a ministry spokesperson. The NATO exercise began the same day that, a few hundred kilometres away, "three or four large drones" flew over Copenhagen Airport, disrupting air traffic. These "hybrid attacks" could increase, warned Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. "We reassure our allies, and with our adversaries or others... we establish a strategic deterrent as a group, as a team," said US Rear Admiral Paul Lanzilotta, commander of Carrier Strike Group Twelve, in the vast hangar of the carrier. Above, F-18s took off with a deafening roar, an AFP journalist on board said. - Integration - France participated in Neptune Strike with its frigate Bretagne, which can carry out anti-submarine and anti-air warfare missions. The exercise "brings together 13 NATO nations across three different seas. It's a way to integrate all NATO forces and train on high-level exercises," explained Captain Nicolas Simon, the frigate's commander. "For France, the objective is, of course, to show its solidarity with all NATO nations, but also to demonstrate its full capabilities in conducting air and marine operations," he added, as the ship sailed alongside the US aircraft carrier. Simulated air attacks, ship boarding, and amphibious landings are among the ways in which Neptune Strike showcased the alliance's power and coordination against a threat the military refused to explicitly name. On Tuesday, a "boarding team" from the protection brigade, armed with rifles, was airlifted from the French frigate to a US destroyer to inspect its flag and cargo. The aircraft carrier, preceded by a Danish frigate, a French frigate, and two US destroyers, sailed through the North Sea on Wednesday morning before parting ways in a minutely choreographed move. What is 'snapback'? European nations' Iran sanctions move explained Vienna, Sept 27 (AFP) Sep 27, 2025 Ten years after wide-ranging UN sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme were lifted under a landmark deal with world powers, the economic measures are likely to be reimposed Saturday evening. The so-called "snapback" of UN sanctions comes after the "E3" European group -- comprising Britain, France and Germany -- activated the unique mechanism in the 2015 nuclear deal, alleging Tehran was not meeting its obligations. Western powers and Israel have long accused Tehran of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, a claim Iran denies. AFP explains what "snapback" means: - How does the 'snapback' mechanism work? - In 2015, the United States, the E3 trio, China and Russia signed a historic nuclear accord with Iran, which was enshrined by the UN Security Council in resolution 2231. The deal, known officially as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), saw the UN lift international sanctions against Iran in exchange for restrictions on Tehran's nuclear programme. Resolution 2231, which expires on October 18, includes a clause that allows any party to the deal to trigger a "snapback" of all sanctions on Iran in the event of flagrant non-compliance with the JCPOA. Any state "participating" in the agreement can lodge a complaint with the Security Council if they deem another participant has significantly failed to respect the accord. That notification starts a 30-day process, at the end of which UN sanctions are automatically reimposed, unless the Council takes action to extend the lifting of sanctions. - Why did European powers trigger it? - On August 28, the E3 triggered the snapback mechanism after slamming Iran for having breached several JCPOA commitments, including building up a uranium stockpile to more than 40 times the deal's limit. The hard-won 2015 deal has been left in tatters ever since the US unilaterally withdrew from it in 2018, during Donald Trump's first presidency, and reimposed sanctions on Iran. Following the US withdrawal, Tehran gradually broke away from its commitments under the agreement and began stepping up its nuclear activities. The situation has deteriorated further in the wake of the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June, which also saw the US bomb Iranian nuclear facilities. The war also derailed Tehran's nuclear negotiations with the US that began in April and prompted Iran to suspend cooperation with the IAEA. After reaching a new cooperation deal with the IAEA earlier this month, Iran on Friday said that inspectors of the Vienna-based UN body had resumed their work in the country. - What does Iran say? - While European powers have for years launched repeated efforts to revive the 2015 deal through negotiations and said they "have unambiguous legal grounds" to trigger the clause, Iran does not share their view. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday said the European nations' pursuit of snapback is "legally void, (and) politically reckless," insisting the country had put forward several proposals to ease the standoff. Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said Friday Tehran would not leave the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in retaliation to sanctions being reimposed. - What impact would it have? - In concrete terms, global embargoes on ballistic missile technology, arms, nuclear equipment and banking restrictions that were lifted 10 years ago would be reinstated. Ali Vaez, the International Crisis Group's Iran project director, told AFP that snapback "will add to the burden of Iran's economy, which already is in a difficult position". But "their impact will depend on how much of the sweeping measures they provide on paper is reflected in enforcement", especially since China and Russia might "try to stymie their execution", he said. Arms Control Association expert Kelsey Davenport said that "the UN measures will have little economic impact, given the breadth of US and EU sanctions already in place against Iran". But she warned that reinstating measures "without a negotiating process in place risks Iran and the United States getting caught in an escalatory tit-for-tat". bur-kym/gv Pakistan-Saudi defence pact oozes with unknowns Paris, Sept 27 (AFP) Sep 27, 2025 The new mutual defence pact signed by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia this month surprised many and came just days after the Gulf region was rattled by Israeli strikes on a Hamas compound in Qatar. The agreement comes at an especially volatile time in the wake of both Iranian and Israeli strikes on Doha, uncertainty over the future of Tehran's nuclear programme, and clashes between India and Pakistan in May. "Even those accustomed to dramatic developments in the Middle East and South Asia were caught off guard by the announcement," said Joshua White from the Brookings Institution. While the agreement follows decades of close military ties between the countries, questions over its exact parameters, particularly any potential nuclear dimensions, remain unanswered. - Historical ties - "The pact clearly formalises and deepens decades of Saudi-Pakistani security and defence cooperation, building on a landmark 1982 protocol agreement," said White, which saw a significant deployment of Pakistani troops to Saudi Arabia. "There are a large number of Saudi military personnel who have been trained by Pakistanis, and there are Pakistani officers seconded within the Saudi Ministry of Defence," added Camille Lons, a Gulf expert at the European Council on Foreign Relations. According to Lons, the pact likely resulted from lengthy negotiations. "We must be cautious in linking it directly to recent developments in the region, although the broader analysis that sees it as a response to growing Israeli power in the region and Saudi doubts about American security guarantees remains valid," she told AFP. For Syed Ali Zia Jaffery from the Center for Security, Strategy and Policy Research at the University of Lahore, "Pakistan will find this agreement as a way to show its growing importance in the security architecture of the Middle East" while Saudi Arabia, which has long relied on US muscle, "is looking to diversify its sources of security". - What about the nukes? - Pakistan is believed to have around 170 nuclear warheads, according to the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, but how they factor into the deal remains ambiguous. There has been no official statement from either side about the establishment of a nuclear umbrella. To date, only two such agreements exist: the US nuclear umbrella covering its European allies and Russia protecting Belarus. Several Saudi and Pakistani voices have hinted at this possibility. Saudi Arabia included "conventional and non-conventional means in the treaty text," a retired Saudi general told AFP, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the topic. "We made it very clear and written that it includes the Pakistani nuclear weapons," he added. Saudi analyst Ali Shihabi, known to be close to the royal court, also told AFP that "nuclear is an integral part of this agreement". Regional experts, however, have asserted that the situation is far from clear. "Pakistan does not have any nuclear umbrella and there is just no evidence to suggest that Pakistan plans on providing one to Saudi Arabia," said Jaffery. "Pakistan's nuclear doctrine, policy, posture, strategy, and capabilities are only India-centric." Others suggested a lack of clarity on the issue may be intentional. "It's impossible to know the details of any potential arrangement in this area," added Bruno Tertrais from the Foundation for Strategic Research in Paris, "because that's part of deterrence: what's often referred to as strategic ambiguity." - And India? - Saudi Arabia maintains good relations with Delhi, Pakistan's main rival. India's rapidly developing economy relies heavily on petroleum imports, with Saudi Arabia ranked as its third-largest supplier according to the Indian foreign ministry. "Would Saudi Arabia get involved in an escalation between Pakistan and India? I don't think so. That would go completely against the kind of diplomacy Saudi Arabia is trying to pursue -- which, like India, is one of multi-alignment," explained Lons. The signing of the pact comes just months after Pakistan and India fought an intense four-day conflict -- one of the worst crises between the arch rivals in decades. So how would Saudi Arabia react to renewed hostilities? "Riyadh's instinct would be to stay passive, preserving hard-won trade equities with India while honouring its security obligations to Pakistan," said White. "That balance will now be harder to sustain." Germany may allow military to shoot down drones: report Frankfurt, Germany, Sept 27 (AFP) Sep 27, 2025 Germany is considering allowing its military to shoot down drones, a report said Saturday, after recent drone incursions around Europe raised tensions with Russia. Drones have been spotted in recent days flying over airports in Denmark and Norway, causing some of them to close temporarily. There was also a drone sighting over Denmark's biggest military base late Friday. Germany, one of Ukraine's key backers in its fight against Moscow, has also reported a rise in suspicious drone sightings in recent times -- the latest came late Friday in a northern state bordering Denmark. Suspicion has fallen on Russia, even if no definite proof has been made public. Berlin had already announced plans to bolster its drone defence systems earlier this week to counter the growing Russian threat. Tabloid Bild reported that, among measures planned, the government was considering allowing the armed forces to shoot down drones under certain conditions. The military should be able to intervene if a drone poses a serious danger to human life or critical infrastructure and other measures would be insufficient, the paper said. In such cases, decision-making powers would reportedly be transferred to the defence ministry. Such powers currently lie with the police. Contacted by AFP, the interior ministry did not confirm the plan. But speaking to the Rheinische Post newspaper, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said that he wanted to overhaul air security laws so the military can help the police "especially in drone defence". "We are not only experiencing a turning point in military security, but also in civil defence and civil protection as a whole," he said. Late Friday, drones were spotted over northern Schleswig-Holstein state, which borders Denmark, state interior minister Sabine Suetterlin-Waack told local broadcaster NDR. Investigations were ongoing into the incident. Authorities did not say how many drones were spotted, or exactly where. Germany wants to allow military to shoot down drones Frankfurt, Germany, Sept 27 (AFP) Sep 27, 2025 Germany wants to authorise its military to shoot down drones, the interior minister said Saturday, after a "swarm" of them was spotted over the north of the country. It comes after a string of drone sightings near airports and military sites in Denmark and Norway in recent days. Suspicion has fallen on Russia, even if no definite proof has been made public. Moscow has rejected suggestions that it was behind the Danish incidents. In the German incident, the drone "swarm" was spotted Friday over the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein, which borders Denmark, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt told a press conference. While drone sightings have been growing in Germany since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, such swarms had not occurred before, he said. He did not give further details about what sites the drones were overflying, or who was responsible, but Berlin has long accused Russia of carrying out espionage and surveillance operations. "We are seeing a constant hybrid threat," Dobrindt said. Dobrindt had already announced earlier this week plans to strengthen the country's drone defences, part of broader push to build up the armed forces following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. On Saturday he confirmed that he wants to revise air safety laws to allow the "shooting down of drones" by the armed forces. "What we are witnessing is an arms race -- an arms race between drone threats and drone defence. We must prepare ourselves for this," he said. Currently police have the main responsibility for defending against drones and changes were needed, he said. Tabloid Bild reported that dowing drones by the military would only be permitted in certain circumstances, such as if they pose a serious danger to human life or critical infrastructure. Germany, one of Ukraine's key backers in its fight against Russia, had so far been reluctant to shoot down drones for fear that debris could cause casualties. The GdP police union voiced opposition to Dobrindt's plan, telling the Rheinische Post newspaper that domestic security was the responsibility of the police, not the military. Drone warfare has been a core feature of the Ukraine conflict and NATO countries bordering Russia hope to build a "drone defence wall" -- a network of technological and military solutions to counter these aerial threats. Trump authorizes troop deployment in Portland Washington, Sept 27 (AFP) Sep 27, 2025 President Donald Trump on Saturday authorized the deployment of troops in the northwestern US city of Portland and at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities, extending his contentious domestic use of the military. The potential deployment in Portland -- the largest city in Oregon -- would follow similar moves by the Republican president to mobilize troops against the wishes of local Democratic leadership in Los Angeles and the capital Washington. "At the request of Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, I am directing Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. "I am also authorizing Full Force, if necessary," he added, without specifying what "full force" meant. Portland has seen months of protests at a local ICE facility amid anger over the Trump administration's crackdown on undocumented migrants. The city was also the scene of major clashes during Trump's first term, at the height of racial justice protests following the May 2020 police killing of George Floyd. Protests have occurred at other ICE facilities around the country as Trump's mass deportation drive has seen thousands of migrants rounded up, often by masked agents. The hardline approach has sparked conflict with local so-called "sanctuary" jurisdictions like Portland, which have policies of not coordinating with federal immigration authorities. Trump first deployed troops in Los Angeles in June, overriding the state's Democratic governor and prompting an ongoing legal dispute over the limits of presidential authority. Trump's announcement Saturday comes days after a deadly shooting at an ICE facility in Texas, in which one detainee was killed and two severely injured. Federal officials say the gunman, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot, had sought to target ICE agents from a nearby rooftop. That shooting happened weeks after the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at a university campus. Following Kirk's death, Trump announced that he was labeling the diffuse left-wing "Antifa" movement as a "domestic terrorist group." The designation has led to worries among Trump's critics that it could be used to broadly suppress dissent in the name of national security. "We are witnessing domestic terrorist sedition against the federal government," Trump's top aide, Stephen Miller, wrote Friday evening on X. "All necessary resources will be utilized," he added. Russian FM warns of 'decisive response' to any 'aggression' United Nations, United States, Sept 27 (AFP) Sep 27, 2025 Russia's top diplomat on Saturday warned of a "decisive response" to any "aggression" after US President Donald Trump backed calls to shoot down Russian planes that violate NATO airspace. "Russia is being accused of almost planning to attack the North Atlantic alliance and the European Union countries," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told the UN General Assembly. "Russia has never had and does not have any such intentions. However, any aggression against my country will be met with a decisive response," he said. Several NATO countries say Russian fighter jets and drones have violated their airspace in Europe over recent weeks, accusing Moscow of testing the alliance. Asked on Tuesday whether he thought NATO states should shoot down any Russian planes that violate its airspace, Trump said: "Yes, I do." Trump had once boasted of his warm ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin and invited him last month for talks in Alaska, ending the veteran Russian leader's ostracization by the West since he ordered the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. But Trump has subsequently voiced frustration with Putin and said that Ukraine should seize back all the territory Russia has taken or even cross the border. Lavrov went out of his way still to praise Trump, who despite his public musings on Putin has yet to impose long-threatened new economic sanctions on Russia. "In the approaches of the current US administration, we see a desire not only to contribute to ways to realistically resolve the Ukrainian crisis, but also a desire to develop pragmatic cooperation without adopting an ideological stance," Lavrov said. Russian FM evokes Nazi past as Germany ramps up defense United Nations, United States, Sept 27 (AFP) Sep 27, 2025 Russia's top diplomat on Saturday suggested that Germany is returning to its Nazi past in a loaded attack on Chancellor Friedrich Merz as he moves to ramp up defense spending. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov denounced what he called "militaristic rhetoric" from Merz, who has repeatedly voiced contrition for Germany's Nazi crimes and has pointed to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in seeking greater defense. "The chancellor stated proudly that his goal is once again to make Germany the main military engine of Europe," Lavrov told a news conference at the United Nations. "When a person from a country that perpetrated the crimes of Nazism, fascism, the Holocaust and genocide says that Germany needs to become a great military power, he of course has an atrophied historical memory, and that is exceedingly dangerous," Lavrov said. Germany, which once spearheaded cooperation with Russia including on energy, shifted sharply after Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine and has become one of Kyiv's leading supporters. Several NATO allies have spotted Russian fighter jets or drones in recent weeks, followed by suspicious drone flights over German military and industrial sites and near airports in Denmark and Norway. Merz has called for Europe to step up its own defense spending due to concerns that the United States under President Donald Trump is distancing itself from its historic commitments to the alliance. In an interview with the newspaper published after he arrived in Liverpool for Labours party conference, the PM added: It is the fight of our times and weve all got to be in it together. We dont have time for introspection, we dont have time for navel-gazing. Charles and Camillas meeting with the Pope in what would be his final weeks was arranged at the last minute and took place on their 20th wedding anniversary on April 9, with the pontiff wanting to personally wish them a happy anniversary. Allow Google Search To use the search feature, we need your consent to load Google Custom Search, which may use cookies or similar technologies. Please click 'Allow and Continue' below to enable search. See our privacy policy for more information. Allow and Continue Mr Bennett told The Times: My mum, weve heard most recently, is on a drip. We dont know why. There are worries medically they are strong-spirited and theyre coping, but I dont want that to be normalised. They are in tough, tough environments. It is taking its toll on their bodies. Theyre not young. They are resilient. FILE - Elon Musk flashes his T-shirt that reads "DOGE" to the media as he walks on the South Lawn of the White House, in Washington, March 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File) Jose Luis Magana/Associated Press After killing a slew of multimillion dollar contracts across Texas, the federal budget-cutting agency formerly led by billionaire Elon Musk is going after deals worth much less including a $15,289 contract for a veterans prosthetic leg. Other recent cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency included a part for a Coast Guard cutter worth $28,000, a used trailer for the agriculture department worth $40,000 and a $1,681 deal to provide fire specialist consulting services in Bolivia. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Through September, DOGE estimates its slashed $941.4 million in deals with Texas businesses. Because many of the contracts it canceled were in progress or already complete, though, the actual amount saved is only about $342.5 million. Among the cuts that stick out is a contract with Austin-based prosthetic maker Otto Bock Patient Care to replace the veterans prosthesis. The contract was terminated at the end of August, according to DOGE. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source Asked for comment, the VA said it automatically canceled a purchase order for the prosthesis because it had been open for more than six months but it said the purchase was quickly reauthorized and the veteran received the prosthesis in April. Its unclear why DOGE claimed the savings. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The cost-cutting agencys ax is continuing to fall more heavily on San Antonio than many other Texas cities. The total of contracts cut with San Antonio businesses is now $413.1 million, about 43% of the statewide total. The actual savings are about $66 million. Part of the Trump administrations effort to limit spending and waste, DOGE claims it has saved $207 billion nationwide, or about $1,280 per taxpayer. That and more will be wiped out by Trumps budget bill, which the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said would balloon the deficit by $2.4 trillion in the next decade. Thats among the reasons Musk derided the bill as a disgusting abomination, igniting a public feud with President Donald Trump who, in turn, threatened to cut federal contracts worth billions with Musk-led companies including Texas-based SpaceX and Tesla Inc. Musk left his post in the Trump administration in May but DOGE has continued its work. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Since June, San Antonio businesses lost four deals worth a combined $920,577 for actual savings of $407,711. Across the state, DOGE cut another 224 contracts worth an estimated $77.7 million for $27.9 million in actual savings. So far, the department has killed 565 contracts across the state, including 57 in the San Antonio area. Consultancies ended Of the 228 contracts ended since June, most targeted Department of Agriculture work around the world, including 201 deals with an El Paso-based services company, Management & Engineering Technologies International Inc. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The firm provides consultants to various countries on matters including forestry, natural resources, wildfire prevention, law enforcement, civil military relations and humanitarian operations. The average value of the contracts it lost was $132,000. Even though DOGE killed company deals worth $26.5 million, taxpayers will see no savings because the work was already done. The most valuable deal the El Paso company lost was a $2.8 million contract to provide Middle East Regional Environmental Program Support Services. One of its contracts was the smallest cut in Texas since June: a $1,681 deal to provide Bolivia fire specialist consulting services. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Most of the companys work appears to be related to helping countries in South America, Asia and Africa as they deal with the effects of climate change. The most expensive contract with a Texas-based company that DOGE has axed since June was a $24.1 million deal between the Department of Homeland Security and ABSG Consulting Inc. of Spring. It was for a subject matter expert to help with chemical security. DOGE claims the cut will save $20.5 million. Minor San Antonio impact After bearing the largest Texas percentage of DOGEs cuts through June, the cuts since then have had less impact on San Antonio. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Of the four contracts cut in the third quarter, Eagle Integrated Services LLCs $614,234 deal to provide administrative support to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission was the most valuable. DOGE estimates ending that contract will save $193,241. The other deals ended included Amstar Inc.s $32,799 contract to replace carpet in U.S. courts, Laredo Technical Services Inc.s $228,858 contract to provide administrative support to the Department of Health and Human Services, and Design Build Consortium LLCs $44,686 contract with Veterans Affairs to replace batteries for an uninterruptable power supply. In Midland, Benjamin Miller lost a $28,000 deal to deliver a new fuel hose and reel system for the Coast Guard Cutter Stratton. Advertisement Article continues below this ad And in Sugar Land, Vertragov Inc. will miss out on its $40,000 contract to provide a used trailer to the USDA. Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol announced Thursday it will lay off 900 non-retail employees and close a portion of stores across North America, including at least 20 in Texas. Austin American-Statesman Starbucks will close underperforming stores across North America, the Seattle-based coffee giant said Thursday. It will also eliminate nearly 900 nonretail roles as it refocuses resources on more customer-friendly locations. Starbucks has not released an official list of closures, but employees social media posts have produced an informal list of affected stores. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The moves are part of the companys Back to Starbucks strategy to refresh its store portfolio after six straight quarters of sales declines. Here's what we know so far: Texas store closures So far, employees from 20 stores in Texas have shared that their locations will shutter soon. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source That includes: Houston (seven stores) Dallas (three stores) San Antonio (two stores) Fort Worth (one store) College Station (one store) Stores will also close in Tyler, Lubbock, Katy, Freeport, Joliet and Missouri City. Advertisement Article continues below this ad No stores in Austin had been added to the list as of Saturday morning. Shuttered stores in other states California is set to lose more than 150 locations more than any other state or region. Other areas reporting significant numbers include New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington state and Washington, D.C. Canada will lose more than 50 stores. Bigger picture In a message to employees, CEO Brian Niccol framed the decision to close stores as part of the Back to Starbucks strategy, intended to strengthen the chains identity as a warm, inviting third place rather than a transactional stop. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We identified coffeehouses where were unable to create the physical environment our customers and partners expect, or where we dont see a path to financial performance, and these locations will be closed, Niccol said. Niccol said Starbucks expects to finish fiscal year 2025 with about 18,300 total company-operated and licensed U.S. and Canadian stores. When offset with new openings this year, he said that marks about a 1% decrease for the region. Other changes Earlier this summer, Starbucks said it would close or convert all pickup-only stores by the end of 2026, including more than 90 across 20 states. In Austins West Campus, the pickup-only location at 22nd and Rio Grande near the University of Texas will likely be converted to a cafe, an employee said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A 3-D model of the Yogurt Shop Murder is one of several pieces collected over the years investigating the cities infamous homicides in Austin, Texas on Tuesday, August 2, 2011. American-Statesman 2011 file Officers at the scene of the Yogurt Shop murders. American-Statesman 1991 file photo. American-Statesman 1991 file A 3-D model of the Yogurt Shop Murder is one of several pieces collected over the years investigating the cities infamous homicides in Austin, Texas on Tuesday, August 2, 2011. American-Statesman 2011 file Filling cabinets at the Austin Police Department's Homicide Cold Case Unit are still filled with documents and information on the Yogurt Shop Murders, one of the cities most notorious cases in Austin, Texas on Tuesday, August 2, 2011. American-Statesman 2011 file The billboard advertising a reward of $125,000 for leads in the Yogurt Shop murders. The billboard was at South Congress Avenue and Ben Whilte Boulevard. American-Statesman file A newly placed yellow rose sits on the memorial for the four victims of the Yogurt shop murders on Anderson Lane. American-Statesman 1999 file The certification hearing of yogurt-shop suspect Forrest Welborn, (left) began today in the 98th District Court in Austin. Maurice Pierce, not shown, was also in the courtroom. District Judge Jeanne Meurer will decide whether to certify these men to stand trial as adults. They were juveniles at the time of the slayings. November 29, 1999. David Kennedy/Austin American-Statesman Maurice Pierce photo from the 1991 Lamar Middle School yearbook. This was his second year as a seventh grader, he repeated the grade. Handout/Austin American-Statesman The certification hearing of yogurt-shop suspects Maurice Pierce, (shown) and Forrest Welborn began today in the 98th District Court in Austin. District Judge Jeanne Meurer will decide whether to certify these men to stand trial as adults. They were juveniles at the time of the slayings. November 29, 1999. David Kennedy/Austin American-Statesman Maria Thomas, Barbara Ayres and Pam Ayers, left to right, the mother of Eliza Thomas, sisters, Jennifer and Sarah Harbison, and Amy Ayers leave a press confernce held at the office of Travis County District Attorney, Ronnie Earle, holding door, after making a brief statement in response to the sentencing of Robert Springsteen on Friday, June 1, 2001. Springsteen convicted on Wednesday for the murder of Amy Ayers, one of four girls killed December 6, 1991 at an 'I Can't Believe It's Yogurt' in Austin, Texas, was sentenced to death. Rodolfo Gonzalez/Austin American-Statesman Barbara Ayres, right, mother of Jennifer and Sarah Harbison, reacts outside of the Travis County courtroom where Robert Burns Springsteen IV, 26, was found guilty of capital murder, Wednesday, May 30, 2001. Springsteen was found guilty of capital murder in the shooting of Amy Ayers on Dec. 6, 1991, at an I Can't Believe It's Yogurt Shop, where Barbara Ayres' daughters, Jennifer and Sarah Harbison, along with Eliza Hope Thomas were all killed. Sentencing for Springsteen's case is scheduled for Thursday. The woman at left is unidentified. Rodolfo Gonzalez/Austin American-Statesman Sarah Harbison, yogurt shop murder victim. December 9, 1991. Handout/Austin American-Statesman Maurice Pierce, a suspect in the Yogurt Shop murders, left, is lead to a car after an arraingment hearing at the Gardner-Betts Juvenile Detention Center in Austin. Wednesday Oct. 6, 1999 Kevin Virobik-Adams/Austin American-Statesman Pam Ayers, center, and huband Bob Ayers, right, the parents of Amy Ayers, leave the Travis County courtroom where Robert Burns Springsteen IV, 26, was found guilty of capital murder, Wednesday, May 30, 2001. Springsteen was found guilty of capital murder in the shooting of Amy Ayers on Dec. 6, 1991, at an I Can't Believe It's Yogurt Shop, where Ayers, sisters Jennifer and Sarah Harbison, along with Eliza Hope Thomas were all killed. Sentencing for Springsteen's case is scheduled for Thursday. Rodolfo Gonzalez/Austin American-Statesman Bob and Pam Ayers' 13-year-old daughter, Amy, was among four teenage victims found dead inside the I Cant Believe Its Yogurt store in North Austin, which had been robbed and set on fire. Dec. 5, 2021 JAY JANNER/AMERICAN-STATESMAN 20 Pam Ayers, a mother of one of the yogurt-shop murder victims hugs Mike Harbison, father of one of the victims, following District Judge Jeanne Meurer's decision that Maurice Pierce and Forrest Welborn will stand trial as adults. Dec. 9, 1999 Larry Kolvoord/Austin American-Statesman Yogurt-shop murder suspect Maurice Pierce reacts shortly after learning that he will stand trial as an adult in the case. He was a juvenile at the time the crime was committed in 1991. Dec. 9, 1999 Larry Kolvoord/Austin American-Statesman Yogurt-shop murder suspect Maurice Pierce puts his head down on a table after learning that he will be tried as an adult in Judge Jeanne Meurer's courtroom this afternoon. Dec. 9, 1999 Larry Kolvoord/Austin American-Statesman District Judge Jeanne Meurer listens to arguments during a cerification hearing for Maurice Pierce and Forrest Welborn this afternoon. She found that the two yogurt-shop murder suspects will stand trial as adults even though they were juveniles when the crime was committed in 1991. Dec. 9, 1999 Larry Kolvoord/Austin American-Statesman Marisa Pierce with a 2010 photograph that she made of her father, Maurice Pierce. Tuesday, April 5, 2011 Larry Kolvoord/Austin American-Statesman Edwin Rodriguez, left, and Juan Martinez were standing across the street from the site where suspect Maurice Pierce was shot and killed after he allegedly stabbed an Austin Police officer. Martinez lives in the house across the street from where the incident occurred. APD officers were investigating an officer involved shooting in northwest Austin on Friday, December 24, 2010. This was the scene near the intersection of Shreveport and Campos Streets. Larry Kolvoord/Austin American-Statesman This is a handout photo from Marisa Pierce showing her father, Maurice Pierce and Marisa Pierce when she was 7 years-old. Larry Kolvoord/Austin American-Statesman The driveway of this house on Campos Dr. is near where suspect Maurice Pierce died after being shot by a police officer. Pierce allegedly stabbed the officer in the neck. APD officers were investigating an officer involved shooting in northwest Austin on Friday, December 24, 2010. Larry Kolvoord/Austin American-Statesman Marisa Pierce with a 2010 photograph that she made of her father, Maurice Pierce. Tuesday, April 5, 2011. Larry Kolvoord/Austin American-Statesman Crime tape marking the scene where suspect Maurice Pierce was shot and killed after he allegedly stabbed an Austin Police officer. APD officers were investigating an officer involved shooting in northwest Austin on Friday, December 24, 2010. This was the scene near the intersection of Shreveport and Campos Streets. Larry Kolvoord/Austin American-Statesman Maurice Pierce speaks at a press conference at the Doubletree Hotel downtown. Behind him is his wife, Kimberly, child, and an unidentified woman (far back). Jan. 30, 2003. Peter Yang/Austin American-Statesman Maurice Pierce and his daughter, Marisa Pierce, at her graduation from Creekview High School in Dallas in June 2010. Handout/Austin American-Statesman Family hand-out photo....Maurice Pierce in Dallas in 2003. March 22, 2011 Handout/Austin American-Statesman Maurice Pierce, accompanied by his wife and child, receive directions from his lawyer following the press conference at the Doubletree Hotel downtown. Jan. 30, 2003 Peter Yang/Austin American-Statesman Suspect Maurice Earl Pierce, right, listens to (attorney?) at the Yogurt shop murder trial scene Monday afternoon in Austin. November 27, 2000 Rebecca McEntee/Austin American-Statesman Maurice Pierce was swarmed by media as he exited the Travis County Correctional Complex at Del Valle after charges for capital murder in the Yogurt Shop case was dismissed by Travis Colunty District Attorney Ronald Earle Tuesday. Jan. 28, 2003 Sung Park/Austin American-Statesman Shown in these undated file photos from left are: Eliza Hope Thomas, 17; Amy Ayers, 13; Jennifer Harbison, 17; and Sarah Handout/Austin American-Statesman The Yogurt shop murder trial scene Monday afternoon in Austin..Suspects are: Maurice Earl Pierce, second from left sitting and his lawyers Lad Slavik (left) and Guillermo Gonzalez; Michael James Scott, third from left sitting and his lawyers Tony Diaz and Dexter Gilford; and Robert Springsteen, far right. November 27, 2000. Rebecca McEntee/Austin American-Statesman Travis County District Attorney Ronald Earle announced Tuesday that charges against Maurice Pierce in the Yogurt Shop capital murder case has been dismissed. Pierce was released within hours from the Del Valle Correctional Complex. Charges were dismissed due to the lack of evidence. Jan. 28, 2003 Sung Park/Austin American-Statesman Robert Burns Springsteen IV enters the 167th District court on Tuesday morning. Springsteen is accused of murdering a teen-age girl in the I Can't Believe It's Yogurt shop on Dec. 6, 1991. Taylor Johnson/Austin American-Statesman For 34 years, the 1991 yogurt shop murders was known to be one of the most haunting unsolved cases in Austins history. Now, newly analyzed DNA evidence has linked the crime to a man already suspected of being a serial predator across the south: Robert Eugene Brashers. Brashers, who died by suicide in 1999, left behind a violent trail that stretched from Florida to Missouri. Heres what is known about his life and crimes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Who is Robert Eugene Brashers? This undated photo provided by the Missouri State Highway Patrol shows Robert Brashers. Authorities said Friday, Oct. 5, 2018 that DNA evidence has identified Brashers as the man who killed three people and raped a girl in the 1990s, even though the suspect killed himself nearly 20 years ago. Investigators say they've solved three homicides and a rape case, all from the 1990s, after obtaining DNA by digging up the corpse Brashers. Missouri State Highway Patrol/via AP Robert Eugene Brashers was born March 13, 1958, in Newport News, Va. Little is documented about his childhood, though he has been described as intelligent, manipulative and skilled with tools and weapons. Austin yogurt shop murders: A timeline of the long road from cold case to a DNA match Advertisement Article continues below this ad Robert Eugene Brashers had violent record Brashers' violent record began in 1985 in Port St. Lucie, Fla., where he lured Michelle Wilkerson into his car under friendly pretenses. When she tried to leave, he shot her in the head and neck. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source Wilkerson survived and identified him as her attacker. Brashers was convicted of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery and firearm charges, and was sentenced to 12 years in prison. He was released on parole in 1989, after serving only three years. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In the time after his release, Brashers committed a slew of other crimes, in addition to the yogurt shop murders, confirmed later by DNA evidence: 1990 rape and murder of Genevieve Zitricki in Greenville, S.C. 1997 rape of a 14-year-old girl in Memphis, Tenn. 1998 rape and murder of Sherri Scherer, 38, and her daughter Megan, 12, in Portageville, Mo. Brashers' death Brashers hid his violent nature behind a family-man facade. He had three children one biological. Advertisement Article continues below this ad On Jan. 13, 1999, police tracked Brashers to a Super 8 motel in Kennett, Mo., where he was hiding with his wife, daughter and two stepdaughters. After a tense standoff, he released his family before shooting himself in the head. He died six days later on Jan. 19. Michael Scott, left, and his wife Jeannine Scott, right, walk out of court Oct. 28, 2009 as Robert Springsteen, center right, and co-council Alexandra Gauthier, center, look on after prosecutors filed for dismissal of homicide indictments against them for the yogurt shop murders. American-Statesman 2009 file Four young men were initially arrested in 1999 as suspects in the 1991 yogurt shop murders. They were Maurice Pierce, Forrest Welborn, Michael Scott and Robert Springsteen IV. Two of them, Scott and Springsteen, served prison time before their convictions were overturned. Pierce was killed by police in 2010 after attacking an officer in a separate incident. Here is what we know about them now: Advertisement Article continues below this ad Maurice Earl Pierce, right, is shown in November 2000 during the trial for the yogurt shop murders. Rebecca McEntee/Austin American-Statesman Michael Scott, left, and Robert Springsteen, right, shake hands Oct. 28, 2009 as co-council Alexandra Gauthier, center, looks on after prosecutors filed for dismissal of homicide indictments against them for the yogurt shop murders. American-Statesman 2009 file Maurice Pierce Pierce slashed an Austin police officer's trachea and carotid artery in December 2010 in an incident in North Austin near Parmer Lane. The officer he attacked shot and killed Pierce in self defense, police said. The incident happened after police saw Pierce run a red light and tried to stop him. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Lawyer Darlina Crowder, who represented Pierce on different criminal charges, told the American-Statesman at the time that he probably ran because of a fear of law enforcement that stemmed from his arrest and three-year jailing in the yogurt shop murders. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source "He had been in jail for such a long time on those cases ... that every time he gets detained, he is traumatized and runs because he is so scared of the police," Crowder said. Pierce was 16 years old when he was initially arrested at Northcross Mall with a .22-caliber handgun days after the yogurt shop killings. He later told police the pistol was used by his friend, 15-year-old Forrest Welborn, during the yogurt shop attack. Ballistics tests later showed that the gun was probably not used in the murders. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In 2003, prosecutors dismissed the charges against Pierce because of a lack of evidence. Maurice Pierce was swarmed by media Jan. 28, 2003 as he exited the Travis County Correctional Complex at Del Valle after charges for capital murder in the yogurt shop case were dismissed by then-Travis County District Attorney Ronald Earle. Sung Park/Austin American-Statesman Forrest Welborn Welborn was initially arrested in connection with the killings but two grand juries declined to indict him. Public records show that Welborn now lives in Manchaca. He did not reply to a request for comment on Friday. His stepmother, Dee Welborn, said on Friday that his sister had recently died. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "I wished she had lived long enough to see her brother's name had been cleared," said Welborn. She said Forrest was having a "tough" time with his sister's death. She declined further comment about his life. Forrest Welborn, left, is shown in a November 1999 court hearing related to the yogurt shop murders. David Kennedy/Austin American-Statesman Robert Springsteen Springsteen was tried and convicted of capital murder in 2001 in the yogurt shop killings despite his lawyers' arguments that his confession was coerced. He was sentenced to death. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals overturned his conviction in 2006 ruling his confession was improperly used without cross-examination. Public records show that he now lives in West Virginia. He could not be reached on Friday for comment. One of his defense lawyers did not respond on Friday to a request for comment. Robert Springsteen walks out of 167th District Court a free man on Oct. 28, 2009 after prosecutors filed for dismissal on the homicide indictments against him and Michael Scott for the yogurt shop murders in Austin. American-Statesman 2009 file Michael Scott Scott was tried and convicted in 2002 of capital murder in the yogurt shop killings. He received a life sentence. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals overturned his conviction in 2007 on similar grounds as those used to dismiss the case against Springsteen. He could not be located on Friday for comment. His appeals' lawyer, Ariel Payan, said on Friday that Scott was living in South Austin about five years ago, the last time he talked to him. "Being in prison was very traumatic for him," Payan said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Payan added that he was surprised police were able to identify another suspect. "It's an amazing thing that they were able to put the pieces together this late in time," he said. Hart Elementary School in Austin on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Over the past two years, Roberto Lopez Falcon built a reputation as a committed and effective teacher at Hart Elementary School in North Austin. In the first weeks of the new school year, parents who had met him appreciated his humor and the encouragement he offered his fifth grade English-as-a-second-language students. The children, parents said, quickly grew fond of him. Then, two weeks into the new school year, Lopez Falcon stopped showing up. He was sick, school staff told the students, and the children passed that along to their parents. But as one week turned into two, and then three, there were no further updates. Students fretted, crying to their parents or asking for answers about their missing teacher. Parents posted messages wishing him good health and a speedy recovery on the classroom portal. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The children in your class miss you, one mother wrote in Spanish. My son wants to know when youll return. But the usually communicative Lopez Falcon remained silent. He had been taken to a federal immigration detention facility in Karnes County, about 105 miles south of Austin, and had no internet access. The Cuban immigrant, a husband and father, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during a Sept. 3 check-in appointment in San Antonio, the agency confirmed. An ICE official told the American-Statesman on Friday that Lopez Falcon had no known criminal history but held only conditional status to be in the country after entering without authorization in 2022. He was arrested at the time and released without proper vetting, the official said. The agency said it plans to keep Lopez Falcon detained until his immigration proceedings conclude. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source Since the summer, arrests of immigrants during check-ins once considered routine have become more common. The Trump administration has increasingly sought to detain immigrants without bail while their immigration hearings play out, a process that can take months. That policy has been widely challenged by federal judges, Politico reported, though the administration argues it is necessary to curb unauthorized immigration. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The news of Lopez Falcons arrest has shocked parents who pieced together the real reason for his absence, leaving them with both anxiety and a sense of loss for a teacher they admired and a school year already in flux. Hart Elementary School in Austin on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman The districts lack of communication and transparency has also left them perplexed and powerless to help, two parents told the Statesman. As of Friday afternoon, the district had not sent any communication to class parents as to the reason for Lopez Falcons absence. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Austin school district declined to comment on questions regarding its communications with Lopez Falcons students and their families, but spokesperson Cristina Nguyen confirmed to the Statesman that Lopez Falcon remained employed by the district. He was hired full time last year after substitute teaching for a year, she said. Trasell Underwood, vice president of the districts employee union, Education Austin, said the organization is not aware of any district employee other than Lopez Falcon who has been detained by ICE, but that it is concerned it could start happening to others due to varied immigration statuses. A family member of Lopez Falcon declined to comment for this story. A GoFundMe page launched to raise money for the teachers legal fees and to support his family described him as a loving father, husband, and hardworking provider who has always prioritized his family and contributed to his community. The page notes the school district honored Lopez Falcon last year with a Teacher of Promise award. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hart Elementary School in Austin on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman As students worry, parents feel powerless Two mothers of students in Lopez Falcons class this year said they have watched their childrens concern over their missing teacher grow as the weeks go by, with each child crying at times. They are also concerned for their childrens education as theyve been taught by a combination of substitutes and rotating teachers from other classrooms since Lopez Falcons arrest. Both mothers, who found out about the teacher's absence on their own, asked their names not be included out of fear of retaliation from the district. Advertisement Article continues below this ad One of the mothers said she has avoided telling her daughter the truth because she doesnt want to be responsible for breaking the news. Still, she said she was skeptical of the schools decision to tell Lopez Falcon's students that he was sick. That has left her daughter emotionally distraught, she said, and she will eventually have to face the truth. People protest Sept. 18 against ABC's decision to temporarily pull late-night host Jimmy Kimmel off the air for his remarks after the death of Charlie Kirk. Kirk reassured young conservatives that they were not alone in their suspicion of immigrants, Black people and women, K. Ward Cummings writes. Christina House/Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag The United States today is torn between two competing visions. One looks backward, longing for an America built on hierarchy and exclusion. The other embraces the complex, diverse nation we have become. Charlie Kirk devoted his career to defending the former a version of America where whiteness was the standard of belonging and empathy was dismissed as weakness. I first glimpsed that old America as a seven-year-old visiting my grandmother in Greenville, North Carolina. In those days, it was a quiet farming town. If you know the Mary Chapin Carpenter song I Am a Town, you can picture it: A church beside the highway, where the ditches never drain; roadside shacks with sagging porches leaned with old Black men and children. Advertisement Article continues below this ad One summer, my grandmother and I walked the dirt path to the small store near her house. The owners teenage daughter greeted us politely at the door. You have a good day now, she said. My grandmother, though decades older, replied with deference: Yes, maam. Thank you. Even then I was struck by the exchange. That small moment revealed the etiquette of hierarchy the unspoken rules that shaped who was expected to bow, and who was expected to command. It was the rhythm of the old dance, a dance that preserved social order through deference, Christian nationalism and white supremacy. This is the America Kirk harkened back to when he called the Civil Rights Act of 1964 a mistake and an anti-white weapon. That social order began to unravel in the 1960s. The reckoning after George Floyds death in 2020 might have ended it for good, but voices like Kirks worked hard to revive it. By saying things like Martin Luther King Jr. was awful and not a good person, and Islam is not compatible with Western civilization, Kirk encouraged a new generation of Americans to embrace the old social contract. He reassured young conservatives that they were not alone in their suspicion of immigrants, Black people and women. His confidence gave them courage and permission to abandon empathy. Kirk said as much himself. On a podcast in 2022, he declared: I cant stand the word empathy. I think empathy is a made-up, new age term that does a lot of damage. By rejecting empathy, Kirk stood in a long American tradition of justifying cruelty the same mindset that rationalized slavery, Manifest Destiny and Japanese internment camps. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Todays anti-woke and anti-DEI movements continue that project. They seek to preserve an old social contract designed by men who promised liberty while owning human beings. That contract once gave meaning and order to America, but it no longer fits the nation we have become. If we are truly committed to healing our divisions, we cannot cling to a social order built on hierarchy and exclusion. Instead, we must build a new social contract one rooted in empathy, equality and shared dignity. Only then can we move beyond the old dance and create an America that lives up to its ideals. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Gov. Greg Abbott, who just months ago decried "cancel culture," is now calling for that very thing, a reader says. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Uphold Constitution Advertisement Article continues below this ad Our leaders seem to have forgotten what leadership means. Instead they drag their knuckles to be part of the crowd, inciting the violence they are supposed to be tamping down. These leaders are like the good family dog who never hurts anyone until it gets caught up in the pack. Pack mentality takes over, brains and common sense disappear. Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, who just months ago decried "cancel culture," are now calling for that very thing. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It is their job to calm people down, to remind everyone that we are free Americans, free to speak our minds as we see fit, not be censored or told what is acceptable or isn't. How sad that our elected officials have forgotten their oath to our Constitution. I expect better. Paula Hyatt, Austin Advertisement Article continues below this ad Advocating firing leaders I am appalled that our governor decided to use his bully pulpit to celebrate students losing their places in Texas colleges and encourage people to turn in their neighbors for their Facebook posts in order to get them fired from their jobs simply for using their right to free speech. Millions of Americans disagreed with Charlie Kirk's hateful ideology while we still agreed he had the right to say what he did. Those of us on the left didnt advocate for his murder nor did we participate, but President Donald Trump is using this opportunity to eliminate any voice of opposition to his dangerous reign and consolidate even more power over every American. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Our weak governor jumped into the fray with his anti-American and definitely un-Texan push to get approval from his feckless naked emperor boss. Its time to vote out every single Republican in Texas, end this nightmare of intolerance and white-men-only policies. We have so many problems that need to be addressed, yet Republicans spend all of their time legislating culture wars instead of providing Texans with clean air, abundant water, climate mitigation and good, sustainable jobs. If our leaders can advocate for firing people, they deserve the same treatment from voters. Lets make it happen. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Texans, we can do better. Kathy Kidd, Austin Rather than engaging in name-calling of his critics, President Donald Trump should set the tone for leadership that will reflect the values of our past great presidents, a reader says. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images Time for Trump to lead President Donald Trumps public statements and social media posts continue to fuel divisiveness and discord. He refers to Americans who take issue with his policies as radical leftists, scum and lunatics. Words like this only exacerbate our national divide. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Great past presidents have earned their place in history, not by dividing, but by winning the hearts of the American citizen. Franklin D. Roosevelt reminded us that respect for all was a national virtue. Ronald Reagan once said that the greatest leader is the one who gets the people to do the greatest things. John F. Kennedy famously challenged a new generation of 1960s Americans, similar to those of today, with these immortal words, Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. These great presidents knew how to communicate with Americans. They were honest and sincere when conveying patriotism. I would encourage Trump to set the tone for leadership that will reflect the values of our past great presidents. The moment is his to take. He can choose to unite an entire nation or merely appeal to his base. America deserves a leader who puts the country above self. Abraham Lincoln knew this all too well. In his first inaugural address, he appealed to our better angels. We are not enemies, but friends, he said. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. Great leaders are great communicators. Andrew L. Norton, Dallas Advertisement Article continues below this ad Deserving recognition Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseths removal of Hispanic Heritage Month from the military calendar does not diminish the fact that nearly 20% of active-duty armed forces members are Hispanic. The Hispanic culture deserves to be recognized by the U.S. military as the significant section of the group of fine men and women who defend and protect America. Hegseth said the observances undermined unity among the troops and were a distraction. Advertisement Article continues below this ad On the contrary, it highlights achievements that Hispanics may never have had the opportunity to reach if not supported by our mighty militarys training. I believe it encourages joining the military, since there are opportunities for young Hispanic men and women they may not have in civilian life. My own service in United States Marine Corps in my formative years taught me discipline and life lessons I still use at 94 years of age. Hispanic Heritage Month should be celebrated by all parts of our government, not eliminated and ignored. Moses P. Saldana Sr., Austin Advertisement Article continues below this ad Members of the Junior ROTC program at Western International High School, located in a Mexican-American community in Detroit, participate in a parade in May. The military offers opportunities for young Hispanic men and women that they may not have in civilian life, a reader says. UCG/UCG/Universal Images Group via G No longer safe I urge U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz along with all U.S. representatives from Texas to issue a joint statement to their constituents. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It is time to lower the political tension in our country. All leaders of both parties need to issue joint bipartisan statements to their constituents to stop political violence and return to civil discourse. We, as a country, can no longer live safely in this environment. Norma Hackler, Austin Honor killed children As President Donald Trump ordered all flags to be flown at half staff in memory of Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed on Sept. 10, I couldnt help but wonder why American parents havent demanded that flags be flown at half staff every single day in memory of their children killed by guns. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Tragically, the problem with memorializing a different child every day is that it would take more than three years to honor the 1,403 children who were killed by a firearm in 2024. In the coming years, if Congress still hasnt banned assault weapons, bump stocks and high capacity magazines, and hasnt required secure gun storage in homes with children, Im afraid that we will be forced to watch once again as gun violence kills more than 40,000 Americans every year, including hundreds of innocent children. Sharon Austry, Fort Worth Advertisement Article continues below this ad With the flags lowered at half staff after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a reader wondered why flags are not similarly lowered each time a child is killed with a firearm. J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press Where's the outrage? Where are the protests? Where are the patriots decrying the loss of our First Amendment rights? College campuses seethed over the Middle East conflict. Why are they silent while the Trump administration destroys America? Advertisement Article continues below this ad Where is the medical community? Why arent doctors, nurses and scientists dedicated to finding cures, marching in the streets to uphold their right to save lives? Where are those academicians devoted to education and not regurgitation? Where are the clergy? Why arent religious leaders of every denomination railing against the defunding of programs that help the poor, heal the sick and feed the hungry? Why are some complicit in perpetuating the horrors of performative Christianity by supporting a president who cares only to enrich himself? Where are our veterans who were willing to save our democracy? Advertisement Article continues below this ad At a time when President Donald Trump is brazenly shredding our Constitution, where are we? Barbara Chiarello, Austin Taking away safe air An important process just finished in Washington, D.C. that will directly affect the air we breathe in Texas. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) closed its comment period on a proposal to weaken our nation's clean air standards. The agency now faces a choice: protect our families health or give in to wealthy polluters. The proposal targets the Endangerment Finding the legal determination that certain toxic air pollutants are harmful to human health. This finding has been upheld by federal courts, and in fact was required by the Supreme Court to ensure a consistent national approach. It is the reason we have standards that keep smog, soot and other emissions in check, protecting our well-being. For Texans, undoing this finding would threaten the health of our children, our elderly and our neighbors. When air quality declines, we see more children struggling with asthma attacks and more seniors facing respiratory distress. The burden of these health crises falls on families through missed school days, lost work and trips to the emergency room. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Thats why thousands of Americans submitted comments urging the EPA to maintain these protections. They were joined by local elected leaders from across Texas. The EPAs duty is to protect public health. We urge them to uphold that mission. They must listen to Texans, not wealthy polluters, and preserve the safeguards that keep Texas air safe to breathe. Carissa Dutton, Garland Advertisement Article continues below this ad U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star and its crew return home in Seattle on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. (Annika Hirschler/U.S. Coast Guard) The Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star returned to its home port of Seattle on Tuesday after spending nearly a year away from the city, a service news release said. The cutters 308 days away from home included participation in Operation Deep Freeze 2025 and some time receiving upgrades at Mare Island Dry Dock in Vallejo, Calif. Those upgrades were part of the vessels five-year Service Life Extension. The 49-year-old vessel is undergoing the service extension while the Coast Guard awaits the acquisition of new heavy icebreakers, called Polar Security Cutters. The services attempt to acquire new heavy icebreakers has been criticized by lawmakers for delays and cost overruns. Concern over the Coast Guards polar-capable fleet has increased in recent years as Russia and China have stepped up their operations in the Arctic. The service in July received a $25 billion funding boost in part to acquire such icebreakers. Polar Star is the United States only heavy icebreaker and one of three icebreakers operated by the Coast Guard, so its maintenance is an important stopgap as the service enlarges its polar fleet. Much has been asked of this ship over the past five decades, said Polar Stars commanding officer, Capt. Jeff Rasnake, according to the release. The completion of this extensive five-year maintenance and recapitalization project is a major milestone in enabling Polar Stars operations into the future. Rasnake also noted that the ship is in better shape today than it was a decade ago. The ship is the most powerful non-nuclear icebreaker in the world, the release said. The groundbreaking ceremony for a landmark U.S. military fuel storage facility in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on Sept. 15, 2025, was attended by Adm. Samuel Paparo, the commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. (Angel Heraldez/U.S. Indo-Pacific Command) (Tribune News Service) The U.S. military is continuing to pursue its post-Red Hill refueling strategy in the Pacific with a new facility under construction in Papua New Guinea. Adm. Samuel Paparo, the commander of the Hawaii-based U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, visited the country last week with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau as PNG celebrated its 50th anniversary of independence from Australia. While there, Paparo also attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the new fuel facility in Port Moresby. Photos released by the military showed Paparo and other dignitaries on Sept. 15 posing with hard hats and shovels to celebrate the official beginning of construction of the fuel complex, which is expected to hold about 70 million gallons of fuel. According to a news release, the construction contract was awarded to DGCI Corp., an aerospace and defense company based in McLean, Va. and projected to be completed in 2030 to the tune of $400 million. As the military looks to permanently shut down its Red Hill fuel storage on Oahu, its continuing to look for ways to make up for the loss of the facility, which was capable of storing up to 250 million gallons. It has been pursuing a distributed fueling strategy, putting more of its fuel reserves in various other facilities and tanker ships spread across the region. Lately China and the U.S. have been competing for influence in the Pacific Islands, with Papua New Guinea (PNG ) a key focus for the two superpowers. PNG is the most populous Pacific Island nation and has a diverse population that speaks more than 800 indigenous languages. Its also rich in gold, nickel and natural gas and has long attracted attention from outsiders keen to harvest them. Chinese President Xi Jinping visited in 2018 when Port Moresby hosted the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders summit. In 2023, then-President Joe Biden was set to become the first sitting U.S. President to visit the country, but canceled on short notice to focus on debt limit talks in Washington and sent Secretary of State Antony Blinken in his place. During Paparos visit he met with Prime Minister James Marape and other officials, including talks with officials from Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. Paparos engagements in PNG were part of a wider regional tour that included stops in South Korea, Japan and the Marshall Islands as American commanders in Hawaii work to bolster alliances amid tensions with China. The Pentagon was forced to defuel Red Hill which sits just 100 feet above a critical aquifer most of Oahu relies on for clean water after fuel from the facility leaked in 2021, contaminating the Navys Oahu water supply that serves 93, 000 people. The contamination affected both both military families and civilians living in former military housing areas on the Navy water line, with thousands reporting intense rashes, gastrointestinal issues, breathing problems and a variety of other ailments that in some cases led to hospitalizations. The Pentagon initially resisted a state emergency order to defuel the tanks, but eventually assembled a task force in 2022 that removed most of the fuel by March 2024. Though the Navy had for years insisted that the facility was safe and critical for national security, it later acknowledged the World War II-era complex had fallen into deep disrepair and that the task force needed to make extensive repairs and upgrades to safely remove the fuel. The military has since said that spreading out its strategic fuel reserves smaller facilities and tankers will actually make its fueling operations more flexible and resilient, as well as allow American forces access to fuel closer to potential conflict zones in the Western Pacific. But shortly after the Pentagon announced initial defueling plans, a senior defense official told the Star-Advertiser we think weve got enough to be able to get us in the right direction (but ) its not going to be enough long term. I mean, obviously, were gonna have to offset the loss of Red Hill. When the military first emptied the fuel from Red Hill, it ferried usable fuel to storage facilities in West Oahu run by Island Energy Services at Campbell Industrial Park, to a fuel storage point in San Diego, Calif., a fuel storage point in the Philippines at Subic Bay, and another fuel storage point in Singapore. PNGs strategic location makes it an attractive one for the U.S. and its allies to add to the list as they seek more logistics hubs across the region. Paparo has made regular visits to the island nation both as commander as the Navys Pacific Fleet and since being promoted to commander of all American forces in the region as he looks to bolster relations and expand access for American forces. He has also been in regular contact from his office at Camp Smith. The new fuel facility is part of a wider 2023 defense agreement between the U.S. and PNG to increase cooperation. In April, U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command broke ground for two new facilities at the PNGs Lombrum Naval Base on Manus Island north of the nations main island that the U.S. embassy said would support maritime readiness, enhance the capabilities of the Papua New Guinea Defense Force, and support long-term regional security in the Indo-Pacific. Lombrum once housed as many as 30, 000 U.S. military personnel during World War II as they fought island hopping campaigns against Imperial Japanese forces. At the same time as the Navy began its latest work on Manus, soldiers from the Schofield Barracks-based 130th Engineer Brigade joined by other Army units from around the U.S. were training in the country with local forces as part of the annual Exercise Tamiok Strike. The increased military engagement hasnt been without critics. Not long after the agreement was signed, former PNG prime minister Peter ONeill told The Guardian that Marape had placed the island nation at the epicenter of a military storm between China and the USA by agreeing to enter into defense arrangements with both superpowers without consultation with our people. Meanwhile, the longterm impact of U.S. fueling operations in the Pacific continues to be heavily scrutinized. The Red Hill fuel sent to Subic Bay sparked controversy in the Philippines. Just as the contracted commercial tanker carrying it was nearing the end of its voyage in January 2024, Philippine Sen. Imee Marcos released a statement accusing the U.S. and Philippine governments of a lack of transparency regarding the shipment. The shipment was temporarily delayed and prompted scattered protests. In April 2024, the Pentagon Inspector General office released an investigation of military fuel facilities worldwide prompted by the Red Hill crisis that found that across the board there had been poor oversight and record keeping, resulting in an increased risk of fuel leaks and spills, which could endanger public health, harm natural resources, and lead to mission failure. This July the Honolulu Board of Water Supply filed a federal civil tort complaint in the U.S. District Court of Hawaii in which it said it is suing the Navy over its handling of fuel leaks at and around Red Hill over the decades since it was built, in particular looking at harm that may have come to the aquifer. BWS has estimated the cost of past, current and future impacts from fuel leaks at $1.2 billion. 2025 The Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Visit www.staradvertiser.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Travis Decker was an infantryman in the Army from March 2013 to July 2021. (Wenatchee Police Department via TNS) SEATTLE (Tribune News Service) How Travis Decker died will likely never be known, the Chelan County Coroner said Friday. DNA lab results on Thursday confirmed that Decker, accused of killing his three daughters outside of Leavenworth, is dead. Deckers remains were found less than a mile from where the girls Olivia, 5; Evelyn, 8; and Paityn, 9 were found dead in early June. The news officially brought to an end a nearly four-month search through rugged terrain for the U.S. Army veteran. But an autopsy to determine time and manner of death is not possible on the remains, according to Chelan County Coroner Wayne E. Harris. The few skeletal bones authorities found were damaged by summer heat and animal activity in the area, Harris wrote in an email. The remains were found in five different areas, hundreds of yards away from each other, likely scattered by animals. Although geographically close, thick vegetation, dense woods and the steep slopes of Grindstone Mountain stood between the two sites. The remains included feet, femurs, a finger, rib bones and parts of a spinal column, as well as clothing from the last outfit Travis Decker was seen wearing a green shirt, Army pants and a bracelet, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison said last week. They had been there long enough to decompose. Deckers torso and cranium, which may hold the clues necessary to prove a cause of death, have not been recovered, Harris wrote. An autopsy cannot be done, Harris stated. Harris also said the remains were examined by a state anthropologist who determined there were no fractures in the bones indicating a fall. I realize that this story has been of great interest to many, Harris wrote, adding that in this field of work, answers are not always known. The greatest hope is now the Decker family and the community can begin to heal. The Decker sisters were reported missing May 30 after their father failed to return them to their mothers Wenatchee home per a court-ordered custody agreement. The girls were found a couple days later, fatally suffocated with their wrists bound, near Deckers 2017 GMC Sierra pickup. Decker was charged with their murder and kidnapping. Decker was an infantryman in the Army from March 2013 to July 2021 and deployed to Afghanistan for four months in 2014. He had training in navigation, survival and other skills, authorities said, and once spent more than two months living in the backwoods off the grid. This has been a very dark chapter, Morrison said Thursday. Youre looking at one of the largest manhunts in Chelan County history, one of the most horrific crimes weve seen in Chelan County, and were glad to put it behind us. The Associated Press contributed to this report. 2025 The Seattle Times Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC An undated photo shows a sign on Interstate 5 for exits to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, south of Tacoma, Wash. (Gary Warner/Stars and Stripes) TACOMA, Wash. (Tribune News Service) A former soldier previously stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord was sentenced Friday in U.S. District Court to 25 years in prison for sexually abusing four children between ages 3 and 11 and threatening them so they would keep quiet. Jonathan Gentry, 36, pleaded guilty in July to three counts of abusive sexual contact with a minor and one count of sexual abuse of a minor for acts that occurred from 2010 to 2014. He was indicted in December. Prosecutors said Gentry was previously arrested by military police in 2013 for sexually touching a 13-year-old girl and her friend. Gentry was court-martialed and sentenced to two years in military prison. Years later, four other children who were left in his care came forward about what prosecutors called horrific sexual abuse. The victims were helpless children, Judge David G. Estudillo said at Gentrys sentencing hearing in Tacoma. You were the monster that was living with them. You scarred these victims for the rest of their lives. One victim who prosecutors said was repeatedly raped by Gentry when they were between 5 and 9 years old estimated that the abuse took place almost daily until they graduated kindergarten. Two other victims reported that Gentry threatened to harm or kill their families if they didnt do what he said. Gentrys appointed defense attorney, Lance Hester, requested that his client receive no further period of incarceration while remaining on a lengthy term of supervised release. The attorney wrote in a sentencing memorandum that such a sentence would recognize Gentrys insistence that the victims avoid the rigors of participating in a trial and the extreme lapse in time from when the conduct occurred to when his accusers made their reports. In a letter to the judge, Gentry said he accepted full responsibility for the actions he was accused of and said that since his previous incarceration he has worked to build a new life. He said the last 10 years had shown that he was not a danger to the community or the victims. I also accept responsibility for becoming part of their lives without being able to live up to the responsibilities of a young adult, Gentry wrote. I failed to provide the safe space those children needed to grow, learn, and become healthy members of society. Instead, by my choices, I led them onto a more difficult path. Hester said Gentry joined the Army after he was married, and he and his wife had a daughter in 2010. Gentry was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, where Hester said Gentry was exposed to dangerous and stressful conditions. When he returned to his home on JBLM, the attorney said, Gentry found that his wife had let the house become filthy, and Child Protective Services contacted her over the conditions and their childrens well-being. Gentry and his wife began drinking heavily, according to Hester, which frequently resulted in Gentry blacking out. He was also depressed and suicidal, and when Gentry was accused of molesting a girl in 2013, Hester said, Gentry didnt fight the accusations because he knew he had frequent blackouts and he didnt want to put his family through trauma. Prosecutors said neither the difficulties Gentry experienced in childhood nor his time out of custody without new criminal charges could excuse the suffering he inflicted on his victims. They said the delay in catching him doesnt undermine the damage he caused or take away the fact he is a prolific child pedophile with at least six known victims. Defense will likely argue for a lower sentence because Gentry has been in the community allegedly crime free, prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memorandum. But the truth is, we have no idea whether Gentry has other victims considering he successfully scared at least these four victims into silence for over ten years. In one 2013 incident, court records described Gentry providing alcohol to a girl and one of the victims. After they went to bed, Gentry carried the victim from the bedroom to the living room, where he forced alcohol down her throat, sexually assaulted the victim and stopped them from trying to crawl away from him to continue molesting them. Prosecutors said the sexual abuse had a profound and lasting effect on the victims. One reportedly described deep anxiety, difficulty trusting people and ongoing night terrors. 2025 The News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.). Visit www.TheNewsTribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Europa Press Malaga Saturday, 27 September 2025, 20:50 Share Spain's state meteorological agency (Aemet) has issued a special weather warning for "very heavy and persistent rains" that will affect the southern and eastern thirds of the mainland in the coming hours as a result of the storm from the former hurricane Gabrielle that will penetrate from the west to many parts of the country. Aemet puts special focus on the Mediterranean slope where low pressure and subtropical humidity could lead to very heavy and persistent rains in the coming days. Zoom Areas of Spain under yellow and amber weather alerts from midnight Sunday through Monday 29 September. Aemet "The downpours may result in local flash and sudden flooding in low-lying areas, streams and wadis, so the potential danger level of this situation is high," Aemet warned in its statement. Higher risk in the Valencia region Aemet warned that the last days of September will be the most complicated in terms of the weather. It is estimated that locally heavy or very heavy and persistent thunderstorms will occur along the eastern third of the Spanish mainland, the Costa del Sol and around the Strait of Gibraltar. However, the highest intensities and accumulations are expected in the south of the Valencian region, and especially in the province of Valencia, between Monday and the first half of Tuesday, when they could exceed 200-250mm with torrential intensities. With the arrival of the stormSpain, the first precipitation will arrive this Saturday in Galicia and intervals of strong wind in areas of the southeast. From the early hours of the last Sunday of September, rainfall will move from the west to the centre and east of the mainland. The state agency warned that in the west of Andalucia and Extremadura there could be heavy showers and in parts of Aragon, the southern plateau, Catalonia and Valencia, even in the form of hail. Finally, Aemet stressed the "high uncertainty in the path of the storm", so it is recommended to closely follow the updates of the forecasts and warnings over the next few hours. Sherri Shepherd recently revealed that she spent some time behind bars after believing the rapture was coming. On Wednesdays episode of her talk show Sherri, Shepherd explained how her religious upbringing emphasized the prophetic end-of-the-world event, in which Jesus returns to Earth to gather all Christians to Heaven. Believing the rapture was near, Shepherd reasoned that she no longer had to keep up with her bills and taxes. I used to be in a religion that told me that the rapture was coming. They told us to get our house in order and I said Why? Im not going to need a house. Where Im going I dont need those worldly possessions. So yeah, I didnt pay my bills. I didnt pay my taxes. I didnt pay my traffic tickets. Because why would I pay anything when the worlds about to end? Shepherd said. The former View co-host also revealed that at the time, her car registration had been expired for two years and she had accumulated over $10,000 in unpaid parking tickets. She jokingly added, Jesus dont care about no parking tickets. But when the world didnt end like she believed it would, Shepherd faced repercussions. Well, the world never ended. I went to jail, she revealed. She ultimately served eight days behind bars, adding, And because I fell for the rapture, I became a hardened criminal. Shepherd shared this personal experience after addressing a viral TikTok video in which a South African man claimed the rapture was set to occur on Sept. 23, 2025. Before admitting to her stint in jail, Shepherd told audiences, I didnt plan on being here today. I thought the rapture was going to take me up to heaven. She continued: Let me tell you. I believe in the rapture, I believe it was coming. But this one, I didnt fall for the okey-doke. Doris Aleman-Bonilla is expected to plead guilty Monday in federal court to a lesser immigration charge after two hung juries and six months in jail. Aleman-Bonilla, 30, of Honduras, was charged with illegal re-entry, a felony, after a Border Patrol agent and an Oswego County sheriffs deputy pulled over her car and arrested her in April. Aleman-Bonilla fought the charge at trial first in July and again last week. Two juries of 12 people failed to come to consensus. Jurors in the second trial were split 8-4 in finding against the government in an acquittal, two jurors told syracuse.com. Still, Acting U.S. Attorney John Sarcone told Judge Elizabeth Coombe after the second hung jury that he would try a third time to prosecute Aleman-Bonilla, who lived in Fulton. A new trial was set for Oct. 6. But the sides continued to negotiate, leading to a plea bargain. On Monday, she is expected to plead guilty to illegal entry, a misdemeanor. For the government, the plea bargain ensures a conviction, avoids the possible embarrassment of a third loss, starts the deportation process and ends the cost of these trials. For Aleman-Bonilla, it removes her from limbo in jail, guarantees a lesser conviction and allows her to begin a new legal move against that deportation. It marks the end of an extraordinarily lengthy jail term for the charge before Aleman-Bonilla. But her immigration fight is just beginning. She is likely to be picked up by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers before she leaves the Oneida County jail. From there, she will likely be taken to an ICE detention center and start a new process: a longshot effort to convince a civil immigration court judge to allow her to stay. Aleman-Bonilla fled Honduras at age 18 with her two teenagers, her sisters and her mother after death threats from a man who thought she had shared information with police about a murder, she said in court documents. Mexico offered asylum. They lived there legally, where she worked in a factory, until her luck ran out at the end of 2020, she said. Mexico, like Honduras, is plagued by gang crime. Two men with guns kidnapped Aleman-Bonilla and her children while they played in a park, she said. The men tied them up, put gags in their mouths and hid them in a remote location, she said. Aleman-Bonilla said the men raped her. They browsed recent contacts in her phone and called her brother to demand money. She said she would do anything if the men let her children go. Anything meant swimming 50-pound backpacks across the river into the U.S for a Mexican drug cartel, she said. She did it over and over until one day, she saw a break, she said. She escaped into Texas. Aleman-Bonilla made her way from Texas to Indianapolis to Fulton, N.Y., where she lived with her husband and two children. She drove people to and from work at an apple-packing business for $30 a week. On April 1, a Border Patrol officer was riding with an Oswego County sheriffs deputy in his car when the deputy pulled Aleman-Bonilla over while she drove four people to work. The officers said her car registration had expired three months earlier. The arrest was among the first in Central New York since President Donald Trump took office in January and promised to prosecute undocumented immigrants. The case was the first to go to trial in the Northern District of New York. Immigration has inflamed residents on both sides in a district that stretches from Canada to Pennsylvania. Advocates have protested enforcement actions along the streets of Fulton and Oswego and in downtown Syracuse, just outside the courthouse. Prosecutors in Aleman-Bonillas trials have struggled with the jurors reaction to one element of the case. The government must prove that the person was in the country voluntarily. Aleman-Bonillas lawyers wanted the jury to know of her claim that she came to the U.S. at gunpoint and stayed here because she fears she will be killed if she returns to Honduras. Judge Coombe sided with the government and blocked Aleman-Bonilla from telling that story to the jury. The judge said the story was not relevant to the limited elements the government had to prove and its shocking nature risked unfairly causing sympathy with the jury. In both trials, Aleman-Bonillas attorneys invited jurors to consider what was missing from the governments case. Both juries struggled with the holes in the governments story, jurors said. A hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday in federal court in Syracuse for Aleman-Bonilla to change her plea. Oswego, N.Y. - Low levels of the measles virus were detected in a wastewater sample collected earlier this week from an Oswego County treatment facility, according to the state Department of Health. The treatment facility serves parts of the City of Oswego and surrounding areas. The results may indicate that at least one person with the virus was in the county, according to a news release issued Saturday by the health department. No measles cases have been reported in the area. This detection does not mean there is an outbreak, state Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. It is, however, a timely reminder to make sure you and your family are up to date on the MMR vaccine and to keep an eye out for symptoms. In Oswego County, 87.8 percent of children under two years old are immunized for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), leaving some children and adults susceptible to infection, officials said. In Central New York, the immunization rate is 87.1%, according to state health department data. In Onondaga County, the rate is 89.2% Statewide, the immunizations rate is 81.2%. The lowest rates reported are Yates County at 55.8% and the highest is Niagara County at 89.3%. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known, and even small groups of under-immunized people can allow the virus to spread, officials said. About 1 in 10 people with measles require hospitalization. People can protect themselves from obtaining and spreading the virus by checking their vaccination status and knowing the symptoms, officials said. Measles typically begins with a fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. A rash typically appears several days later, starting on the face and spreading across the body, and it may come with a fever that can spike above 104 degrees. Measles spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and the virus can linger in the air for up to two hours. Measles can be transmitted four days before the rash appears and until four days afterward, according to the release. The incubation period is typically between seven and 14 days, but symptoms can appear up to 21 days after exposure. Most people born before 1957 are considered immune to measles because they were likely exposed to it. Anyone who is unsure of their vaccination status should contact their health care provider or local health department, officials said. The health department urges people to be fully vaccinated against measles, particularly before international travel or travel to areas of the U.S. experiencing outbreaks. The detection was from one of two locations tested by the national commercial company, WastewaterSCAN, officials said. The states Wadsworth Center has routinely tested for measles in wastewater samples from locations around the state since October 2024. The detected sample was above the national programs reporting threshold. Further testing will be performed by both the WastewaterSCAN and the Wadsworth Center next week. Early bowhunting season for deer opened Sept. 27 in the Northern Zone and runs through Oct. 24. The early bowhunting season for deer and bear in the Southern Zone is Oct. 1-Nov. 14 (bear season opened Sept. 13 in the Northern Zone). For the first time, hunters in New York can use a crossbow for hunting deer and bear anywhere that hunters can take a vertical bow. While a relatively small number of hunters in NY were licensed to use crossbows for more than a decade, state law limited the locations, times, and types of crossbows that could be taken afield. But a new law making crossbows equivalent to vertical bows for hunting removed those barriers. The law got rid of minimum width and maximum draw weight requirements for crossbows, allowing hunters much greater choice in selecting a crossbow that suits them. Expanding use of crossbows in urban and suburban areas will make them effective tools for deer management, DEC said, and also create more opportunities for hunters of diverse backgrounds to hunt near where they live. Dont forget, you still need a hunting license and bowhunting privilege to hunt deer and bear with a crossbow during bowhunting season. DEC map showing dates for regular and bowhunting deer seasons. NYS DEC Deer Management Permits The application deadline for DMPs is Oct. 1. Before applying, make sure you know the specific Wildlife Management Unit you intend to hunt. Your chances of being selected for a DMP remain the same throughout the entire application period. DEC has more information about DMPs online. Columbus Day Youth Big Game Hunt The annual Youth Big Game Hunt for youth aged 14-15 occurs Columbus Day weekend, Oct. 11-13, throughout the state (except in Suffolk and Westchester counties and a few bowhunting-only areas). Youth hunters aged 12-13 may only participate in counties that allow 1213-year-olds to hunt deer with a firearm, which currently includes every county in the state except Erie and Rockland counties. During the youth big game hunt supervising adults may not carry a firearm or bow while supervising a youth hunter. During the youth firearms big game hunt, youth hunters may: Harvest 1 deer and 1 bear if the hunter is 14- or 15-years-old. Harvest 1 deer if the youth hunter is 12- or 13-years-old. Use a DMP (antlerless-only), Deer Management Assistance Program tag (antlerless-only), or a regular season tag. During the youth firearms big game hunt, youth hunters may use the regular season tag for a deer of either sex. Additional rules for junior hunters and their adult mentors can be found on pages 44 and 45 of the Hunting and Trapping Guide. Example of deer afflicted with Chronic Wasting Disease in Wisconsin. (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources photo). al.com Chronic Wasting Disease sampling In fall 2024, CWD was discovered in a captive deer facility in the town of Columbia in southern Herkimer County. CWD is always fatal in deer, moose, and elk. The facility was depopulated. No cases of CWD were reported in wild deer. But more testing is needed, DEC said. DEC is asking hunters in the towns of Columbia, German Flatts, Litchfield, Warren, or Winfield in Herkimer County, and the town of Richfield in Otsego County, to submit the head of all deer they harvest. You can find CWD Sampling drop box locations in each town. Take It Tag It Report It By law hunters are required to report their deer, bear, or turkey harvest within seven days. Its critical to effective wildlife management, and DEC has made it easy with its HuntFishNY mobile app. Venison Donation Program Help feed the hungry by donating all or part of your deer through cooperating processors, or by making a monetary contribution to the Venison Donation Program. To reduce the potential for lead fragments in venison, donate deer taken with bow or crossbow or use lead-free ammunition. Check out DECs website to learn more best practices for venison processing or lead-free ammunition. Brantley Cali, 12, sent us this pic of a beautiful eight-pointer he shot during the 2024 youth big game hunt. Amanda Cali Send us your big game pics! On Friday, police named a new suspect in the 1991 unsolved murder case of four teenage girls at a yogurt shop in Austin, Texas. In a statement, Austin police named Robert Eugene Brashers as the suspect, noting that he died by suicide in 1999. According to the Austin Statesman, Brashers, who was from Arkansas, was never considered a possible suspect during the 34-year investigation. However, retired Austin detective John Jones told CBS News48 Hours on Friday that the gun Brashers used to shoot himself is allegedly consistent with a bullet casing found in a drain inside the yogurt shop. Moriarty explained that DNA evidence was used to make this connection. This undated photo provided by the Missouri State Highway Patrol shows Robert Brashers, who has been connected to murders and rapes in other states (Missouri State Highway Patrol via AP) AP Police further noted that this remains an open and ongoing investigation. A press conference for Monday, Sept. 29, to announce their findings. This announcement comes one month after HBO released The Yogurt Shop Murders docuseries, which follows the tragic crime and the decades-long investigation that followed. On December 6, 1991, Amy Ayers, 13; Eliza Thomas, 17; and sisters Jennifer and Sarah Harbison, ages 17 and 15, were found gagged, tied up with their own clothing, and shot in the head at the I Cant Believe Its Yogurt shop where two of them worked. The shop was then set on fire to destroy evidence. According to investigators, someone had entered the store through the back door around closing time and then attacked the girls before setting the place on fire. Firefighters arrived at the scene, where they discovered the girls bodies inside. In 1999, authorities arrested four men on murder charges connected to the quadruple homicide. According to CBS, all these men were teenagers at the time. Charges were dropped against two of the men Maurice Pierce and Forrest Welborn due to lack of evidence. However, the other two men, Robert Springsteen and Michael Scott, went on trial after they confessed to the crime. However, they later recanted their confessions, claiming they were coerced by police to make those statements. At the time, their retracted confessions were the only evidence investigators had against them. In 2009, the men were freed after new DNA testing became available and linked another male to the crime. A partial male DNA profile obtained from one of the girls didnt match any of the men arrested. According to the Associated Press, Brasher was previously linked to several killings and rape in other states. These include the strangulation of a South Carolina woman in 1990 and the shooting of a mother and daughter in Missouri in 1998. Brashers was also connected to the 1997 rape of a 14-year-old girl in Tennessee. He died in 1999 after shooting himself during an hours-long standoff with police at a motel in Kennett, Missouri. An adult doe found acting ill in Gaines Township recently tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD). Genesee is now the 16th Michigan county where CWD has been identified in the wild deer population, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The CWD finding was confirmed by the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, which works with the DNR to identify CWD in Michigans wild deer herd. The sample will be sent to the U.S. Department of Agricultures National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa for secondary confirmation. CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer, elk and moose. To date, the disease has also been detected in the following Michigan counties: Clinton, Dickinson, Eaton, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Mecosta, Midland, Montcalm, Ogemaw and Washtenaw. CWD is a chronic, slow-developing disease that spreads slowly across the landscape. It can be present in new areas at very low levels, making it difficult to detect. Genesee County was under focused CWD surveillance in 2022, when approximately 300 deer were tested, with none testing positive. The DNR has continued to test deer that appear sick in Genesee County when possible. The 2.5-year-old doe that tested positive was reported as very skinny and drinking continuously, and it walked directly up to a conservation officer who responded to a public report. Public reporting of sick acting deer is one of the best tools available to the DNR for identifying CWD that may exist at low prevalence in previously undetected areas. We appreciate the support and cooperation of the public as they continue to report sick deer so our team can follow up with the necessary testing for confirmation, said Brent Rudolph, DNR deer, elk and moose management specialist. Though many reported deer turn out not to be infected, the care thats demonstrated when people take the time to share their observations is a critical contribution to our disease-testing efforts. Deer that appear lethargic, disoriented, lame or unresponsive are good candidates for CWD testing, though these symptoms are characteristic of deer affected by other maladies or injuries as well. The public is encouraged to report sick deer at Michigan.gov/EyesInTheField. The DNRs work with researchers and hunters to detect and slow the spread of CWD is possible because of limited general fund dollars allocated by the Michigan state Legislature. Testing strategy and options for hunters In total, more than 144,000 wild deer have been tested through DNR surveillance efforts that started in 2002, with 263 CWD-positive deer identified. In addition, since direct hunter submissions of deer to MSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, began in 2020, more than 3,200 submitted samples have yielded 56 additional confirmed positives. There are several testing options available to hunters, depending on their hunting location. In 2025, focused testing will continue in Baraga, Chippewa, Dickinson, Houghton, Iosco, Keweenaw, Luce, Mackinac, Ogemaw, Ontonagon and Schoolcraft counites in the Lower and Upper peninsulas. More information on CWD testing in these counties and a link to find DNR drop boxes and staffed sample submission sites are available on the CWD testing webpage. Free self-sample submission kits have been available in limited areas for the last three years. Kits allow hunters to remove lymph nodes and ship them directly to the MSU VDL at no cost. Hunters can pick up a kit at a local distribution site. If hunters choose not to pick up a kit, testing is available for a fee through direct submission to a cooperating USDA-approved diagnostic laboratory. Safety recommendations To date, there have been no reported cases of CWD infection in people. However, as a precaution, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that infected animals not be consumed as food by either humans or domestic animals. Hunters should wear rubber gloves, minimize contact with the deers brain and spinal tissue, and wash hands with soap and warm water after handling any parts of the carcass. Proper disposal of a deer carcass is critical to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease. Deer carcasses and parts should go directly to a landfill or be disposed of through regular bagged trash pickup. Deer harvested from known CWD areas should never be disposed of on the landscape. For more information on chronic wasting disease, visit Michigan.gov/CWD. The Fenton & Linden Regional Chamber of Commerce is hosting an evening community conversation focusing on local candidates up for election this November. The event will take place at the Fenton Community & Cultural Center on Wednesday, Oct. 1 from 6 until 8 p.m. The presentation starts at 6:30 p.m. Candidates on the ballot this year include current Mayor Sue Osborn and council members David McDermott, Tracy Botticelli and Mark Suchowski. According to the events flyer, other representatives and candidates from local government are invited to speak and introduce themselves but are not on this years panel. Attendees can expect to hear from candidates, learn their priorities for the community of Fenton and get informed before election day occurs on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Light refreshments will be provided for attendees. More information on the event can be found at https://www.fentonlindenchamber.com/. An Aussie tycoon bets billions on cleaning up iron ore giant New York, Sept 26 (AFP) Sep 26, 2025 Moored off a Manhattan pier for New York's annual Climate Week is one of the world's first ammonia-powered vessels -- a green flagship for an Australian tycoon's drive to decarbonize his mining empire. Even as President Donald Trump's second term has triggered environmental backtracking among many corporations, iron ore giant Fortescue -- founded by Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest -- is investing billions to clean up its dirty operations. "We're a huge polluter right now," he told AFP in an interview aboard the Green Pioneer, a 75-meter former oil-rig supply ship given a swish makeover. "But we're changing so fast, and within five years, we'll stop burning fossil fuels." The Green Pioneer is meant to be the first in a fleet of ammonia-powered ships. Ammonia contains what Forrest calls the "miracle molecule" -- hydrogen -- which burns to produce harmless nitrogen and water, though incomplete combustion of ammonia can still generate a greenhouse gas. - 'Real Zero,' not offsets - At 63, Forrest has become a fixture at global summits, rubbing shoulders with leaders such as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as he evangelizes his climate vision. Where other companies tout green credentials by buying carbon credits -- generated through nature protection or carbon-removal projects for example -- to claim "net zero," Forrest dismisses the practice as a scam. "Carbon credits have already been proved by science to be next to worthless," said Forrest, whose net worth Forbes pegs at more than $16 billion. "That's why we go 'Real Zero.'" Achieving genuine decarbonization by 2030 is no small feat, particularly in one of the world's dirtiest industries. Fortescue's plan involves replacing diesel-powered mining equipment with electric excavators and drills; building vast wind, solar and battery farms to power operations; and running battery-powered haul trucks. Further along the value chain, the company wants to process its own iron ore -- the stage responsible for the lion's share of emissions -- using "green hydrogen" produced by splitting water molecules with renewable electricity, instead of coke or thermal coal. "Fortescue's climate commitments are certainly different to most other corporations, including its peers in the iron ore mining sector" such as Rio Tinto and BHP, Simon Nicholas, the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis' lead analyst for global steel told AFP. "It has a 'green iron' pilot plant under construction in Australia which will use green hydrogen. The company is aiming to eventually process all of its iron ore into iron for export -- about 100 million tonnes a year" -- and even getting close to those targets would be transformative, said Nicholas. - Technical challenges - But he cautioned that the technological hurdles remain immense: green hydrogen is still expensive, and the pilot plant must prove it can handle lower-grade ore. Then there's the inherent ecological cost of mining. "If you destroy parts of a forest, including its soils, for your mining operation, even if you don't use fossil fuels for your operations, you will not be 'true zero,'" Oscar Soria, co-director of The Common Initiative think tank told AFP. Forrest's outlook is grounded in his personal journey. Raised in the Australian Outback, where he earned the nickname "Twiggy" for his skinny childhood frame, he got his start in finance before taking over a company and renaming it Fortescue Metals Group in 2003. Forrest said his environmental commitment deepened after a hiking accident in 2014 left him temporarily wheelchair-bound. Encouraged by his children, he returned to university and completed a PhD in marine ecology. "That convinced me I've got to put every fiber of my being into arresting this threat so much bigger than any geostrategic issues, so much bigger than politics, so much bigger than anything," he said. Climate now sits at the heart of his philanthropic Minderoo Foundation. And while the Trump administration derides the "green scam" as economically catastrophic, Forrest insists the opposite is true, pointing to Fortescue's financial record. "Don't accuse us of being unbusiness-like. We're the most business-like in the world." Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant off grid for days; Russia and Ukraine trade accusations Kyiv, Ukraine, Sept 27 (AFP) Sep 27, 2025 The Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant has been off the grid for four days in a row, Ukraine and Russia said Saturday, accusing each other of attacking power supply lines. Though blackouts at Europe's biggest nuclear power plant are frequent due to its proximity to the front line, the current one is the longest so far, which experts warn raises risks of incidents. "As a result of Russian actions, the Zaporizhzhia NPP (Nuclear Power Plant) has been without power for the fourth day," Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said on X. Russia said the power plant has been receiving backup power supply since Tuesday, when it said Ukraine attacked the grid. "From September 23, 2025, the power supply for the needs of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is provided by backup diesel generators," the Moscow-backed operator of the station said on Telegram. It added that there were "sufficient" reserves of diesel to operate "for an extended period," without specifying for how long exactly. "Emergency diesel generators are considered a last line of defense to be used only in extreme circumstances," NGO Greenpeace Ukraine said. The group claimed Moscow could use the crisis "to try and reconnect to the temporary Russian-occupied grid of Ukraine," to restart one of the reactors later. Head of UN nuclear agency's (IAEA) Rafael Grossi had been in Moscow this week for talks with President Vladimir Putin and Russia's nuclear agency Rosatom regarding safety at Zaporizhzhia. The plant's six reactors, which before the war produced around a fifth of Ukraine's electricity, have been shut down since Moscow took over the plant in the first weeks of the war in 2022. But the plant needs power to maintain cooling and safety systems, which prevent reactors from melting -- a process that could set off a nuclear incident. Since the start of the war, Zaporizhzhia has seen multiple safety threats, including frequent nearby shelling, repeated power cuts and staff shortages. Located near the city of Enerhodar along the Dnieper river, the ZNPP is close to the front line. Both Moscow and Kyiv have repeatedly accused the other of risking a potentially devastating nuclear disaster by attacking the site. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Jesse Eisenberg will not be reprising his role as contentious Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg in the forthcoming sequel to David Finchers 2010 drama The Social Network. While Eisenbergs portrayal of the tech businessman and computer programmer earned him a Best Actor Oscar nomination, he will officially be succeeded by Jeremy Strong in the new picture, The Social Reckoning. Strong, 46, was first tipped to take over the role last month. The Emmy-winning Succession star will be joined by The Bears Jeremy Allen White, Oscar-winning Anora actor Mikey Madison, and comedian Bill Burr. Aaron Sorkin, who wrote the screenplay for the original movie, helmed by David Fincher, has for years been teasing a long-awaited sequel to the docudrama about Facebooks origin. open image in gallery Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network ( Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock ) It was finally confirmed in June that Sorkin would be writing and directing the follow-up, which will be based on the Wall Street Journals The Facebook Files series, an investigation into the worlds largest social media platform. The 2021 report revealed that the company knew its platform endangered teens mental health and fueled the spread of misinformation, yet it prioritized profit over safety. Madison will play former Facebook employee Frances Haugen, the whistleblower who went to The Wall Street Journal with information, and White will play Jeff Horwitz, the journalist who broke the story. Production is expected to begin next month, according to Variety. open image in gallery (L-R) Jeremy Strong, Mikey Madison, and Jeremy Allen White will lead Aaron Sorkin's new movie, 'The Social Reckoning' ( Getty Images ) In April 2024, Sorkin spoke about his plans for the sequel, saying he was interested in examining Facebooks role in spreading divisive material. Facebook has been, among other things, tuning its algorithm to promote the most divisive material possible, because that is what will increase engagement, he said on The Town podcast. That is what will get you to, what they call inside the hallways of Facebook, the infinite scroll, Sorkin said. Theres supposed to be a constant tension at Facebook between growth and integrity. There isnt; theres just growth. The Social Network was released in 2010 and followed the creation of Facebook. Alongside Eisenberg, it starred Andrew Garfield as Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin and Justin Timberlake as Napster creator Sean Parker. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $224 million worldwide and winning several Oscars, including Best Adapted Screenplay for Sorkin. The Social Reckoning will be released in theaters October 9, 2026. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Balvinder Sopal joins the likes of former contestants Patsy Palmer, Bobby Brazier, and Rose Ayling-Ellis to become the latest EastEnders actor to take part in this years Strictly Come Dancing series. The actor, 46, was the fifth celebrity to be announced for the lineup of the 2025 series of the BBC dance competition, and said that being a contestant on the show was a dream she never thought would happen. Im far too excited to put into words how I feel but Im incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom! she said. Sopal has played Suki Panesar on EastEnders since 2019 and has been at the heart of some of the soap's most gripping storylines. These have included escaping her abusive husband Nish (Navin Chowdhry) and having an on-off affair with Eve Unwin (Heather Peace), for which she was awarded the 2024 Inside Soap Soap Superstar award. Brought up in Chatham, Medway, the TV star attended the University of Huddersfield before making her onscreen debut in the 2001 BBC series Kidhaar! Soap still lives in her hometown to this day. I love where I come from. Its taken me a while to really appreciate how creatively diverse Medway and surrounding areas in Kent are, she said. open image in gallery Balvinder Sopal as Suki Panesar on EastEnders ( BBC ) Sure, some places arent as beautiful, affluent or full of rows of quaint little coffee shops, but it is full of heart, and its where I grew up. Its where I come from. Seven years on from Kidhaar!, Sopal appeared in the BBC film White Girl, which follows 11-year-old Leah (Holly Kenny) after she moves to a predominantly Muslim area of Bradford with her family. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Sopal went on to make numerous appearances in a slew of British soap operas, including Emmerdale, Coronation Street, Doctor and Hollyoaks, as well as BBC dramas Call the Midwife and Waterloo Road, before landing her first regular role in EastEnders. The actor has confirmed she is still appearing on the soap while taking part in Strictly, but fans might notice less of her character on their screens for the duration of the competition. open image in gallery Soap star suffered health scare ahead of the Strictly Come Dancing launch ( Instagram/@leesopal ) She said: Strictly and Eastenders have a really great relationship. We always have somebody from the show on Strictly, so theyre very mindful. Days before the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing launch, Soap sustained an injury during rehearsals that saw her rushed to see the shows physiotherapy team after she heard something pop as she trained. I'm fine, everything is OK. I can still walk and still move but my left glute, my left hip is feeling a little tight and uneasy, so I'm going to get someone to look at it, the actor explained on social media. She told fans in the days afterwards: Hip/glute all good just tight. Thank you for all your messages of love and support. We kept dancing. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Candace Cameron Bure has been debating whether or not she should start looking into receiving Botox injections to look younger - and the industry pressure is starting to get to her. The Full House alum, 49, said on Tuesdays episode of her eponymous podcast that while she personally does not want to get Botox injections, she is starting to consider it more seriously. If Im just being totally honest, I am fighting it because I have shot three movies this year back to back to back, she said. Im trying to figure it out. I love my social community on Instagram and TikTok, and I love talking to [fans] there, she continued. I love your messages. People always ask me questions, like, Whats your skincare? Do you do Botox? Im, like, Look at my forehead. No, I dont do Botox [and] Ive never had filler in my face. None of that. Bure said many people online have complimented her for choosing to be a real woman, which gave them confidence in themselves. I know in my heart I want to age as beautifully as my mom, and I believe I will, Candace Cameron Bure said ( Getty Images ) People say, Thank you for not getting Botox. Thank you for being a real woman [and] letting me see a famous person, or someone on TV, age with grace, the actor explained. Thank you for helping me feel OK in my own skin because youre not putting that in your face. They make me cry, but they convict me so much. However, Bure admitted that her job as an actor has been making her reconsider getting Botox as she compares herself to other women in her industry who are around her age. I know in my heart I want to age as beautifully as my mom, and I believe I will, but the industry that Im in is making it so hard, she said. Its just, like, the pressure. Its not even the pressure from people telling me that I should do it, but Im just visually looking at all the other actresses that are around my age. [Then, I ask myself,] What age am I playing on camera? How are my leading men aging? She mentioned one of her upcoming projects, where there is supposed to be a flashback scene from 15 years ago, and her face will be digitally altered to look longer during the post-production process. The editors largely focused on tightening the skin around Bures forehead, crows feet, smile lines and neck, although she did ask them if they could puff up her cheeks. The cheeks, like, keep you young, Bure pointed out. So, my face is thinner and Im, like, Is there any way you can puff my cheeks up a little for this flashback? Theyre like, OK, you know it all depends on money. More you do, the more it costs. Every alteration is money. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A decade ago, Starbuckss emerald siren would glow on the corner of every high street. Inside, it was a dimly lit utopia where the bean grinders churned, the steam drifted to the ceiling, and baristas would enthusiastically shout out your name. Posting a blurry Instagram picture of your cup was the ultimate status symbol (extra points if your name was actually spelt correctly). Id know because I was an obsessive: cut me and Id bleed caramel frappuccino. The drink was an essential accessory for days out at my local shopping centre, in an era of peak Americana in the UK the hearts and minds of British teenage girls had been captured by the likes of Victorias Secret, Abercrombie & Fitch and Forever 21. Starbucks was an exciting third space, defined by secret menus, cookie-flavoured frappes and quirky American retail traits. Plus, the coffee wasnt awful, either. Today, though, its a different picture. On Thursday, the company announced that it would close an unspecified number of UK stores, as well as cut about 900 jobs in the US, as part of a cost-saving restructuring plan amid slowing sales. In a letter to employees, the companys executive Brian Niccol recruited last year to get Starbuckss mojo back said the chain would shut locations that were unable to deliver a warm and welcoming space or meet financial targets. In July, Starbucks reported its sixth consecutive quarterly decline in sales at stores open for at least a year. The companys shares have fallen 8.8 per cent while an index of restaurant and bar company stocks has risen 6.5 per cent. These are not the first batch of layoffs this year, either: in February, more than 1000 jobs in the US were cut, and menus were simplified, to help flagging sales in its home market. On the surface, this could be an all-too-familiar story of a brand grappling with soaring rent costs and the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, causing customers to cut back on spending on luxuries like 4 coffees. But this feels like more than that Starbucks has fallen out of favour, culturally speaking, as its failed to match up to the trendy independent coffee shop culture that has expanded throughout the UK in recent years. Starbucks has essentially become part of the middle ground market, which is vulnerable territory for public-facing companies, according to Deborah Stafford-Watson, head of strategy at Elmwood Brand Consultancy. She tells me that brands can get stuck in a paradox of being too fancy to be basic and too basic to be fancy a positioning crisis thats difficult to shift in the public perception. Right now, consumers are either gravitating towards two distinct poles: genuine value (just look at Greggs 11.3 per cent year-on-year growth and affordable breakfast deals) and authentic speciality experiences, as weve seen with independent coffee shops have contributed 4.6bn to the UK economy. In the peak frappuccino era, Starbucks was seen as a more premium coffee offering. That all changed when competitors upped their game to rival its coffee and social currency. Vicky Bullen, CEO of branding agency Coley Porter Bell, tells me there has been a rise of coffee connoisseurship an interest in fair-trade coffee beans, alternative milks and speciality coffeehouses. People are seeking unique, individual experiences that the local independents can offer, opting for quality over convenience, Bullen says. Starbuckss interiors and relationship with consumers have made it lose some of its third space feel, especially since it's available in drive-throughs at motorway service stations or available via online apps instead. Newer artisan coffee shops, like Blank Street, Black Sheep Coffee or Gails, have a more luxurious and personal vibe in comparison. When it comes to ethics, too, Starbucks is failing to communicate with some of its customers. The chain has always been vocal about its fairtrade beans and ethical sourcing practices. But customers are less receptive to their messaging now because its coming from a global giant, says Jason Tassie, business growth expert and founder at Know Your Business. Ten years ago, the brand had a real global draw, but the sense on the high street now is that UK consumers prefer something more artisan and local, he says. We want better value and an authentic feel, something that independent coffee shops have capitalised on Starbuckss uniformity is well out of step with this. If Tassie is handing over more than 4 for a flat white (between 150-180 ml of milk and espresso), he wants that money to go to somewhere that has personality and uniqueness. It cant help, either, that the companys alleged ties with Israel amid its war in Gaza have resulted in global boycotts, with pro-Palestine consumers refusing to buy or interact with the brand. Starbucks has denied any links to Israel, saying in a statement on its website that its absolutely untrue that the company provides financial support to Israel, or has ever sent any of its profits to the Israeli government or Israeli army. The company has also been bizarrely embroiled in political disputes concerning freedom of speech, as customers have used names of figures such as Charlie Kirk, the right-wing political activist who was shot dead on 10 September, or US President Donald Trump, when placing an order. In one recent TikTok video, a woman at a US Starbucks branch requests Kirks name to be written on her cup, but is told by the barista that they cant write political names on orders. Starbucks said in a statement earlier this month that when a customer wants to use a different name including the name Charlie Kirk when ordering their drink in our cafe, we aim to respect their preference but it said it had clear policies that prohibit political slogans or negative messages to help preserve a welcoming environment. In July, Starbucks reported its sixth consecutive quarterly decline in sales at stores open for at least a year ( Getty/iStock ) The spectrum of issues sometimes associated with Starbucks, then, is wide-ranging. Over the years, the company has also been under scrutiny from animal rights activists, specifically over the premium charge on non-dairy milk alternatives. In 2022, Babe actor James Cromwell, alongside animal rights group Peta, protested the coffee chain charging more for vegan milks than regular milks by supergluing his hand to a counter in a Manhattan Starbucks (the company has since abandoned the policy). Starbucks employees are also increasingly vocal about working conditions and the terms of their employment. Earlier this month, workers union Starbucks Workers United part of the Service Employees International Union said that a survey of 737 baristas and shift supervisors had found that stores remained understaffed and baristas were overwhelmed. The union is currently fighting for a contract agreement with the company and has voiced concerns about staffing and pay, among other issues. While plenty of noise surrounds the company, theres also no ignoring the loyal Starbucks customer, especially in the US, who keeps the company afloat. Its officially autumn, which means that Starbucks will be rolling out its pumpkin spice latte marketing, an annual (and often very lucrative) affair. And its not all bad for the brand. When announcing the layoffs on Thursday, Niccol said that other parts of his plan were on track, including the openings of 80 different stores in the UK, and 150 across Europe, the Middle East and Africa in the next financial year. Other new policies are designed to get Starbucks back to its heyday and lure back dissatisfied customers baristas are now required to greet customers and make eye contact when handing over drinks. They must also write a meaningful message as well as the name on each cup. Could Starbucks one day perk up, and revert back to its old self? Perhaps, but it might need a Tripleshot Espresso to help it on its way. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Colorado man unhappy in his 20-year marriage said he lost $1.4 million after falling victim to a cryptocurrency romance scam. The man, who stayed anonymous while recounting his story to multiple news outlets, told 9News that he met the woman on Ashley Madison, a website for married people seeking affairs. He said they sent photos and video chatted through WhatsApp, and shared values that made it easy to connect. She said, Oh, by the way, um, I'm into Bitcoin, cryptostuff, and make lots of money, and I can help you try to save your money if you go through a divorce, he recalled the woman telling him. The scam wiped out $1.4 million of his retirement and life savings. Over the span of about six weeks, he made four separate cryptocurrency transactions. The Colorado man met a woman online who convinced him to convert his retirement savings into a fake cryptocurrency account ( Getty/iStock ) But it wasnt just a financial loss. Feelings of loneliness, misplaced trust, and a sense of hope all played a role in drawing him into the trap and persuading him to transfer his money into a fake crypto account, the man told KDVR. Part of where I was in life, looks, but also, she had great ideas for making money that I might lose in a divorce settlement, he said about the womans persuasive techniques. She had several businesses she owned. And she was a very beautiful, very attractive person in the pictures. After a month and a half of liquidating his retirement funds, the man said he realized what was happening and called the police. The man told KDVR that he felt anger and shame. Ive never guessed Id be duped like this, he said. Colorado Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Zeb Semester told 9News that the mans $1.4 million is the most money hes ever seen lost in an online scam like this one. A major challenge in crypto scam cases is addressing them quickly, Semester said. In this case, investigators were able to trace the funds to a cold storage wallet, which is like a digital safe, Semester said. However, its owner is unknown, and it can't be used to trade crypto for cash. That must happen through a crypto exchange. We're just kind of waiting for that to move to touch an exchange that is cooperative with law enforcement, Semester told the outlet. Some exchanges work with law enforcement to seize funds and occasionally help return money to victims. Although law enforcement has made progress in tracking the funds in this case, Semester explained that they have historically lacked effective ways to investigate and recover stolen assets in similar situations. Therefore, its unlikely that the man will recover his money. As a man of faith, the victim says he believed theres a reason he went through this experience: to teach others about the risks of meeting people they meet online. Please step back from where youre at, and if you havent met them face to face, really do your due diligence and find out who that person is, he told KDVR. Trust your gut instinct, he continued. Trust people around you that you really have trust in your whole life, that if its too good to be true, its probably not true. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A 14-year-old student, who survived a shooting at Evergreen High School in Colorado earlier this month, confronted the gunman and allowed his peers to flee, his family has revealed. It was around noon on Wednesday September 10 when Desmond Holly, 16, fired about 20 rounds at his classmates at the Jefferson County school, police said. Within minutes, Holly shot two students with a handgun, one inside and one outside the school, according to authorities. When police confronted the gunman, he took his own life. The two survivors, one of whom has been identified as 18-year-old Matthew Silverstone, and the other a 14-year-old boy who hasnt been publicly named, suffered critical injuries. Its been a little over two weeks since the shooting, with the community still reeling from the traumatic event. The family of the 14-year-old has decided to speak about the moments their son was face-to-face with a violent school shooter filled with anger and hatred. open image in gallery A 14-year-old student, who survived a shooting at Evergreen High School in Colorado earlier this month, confronted the gunman and allowed his peers to flee, his family has revealed ( Jefferson County Sheriff's Office ) open image in gallery It was around noon on September 10 when Desmond Holly, 16, fired about 20 rounds at his classmates at the Jefferson County school, police said ( Jefferson County Sheriff's Office ) In a statement provided by the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office Thursday, the family said their son and his friend confronted the gunman, which undoubtedly allowed time for more students to flee and the school to lock down. Our son was shot at close range. Yet, he was able to run from the school to save his own life, the statement continued. As the boy and his friend ran through the school to escape the shooter, they alerted their fellow classmates, the family said, adding that their son was able to get critical first aid once outside the school. The boy remains hospitalized after undergoing multiple surgeries. In those terrifying moments, our son showed a level of bravery, strength, and will to survive that no child should ever be asked to display, the family said. Once the boy was able to communicate with his family, he gave them a clear message: The adults responsible for protecting children must take real, meaningful action so that no child or family endures this kind of horror in school or anywhere, the statement read. open image in gallery Two students were critically injured in the shooting and Holly died from self-inflicted injures ( Jeffco Sheriff ) Silverstones family has also spoken out in the wake of the shooting. His uncle, Kris Koehler, described his nephew as kind and gentle in a video shared by the sheriffs office last week. Koehler said Silverstones mom hasnt left his hospital bedside since the shooting for fear that if something were to happen, she wants to be right there. He doesnt have a mean bone in his body, Koehler said of his nephew. He would go out of his way to help anybody. Koehler read a card a fellow student gave to Matthew, describing how he helped his classmates during the shooting. Ive heard from many different people about what you did, and all I can say is: Thank youI had heard from many about how you were telling people to get away when they were coming back from lunch. I knew many of these people, and I can not thank you enough for getting them out of there, the card read. Another card read, Thank you for your quick thinking and action during an emergency. So many of us owe our safety to you. It is truly an honor to be your classmate. Koehler said the family is coming to grips with what could potentially be a life-long recovery. open image in gallery Both shooting victims helped their peers during the shooting, according to family members and classmates ( AP Photo/Colleen Slevin ) open image in gallery Holly was radicalized by some extremist network, police say ( Getty Images ) A GoFundMe page created to help pay for Silverstones medical care said he is facing multiple surgeries. It has raised more than $484,000. The family of the 14-year-old victim has asked people to direct their donations to Silverstones fundraiser. Public Information Officer Jacki Kelley previously shared some grim details about the shooting, saying that the gunman kept reloading his revolver. He would fire and reload. Fire and reload. Fire and reload, Kelley said at a press conference a day after the shooting. And as he did that, he tried to find new targets. Kelley said Holly was radicalized by some extremist network. The FBI, which is conducting its own investigation into the shooting, told Fox News Digital the agency was tipped off about Hollys online activity in July but did not know his identity at the time. Jefferson County is also where the Columbine school shooting occurred in 1999, which saw 12 students and one teacher killed. Another student, who was paralyzed from the waist down in the shooting, died in February, and the coroner ruled her death a homicide, per The New York Times. It really sucks that were here again. Weve had our fair share of school shootings, Kelley said. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Florida volunteer teen church leader had child pornography charges and had a child-like sex toy in his home, cops say. Jordan Williams, 28, is facing 35 counts of child pornography possession, one count of possessing a child-like sex doll, and one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device, the Hernando County Sheriff's Office said. Williams was arrested on Friday. Hernando County deputies reported that Williams served as a youth leader at VineLife Church in Brooksville, Florida. On July 4, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a tip about someone possessing child pornography and forwarded it to the sheriff's office. After investigating, deputies obtained a search warrant for Williams' home in Spring Hill and searched it. Deputies spoke to Williams during the search, who admitted to owning the account linked to the child pornography and using a popular social media platform to access it. Its unclear what site he was using. open image in gallery Jordan Williams, 28, is facing 35 counts of child pornography possession after being arrested in Florida. He was a teen church leader. ( Hernando County Sheriff's Office ) Investigators also discovered several pieces of evidence, including the child-like sex doll. Following news of Williams' arrest, the VineLife Church pastoral staff issued a statement that read: "This morning, Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis shared on social media about the arrest of Jordon Williams on multiple counts of child pornography. Jordon was further identified as the youth leader at Vinelife Church in downtown Brooksville. This situation is heartbreaking and deeply serious! We will cooperate fully with law enforcement in their investigation. Jordon Williams was not, and never was, an employee of Vinelife Church. He was a volunteer in the teen ministry with a current background check. Our priority is the safety and care of all people, especially children. As a church, we have policies in place to protect our children, including background checks of all volunteers and employees, video cameras throughout the building, and rules about not being alone with minors. As this is an ongoing investigation, we know very little, and we will make an official statement when it is appropriate. Please join us in prayer as we pray for all of those who have been impacted by this situation." Authorities ask anyone with information on this case to contact the Hernando County Crime Stoppers at (866) 990-8477 or submit a tip online. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Houston man was moments away from pleading guilty to killing his wife when he suddenly collapsed in front of the judge and never got back up. James Paul Anderson, 37, was expected to accept a plea deal Friday that would send him to prison for 35 years for the murder of his wife, 34-year-old Victoria Anderson. Instead, he suffered what officials described as a medical emergency shortly after arriving at the courtroom in Houstons Criminal Justice Center. A bailiff administered naloxone, a drug used to rapidly reverse opioid overdoses, and Anderson was transported to Ben Taub Hospital where he was pronounced dead, prosecutors said in a statement. open image in gallery James Paul Anderson, 37, was expected to accept a plea deal on Friday that would send him to prison for 35 years for the murder of his wife Victoria Anderson ( Houston Police Department ) Witnesses told KHOU that just before he collapsed, Anderson spoke to his attorney and asked for a few moments alone. When he returned to the courtroom, he allegedly spit something into a trash can, the witnesses claimed. Moments later, Anderson began vomiting and became visibly ill before collapsing. Anderson had been out on a $300,000 bond while awaiting trial for the murder of his wife on September 24, 2023. That night, Victoria Anderson called 911 from the couples Kingwood-area home and told a dispatcher her husband was threatening to shoot her. Moments later, the dispatcher reportedly heard a gunshot. When officers arrived, Anderson barricaded himself inside the house, but allowed the couples three-year-old son to leave safely. Prosecutors said they believed the child may have witnessed his mothers killing. He was not injured. A tense standoff lasted for hours before Anderson surrendered. Inside, police discovered Victoria dead from a gunshot wound. open image in gallery Anderson had been out on a $300,000 bond while awaiting trial in connection to the killing. ( Khou 11 ) Court records show Victoria had filed for divorce just one month before her death, and authorities noted previous reports of domestic strife at the residence, KHOU reported. Anderson, a former chair of the Special Education Department at Santa Fe Middle School, had been placed on administrative leave following his arrest. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice An inmate who brutally murdered a notorious Canadian serial killer with a broken broom handle in prison is finally revealing why he did it. Martin Charest said that he had attacked and killed killer pig farmer Robert Pickton at the Port-Cartier maximum-security institution in May 2024 for the victims, adding that he had no remorse for his actions. I know that we cant take justice into our own hands, but I killed him for the victims, not for myself, Charest said during a court appearance Thursday,The Vancouver Sun reported. Pickton was convicted of murdering, butchering and then feeding to his pigs six women Sereena Abotsway, Mona Wilson, Andrea Joesbury, Marnie Frey, Georgina Papin and Brenda Wolfe after a trial in British Columbia in 2007. He was sentenced to life without the possibility of full parole for 25 years though had become eligible to apply for parole in February last year, several months before he was killed. open image in gallery An inmate who brutally murdered notorious Canadian serial killer Robert Pickton (pictured) with a broken broom handle in prison has revealed his motives ( AP ) The remains of 33 women were found on Picktons pig farm in Port Coquitlam, and the serial killer claimed to have murdered 49 victims. At one point, he was charged with murdering 21 women but most of the counts were later dismissed. At Thursdays hearing, Charest told the court that Pickton had talked loud and clear about his crimes, and claimed that if he were released, he would continue to commit crimes, The Sun reported. On the day he killed Pickton, the serial killer had confessed to another prisoner he would have liked to have cannibalized a child who had belonged to one of his victims, the outlet reported. I lost control, Mr Judge, Charest said. Its regrettable, but it happened, and I dont have any remorse. The court heard gruesome details of the day of the incident on May 19, including how Charest had locked himself in a room with Pickton and assaulted him twice while guards were unable to enter the room. open image in gallery Prior to his death Pickton was convicted of murdering six women Sereena Abotsway, Mona Wilson, Andrea Joesbury, Marnie Frey, Georgina Papin and Brenda Wolfe after a trial in British Columbia in 2007. He was sentenced to life without the possibility of full parole for 25 years ( AP ) Guards had released gas into the room, halting him briefly, but before leaving he had grabbed a broomstick and stabbed Pickton in the head, breaking off the handle. Charest pleaded guilty to first-degree murder during a court appearance in Sept-Iles, which is northeast of Quebec City, in Canada. Prior to the incident, families of some of Picktons victims had campaigned against a police application seeking to destroy evidence related to cases against him, The Sun reported, claiming that they could be useful someday if DNA technology can eventually tie him to the murders of the other women. Pickton released a self-published memoir in 2016, but it was quickly removed by Amazon. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The search for murder suspect Travis Decker ended on a remote Washington state mountainside, but the mystery of how he died may never be solved. Nearly four months after the 32-year-old U.S. Army veteran allegedly murdered his three young daughters at a campsite and vanished into the Cascade wilderness, investigators finally found what was left of him: scattered bones, a shirt, a bracelet and chewing tobacco on Grindstone Mountain, less than a mile from the crime scene. DNA confirmed the remains were his but the discovery brought no answers about his final moments. Chelan County Coroner Wayne Harris told KIRO Newsradio this week that details about his death will likely never be known. It is impossible to determine how murder suspect and fugitive, Travis Decker, died or when, Harris said. open image in gallery Travis Deckers disappearance launched a manhunt that ended on September 18 when his remains were found on Grindstone Mountain. He was accused of killing his three young daughters. ( Wenatchee Police Department ) Decker had been accused of kidnapping and killing his daughters nine-year-old Paityn, eight-year-old Evelyn and five-year-old Olivia whose slain bodies were found at the Rock Island Campground on June 2. The tragic killings occurred after Decker had been granted a court-approved visit with his daughters. When he failed to return them to their mother, she reported the girls missing, triggering a frantic search. She told law enforcement previously that Deckers mental health issues had worsened and that he had become increasingly unstable. His disappearance launched an intensive manhunt that stretched through the summer and into early fall. That search ended September 18, when a team came across the partial remains at 4,200-feet elevation. Bones were scattered across five different locations. There were a few leg bones, a couple of arm bones, some vertebrae, some ribs and a foot, and they were scattered in about five different locations, at an elevation of about 4,200 feet, Harris said. Unless another hiker finds a cranium and the forensic anthropologist can examine it and determine that he may have fallen, or if there is a bullet hole in his skull. Deckers skull and torso are still missing, making it impossible to rule out suicide, a fall, or another cause. Without soft tissue, toxicology testing is also off the table, according to Harris. open image in gallery Decker had been accused of kidnapping and killing his daughters nine-year-old Paityn, eight-year-old Evelyn and five-year-old Olivia whose bodies were found at the Rock Island Campground on June 2 ( Wenatchee Police Department ) Speculation about Deckers death has swirled since investigators found bloody handprints on his truck at the original crime scene. Some wondered if he had been attacked by his own dog, which was later rescued and taken to a shelter. But Harris said the anthropologist found no evidence of fractures or bite marks. The anthropologist did look at the few bones he had, and he could not see any fractures in them, didnt see any animal activity, like any teeth marks in the bones, Harris explained. The search that finally uncovered Deckers remains was guided by Washington State Patrol forensic psychologist Dr. Stacy Cecchet, who identified Grindstone Mountain as a likely location. Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison said at an earlier press conference that Decker may have fled along the mountain within hours of killing his daughters. Based off the information we have, it appears that the potential of him going directly up Grindstone Mountain shortly after the event or within that day would be pretty consistent, he said. He added that Decker appeared to have been injured after the murders. He succumbed to those injuries, whatever those injuries were, Morrison said. Were going to hear back from our coroners office if they are able to get a cause of death or a time of death. But Harris now says theres no way to determine whether Decker suffered any injuries that led to his death. Not without any further bone parts that we can look at, no, we have no idea, he added. While the discovery of Deckers remains has officially closed the case, questions still loom about how he died on the mountain and what happened in his final hours. The greatest hope is now the Decker family and the community can begin to heal, Harris said. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice DNA evidence has helped solve the murders of four teenage girls in a yogurt shop in Austin, Texas, more than three decades ago. Police announced Friday that Robert Eugene Brashers had been linked to the brutal killings in 1991, which have since become some of the most notorious crimes in the state capitals history. Amy Ayers, 13; Eliza Thomas, 17; and sisters Jennifer and Sarah Harbison, ages 17 and 15, were bound, gagged and shot in the head at the I Cant Believe Its Yogurt store where two of them worked. The building was then set on fire. Investigators said previously that a suspect had entered the building through the back door of the store near to closing time and attacked the girls before setting the fire. Their bodies were found while firefighters tackled the blaze. open image in gallery Eliza Thomas, 17, sisters Jennifer and Sarah Harbison, ages 17 and 15, and Amy Ayers, 13, were bound, gagged and shot in the head at the I Cant Believe Its Yogurt store where two of them worked. Police announced Friday that Robert Eugene Brashers had been linked to the brutal 1991 killings ( HBO/ YouTube ) The autopsy revealed heartbreaking and gruesome details about the manner in which the girls had been killed. Their hands were tied with underwear and mouths were gagged with cloth. Ayers had been shot twice. Brashers died by suicide in 1999 during a standoff with police in Missouri. In addition to the yoghurt shop murders, he has also been linked to several killings and the rape of a 14-year-old girl in other states. open image in gallery Brashers died by suicide in 1999 during a standoff with police in Missourri. In addition to the yoghurt shop murders, DNA has also linked him to several killings and the rape of a 14-year-old girl in other states ( Missouri Highway Patrol vi AP ) Fridays announcement came amid renewed attention on the case with the release last month of The Yogurt Shop Murders, an HBO documentary series. Police said the case remains open and scheduled a Monday news conference to detail their findings. The murders stunned Austin and police investigators struggled to find credible leads for years, after dealing with several false confessions and badly damaged evidence from the burned-out crime scene. Our team never gave up working this case, Austin police said Friday. open image in gallery Tributes lay on a memorial Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, for four teenage girls who were killed in a yogurt shop in 1991 in Austin, Texas ( AP ) During their investigations authorities arrested four men on murder charges in 1999. Two of them, Robert Springsteen and Michael Scott, were teenagers at the time of the murders. They initially confessed and implicated each other, though both men quickly recanted and said their statements were made under pressure by police. However, they were still tried and convicted of the crimes. A judge ordered both men freed in 2009 when prosecutors said new DNA tests that weren't available in 1991 had revealed another male suspect. Niagara House, at 370 Little Bourke Street, sold to a neighbour last week for $9.95 million, after passing in at auction just shy of the purchase price. Six bidders competed amid a big crowd for the five-level property which is anchored by Macpac on the ground floor. The deal reflected a yield of 3.9 per cent. Records show the vendor paid $1.725 million in 1998. The auction at 370 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne. The 1330 sq m building is on a 329 sq m site, giving the result a land value of around $30,243 a sq m. Fitzroys Lewis Waddell, Mark Talbot and Ben Liu handled the auction but declined to confirm the buyer. Not making such a big capital gain is the vendor of the Peter Jackson store on Bourke Street which also found a local investor at $5 million. The four-storey building at 418-420 Bourke Street is in the block west of the Mall and opposite Cbus Propertys new $1 billion tower at 435 Bourke Street. The property was originally scheduled for a late June auction but Teska Carson agents Stephen Speck and Matthew Feld converted it to an expressions-of-interest campaign. 418-424 Bourke Street, Melbourne. The vendor had paid $5.84 million back in 2019 on a super skinny 2.81 per cent yield. The best offer came with a sweetener a 30-day settlement. Also looking at a loss a big loss is the vendor of Momo House, at 189-191 Bourke Street, who paid $13 million in 2018. The current price guide is more than $6 million. Two of the buildings three floors are leased, returning $282,155 a year in rent. Cushman & Wakefields Oliver Hay, Anthony Kirwan, Daniel Wolman and Leon Ma are taking the property to auction on October 22. Fresh to the market is the old Exploration Hotel in the Little Lon precinct. Behind the pub facade at 116-118 Little Lonsdale Street is a four-storey, mixed-use building, including basement and rooftop terrace overlooking leafy courtyards. Records show it last changed hands in 1997 for $552,500 and was renovated in 2011 to a design by architect John Demos. CBREs Alex Brierly, Nathan Mufale and Jing Jun Heng are marketing the property with Kay & Burton. Theyre quoting between $6.5 million and $6.95 million. 116-118 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. Ryman New Zealand retirement village developer and operator Ryman Healthcare has made a move on its Melbourne landbank, putting a site in Coburg on the market. The former military textiles factory at 14-22 Gaffney Street cost Ryman $48.2 million in 2022. Current land values in the inner northern suburb suggest $40 million-plus is not out of the question. Ryman was planning a retirement village for the 2.56-hectare site which included apartments, aged care and a dementia-care wing. Cushman & Wakefield agents Hamish Burgess,Joe Kairouz, Oliver Hay and Leon Ma have the listing, dubbing the site Coburg Lakes. 14-22 Gaffney Street, Coburg. Coburg Lake is nearby but you have to get over busy Sydney Road first. They declined to provide any price guidance. The New Zealand company is planning to raise $500 million in cash in the next three to five years by selected landbank divestment and the sell-down of existing stock. No decision has yet been made on the Ringwood site where Ryman demolished the old Daisys hotel and embarked on groundworks before stopping the project in late 2023. Loading Three piece A 95-place Box Hill childcare centre in the recently completed Trio Tower has been leased to Hong Kong-based childcare chain, Cosmic Education Group. CBREs Sandro Peluso, Jimmy Tat and Marcello Caspani-Muto negotiated the lease with the international operator which has already opened its first Australian childcare centre in Mount Waverley. The 20-year leasing deal was struck at a starting rent of $438,000 a year, which equates to a metric of $4600 per place. Its the second-biggest leasing deal in Box Hill since the team leased the 107-place childcare centre at Golden Ages SKY SQR last year. That deal was struck at $545,700 a year or $5100 per place. The triple-tower project at 845-851 Whitehorse Road was undertaken by the CBD Development Group with funding from MaxCap. While some of CBDs projects went bust during the pandemic, many of the 517 Trio Tower apartments were pre-sold and CBD obtained funding for construction. The Trio Hotel, a vacant 128-room hotel is now for sale. Savills Mark Durran, Nick Lower and Benson Zhou are marketing the property which still requires fit-out. Its expected to sell for about $30 million. Kingsway action A crowd of 150 people watched the Glen Waverley KFC go under the hammer last week as seven bidders pushed the price nearly a third over its reserve. The KFC and HeyTea shop at 64-66 Kingsway sold for $9.39 million after going on the market at $7.1 million. The deal reflected a tight yield of 2.9 per cent. Stonebridge agents Nic Hage, Rorey James, Ian Lam, Kevin Tong and Chao Zhang handled the auction where four groups competed fiercely past the reserve. The auction at 6466 Kingsway, Glen Waverley. Former Bayside mayor Bill Saravinovski faces allegations that he gave confidential council documents to a property developer, part of three accusations he provided misleading evidence to the states corruption watchdog. After spending 40 years as a Labor councillor on Rockdale and Bayside councils, Saravinovski faced the local court in the John Maddison Tower for the first time on Thursday over criminal allegations brought by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). Bill Saravinovski, pictured last year, faced court accused of giving misleading evidence. Credit: Kate Geraghty In August, the corruption watchdog revealed it had probed allegations Saravinovski had breached his duties as a public official by sharing confidential information with property developers, and that he had supported an unsolicited development proposal by a developer around August 2017. While those matters were never addressed in a public inquiry, the ICAC subsequently sought criminal charges in relation to evidence he provided during his compulsory examination. 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 Were shining a spotlight on Brisbane people and businesses making noise on social media. See all 5 stories . No, youre not seeing things. There are indeed sculptures of bin chickens holding tattoo guns and XXXX beer cans even wearing headphones dotted around Brisbane. The latest one to pop up is holding a snag in bread and is located at you guessed it Bunnings. These metal ibis sculptures, aptly named Binnies, are the work of local artist Ryan Forster, aka Sethius Art. For years, hes been creating a unique art trail from Caboolture down to the Gold Coast. Artist Ryan Forster talks to Brisbane Times in front of one of his installations. Credit: Brittney Deguara I thought [the ibis] was going to be about the most Queensland thing I could think of, and it really just took off from there, he told this masthead while admiring his latest instalment at the newly reopened Bunnings Oxley. Overall, Ive made about 170 Binnies across different sizes There are around 40 [for public viewing]. One is holding scissors, another a tattoo gun. And then people buy them just for their poolroom at home. Advertisement Take a road sign, not art The passion project began by bending a few rules, with Forster installing Binnies in various locations on the sly. Most of those, however, have since gone missing removed either by security or people with sticky fingers. Sometimes they just fly away its really disheartening, he said. Obviously, its a compliment to me that people love it so much theyd steal it, but its taking it away from the public. The latest to involuntarily flee the flock was holding a bucket of popcorn at Dendy Cinemas at the Brisbane Powerhouse. People might be stumbling home drunk and see something and think, I want that, he said. I understand that mentality, but take a road sign, go old school, dont steal art. Advertisement For those who might be reading this on the couch with a Binnie sitting next to them, Forster has a simple message: Bring it back, do the right thing, let everyone else enjoy it. The Bunnings Binnie Forsters latest Binnie is firmly secured to a pole at Bunnings Oxleys new sausage sizzle area. It wasnt where he initially envisaged it when he launched his campaign for the hardware giant to adopt one. Forsters latest Binnie, on display at Bunnings in Oxley. Credit: Brittney Deguara Ive always just had this vision of one of my bin chickens sitting up on the corner, up on the roof, probably holding a hammer or a snag, so I reached out. The internet also got behind him, tagging Bunnings to turn his vision into a reality. While it would have been a hazard if Binnie made it to the roof, the store made him a nice home a little closer to the ground. Advertisement Its a bit of a communal spot where people can come, they can see Binnie, they can take a photo with him, and have a snag while theyre at it, Forster says of the new location. He credits this win to the online community who got behind it. People love jumping on a bandwagon like that. Everyone was pretty much backing Bunnings into a corner saying, you have to do it, you have to do it, itd be un-Australian not to. This is a Brisbane thing Forster has mastered the art of making these metal sculptures, taking just four days from start to finish. Using a template, he just needs to get creative with what hes holding thats the part, he says, where he gets to be an artist. If its [for] a tailor shop, it could be holding scissors, if its a fish and chip shop, it could be holding a fish. And thats a big part of where I get to enjoy a little bit of creativity. And theyre built for the elements, finished with metal paint. Forster says theyll be standing strong for decades. Advertisement There isnt an exact map of his Binnies, but Forster says the joy is in driving around and seeing one out of the corner of your eye. Brisbane is the only place you can do that and Forster has no plans to expand his creative operation. I have such big ideas about where this city is heading and what it can look like, especially ahead of the Olympics, he said. Im really focusing all of my time and energy on making this city as amazing, vibrant, creative and colourful as I can. Forster is biding his time until he can make the big one: Were thinking Big Banana, Big Pineapple, Big Binnie Im talking 10 metres, at least. Credit: iStock / Supplied Any Binnies popping up in southern cities have been purchased, not donated. Im kind of shunning the rest of the cities, to be honest this is a Brisbane thing. Expect more Binnies to pop up around the city while Forster bides his time until he can make the big one. Advertisement At its peak, the market supplied one-third of the countrys canine meat, according to local media. Its closure in 2018 and a ban on selling live dogs were the first steps by authorities to end the trade completely, bringing it into line with other parts of Asia, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore. Even Kim concedes the industry was already in decline with his customers, mostly older Koreans, but says the transition to goat meat has been difficult. When business was good, we sold a lot of dog meat. Maybe about 100 kilograms a day. Now we sell 10 kilograms a day, or even less, Kim says. Cha Hee-jung, 48, with her dog Dodam who she rescued from a dog meat farm eight years ago. Credit: Sean Na After 2027, if anyone slaughters or eats dogs, theyll be fined. Some people may still do it secretly, but it will mostly disappear. Regular surveys show that eating dog meat is not popular, with one poll by Gallup Korea in 2022 finding just 8 per cent of Koreans had consumed it in the past year, down from 27 per cent in 2015, while 64 per cent opposed it. The ban was decreed under a national law passed in 2024, which gave dog farmers, butchers and restaurant owners three years to shut down their operations or switch jobs. It was accompanied by a package of financial support measures. Farmers who quickly shut up shop by early 2025 were compensated up to 600,000 won per dog they surrendered, with payments reducing to 225,000 won per dog as the 2027 deadline approaches. It also set government authorities on a mission to rehome up to half a million dogs in shelters or through adoption, but both farmers and animal rights activists agree there is little clarity about what happens to the dogs that cant be rescued. From an animal protection perspective, this is difficult and frustrating to discuss. We believe euthanasia is preferable to slaughter because the slaughter process violates animal welfare laws, says Chae Il-taek, a senior director at the Korean Animal Welfare Association. The worst-case scenario, he says, is that dogs will be abandoned and left to reproduce in neglected conditions. The government must act quickly to establish guidelines and budgets to ensure humane treatment during closures, he says. On a Saturday morning in Seouls Olympic Park district, Cha Hee-jung, 48, is taking her dog Dodam for a walk. It has been eight years since she rescued Dodam, then a puppy, from a dog farm where he was being held in a small cage. His hind paw is wrapped in a bandage an old injury he sustained from a fight with an older dog at the farm and he is still a little skittish and doesnt like people walking behind him. The Moran black goat street market in Seongnam, South Korea. Credit: Lisa Visentin Its a very, very dark business, Cha says of the dog meat industry. When she found Dodam, she had been working with a volunteer animal rights group that tried to find rescue homes for farmed dogs, often by paying farmers to take the animals from squalid conditions. But then, after this farmer got paid, he started having more dogs again and again, she says of the farm where Dodam was found, adding they eventually abandoned rescue attempts there. But with the deadline for the ban now just 18 months away, Cha wants to see South Korean authorities provide financial assistance for those who rescue the remaining farm dogs, such as subsidised pet training. The South Korean government has said it will strictly monitor the market to ensure all dog farms close by 2027 or transition to new businesses. Any dogs left behind will be managed by local animal shelters or temporarily remain on the farms under government supervision. We want support from the countrys dog meat business owners so that Korea can become an advanced nation with regard to animal welfare, Park Jung-hoon, chief of the ministrys Animal Welfare and Environment Policy Bureau said earlier this year. But the high costs of setting up new farming facilities for different livestock make transitioning impossible for most dog farmers, even with the compensation, says Ju Young-bong, president of the Korea Dog Meat Association. Every dog facility must be demolished, and a new facility must be built for new species. That requires massive investment, says Ju. Loading Most dog farmers are over 60; I am over 60 as well. Even young farmers are finding it extremely difficult [to transition]. Almost no one can take on the challenge. Still, more than 70 per cent of dog farms have already shut down, leaving about 500 running, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. At Jus own farm, he now has just 300 dogs, down from 2000, but says many farmers are now facing their ageing years without an income stream, and compensation should be extended to cover this loss for at least two years. Brussels: European defence ministers agreed on Friday to develop a drone wall along their borders with Russia and Ukraine to better detect, track and intercept drones violating Europes airspace. The decision comes after a spate of incidents in which Europes borders and airports have been tested by rogue drones. Russia has been blamed for some of them, but denies that anything was done on purpose or that it played a role. A mobile radar installation deployed on the Danish coast following a string of unidentifed drone incursions this week. Credit: AP On Friday, Ukrainian military intelligence said Russia had deliberately flown drones into the airspace of NATO member Poland this month to test the alliances response, stoke fatigue in member states with its war in Ukraine, and step up pressure on the West. It sent the written assessment to Reuters after NATO jets shot down Russian drones that entered Polish airspace on September 9-10. This week, unidentified drones shut down air traffic in parts of Denmark, but Russias embassy in Copenhagen denied absurd speculations of its involvement. After Gujarat, Kanpur posters to hamper peace appears in city too In recent days, posters bearing the slogan I Love Mohammed have been put up in several districts across India, allegedly inciting communal tension. Violent demonstrations have been reported in Gujarat and a case was registered in Kanpur following similar incidents. In continuation of these events, similar posters appeared in Naya Mohalla and Hanumantal areas of Jabalpur. Allegedly put up by members of a particular community, these posters were seen as an attempt to disturb public peace. In response, Hindu Seva Parishad organized a protest at Shri Hanuman Mandir, where posters stating I Love Shri Ram were displayed in opposition. A complaint was also lodged at Omti Police Station, and after police intervention, the controversial posters were removed. The organization stated that such actions, especially during the sacred Navratri festival, were deliberate attempts to disrupt the celebrations, an act the Hindu Seva Parishad would not tolerate. During the protest, Hindu Seva Parishad, State President, Atul Jeswani, Nikhil Kanojia, Gorav Sahu, Dheeraj Gyanchandani, Abhishek Ahirwar, Ajay Gupta, Ashish Soni, Vishal Chouhan and Ankit Vishwakarma and others were present. Arrest a major success: Vijay Sharma Chhattisgarh Home Minister Vijay Sharma : has called the arrest of a Maoist couple from Raipur a major success. The people of Bastar no longer believe in Naxalism and want to join the path of progress. Notably, the anti-Naxal squad arrested the Maoist couple from Raipur who had been living in the city using fake Aadhaar cards. The arrested duo has been identified as Jaggu and his wife Kamala, both of whom were actively associated with the Maoist organisation. Home Minister Vijay Sharma, reacting to the development, said that the campaign against Naxalism is progressing with full force. The security forces and agencies are working relentlessly, and Naxalism is being wiped out as per the Governments planned strategy. He further stated that in recent months, a large number of Naxalites have surrendered, reflecting a change of mindset among locals. The people of Bastar no longer want Naxalism. They seek peace, development, and prosperity in their villages, Sharma remarked. The arrest of the couple is being considered a major success for security forces, as it highlights both the weakening of Maoist network in Bastar and the increasing tendency of Naxal operatives to seek refuge in urban areas under false identities. Bihars 75 lakh women receive Rs 10,000 each as PM launches scheme PATNA : PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched Bihars Mukhya Mantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, and transferred Rs 10,000 each to the bank accounts of 75 lakh women. The Rs 7,500 crore scheme, an initiative of Bihars NDA Government, is aimed at promoting womens empowerment through self-employment and livelihood opportunities. The Prime Minister launched the scheme virtually from Delhi, with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, his deputy Samrat Choudhary, and several Union and State Ministers joining it through video conference from Patna. A large number of women of the State also joined it virtually. The launch of the scheme assumes significance ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls in the State. The PM said he was impressed by the vision of the scheme, under which at least one woman from every family will be a beneficiary. Starting with an initial financial support of Rs 10,000, up to Rs 2 lakh would be provided to the beneficiaries depending on the success of their enterprise. Asserting that the magnitude of the scheme is massive, the PM said that the women of Bihar can now open shops selling groceries, utensils, cosmetics, toys, and stationery. They can also pursue livestock-related businesses such as cattle rearing and poultry farming, he said, adding that for these ventures, necessary training will be provided. He noted that Bihar already has a robust network of self-help groups, with nearly 11 lakh groups actively functioning. This means a well-established system is already in place, the PM said. Noting that the Central Government has opened new sectors for women and daughters across the country, the Prime Minister highlighted that today, a large number of young women are joining the armed forces and police, and even flying fighter jets. CBI court in MP sentences ex-post office employee to 5-yr jail term for fraud NEW DELHI : CBI court in Jabalpur has convicted and sentenced a former Sub Post Master of Khimlasa Sub Post Office, Sagar district, to five years rigorous imprisonment for misappropriating more than Rs 70 lakh from depositors accounts, the agency said on Friday. The court on Thursday sentenced accused Vishal Kumar Ahirwar, who was serving as Sub Post Master at Khimlasa during 2020-22, to five years rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 32,000. According to the CBI, a case was registered against Ahirwar on November 17, 2022, following allegations that he had misused his official position to siphon off funds by manipulating withdrawal processes. Between June 23, 2020 and March 19, 2022, Ahirwar allegedly prepared forged withdrawal slips and falsified entries in account passbooks. As a result, the accused Vishal Kumar Ahirwar caused a wrongful loss of Rs 70.97 lakh to the government exchequer and corresponding gain to himself, the CBI said in its press statement. After completing the investigation, the CBI filed a charge sheet against the accused before the Special Judge for CBI cases, Jabalpur, on November 23, 2023. During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence showing how Ahirwar systematically carried out the fraudulent withdrawals over a period of nearly two years. The Court, after the trial, convicted and sentenced the accused accordingly, it said. Notably, the Special Judge, CBI Court, Ghaziabad, via its judgment and order dated September 25, convicted and sentenced Manoj Srivastava, Branch Manager, Union Bank of India, SSI Branch Noida, to four years imprisonment with a fine of Rs 30,000/- in a Rs 40 lakh bank fraud case. According to the CBI, it registered the case on December 14, 2010, against Manoj Srivastava, Branch Manager, Union Bank of India, SSI Branch Noida and others on the allegation of Bank Fraud. Such cases reflect the agencys focus on tackling corruption and fraud in financial institutions that directly impact public funds. CM calls for global branding of MPs biodiversity Staff Reporter : Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav has directed officials to initiate proper branding of Madhya Pradeshs rich floral and fauna biodiversity to promote the state globally. Chairing the 30th meeting of the State Wildlife Board, the CM emphasised showcasing the ease of wildlife sightings and natural wealth of MP through short films and documentaries in collaboration with national and international platforms like Discovery Channel and Films Division. He suggested that states receiving tigers from MP, Odisha, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, should also share their native species in return, including efforts to bring the one-horned rhinoceros from Assam. The CM also proposed preparations to release aquatic species such as crocodiles, turtles, gharials, and dolphins into the States rivers. Key approvals included 17.14 hectares of forest land in the Satpura-Melghat corridor for NH works, and smaller allocations in Raisen for road and building projects. A proposal for creating new conservation reserves near Panna, Bandhavgarh, and Balaghat was also discussed. The forest department launched an AI-based Gajrakhshak mobile app to reduce human-elephant conflict by providing real-time alerts to villagers. Elephant Mitra groups and GPS collaring are also being used in sensitive areas. The board reported successful breeding activity in the Chambal Sanctuary with over 160 hatchlings of gharials. The newly notified Jahanagarh Sanctuary became the states 26th wildlife sanctuary. In a major anti-poaching operation, seven people were arrested in Sheopur for illegal trade of tiger and leopard parts. Officials highlighted the states growing wildlife infrastructure, including rescue squads, dog units, and new wildlife transport vehicles, and emphasised continued co-ordination to protect and promote MPs unique biodiversity. CM Mohan Yadav declares Balaghat free of Naxal tag BHOPA L : Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav announced a historic milestone on Friday, declaring Balaghat, the last bastion of Naxalite activity in Madhya Pradesh, free of its long-standing Naxal-affected label. Speaking at a public event in Bhopal, he aligned the States progress with Union Home Minister Amit Shahs pledge to eradicate Naxalism nationwide by March 2026. Balaghat has shed the tag of Naxalism; the only Naxal-affected district has now come out. With Lal Salam fading, we are confident India will soon be free of this menace, CM Yadav asserted while addressing a gathering assembled at the programme Urban Transformation Summit 2025 in Bhopal. Naxalism in Madhya Pradesh, rooted in the 1980s, thrived amid dense forests and tribal discontent, fuelled by land alienation, poverty, and mining encroachments. Balaghat, spanning 9,429 sq km in southeastern MP, bordering Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, became a hotspot due to its rugged terrain and marginalised Gond and Baiga tribes. Remote villages like Baihar and Lanji offered ideal hideouts for CPI (Maoist) guerrillas, who ran janatana sarkars (people's governments), redistributing land and extorting mining operations to fund their insurgency while opposing exploitative development. The district's violent history peaked in the 2000s with ambushes on police and infrastructure sabotage. A 2011 incident saw Naxals kill villagers suspected of being informers. By 2021, Balaghat, Mandla, and Dindori were merged into a unified anti-Naxal zone to streamline operations. Post-2015, surrenders surged- over 10,000 nationwide by 2025- driven by robust counter-insurgency and rehabilitation programmes. MP Polices Hawk Force, bolstered by 325 new posts, neutralised 10 Naxals in six months, including clashes on January 3 in Dharamara forest, February 19 on the Mandla-Balaghat border (four women cadres killed), and June 14 (four more, including three women, with a grenade launcher seized). Balaghat, once among six national districts of concern, now stands transformed, with MPs Naxal footprint nearly eradicated. CM Yadav credited integrated security measures- CRPF, COBRA units, and local police- with development initiatives like women's self-help groups, industrial jobs, and solar-powered farming. Challenges like terrain-aided hideouts and IED risks persist, but experts note a 40 per cent drop in violence due to infrastructure and rehabilitation. As India nears its 2026 goal, Balaghats turnaround signals a shift from red corridors to growth hubs, heralding a new era for Madhya Pradesh. Like in 2020, Congress has unanimously decided to field Adv Abhijeet Wanjari as its candidate for Graduates polls to be held in 2026. Adv Wanjari presently is an elected member of that constituency and his term is ending on December 6, 2026. It means Congress has announced his name 14 months in advance. In last polls too, name of Wanjari was confirmed 10 months in prior when the elections were conducted on December 1, 2020. Wanjari had created history when in last polls, he stood victorious in the stronghold of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Congress has taken out a grand procession and constitution satyagraha after which a meeting was held at Devadia Bhavan. In the same meeting, name of Adv Abhijeet Wanjari was declared. The head office of Graduate Constituency polls was inaugurated. Such offfices will be opened for each assembly, block wise. Nagpur Graduate constituency covers six districts including Nagpur, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Wardha, Gondia and Bhandara. The proposal that Adv Abhijit Wanjari should be given the candidature was unanimously passed in the city congress committee meeting. Everyone welcomed Adv Abhijit Wanjari with applause. While talking to The Hitavada, Adv Wanjari said, I am grateful to the party who kept faith in me and I shall not let them down. Since I became MLC of Graduate constituency, I have made it a point that I would take up the issues of graduates and see to it that they would get justice. Except during the sessions of State legislatures, I kept visiting all the six districts with proper planning. As party has announced my name 14 months in advance, it will benefit me and party both. Of course I am aware my fight will be with a party like BJP so I have to endeavour. On Thursday, State President of BJP Ravindra Chavan was in city with an aim to increase the prospects of the party in Graduate polls. Ex-MLA Sudhakar Kohale was given the responsibility of Election Head for the same. He also opened the campaign office in Gokulpeth in Nagpur. During two-hour meeting, Chavan stressed the need for working hard to get back the seat. Against that backdrop, Congrss had announced its candidate for the same polls. Thakre calls for forming booth-level committees Considering the municipal elections, everyone should strengthen the booths by ward and ward wise, appealed City President Vikas Thakre. He urged that people interested to contest municipal polls should form teams at the ward and booth level. Without meeting the leaders, they should try to form an executive committee in the ward and strengthen each booth, so that they will benefit in the municipal elections. Under the organisation pujan campaign, the election of district presidents and block presidents is underway at a high level. Thakre pointed out, It is necessary to pay special attention to how our party will grow. This Legislative Assembly-wise signature campaign regarding vote theft should be conducted ward-wise and block-wise and contact should be made with the people. An important executive meeting of Nagpur City (District) Congress Committee was held under the chairmanship of Vikas Thakre. In the meeting, Adv Abhijieet Wanjari, General Secretary of the Pradesh Congress Committee Umakant Agnihotri, General Secretary Atul Kotecha, General Secretary Girish Pandav, Sandesh Singalkar, Haider Ali Dosani, former corporator Prashant Dhavad, Sanjay Mahakalkar, Vice President Prof Dinesh Banabakode, Ramesh Punekar, Milind Dupare, Seva Dal Congress Pravin Agre, former women president Nash Ali, Yugal Vidawat, Sneha Nikose were present on the stage. Constitution Satyagrah Yatra today City President Vikas Thakre said that under the leadership of President of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee Harshvardhan Sapkal and Tushar Gandhi, a Constitution Satyagrah Yatra will be conducted from September 28 to October 2 2025. The yatra will be conducted from 6 pm to 7 pm. Torch walk from Gandhi Statue Variety Chowk to Constitution Chowk and a public meeting will be held at 7 pm. On September 29, 2025 the yatra will be taken out at various places. The event will conclude on October 2 at Sevagram, Wardha. The meeting was moderated by City Vice President Prof. Dinesh Banabakode. The meeting was attended by Mahesh Srivastava, Ashish Dixit, Abdul Niyaz Naju, Adv. Abhay Ranadive, Vivek Nikose, Dinesh Tarale, Vishweshwar Ahirkar, Mehul Advani, Pankaj Thorat, Pankaj Nigot, Prithvi Motghare, Dharam Patil, Manoj Sable, Bandopant Tembhurne, Ganesh Shahu and others. Diversify into alternative markets: Apurva Chandra Business Reporter : A Divisional level consultation on export competitiveness for the Nagpur region was held on Monday at Divisional Commissioners Office, Nagpur, under the Chairmanship of Apurva Chandra (IAS Retd.). The meeting witnessed participation of over 110 stakeholders, including senior government officials, industry associations, exporters, and sector experts. On the occasion, Apurva Chandra highlighted the dual nature of recent US tariff measures - a challenge and an opportunity for regional exporters. He urged industries to diversify into alternative markets and directed MIDC and the Industries Department to propose measures such as concessional utilities, infrastructure support, and facilitation of new export opportunities. Priority focus sectors included agriculture, horticulture, engineering, textiles, logistics, and hospitality. Praveen Pardeshi, Member, MITRA Task Force Committee, Vijayalakshmi Bidari, Divisional Commissioner, Nagpur Division; District Collectors, exporters and other stakeholders were also present. Vijayalakshmi Bidari emphasized growth opportunities in various sectors. She reaffirmed the governments commitment to supporting infrastructure, utilities, and policy interventions while encouraging exporters to expand their global footprint. The MIDC Industries Association (MIA), also participated in the consultation. The report, prepared by MIA President P Mohan and formally submitted through Arun Lanjewar and Ajay Agrawal, provided a detailed analysis of sectoral impacts of U.S. tariff hikes on textiles, engineering, pharmaceuticals, agro-products, gems and jewellery, electronics, and chemicals. The meeting concluded with a strong resolve to pursue coordinated efforts between government agencies, industry associations, and exporters to strengthen the Nagpur regions global trade competitiveness. HC rejects railway engineers brothers bail extension plea in CBI bribery case Staff Reporter : Bilaspur : The Chhattisgarh High Court has dismissed a petition filed by Kunal Anand, brother of South East Central Railway Chief Engineer Vishal Anand, in connection with the ongoing Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into a bribery case. The matter was listed before the bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Kumar Sinha on Friday. According to court records, the criminal miscellaneous petition had been filed seeking extension of interim bail earlier granted to the applicant by the court on July 23 in MCRC No. 5150/2025. When the case was called out, there was no appearance or representation on behalf of the petitioner. As a result, the bench dismissed the high-profile bribery investigation by the CBI in Bilaspur. In July, Chief Engineer Vishal Anand was arrested for allegedly accepting Rs 32 lakh in bribes through his brother, Kunal. The bribe money was reportedly facilitated by contractor Sushil Jhazharia and his employee Manoj Pathak in return for alleged favours in awarding railway contracts. Both Jhazharia and Pathak were also arrested during the operation. The High Courts dismissal order made it clear that the absence of the petitioner or his counsel at the hearing left no ground to continue the interim relief sought. The case file shows that the petition was not pressed by any party and hence could not be sustained. After the order was pronounced, CBI counsel Himanshu Pandey requested that his appearance be recorded in the proceedings, which was duly noted by the court. The matter, registered as CRMP No. 3010 of 2025, adds another chapter to the wider investigation into alleged irregularities in railway contract allotments. HC stresses on need for UCC NEW DELHI : HC stresses on need for UCC : IN A significant observation on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), the Delhi High Court has stressed the urgent need for legislative clarity to prevent personal or customary laws from overriding national legislation. Is it not the time to move towards a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), ensuring a single framework where personal or customary law does not override national legislation? The Legislature must decide whether to continue criminalising entire communities or to promote peace and harmony through legal certainty, observed a single-judge Bench of Justice Arun Monga, while granting bail to a 24-year-old man accused of marrying a minor under Muslim personal law. The prosecutrix herself supported her husband and opposed his prosecution, but official documents indicated she was only 14 at the time of marriage. Under Islamic law, puberty (presumed at 15) is considered sufficient to contract a valid marriage. However, under the penal laws like the POCSO Act and BNS, any sexual relationship with a person below 18 is treated as statutory rape. This recurring conflict is clear under Islamic law, a minor girl attaining puberty may lawfully marry, but under Indian criminal law, such a marriage renders the husband an offender under the BNS and/or POCSO or both, Justice Monga observed. It added that this raises a stark dilemma: should an entire community be criminalised for adhering to long-standing personal laws? The judgement acknowledged that opponents of the UCC caution against uniformity, saying that it risks eroding the religious freedom guaranteed under the Constitution. However, Justice Monga highlighted that freedom of religion cannot extend to practices that run afoul of laws designed to protect children and vulnerable individuals. A pragmatic middle path could be to standardise core protections, such as prohibiting child marriages across the board with penal consequences, as they directly conflict with both BNS and POCSO. the same time, less contentious personal matters may be allowed to evolve gradually within respective communities, the judgement suggested. Before arriving at a decision, Justice Monga heard extensive arguments from experts in Islamic law, including Prof. Faizan Mustafa, Vice Chancellor of Chanakya National Law University, and academics from Jamia Millia Islamia and Woxsen University. The observations come amid long-standing debates on Article 44 of the Constitution, which directs the State to endeavour towards a UCC. Man brutally attacked over old rivalry by miscreants A Man was brutally attacked with sharp-edged weapons over an old rivalry by a group of miscreants at a dairy under the jurisdiction of Adhartal police station late on Thursday night. According to Adhartal police, late on Thursday night, police received information from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College and Hospital that a man was admitted for treatment of injuries in an attack. Receiving the information, police reached the Medical College where the victim, identified as Omprakash Singh Kushwaha (43), a resident of Neta Colony, Adhartal, informed that he runs a milk business. On Thursday evening, he went to Vrindavan Dairy with milk when he was confronted by old rivals Kamlesh Patel, Prince Patel, Priyanshu Patel and another associate. According to the victim, the group began abusing him over a previous dispute. When he objected, they accused him of filing a police complaint through his brother Jaiprakash and threatened to kill him. Kamlesh Patel attacked himwith a stick on his head, shoulder and arms, while Prince Patel and Priyanshu Patel stabbed him with knives, causing injuries to his hands, legs, shoulders, back and other parts of the body. Their accomplices also assaulted him with fists. After the attack, the accused threatened him to life and managed to escape from the spot. Acting on the complaint, Adhartal police have registered a case against Prince Patel, Kamlesh Patel, Priyanshu Patel and others under Sections 296, 109, 351(2) and 3(5) of BNS and started investigation to apprehend the accused. MiG-21 flies through Indian skies for last time CHANDIGARH : THE legendary Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 fighter jets, the backbone of the Indian Air Forces combat fleet for more than six decades, streaked through Indian skies for the last time on Friday -- its final adieu threaded through history and many a remembrance. The sun shone bright, the skies were cloudless and a brilliant blue, providing a picture perfect setting for the elaborate farewell to the Russian origin warhorse that was inducted into the IAF in the 1960s. Describing the MiG-21 as a mighty machine and a national pride, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said there is deep attachment to the aircraft that shaped our confidence. MiG-21 is not only an aircraft or machine but also proof of deep India-Russia ties, the Minister said. The history of military aviation is incredible. The MiG 21 added many proud moments in our military aviation journey, Singh told the gathering. There has been no fighter jet in the history of global military aviation made in such big numbers, the Minister said. More than 11,500 MiG 21 aircraft were made. Of them, 850 fighter jets remained part of the IAF, he added. This number is the testimony of this aircrafts popularity, credibility and multi-dimensional capability, Singh said while pointing out that its contribution was not been limited to one incident or a war. He also recalled its role in the 1971 war with Pakistan, the 1999 Kargil conflict as well as the 2019 Balakot air strikes. Besides him, former IAF chiefs A Y Tipnis, S P Tyagi and B S Dhanoa, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, Indias first man on the International Space Station, and scores of veterans, many who had piloted the aircraft, were present on the occasion. Air Chief Marshal A P Singh flew the sortie of the MiG-21 Bison aircraft with call sign Badal 3. Dilbagh Singh, who became the IAF chief in 1981, led the first MiG-21 Squadron here in 1963. The culmination of MiG-21 operations took place with a ceremonial flypast and decommissioning event, marking the closure of a historic chapter in Indias air power. The countrys first supersonic fighter and interceptor aircraft were retired at the decommissioning event in Chandigarh, where it was first inducted. The ceremony began with the arrival of the Minister, the chief guest at the occasion, followed by a spectacular display by IAFs elite skydiving team Akash Ganga, which skydived from a height of 8,000 feet. This was followed by a majestic flypast of the MiG-21 aircraft accompanied by precision of the air warrior drill team and an aerial salute. The fighter pilots flew MiG-21s in the three-aircraft Badal formation and the four-aircraft Panther formation roared over the skies one final time. The Surya Kiran aerobatic team also enthralled the audience with their breathtaking manoeuvres. MiG-21 jets, belonging to number 23 Squadron, took part in the flypast ceremony, and were given a water cannon salute. The Jaguar and the Tejas aircraft also took part in the ceremony. Tejas is a single-engine multi-role fighter aircraft capable of operating in high-threat air environments. It has been designed to undertake air defence, maritime reconnaissance and strike roles. After its first induction, the IAF procured over 870 MiG-21s to boost its overall combat prowess. The aircraft has also had a troubled safety record and involved in multiple crashes in the last six decades. The ageing fleet prompted some to describe the aircraft as legacy coffins. The MiG-21 jets made their last operational flights at the Nal Air Force Station in Rajasthans Bikaner, a month ahead of the formal retirement ceremony. As part of the symbolic farewell, Air Chief Marshal Singh had also flown solo sorties of the MiG-21 from Nal on August 18-19. Reserve Bank streamlines norms for claims settlement related to deceased bank customers The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday issued revised norms for the settlement of claims on deceased customers bank accounts and lockers within a 15-day timeframe and prescribed compensation to nominees for delays in the settlement. The revised instructions are aimed at streamlining the divergent practices followed by banks in the settlement of claims in respect of deceased customers. It has also standardised the documentation to bring improvement in the quality of customer service. The central banks said the Reserve Bank of India (Settlement of Claims in respect of Deceased Customers of Banks) Directions, 2025 revised instructions will be implemented as expeditiously as possible, but not later than March 31, 2026. The directions are related to the settlement of claims in the deposit accounts of a deceased customer, safe deposit locker and articles in safe custody by the deceased customer. A deposit account where a depositor had made a nomination or where the account was opened with a survivorship clause, the payment of the outstanding balance upon the death of the depositor(s) to the nominee(s)/ survivor(s) shall be considered a valid discharge of a bank's liability, the RBI said. In cases where accounts are without a nominee / survivorship clause, banks have been asked to adopt a simplified procedure for settlement of claims in cases where the aggregate amount payable is less than the threshold limit. Threshold limit means Rs 5 lakh in case of a co-operative bank and Rs 15 lakh in case of any other bank or such higher limit as may be fixed by the bank, including a co-operative bank. In cases where the amount is above the threshold limit, the bank may ask for additional documents like a succession certificate or a legal heir certificate. The RBIs latest directions also prescribe norms for the settlement of claims not falling under the simplified procedure. It also details norms to be followed for the settlement of claims in a safe deposit locker and articles in safe custody by a deceased customer. On the time limit for settlement of claims, the RBI said a bank shall settle a claim in respect of deposit accounts of a deceased customer within a period not exceeding 15 calendar days from the date of receipt of all the required documents associated with the claim. In case of safe deposit locker/ articles in safe custody, the bank shall, within 15 calendar days of receipt of all the required documents, process the claim and communicate with the claimant (s) for fixing the date for making inventory of the locker/articles in safe custody, the central bank said. If any deposit-related claim is not settled within the timeframe stipulated, the RBI said, then the bank will communicate the reasons for such delay to the claimant(s). Further, in cases of delay attributable to the bank, compensation shall be paid by the bank in the form of interest, at a rate not less than the prevailing Bank Rate + 4 per cent per annum, on the settlement amount due for the period of delay, it said. For claims related to safe deposit locker/ articles in safe custody, the bank will be required to pay compensation to the claimant(s) at the rate of Rs 5,000 for each day of delay, in cases where it doesnt adhere to the timeline. Suzuki Motorcycles Tyohaar Pe Uphaar offers at Nangia Suzuki Business Reporter : Suzuki Tyohaar Ka Uphaar Festival offer is available on Suzuki two wheelers at leading dealership Nangia Suzuki. under the offer, customer can get win 5 Maruti Suzuki Dzires, 5 Gixxer SF 250, 25 smartphones up to Rs 79,990 in a lucky draw scheme. Apart from this offer, other facilities like extended warranty of 10 years, exchange offer of upto Rs 5000, loan upto 100 per cent, no hypothecation on entire range of Suzuki two wheelers are also available. Entire range of Suzuki two wheelers including premium range is available at the dealership. Vehicles like New Access 125 abd Avenis Scooters , Burgman Street and Gixxer, Gixxer SF motorcycles and premium range like Gixxer-250, V-Storm-250, Burgman-EX are available at very attractive schemes. NANGIA Suzuki is one of the most reputed and trusted dealerships in the region. It offers best deals, says a press release. For further details, customers may visit the showroom of Nangia Suzuki at Shop No. 9, 10 & 11, Yeshwant Stadium, Dhantoli, Nagpur or call on Mob. 9158884497. Urban Maoist network busted with arrest of couple in Raipur Staff Reporter : Raipur : In a swift counter-insurgency operation that underscored the extent of Left-Wing Extremisms reach into urban spaces, the Special Investigation Agency (SIA) of Chhattisgarh Police arrested a Naxal couple from the bustling Changorabhata locality of Raipur. The arrests, carried out quietly but with precision, have rattled security circles as the couple was allegedly operating a covert urban network from within Raipur. The two have been identified as Jaggu alias Ramesh Kurssam (28) and his wife Kamla Kurssam (27), residents of Gangloor in Bijapur district - one of the hotbeds of Maoist activity. Along with their arrest, the police seized an automatic revolver believed to have been part of the underground arms supply chain. Although senior officials have so far refrained from issuing an official confirmation, the operation marks a significant strike against the urban wings of the insurgency. Following the arrest, Kamla was sent to judicial custody while Jaggu has been remanded to police custody for three days to facilitate interrogation. A First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged at DD Nagar police station under relevant sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), setting the stage for an intensive investigation. Security insiders believe the couple was embedded in Raipur for an extended period, camouflaged under ordinary civilian identities while allegedly serving as conduits for communication, logistics, and safe passage to Maoist cadres moving between the forests and the city. Their arrest, officers suggest, could open critical leads into the functioning of the shadowy urban support networks that are vital for sustaining the insurgency. Officials associated with the probe indicated that a dedicated SIA team has already begun mapping contacts and possible safe houses linked to the Kurssams. This operation is a critical breakthrough. Urban modules form the invisible spine of the insurgency - they provide shelter, weapons, and resources. With their interrogation, we expect to reach further links, a senior officer privy to the development observed. Meanwhile, patrols and surveillance have been intensified across Changorabhata and adjoining areas. Citizens have been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement or unknown visitors in their neighbourhoods. The arrests come at a time when Chhattisgarh Police has been steadily tightening its grip on both forested strongholds and urban corridors of the Maoist network. However, while no other arrests have been made yet, investigators remain confident that interrogation of the couple will lead to further breakthroughs. Originally created to automate tasks, analyze data and improve efficiency and accuracy in various applications, an adverse effect of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is silencing voices within the firearm industry. Firearm news sites and gun blogs have reported a decline in readership traffic due to several factors, one of which being search platforms using AI to divert traffic from independent websites. AmmoLand previously reported, "Artificial intelligence search 'snippets' are blocking clicks to independent media. Search engines lift our reporting word-for-word, answer questions directly on their platforms, and leave fewer reasons for readers to visit the source. For pro-Second Amendment outlets, already fenced in by Big Tech's 'harmful content' labels and age restrictions, this is a direct assault on our reach and revenue." It's not like Second Amendment websites and gun blogs had it easy to begin with. With posts and pages being actively targeted on social media platforms to public WiFi networks blocking their websites, it's harder than ever for independent blogs to reach audiences. RNCM condemns | IMPHAL, Sep 26 : Expressing deep shock and anguish, the Rongmei Naga Council Manipur, Goinanglong Luangrian (RNCM-GL) has condemned the gunfight at Kaiphundai Rongmei village on September 24. The village falls under Oinamlong segment of Tousem Sub-Division. A press release issued by chairman Guongloungam Dangmei, RNCM-GL has appealed to those responsible for the "cowardly act" to not repeat it in the future. Stating that RNCM-GL and the public of the area do not support any form of violence, it further termed the incident as a grave concern and an assault on peace, brotherhood and humanity. Kathy Griffin thinks her audience is "un-shockable". Kathy Griffin begins her tour in November The 64-year-old comedian is set to embark on her New Face, New Tour in November, and she's teased fans with details of her latest routine. She told People: "It's an evening with Kathy Griffin, and I've been touring so long that I really think if you buy a ticket to my show, you can't act like you don't know I'm going to curse like crazy, I'm going to say inappropriate things. "I'm going to go off on celebrities and talk about whatever is in the pop culture zeitgeist. "I would say that the folks coming to my show, they know what they're in for. I call my audiences very un-shockable because they've heard me say it all, and I'll be saying even worse things this time." Kathy has also promised to tailor her routine for different audiences across the US. The veteran comedy star explained: "I start with local material. "If I'm in Tampa, I'll talk about what celebrities are from Tampa. One time I had to run out of the theatre after my show because I thought it would be funny to read aloud the names and addresses of the sex offender list in that town." Kathy also appreciates that she's still so popular with fans at this stage of her career. She shared: "I got to tell you, I'm still in shock that I was able to do my last tour and do 75 cities, including the great Carnegie Hall, the great Boston Symphony Hall. "And look, I'm not going to sell out every show. I wish I was Dave Chappelle or Chris Rock, and I wish I could say I'm going to sell out every show, but I'm kind of flabbergasted that these offers are coming in." Kathy is actually still surprised when she receives invites to perform anywhere. She said: "I just feel so fortunate that I survived the last few years and now have my New Face, New Tour lined up, and the audience is saying, 'Come to my town,' and I'm saying, 'Really? You'll have me? Great. I'll be there'. I'm just letting it all out there." remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. EACH AND EVERY COUNTRY SHOULD HAVE THE POLITICAL WILL TO HELP UKRAINE AND FORCE RUSSIA TO PEACE India is now the worlds 5th biggest aviation market with 21 crore passengers last year, surpassing Japan which had more than 20 crores, according to the latest figures of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Only the US, China, UK and Spain have more passengers than India. In the last decade, Indias operational airports have more than doubled from 74 back in 2014, and so has the number of commercial planes. What more, another 2,000 jets are on order, indicating a robust market that just cant have enough air miles. Try telling that to the nations struggling smaller airlines and the wannabes waiting in the wings dreaming of soaring high. Call it network effect or deep pockets, the countrys civilian aviation scene is dominated by two pan-national players the InterGlobe-promoted Indigo and the Tata-owned Air India/Air India Express combine, both headquartered in Gurugram. Between them, they have garnered to themselves a gargantuan 91 per cent of the market, leaving little to the rest. And the rest, the little guys, are running to just stand still, even as turbulence of all sorts pummel them from all sides. SpiceJet and Akasa There are only three other pan-national airlines in the picture one is Ajay Singhs SpiceJet, which seems to have made a habit of surviving existential crises almost on a monthly basis, wile the other is Akasa, seemingly run smartly an experienced team, though not without its own recent management churn as well as, perhaps more worringly, a lot of funding anxiety. This is because the chief backer of Akasa was the legendary Big Bull Rakesh Jhunjhunwala who passed away on the eve of the airlines launch. Star Airlines Then there is a third player, perhaps the most curious of all. Kolhapur-based Star Airlines, with its hub in Bengaluru and a direct beneficiary of the UDAN scheme since the government guaranteeing at least part of the operational expenditure. And flies primarily to smaller destinations, taking a leaf out of market leader Indigos original strategy of expansion. While it does treat the bigger Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru as its hub it was one of the first airlines to operate out of its flashy Terminal 2 couple of years ago, most of its routes otherwise are to Tier 2 or Tier 3 towns like Gulbarga and Belagavi in the south and Jamnagar and Bhuj in the west. And even though it has flights to Delhi, the National Capital Region with the highest passenger catchment in the country, the airline has shrewdly chosen to fly not to the larger, and more expensive Indira Gandhi International, but to the smaller Hindon airport in the satellite city of Ghaziabad. No surprises then that Star has turned profits for the first time recently. The airline presently has 32 destinations and aims to hit 60 pretty soon. For all its shiny achievements, Star remains an outlier in Indias aviation scene, where most smaller operators are struggling to survive, or in an interesting twist at least this year struggling to even take off. Struggle of new players At least three airlines were supposed to take to Indian skies this year Air Kerala and Al Hind from Kerala, and Shankh Air from Uttar Pradesh. Though the airlines had made big ticket announcements the Kerala ones aiming to take advantage of the lucrative and underserved Kerala Gulf route, there is still no clarity on when operations will start. Market sources indicate at least some of them are finding it difficult to lease aircraft, all thanks mainly to the ghost of GoAir, which went defunct a couple of years ago (GoAirs foreign lessors were stopped from retaking their aircraft by local courts). The irony in the whole story is that conventionally, the make-or-break factor for most airline companies have been fuel prices. Fuel constitutes about one third of the operational cost of a non-Gulf airline, and in India, soaring prices have more than once proved a death knell for ambitious private airlines. But in the present scenario, fuel prices have actually been stable for the last several years, though other factors like availability of aircraft and other operational reasons are making Indias fledgling little birds not even surviving but hoping take life, on a wing and a prayer. The revival of US-Pakistan ties is not a neutral adjustment in Washingtons playbook. It risks rearming a state that has historically converted external support into proxy aggression against India. Strategic foresight demands that India prepare to counter this cycle before it matures into a renewed security crisis. The emerging new bonhomie Something is stirring in South Asia that India cannot afford to dismiss. In just three months post Operation Sindoor, US President Donald Trump has met Pakistans prime minister three times and its Army Chief twice. For a country that only a few years ago was described by Trump as a haven for terrorists, this sudden access to the Oval Office is a remarkable turnaround. These meetings are not routine photo-ops; they mark a clear recalibration in Washingtons approach. If India treats them as diplomatic theatre, we risk being blindsided by a strategic shift with serious consequences. Why the sudden embrace? The American establishment rarely acts out of sentiment. The US is recalibrating its South Asia policy because geopolitical shifts impact its stakesChinas reach and rise, Iran flexing its presence in the Middle East and Gulf, and Afghanistan increasingly out of US reach. Add to that visible strain in the USIndia relationship over trade, energy and Russia. Pakistan spots an opening, and Washington, looking for quick tactical leverage, seems willing to play along. Trump has already gone beyond the old counterterrorism script. He has spoken of investments in energy, mining and technology in Pakistan. This is about repositioning Islamabad as a partner that can serve multiple US interests, from keeping an eye on Kabul to moderating Tehran and even acting as a check on Beijing. It is also sending a strategic message for India, whose strategic autonomy forays are to Trump's dislike. For Pakistan, it is a lifeline. This shift gives Islamabad new legitimacy at precisely the time it was struggling with economic collapse, military humiliation and diplomatic isolation. Islamabads familiar playbook For India, this development cannot be viewed in isolation. Pakistan has a long history of using external patrons to bankroll its strategic goals. During the Cold War, US arms and aid fed the Pakistani military machine even as insurgency in Kashmir was encouraged. In the early 2000s, billions in American assistance were siphoned off even while terror networks were given space to regroup. Each time, the inflow of resources lowered Pakistans risk threshold for provoking India. There is little reason to believe this cycle will not repeat itself. The likelihood is that with new funding, technology access and diplomatic cover, Pakistans security establishment will feel emboldened to test the waters in Kashmir. Even if Washingtons intent is not to destabilise India, its engagement provides Pakistan the confidence to push infiltration, radicalisation and proxy attacks. The added Saudi pact gives it psychological confidence. Indias declared doctrine that every terror strike will be treated as an act of war will then face a serious test of deterrence and political will. The Afghan connection Afghanistan is where Islamabad sells itself as indispensable. Since the Taliban takeover, Pakistan has positioned itself as the gatekeeper. Information sharing, logistics and selective counterterror pressure could all flow through Rawalpindi. For India, this is a double setback along with the sanction on Chabahar, which facilitated connectivity to Central Asia. Our developmental investments and political goodwill in Afghanistan could be marginalised. More importantly, Pakistan could use its restored clout to block Indian influence and allow anti-India groups to re-establish safe zones with tacit American tolerance. In effect, Washingtons dependence on Pakistan for Afghan stability could leave Delhi sidelined in key regional calculations. The larger bargain is stark. The US seeks Pakistans help to manage Islamist extremism in Afghanistan, contain Iran on its eastern flank and keep an eye on Chinas Belt and Road corridors. Pakistan, in return, expects a free hand in shaping the subcontinents security environment, where India remains its primary focus. The danger of complacency India cannot fall back on the assumption that the US policy is cyclical and will swing back in our favour. History shows that by the time America changes course, the damage has already been done. Every previous round of US-Pakistan engagement left India with a stronger proxy war to manage and militants better equipped to strike with diplomatic impunity. This time, the risks are sharper. Indias own relations with Washington are showing signs of friction. Pakistan has moved swiftly to exploit those cracks and position itself as the cooperative partner. For Islamabad, this is not just about resources; it is about returning to the region as a key strategic influencer after years of marginalisation. Recommendations for India The response cannot be passive. India needs a multi-layered plan. Harden deterrence. Security forces along the Line of Control and in the Valley must assume that infiltration attempts will rise. Intelligence coordination has to be improved with a focus on terror financing and sleeper networks. Precision strike and cyber capabilities must be made ready for fast retaliation. Only visible preparedness will dissuade misadventure. Diplomatic clarity: New Delhi must engage Washington with a blunt message. Strengthening Pakistans military capacity while ignoring its sponsorship of terrorism directly undermines Indian security. India must underline that no strategic calculation in South Asia can be sustainable if it overlooks Pakistans record. Regional hedging: India should strengthen ties with Iran, the Central Asian states and Afghan stakeholders beyond the Taliban. Broader networks will dilute Pakistans monopoly and provide India with multiple levers of influence. Partnerships with Moscow, Europe and ASEAN on Afghan stability can further offset US reliance on Islamabad. The key remains hetero-polarity, which protects its strategic autonomy and national interests. Control the narrative: Pakistan thrives on playing victim even as it nurtures terror. India must relentlessly expose this duplicity. Every forum, from the UN to regional conferences, should hear the evidence. Global opinion is not a substitute for hard power, but it shapes the space in which hard power is used. The stakes: Forewarned is forearmed The US-Pakistan rapprochement is not just a passing alignment. It reflects a structural choice by Washington to use Pakistan as a regional instrument once again. For Islamabad, it is a chance to escape the isolation that followed the fall of Kabul and the exposure of its duplicity. For India, it is a warning that global alignments are fluid and that even trusted partners may recalibrate when their interests demand it. The real risk is not simply that Pakistan will receive new resources. The deeper danger is that American indulgence will embolden its security establishment to reopen fronts against India. If that happens, the Valley could see a surge in violence and Indias red lines will face a trial by fire. Strategic patience has often been Indias instinct, but this is a moment that calls for strategic urgency. We cannot rely on Washingtons eventual disillusionment with Pakistan. By then, the cost will already have been extracted in blood and instability. The time to anticipate, deter and shape outcomes is now. The continuous rains in and around Hyderabad have prompted authorities to open the gates of the Himayat Sagar reservoir, causing an alarming rise in water level in the Musi River. About 1,000 people living in low-lying areas have been shifted to relief camps as the overflowing river triggered a flood scare. The gates of the reservoir were opened on Friday night after the region witnessed heavy downpour over the last few days. The gates of Osmansagar, another reservoir in Hyderabad, have also been lifted. VIDEO | Hyderabad: About 1,000 people living in low-lying areas were shifted to relief camps as the Musi river was in spate following heavy rains in the city and other parts of Telangana. The residents of low-lying areas, who were evacuated to relief camps late on Friday, were pic.twitter.com/YsQn3Yg9l9 Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 27, 2025 According to reports, the flood water reached Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (MGBS)Indias fifth largest bus stationin south Hyderabad, forcing authorities to halt the bus services. MGBS is owned and run by the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC). TGSRTC MD V.C. Sajjanar said in a post on 'X' that buses originating at MGBS are being operated from different areas in the city. The rising water level in the Musi River also forced officials to close the Chaderghat bridge in Hyderabad, resulting in a huge traffic jam in the area. The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rainfall at isolated places in several districts of Telangana on September 27. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has asked the state administration to stay on high alert to manage the situation. According to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), officials across all departments have been instructed to closely monitor flood-prone areas and take proactive measures to ensure public safety. The district collectors have been instructed to assess flood situations in areas prone to regular flooding and to relocate residents from low-lying regions to relief camps as a precautionary measure. In a hard-hitting response to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the United Nations General Assembly, India said on Friday that the neighbouring country had pleaded for a ceasefire during the Operation Sindoor in May. New Delhi also mocked Islamabads claim of dominance in the military confrontation, asking if destroyed runways and burnt-out hangars looked like victory. India launched airstrikes targeting nine terrorist hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7 in retaliation to the Pahalagam attack. Indias action led to a military confrontation between the two countries, causing destruction to multiple Pakistani airbases. "The Prime Minister of Pakistan advanced a bizarre account of the recent conflict with India. The record on this matter is clear. Till 9 May, Pakistan was threatening more attacks on India. But on 10 May, its military pleaded with us directly for a cessation to the fighting, First Secretary in India's Permanent Mission to the UN Petal Gahlot said in her address. Sharif, in his speech, had claimed victory in the war and praised US President Donald Trump for facilitating a ceasefire. He also claimed that seven Indian jets were turned into scrap and dust. In a sharp retort, Gahlot said the pictures of the damage caused to multiple Pakistani airbases by Indian forces are publicly accessible. If destroyed runways and burnt-out hangars look like victory, as the prime minister claimed, Pakistan is welcome to enjoy it," she said. "If destroyed runways and burnt-out hangers look like victory, as the Prime Minister claimed, Pakistan is welcome to enjoy it," First secretary in Indias Permanent Mission to the UN, Petal Gehlot, ripped apart Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif's spineless claim.#UNGA80 #UNGA pic.twitter.com/xgi5imFx6v Aanand Krishna (@aanand_krishnaa) September 27, 2025 The first secretary also lashed out at Islamabad for shielding terrorists and peddling "ludicrous narratives" to mask its role as a hub of terrorism. "This Assembly witnessed absurd theatrics in the morning from the Prime Minister of Pakistan, who once again glorified terrorism that is so central to their foreign policy. However, no degree of drama and no level of lies can conceal the facts, she said. Saturday's deadly stampede at Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally in Karur, where at least 36 people were killed, comes days after the Madras High Court warned Vijay over crowd controlling at his events. #WATCH | Tamil Nadu: A large number of people attended the campaign of TVK (Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam) chief and actor Vijay in Karur A stampede-like situation reportedly occurred here. Several people fainted and were taken to a nearby hospital. More details are awaited. pic.twitter.com/4f2Gyrp0v5 ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2025 The high court, while hearing a TVK plea challenging restrictions by Tamil Nadu police, asked the party as to who will take responsibility in case of untoward incidents. The court was referring to TVK rally in Tiruchirappalli, where one person died recently. The court then observed that it is the responsibility of political leaders to ensure safety of people who come to their rallies. The high court also pointed out that children, elderly and differently abled people should not be encouraged to attend such overcrowded rallies if their safety cannot be guaranteed. VIDEO | At least 10 persons, including children, feared dead due to stampede-like situation in TVK leader Vijay's heavily crowded rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu. (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/8cutzN1Eyo Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 27, 2025 The court ordered the Tamil Nadu government to frame uniform safety rules for political rallies of all parties. The police had reportedly given permission for 10,000 people at the rally. However, the actual turnout was more than 30,000. At least 36 people, including eight children and 16 women, died in the stampede, according to Chief Minister MK Stalin. At least one child went missing. Around 58 others who attended the rally were still hospitalised. People who fainted were rushed to hospitals immediately, following which Vijay continued his speech. However, he ended it soon after sensing the stampede-like situation in the crowded area. DMK district secretary and former minister Senthil Balaji arrived at Karur government hospital immediately while minister Ma Subramanian and Anbil Mahesh reached the spot later. Chief Minister MK Stalin will arrive in Karur on Sunday morning while Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin cancelled his Dubai trip following the stampede. AIADMK supremo Edappady Palaniswami is also expected to reach Karur during the night. The CM has formed an enquiry commission headed by retired Justice Aruna Jagadeesan to probe the incident. She is known for probing the 2018 shooting that killed and injured people protesting against Sterlite in Thoothukudi. The Ladakh Police, which is probing the recent unrest in the Union territory, is also examining activist Sonam Wangchuks alleged Pakistani links and his visits to the neighbouring countries. Director General of Police (DGP), Ladakh, S.D. Singh Jamwal said the Leh police had recently arrested a Pakistan PIO who was allegedly in touch with Wangchuk. "We arrested a Pakistan PIO in the recent past who was reporting back across. We have a record of this. He (Sonam Wanghchuk) had attended a Dawn event in Pakistan. He also visited Bangladesh. So, there is a big question mark on him...Investigation is being done, Jamwal said, addressing a press conference in Leh on Saturday. #WATCH | Leh: Speaking on the 24th Sept violence, Ladakh DGP Dr. S.D Singh Jamwal says, "...We also arrested a Pakistan PIO in the recent past who was in touch with him (Sonam Wangchuk) and reporting back across. We have a record of this. He had attended a Dawn event in Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/q4YnhyrQlE ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2025 Wangchuk, who has been spearheading the campaign for Ladakh statehood, was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) on Friday, with the government alleging that his provocative speeches resulted in the Wednesday's violence that left four persons dead and scores of others injured. He has been lodged in Jodhpur Central Jail in Rajasthan. The DGP, too, accused Wangchuk of instigating violence in the UT. "Sonam Wangchuk has had a history of instigating. He has referred to the Arab Spring, Nepal and Bangladesh, he said, adding that an investigation is also underway into his alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act. The Union home ministry has cancelled the FCRA licence of the Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), an organisation founded by Wangchuk, citing alleged financial discrepancies and a fund transfer deemed to be against "national interest". Meanwhile, an uneasy calm continued to prevail in the Himalayan region as curfew remained in force for the fourth consecutive day in Leh with no untoward incident being reported from anywhere in the UT. Mumbai and several other parts of Maharashtra, which are already reeling under heavy rains, are bracing for yet another spell of showers, with the weather department issuing red and orange alerts. The government has issued an advisory urging people to remain cautious and follow official instructions. Mumbai, Maharashtra: Rain lashes parts of the city pic.twitter.com/av38SsvfUh IANS (@ians_india) September 27, 2025 The advisory followed the India Meteorological Departments prediction of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in several parts of the state between September 27 and 29. The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places in central Maharashtra and Konkan between September 27 and 29, while the Vidarbha region is expected to experience light to moderate rainfall at several places on September 27. Marathwada is also likely to record heavy to very heavy showers on September 27 and 28. The government, in its advisory, has urged people to avoid hazardous zones and refrain from travelling to flood-prone areas. People have also been advised not to take shelter under trees during thunderstorms. The release has directed people in affected regions to use local relief shelters, if necessary, and avoid non-essential travel during flood situations. #mumbairains :This would be the prediction during next 10 days.. Heavy to very heavy rains in coastal #maharashtra parts of #Telangana and #Gujarat , Heavy rainfalls in #Uttrakhand by 3rd October #delhirains pic.twitter.com/6OKHBmBhz6 Weatherman Sumit (@WeathermanSumit) September 26, 2025 According to weather experts, the fresh spell of rains is triggered by a new depression forming over the Bay of Bengal by September 27. A fresh depression off the Andhra coast is expected to develop over the next 24 48 hours. Meanwhile, the remnants of Typhoon Ragasa are also expected to merge with this depression in the Bay of Bengal, which will form by September 27, Athreya Shetty, an independent weather forecaster, told the Indian Express. Shetty said the system will cut across Maharashtra and move into the region, bringing in heavy rain. India came down heavily on Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for his speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), accusing Islamabad of glorifying terrorism and misrepresenting facts. #WATCH | New York | Exercising the right of reply of India on Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif's speech, Indian diplomat Petal Gahlot says, "Mr President, this assembly witnessed absurd theatrics in the morning from the Prime Minister of Pakistan, who once again glorified terrorism pic.twitter.com/ALR2AnDoA9 ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2025 Indias sharp rebuke came after Sharif, in his address to the General Debate of the 80th session of the UNGA, said the people of Pakistan stand with the people of Kashmir and that Kashmir will gain its fundamental right to self-determination through an impartial plebiscite under the auspices" of the UN. Terming the Pakistan PMs remarks absurd theatrics, first secretary in Indias Permanent Mission to the UN Petal Gahlot said, ... this assembly witnessed absurd theatrics in the morning from the Prime Minister of Pakistan, who once again glorified terrorism that is so central to their foreign policy. However, no degree of drama and no level of lies can conceal the facts. Gahlot went on to refer to the Pahalgam terror attack and Indias Operation Sindoor in response to it, and how Pakistan shielded The Resistance Front, a Pakistani-sponsored terror outfit, at the UN Security Council on April 25. A picture speaks a thousand words, and we saw many pictures of terrorists slain in Bahawalpur and Muridke terror complexes by Indian forces during Operation Sindoor. When senior Pakistani military and civilian officials publicly glorify and pay homage to such notorious terrorists, can there be any doubt about the proclivities of this regime? Gahlot added that Pakistan had "the tradition of deploying and exporting terrorism". "Let us recall that it sheltered Osama bin Laden for a decade, even while pretending to partner in the war against terrorism. Its ministers have just recently acknowledged that they have been operating terrorist camps for decades. It should come as no surprise that once again this duplicity continues, this time at the level of its Prime Minister. Who is Petal Gahlot? Gahlots diplomatic journey began when she joined the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) in 2015, according to shethepeople.tv. She has served as an under secretary in the MEAs European West Division, working at the Indian Mission/Consulate in Paris and San Francisco. She obtained a degree in Political Science from St. Xavier's College in Mumbai, and a master's degree in the same subject from Lady Shri Ram College at Delhi University. A self-proclaimed linguaphile and an accomplished guitar player, Gahlots cover of the iconic Italian song "Bella Ciao", garnered much attention on X. Pakistan ready for composite, comprehensive and result-oriented dialogue with India: Sharif Earlier, criticising New Delhi over the situation in Kashmir, Pakistan PM Sharif on Friday said the country was ready for a "composite, comprehensive and result-oriented" dialogue with India on all outstanding issues. He also termed India's decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, an act of war. Referring to Operation Sindoor Indias military response to the Pahalgam terro attack, where terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir were targeted Sharif claimed that "seven of the Indian jets" were damaged during the four-day conflict in May. He also praised US President Donald Trump, saying his "efforts for peace helped avert a war in South Asia". Interestingly, India has been consistently maintaining that the hostilities with Pakistan was paused following direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations of the two militaries. Minister Vijay Shah has now chosen to back Madhya Pradesh Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya's remarks targeting the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi. Shah brought up the statements made by the minister regarding the siblings' affectionate behaviour at an event in Khandwa. The controversy began when Vijayavargiya criticised Rahul Gandhi for kissing his sister during public appearances. He claimed that the gesture was of foreign values and not part of Indian traditions, NDTV reported. Who among you kisses your young sisters or daughters in public? This is a lack of values, brought up abroad," he said at an event. His comments were seen as a dig at Rahul Gandhi, who is often photographed being affectionate with his sister Priyanka. Vijay Shah has now backed those controversial comments, saying, "This is not our culture; our civilisation, customs, and traditions do not teach this. Whatever they teach, practice it in your own homes, not at public places." He then pointed at a fellow MLA, Kanchan Tanve, during the speech and said, She is also my real sister, so would I kiss her in public? Indian civilisation does not teach this." The comments have intensified debate and received sharp criticism from the Congress. The party launched statewide protests and burned effigies of Vijayvargia. Shah is also under scrutiny for defending Vijayvargias comments. Congress spokesperson KK Mishra said, It is unfortunate that no action is taken against BJP ministers who use such offensive words. State Congress president Jitu Patwari called Vijayvargias comments disgusting' and a direct challenge to Indias culture, tradition, and the sacred brother sister relationship. He also asked that both ministers resign and alleged that Vijayvargia was showing frustration that he was not the Chief Minister. At the age of 70, he is making absurd statements, insulting our culture and women alike, he said. After making the comments, Vijayvargia later doubled down on them, saying, "I am not questioning the sanctity of any relationship. All relationships are sacred. However, there is a limit, and I am referring to that. What I have said is that this happens in foreign countries, but it does not happen like this here. If you had listened to my entire speech, this question would not have arisen. I only talked about foreign culture and Indian culture." At least 36 people, including 16 women and eight children, died at an overcrowded rally organised by actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party in Karur district, Tamil Nadu, on Saturday, revealed chief minister MK Stalin. #WATCH | Tamil Nadu: A large number of people attended the campaign of TVK (Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam) chief and actor Vijay in Karur A stampede-like situation reportedly occurred here. Several people fainted and were taken to a nearby hospital. More details are awaited. pic.twitter.com/4f2Gyrp0v5 ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2025 Around 58 others who attended the rally were still hospitalised. The venue was heavily crowded and this led to a stampede-like situation despite police making efforts to manage the people. Chief Minister MK Stalin has asked minister Ma Subramanian and Anbil Mahesh to reach Karur immediately. Former minister Senthil Balaji was already at the Karur government hospital, which was reported to be overcrowded. Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin cancelled his Dubai trip following the stampede. VIDEO | TVK leader Vijay addresses public in Karu. He said: " I want to thank the police for their support in holding this campaign." (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/vRWRuAD1xf Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 27, 2025 "Information from Karur is worrisome," said CM Stalin. The chief minister, who is expected to reach Karur on Sunday morning, appealed to the general public in Karur to cooperate with doctors and police. He said he has instructed top police officials to take appropriate steps to restore normalcy in Karur. Responding to the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X, "The unfortunate incident during a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. Wishing strength to them in this difficult time. Praying for a swift recovery to all those injured." The crowd became uncontrollable during Vijay's speech following which 20 people, including party workers, fainted at the rally. They were taken away in two ambulances and rushed to Karur government hospital. These included three children, as per reports. The TVK supporters were reportedly awaiting him for six hours before his arrival. Several children have gone missing and the parents were still searching for them. Vijay's campaign vehicle cruised slowly through the crowd but he had to pause his speech for a short while and allow two ambulances to carry away a few party men who suddenly swooned. During his speech when people fainted, Vijay requested police to help manage the crowd. He also offered water bottles to cadres who were feeling unwell. Police later resorted to lathi-charge in Karur to drive off people who gathered to witness the rally, reported PTI. With inputs from Lakshmi Subramanian Tragedy struck at Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief actor-politician Vijay's rally in Karur, leading to the death of at least 29 people, including a few children. Thousands of supporters of the actor-politician gathered at the venue to listen to Vijay, leading to a stampede-like situation. According to media reports, the crowd swelled and became uncontrollable even as Vijay was addressing the gathering. According to eyewitnesses, around 7.45, a large number of people thronged the Velicham Veliyeru ('Let There Be Light') event in Velusamypuram in Karur, dismantling the barricades. In the ensuing melee, children got separated from their parents, and many people were trampled even before the volunteers present there and the police could do anything to help. A number of people, including party workers and a few children, fainted and fell down, forcing Vijay to halt his speech. VIDEO | Tamil Nadu: Stampede-like situation was witnessed, and many persons, including a few children, fainted in Karur as a massive crowd gathered for TVK chief and actor Vijay's speech. The fainted persons were rushed to nearby hospitals in ambulances, and some of them are pic.twitter.com/DFGH1oH0BI Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 27, 2025 Images circulating on social media showed huge crowds gathered around the bus on which Vijay was standing and addressing the gathering. He threw water bottles from atop the custom-built campaign bus. "Police, please help," the actor-politician was heard saying as people fell unconscious. News Alert ! Advised Health Minister Ma Subramanian, district collector to render all assistance: CM Stalin on stampede-like situation in Vijay's rally. pic.twitter.com/t5N76xhJSo Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 27, 2025 Those who fainted were rushed to nearby hospitals in ambulances and some of them are reportedly battling for their lives. Media reports say chaotic scenes were witnessed at the hospitals in Karur. After several people were taken to hospitals, police resorted to baton-charge in Karur to drive away crowd. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin appealed to people in Karur to cooperate with doctors and police, and said instructed top police officials to take appropriate steps to restore normalcy in the area. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a defiant address at the United Nations General Assembly yesterday, categorically rejecting the creation of a Palestinian state and threatening to continue the military campaign to finish the job against Hamas. The speech was as much a defence of Israels military campaign as it was a rejection of the widespread criticism his government faces. >> The full speech of the Prime Minister of Israel at the UN >> pic.twitter.com/tt2Q9WoXmJ Benjamin Netanyahu - (@netanyahu) September 26, 2025 As Netanyahu took the podium, dozens of officials and diplomats left the hall in protest. Large sections of the assembly hall were left sparse. The delegations of close allies such as the United States and the United Kingdom were present only at a low level, with senior officials absent. Outside, thousands of demonstrators filled the streets of New York, voicing opposition to Netanyahus presence and to the war. Netanyahu made it clear that Israel would not halt its Gaza campaign and that it would continue to go aggressively after Hamas. The war, he argued, was not a localised dispute but part of what he described as a seven-front battle involving threats from Gaza, Yemen, Iran, Syria, Lebanon and Iraqi militias. To illustrate the scale of what he portrayed as a regional struggle, he displayed a map titled The Curse. Netanyahu vent his ire against Western governments, including the United Kingdom, France, Canada and Australia, for their decision to recognise a Palestinian state. He called the move reckless and misguided, arguing that it was tantamount to rewarding terrorism. He likened it to legitimising al-Qaeda in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks in the United States. Netanyahu insisted that a Palestinian state would endanger Israels security and encourage further violence. He stressed that Israel would never permit such a state to come into existence, a stance he claimed had the overwhelming support of the Israeli public. He also addressed mounting accusations that Israels conduct in Gaza amounts to war crimes. An International Criminal Court arrest warrant has been issued for him on allegations of war crimes, while a UN commission of inquiry recently concluded that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza. Netanyahu dismissed the charges as baseless. He rejected claims that Israel had deliberately starved the population, insisting that the Israeli military had repeatedly urged civilians to evacuate combat zones. He maintained that shortages of food and aid were caused by Hamas, which he accused of diverting supplies. In one of the more dramatic elements of his appearance, Netanyahu attempted to extend the reach of his speech beyond the walls of the UN. He arranged for his remarks to be broadcast into Gaza using loudspeakers mounted on trucks near the perimeter fence. He also claimed that Israeli intelligence had hacked into Gazas mobile phone networks to transmit his words directly to civilians and to Hamas leaders. His intention, he said, was to urge Hamas to surrender and release captives, while reassuring Israeli hostages that they had not been abandoned. The move drew sharp criticism at home. Opposition figures dismissed the loudspeaker broadcasts as childish gimmicks that did nothing to advance Israels strategic position. Despite the cool reception in New York, Netanyahu repeatedly underlined the continuing support of the United States, describing Washington as Israels most reliable ally and principal military backer. He praised President Donald Trumps stance, contrasting it with the decisions of other Western states that have recognised Palestine. Reactions within Israel were divided. Opposition leader Yair Lapid characterised the UN appearance as tired and repetitive, accusing Netanyahu of offering rhetoric in place of a credible plan for peace or for the release of Israeli captives. He argued that the speech had deepened Israels international isolation and damaged its reputation. Ultimately, Netanyahus address amounted to a restatement of his governments maximalist war aims in Gaza. He presented the conflict as existential, requiring total victory over Hamas and its allies. Yet the images of diplomats filing out of the UN hall and the mass protests outside served as stark reminders of Israels growing isolation on the world stage nearly two years into the war. The Ministry of External Affairs recently announced that Paramita Tripathi, from the 2001 batch of the Indian Foreign Service, has been appointed Indias Ambassador to Kuwait and will assume the post shortly. This otherwise routine and innocuous move signals a new shift in Indias approach not only towards the relatively conservative Middle Eastern region but also its commitment to womens empowerment. Since the early days of Independence, prominent figures like Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, Meera Shankar and others have represented India in different parts of the world. However, their footprints in the Middle East have been limited and exceptional. The conservative and largely patriarchal nature of the region has been a major stumbling block. Thus, since Independence, several Middle Eastern countries have not seen women ambassadors from India. But this too has been changing in recent years. Within the region, North Africa has been luckier than the rest. In recent years, Algeria, Libya and Tunisia have had women ambassadors. Tunisia had its first Indian woman ambassador in Nagma Mohamed Mallick, shortly after that country underwent the Jasmine Revolution which blossomed into the region-wide Arab Spring, whose impacts are still reverberating. Likewise, M. Manimekalai was in Tripoli when Libya descended into turmoil leading to the overthrow and killing of Muammar Gaddafi and the subsequent civil war. These events forced India to move its mission to neighbouring Tunisia in 2011 and eventually to shut down its Libyan mission, a situation that continues to this day. The current Indian ambassador in Algiers, Swati Vijay Kulkarni, is also the first female diplomat to represent India in that country. Above all, veteran arms control expert Arundhati Ghosh represented India in Cairo during 199295. This was a critical phase as New Delhi had normalised relations with Israel in January 1992, and had to allay Egyptian concerns over the decisive shift in Indias Middle East policy. Until now, Morocco remains the only North African country that has not seen an Indian woman ambassador. Lebanon and Turkiye were relatively better placed and each had two female ambassadors. Despite prolonged internal disturbances and frequent conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, Nengcha Lhouvum (200509) and Anita Nayar (201316) headed the Indian mission in Beirut. Likewise, Chitra Narayanan (200508) and Susmita G. Thomas (201114) looked after Indian interests in Turkiye. However, despite the greater social, economic and political accomplishments of women and their empowerment, Israel is yet to see a female diplomat from India. The same is true of Iraq and Syria, which in the past had championed greater power and representation for women. Interestingly, even in the heydays of Baathism, India did not send women ambassadors to Baghdad or Damascus. The situation in the countries along the Persian Gulf is even more striking. Until now, none of the countriesBahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Yemenhas had a woman as Indias ambassador. Conservatism, reinforced by tribalism, continues to impede a greater role for women in several Gulf Arab countries; in Iran, the Islamic Revolution has prevented any serious political role for women. Indeed, all the top decision-making bodies of the Islamic Republic are off-limits to them. Since ambassadors are expected to work within the limits and cultural norms of the host countries, there has been little Indiaor any other countrycould do to break the glass ceiling for women. It is in this context that one should view the Indian decision to name Tripathi as its next ambassador to Kuwait. She will be the first female Indian ambassador in the entire Persian Gulf region. Kuwait itself has additional impediments. While the larger Middle East has been slow in franchising women and granting them voting rights, Kuwait had an erratic journey. After much internal debate and pressure from the ruling Al-Sabah family, Kuwait introduced voting rights for women in 1985. This did not go down well with the clergy, which viewed political rights as an exclusively male domain, and womens voting rights were revoked. An attempt to restore them in 1999 failed, and they were only reintroduced in 2005. Though Kuwait has been proud of its electoral path since its independence in 1961, its elected parliament today is an all-male forum. While other Gulf Arab countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE are moving in the direction of greater female empowerment, Kuwait is treading a turbulent path. Under pressure from the clergy and others, Kuwait has imposed severe restrictions on its women citizens who marry foreigners, especially in terms of conferring Kuwaiti citizenship to their spouses and children. Above all, Kuwaiti citizenship is increasingly being restricted to those with close tribal links to certain groups, thereby threatening the future of foreign women who marry Kuwaiti men. By sending a woman diplomat as its representativealso accepted by the hostto Kuwait, India has taken a decisive step towards women empowerment. Hopefully, this will be followed in other Middle Eastern countries where women have never been Indias emissaries. Will the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia be the next? Kumaraswamy teaches contemporary Middle East at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. India has officially joined an exclusive club of just five nations capable of designing and manufacturing their own complete 4G telecom technology stack. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's inauguration of BSNL's fully indigenous "Swadeshi" 4G network stack from Jharsuguda, Odisha, on Saturday places India alongside Denmark, Sweden, South Korea, and Chinaending decades of dependence on foreign vendors for critical telecom infrastructure. From tech importer to creator economy For years, India remained a consumer nation in telecom technology, relying entirely on international giants for 2G, 3G, and 4G systems. The successful development of the "Bharat Telecom Stack" represents a complete transformationfrom importing technology to creating it indigenously within just 22 months. Glimpse from BSNL Headquarters, Delhi as the BSNL @ 25 Years Event unfolds in Guwahati, Assam, graced by Honble MoC @JM_Scindia , in the presence of Assam CM @himantabiswa and @CMDBSNL Shri A. Robert J. Ravi. Witnessing the proud journey and remarkable growth of Indias pic.twitter.com/I1usv2j0UB BSNL India (@BSNLCorporate) September 27, 2025 The breakthrough emerged from an unprecedented collaboration between public and private sectors. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) spearheaded the mission-mode execution, working seamlessly with the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), Tejas Networks, and BSNL to create a fully integrated, cloud-based network that can seamlessly upgrade to 5G. Scale is the feat More than 97,500 towers have been commissioned nationwide at a cost of Rs 37,000 crore, with over 18,900 sites specifically funded under the Digital Bharat Nidhi to connect 26,700 previously unserved villages in remote, border, and insurgency-affected areas. These solar-powered installations create India's largest cluster of green telecom infrastructure, serving over 20 lakh new subscribers. Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia emphasised that India has shifted from being "service-oriented to a producer and innovation-driven nation," with the indigenous stack now ready for global export. Honoured to have joined CM of Assam Shri @himantabiswa ji on this historic day for Indias telecom sector, as Honble PM Shri @narendramodi ji dedicated to our nation a fully indigenous 4G stack and over 97,500 Swadeshi 4G towers. Being part of this golden milestone in the pic.twitter.com/1c75MibhIi Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) September 27, 2025 The technology strengthens national security by eliminating foreign dependencies in critical communications infrastructure, particularly vital for border regions and defence applications. The timing couldn't be more symboliccoinciding with BSNL's 25th anniversary, this launch aligned with Prime Minister Modi's Atmanirbhar Bharat vision while positioning India as a future telecom manufacturing hub. This was visible in the PM's address when he hailed the move as "a significant step towards self-reliance" to ensure India's digital sovereignty in an increasingly connected world. The latest row in Bengaluru, triggered by Blackbuck co-founder and CEO Rajesh Yabaji blaming the Karnataka capital's pathetic state of roads, is a symptom of a larger problem that every Indian is aware of, but has conveniently ignored over the years of inaction and indifference. Potholes, clogged drains, garbage mounds, lack of signage, and the intriguing case of 'peeling of roads' that were just paved. This is not just a Bengaluru problem. Go to Mumbai suburbs, Jaipur pathways, Kochi city streets, Delhi outskirtsno matter the government, no matter the city department in charge, the problems are the same. India's road infrastructure, despite massive investments under programmes like Bharatmala Pariyojana, suffers from widespread quality deterioration. On a wider note, it severely impacts economic productivity and public safety. Dusting away my Transportation and Pavement Engineering textbooks from my college days, I decided to explore why this happens. Just nudging on the topic itself reveals that the poor state of Indian roads opens a Pandora's boxa complex web of technical, managerial, and systemic failures, married to inadequate quality control, substandard materials, poor construction practices, insufficient drainage systems, and weak governance mechanisms. For the sake of technicality, tar is referred to as bitumen, and roads as pavements. Why Indian roads deteriorate Construction quality control failures The most fundamental issue plaguing Indian roads is systematic quality control failure during construction. Reports indicated that construction defects account for approximately 59 major instances of damage across 15 states between 2019 and 2024. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways categorised these defects under four major heads: pavement issues (cracks, rutting, settlements), retaining wall failures, bridge and structural damages, and construction shortcomings. Now, let's look at the research. Quality control gaps manifest in multiple ways. Poor mix design (how the ingredients are mixed) adds to inadequate compaction, subgrade failure, and poor drainage, which emerge as the major reasons for premature pavement (road) deterioration. Research on National Highway stretches (Upadhyay and Chouhan, 2025) revealed more disturbing trendsimproper bitumin (this is what is called 'tar' in commonspeak) mixes with poor quality materials, heavy traffic loads, and inadequate drainage systems create a cascade of structural failures. Material quality and spec issues Using substandard construction materials significantly compromises road durability. Studies indicated that inferior-grade bitumen, poor-quality aggregates (gravel, sand, and the like), and low-grade steel were used to cut costs, given the lack of strict enforcement of quality standards. Research on bitumen pavement failures (Kumar and Kumar, 2022) specifically identified insufficient binder content, oxidation, and water infiltration as major causes of structural distress, including rutting, fatigue cracking, and pothole formation. The Indian Roads Congress (IRC) standards, particularly IRC:82-2015 for maintenance of bituminous road surfaces, established comprehensive guidelines for material specifications and quality control measures. But they stayed on paper. Field evidence (Aryan et al., 2024) revealed that these standards were not followed, resulting in failures manifesting within 2-3 years instead of the designed 15-20 year lifespan. Inadequate drainage infrastructure What are Indian roads without the regulation monsoon drainage seeping in? Poor drainage systems have always been the Achilles' heel of Indian road infrastructure. Children walk past broken slabs above road water drainage in Bengaluru | AFP The sheer inadequacy of proper drainage (Karthik et al., 2025) caused premature pavement failure, leading to cracks, settlement, rutting, and marshy conditions. Excess water content in pavement base, sub-base, and sub-grade soils caused early distress and structural failure (Kumar and Patel, 2019). It is easy to blame monsoons, but India has always had them. During heavy rains, inadequate stormwater disposal systems directly lead to more potholes forming. Field investigations confirmed this multiple times. Bad water drainage led to cracking and potholes in roads, which eventually led to increased accidents due to wet surfaces and widened potholes (Rana and Singh, 2018). Subgrade and foundation problems Subgrade is the ground that is prepped before making the road on it. Simply put, it becomes the soil that touches the bottom of the road surface. The quality and properties of this subgrade soil play a major role in the health of the pavements. Poor subgrades, like clayey and expansive soils, need more work done on them before road construction (Eisa et al., 2022). Weak subgrade soils also mean thicker pavements, which shoot up construction costs (Zajua and Sharma, 2024). Subgrades fail if the soil is not stabilised and not properly compacted before road construction, with water seeping. The California Bearing Ratio (CBR)which is the scientific score to evaluate how good the soil isfalls below design requirements in India more often than you think, compromising the structural integrity of the entire pavement system. This becomes even more dangerous in regions with high groundwater tables or seasonal waterlogging conditions (which is most of coastal India!). Traffic and overloading issues Vehicle overloading is something people are not aware of. Roads are made to technical requirements that factor in the ideal loading of vehicles, too. But many of us have seen trucks overloaded plying the highways. Roads deteriorate faster in such places. If you have ever travelled on the approach to Vizag from the Andhra Pradesh coastline road, you know what I'm referring to. One in every three trucks in India exceeds maximum load limits, with overloaded vehicles contributing to 50 per cent of all traffic collisions. And this is not mere immediate structural damage. They reduce the overall service life of the road, and have a compounding effect on multiple roads failing. Systematic governance and institutional failures The construction industry currently suffers from weak accountability and inadequate oversight. Back in March, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari called out civil engineers as "the most important culprits" for the increasing road accidents and fatalities in Indiaespecially those who prepare flawed Detailed Project Reports (DPRs). He said that small civil engineering mistakes led to hundreds of deaths, while addressing the Global Road Infratech Summit & Expo (GRIS). Gadkari also moved the ministry to conduct mandatory 100 per cent inspection of all quality control tests by contractors (under EPC mode) recently. Earlier, only 50-60 per cent inspection was the norm. Things are picking up, but how well these would be implemented is yet to be seen. Indian roads need a major upgradewe are not talking about the National Expressways and the like; the roads that need to be better are the daily commuting paths. This means better project planning, adequate preliminary geological investigations, adhering to road design standards like IRC, and a consideration of local environmental conditions. Roads have to fundamentally be suitable for the conditions they serve. Tyler Robinson, 22, who allegedly shot dead MAGA firebrand Charlie Kirk at the Utah Valley University, was waiting to get caught and did not have an escape plan, according to a former FBI officer. ALSO READ: FACT CHECK: Truth about Charlie Kirk's wife Erika nee Frantzve working for Trump's beauty pageant Michael Tabman, former special agent in charge of the FBI's Minneapolis Field Office, told Fox News Digital that Tyler Robinson was acting irrationally and in a state of confusion after the committing the crime. "'What did I just really do?' He just killed somebody, now he's like, 'Wow, what did I just do? What do I do now?' So I don't think he had a plan," he explained, adding that the suspect was acting irrationally. ALSO READ: 'Serious daddy issues': Expert says Tyler Robinson wasn't afraid of killing Charlie Kirk, but what scared him was his father's reaction Hinting that Tyler knew he could be arrested eventually, Tabman said, "I think he knew he'd be caught. I think he was just kind of hanging around waiting to get caught." A text between Tyler Robinson and his live-in transgender partner Lance Twiggs revealed that the suspect stayed in Orem for some hours after the shooting, which took place at 12.23 pm on September 10. ALSO READ: Tyler Robinson's texts to Lance Twiggs, mystery plane and more: Chilling theories by online sleuths get FBI attention He reportedly came to the Utah Valley campus around 8.30 am on the fateful day and was in the town at least till 6.38 pm before he drove back to his hometown in St George. Tyler went back to the campus around 6.30 pm to retrieve his abandoned Mauser 98 rifle but had to leave after a law enforcement officer encountered him. The officer was guarding the perimeter and the university was under lockdown. ALSO READ: Truth about Tyler Robinson's father Matt Robinson donating $1.15 million reward money to Charlie Kirk's wife Erika nee Frantzve Conservative activist Candace Owens had earlier claimed that Tyler went to buy an ice cream at Dairy Queen in Orem around 6.38 pm, sharing a photo of Tyler in a maroon t-shirt and cap. All journalismwhether reporting, reviewing, or analysisboils down to one essential craft: pattern recognition. Dog bites man fits the pattern, so it is not news. Man bites dog breaks the pattern, so it becomes news. Most journalists rarely pause to ask themselves why the pattern exists in the first place. They are trained to look for disruptionssometimes to even invent them, and christen them as trendsso that they can package them into stories, publish and move on. Limit journalism to deviation-spotting, and you reduce it to a series of clever party tricks, a kind of performance art designed to keep the audience entertained. Perhaps that is the point. But what if a journalist resists this grand distraction project? What if she dares to probe the deeper questions: Why does a dog bite a man? Why a dog? Why a man? Why the violence at all? Paul Thomas Andersonthe most celebrated writer-director of his generation, and a kind of gonzo-style visual journalist himselfdares to ask those questions in his latest film, One Battle After Another. The film follows Bob (Leonardo DiCaprio), a washed-up far-left revolutionary, as he tries to rescue his mixed-race daughter from a corrupt, white supremacist military officer. Even the title suggests Andersons interest in pattern over plotthe cyclical and unresolved nature of Americas racial tensions and political violence. Bob was once an explosives expert for a radical anarchist group called the French 75, led in part by his lover Perfidia Beverly Hills (Teyana Taylor)a ferocious, charismatic figure hopelessly addicted to revolution and sex. In one early scene, she forces right-wing officer Steven J. Lockjaw (Sean Penn, in a performance that could win him his third Oscar) to masturbate at gunpoint before imprisoning him in the very detention centre he is guarding, before liberating the inmates. Lockjaws humiliation becomes his sexual awakening. Like certain slave-owning Founding Fathers, he discovers that domination has given him an appetite for those he subjugates. He begins to lust after Perfidia, hunts her down, and extorts her into a torrid affair. I can give you the embrace of the federal government, he whispers. Their power relations warp into a hall of mirrors: she dominates him in bed; he dominates her everywhere else. Perfidia eventually bears a childit is left unclear whether the child is Bobs or Lockjawsand her marriage collapses. She is consumed by her love for violence, which she justifies as her devotion to permanent revolution. As Perfidia deserts him and the federal crackdown on the French 75 escalates, Bob spirits their daughter away to Baktan Cross, a sanctuary city in the American West that resists federal immigration enforcement. For Bob, the revolution is over. Years later, we find him outside a martial arts class, waiting to pick up Willa (Chase Infiniti), now a rebellious teenager. He is broken, dishevelled, and stonedpuffing away while a Steely Dan song plays: I am a fool to do your dirty work, oh yeah/ I dont want to do your dirty work, no more. Andersons ear for music remains as precise as ever. Bob is a wreckhis only acquisition of some personal value over the years being a horseshoe moustache, useful for scaring off Willas boyfriends. But his cultivated bravado does not fool his daughter, who worries aloud that her father is the sort of man who might wrap his car around telephone poles. Andersons ear for dialogue is as sharp as ever. Bobs routine recalls Zoyd Wheeler, the ex-hippie protagonist of Thomass Vineland, who is disciplined enough to jump through a window once a year to keep his mental disability cheques coming. When Lockjaw resurfaces to finish his vendetta against the remnants of the French 75, Bob receives a call from a sleeper cell promising safe passage for him and Willaprovided he can recall and utter the pass code that will trigger the operation. But Bob is too stoned to remember. He is like a washed-up Ethan Hunt trapped in a nightmarish parody of Mission: Impossibletoo inept to even get his hands on the mission brief. Jolted into action while dressed like the Dude in The Big Lebowski, Bob is forced onto the road. He must rediscover his inner fire to save himself and his daughter. Willa, for her part, makes her own unsettling discoveries: she learns that her mother may have been the informant who forced the French 75 to disband, and worse, she may be Lockjaws child. A living specimen of Americas original sinthe product of a marriage of slavery and white supremacy. As the plot thickens, Andersons thesis about patterns becomes clearhistory does not resolve, it repeats. Bob and Willa must do exactly what the title promises: fight one battle after another. This is Andersons tenth feature, and his most expensive to dateits sprawling production design and kinetic set-pieces dwarfing anything he has attempted before. A loose adaptation of Vineland, a story of generational regrets about unfinished revolutions in America, One Battle After Another is the kind of thematically rich spectacle that not only treats the senses well, but also ignites the imagination. A standout sequence is a car chase through rolling countryside that ends in a satisfying conclusion without any pyrotechnics. Marvels tireless team of theme-park artisans could take notes. One Battle After Another reportedly cost $130 million to producenearly twice the lifetime gross of Andersons most successful film, 2007s Oscar-winning There Will Be Blood. By Hollywood arithmetic, a film must earn nearly three times its production budget to turn a profit, which means Andersons latest would need to clear roughly $450 million to be considered a commercial success. The combined gross of Andersons previous nine filmsall of them beloved for their artistic sensibilities, none of them mainstream hitsfalls considerably short of that figure. And then there is the question of subject matter. In the Donald Trump erawhen even late-night comedians risk cancellation for the wrong jokean action thriller doubling as a political allegory about race and immigration would seem too incendiary for a production of this size, let alone one with Andersons name attached. Still, Anderson got the backing of Warner Bros, one of Hollywoods most storied studios, for this risky bet. Its wide release raises three questions. Why did this film get made at all? Why did Anderson, known for arthouse gems like Boogie Nights and Licorice Pizza, decide to make what is being marketed as an action epic? And has he, in doing so, delivered an intellectually uncompromising work, or sold himself out to the very forces he seems to critique? An Indian critic may have anticipated these questions years before Anderson began working on the idea. The intimate relationship between Americas internal and external wars, established by its original sin, has long been clear, Pankaj Mishra wrote in 2017. The question was always how long mainstream intellectuals could continue to offer fig-leaf euphemisms for shock-and-awe racism, and suppress an entwined history of white supremacism and militarisation, with fables about American exceptionalism, liberalisms long battle with totalitarianism, and that sort of thing. Mishra has long been an anatomist of Americas structural weaknessespatterns are very much his sort of thing. One would love to know what he makes of Andersons instant classic. For now, though, it is worth returning to the source of that quote: Mishras review of We Were Eight Years in Power, Ta-Nehisi Coatess meditation on the legacy of the Obama presidency, published soon after Trump took office. Coates, born in 1975 in Baltimorethe city that would later inspire The Wiregrew up in the shadow of Americas war on drugs. Anderson, born five years earlier in Californias San Fernando Valley, came of age in the West Coast liberal culture. Coatess childhood was marked by struggle. His father, a Vietnam War veteran who joined a radical movement, ran a community press and library during the crack epidemic to support his family of four wives and seven children. Andersons father joined the Navy during World War IIbut as Anderson once quipped, he didnt do much fighting. He later became a well-known radio and television host, and had three wives and nine children. He moved his family to the vast, Pacific-facing California, the state that Franklin Roosevelt transformed into a strategic, industrial, and atomic hub during World War II. Anderson and his siblings grew up in a community of scientists, engineers, and skilled workers that benefited from the robust infrastructure and prosperity left behind by World War II. California was also by then the centre of the American film industry, which, as one author observed, played an outsize part in establishing the yearnings, fears, role models and self-understandings of Americans. Anderson attended private schools and made his first film at age eight, using a camera his father had bought to encourage his early filmmaking ambitions. Coates moved to New York after a university friend was murdered by the police. He worked as a deliveryman as protests broke out against Americas wars in the Middle East in 2003. By then, Anderson had already become Hollywood royaltya rock star among cinephiles, celebrated for drawing unexpected, career-defining performances from actors as different as Tom Cruise (Magnolia) and Adam Sandler (Punch-Drunk Love). In 2007, the year Coates was commissioned by The Atlantic to blog about Obamas presidential runa breakthrough that would propel him to national prominenceAnderson was recognised by the American Film Institute as one of American film's modern masters. The rise of Coates as the most significant intellectual of the Obama years is well-documented, as is Andersons evolution from the chronicler of the golden age of porn in Boogie Nights to the master dissector of intimacy in Phantom Thread. It is fitting, then, that Mishras review of Coatess Obama-era anthologypublished the same year Phantom Thread premieredcontains a line that now doubles as a commentary on Andersons latest work: For a self-aware and independent-minded writer like Coates, Mishra wrote, the danger is not so much seduction by power as a distortion of perspective caused by proximity to it. This is one danger that Anderson struggles to escape in One Battle After Another. Just as Coatess meditations on race enthralled the Obama-era elitearguably slowing his intellectual progressthe adulations that Anderson will rightfully receive for this film could cause distortions. With One Battle After Another, he is not very far from the place that Coates may have found himself in 2017, after the publication of We Were Eight Years in Power. For all his searing corroboration of racial stigma in America, he has yet to make a connection as vital and powerful as the one Martin Luther King detected in his disillusioned last days between the American devastation of Vietnam and the evils rooted deeply in the whole structure of our society, Mishra wrote. Coates, after years of silence following the end of the Obama era, returned to nonfiction last year with The Message, a book-length address to his students. He recounts his travels, made since he last saw them, to Senegal, South Carolina, and Palestine. The section on Palestinehalf the bookdetails the history of Israel-South Africa ties during apartheid, an alliance that helped inspire the current South African governments efforts to prosecute Israeli leadership for war crimes at the International Court of Justice. Between 1948 and 1994, Israel and South Africa built a deep military partnershiparms trading, nuclear collaboration, joint training programmesas both nations faced international isolation and a shared a sense of minority survivalism against perceived threats from surrounding majorities. Israel supplied weapons to South Africa despite a 1977 UN embargo, eventually becoming its primary arms supplier. The South African army chief, Coates wrote in The Message, openly admired the efficiency of the Israeli checkpoints in the occupied territories. South African officials hosted their Israeli counterparts in safaris, enjoyed Israeli support for their dubious Bantustan policy, and kept an open dialogue on the best practices by which one might divorce a people from its various freedoms, he wrote. With The Message, Coates finally made the connection that Mishra once argued was essentialthe intertwining patterns created by Americas internal racial tensions and its involvement in global systems of subjugation. One Battle After Another suggests that Anderson, too, is on to such patterns. But then, even as its politics remain sharp, it is also disappointingly partial. The film nods towards Hollywoods internal battles: the corporate mergers and politically motivated cancellations, the fault lines that the Gaza war has opened within the industry, and the increasing fusion of Republican agendasteeped in white supremacywith corporate power. But it stops well short of tracing them to their deeper roots. Why do streams of migrants head for Americas borders? Why does America continue to allow capitals relentless hunger for cheap labour to tear its social fabric? Why should the dream of a just society be confined within Americas borders? One Battle After Another raises these questions, but hesitates to answer them. Anderson, it seems, would rather mount a grand spectacle than follow the logic of his own critique to a conclusion. Elements in the films endingBob gets his first iPhonesuggest that Andersons radicalisation is more measured and cautious. Still, this is both a triumph and a turning pointthe work of someone approaching a new phase of clarity in recognising the recurring patterns of American violence. Surely, Andersons next film should not be missed. Film: One Battle After Another Director: Paul Thomas Anderson Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, Chase Infiniti Rating: 4/5 The digital ID card is Keir Starmer's latest gimmick intended to discourage unauthorised migration. As initially defined, it will be a requirement for British citizens and residents starting a new job. The scheme is disparaged by Reform on the grounds it will do nothing to stop the use of illegal immigrants in the black economy. More surprisingly, it won the support of the normally sensible Institute of Directors. Putting to one side this paper's deep-seated concern about the infringement on civil liberty, one should not underestimate practical pitfalls. Labour is desperate, having failed to 'smash the gangs', to bring down the number of illegal arrivals. Concern: The digital ID card is Keir Starmer's latest gimmick intended to discourage unauthorised migration Pouring several billion pounds into such a scheme at a time of fiscal frugality is an expensive experiment. The UK's record on implementing complex digital systems is abysmal. The NHS's early attempt at creating a national database cost 10billion and was abandoned in 2013. Fujitsu's upgrade of Post Office systems was a disaster which led to suicide, wrongful imprisonment and a big compensation bill. An effort at a home-grown app in the pandemic was a miserable failure. Big tech in the shape of Microsoft, Oracle or Google could deliver the technology and more speedily thanks to AI. But these private and grasping behemoths know too much about our lives already and could exploit ID cards commercially. Overnight, Amazon agreed to pay a 1.9billon fine to the US Federal Trade Commission for 'tricking' its users into signing up to its premium 'Prime' service. In a week when the UK was alerted to how cyber attackers can halt the production lines at Jaguar Land Rover and threaten the survival of hundreds of suppliers, one must question whether the Government has any hope of keeping private ID information safe. Other recent victims of such assaults include a chain of Kido nurseries as well as M&S and the Co-op. Think of the fun that hackers could have with IDs containing much of the country's personal employment, welfare and health data. All this before one considers the real-life experiences of poor mast coverage, rubbish broadband, flat batteries and tech incompetence. Spare us the misery. Trump overdose President Trump has done it again. His social media post threatening to impose 100 per cent tariffs on branded and patented medicines is causing enormous confusion. Britain's two biggest pharma groups, AstraZeneca and GSK, would appear to be vulnerable. The message from the share price reaction and companies is more a case of 'we have got this'. Britain has thus far been behind the curve in reaching a deal on pharma tariffs. The EU settled on 15 per cent. Switzerland, a big drug producer, will be in difficulty unless a deal can be carved out. The approach of the British companies has been to try to inoculate themselves with eye-popping announcements of new American investments. GSK already has capacity in the US, with plants stretching from Montana in the west to Pennsylvania and the Carolinas in the east. It is breaking new ground as soon as possible. But vital components for its world-leading vaccines, such as Shingrix and RSV, are produced overseas. Astra is aiming for a fragmented strategy, manufacturing locally in the US, China and the rest of Asia and Europe. Whether Trump and his acolytes will be persuaded by any of this is unknown. But with so much uncertainty over life sciences, the Government must now settle with the industry over the 'voluntary' rebate on NHS revenues or risk further disinvestment. Britain's biggest pharmaceutical firms are scrambling to unravel the impact of a shock tariff announced by Donald Trump. AstraZeneca and GSK two of the FTSE 100's largest companies are among the global drugs giants seeking to clarify how they would be affected by a 100 per cent levy. The British Chambers of Commerce said there was 'fresh uncertainty for the UK's pharmaceutical companies'. Trump yesterday stunned the industry as he declared tariffs would be imposed on imports of branded pharmaceutical products from next Wednesday unless the companies involved were building a manufacturing site in the US. New, branded drugs are the major money-spinners for pharma giants. UK ministers are pressing for a better deal. A government spokesman said: 'Sectors such as pharmaceuticals are critical to our economy... so we will continue to press the US for outcomes that reflect the strength of our relationship and deliver real benefits for UK industry.' New move: Britain's biggest pharmaceutical firms are scrambling to unravel the impact of a shock tariff announced by Donald Trump In a trade deal in May, Britain and the US said they intended to negotiate 'significantly preferential treatment outcomes on pharmaceuticals'. It was unclear yesterday whether Britain would be protected by that. In the EU, Irish trade minister Simon Harris insisted new tariffs would be capped at 15 per cent because of its recent agreement with the US. Britain's deal with America imposes a baseline tariff of 10 per cent but it was not known whether it would ultimately shield the UK. GSK employs 15,000 people in the US and has five manufacturing sites. GSK has announced plans to invest 22billion in America over the next five years. Astra employs more than 18,000 people in the US and has been shifting more production there. Shares in both companies fell in early trading before recovering as traders digested the potential likely impact. We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please visit my profile to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, disable notifications and hide this message. Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! Primary care physician Jerina Gani discusses her article My journey to loving primary care again. Jerina shares her deeply personal story of nearly walking away from medicine after burnout, exhaustion, and endless administrative burdens drained the joy from her work. She explains how a shift in mindset treating her role not just as physician but as CEO of her own practice helped her reclaim time, energy, and fulfillment. By tracking patterns, optimizing visit flow, protecting time, and building authentic patient relationships, Jerina now works fewer days, earns more, and feels renewed passion for patient care. She offers listeners candid insights into setting boundaries, redefining value beyond CPT codes, and designing a sustainable, joyful version of primary care that honors both purpose and peace. Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot. Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Now you can streamline and customize documentation, surface information right at the point of care, and automate tasks with just a click. Part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, Dragon Copilot offers an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform to help unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, its backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise, and its built on a foundation of trust. Its time to ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow. VISIT SPONSOR https://aka.ms/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended Transcript Kevin Pho: Hi, and welcome to the show. Subscribe at KevinMD.com/podcast. Today we welcome Jerina Gani. Shes a primary care physician. Todays KevinMD article is My journey to loving primary care again. Jerina, welcome to the show. Jerina Gani: Thank you, and Im very pleased and thankful to be here. Kevin Pho: All right, so lets start by briefly sharing your story and then we can talk about your KevinMD article. ADVERTISEMENT Jerina Gani: OK, so I was born in Europe. I was born in Albania, which is a small country next to Italy and Greece, a Mediterranean country. I finished my medical degree there. Then I won one of the two scholarships in Albania, so I was so proud of that, and I ended up doing a masters degree in health services management in London, United Kingdom back in 1994. I was there for a year. Then I went briefly to Milano for a short bit. My parents didnt want me to come all the way to America; it was so far for them. But my desire was to come to America. I dont know why, I always wanted to come here. Maybe it was my destiny. When I think back, in 1995, I ended up in New York City and now I had to start struggling, working in many different places to become a doctor again and to get my diploma validated. That was very difficult. I didnt think it was a difficult beginning. I had to work different jobs. I had to work as a waitress, and I wasnt a good waitress to begin with because I never worked in my country before. Then I had to work as a travel agent. I worked in retail, and I really liked retail because I was connecting with people. One of my favorite jobs, if I can mention it briefly, was working on Fifth Avenue at the famous Bergdorf Goodman selling jewelry. I had no clue when I got in that people were making so much money there. They were on a commission salary and were making, back in 2000, 200,000 dollars a year, more than a doctor. I was supposed to be a primary care doctor. It changed my idea about medicine. Not that I didnt want to go into medicine, because I love medicine, it was my passion. But I realized that you dont have to be a doctor and think that youre so important. You can study, do your thing, and learn from other people because there were so many educated people who worked there. We are still friends today. And in the meantime, I did research at NYU in cardiology so I didnt want to get out of medicine. Finally, I did my training in Brooklyn and started working in Boston as a physician in primary care back in 2007. Kevin Pho: All right, so just tell me that background, that story. You said that you love working with people, you worked in retail. How has that influenced you as a primary care physician today? Jerina Gani: I think all these jobs I did in New York City while struggling to become a doctor made me the best doctor I could be. At first, I thought that I was privileged to be a doctor, and I was looking at people from up down. I was thinking, Im the doctor, theyre the patients. Whatever I say, they have to do. After working in retail and dealing with so many different people, I realized that you are a person too, and they are people too. So if you listen to their story better, if you communicate with them and connect with them, they will trust you more. Because seeing a patient, I believe, is not just dealing with medical issues. If youre a smart enough doctor, and you have been working for many years like me and you, you can deal with a medical issue in a second or in a minute. It takes some time, but you do it. But the connection is the most important part, and the words you say to that person who is sick to make them feel better. Thats very important. So in retail, I was making people feel good by selling them something that they loved. Here, Im trying so hard to make them feel good by saying a good word, not just taking care of their medications or their illness, but to connect with them and make them feel good when they come. My motto, if I can say it quickly, is that for every patient, I am their doctor. Sure, I may have 2,000 patients, but for every one of them, Im the only doctor they deal with every day in their life. So I think that theyre coming into my living room when they come to the exam room. And Im there to welcome them. So I start always with a smile. No matter what, no matter how tired I am, I have to give them that smile because they feel so relaxed after that. They can open up and share their medical stories and other stories. I mean, were privileged. They tell us so many stories. We learn so much from life because we become a psychiatrist, not only a doctor. We deal with so many problems, as you may know, Dr. Pho. But we can turn it into our advantage. Kevin Pho: Your article is titled My journey to loving primary care again. For those that didnt get a chance to read your article, tell us what its about. Jerina Gani: Yes. So, as with everybody in primary care, I was working so many hours. I was working full-time for so many years, and there was no time for anything. No time for my family, no time for myself, and not enough time for every patient to connect and talk to them. I had to, I was like a robot because you have to take care of them in fifteen or twenty minutes. Then you have to deal with things in between, with no time in your schedule; your schedule is full. One patient after another, and in between you have to deal with refills, you have to answer quickly any emails or phone calls, whatever. So I became a robot, honestly, like everybody else. So burned out. And at one point I was thinking, Do I have to continue this or do something else? Always in the back of my mind was that easy job on Fifth Avenue, selling jewelry, smiling at people, making all that money easily. But I love medicine. I didnt want to betray my patients. I had patients for so many years, so I said, I have to find a way to change this on my own. We know the system is broken, honestly, in primary care, so how can I change that to make it better, to be happy to take care of patients, make enough money to satisfy myself, and have some free time for myself and my family? At the beginning, it looked impossible. But I took things into my own hands and I started speaking up. I said to the people that I work with, the management, Can I have, instead of twenty minutes for every visit, can I have thirty minutes for every visit? I know at the beginning, maybe everybody would think that I would make less money, but it wasnt the case because I was able to connect more with patients, to write better notes, document better, and I was even making more money seeing them every thirty minutes. So seeing only sixteen patients a day instead of more than twenty-two or twenty-four. So then I said to myself, I can do this only for three days. How about I do this only Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Tuesday, Thursday are my days off? Of course, were in an RVU business and system and many doctors are. So, at the beginning my salary was cut. I was making honestly over 300,000 working full-time, if I can share that with the audience, and then I ended up at 220,000 to begin with. But I said to myself, I can do this. I can do this. So I started being very organized, managing my time correctly, and documenting. I learned about RVUs, I learned about billing. Billing is very important. I have a masters degree in health service management, so that helped me manage my time and realize what is important and what is not in documenting. Because I think that all our medical providers in primary care, we deal with so many issues, but at the end dont have time to document what we do. Thats where were underpaid. If you dont document, it looks like youre not doing what youre supposed to do, so youre billing less. If you bill less and not correctly, youre underbilling, and youre getting paid less. You have to learn about billing. I created a course and I can talk later about it, and I explain in my course how to bill correctly. On the other side, if you connect with patients, they love you. They bring everybody; they bring their family. Were lacking primary care. We have the mother, the father, the children, the grandchildren as patients. Its amazing. No other subspecialty or specialty has this privilege. If youre a cardiologist, you deal only with the heart. If youre a hospitalist, you deal two or three days with a patient. Thats it. You dont see them anymore. We see them all the time. We have created a relationship with them. I feel so honored when a patient goes to a specialist, for example, a cardiologist or GI, or they go to a surgeon for surgery and they dont decide on the surgery unless they talk back to me as their primary care provider. Im pretty sure many doctors have noticed this in primary care. They come back and they say, Dr. Gani, what do you think? Do I have to do this surgery? Is this a good doctor? What do you think? So I go over the note with them. I go through pros and cons. This is the best compliment you can get in primary care. You are an advocate for them. So I was able to do this only by switching to part-time, working three days a week and having the visits every thirty minutes. Otherwise, I didnt have time to discuss and to be the advocate for them. And to my surprise, I was able, even with three days a week, seeing only sixteen patients a day, and Ive done this for the last three years, to make over 300,000 dollars a year. This is unbelievable. At the beginning, I didnt believe it, but its true because Im documenting properly and Im not overbilling at all. Im billing correctly. Thats very important because Im ethical. Im writing exactly what Im doing with patients and these are the things I want to share with all providers, primary care doctors, but even nurse practitioners or physician assistants who are now having their own patient panel, because we know that we need so much help in primary care. New medical residents dont want to go to primary care. They dont know this part of primary care that is beautiful, and there is room there for improvement. Everybody talks about burnout, but its not only that. Kevin Pho: You talk about the importance of setting those boundaries. Like you said, you only want to see patients every thirty minutes instead of every twenty minutes, and you want to see patients three days a week. Now, when you set those boundaries, and by the way, I completely agree with you that we do need to set those boundaries or else thats going to lead us to burnout if we dont. Did you get pushback from the administration or the powers that be? Because I know a lot of doctors who want to set those boundaries, administrators arent going to agree, and theyre just going to want their doctors to see as many patients as possible in as short a time as possible. Did you get any pushback when you set those boundaries? Jerina Gani: I agree with you. At the beginning, I had a little pushback when I decided, while I was working full-time, to move from twenty minutes to thirty minutes. But I talked to them and I said, Im so burned out. I have to do it every thirty minutes. Because honestly it takes five minutes, at least for a medical assistant to bring the patient in the office, as you know. So its not twenty minutes. You end up with fifteen minutes. What are you going to do? More patients come with a list of questions. So that was the thing. But I knew and I said to them, OK, fine. Well see if I can make the same amount of money or less, but I cannot help it anymore. If you are a hardworking person, if you work very well in any company, theyll honor that because they dont want to lose you. Wherever you are, if youre a hardworking person, they love you, they see how much patients love you, they can accommodate you slowly. So this was the first thing I did working full-time, but seeing patients every thirty minutes. Then I realized, Oh, Im making very good money. Im making great money, so why dont I go to three days? So I talked to them and I said, I would love to work three days and Ill do my best to make as much as I can. But this is my thing. I cannot handle it like this anymore. I was never afraid to speak up. Maybe because of the fact that I left everything in my country. I mean, I had a great life. I cannot say that I didnt have a good life in Albania. I lived in the capital of the country and I had a masters degree that nobody else had back in 1994, 1995 there. And I left everything and started all over again from scratch in New York City. So that made me more bold to ask, because if you dont ask, you never get it. And many doctors are stuck in their place because they think they cannot move, they cannot ask, they cannot do. I was never afraid because I started from scratch. I left everything in Europe. I came to New York City, a big city. I was nobody. Nobody cared that I had two degrees. They said, Work as a waitress, do this. You have to survive. So that was the best thing that happened to me, to tell the truth. If you can speak up and youre a good, hardworking doctor, nobody will replace you that easily. They will try to accommodate you. And I believe if they dont accommodate you, there are so many places you can go if youre confident enough to ask for what you deserve. Kevin Pho: I talk to a lot of physicians who are scared of speaking up because they say that they will be labeled as a disruptive physician or not working as a team player. Now, how do you reconcile that perception with your experience in terms of asking for in the first place? Because of course we dont get what we dont ask for. How do you reconcile that preconceived perception a lot of physicians have about speaking up? Jerina Gani: You know what? I think overall physicians dont have a community that they connect with because theyre so overburdened. They work so hard and they never talk to even each other. So thats the main thing. If I could share, I mean, Im sharing this through your podcast and I cannot share this otherwise because I dont see these people. I wish we had a community that we can communicate more and people can get more empowered by other people who are doing it. Like myself, I know that many physicians, many medical providers, are still scared of asking, but what are you losing if you ask is my question. Theyre either going to say no or theyre going to say yes. And if you ask, you realize how important you are for that company that you work with. So I dont think its going to be the end of the world. You can ask politely. You dont have to be mean. You just ask, and if youre honest, and I notice that with patients too, if youre honest with everybody, theyll appreciate what youre saying and what youre doing, and they respect you more. Kevin Pho: Now, when physicians talk to their administrators and ask them for whatever they need, some of the things that we talked about, do you have any tips for them? You said, of course dont be mean, but is there a way of framing their ask so we can get administrators on our side and see things from our perspective? Jerina Gani: Its the burnout. Thats the biggest thing. And its obvious everybody knows that all physicians are burned out in primary care. We work so much and everything comes to us. We have to check the mails, we have to check the emails, the phone calls, the paperwork. We have to sign labs, we have to send back the results, to deal with these perfect notes that everybody wants. So its so much that we have, and I think without physicians, how will a clinic survive if the physicians are not happy? But physicians keep taking more and more burden without speaking up that, This is not fair, this is not good. Its about time for them to do this in a nice way. Thats the way I see it. You have to talk, and you have to talk again. It may not be the first time you ask them. You have to have the meeting face to face with them and express that youre totally burned out, how this could be better. I mean, thats the way I always did it in my life, and everybody respected that. I didnt have any pushbacks. I was happy and Im still happy where I work because they recognized that and they appreciated that. Kevin Pho: Now as a primary care physician, you said you see about sixteen patients a day every thirty minutes, three days a week, so less than full-time. So by implication, are you saying that its very difficult to practice primary care in a full-time setting where you will have to see patients every fifteen minutes because that is the position of a lot of primary care physicians today? Jerina Gani: I totally agree. And if I knew this before, I wouldve done it a long time ago to see patients every thirty minutes. Because seeing patients every fifteen minutes, you cannot document much, you cannot do much, and youre not going to get reimbursed much. If you see them every thirty minutes, you can document a lot more. You spend more time with them. Time is one of the factors of billing better and you deal with more problems that they have. So, honestly, I have calculated and Ive seen myself, if I see patients every fifteen or twenty minutes the same day, versus seeing them every thirty minutes. Because in thirty minutes I can do all these annual wellness visits, I can do the physicals and the problems they have, I capture everything. The patients are very happy, Im happy, and the finance department is happy because Im making good money. So I think that fifteen minutes should come out. It shouldnt exist, honestly, because its not a way to see people. Were dealing with patients, were dealing with human beings. So it shouldnt be like a factory every fifteen minutes. You have to see somebody. Even when you work full-time, I think you have to at least go to thirty minutes, because as we both know, five or seven minutes it takes for a medical assistant to put them in the room. So how are you going to see in ten minutes a patient who has so many problems, and then youre going to cut them off? Many doctors say, OK, one or two problems today, and then you come back again. They dont have room in my schedule. People have to wait four months to see me because they never cancel because theyre happy now. Theyre very happy. I deal with everything, so this is better. Its better for me, its better for everybody. So, in my opinion, that fifteen-minute visit should not exist. Thats my opinion. Kevin Pho: Were talking to Jerina Gani. Shes a primary care physician. Todays KevinMD article is My journey to loving primary care again. Jerina, lets end with some take-home messages for the KevinMD audience. Jerina Gani: I have created a website called drganissecret.com, where I share all my secrets through an online course, how to be successful with patients, how to be very, very efficient in working part-time or full-time. And thats the way I help many physicians, even nurse practitioners or physician assistants who have their own panel, to thrive in primary care. My wish is all of us in primary care can thrive, not get burned out. And my motto is, Work less, earn more in primary care, not vice versa. So this is my saying at the end, my last word I can say to everybody in primary care in the United States. Kevin Pho: Jerina, thank you so much for sharing your story, time and perspective, and thanks again for coming on the show. Jerina Gani: It was a pleasure. Lots to consider as we offer tribute to celeb, biz lady & Insta hottie Kim by way of pop culture, community reporting and top headlines. Check TKC news gathering . . . Living With Somebody Besides Abuelita Kansas City mortgage programs work to keep Latinos' dreams of homeownership alive Latinos are expected to be 70% of net new homeowners in the U.S. by 2040. Several local programs - mostly in Spanish, but some in English - are designed to help Latinos jump the hurdles that can stand between them and homeownership. Local Lesson In Democracy Metro schools acting as polling places adapt for Frank White recall vote On Tuesday, about four dozen Jackson County schools will be filled with students and voters at the same time. It's election day for the recall of County Executive Frank White. 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South Of Border Shut Down U.S. revokes visa for president of Colombia after he urges American soldiers to disobey Trump The State Department announced it was revoking a visa for Colombia President Gustavo Petro after he participated in a New York protest where he called on American soldiers to disobey President Trump's orders. Celeb Celebrate Tay-Tay Selena Gomez wedding: Taylor Swift, Paul Rudd and more celebrity guests reportedly arrive for star-studded nuptials to Benny Blanco Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco are reportedly gearing up to say "I do" at an ultra-private, star-studded ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 27, in Montecito, Calif. Pop Diva Delights . . . Sabrina Carpenter Is Glad You Like Her Sexual Content One year after her sixth album launched her into the pop stratosphere, the former Disney star is picking up where she left off with "Man's Best Friend." To mark its release, she got on the phone with Mel Ottenberg to talk about music, men, and more men. River Market Dishes New Place Car No. 551 is now open in River Market A 1947 KC streetcar is serving deli sandwiches, burgers and kielbasa in River Market. Cowtown Autumn Starts . . . First Warn Forecast: Comfortable mornings and sweaty afternoons continue Unseasonably high temperatures are sticking around for the time being. Doja Cat - Gorgeous is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 27. The reconstruction work carried out at the military memorial in Baku reflects the dear memory of martyrs, Colonel Anar Eyvazov, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense, told media at the Second Alley of Martyrs on the occasion of Remembrance Day, Trend reports. He said that the families of martyrs, and their dear memory, are always in the focus of attention of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, as well as the First Vice-President of the country, Mehriban Aliyeva. "In accordance with the instructions of our Supreme Commander-in-Chief, on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the Second Karabakh War, large-scale restoration work was carried out at the Military Memorial Cemetery within the framework of the 'Year of Constitution and Sovereignty'," the spokesperson explained. Eyvazov noted that as a result of the reconstruction work carried out in these areas, where Azerbaijani military personnel who died in the First Karabakh War, the April battles (2016), the Second Karabakh War, and other operations, including the anti-terror measures, as well as in the helicopter crash, generals who distinguished themselves in service to the homeland, and civilians awarded by the state, were buried, the stone fence was removed. "In the reconstruction work organized by the order of our Supreme Commander-in-Chief, 12 National Heroes, 11 Second Karabakh War heroes, and a total of 670 martyrs were buried in these areas, taking into account the wishes of the martyrs' families, a 44-meter monumental monument symbolizing the Second Karabakh War was erected in the area. Boards reflecting every day of the Second Karabakh War were installed on it. During the reconstruction work being carried out in this area, this territory, which is sacred to us, reflects the national and spiritual values of our people, as well as the precious memory of our martyrs. I believe that every citizen who visits this area will feel the sacrifice of our martyrs. On the occasion of Memorial Day, the leadership of the Ministry of Defense visited the tomb of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev, visited the Alley of Martyrs, the Victory Complex, and showed respect and honor to our martyrs. Also, complex events are being held in military units on the occasion of Remembrance Day. As a result of the complex reconstruction measures carried out jointly by the Ministry of Defense with the Yasamal District Executive Power and the Baku Urbanization Service, these areas reflect the national and spiritual values of our people, as well as the dear memory of our martyrs, upon the instructions of our Supreme Commander-in-Chief," Eyvazov added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 10. The Azerbaijani Army launched a counter-offensive operation, later called the "Iron Fist", on September 27, 2020, in response to the large-scale provocation of the Armenian armed forces along the frontline. The erupted 44-day second Karabakh war ended with the liberation of Azerbaijans territories from nearly 30-year Armenian occupation and the restoration of territorial integrity. First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva has made an Instagram post on the occasion of the historic Victory. In a post on her official Instagram page, Mehriban Aliyeva says: "My fellow compatriots! The great day the day of Victory has come! The territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan is restored! The historical justice is restored! I do sincerely congratulate the Azerbaijani people on this truly landmark event! Armenia has acknowledged its total and unconditional capitulation! We have accomplished our noble mission of liberation with honor! We have made a stand for Motherland, liberated ancestral Azerbaijani lands from the occupation, gained a victory so desperately awaited by Azerbaijan! Over long years, we have waited for the triumph of truth and the historic justice! Our almost 30 year-long participation in the negotiation process for peaceful settlement is an obvious case of our commitment to the peace. During 27 years, Armenia has been ignoring the UN Security Council resolutions that demand immediate, full and unconditional withdrawal of aggressor forces from all occupied Azerbaijani territories. There was no end of military provocations staged by Armenia. Azerbaijan has demonstrated and proved to the entire world that it is able, on its own, to liberate its occupied lands using own forces and might, and Azerbaijan has done so! During military actions that lasted since 27 September 2020, the Azerbaijani Army has liberated over 300 living districts, including 5 cities and 4 towns coupled with a huge number of strategic elevations. Only a few hours following the liberation of cultural pearl of Azerbaijan the city of Shusha, our soldiers have succeeded to put under their control 72 living districts and 9 strategic elevations which have incontestably led the military and political leadership of Armenia into the impasse. Our Army has fought for the sake of its sanctuaries, our Motherland, our common home, and it has stood up and became victor in this sacred battle! In these minutes, Azerbaijanis around the world are driven by sentiments of joy and pride! They feel proud of our President, our brave soldiers and officers, our patriotism, unity, staunchness and solidarity of the Azerbaijani people! Each of us is immensely thankful to our President, Commander-in-Chief - Ilham Aliyev! The modern and strong Azerbaijani Army is created under his leadership! Indeed, thanks to his staunch will, braveness, resolve and determination, the Azerbaijani Army has made enemy to collapse by defining the end result of this war and bringing its victorious end! Respect, passion, confidence, faith and support of the Azerbaijani people that are the sources of force of our President have helped him to terminate the Armenian-Azerbaijani, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict which is one of the longest conflicts in Eurasia. Under his leadership, we have gained the Victory that restored our peoples self-confidence! The greatness of this Victory will leave a centuries long imprint in the history of the Azerbaijani State! Dear brothers and sisters: There have been also tragedies and heavy losses both in the years of treacherous occupation of our lands and in the period of current battles. Peaceful civilians of our cities and villages have perished in the aftermath of cruel attacks far from the combat zone. Children, women and elderly have lost their lives. But, Azerbaijan has stood up! I do once again express my deep condolences to the relatives and beloved ones of the dead! Their death has not gone unpunished! The Azerbaijani Army and the Azerbaijani State have avenged for all bloodshed for all our compatriots! In the heart of every Azerbaijani, we will always cherish the bright memories, respect and sincere pride for the generation that defended and revived our Motherland! Our soldiers and officers have fought with no spare of their own lives. They have become the examples of nobleness and genuine patriotism. All of them are united today by heroic deeds that they have made for the sake of Motherland and its might! We pay tributes to their fearlessness, will and intrepidity. We revive the memories of all those that have bravely fisted the occupant and restored the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan! We bow our heads before those parents that have grown and educated their brave sons whose names are forever inscribed in the history of the Azerbaijani State! May Allah rest the souls of all our martyrs that have died for the sake of Motherland in peace! This war has once again demonstrated us one thing that we knew throughout the centuries: a friend in need is a friend indeed. Our thanks go to all our friends around the world! Our thanks go because you have shared our grievance and openly expressed their principled and fair standpoint in support of the Azerbaijani people. I express my particular gratitude to the brotherly Turkish people and personally, to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Their solidarity and support cause the sense of pride of every Azerbaijani! We thank the representatives of mass media. Thanks to their high professionalism, objective vision, impartiality, rapidness and responsibility, it has become possible to deliver current Azerbaijani realities to the entire world. Thanks go to our citizens that defended the position of Azerbaijan out of their Motherland and demonstrated the aggressive nature of Armenia to the international community! Thanks go to the entire Azerbaijani people that formed the iron fist and shown our solidarity and might of the Azerbaijani State to the entire world! My fellow compatriots: I congratulate all on the day of Great Victory! Congratulations on the day of great triumph! Congratulations on the day of glory and might of Azerbaijan! Congratulations on the day of liberation of Karabakh! We have gained the Victory! Karabakh is Azerbaijan! With lots of respect and love Your MEHRIBAN" BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 27. The Azerbaijani Army launched a counter-offensive operation, later called the "Iron Fist", on September 27, 2020, in response to the large-scale provocation of the Armenian armed forces along the frontline. The 44-day second Karabakh war ended with the liberation of Azerbaijans territories from nearly 30-year Armenian occupation and the restoration of territorial integrity. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev made an appeal to the people of Azerbaijan on September 27. Appeal of President Ilham Aliyev to the people: - Armenian armed forced fired on our settlements, as well as our military positions, from several directions this morning, using various types of weaponry, including heavy artillery. As a result of the enemy fire, there are casualties among the civilian population and our servicemen. Some people have been wounded. May God rest our martyrs in peace! Their blood will not remain unavenged. The Azerbaijani Army is currently firing on the enemy's military positions, and as a result of these strikes, many units of the enemy's military equipment have been destroyed. This is another manifestation of Armenian fascism. Armenia's military provocations against Azerbaijan have become regular of late. In July, our servicemen and a civilian were killed as a result of artillery fire in the direction of Tovuz on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. It is no secret that the first fire, including artillery fire, was opened by Armenia, and the first victims were Azerbaijani servicemen. Azerbaijan gave a fitting rebuff to the enemy and they could not move an inch forward. The enemy was stopped and the territorial integrity of our country was protected. As a result of the crushing blows, the Armenian side was forced to accept a bitter defeat. I have said this and I want to say again that if we had wanted, we could have conducted military battles on the territory of Armenia. However, we do not have military targets in Armenia, and this being the case, a ceasefire was introduced a few days later. What objectives did Armenia pursue by committing this provocation? First of all, Armenia plans to occupy Azerbaijani lands and does not conceal that. Their military-political leadership tried to threaten Azerbaijan with a new occupation, a new policy of occupation for new territories this is the policy of Armenias military-political leadership today. Another reason is to distract the population from the very serious social and economic problems in Armenia and portray Azerbaijan as an enemy. Yet another reason is that Armenia is doing everything possible to disrupt the negotiations, and I can say that it has succeeded in doing that. It is as a result of Armenia's hypocritical, unconstructive and false policy that the negotiations have actually stopped and this provocation is aimed at these goals. These are the main goals for them. In July, Azerbaijan gave a fitting response to the enemy, preserved its territorial integrity and once again showed that anyone speaking to Azerbaijan in the language of threats will regret doing that. Unfortunately, this was not a lesson for them. However, after the July provocation, I said that this bitter defeat by Armenia should be a lesson for them. In August, Armenia launched yet another military provocation. This time a sabotage group was sent to Azerbaijan. The head of the sabotage group was detained by the Azerbaijani military and is currently giving evidence. His statements clearly show that this sabotage group came to Azerbaijan with a plan to commit acts of terror. Another military provocation against the civilian population and our servicemen was committed by Armenia today and, as I said, they have received their punishment this time again and will continue to receive it. Armenia's provocations are also reflected in the statements made by the Armenian leadership. A year ago, the Armenian prime minister said in the occupied territories, in Khankandi, that "Karabakh is Armenia, full stop." First of all, it is a lie, Karabakh is Azerbaijan, and I have repeatedly expressed my views on this issue. Karabakh is Azerbaijan, an exclamation mark! Secondly, this provocative statement was in fact a major blow to the negotiations. If the prime minister of Armenia says that "Karabakh is Armenia", then what kind of talks can there be?! At the same time, the Armenian leadership has been repeatedly stating for two years that Azerbaijan should negotiate not with Armenia, but with the so-called "Nagorno-Karabakh republic". This is a big blow to the negotiation process. First of all, Azerbaijan will never negotiate with the puppet junta regime. Secondly, attempts to change the format of talks show once again that Armenia's main goal is to disrupt the talks and maintain the status quo. However, the heads of state of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs have repeatedly stated that the status quo is unacceptable, which means that the occupation must end. Armenia's provocations against us do not end at that. Recently, the "swearing-in" ceremony of the head of the so-called criminal junta was held in Shusha, an ancient city of our ancient Azerbaijan. Isn't this a provocation? This is an insult to us. They thought that we would put up with this insult. They are deliberately provoking us and they will see the bitter consequences. Recently, a decision was made by the so-called parliament of the "Nagorno-Karabakh republic" to settle people in the ancient Azerbaijani city of Shusha. This is another provocation. Recently, the prime minister of Armenia announced that "voluntary" military units would be established, bringing together tens of thousands of people. Why is this necessary? Who will they fight against? This was part of the preparations for today's provocation against Azerbaijan. I have said several times, including from the UN platform recently, that Armenia is preparing for a new war, and Armenia must and will be stopped. Armenia is pursuing a policy of illegal settlement in the occupied territories. Several Lebanese Armenian families have recently been resettled to Nagorno-Karabakh, including Shusha, an ancient city in Azerbaijan. This is a war crime. This is completely contrary to the Geneva Convention. Armenia will be held accountable for this crime. This is another provocation against us. Settlement in the occupied territories is a crime, and this policy has been pursued by Armenia for many years. The fact is that the country's population is declining due to the difficult economic, political and social situation in Armenia. Armenia is experiencing a demographic crisis and does not have the human resources to deploy its people in the occupied territories. That is why they hope for Armenians living abroad. This policy is currently underway. At the same time, according to the accurate information we have, Armenia has carried out illegal settlement in some of our occupied territories. The names of our districts and villages are being changed. The historical heritage of Azerbaijanis is being erased. Our historical monuments are being destroyed. Azerbaijani mosques are being destroyed and desecrated. Armenia keeps cows and pigs in our mosques. This is the greatest insult to the entire Muslim world. The graves of our ancestors are being destroyed by tractors. It is fascists, vandals and savages who have done this. At the same time, the recent military exercises in the occupied territories should be considered another provocation by Armenia. Because these exercises have one purpose: to attack Azerbaijan, to fire on the civilian population and to occupy new lands! All the facts I have mentioned show again that Armenia and its ugly policies are the source of danger in the region. Azerbaijan has not resorted to any provocation. Azerbaijan simply defends its interests, supports its position and pursues its policy openly. We have repeatedly stated that Nagorno-Karabakh is historical and ancient land of Azerbaijan, and this is true. When the prime minister of Armenia says that "Karabakh is Armenia", it is a lie. When I say that "Karabakh is Azerbaijan", it is true. The whole world recognizes Nagorno-Karabakh as an integral part of Azerbaijan. Historical justice is on our side. Because it is our native land, our ancestral land. International law is on our side. All international organizations recognize the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. All countries recognize the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Decisions and resolutions adopted within international organizations explicitly state that Nagorno-Karabakh belongs to Azerbaijan. Four UN Security Council resolutions call for an immediate, full and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian forces from the occupied territories. These resolutions have been on paper for almost 30 years. Negotiations within the Minsk Group have been going on for almost 30 years and, as a result, Armenia has paralyzed the negotiations by regularly committing military provocations. Besides the United Nations, all other leading international organizations support our rightful position. The Non-Aligned Movement is the second largest international institution after the United Nations, and it is currently chaired by Azerbaijan. It has adopted a fair resolution on the conflict. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation has adopted fair resolutions. The decisions of the OSCE and the resolutions of the European Parliament support our position. Our position is based on international law and justice. We are fighting on our own land. Today, the Azerbaijani Army is dealing crushing blows to the enemy on Azerbaijani soil. Today, the Azerbaijani Army protects the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan on its territory. What are Armenian soldiers doing in our lands?! What is the Armenian army doing in our lands?! It is no secret that 90 percent of the personnel in the "Nagorno-Karabakh army" are Armenian citizens. Armenia is an occupying state, this occupation must and will end. We are on the right path! Ours is the cause of justice! We will win! Karabakh is ours! Karabakh is Azerbaijan! BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 27. The Azerbaijani Army launched a counter-offensive operation, later called the "Iron Fist", on September 27, 2020, in response to the large-scale provocation of the Armenian armed forces along the frontline. The 44-day second Karabakh war ended with the liberation of Azerbaijans territories from nearly 30-year Armenian occupation and the restoration of territorial integrity. On September 27, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev chaired a meeting of the Security Council. The head of state made a speech at the meeting. Speech of President Ilham Aliyev: - As you know, early this morning, Armenian armed forces committed yet another military provocation against Azerbaijan. We have losses as a result of this provocation, both among the civilian population and servicemen. This once again shows that Armenia's policy of aggression against Azerbaijan continues, and this policy shows the fascist essence of Armenia to the whole world. As soon as I received the information in the morning, I contacted the Minister of Defense and the heads of other relevant agencies, gave relevant instructions, and on the basis of these instructions, the Azerbaijani Army launched a large-scale counter-offensive. I must say that Armenia's military provocation was pre-planned. They have been preparing for this provocation for a long time, and the intelligence we have shows that Armenia intends to start a new war against us. I have repeatedly talked about this issue in the last week both in my TV interview and from the UN platform. I said that the aggressive state must be stopped. They are preparing for a new war. I addressed the people of Azerbaijan today. In my address, I gave detailed information about the reasons for this provocation and the ugly steps Armenia has been taking in recent times. I have shared my views, so I do not want to repeat them. I simply want to reiterate that the military attack on us early this morning was a pre-planned military provocation. Because our positions were fired on from various directions using different weaponry, including heavy artillery. At the same time, our settlements and villages were fired on. As I said, we have losses among the civilian population. This once again shows the ugly face of Armenian fascism. Because such atrocities against the civilian population can only be attributed to fascist states, and this is not the first time the events in Tovuz and others. The Khojaly genocide was committed by Armenian savages against the civilian population. This time too, Armenias main target is our settlements. By opening fire, they want to create panic among the Azerbaijani public, among the citizens of Azerbaijan, in the villages and towns along the frontline. This morning, I received information from all frontline regions. I can say with full confidence that the citizens of Azerbaijan are showing courage. Everyone is in their place and are ready to support our army and state at any time, and they are doing that. The Azerbaijani Army is currently conducting a counter-offensive in response to military provocation. I can say that the operation has been successful. The Presidential Administration and the Ministry of Defense have been instructed to keep the population informed about the events on a regular basis. I can say that as a result of the successful counter-offensive, the enemy's manpower and military equipment were severely damaged. Several occupied Azerbaijani settlements have been liberated. I congratulate all the people of Azerbaijan on this occasion! I am confident that our successful counter-offensive will end the occupation! It will end injustice! It will end the occupation that has lasted for nearly 30 years! Because the people of Azerbaijan want to live on their lands. Azerbaijani citizen live longing for his homeland. People who were forcibly driven out of their ancestral lands by Armenians, by the Armenian leadership want to return to their native lands even though their homes have already been destroyed by savages. Look at the ruins of Aghdam. Look at the ruins of Fuzuli. Look at the state of our mosques in the occupied territories, the state of our cemeteries. All this was committed by Armenian executioners, and we are absolutely right. Our struggle is a struggle for justice, and the citizens of Azerbaijan fully support the state today. We always feel this support. A citizen of Azerbaijan is with the Azerbaijani Army, and I turn to our compatriots who have not been able to return to their native lands for almost 30 years and say that we will do our best to return you to your native lands. I warned Armenia. After the events in Tovuz, I warned them several times that they would regret it if they did not give up their ugly deeds. We taught them a lesson in 2016, in 2018, in July of this year. But it did not seem to be a lesson for them. This time we are teaching them another lesson and will continue to do that. Today, the glorious Azerbaijani Army is conducting a counter-offensive with great success, and this operation continues. I must also say that there is high morale in all our military units and formations. At the same time, the number of volunteers enlisted in our army has reached tens of thousands. This shows the commitment of our people to their state. The settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue is our historical task. I have said this many times and I want to reiterate today that we must resolve this issue in a way that would satisfy the people of Azerbaijan. We must resolve this so that historical justice can be restored. We must do so in order to restore the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. I have said in different countries many times that we do not need an incomplete solution to this issue, to this conflict. We are on our own lands, we have no claims to the lands of other countries. But we will not give our lands to anyone either. We will never allow for the creation of a second so-called Armenian state on Azerbaijani soil. We will never allow that, and today's events are showing that again. Nagorno-Karabakh is our ancient and historical land. I have repeatedly spoken at various international events on the history and past of Nagorno-Karabakh. I have shared the historical truth with the world community. As a result of our focused and tireless efforts, the world has a broad picture of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict today. But in the first years of the conflict, this was not the case. In the first years of the conflict, Armenians of the world portrayed Azerbaijan as an aggressor. Unfortunately, those who were in the leadership of Azerbaijan at that time could not speak out against this propaganda. Azerbaijan was in such a difficult situation: our lands were being lost but the world thought that Azerbaijan was an aggressor. The cause of the loss of Karabakh lands is the Popular Front Party, the Musavat Party of Azerbaijan. It was during their time that our lands were occupied. As a result of their treacherous and incompetent activities, we lost these lands. I always said that we lost them temporarily and that we must return to these lands. The sale of Shusha took place only as a result of struggle for power at that time. The occupation of Kalbajar and Lachin is the direct responsibility of the Popular Front government of Azerbaijan. It was after this occupation that the next occupation was almost inevitable. Because the occupation of Lachin, Kalbajar and Shusha created a geographical link between Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia. This being the case, of course, the supply of weapons to those regions, to Nagorno-Karabakh, and then the supply of other material resources became easier. Today, we are wiping out the incompetent actions of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan and the Musavat Party, this stain on Azerbaijan. Today we are restoring our lands. In 2016, part of Aghdara, Fuzuli and Jabrayil districts were liberated from the occupiers. Today, in 2020, I want to emphasize once again that several of our settlements were liberated from the occupiers, several strategic heights came under the control of Azerbaijan. A strong Azerbaijani Army is based on a strong political will. Army building is always the top priority of my activity. Both the military and the Azerbaijani people know this. I have always said that we will do whatever is necessary for our army. We have created a powerful and strong-willed army. All our armed forces meet modern standards and carry out combat missions with dignity, conscience and courage. Today, our various armed units are involved in the counter-offensive, and the counter-offensive is going well under the leadership of a single team. There is full coordination between all armed forces. I am confident that this counter-offensive will continue to be successful. By giving this information to the people of Azerbaijan, I want to say once again that we are on the right path. We are defending ourselves. We do not lay claim to anyone else's lands, Azerbaijani armed forces have no targets on anyone else's lands, in the territory of Armenia. But we will defend ourselves on our own land and liberate our occupied lands from occupiers. Now the floor is given to Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov. Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov said: - Dear President, Mr. Commander-in-Chief. Let me report that a few minutes to 6, Armenian armed forces shelled the villages of Fuzuli, Jabrayil, Tartar and Aghdam districts. There were casualties and wounded among the population. The frontline of the military units was also fired upon. At the same time, a concentration of the enemy's armed forces from the direction of Aghdam, Fuzuli and Jabrayil was in evidence and it was observed that they were preparing for an attack. First of all, it was reported to you and, taking into account the operational situation, the Azerbaijani Army conducted a counter-offensive. As a result of the counter-offensive, the enemy's frontline was broken. I have now been given additional information that seven villages have been liberated. Is it advisable to mention their names here? President Ilham Aliyev: Do mention. Minister Zakir Hasanov: Garakhanbayli, Nuzgar, Yukhari Abdurrahmanli, Boyuk Marjanli, Kand Horadiz and Garvand villages have been liberated. The Azerbaijani Army is conducting a successful counter-offensive in other directions and the enemy is retreating with heavy losses. I want to emphasize that the strikes of the Azerbaijani Army are carried out both on the frontline and deep within the enemy. As you mentioned, the most modern weapons are being used and we do not see much resistance from the enemy. The enemy is fully retreating. Reported by Minister of Defense, Colonel-General Hasanov. President Ilham Aliyev: Clear! We will hold the rest of the Security Council behind closed doors. I am confident that the citizens of Azerbaijan will understand this decision. Many of the issues to be discussed are military secrets. But I want to say again that the population of Azerbaijan is regularly informed by both the Presidential Administration and the Ministry of Defense. Operational information will be shared with the citizens of Azerbaijan. I congratulate the people of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani Army on their first successes. Long live the Azerbaijani Army! Long live Azerbaijan! Other members of the Security Council took part in the discussion. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 27. On September 27, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of the Ganja Bus Depot owned by BakuBus LLC, Trend reports. Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev informed the head of state about the facilities created at the depot. Construction of the 300-vehicle bus depot began this January. Covering an area of 10 hectares, the depot features technical inspection and repair stations, an automated fuel accounting system, and a washing facility capable of cleaning 60 buses per hour. The establishment of the depot has created 675 jobs, including 553 drivers and 122 administrative and technical staff. BakuBus LLC will operate 18 existing and two new bus routes in Ganja. A total of 280 EURO6-standard buses have been brought to the city, including 45 with a capacity of 54 passengers, 186 with 63-passenger capacity, and 49 with a capacity of 102 passengers. This project plays a vital role in modernizing the public transportation infrastructure of Ganja, the second-largest city in Azerbaijan after the capital, Baku. It facilitates comfortable and safe travel for passengers, contributes to renewing the citys transport fleet, and supports job creation. Based on extensive analysis and research, the route network in Ganja has been restructured. Optimization was carried out on the existing 32 routes, with 22 routes designated for operation. A key innovation is the introduction of advanced digital technologies in public transport. All buses are equipped with the CityCard cashless payment system, enabling payments via any bank card or mobile payment method. As part of passenger transport optimization, a Transport Interchange Hub has been set up in front of the Railway Station, integrating rail and road transport services. Additionally, 34 modern bus stop pavilions have been installed in areas with high passenger density. To enhance road infrastructure, asphalt resurfacing was carried out on 97 streets, and 128 kilometers of road markings were completed. Suitable locations for micromobility lanes have also been identified, while 10 dedicated taxi stops have been established across the city. Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 27. On September 27 - Remembrance Day, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the inauguration of the Ganja Memorial Complex, Trend reports. The head of state first laid a wreath at the memorial plaque. President Ilham Aliyev then observed a minute of silence at 12:00 at the Ganja Memorial Complex to honor the memory of the martyrs of the Patriotic War. Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture, provided the President with detailed information about the complex. The foundation of the complex, laid by President Ilham Aliyev in January 2022, was built to perpetuate the memory of innocent victims of Armenias missile attacks during the Second Karabakh War and to convey the tragic realities of the war to future generations. In March of this year, First Vice-President and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva, together with her daughters Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva, reviewed the project. In August, President Ilham Aliyev and the First Lady inspected the construction progress. It should be recalled that Ganja, located 80 kilometers from the frontline, was repeatedly targeted by the Armenian armed forces with Tochka-U, Smerch, SCUD, and other missile systems on October 4, 5, 8, 11, and 17 during the Patriotic War. As a result of these attacks, 26 civilians, including six children, were killed, and 142 civilians were wounded. The Memorial, constructed on the site of one of the missile strikes in a residential area, spans 4 hectares. The monument, distinguished by its spiral architectural design, symbolizes a rocket crater. Preserved remnants of destroyed buildings form part of the open plaza installation. The crescent-shaped, two-story building covers a total area of 2,400 square meters. The first floor houses a museum exhibition, while the second floor features a multifunctional hall for seminars, training sessions, and events. The museum comprises sections on The Early 20th Century, Deportation and Forced Displacement, Genocide and Massacres, Ceasefire and the Patriotic War Period, Missing Persons, Mass Graves, and Mine Terror, and Toward a Bright Future. Exhibits introduce visitors to tragedies of the early 20th century, including the March 1918 genocide, and reflect the deportation of Azerbaijanis from Western Azerbaijan between 1948 and 1953. An interactive section allows exploration of archival materials, historical documents, and examples of destroyed cultural heritage. Other sections highlight crimes of ethnic cleansing from 1987 to 1994, as well as genocides and systematic massacres against civilians. A separate section documents the deliberate targeting of civilians during the ceasefire years, the Patriotic War, and the post-war period. The final part of the exhibition celebrates the resilience and triumph of the Azerbaijani people, who, despite decades of injustice, preserved their determination and achieved victory. Following the inauguration, President Ilham Aliyev held a cordial meeting with city residents at the Ganja Memorial Complex. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 27. On the occasion of Remembrance Day, observed on September 27, the leadership and personnel of the Azerbaijan Ministry of Defense paid tribute by visiting the graves of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and the nation's Shehids (Martyrs), Trend reports with reference to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. The Minister of Defense, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov and other senior officials of the Ministry laid a wreath at the monument to the National Leader Heydar Aliyev in the Alley of Honor, paying profound tribute to his enduring legacy. The leadership of the Ministry also visited the grave of prominent ophthalmologist-scientist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva, laid roses in her honor, and paid tribute to her memory. Subsequently, the delegation visited the Alley of Martyrs, where flowers were laid at the graves of the Heroes of the Motherland who sacrificed their lives for the independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of the country. Tribute was also paid at the Turkish Martyrs Cemetery and the Eternal Flame monument, and the memory of the Heroes was solemnly honored. The leadership and personnel of the Ministry of Defense, who visited the Victory Monument at Victory Park, laid a wreath in front of the monument as a sign of respect for the Martyrs. The delegation also visited the area known as the Second Alley of Martyrs, where reconstruction and restoration work had been carried out in accordance with the instructions of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ilham Aliyev. At the Military Memorial Cemetery, the leadership of the Ministry of Defense laid a wreath in front of the monument symbolizing the 44-day Patriotic War. Respect and honor were shown to the memory of Martyrs. Within the event, the Minister of Defense, Colonel General Z.Hasanov, and other senior officials met with the families of the Martyrs and inquired about their concerns. During the meeting, the families and relatives of Martyrs expressed their sincere gratitude to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ilham Aliyev, as well as First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva and the leadership of the Ministry of Defense, for the continued attention, care, and respect shown to them, and for consistently honoring the memory of the nation's Heroes. At the end of the memorial ceremony, at 12:00, the leadership of the Ministry of Defense, military personnel, and families of Martyrs observed a minute of silence in memory of the Martyrs at the Military Memorial Cemetery. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 27. The United States will continue its efforts to cement a permanent peace in the South Caucasus, the US Embassy in Azerbaijan wrote on its X page on the occasion of September 27 Remembrance Day, Trend reports. "On Azerbaijans Remembrance Day, we remember those Azerbaijanis who lost their lives during decades of conflict. On August 8 in Washington, we saw the start of a new chapter in the South Caucasus, and the United States will continue its efforts to cement a permanent peace in the region. Today, the Embassy of the United States of America offers our most sincere condolences to those Azerbaijanis and their families who lost loved ones," the publication says. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 28. On September 27, 2020, in response to a large-scale provocation by Armenian armed forces along the front line, the Azerbaijani Army launched a counteroffensive operation later named "Iron Fist" .The 44-day Patriotic War resulted in the end of nearly 30 years of occupation and the restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. Trend presents the Chronicles of Victory for September 28, 2020: - Azerbaijani army forces continued to destroy Armenian military equipment - Armenian army suffers heavy losses as result of hostilities - Two more tanks belonging to Armenian armed forces destroyed - Armenian military forces shelled Azerbaijani Terter city - High grounds around Azerbaijani Talysh village cleared of Armenian armed forces - French president makes phone call to President Ilham Aliyev - Azerbaijani Prosecutor General's Office reveals number of injured civilians - Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reports about destroying of two more tanks of Armenian armed forces - Armenia's shelling of Tartar District court in Azerbaijan results in civilian casualties - Azerbaijani schoolchildren killed as a result of Armenia's attack - Azerbaijan declares partial military mobilization - Armenia discloses number of killed servicemen - Azerbaijani interior ministry issues statement on curfew across country - Armenian major general, two colonels killed - Two brothers killed in Terter region as result of shelling from Armenian armed forces - President Ilham Aliyev, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres meet through videoconferencing BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 27. Today marks five years since the start of the 44-day Second Karabakh War, Trend reports. Since early morning, citizens have been visiting the Second Alley of Martyrs. In Baku and other regions, people are honoring the memory of the heroic sons who gave their lives for the freedom of our lands, placing carnations on their graves. September 27 marks the anniversary of the start of the Second Karabakh War, which lasted 44 days and ended with Azerbaijan's splendid victory over Armenia. As a sign of deep respect for our soldiers and officers, all the martyrs who fought heroically in the Second Karabakh War, raised the Azerbaijani flag on the lands liberated from occupation and gave their lives for the territorial integrity of our country, September 27 is celebrated in our republic as Remembrance Day. AzerGold Closed Joint Stock Company (CJSC), in partnership with the Dashkasan District Executive Authority and the Shusha State Reserve, has successfully implemented a commemorative social initiative titled In the footsteps of Victory, marking the fifth anniversary of the outbreak of the Patriotic War. The program was conceived to pay solemn tribute to the memory of the heroic sons and daughters who sacrificed their lives for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan, to preserve their legacy for future generations, and to extend moral and social support to the families of fallen servicemen. As part of the initiative, families of martyrs from the Dashkasan district retraced the historic path of victory taken by their loved ones and visited the lands liberated at the cost of their ultimate sacrifice. During the visit to Shushaan enduring symbol of national triumph and the cultural capital of Azerbaijanthe families became acquainted with the citys rich historical and cultural heritage and observed the large-scale reconstruction and restoration works currently under way. The itinerary included the Jidir Duzu Plain, the Molla Panah Vagif Mausoleum and Museum Complex, the bullet-scarred busts of Uzeyir Hajibeyli, Bulbul and Khurshidbanu Natavan, the Mehmandarov Museum, the Isa Spring, and other significant cultural monuments. Throughout the journey, accounts of the valor and steadfastness of the fallen heroes were shared. Parents of servicemen who fought and attained martyrdom in the battles for the liberation of Shusha visited the very sites where their sons had once stood in defense of the Motherland. The program concluded with a memorial prayer service at the historic Govhar Agha Mosque, where the martyrs were honored with deep reverence. AzerGold CJSC continues to regard the families of martyrs as a priority focus of its corporate social responsibility strategy. The Company implements a wide range of projects designed to enhance the social well-being of these families and contributes actively to the employment of both martyr family members and war veterans. At present, a total of 351 employees of AzerGold, its subsidiaries, and long-term contractor organizations belong to these distinguished and sensitive social categories. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 27. Over five years have passed since the large-scale military operations carried out by Armenias armed forces on 27 September, 2020, which resulted in multiple human casualties due to intensive firing from heavy weapons in residential areas densely populated by Azerbaijani civilians, in violation of universally recognized norms and principles of international law, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Republic of Azerbaijan (Ombudsperson), Sabina Aliyeva, said in a statement, Trend reports. "In that period, exercising its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, Azerbaijan launched counter-military operations to protect the right to life of civilians and liberate our territories that had been under occupation for nearly thirty years. Consequently, the violated rights of over one million refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) have been restored through the implementation of decisions and resolutions of the well-known international organizations that were just pieces of paper. During the 44 days of the Patriotic War, in a severe breach of the norms of international law, as well as international humanitarian law, the armed forces of Armenia subjected one of the major cities of the country, regional centers, and other areas, densely populated by civilians, far from the combat zones, to long-range operational-tactical and ballistic missile attacks. As a result of war crimes intentionally committed by Armenia against international law norms, including the requirements of the 1949 Geneva Conventions for the Protection of war victims and its Additional Protocols, about 100 peaceful civilians, including 12 children, were killed, and more than 450 civilians were wounded. Furthermore, 12.000 civilian infrastructure objects in Azerbaijan, including over 3,410 houses, 120 multi-story residential buildings, and many schools, hospitals, and kindergartens, have been severely damaged by heavy artillery. During the post-conflict period, to prevent provocations by separatist forces threatening peace and stability in the region, and the protection of human rights and freedoms, local anti-terror measures were carried out in September 2023. The Patriotic War (Second Karabakh War) and those anti-terror operations have resulted in the full sovereignty and territorial integrity of our state and opened new opportunities for human rights protection in the region. Some time ago, within the framework of the meeting between Azerbaijan and Armenias leaders in the United States, they initialed the draft Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia. This historic moment became a significant step forward toward ensuring sustainable peace and stability not only between the two states but also for the entire region. As the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, I once again emphasize that the restoration of human rights and freedoms violated during the occupation and wartime, identification of the whereabouts of missing persons, handover of the accurate map of minefields for speeding up the mine action in the liberated areas, as well as ensuring the safe and decent return of the former IDPs to their native lands are of great importance as fundamental issues based on international law. In this light, it is very significant that international organizations, world states, ombudspersons, and national human rights institutions (NHRIs) of other countries take joint efforts to uphold the norms of international law, punish those who committed war crimes, restore the violated human rights, and achieve sustainable peace. I honor the dearest souls of our martyrs who fell defending for full restoration of territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, protection of the rights to life of the civilian population, and restoration of the rights and freedoms of refugees and former IDPs, which had been seriously violated for a long time, and I wish peace to our country, region, and the world. Sabina Aliyeva The Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan 27 September 2025 The statement was sent to the UN Secretary-General, UN Security Council, UN Office of the High Comissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), UNICEF, UNESCO, European Union (EU), Council of Europe (CoE), Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) and European Ombudsman Institution (EOI), Asian Ombudsman Association (AOA), Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and Ombudsman Association of Member States to this organization (OICOA), Association of Ombudsmen and National Human Rights Institutions of Turkic States (TURKOMB), OIC-Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (OIC-IPHRC), European Network of Ombudspersons of Children (ENOC), International Peace Bureau (IPB), Universal Peace Federation (UPF), ombudspersons and NHRIs of different countries, diplomatic missions of the Republic of Azerbaijan abroad, and the foreign diplomatic missions in Azerbaijan, and diaspora organizations of Azerbaijan," the statement reads. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel FUZULI, Azerbaijan, September 27. The memory of the heroic sons who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of the Azerbaijani territories is being honored in the Fuzuli district, Trends Karabakh bureau reports. Residents who returned to Fuzuli after the Second Karabakh War visited the monument in Karakhanbeyli village, one of the first villages to be liberated, to pay tribute to the martyrs. Former internally displaced persons (IDPs) expressed their gratitude, noting that thanks to the sacrifices of these heroes, lands that were under Armenian occupation for decades have been freed, allowing them to return to their ancestral homes. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 27. The Embassy of Azerbaijan in the Netherlands organized an artistic and musical memorial evening to mark September 27 - Remembrance Day, the Embassy told Trend. The event was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the local public, and Azerbaijani and Turkish communities in the country. The ceremony began with the playing of Azerbaijans national anthem, followed by a minute of silence in honor of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the countrys sovereignty and territorial integrity. Azerbaijans Ambassador to the Netherlands, Mammad Ahmadzada, spoke about the special significance of Remembrance Day in the nations modern history. He emphasized that the day reflects respect for the eternal memory of martyrs and the peoples commitment to their heroic legacy. The ambassador highlighted the heavy consequences of Armenias thirty-year military aggression, stressing that Azerbaijan never reconciled with the occupation and, under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, mobilized all political, diplomatic, economic, and military resources to secure victory. He also recalled the Patriotic War, describing how the Azerbaijani Army, under the command of the Supreme Commander, united the nations will and strength, achieving a historic victory that embodies national pride and determination. Ahmadzada further noted that anti-terror measures in 2023 fully restored the countrys sovereignty, reaffirmed international law and historical justice, and established a new regional reality, with 2025 declared the Year of Constitution and Sovereignty in Azerbaijan. He highlighted the historic outcomes of the Washington summit, reconstruction in liberated territories, and the successful implementation of the Great Return policy, concluding with gratitude toward martyrs and wishes for the recovery of wounded veterans. Elsevar Mammadov, coordinator of the Netherlands-Belgium Azerbaijani Coordination Council, underscored that the heroism of martyrs who gave their lives for Azerbaijans freedom and territorial integrity will remain in the memory of all Azerbaijanis. He praised the Azerbaijani Army under President Ilham Aliyev for writing a glorious chapter in national history and emphasized that Azerbaijani communities in Europe continue to stand with the country, actively supporting justice and honoring the memory of the martyrs. The event featured video presentations on Remembrance Day, President Ilham Aliyevs messages, the 44-day Second Karabakh War, and the heroes of martyrdom, complemented by live performances from Azerbaijani and Turkish musicians in the Netherlands, creating an emotionally powerful and memorable experience for all participants. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 27. On September 27, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev observed a minute of silence at 12:00 at the Ganja Memorial Complex to honor the memory of the martyrs of the Patriotic War on Remembrance Day, Trend reports. Will be updated KHANKENDI, Azerbaijan, September 27. A minute of silence has been announced in Khankendi, Aghdara, and Khojaly in connection with Remembrance Day - September 27 at 12:00 (GMT +4), just like in all regions of Azerbaijan, to honor the memory of martyrs, the Restoration, Construction, and Management Service in Khankendi, Aghdara, and Khojaly districts told Trend. During the minute of silence, traffic and pedestrians were suspended on the central streets of cities and districts, and horns were sounded. This tradition symbolizes respect for the memory of the martyrs and the unity of the people. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 27. Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) has signed agreements with several more companies to continue demining activities in the liberated territories, Trend reports. An agreement was reached and contracts were signed between ANAMA and Safe Point CJSC, Azerbaijan Demining Company, and Alphademining LLCs for mine and unexploded ordnance clearance services on the liberated territories. The total value of the work amounts to 9.4 million manat ($5.5 million). All three companies entrusted with the work were registered by the state in 2021. The legal representative of Safe Point CJSC, with a charter capital of 2,000 manat ($1,170), is Vahid Omarov. The legal representative of Azerbaijan Demining Company, with a charter capital of 100 manat ($59), is Kamran Mammadov. The legal representative of Alphademining, also with a charter capital of 100 manat, is Huseyn Jafarov. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Sean Diddy Combs is reportedly anxiously waiting to learn whether he will spend a second Christmas behind bars. Sean Diddy Combs is reportedly waiting to learn whether he will spend a second Christmas behind bars The rapper, 55, is scheduled to be sentenced on 3 October in Manhattan after his conviction on two counts of arranging interstate travel for people engaged in prostitution, and his legal team are now said to be urging a federal judge to release him before the holiday as his sentencing approaches, according to the Daily Mirror. The charges against Combs, brought under the Mann Act, carry a maximum sentence of 20 years. He was acquitted in July of more serious racketeering and sex trafficking offences following an eight-week trial. The question of whether he will spend the festive season at home with his seven children or remain in custody has become central to the arguments before Judge Arun Subramanian, the Mirror is reporting. Last December, Combs spent Christmas at Brooklyns Metropolitan Detention Center, where he has been held since his arrest in September 2024. A source told the Daily Mail: Spending the holidays behind bars was a nightmare for him. Another insider close to Combs said he stayed strong despite missing his family. His 2024 prison Christmas contrasted sharply with his previous years in luxury. Combs jail breakfast was served at 6am and included fruit, cereal, breakfast cake and skim milk. Lunch reportedly offered a choice of baked Cornish hen or BBQ tofu with macaroni and cheese, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls and dessert. Dinner consisted of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, potato chips, fruit and a drink. By contrast, in 2023 Combs posted photographs of a Christmas gathering at home with his family. The year before, he shared his first holiday picture including his youngest daughter, Love, born in October 2022. Combs has also hosted New Years Eve parties in past years, often marked by luxury travel and lavish celebrations. In court last week, defence lawyer Alexandra Shapiro pressed Judge Subramanian to throw out the Mann Act convictions. She said: The whole history of the statute is really, I would submit, an embarrassment to the United States of America. The attorney argued the law had racist and sexist origins that were well documented and beyond dispute. Prosecutors have not yet filed their sentencing recommendation but are expected to push for several years in prison. Defence attorneys have asked for no more than 14 months, which with good behaviour would mean Combs immediate release. Judge Subramanian has twice denied bail since July, citing Combs history of violence, and has indicated he is leaning toward a substantial sentence. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 27. Deputy Minister of National Defense Thanasis Davakis spoke during the 2nd and 3rd sessions of the Standing Committee on National Defense & Foreign Affairs, Trend reports. The discussion focused on the draft bill of the Ministry of National Defense regarding the procurement of an additional FDI HN type frigate, the upgrade of the remaining three to the Standard 2++ level, as well as their follow-on support. Also participating in the committee session were the Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, General Dimitrios Choupis, and the Chief of the Hellenic Navy, Vice Admiral DimitriosEleftherios Kataras HN. At the beginning of his speech, the Deputy Minister noted that he had listened carefully to all colleagues who had spoken on the draft bill in the previous sessions, expressing his satisfaction that they had studied the contracts under ratification carefully and voiced sincere concerns. He underlined, however, that the questions raised show that neither the techno-economic complexity of modifying an ongoing shipbuilding program, nor the international situation in the global defense equipment market, nor the lessons learned from recent conflictspresented in detail by both the Chief of the Navy and Minister Nikos Dendiashave been fully assessed. Mr. Davakis emphasized that maritime and air control operations for the protection of our sovereign rights require the ability to operate at a distance from our coasts and a prolonged presence on the spot. They also require defense capabilities in an operational environment rich in threats and interference, as well as the ability to project firepower at high altitude, long range, and beyond the horizon. The purchase of the 4th frigate and the upgrade of the other three to the Standard 2++ level contribute both to the quantitative and qualitative strengthening of the Hellenic Navy, which is called upon to operate on the front line in the protection of our national interests and within the framework of the unified defense doctrine. He also made special reference to the establishment, for the first time, of a 25% participation quota for the domestic defense industry in a major procurement of the Armed Forces, stressing that it is not necessary for this to be implemented solely within the framework of this procurement, but that it can also be complemented by the participation of Greek companies in other projects of the contractor. In other words, this also potentially institutionalizes the long-term integration of Greek companies into the supply chains of the French industry. Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. Photo: The Ministry of Investments, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, September 26. Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan, Laziz Kudratov met with a delegation from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), headed by Harry Boyd-Carpenter, Managing Director for Sustainable Infrastructure, to discuss new joint initiatives in the fields of energy, transport, digitalisation, urban infrastructure, and water management, Trend reports. During the talks, the sides outlined key priorities for future cooperation, including the expansion of the non-sovereign project portfolio with an emphasis on publicprivate partnership mechanisms, especially in socially significant sectors. Particular attention was paid to increasing grant financing within investment projects to strengthen soft components such as technical assistance, institutional development, digitalisation, and sustainable management. To date, the EBRDs investment portfolio in Uzbekistan consists of 185 projects and programmes worth a total of 5.8 billion euros ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, September 27. President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon congratulated President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov on the countrys Independence Day, emphasizing Dushanbes readiness to further expand economic and strategic cooperation with Ashgabat, Trend reports via Turkmen president's office. In his message, Rahmon underlined Turkmenistans achievements in strengthening state institutions, boosting international standing, and advancing socioeconomic development. He noted that the country is moving confidently along the path of sustainable growth. The Tajik leader expressed confidence that through joint efforts, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan will achieve new results in their partnership, particularly in trade and economic fields. Rahmon concluded by wishing President Berdimuhamedov success in his work and the people of Turkmenistan peace, prosperity, and well-being. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, September 27. U.S. President Donald Trump congratulated President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov on the 34th anniversary of the countrys independence, expressing Washingtons readiness to expand economic cooperation, Trend reports. In his message, Trump emphasized the United States commitment to strengthening economic opportunities and addressing regional challenges together with Turkmenistan. He underlined that bilateral partnership should serve the mutual prosperity of both nations. The American leader stressed that the U.S. highly values its relations with Turkmenistan, reaffirming unwavering support for the countrys sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence. He also expressed deep respect for Turkmenistans policy of permanent neutrality. I sincerely hope that in the coming year, the United States and Turkmenistan will be able to further strengthen and deepen our partnership, Trump noted. The U.S. President concluded his message by wishing the people of Turkmenistan continued success, peace, and prosperity. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, September 27. The United States highlighted the role of the B5+1 Business Forum in expanding economic cooperation with Turkmenistan in a congratulatory message on the occasion of the countrys 34th Independence Day, Trend reports via the office of the U.S. government. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that the forum has become an important platform for strengthening trade and investment ties, while also advancing broader regional cooperation. He stressed that Washington remains committed to supporting Turkmenistans independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Rubio also underlined the achievements of the C5+1 diplomatic platform, which marks its tenth anniversary this year, as a sign of continued efforts to promote peace and prosperity in Central Asia. The United States looks forward to many years ahead of fruitful and productive collaboration with Turkmenistan, Rubio said in his message, extending congratulations to the people of Turkmenistan on Independence Day. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, September 27. Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the advancement of strategic and economic cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative in a congratulatory message to Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on the countrys 34th Independence Day, Trend reports via the Press Service of the President of Turkmenistan. In his message, Xi called for the construction of a Community with a Shared Future for China and Turkmenistan, highlighting the importance of deepening political mutual trust, supporting each other, and aligning development strategies. Xi noted the successful implementation of Turkmenistans Revival of a New Era of a Powerful State strategy under President Berdimuhamedovs leadership. He also referenced two meetings with the Turkmen leader earlier this year, during which important agreements on multifaceted cooperation were reached, marking a new stage in Chinese-Turkmen relations. China, as a comprehensive strategic partner, sincerely welcomes all of Turkmenistans successes, the message emphasized, concluding with wishes for development, prosperity, and the happiness and well-being of the Turkmen people. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, September 26. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, Bakhtiyor Saidov held a meeting with Touhid Hossain, Adviser for Foreign Affairs of the Interim Government of Bangladesh, to discuss bilateral cooperation and a diplomatic visa exemption, the country's Minister wrote on X page, Trend reports. We signed an Intergovernmental Agreement on the exemption of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic passports, the post reads. He added that the talks also addressed a broad spectrum of bilateral and multilateral issues, underscoring the shared commitment of both sides to deepen cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Earlier, in 2024, Uzbekistan and Bangladesh concluded a new agreement in the field of textile development. The document is aimed at expanding economic cooperation, encouraging mutual investments, creating new opportunities for businesses, and further strengthening ties between the textile industry associations of the two countries. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, September 27. National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held meetings with the heads of Turkiyes Ronesans Holding and Calik Holding as part of Turkmenistans 34th Independence Day celebrations, Trend reports. Berdimuhamedov emphasized that Turkmenistan-Turkiye relations are a model of productive and mutually beneficial cooperation, rooted in historical, cultural, and linguistic ties. Ronesans Holding, represented by Chairman Erman Ilcak, was recognized for its extensive experience and active participation in urban development projects, as well as in the oil, gas, and chemical industries. At a meeting with Ahmet Calik, Chairman of Calik Holding, the companys significant contributions to Turkmenistans energy, textile, and healthcare sectors were highlighted. Confidence was expressed that Turkish partners will continue to implement innovative technologies and cost-effective solutions in joint industrial and social projects. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, September 27. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, Bakhtiyor Saidov, met with Christopher Landau, United States Deputy Secretary of State, and discussed ways to deepen cooperation, the Minister wrote on X, Trend reports. Recent interactions between our Presidents have demonstrated an unprecedented strengthening of the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and the United States, the post reads. Both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan and the U.S. State Department are mobilizing all available resources to ensure the full and timely implementation of the agreements reached at the highest level, he added. Meanwhile, by the end of 2024, trade turnover between the two countries had grown by 15 percent, reaching $881.7 million, while U.S. direct investment in Uzbekistan amounted to $612.6 million. More than 300 companies with U.S. capital now operate in the country, including 167 fully owned by U.S. investors. Kazakhstan sows seeds of growth with major irrigated farmland investment Photo: Kazakh Invest Kazakh Invest and Harvest Agro Holding signed a memorandum of understanding to support the creation of the Harvest agro-industrial cluster. The project aims to convert up to 300,000 hectares of land into irrigated farmland using modern water-saving technologies, with an initial investment of around $500 million. It will create jobs, boost rural development, and increase Kazakhstans agricultural export potential across several regions. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 27. Georgias Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Mariam Kvrivishvili, took part in the Georgias Economy Review: Macroeconomic and Sectoral Outlook conference organized by the Business Association of Georgia, Trend reports. The event, opened by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, brought together government officials and business leaders. In her remarks, Kvrivishvili stressed the importance of dialogue with the private sector to create a stable and predictable business environment. She highlighted three key priorities identified through consultations with businesses: ensuring stability and predictability, simplifying bureaucratic procedures, and speeding up decision-making. The minister pointed to Georgias robust economic performance, noting that the country recorded an average growth rate of 9.6% last year and 8% this year. International institutions have also upgraded their outlooks, with the EBRD raising its forecast to 7% and the IMF to 7.2%. Kvrivishvili also outlined progress on major infrastructure projects, including the Anaklia deep-sea port, and reaffirmed government support for investors. She announced upcoming reforms in the energy sector aimed at strengthening the countrys capacity for large-scale projects. Tourism and aviation were also highlighted as key growth drivers. Georgia now hosts more than 70 airlines operating 120 direct routes, with strong partnerships secured with carriers such as British Airways, EasyJet, and Edelweiss. Tourism revenues reached a record $4.4 billion in 2024, supported by rising average spending per visitor. The conference also featured Finance Minister Lasha Khutsishvili, National Bank President Natia Turnava, and representatives of TBC Bank and Bank of Georgia, who discussed the macroeconomic outlook and challenges ahead. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 27. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks in Astana with Myanmars Acting President Min Aung Hlaing, focusing on expanding cooperation in key sectors, particularly transport and logistics, Trend reports. Welcoming his counterpart, Tokayev highlighted Myanmars strategic location and underlined the importance of strengthening ties between the two nations, both situated along major global trade and transit routes. The Kazakh leader emphasized his countrys role as a central Eurasian transit hub, actively engaged in developing the Belt and Road Initiative, the NorthSouth transport corridor, and the Middle Corridor. He stressed that closer transport connectivity with Myanmar would help unlock new opportunities for trade and economic growth. Both sides agreed that expanding cooperation in transit, agriculture, finance, and digitalization could bring tangible benefits, with transport linkages forming the backbone of future collaboration. Tokayev also shared Kazakhstans broader socio-economic development strategy, while highlighting Astanas policies of tolerance and interfaith dialogue. For his part, Min Aung Hlaing expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and voiced readiness to work with Kazakhstan in building stronger and mutually beneficial partnerships. ADB shows interest in solar energy project in Azerbaijan's Fuzuli district (Exclusive) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has expressed interest in investing in a solar power project in Azerbaijans Fuzuli district, building on recent agreements signed during COP29 in Baku. ADB already backs nearly $800 million worth of renewable projects in the country and says improving credit ratings make Azerbaijans market increasingly attractive for future investments. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, September 27. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and Kyrgyzstans Foreign Minister Zheenbek Kulubaev discussed opportunities for cooperation in the critical minerals sector on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Week in New York, Trend reports via the U.S. Department of State. The officials exchanged views on prospects for deepening economic cooperation, with Landau reaffirming Washingtons commitment to pursuing a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The sides agreed to strengthen bilateral and regional economic ties through the B5+1 Business Forum and to mark the 10th anniversary of the C5+1 diplomatic platform this year, which brings together the United States and the five Central Asian countries. Earlier this week, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov, who visited New York to attend the 80th jubilee session of the UNGA, met with Sergio Gore, Special Representative of the U.S. President for South and Central Asia, and Paolo Zampolli, Special Envoy for Global Partnerships. The discussions focused on advancing cooperation both bilaterally and within multilateral frameworks. Zhaparov also addressed the UN Security Council meeting, where he announced Kyrgyzstans candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the Council for the 20272028 term. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, September 27. Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliyev has directed the State Mortgage Company (GIK) to develop a zero percent mortgage program for young teachers during a cabinet meeting, Trend reports. In the course of the meeting, Minister of Education Dogdurkul Kendirbaeva presented a report on the current state of education. Meanwhile, the initiative is part of a broader set of measures announced to address challenges in the national education system The data revealed that 257,378 children are enrolled in 1,997 kindergartens (286 of which are private). Furthermore, a total of 1,536,633 students are attending schools across Kyrgyzstan for the current academic year, which marks the full implementation of the new 12-year education model. Beyond the housing initiative, Prime Minister Kasymaliyev outlined a comprehensive agenda for the Ministry of Education. Key directives include: Expanding Preschool Access: Accelerating efforts to increase the availability of kindergarten slots, particularly in regional areas. Teacher Equipment: Finalizing the provision of personal laptops for all teachers. Curriculum Funding: Allocating 3 billion som for the development and publication of new textbooks and learning materials to support the 12-year education system. Teacher Training: Implementing regular professional development programs to ensure educators are equipped for the demands of the updated curriculum. Recognizing demographic pressures, the government is also focusing on infrastructure. The Ministry of Construction has been tasked with revising the master plans for building educational institutions in the cities of Bishkek, Osh, and Manas. These revisions must account for population growth and ensure that new schools comply with modern civil engineering standards and inclusive accessibility requirements. The proposed zero percent mortgage program represents a significant incentive aimed at improving the livelihoods of educators and making the teaching profession more attractive. The measure addresses a critical need, as the sector struggles to attract and retain qualified personnel against a backdrop of salary disparities: the average teacher's salary is around 25,000 soms ($286), significantly lower than the national average of 42,500 soms and the Bishkek average of 54,000 soms. This financial pressure is compounded by a significant staffing shortfall; according to Deputy Minister of Education Nadira Dzhusupbekova, Kyrgyzstan faced a shortage of nearly 950 teachers at the start of the 2025 academic year. If implemented effectively, the program could help address teacher retention and stimulate economic activity in the housing sector. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, September 27. Kyrgyzstans Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Head of the Presidential Administration, Adylbek Kasymaliev, will make an official visit to Belarus on September 2829, Trend reports via the Kyrgyz government. During the visit, Kasymaliev is scheduled to meet with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko and Prime Minister Alexander Turchin. A series of international agreements aimed at strengthening and developing bilateral relations is expected to be signed following the meetings. Furthermore, on September 2930, Kasymaliev will participate in sessions of the Council of Heads of Governments of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council, as well as the plenary session of the international industrial exhibition Innoprom Belarus. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, September 27. Kyrgyzstans Foreign Minister Zheenbek Kulubaev highlighted the importance of developing the ChinaKyrgyzstanUzbekistan railway during his address at the 24th Annual Meeting of Foreign Ministers of Landlocked Developing Countries, Trend reports via the Kyrgyz MFA. He noted that the railway project, alongside energy initiatives such as CASA-1000 (Central Asia-South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Project) designed to facilitate the export of surplus hydroelectricity from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to power-deficient countries Afghanistan and Pakistan, will enhance regional connectivity and support sustainable development. Kulubaev also emphasized the significance of the Third Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, held in August 2025 in Turkmenistan, calling it a key milestone in strengthening dialogue and setting priorities for the coming period. He further stressed that for landlocked countries, modernizing transport infrastructure and ensuring access to multimodal corridors remain top priorities. He also reaffirmed Kyrgyzstans support for the Avaza Programme of Action for 20242034 and expressed the countrys readiness to actively contribute to fostering unity and promoting principles of equal partnership. According to Uzbekistans Ministry of Transport, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway will stretch over 532.53 kilometers. The plan includes building 20 railway stations, including two border stations, one transshipment station, four intermediate stations, and 13 passing loops. The official groundbreaking ceremony took place on December 27, 2024, in Jalal-Abad, Kyrgyzstan. DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, September 27. The U.S. is interested in expanding partnership and investment in Tajikistans critical minerals sector, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said during a meeting with Tajikistans Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Trend reports via the U.S. Department of State. During the talks, Washington highlighted Tajikistans continued support for the D-ISIS Coalition ( the global coalition to defeat ISIS) and expressed appreciation for the countrys frontline expertise in countering ISIS-K (ISIS-Khorasan). The sides also noted the upcoming 10th anniversary of the C5+1 diplomatic platform, which brings together the U.S. and the five Central Asian states. The U.S. has repeatedly expressed interest in strengthening cooperation in the critical minerals sector in the Central Asian region. In New York, Landau also held a similar discussion with Kyrgyzstans Foreign Minister Zheenbek Kulubaev on prospects for cooperation in the sector. According to the Agency on Statistics under the President of Tajikistan, output in the countrys extractive industry totaled 13.394 billion somoni (about $1.41 billion) from January through August 2025, a 1.7-fold increase compared to the same period of 2024. Production growth was recorded in coal (up 4.6 percent), crude oil and natural gas (1.9 times), metal ores (1.7 times), and other minerals (39.6 percent). ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, September 27. President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev sent a congratulatory message to President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov on the occasion of the countrys Independence Day, emphasizing the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation, Trend reports via the Turkmen president's office. Mirziyoyev noted that Turkmenistan has successfully implemented its own model of national development in recent years while preserving social unity, cultural heritage, and traditions. He emphasized that the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, founded on friendship, mutual respect, and good neighborliness, will continue to deepen. The Uzbek leader expressed confidence that upcoming high-level meetings will give new momentum to both bilateral and multilateral economic cooperation. In conclusion, Mirziyoyev wished President Berdimuhamedov good health and success in his state duties, and the people of Turkmenistan peace, well-being, and prosperity. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, September 27. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov emphasized the importance of strengthening political, economic, and cultural cooperation with Turkmenistan in a congratulatory message to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on the occasion of the countrys 34th Independence Day, Trend reports via the president's office. Zhaparov noted that Turkmenistan has achieved sustainable development, preserved its national traditions, and enhanced its international standing under the leadership of President Berdimuhamedov. He stressed that warm and trusting relations between Bishkek and Ashgabat form a solid basis for expanding joint initiatives across key sectors. The Kyrgyz President expressed confidence that deepening cooperation would contribute to the prosperity of both nations and reaffirmed his countrys readiness to work closely with Turkmenistan. Concluding his message, Zhaparov conveyed his best wishes for the health and success of the Turkmen leader, as well as peace and prosperity for the Turkmen people. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, September 27. Kazakhstan emphasized the momentum of strategic and economic cooperation with Turkmenistan in a congratulatory letter to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on the occasion of the countrys 34th Independence Day, Trend reports via Press Service of the Kazakh President. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that joint efforts between the two countries are being infused with new practical content and fully reflect the spirit of strategic partnership and the aspirations of their peoples. Reaffirming his commitment to further strengthening multifaceted interstate ties, Tokayev wished President Berdimuhamedov continued success in his government work and prosperity for the people of fraternal Turkmenistan. Photo: Information portal of the First Vice-President of Iran BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 27. The activation of the 'snapback' mechanism, envisaging the restoration of UN Security Council sanctions against Iran, will increase the risk of Iran's trade turnover and economic exchanges, Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Farzaneh Sadegh told local media, Trend reports. According to her, this logically can lead to negative consequences for the country's cargo transportation and transport sector. Sadegh stated that the six UN Security Council resolutions against Iran do not impose new sanctions specifically on the Iranian economy and companies. ''These sanctions are the restoration of sanctions imposed against Iran. One of these sanctions clearly refers to Iran's shipping sector. The minister added that the Iranian Ministry of Roads and Urban Development is prepared in the field of cargo transportation and road and transport in the face of the pressures of the six UN Security Council resolutions. Despite these resolutions' negative effects on Iran, the country has continued its activities under sanctions for years,'' she noted. Last night, the United Nations (UN) Security Council convened to discuss the draft resolution submitted by Russia and China, which aimed to extend the mandate of Resolution 2231 and block the activation of the Snapback mechanism. The draft received four votes in favor, nine against, and two abstentions. As a result, starting September 27, UN Security Council sanctions against Iran have been reinstated. Iran has stated that it will respond to the reactivation of the Snapback mechanism. On July 20, 2015, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2231, which annulled six previous resolutions against Iran and lifted wide-ranging sanctions connected to its nuclear program. Under Articles 36 and 37 of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), if a member state files a complaint over another partys violation of the deal, a review process begins. If the issue is not resolved, the complainant can escalate it to the UN Security Council. Should the Council accept the complaint against Iran, international sanctions may be reactivated, and the Council may even authorize military action against Iran. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 27. The Council just voted on a draft by China and Russia to give diplomacy another chance. Under U.S. pressure, the Council refused. This is the second time in one week that diplomacy has been blocked, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi said in a statement to the media, Trend reports. Araghchi noted that he highlighted several points in his address to the Council. "For over twenty years, Iran has been a responsible member of the NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty). We pursued our inalienable right to peaceful nuclear energy with transparency. In 2015, after two years of talks, the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) was reached. It was endorsed unanimously by Resolution 2231. The IAEA issued 15 consecutive reports confirming Irans full compliance. No other nuclear program has been inspected more," he said. Araghchi stressed that the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018, in violation of Resolution 2231, without a legal basis, and the European trios inaction forced Iran to gradually reduce restrictions. Todays crisis is the direct result of U.S. withdrawal and Europes inaction. The U.S. betrayed diplomacy. The E3 buried it. For years, the U.S. and the E3 misrepresented Irans peaceful program. They echoed Israels false claims even as Israel maintains the regions only nuclear arsenal, outside the NPT. The double standard is glaring. Despite assassinations, sanctions, and bombings of IAEA-monitored facilities, Iran has not violated the JCPOA, the NPT, or our Safeguards obligations. When the former U.S. administration called for dialogue, Iran responded in good faith. Five rounds of talks were held. On the eve of the sixth, Israel with U.S. backing attacked nuclear facilities in Iran and murdered our scientists, including women and children. This was state terrorism. It was never condemned by the E3. Instead of diplomacy, the E3 pursued snapback. Iran, by contrast, signed a new memorandum with the IAEA on 9 September in Cairo. It was welcomed by the Agency and the international community. But in New York, all of Irans constructive proposals were ignored. Russia and China acted responsibly. They proposed a six-month extension of Resolution 2231 to preserve diplomacy. The E3 and the U.S. blocked it. Their words and actions do not match. Their goal is confrontation, not dialogue, he said. Addressing the snapback mechanism, he called it illegal, invalid, and without merit, noting that the E3, having breached the deal, cannot claim significant non-performance." The restrictions under Resolution 2231 are set to expire on October 18, 2025, and any attempt to revive or extend them is null and void. Araghchi further stated that Iran urges the Security Council chairman to declare todays decision unlawful and calls on the Secretary-General to abstain from any involvement in reinstating expired sanctions. Those pursuing this illegal course will bear full responsibility for undermining the credibility of the UN and for the resulting humanitarian consequences for the Iranian people. "This dangerous precedent must not stand. If agreements can be broken at will, no nation can trust international commitments. If unlawful measures are enforced by power instead of law, the Security Council itself will lose authority. Let me end with this: military attacks have failed. Snapback will fail, too. The only solution is dialogue. The JCPOA proves this. Iran will never bow to pressure. We respond only to respect. The choice is clear escalation or diplomacy. The responsibility lies with those who broke their commitments and undermined international law, the FM concluded. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 27. Iran has recalled its ambassadors from Germany, France, and the UK for consultations in Tehran following the activation of the Snapback mechanism, which reinstates United Nations (UN) Security Council sanctions against the country, Trend reports via Irans Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry stated that the European parties misused the dispute resolution mechanism under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Last night, the United Nations (UN) Security Council convened to discuss the draft resolution submitted by Russia and China, which aimed to extend the mandate of Resolution 2231 and block the activation of the Snapback mechanism. The draft received 4 votes in favor, 9 against, and 2 abstentions. As a result, starting September 27, UN Security Council sanctions against Iran have been reinstated. Iran has stated that it will respond to the reactivation of the Snapback mechanism. On July 20, 2015, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2231, which annulled six previous resolutions against Iran and lifted wide-ranging sanctions connected to its nuclear program. Under Articles 36 and 37 of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), if a member state files a complaint over another partys violation of the deal, a review process begins. If the issue is not resolved, the complainant can escalate it to the UN Security Council. Should the Council accept the complaint against Iran, international sanctions may be reactivated, and the Council may even authorize military action against Iran. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Watch: Once again, Netanyahu speaks to empty benches at UN If the humiliation of forced avoidance of the European airspace while travelling to New York due to fear of arrest was not enough, empty benches greeted Benjamin Netanyahu when he walked to address the UN General Assembly Friday Saturday September 27, 2025 3:25 PM , ummid.com News Network United Nations: If the humiliation of forced avoidance of the European airspace while travelling to New York due to fear of arrest was not enough, empty benches greeted Benjamin Netanyahu when he walked to address the UN General Assembly Friday. Netanyahu reached New York to address the UN General Assembly Friday September 26, 2025 via an unusual route from Tel Aviv to New York, largely avoiding European airspace. The unusual route added more than two hours to his flight time. Netanyahu was forced to do so because an arrest warrant issued by the ICC is hanging over his head. And when he reached the UN Headquarters after so much pain, he was greeted by the delegates walking out of the UN General Assembly, leaving behind them empty benches. Over 150 of the total 193 UN member states now recognise the State of Palestine. All of them, including some who have not yet recognized Palestine, walked out as Netanyahu preparing to address the UN General Assembly, shamelessly and unapologetically, watched. And this was not the first time when Netanyahu, who has been charged by the ICC of war crimes and of presiding over the Genocide of Palestinians in Gaza by the United Nations experts and other reputed bodies , was greeted by empty hall at the UN. But this Friday's walkout was the largest ever. Watch Video Wow! MASSIVE walkout of diplomats at the UN as soon as Netanyahu takes the podium. I don't recall seeing such a large walkout for quite some time at UNGA. Israel has chosen to be a pariah and is increasingly treated as such by the international community. pic.twitter.com/sVwTKsYnE2 Trita Parsi (@tparsi) September 26, 2025 Netanyahus Speech at UN Netanyahu in his speech at the UN General Assembly had nothing new to offer. As always it was full of rhetoric, threats and shameless boasting about his war crimes. Netanyahu was especially furious on the countries France, UK, Canada and Australia included, that recognized an Independent State of Palestine ahead of the ongoing UN General Assembly Session following the Saudi Arabia-France joint efforts. In his speech, Netanyahu rejected growing global criticism of Israels war in Gaza, stretching over almost two years, as political and legal warfare against Israel. He claimed the West is appeasing your way out of jihad by sacrificing Israel. Netanyahu was all praise for US President Donald Trump for his support to Israeli Genocide in Gaza, saying he understands better than any other leader that Israel and America face a common threat. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Speaking at the New York UN Conference on the Two-State Solution, French President Emmanuel Macron announced on 22 September that his country now recognizes the state of Palestine. He was loudly applauded by the diplomats present. Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta and Monaco joined France in this recognition. A total of 156 states have already recognized the state of Palestine more than half of them are EU members. However, such recognition will have only limited effects as long as Israel, the occupying Power, does not recognize it. Above all, the recognition of this state is a way of not helping the Palestinian population during the ongoing genocide. The project for the recognition of a Palestinian state was formulated in 1936 by the British Foreign Office. It was a question of preserving the interests of the British Empire by partitioning Mandatory Palestine into an Arab side and a Jewish side, on the model of what would be achieved in India with India proper and Pakistan: to maintain Londons indispensable presence through the division of the country. In India, the British had declared the secular leader of independence, Aurobindo Gosh, "public enemy No. 1 of the Empire" and favored the rise to power of both Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, a supporter of the caste system and a Hindu India, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah, a supporter of a Muslim state. In three days, independence caused 2 million deaths. Subsequently, many Indian and Pakistani leaders tried to renew ties, but each time, terrorist groups derailed the negotiations. In Mandatory Palestine, the British dismissed secular leaders and favored the rise of both the revisionist Zionists and the Muslim Brotherhood. In this region of the world, too, peace has been impossible for eighty years. On March 4, 1982, French President Francois Mitterrand gave a historic speech in the Israeli Knesset [parliament]. In it, he stated that the right of peoples to self-determination should also apply to the Palestinians on the condition that they recognize Israels right to exist. It was not about creating a second state next to Israel, but about leaving open the United Nations proposal for a single binational state. On 13 September 1993, Israel and the Palestinian Authority signed the Oslo Accords providing for the recognition of the State of Palestine. They have never been fully implemented, especially since, on November 4, 1995, Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated by a revisionist Zionist, a follower of Rabbi Meir Kahane. The French presidents decision is a "fait du prince". There has been no government in France since the resignation of [former Prime Minister] Francois Bayrou and his team and 72% of French people are hostile to the creation of a Palestinian state. The Saudi co-presidency was held by Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and not by Prime Minister and Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman (MBS). At the last moment, Saudi Arabia no longer considered it useful to be represented at the level of its head of government. Our director of publication and editor-in-chief directed French magazines several years ago, and has won journalism awards abroad. He has regularly contributed to some fifteen major dailies and magazines around the world. Voltaire, International Newsletter is available by subscription for 500 a year, is published 42 times a year (not in July-August, nor during the Christmas holydays). Its an indispensable tool for any professional in international relations or defense. Whats more, 10 times a year, subscribers are invited to Zoom virtual meetings with publications director Thierry Meyssan. Contents of issue N144 EDITORIAL 3905 Emmanuel Macron recognizes the State of PalestineI AMERICAS 3906 Lindsey Graham hopes to have Russia recognized as a "state sponsor of terrorism" 3907 Donald Trump seems to be changing his policy in Ukraine 3908 Pentagon Concerned About Chinese Military Advances in Space 3909 Robert Kennedy Jr.s Services Link Paracetamol to Autism 3910 General Kruse dismissed 3911 A Rogue Communications Network Dismantled in New York City 3912 The Trump Gold Card 3913 The gang of the 18th street classified as a "terrorist organization" 3914 Donald Trump pushes to judge his opponents 3915 Jeff Zients is surprised by Hunter Bidens role in his fathers pardons 3916 Google and YouTube admit to censoring on President Bidens instructions 3917 Donald Trump demands that Venezuela take back its illegal migrants EUROPE 3918 Trump and Starmer invest in AI 3919 The United Kingdom recognizes the State of Palestine 3920 King Charles III defends AUKUS against Donald Trump 3921 Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron sue Candace Owens, but not Xavier Poussard 3922 France could recognize the Lebensborn 3923 Two reports of the Mathias Corvinus Collegium 3924 Kaja Kallas defends Israels right to participate in Eurovision 3925 The EUs 19th package of "sanctions" against Russia, despite ECB objections 3926 The European project for a "drone wall" to protect itself from Russia 3927 The Privileges of Ukrainian Agriculture in the EU 3928 The European Parliament supports the Bosnian constitutional order 3929 EU-Mercosur treaty likely to run counter to the Treaty on European Union 3930 EP confirms Ilaria Salis parliamentary immunity 3931 Moldova says it has arrested 74 Russian agents 3932 Thirty countries participate in the Bring Kids Back UA meeting 3933 Volodymyr Zelensky against international law and for the force of arms 3934 Celebration of Kibbutz Rosh Hashanah in Ukraine 3935 Russia to extend the New START treaty 3936 The SVR confirms the presence of French and British soldiers in Odessa AFRICA 3937 The South African Dossier on Acts of Genocide in Gaza ASIA 3938 Ahmed al-Sharaa celebrates the victory of Islamism over Bashar al-Assad 3939 Yemeni weapon hits Israel 3940 Ali Khamenei notes the impossibility of negotiating with the United States 3941 Masoud Pezeshkian condemns "peace through strength" and praises "strength through peace" 3942 Washington wants to recover Bagram base 3943 One Piece Flag Symbolism 3944 Youth Protests Against Corruption in the Philippines 3945 Washington reaffirms its desire to denuclearize North Korea 3946 "Mother Moon" imprisoned 3947 China Invests in Artificial Intelligence 3948 Shigeru Ishiba declares that he is "facing history", but not the crimes of Japanese imperialism INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS 3949 UN Security Council Meeting on Alleged Violation of Estonian Airspace 3950 Staging of the Ukrainian conflict in the UN Security Council 3951 Algeria and Russia denounce "Greater Israel" before the UN Security Council On 23 September, the UN Security Council debated the Gaza conflict and, by extension, the 3952 UN Security Council fails to interpret JCPoA 3953 NATO reaffirms its right to defend itself after air incidents attributed to Russia Royal visit to Vatican comes during Jubilee Year. King Charles III and Queen Camilla will meet Pope Leo XIV as part of a state visit to the Vatican in late October, Buckingham Palace said on Friday evening. The royal visit was rearranged after a previous visit, scheduled during a four-day tour in Italy earlier this year, was postponed due to the poor health of Leo's predecessor, Pope Francis. The king and queen met Francis briefly on 9 April, on their 20th wedding anniversary, less than two weeks before the pontiff's death on Easter Monday. Buckingham Palace has said the upcoming trip will emphasise the friendly relations between the Catholic Church and the Church of England, of which King Charles is supreme governor. No details have been announced for the visit which will fall during the Vatican's Jubilee Year, a holy event that occurs in Rome every 25 years. Photo credit: Alessia Pierdomenico / Shutterstock.com. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, met with the European Commissioner for the Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall, to discuss Irelands request for continuance of the Nitrates derogation. Minister Heydon emphasised the importance of the derogation to Ireland during the meeting, which was held in Brussels. He also issued an invitation to the Commissioner to visit Ireland and view first-hand the collaborative work being done by the agri-food sector on improving water quality. Following the meeting, Minister Heydon, said: I very much appreciate the engagement by Commissioner Roswall and the constructive nature of the discussion. "This meeting follows a visit from senior officials from DG Environment to Ireland last week, which included a visit to a derogation farm in County Meath. Following the meeting, Minister Heydon confirmed that Commissioner Roswall will visit Ireland in November. He stated: We are looking forward to welcoming Commissioner Roswall for a visit that will provide a further opportunity for engagement in a very practical way. "Securing an extension to Irelands Nitrates Derogation remains a key Government priority. In the time ahead, Government will continue to engage and work constructively with stakeholders at both a national and a European level on the next Nitrates Action Programme and the Nitrates Derogation, to ensure we put forward the strongest case possible to secure its retention post-2025 as well as delivering on improved water quality. The Nitrates Derogation is the commonly used term referring to the provision within the Nitrates Directive allowing a scientifically justified higher limit on the application of livestock manure Nitrogen to land. Ireland is seeking permission to continue applying in excess of 170 kg livestock manure Nitrogen per hectare from 2026. The derogation facilitates, and is considered to be justified by, Irelands unique grass-based outdoor livestock production systems, which are based around our high net precipitation, long grass growing season and our ability to produce high-yielding crops of grass that take up and utilise high levels of Nitrogen. The work of photographer James Hughes has been welcomed to Waterford. Hughes photographic exhibition, titled 'The Decoration of Absence: The Silent Traces of Irish Interiors' will be opened by the Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan at the Index Gallery Central Library on Wednesday, October 1 at 6.30pm and all are welcome to attend. James Hughes is a Northern Irish photographer and artist, whose photographic practice ranges from social documentary through commercial to fine art photography. His first photographic experience was of a childhood spent using a box brownie, which was made by his mother when she worked for Kodak. James is self-taught, and influenced by late 20th century photography and literature, influences that he continues to link through his practice to-date. A celebrated photographer, with many exhibitions and awards, his work is represented internationally in museums and galleries. The exhibition runs at the Index Gallery, Central Library from October 1 to 31 (Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri 10am-5pm, Wed 1-8pm and Sat 10am-1pm and 2-5pm). For years, those interested in local development have pursued government for a fair share of investment. That persistence has brought the North Quays development, the new engineering building at South East Technological University (SETU) and a new surgical hub at University Hospital Waterford (UHW). FDI is compromised by the current US administration, but Waterfords share of that has certainly been relatively (compared to our peer cities) modest. Are our government TDs now in their comfort zone, happy to accept what was long withheld as evidence that their work is done? Not a penny was invested in new SETU teaching space for almost 20 years. That developmental apartheid coalesced in the proposal for a 12,800sq/m engineering building, which is finally under construction. Planning for it started in 2007 and outline permission, as part of a government PPP, was granted in 2009. Sadly, Fine Gael had other political priorities and the delay in starting the Waterford project left Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) as the only third level facility in the country, which had not had a brick laid for decades. There is no excuse for what was done. Development at SETU/WIT Waterford was halted, while legacy universities had a spending beano on new courses, facilities and student accommodation. The whys and the wherefores will be debated for years. In September 2024 the government decided that a new MVB degree, Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine, would be facilitated at SETU Waterford and Kildalton in Piltown. Dr Mary-Kate Burke has been appointed Head of Department of Veterinary Medicine and the first intake of 40 students will happen in 2026. It was also announced that a new course in pharmacy would be developed at SETU and the university is currently engaged in the accreditation process for the MPharm (Master of Pharmacy) programme with the Pharmaceutical Society. Some months ago the local Frisby group held an event in SETU to mark the development of their Glassworks 1 building at Kilbarry. An outline of future SETU developments on the land purchased from the Frisby Group was given by college president Prof Veronica Campbell. This showed new facilities for the veterinary and pharma courses. These things take time, but everyone knows that we are coming from behind in competing for students and new investment against regions with legacy universities. The SEEM report on the local economy is emphatic on the investment disparity although it has received scant comment from our public representatives. Too embarrassed to speak? The Governments Capital Tracker of May 2025 lists 268 major public investment projects at county level. The national imbalance is stark. Dublin, with 28% of the population, is receiving 56% of capital spending - even excluding Metro North - that is more than double its proportional share. This highlights the failure of repeated government commitments since 2018 to deliver balanced regional development. The South East, despite marquee projects like the North Quays, has the lowest per capita investment at 1,738 - around 7,000 below the national average - reflecting a persistent pattern of regional underinvestment. The only current planning application at SETU Waterford is for a minor refurbishment of the top floor of the old Cork Road building. SEEM is again emphatic. In 2023/24, there were 15,070 full-time higher education students from the South East (down from 15,270 in 2022/23), representing 7.3% of the national total below the regions 8.9% population share. Only 36% (5,430) studied within the region; 64% (9,640) left, creating economic leakage and higher costs for families during their studies. "In contrast, 74.4% of students from the South West (Cork and Kerry) stayed local, with just 25.6% studying elsewhere. Remember that while SETU Carlow was given free run by government and the Higher Education Authority over the past 13 years to develop six new buildings, WIT Waterford was eviscerated. Maybe Minister Cummins could let us know when we will see catch up development on the SETU land at Kilbarry? Everyone interested in a proper share of investment in acute medicine for UHW is delighted with the impressive new surgical hub building being developed at Maypark Lane. Its great to see and is the first real indication of government support for UHW as a Model 4 hospital. This initiative is separate from the normal run of HSE projects and was developed in-house by the Department of Health. When UHW suffered under the South South-West Hospital Group thumb, it is alleged that many Waterford projects withered on the desks of Cork management. It is also alleged that the Estates Section of the HSE for this area, which as a hangover from the old South Eastern Health Board, and is based in Kilkenny, has been lethargic in pushing UHW projects. Anyone looking at the physical development of St Lukes Model 3 Hospital in Kilkenny over the past five years must wonder whats going on. Major development there was built without planning permission under a Covid derogation, while the haul for UHW brought modular Emergency Department and Out Patient Department tin prefabs. The HSE National Service Plan literature points to the need for further development at UHW, yet its National Capital Plan for 2025 is very skimpy on development other than the surgical hub. Minister Mary Butler is based in the Department of Health long enough to know the ropes. Is she a captive of the Yes Minister civil servants there? There are two planning applications for development at UHW, an oncological day ward and a vertical Out Patients Department (OPD) over the existing hospital. Both were granted in 2022. The former has been cancelled and the latter, described as vital for the hospital, has not gone to tender stage. There is no evidence of current progress on the provision of extra beds at UHW although such provision at St Lukes Kilkenny is progressing. The long promised (those words again) Adult Mental Health Unit at UHW is nowhere to be seen. When combined with projects at St Otterans Hospital, which have been on the HSE appraisal stage for donkeys years, it suggests that Minister Butler needs to give an account of her stewardship on the provision of acute medical facilities at UHW. Minsters Cummins and Butler must understand that the current projects being delivered to Waterford do not remedy years of chronic underinvestment. Where are the visible planning and tenders for the next stage of state investment? Will we be waiting 20 more years for that? Advertisement BusinessThe economyRenewables Opinion Americas nightmare: China is moving at lightning speed to control the future Ambrose Evans-Pritchard September 26, 2025 3:40pm 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 228 View all comments China is moving at lightning speed to secure a stranglehold over the industrial supply chain of nuclear fusion, aiming to leapfrog the US as technology advances from theoretical science to actual power for the grid. The Communist Party has launched what amounts to a Manhattan Project to dominate the next stage of fusion, which promises to start sweeping away the existing energy order much sooner than is widely understood. Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. The US may pay a heavy price for clinging to fossil fuels. AP Beijing is replicating the same strategy it used to wipe out global rivals in solar panels, lithium batteries, critical minerals and electric vehicles. Chinas rise in fusion poses an existential threat to US energy dominance, says Will Regan, founder of the US start-up Pacific Fusion. Advertisement Regan says China has deployed upwards of $US10 billion to $US13 billion ($15.2 billion to $19.7 billion) since 2023 in a systematic attempt to capture the family of specialist industries that will underpin the rollout of fusion power plants at scale. Related Article Analysis China relations Chinas EVs are dirt cheap. Its policymakers are concerned That figure is more than the rest of the world combined over the same period probably by a large margin. Their facilities are so big you can literally see them from space, says Bob Mumgaard, chief executive of Commonwealth Fusion Systems, the Wests frontrunner in commercial fusion. We are hearing reports that they are working 24 hours a day with interns sleeping in cots. This is a co-ordinated, state-organised intention to win the fusion race, he said. Advertisement Mumgaard has warned US Congress that Chinas ambitions are becoming a clear and present danger to US economic and national security. This is a very high-stakes race worth trillions of dollars. China is positioned to win; the US isnt, he says. Mumgaard says the Chinese have been pouring money on a massive scale into all the foundational structures of an active fusion industry. The US has nothing like this, Mumgaard says. Our fusion program looks like it did a decade ago. Its fragmented, underfunded and ill-equipped and still focused on science. Mumgaard spoke last week at a shocking but sparsely attended session in Congress on the fusion race. The mood was in stark contrast to the heady triumphalism of the Pujiang Innovation Forum in Shanghai happening at much the same time. Advertisement Professor Zhang Jie, from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, says his country is fast developing a form of inertial laser fusion at a vast new facility in Sichuan that is 30 times more efficient than its US rival and promises to deliver baseload power at about $US25 a megawatt hour. Such a level if achieved would obliterate all competition in global energy and establish China as the hegemonic electro-superpower. The US is nuclear fusions world leader, but China is moving at lightning speed to secure a stranglehold over the sectors industrial supply chain. AP Zhang, Chinas Dr Fusion, says the technology will drastically change the international order and lead to an economic upheaval that surpasses all three industrial revolutions seen so far mechanical, electrical and digital. Chinas leaders were stunned when the Lawrence Livermore laboratory in California announced in December 2022 that it had achieved ignition, generating more energy from fusing hydrogen isotopes than it put in to set off the reaction. Advertisement The lab has since repeated this eight times and reached an energy gain ratio of 4.1, as well as a self-sustaining feedback loop known as burning plasma. Regan says Beijing instantly grasped the significance of the breakthrough and has since mobilised the full apparatus of the Chinese state to surpass it. Beijing is replicating the same strategy it used to wipe out global rivals in solar panels, lithium batteries, critical minerals and electric vehicles. They are now close to operating a facility that could produce up to 10 times more yield: an enormous capability gap, he says. China is also going hell for leather on the more traditional fusion technology using ultra-strength magnets. Advertisement In January, its Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (East) contained burning plasma at temperatures above 100 million degrees for a record 17.7 minutes, catching up with the West in what some are already calling a Sputnik moment. China is aiming to produce the first fusion power for the grid by 2031, far earlier than previously suggested by Chinese officials and sooner than almost anyone had thought possible. Bloomberg China now wants to produce the first fusion power for the grid by 2031, earlier than previously suggested by Chinese officials and sooner than almost anybody thought possible. The larger point is that once China achieves this, it will be able to roll out plants at a pace the West cannot hope to match unless it too goes all out for fusion rearmament. A recent study by a group of experts for MIT Technology Review magazine concluded that China already dominates three of the six critical industries that will underpin fusion at mass commercial scale and is close to dominating another two. Advertisement These include thin-film processing needed to make superconducting magnetic coils a spin-off from its solar sector as well as specialist metal alloys able to resist radiation. Related Article Renewables The 345km undersea cable that will help Australia move on from coal China has also stolen a march on power electronics thanks to its network of high-speed railways 55 times larger than the US Acela network and its massive expansion of renewable microgrids. We are starting to glimpse the insidious price the US will pay for clinging too long to old fossil fuel tech while China bets the farm on new electro-tech. There are today 53 private fusion companies worldwide and 85 per cent of the total funding raised so far has gone to US start-ups. Commonwealths $US3 billion venture is backed by Google, Nvidia and the big guns of US finance. It is already well advanced, with its experimental tokamak and plans to complete a commercial plant in Virginia by the early 2030s. Advertisement But there are limits to how fast private companies can move without a specialist ecosystem to back them up. That is yet to exist in America. Chris Wright, the US energy secretary, has been on the airwaves proclaiming the gospel of fusion power within eight years. Loading It has hit that tipping point where things are going to happen fast, he has said. But the Trump administration is doing precious little to ensure US companies will get there before a flock of Chinese rivals have already sewn up the global market. Advertisement The Americans badly need allies to plug the big holes in the supply chain, whether Japan for superconducting tapes or Britain for radioactive and rare H-3 tritium fuel. Hence the little-noticed fusion chapter in the US-UK nuclear deal agreed last week. The UK is the closest fit: they have facilities for tritium and blanket-breeding that are very significant, if we could get access, Mumgaard says. But when you look at India or some places in Europe, you wonder which side they are on. The beauty of fusion power is by now well understood. Plants cannot melt down. They are deemed safe enough to regulate like a hospital and can be built almost anywhere. The technology does not emit carbon or produce long-lived radioactive waste. It needs little land and water. It can plug directly into the existing grid. It can deliver baseload power 24/7 or flex up and down. Tiny amounts of fuel can power the world endlessly. There are still big hurdles. How do you stop neutrons from degrading the inner walls of the reactor? How do you control unstable plasma at 100 million degrees? The list of problems is long, but there has never before been such a concentrated effort to solve them. Advertisement The cardinal point is that advances in superconducting have suddenly made it possible to build a plant that is 40 times smaller than the old experimental reactors but which still generates as much power. It is this that has set off the global scramble for commercial fusion. Related Article Opinion Inside China Trump and Xi are both undermining China Stephen Bartholomeusz Senior business columnist In a sense, the Chinese are doing us all a favour by forcing the pace. But a world in which the Communist Partys totalitarian regime owns global energy is not going to be a pleasant one for Western democracies, if there are any left by then. Telegraph, London The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning. In the true story of a bus driver caught up in a massive US wildfire, the Hollywood star was reminded of lifes most precious gifts. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share Matthew McConaughey seems like a fairly pragmatic kind of guy. At 183cm tall, youd swear hes a few centimetres more. Hes an imposing presence, if also a charming one. And you get the impression he might not be the kind of man given to displays of emotion. In The Lost Bus, Paul Greengrass survival thriller based on the real story of a busload of schoolchildren caught in a California inferno, he plays bus driver Kevin McKay, a cinematically embellished iteration of a real man. But at some point the film becomes much more than mere action movie. A polemic on broken environmental policy? Maybe. A deeply affecting examination of a father facing an impossible choice: save the kids in his bus, and risk not being able to return to save his estranged son? Absolutely. Matthew McConaughey in The Lost Bus. Apple TV+ The role, McConaughey says, left him examining his relationship with his own children Levi, Vida, and Livingston. It left me coming back and seeing time with my own children and going, dont miss it, he says. People say it goes by fast, and it does. Im already noticing that. Dont miss it. Be there as much as you can. Hopefully as a parent, you get to maintain a relationship with your children after they leave the house, but boy, while theyre there, thats when, as a parent, you have the chance to be a real artist with this canvas that youre about to let go into the world, McConaughey adds. I have a great reverence for that. Complicating - or perhaps simplifying - the performance, McConaugheys real-life son Levi plays Kevins son, Shaun McKay, in the film. Real-life father and son are close, but the scenes they share clearly build on their natural intimacy to tease out powerful emotions. Advertisement After the scenes, it was so nice to come back at the end of the day and hug and be like, thats not us, lets make sure it doesnt become us, McConaughey says. You know what I mean? [We say], love you, dad; love you, son. Theres a decompression at the end of every day: Matthew McConaughey with his son Levi at the Toronto Film Festival. AP The Lost Bus is based on the 2021 non-fiction book Paradise: One Towns Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire by Lizzie Johnson, about one of the worst bushfires in American history, the 2018 Camp Fire in California. Producer and actress Jamie Lee Curtis read the book, and passed it on to producer Jason Blum. Greengrass, a former journalist turned filmmaker with a peculiarly strong documentary sense, even when directing fiction, was brought in to direct. That decision would prove pivotal, as Greengrass gives the film an unsettlingly real sensibility; even as it lurches from thriller to full-blown disaster movie, it never loses its sense of reality, dialling in to small notes and deep emotional wells. America Ferrera and Matthew McConaughey in The Lost Bus. Apple TV+ A more literal adaptation of the truth might have given the films leads McConaughey, and America Ferrera, as teacher Mary Ludwig a more specific responsibility regarding the real town of Paradise, California. That said, McConaughey notes, their real-life counterparts needed to be navigated carefully. Advertisement If Im playing a biography, theres a certain responsibility to the emulation of that character. Not the imitation, but the emulation of that, he says. When you go inspired by, we want to make sure we were responsible to the spirit of what really happened and what these people did, and I think Pauls movie is true to that. And some of the things were talking about, about fathers and sons, that wasnt a literal [interpretation of] Kevins relationship with his son. But for dramatic purposes, I know I needed that. Who was he before the conflict comes, before the fires come? Who is he afterwards? I needed that. I think Paul needed that. As an actor too, McConaughey says, he was able to dive into the mythical subtext of the movie. The most immediate parallel comes in the fire itself: a man on the brink of something, frustrated, disaffected and isolated, who finds himself through a literally hellish inferno and, perhaps, coming out the other side. Related Article Streaming Are you kidding? The one role Robin Wright is always asked about may surprise you Those mythical story points ... how Im moving, listening, when Im looking off the horizon when Im not really listening, when Im about to give up or decided no, were going to go through it ... all that informs a lot of unseen stuff, McConaughey says. But every performer, writer, actor, or artist needs that, to understand that backstory, he says. It informs so much of how you move from the heel to the hair follicles on your head. [I] do literally say that line, which is beautiful, by Paul, I was too late as a son, now I think Im too late as a dad. I grabbed onto that. Advertisement Were talking at the Toronto Film Festival, and outside there is a maelstrom: crowds fill the streets, packing cinemas, there are red carpets peppering the sidewalks, and planeloads of A-list stars. Inside the hotel, McConaughey is taping TV interviews but, for our conversation at least, the equipment is unmanned, and were left alone in the room to talk. His sense of his faith is very present. He periodically invokes the wisdom of his pastor. And, as an actor, he seems to have created for himself a wholly complete life outside his day job. Which is not to say he does not pour himself into his work. Quite the opposite. The Lost Bus might have started as an action movie script offered to him because hes a handy name for the top of the billboard. But the almost overwhelming way it intersects fatherhood, failure and hope is extraordinary. The real Kevin McKay at the Toronto Film Festival. Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP The gut-punching tension of the film swings on two extraordinary choices that Kevin is forced to make. The first, to get in his bus and drive towards the fire in order to retrieve his mother and son. The second, to turn the bus around again, leaving his sons life in jeopardy, because a group of school children have been left behind, and his bus is the only one close enough to get to them. The choice to turn around and go get his mom and his son ... thats enough to carry the entire movie, McConaughey says. And son of a bitch, if 20 seconds later it doesnt come compound right on top with a new set of stakes, which are, [a radio call saying] I got 22 kids stranded on the east side of town. Anyone got an empty bus over there? Kevins just, somebody else, pick up. Not me. If he believes in God, what kind of bullshit trick are you playing on me? Now, in that moment, what made him grab that [radio] mic and go, I can get them. I dont know. Is that the right thing to do? I dont know. Advertisement Theres that great phrase my pastor says, you want to find a home, start with making the first right choice. And just try to do that one in a row, then one in a row again. And I think theres something about that thats the first right choice, even in the circumstances that [Kevin] was in, with trying to get back, by hook or by crook, to his son and mum. The Lost Bus tells the true story of a drivers fight to save the children on his bus from an out-of-control fire in California. Apple TV+ The film also, perhaps both unintentionally and unexpectedly, makes observations about the modern malaise of men on the edge. We dont bring that up directly in this movie, but that definitely is some subtext for me that I notice there are a lot of men for whom the American dream did not work out, McConaughey says. Related Article Film Festivals Oscar buzz for Russell Crowe and other Toronto Film Festival highlights Ive talked to a lot of middle-aged men that are going, Im lost here. Im in neutral. Nothing worked out. Things that I had, campfires that I tried to build into bonfires, they didnt. Theyre still campfires. Or theyre put out. And what do those men start to do? Thats a lot of the subtext of Kevin as a man, where he is in this life, McConaughey adds. Hes quit. But that metaphor ... hes forced to follow through. Hes forced to go drive. You want to get through hell, go right down the dragons throat, baby. Drive right through the hottest part of it. Paul wrote a great line: you were too late as a son, you got a second chance not to be too late as a father. Though McConaughey has made an art of almost effortlessly taking his Hollywood bows and returning home to his family in Texas, he concedes his departure from The Lost Bus was emotionally complex. Advertisement Advertisement EnvironmentClimate changeFood sustainability Climate disasters mean oysters could be in short supply this Christmas Caitlin Fitzsimmons September 27, 2025 3:00am 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 19 View all comments Talking points Farmers on the NSW Mid North Coast lost millions of oysters in the May floods Many South Australian oysters cannot be eaten because of the harmful algal bloom Projects to restore wild oyster reefs are underway in every state of Australia Oysters filter water and wild reefs provide habitat and storm surge protection Oysters will be scarcer, smaller and more expensive on Christmas tables this year after twin climate disasters in two states floods that devastated northern NSW leases and the algal bloom that contaminated crops in South Australia. The disastrous season comes amid a nationwide effort to restore wild native oyster reefs in sites such as Melbournes Port Phillip Bay and the Noosa River on the Sunshine Coast, as scientists are belatedly recognising their water filtration role as the kidneys of the coastline, as well as their leases role as a breeding ground for fish and as a buffer for coastal storm surges. Floods have affected production for Brandon Armstrong, a third-generation oyster farmer on the NSW Mid North Coast. Lindsay Moller Oyster farmers face the cascading effects of climate change on food production described in last weeks National Climate Risk Assessment, but they are also grappling with a lack of understanding from the public and governments. In one example, a NSW oyster farmer from the Mid North Coast was initially asked to count dead oysters to claim disaster grant money an impossible task when the oysters numbered in their millions and many had been washed out to sea. Advertisement Brandon Armstrong, owner of Armstrong Oysters in Laurieton near Port Macquarie and chair of the oyster committee for NSW Farmers, said the May floods affected oyster leases in estuaries north of Sydney to the Queensland border, especially from the Manning to the Nambucca River. The biggest problem is weve only just had the 2021 and 2022 floods, so weve been rebuilding from that, Armstrong said. Its been a challenge because oysters take three years to grow; so we were only just seeing the crop that was hatched after the last floods coming to maturity in time for the 2025 summer season. Brandon Armstrong on one of the flood-resistant oyster rafts bought after the 2021 floods. Lindsay Moller When the floods came, Armstrong spent all day rescuing neighbours and their animals and ferrying them to safety in his boat, stopping only when darkness fell and it became too dangerous. The same treacherous waters were washing away his livelihood for the third time in five years. Advertisement At his lease on the Camden Haven River, Armstrong lost about 11 million Sydney rock oysters, either killed in place from dirty floodwater or washed out to sea. Others recovered, but they have grown more slowly because of the ordeal. Jonathan Ford from Bells Island Oysters, on Wallis Lake in the Forster-Tuncurry region north of Newcastle, lost almost four million Sydney rock oysters, about half his stock for the next three seasons. The NSW government estimates that about a quarter of the states farmed oysters, which also include South Coast crops, are sold interstate. The oyster shortage will also be compounded by the Karenia mikimotoi algal bloom in South Australia that has been choking about a third of the states coastline for months, killing animals including cuttlefish and dolphins. Dr Dominic McAfee from Adelaide University said many oyster farmers in South Australia were unable to sell their product because they were contaminated by brevetoxins from feeding on the algae. Advertisement Unsung ecological superheroes Before European settlement, shellfish reefs covered hundreds of thousands of square kilometres of coastal waters around Australia, McAfee said. Most were wiped out in colonial Australia by dredging the reefs both to eat the oysters and to grind their shells for cement (as a substitute for lime), and later by run-off. Decomposing sea sponges at the Ardrossan Big Jetty are among the casualties of the algal bloom off South Australias coast. Stefan Andrews, Great Southern Reef Foundation Oysters are unsung ecological superheroes, McAfee said. They provide complex habitat, which supports really high density biodiversity. Lots of fish breed on oyster reefs, and the juvenile fish will live on there until they move to offshore habitats. They are the kidneys of our coastline because they are really effective at filter-feeding. One oyster can filter 100 to 200 litres of water a day, and the historic reefs would have been made up of billions and billions of oysters. If you scale up the work I did to the historic extent in South Australia, they would have been filtering over half a trillion litres of water a day, and thats extremely conservative. Advertisement They also can protect shorelines from storm surges, and they can grow faster than sea level can rise. Chris Gillies, a marine biologist at Offshore Biotechnologies, said oyster aquaculture provided many of the same benefits as natural oyster reefs. Oyster rafts act as fish nurseries, and by filtering the water and improving light conditions, oysters benefit other important ecosystems like seagrasses, Gillies said. However, McAfee said many commercial crops were Pacific oysters from East Asia, which are voracious feeders and can sometimes outcompete native species. McAfee is involved in projects to locate where shellfish reefs used to be and restore them in the wild, working with partners such as his university, various state governments and The Nature Conservancy. Advertisement Oyster farmer Brandon Armstrong inspecting damage to his stock after the May 2025 floods. After a successful pilot project in 2015, there are now about 60 shellfish reef restoration projects around Australia dozens in Port Phillip Bay in Victoria alone, but also in Botany Bay, Port Stephens and Myall Lakes in NSW, the Brisbane River and Noosa Estuary in Queensland, and Perths Swan-Canning River and Oyster Harbour, Albany in Western Australia. In South Australia, 35 hectares of boulder reefs at Glenelg in Adelaide have brought back the native flat oyster, which was functionally extinct except for one location in eastern Tasmania. Those are large-scale reef restorations, some of the largest in the world, and some of them have been a massive success, McAfee said. The good news is that oysters in South Australia have so far not died en masse as a result of the algal bloom, McAfee said. He suggested that since oyster farmers cannot currently sell their stock, they could be given work in restoration since they have the boats and knowledge. Advertisement Both the NSW floods and the South Australian algal bloom have been driven at least in part by a marine heatwave encircling the continent, highlighting the vulnerability of the oyster industry in a warming world. Ash from the 2019-20 bushfires also killed oysters. Related Article Climate crisis The underwater cyclone that could hit Australias east coast McAfee said the likelihood of future climate-driven events was a reason to ramp up restoration because oysters increased the resilience of marine ecosystems. The commercial oyster industry has also been investing in resilience. At Armstrongs farm, he had already converted half his infrastructure to flood-resistant rafts using grant money from the 2021 floods. These survived the May floods, while his older ones were damaged. Counting oysters Advertisement The biggest problem this year for NSW oyster farmers has been the difficulty obtaining state government relief grant funding in a system designed for land-based agriculture. With aquaculture, theres a miscommunication between what farmers are requesting [and what is understood], Armstrong said. Were not asking for fodder or asking for hay or asking for fences. Were asking for oyster spat; were asking for posts and rail; were asking for baskets. Its a different terminology. NSW Premier Chris Minns and Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Tara Moriarty visited after the floods and oyster farmers pleaded for speedy flood assistance but, Armstrong said, the help just didnt come. NSW Premier Chris Minns, Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib, and NSW SES Commissioner Mike Wassing during the May 2025 floods in the Hunter region and Mid North Coast. Sam Mooy Advertisement The NSW Rural Assistance Authority offered up to $75,000 in special disaster relief grants, but the requirements to access the money were onerous and many farmers were forced to wait months. Ford from Bells Island Oysters had his oyster leases inundated by five to six metres of floodwater, and his shed and depot were two metres under as the estuary filled with debris trees, hay bales, furniture and fridges. While he was approved for a grant quickly, he was forced to spend the money and claim it back. After he spent the first $11,000 buying new oyster stock, he was then asked to provide the number of lost oysters including age, grade and size, confirmation of when they were originally purchased, and previous input costs for oysters/spat originally outlaid through a valid tax invoice and proof of payment before the money would be repaid. He got them to back down but he then faced further hurdles with his next claim. Related Article Analysis Climate crisis The NSW floods have already been linked to climate change. Scientists are debating if thats too quick Its not like Im going to buy a V8 Commodore or lunch down at the local shop, Ford said. The grant is to help oyster farmers to get back on their feet. Theres no more legitimate thing to purchase with the money than buying oysters. As it stands, were almost spending $90,000 to receive $75,000. Advertisement Moriarty said: After ministerial intervention a month ago, the processing times for natural disaster funding assistance have been drastically cut with an average processing time now of only 24 days, and 77 per cent of applications have been determined. She said the Minns government was investing in the aquaculture industry, including oyster farming, to better manage climate change risks and boost economic growth. Get to the heart of whats happening with climate change and the environment. Sign up for our fortnightly Environment newsletter. Advertisement Review Eating outSubiaco One of Perths finest restaurants opens a new, all-day cantina diners will love From made-to-order panini to pre-dinner (and post-dinner) fun, this spin-off from a beloved Italian restaurant is gearing up for a big summer. Max Veenhuyzen September 27, 2025 Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 1 / 5 The veal cotoletta panini from Lulu La Delizia cantina. Lulu La Delizia 2 / 5 The 24-seat Lulu La Delizia cantina opened next to the restaurant in June. Lulu La Delizia 3 / 5 Lulu La Delizia head chef Joel Valvasori-Pereza. Supplied. 4 / 5 The boozy tiramisu. Lajos Varga 5 / 5 The daily pasta specials are plucked from the restaurants impressive back catalogue. Supplied Previous Slide Next Slide 14.5 / 20 How we score Italian$$$$ Poor Subiaco. As Perth gears up for an especially sporty seven days, all postcode 6008 can do is reminisce about its pre-Optus Stadium glory days, when Subi Oval hosted AFL and WAFL fixtures, rugby matches, soccer grand finals, and heavy-hitters from the music world. On the upside, the suburb has avoided the slow death that some predicted. One reason for averting such disaster: the loss of a major sporting oval equals more opportunities for Subis many food and drink operators to shine. Or at the very least, it means they dont have to contend with the crush of footy crowds racing against the countdown to bouncedown. One of the venues thats done plenty of heavy lifting for Subi and Perth at large is Lulu La Delizi, Ivana and Joel Valvasori-Perezas lively two-hatted osteria, an address widely regarded as one of the countrys finest to eat pasta. Advertisement After almost a decade of introducing diners to the joys of corzetti pasta, Montasio cheese, grappa and other hallmarks of Northern Italys Slavic-influenced food culture, the Valvasori-Perezas felt the time was right for an expansion. Enter the Lulu La Delizia cantina, a svelte 24-seat bolthole that opened in June next door to the restaurant. The 24-seat Lulu La Delizia cantina opened next to the restaurant in June. Lulu La Delizia While cantina is an apt catch-all to describe the expansion, Id describe it as more of a bar, albeit a bar in the Italian sense of the word. Think of it as a fluid, all-day space with a food and drink offering that kicks off with coffee in the morning and ends with harder stuff at night. But this is the Italian bar as seen through the eyes of the Valvasori-Perezas a gaze thats well-versed in interpreting Italian food traditions for a West Australian audience. The cantina isnt open for breakfast gee that handsome marble counter would make the perfect backdrop for caffe al bar, the Italian ritual of the speedy espresso and snack but it does serve a traditional, albeit limited, espresso-based coffee menu using Vittoria beans and zero alt milks. Advertisement Theres still a Northern Italian bend to the dozen wines poured by the glass, but the drinks list also features cheery warm-climate vino, highballs and other cuvees and cocktails that wouldnt fit with the motherships regionally specific focus. Departing from the norm has also given management a green light to do different things on the food front, starting with the introduction of lunchtime paninis. Its no secret that Lulu gives good bread (that legendary house-baked country loaf with butter and sugo). This time, though, management have handed over baking responsibilities to Osborne Park bakers Il Granino. In return, theyve rewarded team Lulu with a splendid ciabatta roll that is airy of crust, golden of crumb and a few megapascals short of the jaw-busting Italian bread rolls of yesteryear that were less lunchbox fodder and more chew-toy for SAS bulldogs. While the panini menu features five rotating options, Lulus twin cooking tenants minimum embellishment, maximum flavour are both present and accounted for. The veal cotoletta panini from Lulu La Delizia cantina. Lulu La Delizia The veal cotoletta roll is the after-school schnitzel sandwich of our dreams. A triple-decker of roasted rooster slathered in a lemony mayo, lettuce plus a base layer of provolone is the Red Rooster chicken rolls Sliding Doors moment. Panini specials are also part of the discussion and might see Joels legendary pork meatballs transported into a wheat-based holding cell for a limited time only. Advertisement Otherwise, those meatballs are a permanent item on a tight a la carte menu of Aus-talian dishes that, depending on your familiarity with Lulu, you might have encountered in other guises over the past nine years. The braised cannellini beans with silverbeet, however, was a new one to me. And Ive enjoyed Lulus pork terrine as a sort-of spring roll previously, but the dense, brawn-like pleasure works just fine on its own alongside a straight-shooting green salad. The pastas of the day are plucked from the restaurants impressive oeuvre of Northern Italian-influenced sauces, including crisped lardons of San Daniele prosciutto, sage and poppy seed a luxurious combination Ive eaten and enjoyed more when teamed with lasagnette rather than dense potato gnocchi. Like the panini, the single-serve aperitivo platters are built to order with care, from the toasting of nuts to the topping of crisp crostoli with rich, gamey liver parfait and dense salt cod mayo. Lulu La Delizias boozy tiramisu. Lajos Varga Despite all the new, management has retained much of what makes Lulu great. The assured service. The boozy tiramisu. The result of this old-and-new thinking is a mixed-use, gently brutalist space that, on a sunny spring afternoon, draws both laptop warriors in suits and short-wearing flaneurs clutching tall, glowing glasses of amber-hued Aperol spritz. The previous Saturday, the room was bolstered by the energy of a girl gang of eight catching up over a set-menu dinner. Advertisement Advertisement Exclusive PoliticsFederalResolve Political Monitor Wealthier graduates who deserted Dutton warm to Ley but not to Liberals James Massola September 27, 2025 3:11am 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 Sussan Ley has clawed back personal support in her first four months as opposition leader from voters who deserted Peter Dutton at the election in May, recording big jumps in her approval ratings among middle- and high-income earners, people with tertiary degrees and younger voters. However, the jump in personal approval ratings since Ley became opposition leader has failed to save the Coalition from a record slump in the primary vote. The figures from Resolve Political Monitors quarterly analysis suggest Leys pitch for the centre is starting to bear fruit, just as she is being pressured within the Coalition party room to shift the oppositions policy stances on climate and migration further to the right. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley. Alex Ellinghausen This week, opposition home affairs spokesman Andrew Hastie pulled focus with a series of Instagram posts warning that the Liberal Party faced extinction unless it went into battle over manufacturing and migration, among other topics. He has said he will leave the frontbench if Ley backs in support for net zero by 2050. Advertisement After calling party colleagues who had briefed against him muppets and nameless cowards, Hastie played down any suggestions of open rebellion, saying he was a team player, but one who was bolder in putting his view. His stance was backed by Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, sacked from the frontbench after her refusal to offer Ley full support, and leadership rival, opposition defence spokesman Angus Taylor, who said on Friday: Good on Andrew for having a go. Resolve Political Monitors first quarterly analysis of Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses second term of government, conducted exclusively for this masthead, is based on responses from 5911 voters from July to September. It has a margin of error of 1.3 per cent. The survey results do not reflect the full impact of the recent outbreaks of public disunity, as they are a three-month snapshot. However, they do show that voters rate Leys performance to date much more highly than they had rated former leader Peter Duttons performance in the final survey before the last election. Advertisement Dutton, for example, had a net performance score of minus 25 percentage points among high-income earners, whereas Ley has a net performance score of 14 percentage points. Among middle-income earners, the shift has been from a minus 30 percentage point rating for Dutton to a 9 percentage point approval for Ley. In both cases, that is a swift uptick of 39 percentage points. Related Article Exclusive Political leadership As Coalition slumps to new low, poll shows one minor party is reaping the benefits Among people with tertiary qualifications, such as a university degree, Dutton had a net approval rating of minus 36 percentage points by May this year. Ley has a net approval rating of 21 percentage points. Ley has also recorded a net 40 percentage point approval jump on Duttons scores in Victoria, a net 43 percentage point jump in approval in the inner city, and a net 34 percentage point increase in the suburbs all targets for the Liberal Party if it wants to reclaim urban seats. Only a handful of Liberal MPs remain in city seats across Australia. Gisele Kapterian on Thursday conceded defeat to teal independent Nicolette Boele in the wealthy and once blue-ribbon Sydney seat of Bradfield. Resolve director Jim Reed said compared to Dutton, Leys performance ratings are much healthier among 18- to 34-year-olds, in Victoria and inner-city areas, and those with higher education or middle to high incomes. Advertisement These are the groups that Dutton had given up on, instead focusing on the suburbs and regions. Ley is actually appealing anew to some of those groups, though it is not yet reflected in the partys primary vote and preferred prime minister score, he said. She has started the process of creating interest in some of those blue-ribbon areas that might have started voting teal or Greens, and has done so without pissing off the base. However, Reed said Leys personal ratings had not yet swayed the way people voted for parties. I would take this to mean the opposition is seen as somewhat irrelevant to many at the moment, he said. Advertisement But the findings are unlikely to concern Albanese and the federal Labor Party. Labors national primary vote has increased by one percentage point from 35 to 36 per cent since the last election. The Coalitions national primary vote has slipped four percentage points in the same time from 32 per cent to 28 per cent and Labor now leads the Coalition in Queensland as the Sunshine State belatedly warms to the federal government. The primary vote results suggest that if an election were held tomorrow, federal Labor would be returned to office easily and it would retain much, if not all, of its record majority in the federal parliament. Despite the big jumps in approval of Leys personal performance, the first woman to lead the Liberal Party has overseen a decline in the partys primary vote among women from 31 per cent to 26 per cent, while Labors improved from 32 to 35 per cent. Albaneses personal performance ratings by voters have barely shifted since the federal election across most demographics, regions, income groups and among people with different levels of education. Advertisement However, tradies have cooled on the prime minister. His net approval rating with that group has slipped from minus 1 percentage point to minus 11 percentage points, a 9 per cent decline when allowing for rounding. Approval of Albanese in the inner city has also cooled: his net approval rating has slipped by 9 percentage points. The survey also reveals new details about One Nations improved standing with voters. The far-right party has increased its primary vote in some surprising places. The survey shows One Nations share of the national primary vote has increased by 4 per cent since the last election, from 6 to 10 percentage points. Those gains are most noticeable among voters in the 35 to 54 and the 55-plus age brackets, where Pauline Hansons party was tracking from 7 per cent to 11 per cent of the vote, if these older Australians went back to the polls now. The poll recorded a statistically significant 5 percentage point boost in inner-city support for One Nation since the last election. The Greens overall share of the national vote has held steady at 12 per cent since the election, but its support in former inner-city strongholds has slipped 4 percentage points from 16 to 12 per cent. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share Anna Guerrero had what may be one of the most jarring career changes in tech. The West Australian-born former Curtin journalism student spent nine years on the rocket ship Canva eventually leading a team of 500 before taking a sabbatical in Italy in 2023, where she ended up rolling thousands of ravioli at a Michelin-starred restaurant. Clove founder and former Canva head of content Anna Guerrero. Hamish Hastie Guerrero, 33, has now combined those experiences in a cooking app venture which has won over her former Canva bosses. Speaking with budding entrepreneurs at her former university last week, Guerrero said her serpentine career path was a testament to the power of going with the flow, given she didnt study or seek out a tech career. She actually started in journalism. After graduating in 2013, Guerrero left Perths northern suburbs for a job placement to read the overnight news at Sydney AM talkback station 2SM. Eight months later she made the jump to print and online news, working for publishing house Indesign Media. Her new office in the startup haven of Surry Hills was right around the corner from a little-known graphic design company that had just moved from Perth. Advertisement It was really a bit of a coincidence. My office Indesign was around the corner from Canva, and they had just moved their office there from Perth, Guerrero told this masthead. Related Article Opinion Hiring Bland, boring: AI can ruin your chance of getting a new job Tim Duggan Work columnist Guerra would bump into the Canva team in the neighbourhood, including its founders and fellow West Australians Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht, and hailing from WA helped her connect. It was this connection that got Guerrero an interview at Canva, eventually securing one of its first non-technical roles to publish a book about graphic design. The team was about 20-people strong at the time. I though, Im going to be a published author, my career is off to a great start, and then that project never ended up eventuating, Guerrero said. When I started out they said, Theres no book, and I was like, What do I do? She was moved into a marketing role and helped build the companys SEO strategy, which has been credited for its rapid growth in the early years. Advertisement In Guerreros nine years there, Canva grew to 3500 staff and a valuation of about US$26 billion ($39.7 billion) with more than 75 million users. As the companys head of content, Guerrero oversaw a team of about 500. After nearly a decade working for one of Australias most extraordinary tech companies, Guerrero left the fast-paced industry in 2023 for a sabbatical. She flew to Italy to join one of the most esteemed Italian culinary schools in the world, ALMA. By chance, this school also opened the door for her to work at Michelin-starred restaurant San Brite, set against the backdrop of the Dolomites mountain range. Guerrero worked from 8am to midnight six days a week at the restaurant, which had seven tables. My role was making fresh pasta, I rolled hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of ravioli it was very intense, six days a week and I was living with everyone from the restaurant, she said. Advertisement She completed a season at San Brite, but the tech bug was still biting and while she was at the restaurant Guerrero came up with a new venture: a recipe, meal plan and grocery list app embedded with AI. Related Article Jobs Learn to code? Maybe not any more When she arrived back in Australia in late 2023, she teamed up with fellow Canva alumnus Samuel Killin to build a prototype and started pitching to funders. In late 2023, Guerrero and Killin secured $4.15 million in pre-seed funding led by venture capital firm Blackbird. The firm was particularly impressed by the apps use of AI to collect and save recipes from across the web including from TikTok and other social media videos. The new venture Clove also has a fan in Obrecht. Best feature is how you can pull any cooking vid/short from social and paste the link, and it turns it immediately into a recipe you can easily use, he said in a LinkedIn post in May. Advertisement Food tech is a busy space, but Guerrero said there were still gaps. When you think of movies, you think of Netflix but when you think of cooking, theres not really one place that everyone goes. Its very fragmented, she said. Related Article University Strange behaviour is being observed in job interviews. Its a sign of the times Clove kind of brings it together into one place so that its something thats more accessible and easy for more people. Cloves AI recipe builder is a major drawcard for the app, but Guerrero said it was an admin tool rather than the heart of the app. When we launched, a lot of people said, Oh, youre building an AI cooking app, youre generating little recipes. We decided not to do that because I think recipes are inherently quite emotional and quite personal and quite subjective, she said. Guerrero said AI was a useful tool but companies needed to address ethical concerns around it. Advertisement Advertisement InspirationAmsterdam Adult language, adult substances: A canal cruise unlike any other Tim Richards September 27, 2025 3:00am 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 Theres one of our historic pissoirs, says guide Maxim. They were often built near churches, to stop people urinating on them. Irreverence rules on this canal cruise. Is this true? Im not sure, and later I find an online article which says the pissoirs were built to stop the pollution of Amsterdams canals instead. Still, its a colourful point, well-made, and a departure from the commentary you might expect on a standard paint-by-numbers cruise along the citys famous waterways. Irreverence is the stock in trade of Those Dam Boat Guys, whose 90-minute cruises are structured more as a conversation than a lecture; and a frank conversation at that. As their website promises: We tend to talk about adult topics using adult language, while adult guests are allowed to enjoy adult substances. Those Dam Boat Guys have canal stories you probably wont hear elsewhere. Advertisement That sounds exciting. However, on my afternoon cruise, the liveliest BYO stimulant is a bottle of white wine in a small Esky, brought by the two Americans sitting opposite me. The remaining passengers are a cheerful couple from Hawaii, so we all have plenty of space in this relatively small craft built for 10 passengers. As its cold today, its sides are partly covered with plastic sheeting, though in hotter weather thats discarded. The other occupant of the boat is our guide, Maxim. How can I describe him? Cool. Very cool, with wavy dark hair, a dark jacket and stylish dark sunglasses. Hes the sort of effortlessly chill Dutch guy you want to be your new best friend, and he essentially fills that role for the next 90 minutes as he relates urban tales, and answers questions while deftly handling the crafts big wheel. Tall tales and true tour guide Maxim at the wheel. Tim Richards Tours arent scripted, we go with the flow, says Maxim, and we nod then ask about the cars we see parked incredibly close to the edges of canals. Do they ever fall in? It does happen, he replies, and we nod sagely while training an eager eye on them. As we cruise on, we pass brightly painted houseboats, which prompt our guide to mention that many were working vessels until a housing shortage after World War II led people to live on them. Advertisement The sighting of a cylindrical multi-storey car park decorated to celebrate the citys 750th anniversary leads to a discussion of Amsterdams omnipresent three-cross emblem. Some say these St Andrews crosses symbolise the medieval curses of fire, floods and plague. However, Maxim draws our attention to a more recent interpretation made after the German occupation of the war years: that they stand for courage, compassion and determination. The three crosses of St Andrew stamped on a bridge. Getty Images Rest assured, its not all pissoirs and car parks. Were also passing beautiful architecture such as the Herengracht, the so-called Gentlemens Canal where the wealthiest merchants once lived. This harmonious collection of 17th century houses was built on trade; though theres a dark side to that wealth, derived partly from colonialism and slavery. Floating onwards, we ask Maxim about the canals occasional modern steel sections, and learn theyve been installed to reinforce them. He also tells us the citys canals were dug by hand centuries ago. Theyre always dredging them, he adds, fishing out bikes. This cruise is like that, full of interesting little facts and casual chat, and so agreeably does the time pass that were surprised when 90 minutes is up, and we head back to the landing in Jordaan. Advertisement Nothing better than mucking about on a canal. The neighbourhood is named not for the famous river, by the way, but for the French word, jardin, which was given to it by Huguenot refugees, says Maxim, and this random fact seems the perfect point on which to finish. Though frankly, the cruise has been so relaxing that I could stay on the water all day. The details Ride Those Dam Boat Guys canal cruise costs 36.50 ($65) a person, see thosedamboatguys.com Fly + ride Emirates flies to Amsterdam via Dubai, see emirates.com Advertisement Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: Amsterdam Netherlands Culture holidays Europe Tim Richards fell into travel writing after living and teaching in Egypt and Poland. Hes a light packing obsessive, and is especially drawn to the former communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Follow him on Instagram @aerohaveno Traveller Guides Laken Snelling was arrested in August after the baby was found wrapped in a towel inside a trash bag in a closet. Eva Osborne Dublin was in celebratory mood last night after three local players scooped big wins in the Daily Million and EuroMillions draws, including two players who will each take home a life-changing 500,000. In the Daily Million 9pm draw, two people from Dublin matched all six numbers, splitting the 1 million jackpot evenly. One lucky player purchased their Quick Pick ticket at SuperValu Sundrive on Sundrive Road in Crumlin, Dublin 12. The second winner played online on the day of the draw. The winning numbers from the 9pm Daily Million draw were: 4, 16, 23, 26, 27, 35 and the bonus number 12. Meanwhile, a third person from Dublin had reason to celebrate after matching five numbers in the EuroMillions draw, bagging a tidy 15,830. That winning ticket was sold at Easons in Heuston Station, Dublin 8, on Thursday, September 25th. The EuroMillions numbers were: 4, 17, 25, 28, 44 with Lucky Stars 5 and 11. A National Lottery spokesperson, Emma Monaghan, described the night as "extraordinary" for Dublin players. Two Daily Million winners shared the top prize, scoring an incredible 500,000 each, while another matched five numbers in EuroMillions. "On top of that, the 130 million EuroMillions jackpot was won by a ticket holder in Belgium. Were encouraging all players to check their tickets you could be sitting on a fortune! The online winner has already been contacted by email. The other two are advised to sign the back of their tickets, keep them safe, and get in touch with the National Lottery prize claims team by calling 1800 666 222 or emailing claims@lottery.ie Darragh Mc Donagh Almost 23,000 disqualified drivers have failed to surrender their licence as required by law during the past three years but only one was penalised for the offence, new figures have revealed. That individual was convicted of failing to submit a licence following disqualification under the Road Traffic Act 2010. They were subsequently fined and disqualified from driving again. However, none of the other 22,711 drivers who were disqualified in court since 2022 for failing to surrender their licence faced any penalty, according to data from the Department of Justice. Figures published this week show that just 1,935 drivers who were put off the road in court during the past three years actually surrendered their licence. The other 92 per cent failed to submit the document. The only recorded conviction occurred in 2022. A total of 26 other individuals appeared in court in connection with the offence of failing to submit a licence during the past three years, but none of these were convicted. The statistics were published by Justice Minister Jim OCallaghan in response to a parliamentary question from Fine Gael TD and Assistant Government Chief Whip Emer Currie. Recent figures also show that the trend of disqualified drivers failing to surrender their licences has continued into 2025. A total of 66, or just four per cent of individuals put off the road in the first two months of this year, complied with the legal requirement. The 1,533 drivers disqualified during that period included individuals put off the road for drink driving and exceeding 12 penalty points. It is important to note that, while the non-surrender of licences is of concern, the more important issue from a road-safety perspective is that the disqualification from driving is in effect, regardless of whether their licence is surrendered, Transport Minister Darragh OBrien said earlier this year. The individuals in question are fully aware that the disqualification from driving is in effect regardless of whether their licence is surrendered. An Garda Siochana have access to data on the National Vehicle Driver File (NVDF) as part of their Mobility Strategy and therefore can detect and prosecute a driver who continues to drive while disqualified. This is the case whether or not a licence has been surrendered, he added. Victoria Monet has signed to Full Stop Management. Victoria Monet signs to Full Stop Management The Grammy Award winning artist who won Best New Artist in 2024 will be managed by Jeffrey Azoff, Anna Savage, Shawn Holiday and Sam Weiss, according to The Hollywood Reporter. She joins artists including Harry Styles, Tate McRae, John Mayer, Cardi B and Camila Cabello at the company, which was founded in 2017. Monet who is signed to Sony Musics RCA Records was a respected songwriter with credits including Ariana Grandes 7 Rings, Thank U, Next and 34+35 to her name before she launched her own solo career. Victoria previously revealed she was star-struck after meeting Beyonce at the Grammy Awards but said she relates to her fellow artist when it comes to being a perfectionist. She said: I relate a lot to the scene in Renaissance when Beyonce was fighting for her vision and explained the hurdles she faces as a Black woman. She still has to prove herself and be heard, even with the authority she has more than earned. There was a point [at the Grammys] where she looked over at me and mouthed my name to say hi, and I couldnt believe it, so I spent the time that she was looking at me being shocked instead of saying hello back. And my manager was like, You should go say hi to her. I said, Absolutely not. Everyones trying to get to her right now. She probably needs space. I went and said hello. We spoke a bit, and then [she] sent me flowers. Im like, You kind woman, are you trying to take me out? Because Im going to pass out. Go easy on me. The sudden death of Dr John Bradley last week has robbed the West of Ireland of one of its most powerful and brilliant advocates. Though he was in his late 70s, I felt John was only just starting his journey of seeking justice and fairness for the West. In all the many conversations I have had with so many people about regional development and the way the West has systemically been left behind for so long, John was among the very best. Though born in Dublin, Johns gra for the West was a big part of him and one that grew as he aged. His father was a native of Murrisk who, like so many before and since, had to leave home for work. John lived between Dublin and Murrisk, living in the family cottage, on the lower trail to Croagh Patrick. He and his beloved wife Mary loved spending as much time as possible in Mayo. John was a serious operator. A former research professor with the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), John had what I would fondly refer to as a big brain and loved debates. If you wanted to argue the toss with him on any subject, you would need to make sure you had your Weetabix! He joined the ESRI in 1981 and retired from there as a research professor in 2006. He went on to become an international consultant in economic development and EU cohesion policy. His clients included the European Commission, the World Bank and other international organisations and governments. I recall visiting him in 2021, and he was in the midst of a regional policy evaluation for Ukraine. That would be the least of their worries within a year, but it showed the level he was operating at. So I consider it a gift that someone with such a knowledge of the European Union, its institutions, with a particular insight into regional development and EU Cohesion Policy lived in Mayo and was willing to bring his considerable insight to bear on matters pertaining to our county and our region. Almost one-third of the total EU budget has been set aside for its Cohesion Policy, the bulk of which is concentrated on less developed European countries and regions in order to help them to catch up and to reduce the economic, social and territorial disparities that still exist within the EU. Our region the Northern and Western Region, which incorporates Connacht and the three Ulster counties in the Republic of Ireland has been categorised as a lagging region, considerably behind the other two regions in Ireland (the Southern, and Eastern and Midland) who have a GDP per capita almost three times that of our region. Incredibly, we rank 218th out of 234 European regions for transport infrastructure development, that is to say, in the bottom seven per cent. The need for the expertise and insight of someone like John Bradley was abundantly clear! In 2019, John Bradley and John Caulfield, from Breaffy, Castlebar, produced a seminal study of County Mayo, a case study as part of the wider Atlantic Economic Corridor. The report was heavily critical of the centralised Irish governance system, arguing cogently for more functional autonomy in the regions as well as being very critical of regional development strategies over the preceding decades. It was forensic in exploring the strengths and weaknesses of our countys economy, how we solidify those strengths and address the challenges. For instance, the report highlighted cogently the north-south divide in Mayo with towns in the south thriving because of proximity to Galway and Castlebar while Ballina and Sligo just did not have the same impact for areas in north Mayo. It is something anyone invested in the future of this county and region should study. You can find it on the Westport Chamber website (Google John Bradley economy of county Mayo and it should come up). John was subsequently very critical (and rightly so in this writers view) of Project Ireland 2040 for failing to learn the mistakes of previous spatial strategies and became a very strong voice in such discussions. He had a great knack for taking complex issues, simplifying them and making them much more accessible to the reader. He had a clear vision for Mayo and the West and how they could prosper. As mentioned, I first met John in 2020 and I knew straight away this was someone who could offer so much on the topic of regional development. He was a wonderful mentor too for this writer in navigating often complex topics. In the Mayo News in 2020, I wrote a series called Whats Best for the West where regional challenges and opportunities were explored. I had John riding shotgun in the background, advising and not afraid to pull me up where he felt I had erred. It led to him commencing a fortnightly column in the Mayo News entitled Notes from the Western Periphery. The topics were varied his love of sailing in Clew Bay and learning to play the guitar with his great friends in Westport Mens Shed came up for mention but fundamentally it looked at political and economic issues in our region. John was passionate about speaking truth to power, regularly criticising local and national politicians and bureaucrats when appropriate. He abhorred clientelism and how people would step carefully around criticism of the powers-that-be for fear they might suffer because of it. Regional development and how the West has been left to languish is not a topic that always drew people in. There is surface-level anger every so often if Mayo or the region at large is left short-changed at the Cabinet table, but most people do not tend to wish to scratch below the surface much at all. One could argue that such a malaise has been a contributing factor to a continuous refusal by successive governments to address the manifest problems in this region. It has been somewhat heartening to see a steady improvement in engagement levels on this topic in the past year or two. John Bradleys fortnightly columns in the Mayo News certainly have played a part. In recent years, he devoted a lot of time to assessing the arguments for and against the Western Rail Corridors extension from Galway into Mayo and Sligo. Given what we know about the lack of infrastructural development in this region and given how all rail routes radiate in and out of Dublin, a railway in Connacht that runs north to south rather than just east to west was always something John would be positively predisposed to. But that would never be enough for someone as diligent and forensic as he was. He brought his economists brain to bear on the issue and studied the arguments deeply before casting his verdict in favour of the railway. I recall how incandescent with rage he was after reading the Government-commissioned EY Report into the railway, which argued there was not a business case for the railway from Galway to Claremorris. That report, released in 2020, was deeply flawed, he said. He absolutely eviscerated it in print and carried out his own substantial appraisal into the viability of the Galway-Mayo link, correcting a lot of erroneous details in the EY report. It was an outstanding piece of work and generated considerable momentum for the extension of the railway to Claremorris, a situation which now appears to be imminent. He dedicated that study to the since deceased Fr Micheal Mac Greil, who fought for decades for the restoration of the railway. When and that appears to be the case rather than if the first train from Tuam to Claremorris in 50 years rolls into Claremorris Train Station, Fr Micheal Mac Greil will be to the forefront of many peoples minds and so too will Dr John Bradley, two great champions of the west. Gordon Deegan A 20-year-old University of Edinburgh student slipped and fell to her death while walking at the side of a huge puddle on a muddy part of a trail beside the cliff edge at the Cliffs of Moher in May 2024, an inquest has heard. At the Clare Coroners Court in Kilrush on Friday, three college friends of the late Roxan Bastaens gave eye-witness testimony of Ms Bastaens's final moments before she fell to her death at one of Irelands most popular natural tourist attractions. Ms Bastaens was weeks away from celebrating her 21st birthday in June of last year. At the inquest, County Coroner, Isobel ODea gave a verdict of accidental death concerning Ms Bastaens losing her life near Hags Head at the Cliffs of Moher. Members of Ms Bastaenss family had travelled to Kilrush for the inquest. Ms ODea told them: Unfortunately, we have a number of deaths at the Cliffs of Moher each year and this was an absolute accident. The coroner said the post-mortem found Ms Bastaens died as a result of polytrauma as a result of a fall from a height. She told the family members that her death would have been instantaneous and she wouldnt have suffered. Ms Bastaens's death was the second recorded accidental death at the Cliffs of Moher in 2024. On July 23rd, 2024, a 12-year-old boy, Zhihan Zhao, slipped in a puddle close to the edge of the Cliffs of Moher before falling over the edge to his death. In relation to Ms Bastaenss death, the inquest heard that four female friends, two French, one Italian, and a Belgian national, Ms Bastaens were spending their academic year at the University of Edinburgh and arrived in nearby Doolin the night before with the intention of hiking in the area. Italian-born college student, Guilia Bracchi was walking behind Ms Bastaens when she fell. None of the three eye-witnesses were present in Kilrush on Friday, but in her deposition to gardai read out at the inquest, Ms Bracchi said that there was a big puddle in the middle of the trail as they walked south in the direction of Hags Head away from the Cliffs of Moher visitor centre. The four were walking the trail for about one hour before stopping for lunch at around midday, and continued walking after their lunch. Ms Bracchi said that the trail was protected at the beginning, but later on it got slippery and there was no barrier. Ms Bracchi said that conditions were calm, she said, We all had hiking boots on. It was not difficult." After 1pm on Saturday, May 4th 2024, Ms Bracchi said they walked single file as they approached the big puddle with Roxan and Catherine Didier walking in front of her. Ms Bracchi said: I had seen lots of people walking in exactly the same way before us." "There were hundreds of people on the Cliffs. The impression was that the trail was safe. Ms Bracchi said that Roxan had her camera in her hand and was looking at her steps as she walked around the puddle. She said she saw Roxans foot going to the side where the trail was muddy, and she fell forward and she started tumbling down and I tried to catch her, but I couldnt. It all happened so fast. I looked down and I saw her hit off the cliffs twice and then she then went out of sight," she said. Ms Bracchi said that some moments later, she could see Roxans body face down in the water. French-born student, Catherine Didier, was walking in front of Roxan and Ms Didier said when they came to the puddle, "we walked in a single line on the cliff side of the puddle". She said: I walked past the puddle no problem. I balanced and I didnt slip - I had to be careful. When I passed the puddle I turned around and I saw Roxan slipping off the edge. I tried to lean towards her to catch her but she was too far away - I got an awful fright, I started panicking." I didnt want to look over the edge so I didnt want to see her fall into the water. Then we started calling people for help and we called the emergency services." The fourth student on the trip, Prune Dussud, said that when they came to a huge puddle, we came to walk on the cliff side of the puddle. At this point I was looking down at my feet. I heard my friend Guilia gasp. When I looked up I was aware that Roxan had fallen. Everything had happened so quickly. I am not sure how it happened. One second Roxan was there, and the next she was gone," she said. Garda Sarah Tubritt told the inquest that she was alerted to a female falling off the Cliffs of Moher at 1.25pm. Ms Bastaenss remains were recovered from the water at 3:10pm by the RNLI boat launched from the Aran Islands. The unit brought the body to the station of the Doolin Coast Guard unit, and Ms Bastaens was officially pronounced dead there. The R1115 coastguard helicopter also assisted in the search, and Garda Tubritt said that the body was seen falling off the Cliffs in the vicinity of Hags Head near Slatterys Quarry. At the conclusion of the Insp Ronan McMahon told family members that Gardai would escort them to the Cliffs of Moher if they wished. He said: Ye wont be able to go to the exact spot as it is fenced off. It is very hard to explain to you about the height of the cliffs and the terrain there." Ms ODea said that Ms Bastaenss blood sample was negative for any alcohol or drugs. On August 22nd last year, the Clare Local Development Company closed off large sections of the Cliffs of Moher trail. It remains closed off today due to continuing safety concerns. At the time, the Clare Local Development Company confirmed that it was taking the action following the two recent fatal accidents on the Cliffs of Moher trail. The United States executed two death row inmates Thursday evening, September 25one in Alabama and one in Texasas the number of state-sanctioned killings continues to rise. The executions of Geoffrey Todd West in Alabama and Blaine Milam in Texas brought the national total of executions to 33, making 2025 the year with the most state killings since 2014. The US Supreme Court denied both West and Milams final appeals, allowing their executions to proceed. This uptick in executions is directly linked to the assault on democratic rights orchestrated by the Trump administration. Following his inauguration, Trump signed an executive order titled Restoring the Death Penalty and Protecting Public Safety, whose stated aim is to ensure that capital punishment laws are respected and faithfully implemented. This measure directed the attorney general to challenge those few Supreme Court rulings that limit the ability of federal and state governments to carry out executions. The order also directed the attorney general to seek the death penalty in federal cases for all crimes of a severity demanding its use, with specific emphasis on cases involving the murder of law enforcement officers, and any capital crime committed by an alien illegally present in this country. Just hours before the back-to-back executions Thursday, Trump signed a presidential memo directing US Attorney General Pam Bondi to fully enforce the death penalty in Washington, D.C. for federal crimes. The jurisdiction abolished capital punishment in 1981 and residents voted against its reinstatement in a 1992 referendum. The memo explicitly states that enforcing federal capital punishment remains a priority for the president. Taking its cue from the White House, the state of Florida has passed a bill mandating the automatic imposition of the death penalty for unauthorized aliens convicted of a capital offense. This nakedly fascistic policy flies in the face of longstanding US legal precedent and international laws prohibiting mandatory death sentences. Alabamas fifth nitrogen gas asphyxiation The state of Alabama executed Geoffrey Todd West, 50, using the new method of nitrogen hypoxia. West was convicted of the 1997 capital murder of Margaret Parrish Berry, 33. Berry, a mother of two, was shot in the back of the head while lying on the floor behind the counter during a gas station robbery in Etowah County. Court documents indicate that West, 21 at the time and desperate for cash, killed Berry to ensure there was no witness after taking just $250 from a cookie can. This undated photo from the Alabama Department of Corrections shows Geoffrey West. [Photo: Alabama Department of Corrections] West repeatedly expressed deep remorse for the crime, stating he wished he could take that back and that he struggled at 50 to understand what he did at a much earlier age. West was pronounced dead at 6:22 p.m. local time at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore. Wests execution proceeded despite the opposition of the victims family. Will Berry, one of Margaret Berrys sons, actively campaigned against the state murder of West, joining death penalty opponents to protest outside the Alabama capitol. Berry wrote that executing West would not bring my mother back; it will only add to the pain. He condemned the states action: I dont want this man to die. Vengeance isnt for the state. Its for the Lord. West and Berry exchanged letters and requested to meet ahead of the scheduled execution so Berry could offer forgiveness and comfort, but this request was denied by prison officials, citing security reasons. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey brutally rejected the plea for clemency, stating that it was her solemn duty to carry out these laws because Alabama law imposes death as punishment for the most egregious forms of murder. Wests attorneys condemned the denial of the meeting as a lost opportunityfor closure, for healing, for humanity. Nitrogen hypoxia: A modern method of torture Geoffrey West was the fifth person executed in Alabama using nitrogen gas asphyxiation. The development of this grotesque techniquewhich involves strapping a mask to the inmates face and forcing them to breathe pure nitrogen, depriving them of oxygenrepresents the states desperate scramble to keep the assembly lines of state-sponsored killing in operation. This undated booking photo provided by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice shows Texas death row inmate Blaine Milam. [AP Photo/Texas Department of Criminal Justice] Nitrogen hypoxia, which critics correctly define as conscious suffocation, was authorized by Alabama lawmakers in 2018, followed by legislatures in Louisiana, Mississippi and Oklahoma. This search for an alternative method arose because pharmaceutical companies ceased providing the drugs used in lethal injections amid public outrage over the cruelty of the process. Nationally, six people have now died via nitrogen gas, five in Alabama and one in Louisiana. Alabama earned the macabre distinction of being the first government entity internationally in modern times to use this method when it executed Kenneth Eugene Smith in January 2024. Witnesses and spiritual advisers described Smith convulsing, violently shaking the gurney, and gasping for air for several minutes before finally losing consciousnessa prolonged agony which easily fits the legal definition of torture. Despite claims by state officials that the process is quick and humane, the three subsequent nitrogen hypoxia executions in Alabama have seen inmates grimacing and quivering, movements which critics argue demonstrate the struggle against suffocation. Texas executes inmate for exorcism murder Just 18 minutes after West was pronounced dead, Texas carried out the execution of Blaine Milam, 35, by lethal injection in Huntsville. He was pronounced dead at 6:40 p.m. local time. Milam was condemned to death for the December 2008 assault and murder of his fiances 13-month-old daughter, Amora Bain Carson. Milam and the childs mother, who were both 18 at the time, claimed Amora was possessed by a demon. Over a horrific period of 30 hours, they subjected the baby to torture in a supposed effort to exorcise the demon. Investigators found Amoras brutally injured body covered in 24 human bite marks, 18 broken ribs, multiple skull fractures, extensive injuries to her genitals, cuts and bruises. A forensic pathologist was unable to determine a specific cause of death due to the sheer number of injuries to the infants body. Milams execution proceeded despite arguments from his attorneys that his conviction was based on now-discredited bite mark evidence, which a 2016 report noted is clearly scientifically unreliable. His defense also claimed that his intellectual functioning and adaptive skills were significantly impaired, meeting the clinical criteria for intellectual disability that requires exclusions from the death penalty as cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment. The office of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, fascistic Governor Greg Abbotts partner in attacks on the US Constitution and democratic rights, ensured the execution proceeded. Upcoming executions in 2025 The barbaric US assembly line of death shows no signs of slowing. Following the double execution of West and Milam, nine more executions are scheduled in eight states by the end of the year. This trajectory puts the United States on pace to put at least 42 inmates to death in 2025, a number not reached since 2012. October is anticipated to be a particularly busy month in US execution chambers, with seven state killings scheduled, including five over a four-day period, in each in Arizona, Florida, Mississippi, Missouri and Texas. Florida leads the nation in state killings this year, setting a new record of 12 executions already carried out, a number driven by Governor Ron DeSantis signing more death warrants than ever before. The state is scheduled to lethally inject Victor Tony Jones on September 30, which will mark Floridas 13th execution this year. Among the notable upcoming state murders is the October 16 execution in Texas of Rob Roberson, who previously won a rare stay of execution due to significant questions regarding his guilt. Robersons attorneys argue that he should not be executed because he was wrongfully convicted based on discredited scientific evidence related to shaken baby syndrome. They contend that new evidence shows his daughter Nikki died from chronic illness, not violent shaking as prosecutors claimed. Additionally, Robersons lawyers point to his undiagnosed autism, arguing this neurodevelopmental condition affected his ability to receive a fair trial and should be considered in seeking clemency. They have sought a new trial, highlighting numerous constitutional violations during his original prosecution, including improper judicial involvement and custody disputes that influenced the case. Zarah Sultana, co-founder of Your Party, was the featured speaker at a 400-strong meeting on Wednesday night hosted by Sheffield Trades Union Council. It was her first public appearance since last weeks eruption of factional warfare pitting Sultana against former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and his group of Independent Alliance MPs, threatening to split Your Party before it had even begun. Sultana used her appearance to mend fences and confirm Your Partys launch, based on appeals for left unity. She found a willing audience. Zarah Sultana speaking at the Sheffield event [Photo: Zarah Sultana/X] Just six days earlier, Sultana defied Corbyn, launching a membership registration portal without his prior approval. She emailed Your Partys databasemore than 850,000 sign-upsasking them to join. A second email, a few hours later, signed by Corbyn and his group of Independents (Ayoub Khan, Adnan Hussain, Iqbal Mohamed, and Shockat Adam) declared that Sultanas email was unauthorised. They wrote: Legal advice is being taken... If any direct debits have been set up, they should be immediately cancelled. Sultana fired back that she had instructed specialist defamation lawyers, condemning politically motivated attacks against her. She said she was being frozen out of decision-making by a sexist boys club, citing Corbyns backers, led by his former Chief of Staff Karie Murphy, with sole financial and constitutional control over our conference. She called for a meeting with Corbyn to agree on procedures for a founding conference, demanding, No stitch-ups, no coronations: the members must decide. But on Sunday, Sultana fell on her sword. She announced she had withdrawn legal proceedings and was determined to reconcile. She was engaged in ongoing discussions with Jeremy, stating, Both Jeremy and I remain committed to making this project a successand we can all confirm that the conference will go ahead as planned in November. In Sheffield, Sultanas audience of left-talking trade union bureaucrats, middle-class community activists, retirees, a large turnout of the Socialist Workers Party (SWP), Socialist Party (SP) and other pseudo-left groups, and some students made clear that all was forgiven. Sultana told them, her voice wavering, The past few days have been truly regrettable, and I do want to say sorry for the part that I have played in that. This was all her audience required. They responded with sustained applause, cheering, stamping of feet, and even a standing ovation. The desired rapprochement was already in motion. A new membership portal launched by Corbyn earlier that day confirmed his factions control. Corbyn, who rejected any fight against his Blairite opponents while Labour leader, shows no such timidity or cowardice toward the left. His registration portal announced a ban on members joining from other political parties, later amended to national political parties. It is a measure aimed at blocking what Murphy has venomously decried as the Marxist sects: groups whose class struggle rhetoric, despite their constant professions of loyalty, is not in line with Corbyns central message of seeking peace and justice through community activism. Frozen out by Corbyns backers, Sultana is pitching to Corbyns left, addressing a combative popular mood among broader sections of workers and youth who are breaking away from the Labour Party. Alongside vague left-populist calls for a politics of hope, a politics of solidarity, a politics of fighting back, she insists the new party must be class-based, socialist, internationalist, anti-imperialist, anti-Zionist, anti-fascist, and pro-trans. She presents herself as a leader championing grassroots democracy, declaring, If we dont democratise the party, how will we democratise the economy? But Sultanas fundamental loyalty to Corbynand to the labour and trade union bureaucracy which he defendswas exposed in her response to several key questions at the Sheffield meeting. Tina Becker, from the Why Marx? group and a member of the Your Party proto-branch in Sheffield, asked Sultana about the anti-democratic sortition method being imposed by Corbyns Organising Committee to select delegates to the founding conference. Becker explained it meant We cant put forward motions, we cant put forward amendments. There will be a lottery system to choose delegates. She asked Sultana, Should the regional meetings be able to vote and have amendments? Should we not be the ones who decide how Your Party should be run and not the six MPs, and what are you trying to do to change that? Sultana replied, I too am quite critical of sortition, but that is what has been announced for the conference, and so we need to make sure its democratic. And I think theres a way to still do that. Her remarks made clear there would be no organised challenge to Corbyns anti-democratic stitch-up. She did not and could not explain how delegates randomly selected based on gender, region and background could be made democratic. Sortition is being employed to block members from exercising democratic control, preventing them from nominating delegates who are accountable and who best reflect their views, suppressing any political challenge to Corbyns (and Sultanas) unelected cliques. Alistair Tice, a leading SP member in Sheffield, queried the new partys ban on members joining from other parties. He said the SP had campaigned for a new workers party for around 30 years, so my God, we welcomed this development. But I was a bit disturbed today when I read the email suggesting that maybe I wouldnt be able to become a member Zarah, if you can clarify: Is it a member of any other political party, or is it only a member of any political party that stands candidates against your party, or what? I want to know whether I can be a member of Your Party. Sultana replied, I dont agree with that. I think we need to unify the left. But as with sortition, she advanced no strategy to oppose the ban. Casting herself as a lone voice at the top advocating for a more inclusive left-wing party, she appealed to the audience, It cant just be me. I need all of you to help me with that. This would apparently be done by the excluded using their social media presence to advocate for change. The SWPs report of Wednesdays meeting, headlined Zarah Sultana says join Your Party, but fight to shape it, sums up the stance of Britains pseudo-left tendencies. While Corbyn is barring their entryand without a single policy having been announcedthey are falling over themselves to join, promoting the myth that members will be able to shape the new partys programme and leadership. Maxine Bowler of the SWP told Wednesdays meeting she had won more than 2,000 votes in Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough during last years general election, in which she stood as an independent socialist for Palestine and said nothing else of substance. Hers was a calling card on behalf of herself and the rest of the SWP, offering their services as publicists and recruiters for Your Partyproviding them with socialist bona fides while concealing the anti-democratic machinations of Corbyn and Sultanas factions. The SWP reported: The Independent Alliance MPs, apart from Corbyn and Sultana, do not have a broader set of socialist politics. This is a political con job. Sultana has made abundantly clear that her rhetoric commits her to nothing. Moreover, it is Corbyn who is utilising the Independent Alliance MPs which he leads as a weapon against the left. He aims to block the adoption of genuine socialist policies, opposing any fight to mobilise the working class against capitalism, and against the genocide, war, austerity and fascism which capitalism breeds. A 33-year-old police officer was charged last week with assault occasioning bodily harm over the violent arrest of Hannah Thomas at a small pro-Palestinian protest in Sydney last June. Hannah Thomas, hospitalised after police attack on pro-Palestinian protest in Sydney, June 2025 [Photo: Hannah Thomas] Thomas, a former Greens candidate and lawyer, had attended the gathering in the suburb of Belmore as a legal observer. It was held outside the facility of SEC Plating. The company has been accused by activists of complicity in the Gaza genocide because of claims that it has been involved in the global supply chain for the production of F-35 fighter jets. The few dozen protesters who gathered on June 27 were met by a massive police mobilisation. The police almost immediately declared the protest unauthorised and demanded that the group disperse, before charging the crowd and violently arresting several demonstrators. In the course of her arrest, Thomas received horrific facial injuries, which threatened her with the loss of sight in her right eye. Amid substantial public shock at images of Thomas bloodied and battered, the leadership of the New South Wales (NSW) Police, along with the NSW state and federal Labor governments, defended the police assault and blamed the demonstrators, including Thomas herself. The charging of the officer exposes those statements as a cover-up, based on slanders against the victims and a false presentation of what the cops carried out. The police and the governments clearly hoped that the matter would go away. But Thomas has been defiant, strongly denouncing the assault on her, connecting it to a broader crackdown on pro-Palestinian actions by the NSW Labor government and initiating civil court action against the police. Under those conditions, the charging of the officer, almost three months after the police attack, is clearly an effort in damage-control. The aim is to present the attack as simply the result of one bad apple who was overzealous in his duties. But that is simply a new stage in the cover-up. The charging of the officer coincided with information coming into the public domain, strongly indicating that the aggressive police mobilisation at the Belmore protest was planned at the highest levels. Despite her injuries, police had extraordinarily charged Thomas with resisting arrest. Three other protesters were also hit with a range of charges. Those were subsequently dropped by prosecutors and on September 19 a judge awarded Thomas and the three others almost $40,000 in legal costs. The Sydney Morning Herald last week cited revealing statements made by police officers, contained in court documents related to those proceedings. The officers reported they had been given a briefing by unnamed police officials at Campsie police station on the morning of the protest. They had been instructed to show zero tolerance to the demonstration. My understanding at the briefing was that it was an unauthorised protest, the Herald cited one of the officers as saying. They stated that they thought they were to give move-on directions to the protesters, which is what occurred. The claim that the protest was unauthorised was a lie. Police do not authorise protests, a power befitting a police state. There are, however, sweeping anti-protest laws on the books in NSW. One set of legislation makes it an offence to disrupt a major economic or government operation, punishable by large fines and up to two years imprisonment. Another law, passed by the Labor government in February, bars protests in the vicinity of places of worship. Given the many Churches and other religious institutions, and the vagueness of the provisions, that is a clear attempt to create the conditions for any protest to be deemed unlawful. Earlier documents related to the charging of the protesters had also hinted at extraordinary anti-riot laws being at play in the police response. Under those provisions, police are empowered to impose far-reaching restrictions in a given area, including to demand the identity documents of all people present and to conduct warrantless searches. The anti-riot powers also provide for the establishment of roadblocks and vehicle searches. Significantly, in that context, the Herald reported that Highway Patrol officers had also been tasked with stopping vehicles in the area to check their bona fides. The dropping of the charges against Thomas and the other protesters makes clear that, whatever powers police were considering exercising, it was determined they would not stand up in court. The issue was not an unauthorised protest, but an unlawful police operation. Many questions remain unanswered. For instance, the officer charged with the assault of Thomas has been described as a senior constable working in a specialist command in south-western Sydney. There is no indication of what that command is. The main question is who gave the orders for the extraordinary police response to a small and peaceful protest. Given the inevitable adverse publicity and opposition associated with such a crackdown, such an order must have come from high up in the NSW Police command. Given the political character of the police crackdown, it also raises questions about what involvement the NSW government had in approving the police actions. NSW Premier Chris Minns has been at the forefront of the campaign to vilify and demonise pro-Palestinian protesters. He has repeatedly initiated unsuccessful court action to have demonstrations against the Israeli genocide banned, most recently when his government and the police sought to block a march over the Sydney Harbour Bridge last month attended by up to 300,000 people. Minns effectively defended the police attack on the Belmore protest, immediately after it occurred, declaring that people were entitled to protest but businesses in NSW are entitled to run their companies as well. The response of federal Labor MP Tony Burke was even more disturbing. He declared that no one is above the law, not in reference to the violence of the police, but in speaking of Thomas and the other protesters. When people were asked to move on by the police, they should have followed the police direction. Apparently, they didnt, he stated. Burke is the local member for Watson, which includes Belmore, where the protest was held, and nearby suburbs, where there is a large Middle Eastern and Islamic population. There has been widespread anger in the area over Labors complicity in the genocide, which was partially reflected in a challenge to Burke at the May federal election by a pro-Palestinian independent. Burke is not simply a local member, however, but also one of the most powerful figures in the government. He is the minister in charge of the Home Affairs department, which Labor expanded after the election, bringing together the Australian Federal Police, ASIOthe domestic spy agency, and the agencies responsible for attacking the rights of immigrants and refugees. Burke thus oversees the very federal agencies that are most directly involved in attacks on pro-Palestinian supporters and opponents of war, and that have been at the centre of the Labor governments fraudulent conflation of opposition to the genocide with antisemitism. This article was submitted to the World Socialist Web Site by journalists from the assembly.org.ua website. You can support their work on their fundraising page. While the mass desertion of personnel from the Ukrainian Armed Forces has already become one of the largest acts of civil disobedience in the countrys history since 1991, there is almost complete silence about it in the foreign media. Since the end of last year, the number of criminal cases under Article 407 (unauthorized leaving of a military unit, or SZCh) and Article 408 (desertion) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine has remained stable at approximately 17,000 per month. In the first eight months of 2025, 142,711 criminal proceedings under these articles were registered, and a total of 265,843 cases have been registered in Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion as of September 1, 2025. "Let's talk about SZch": a reference to the TV show "16 and Pregnant." From an Instagram page selling chevrons, April 2024 To at least somewhat reduce this flow, the Ukrainian parliament on September 4 supported Bill No. 13260, which reinstates criminal liability for SZCh, in the first reading. Previously, it was possible to avoid prosecution by voluntarily returning to military service. This provision was extended several times until it expired on August 30. Now, the bill proposes removing the courts ability to apply mitigating measures. In his September interview with Sky News, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine no longer sends its military personnel for training abroad, where so many soldiers disappeared from training grounds and received protection. The nature of this phenomenon is revealed in verified voices exclusively published by the Assembly this summer. We are quoting here testimony from the Vinnytsia region about sending former SZCh personnel to assault units to certain death: Well, dear friends and brothers in misfortune, Ive found myself in this hell for the second time. This time, [I was grabbed while I was] not on a hike [to cross the border], but just on the street. The cops chased me, cut me off, and then [took me] to the Military Law Enforcement Service. This happened not due to good life, I went to work and got caught. And then it was sheer hell, theres no other way to describe it. They treated us worse than animals, smoking [was only allowed] under guard at strict times, [there were] no phones, calls, etc., I wont speak about food or lodging, though I cant say I was really hungry. Then, one morning, representatives [of the army] arrive, they speak beautifully, and invite you to serve the fatherland, almost everyone refuses, then a bus [comes] and off [you are sent] to the distribution center. Barracks, guards with automatic rifles all around the perimeter, several people at a time go to the store under guard, [army] representatives again, and you refuse, but they still take you and send you to the barracks to await deployment. Formations are held almost every two hours, and you wait with your butt clenched, waiting for your brigade to be called, hoping to stay in the barracks for another day and finally get out of this mess. There are other guys around you, their eyes darting around, and these eyes are searching for a way out just like you, but the more you wander around the grounds, the more this hope fades... Everyone understands perfectly well that all the brigades youve been assigned to are Airborne Assault Forces, and you likely dont have long to live. As one guy said: Boys, you wont have basic military training, three or four days at most to get your act together and then off you go. I dont know how to describe it in one word. Ive heard so many stories about whats happening at the front, its just awful... I escaped, miraculously escaped! I wont tell you how, Ill just say it was incredibly brazen and stupid, but it worked out. I just realized I had no choice and had to take the risk. I didnt make it to military unit 7020 [a reserve battalion in the Gaisyn district], I was in the village of Rakhny. You cant escape there just like that, unless you try at night. Things have changed a bit recently. Before, the guys said, you could call a taxi, go to the store and leave. Everyone who was there was SZCh. The guy tried to make it there, but they stuck him in the 225th [Assault Regiment]. I refused everything, they literally dragged me by the hand. What I want to say to those already in SZCh: guys, dont take unnecessary risks. You never know where youll end up a second time and how it might end. Peace and goodness to all. Sooner or later this will all end, Id like it to end sooner, of course. The fate of those fugitives who were apprehended while attempting to cross the border after escaping is particularly unfortunate. This interlocutor from Odessa was captured in the summer right on the border with the unrecognized Transnistrian Moldavian Republic, where two months later a Ukrainian border guard shot dead a civilian refugee: Where I was, there was a waist-high fence, then a barbed-wire fence, and beyond that a ditch. I simply jumped over the waist-high fence. The fence was made of mesh, with barbed wire at waist level and above it. I simply climbed over it, without throwing anything from above. I grabbed the top support with my hand, stepped on the barbed wire at waist level, and climbed up, then jumped off. The border guards were even surprised that the fence was undamaged. All I had to do was climb out of the ditch and be free, but the border guards spotted me and pulled me out. I ended up, very unluckily, about 50 meters from where they were on duty. I was jumping off the fence, they heard me, shouted stop, and I ran and fell into a ditch about five meters high and six meters wide. The result: a broken rib or a crack. I wasnt in the hospital, so I dont know for sure. They took me to the Military Law Enforcement Service, where I spent three days. When they took me to the investigator, I escaped and am now recovering at home for the next attempt. In Ukrainian, "SZCh" can also be deciphered as "Courage, Bravery, Honor." Photo from another online store's website [Photo] One fugitive mobilized man living in Kharkov eloquently speaks about the social status of new army recruits: Its tough for the homeless now; the military recruitment offices are basically rounding up precisely them I recently took a ride in a minibus myself. There were two drug addicts, two homeless people, one is just a poor man, and the other was talking to himself. Basically, as I understand it, its because they try to round them up in places where theyre not often seen, early in the morning, in courtyards, behind garages, and so on, and thats how theyre gathering such a contingent...There are no longer any willing fighters; everything is hanging on by a thin thread and could collapse at any moment, although the actor [Zelensky] and his gang dont understand that. [] There are only a few left who have been fighting since 2022. Everyones looking for a way to get out of the service under any pretext 200,000 SZCh persons. Those who are younger and have arms and legs will run away. Whats left are the poor souls and homeless people with a host of illnesses. ... Theyre unmotivated; its just harder for a homeless person to escape, and they have nowhere to go, and theyre afraid. So they stay. The only thing they can do is drink on leave. Plus, unfortunately, homeless people are often sent to bad units, from which its simply harder to escape. The following story by a warehouse worker in Kharkov about his colleague who returned to the city last year, having left the Zaporozhye front with his entire company and commander, illustrates how the dispersion and passivity of the runaway Ukrainian soldiers prevent them from realizing their revolutionary potential, despite their enormous numbers and combat experience: They busified [forcibly drafted] him in [20]23. He was there for about a year. We thought it was the end for him; hes quiet and intimidated by life. He shows upeveryones in shock. Hes doing fine. Hes an orphan from an orphanage. Before the war, he bought a room in a communal apartment. No ones looking for him. He doesnt go anywhere. He doesnt work. He has some money. He probably cashed it out. And how much does he need anyway? Just for food. He runs out to the store in the evening and sits quietly in his room. Theres always a choice. And anyway, only dogs serve; people work. Mass desertion from the army has deep roots in Ukrainian history, dating back to the settlement of the countrys eastern regions in the 17th century. The vast steppe territories known as the Wild Fields, along with settlers from Central Russia, were colonized by Ukrainian Cossacks and peasants fleeing the oppression by Polish feudal lords, determined to obey no one but their elected atamans. For a time, they had autonomy and privileges from the Russian government. This legacy later expressed itself vividly during the social revolution of 1917-1918 following the collapse of the tsarist army. The dialectic of history partially reproduces the two previous stages of class struggle under new conditions. However, the description of the situation in the United States by WSWS is clearly applicable to the current situation in Ukraine: The great danger is that there remains a vast gulf between the scope of these conspiracies and the level of popular awareness of what is happening. This must change. Trumps actions do not command broad popular support. The American people as a whole do not want dictatorship or fascism. The general sentiment is one of opposition, but this must be mobilized, consciously and collectively. As long as Ukrainian deserters remain an amorphous and silent mass, living for the moment and trusting no one but their closest friends, the millstones of death will continue to turn as more and more people are kidnapped instead of those escaped. US and Latin American troops stage joint urban warfare exercises at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina [Photo: @Southcom] The UN General Assembly this week heard some criticism of US President Donald Trump from a group of Latin American presidents associated with the so-called Pink Tide. Trumps fascist rant Tuesday morning, in which he boasted of using the supreme power of the United States military to blow up small boats and murder civilians in the southern Caribbean, was sandwiched between speeches by so-called left Latin American heads of state, whose response to these acts of wanton murder ranged from the cowardly to the more pointed. Brazil traditionally speaks first in the annual General Assembly debate, and President Luiz Incio Lula da Silva of the Workers Party (PT) preceded Trump at the bodys green marble podium. Lula pleaded for maintaining Latin America as a zone of peace. He charged that The use of lethal force in situations that do not constitute armed conflicts is the equivalent of executing people without trials. Lula denounced the use of unilateral and arbitrary measures against our institutions and our economy in reference to the US sanctions and tariffs imposed over the trial of fascistic former President Jair Bolsonaro and his accomplices in the January 8, 2023 coup plot. He further inveighed against the false prophets and oligarchs who exploit fear and monetize hate. The words Donald Trump and US imperialism, however, did not escape the Brazilian presidents lips. Colombias President Gustavo Petro was less diplomatic. He denounced Washingtons war on drugs, declaring it is not for stopping drugs from reaching the United States, it is for dominating the peoples of the south. He insisted that those murdered in the US missile strikes off Venezuela were not terrorists or gang members, but migrants and Caribbeans, possibly Colombians, and if they were Colombians, with apologies to those who dominate the United Nations, a criminal case should be opened against those functionaries of the United States responsible and against the biggest functionary who gave the order, Donald Trump. Petro went on to draw parallels between Trump and Hitler. The US delegation staged a walkout barely five minutes into Petros remarks. For his part, Chiles lame duck Broad Front President Gabriel Boric managed to call for Netanyahus trial for genocide at the international court of justice, but uttered not a word of criticism against the US aggression closer to home, aside from toothlessly and falsely declaring Latin America a region without wars. He did make oblique criticism of Trump, without mentioning his name, condemning those who have affirmed at this same podium, today, that there is no such thing as global warming. This is not an opinion, it is a lie. Even the most full-throated criticism of Trump, militarism and US aggression from the UN podium, however, is belied by the practice of these same governments. In the run-up to the UN General Assembly, the Pentagon deployed an armada near Venezuelan waters, and Trump posted videos of missile strikes on small boats, gloating over what amount to extra-judicial murders, i.e. war crimes. Meanwhile, the militaries of Brazil, Colombia, Chile and a dozen other Latin American countries deployed their forces in UNITAS 2025, joint exercises with the same US Navy that is carrying out these criminal murders of unarmed Latin American civilians. UNITAS 2025 was launched on September 15, two weeks after the first US missile strike in the Caribbean killed 11 civilians after their boat had turned course back towards Venezuela and on the same day that Trump announced a second strike that reportedly claimed at least three more lives. Four days later a third boat was hit, killing three more. This year, UNITAS brought together some 8,000 military personnel from the US and Latin America in two phases of war games, one in-port and the other at-sea. The at-sea phase has included the sinking of a target vessel as well as amphibious landings and training in urban warfare at the US Marine Corps Camp Lejeune. The UNITAS exercises have been held since 1960, when they were first launched as a Cold War show of force by Washington and its right-wing Latin American puppet regimes against Soviet influence and what was viewed as a growing threat of socialist revolution in the region. Today, the operation is part of what the Pentagon openly proclaims to be a bid to corral Latin Americas governments and militaries behind US imperialisms preparations for war with China. The exercise is only one of a number staged by the Pentagon in the region, which last year included UNITAS 2024, hosted by Chile, in addition to: GUARDIAN in Honduras and Costa Rica; TRADEWINDS in Barbados; RESOLUTE SENTINEL in Peru; FUERZAS COMANDO in Panama; FUSED RESPONSE in Colombia; PANAMAX at the USSOUTHCOM headquarters; and PANAMAX ALPHA Phase II in Panama. These exercises, together with courses offered by the US military to Latin American officers and arms sales are directed at currying favor with military establishments that decades after the fall of most of the regions military dictatorships continue to exist as states within the state. The economic realities behind Washingtons perception of China as a strategic threat to the interests of US imperialism in what it long regarded contemptuously as its own backyard are well known. Chinas trade with the region has expanded from $14.62 billion 2001 to $483 billion in 2022, making it the number one trading partner for virtually every country south of Panama. Non-financial foreign direct investment by China-based companies soared from less than $1 billion in 2001 to a cumulative total of $193.2 billion by the end of 2022, much of it in strategic facilities ranging from ports and power grids to 5G infrastructure. Chinese financial institutions have also become major lenders to the region. Time is not on our side In testimony before a US congressional panel in April, Adm. Alvin Holsey, chief of US SOUTHCOM, sounded the alarm. Chinas gains in the region threaten the safety, stability, security, and sovereignty of all nations in our shared neighborhood, he said. Time is not on our side. The Western Hemisphere is suffering from an erosion of democratic capitalism. Latin America, the admiral declared, is on the front lines of a decisive and urgent contest to define the future of our world. China is assailing U.S. interests in every theater jeopardizing freedom of maneuver, access, and influence in our near-abroad. He went on to outline the predatory interests driving US policy, noting that the region is home to abundant natural resources, including 20 percent of the worlds oil reserves, 25 percent of its strategic metals, 30 percent of its forest area, 31 percent of its fishing areas and 32 percent of its renewable freshwater resources. It is scarcely an accident that the current focus of US aggression, Venezuela, boasts the largest crude oil reserves on the planet. Exercises like UNITAS, together with military education and training programs, are designed, Holsey said, to create a network of like-minded partners, ultimately contributing to increased access, collaboration, and cooperation during peacetime and contingency operations. A leading participant in UNITAS 2022 and, presumably, a key member of the Pentagons like-minded partners was the chief of the Brazilian Navy, Adm. Almir Garnier Santos. At the time he told the media he appreciated the war games for providing a comforting feeling of friendship and togetherness, which makes me have even more faith in the potential of our navies, as instruments to promote... peace, security and prosperity for all. Barely two weeks ago, Admiral Garnier was sentenced to 24 years in prison after being found guilty together with Bolsonaro and other senior military and intelligence officials of conspiring to carry out a violent coup and assassinate elected President Lula da Silva and his vice president together with the head of the countrys supreme electoral tribunal. At the same time Garnier was praising UNITAS 2022 for promoting peace, security and prosperity, he was making an unconditional promise to place the troops under his command at the disposal of the coup plotters. The evolution of Garnier is hardly an anomaly. Virtually all of the leading personnel who carried out military coups and led blood-soaked dictatorships in Latin America during the second half of the 20th Century were trained by the US military at its School of the Americas, first in the Panama Canal Zone and then at Fort Benning, Georgia. So-called left figures like Lula in Brazil and Boric in Chile have acted as guarantors of the rotten deals made with military dictatorships to restore civilian rule in exchange for granting the military effective amnesties and autonomy. Both the armed forces and the bourgeois parties that made these deals were united in their resolve to contain a wave of revolutionary upheavals that shook the coup regimes to their foundations. As Washington prepares for war with China, seeking to offset the loss of its global economic hegemony through the use of military force, there can be no doubt that it will call on its network of US-trained and bribed right-wing Latin American military officers to solidify its iron grip over US imperialisms own backyard. The critical remarks delivered by some Latin American presidents at the UN General Assembly were a bid to mollify the overwhelming hostility and anger of the broad masses of working people toward the policies of economic and military aggression that the Trump administration is pursuing in the region. More than speeches at the UN from heads of governments subservient to US imperialism are needed, however, if Latin America is to save itself from a new round of blood-stained military dictatorships and imperialist war. For this, only an independent revolutionary movement of the working class will suffice. Workers of the region must unite, and forge an unbreakable unity with their class brothers and sisters in the US and internationally in the fight to overthrow capitalist rule, disband the US-backed armed forces and reconstruct society on socialist foundations. On Thursday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order approving the TikTok divestiture plan, allowing the popular social media app to continue operating in the US under majority ownership by American investors, including tech company Oracle, private equity firm Silver Lake, and venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. The order implements requirements from a bipartisan national security law passed by Congress in 2024 mandating Chinese parent ByteDance to reduce its US ownership to less than 20 percent, with the remaining shares divided among an American investor consortium and ByteDances previous stakeholders. The executive order states: A plan has been presented to me to undergo a qualified divestiture of TikToks United States operations, as outlined in a framework agreement (Framework Agreement). Under this Framework Agreement, TikToks United States application will be operated by a newly established joint venture based in the United States. It will be majority-owned and controlled by United States persons and will no longer be controlled by any foreign adversary, since ByteDance Ltd. and its affiliates will own less than 20 percent of the entity, with the remainder being held by certain investors (Investor Parties). The order formalizes the establishment of a new joint venture controlling TikToks US assets, including its highly valued recommendation algorithm, and establishes protections for American user data. The idea that the US government and its corporate partners are going to safeguard the data of Americans is an absurdity. As documented by Edward Snowden in 2013, illegal military-intelligence surveillance of the electronic communications and internet activity of the US public, with the support of the telecommunications industry, has been going on for decades. The TikTok agreement extends the deadline for enforcement of the ban on the platform contained in the original language of the Congressional legislation, moving it from September 16 to December 16, 2025, to allow time for the deal to be finalized with China. Trumps directive says the proposed takeover of TikTok upholds Congressional demands for qualified divestiture, with most board members being American, and adds that approval by Chinese authorities is required before completion. The takeover of TikToks US operations was triggered by anti-China hysteria whipped up by both parties of US imperialism over the past five years. Presided over by the Trump administration, the deal includes a multibillion-dollar government fee as a condition of the transfer. The deal amounts to a seizure of the Chinese-based app by the US tech oligarchy. While ByteDance, the Chinese parent company, will retain a stake of just under 20 percent (19.9), the US investors are putting up 45 percent of the investment, about $6 or $7 billion, and the balance of 35 percent will be provided by the former ByteDance investors. The total value of the TikToks US assets have been estimated at approximately $14 billion. The agreement, portions of which were made public last week, would see ownership of TikToks technical platform, infrastructure and recommendation algorithm transition to the US consortium. Cloud and business software giant Oracle (stock market value of $828 billion), private equity giant Silver Lake ($104 billion in assets under management), the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz ($46 billion in committed capital) are taking ownership alongside anticipated additions, such as Fox Corp. and technology magnates Michael Dell and Lachlan Murdoch, as well as the Abu Dhabi-based MGX. The participation of the wide range of partners in the deal is a measure of the capitalist feeding frenzy underway. All the participants in the project, whether they are part of the technical aspects of the takeover or not, are expecting a significant return on their investment. The platforms powerful recommendation algorithm, which is credited with driving the apps explosive popularity, will be transferred in code form and re-engineered in the US. The US consortium will have exclusive control over retraining and deploying the algorithm for American users. While ByteDance maintains a substantial minority interest, it loses all access and oversight of user data and algorithm modifications in the US. Although the exact amount and structure of the fee are not public, a major condition of the deal is the unprecedented multibillion-dollar payment to the US government. Among all the new American partners, Oracles role is the most technically and politically significant. Already the designated host of TikToks US cloud data through Project Texas, Oracle is to become the apps algorithm overseer and security authority, directly managing the code and its retraining for American users. This move, the product of months of negotiation and direct White House participation, is portrayed as an answer to national security claims and congressional agitation over Chinese access to user data and digital influence. The specifics of each investors financial commitment have also not all been publicly disclosed. However, Oracles new stake comes on top of its lucrative data-hosting contract. In leveraging Oracles connectionsthe companys founder Larry Ellison is a major Trump supporterthe deal provides not just continuity of service but explicit corporate command over the recommendation engine. The value and investment draw of TikTok lies in its remarkable popularity among American youth and its broad cultural reach. As of 2025, it boasts more than 170 million American users, a user base claimed to have played a role in the 2024 presidential election. Although he began his 2024 campaign denouncing Chinese ownership of TikTok in xenophobic terms, Trump shifted his position as he began using it to spread his fascist political ideology. The shift underscores the calculated effort to turn what was once a propaganda campaign over national security into a massive business opportunity for the American financial oligarchy while also continuing to whip up anti-Chinese sentiments. Indeed, much of the justification for the transaction is grounded in fear-mongering about foreign manipulation, data theft and hostile influence. These narratives, stoked by both major parties, provided the political cover required to advance what is, ultimately, a theft of a cultural giant by the US financial elite led by the gangster-in-chief in the White House. If it is finalized, the current deal represents the end point of a years-long effort to ban TikTok that reached a peak in 2020. Trumps executive orders sought first to shutter the app and then to force its sale to a US buyer. Amid massive public opposition, federal courts repeatedly enjoined these measures, but the bipartisan consensus behind driving Chinese technology out of critical markets only solidified as the Biden administration took office. Bidens White House, with the support of Congress and the intelligence agencies, encouraged the campaign of threats, casting TikTok simultaneously as a national security risk and a test case for legislative muscle. In 2024, Congress passed a bill mandating divestiture of any foreign adversary-controlled social media company, essentially compelling ByteDance either to sell TikTok or face a nationwide ban. The measure was signed into law by Biden on April 24, 2024, following overwhelming bipartisan support of 360-58 in the House and 79-18 in the Senate. Every turn of the TikTok sagafrom the initial Trump bans to Bidens legislative maneuvers, to Trumps orchestrated solutionhas been justified in the name of anti-communism and extreme American nationalism in the service of capital, global power and technological supremacy. The entire episode is yet another example of the unanimity within the two-party system and complicity of the Democrats with the fascist politics of Donald Trump. Although no further last-minute interventions are expected from Beijing, as with all business deals involving massive sums of money, nothing is truly certain until all signatures are in place, and the final approval is delivered from both Washington and Beijing. The TikTok takeover is an example of the process of decoupling that has been the subject of debate by the US ruling class as the relationship between the US and China heads for economic and military conflict. At the same time, the Chinese are willing to make the TikTok deal despite its negative financial impact because it allows ByteDance to maintain some level of participation while avoiding a full US ban of the app. By agreeing to relinquish control of the core technical platform and majority ownership, ByteDance retains a commercial interest in TikTok. Meanwhile, the deal is viewed by Beijing as a concession amid the broader US-China negotiations on tariffs, technology and geopolitical issues and averts, for the time being, a total cutoff from the lucrative US market. Both Optus, the telecommunications firm directly involved, and the Albanese Labor government are trying to deny culpability, both immediate and longer-term, for a 13-hour breakdown in Australias triple-zero emergency phone system on September 18. More than a week on, the public is still being provided with scant information, even though it was reported that several people, including an eight-week-old baby, died after more than 630 callers could not get through to the 000 number in South Australia, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and western New South Wales. Victoria Ambulance in regional city of Ballarat in June 2021. [Photo by Ed Dunens / CC BY 2.0 Western Australian police confirmed last Saturday a fourth persona Perth man aged 49had died during the outage. Other confirmed deaths were another Perth man, aged 74, and a 68-year-old woman from Adelaide. While the death of the eight-week-old baby in Gawler, near Adelaide, was initially linked to the meltdown, South Australian police later said preliminary investigations found the outage was unlikely to have contributed to the childs death. Other fatalities or harmful outcomes may still emerge. Of the 631 customers known to have failed to connect, 86 reportedly eventually reached triple-zero through the Optus network, and 65 reached emergency services by switching to another carrier, such as Telstra or TPG. That left at least 480 customers who could not get through at all, some of whom have spoken to the media about the anxiety and trauma this caused. It was not until last Tuesday morningmore than five days after the outage beganthat police finally said they had followed up on all failed calls, conducting welfare checks on Optuss behalf. This failure, the second such disaster in less than two years, has shocked the population by showing the dubious reliability of the triple-zero system, which is a life-and-death issue. It has also highlighted the growing human toll of governments, Labor and Liberal-National Coalition alike over the past three decades, selling off the essential telecommunications services to corporate operators driven by profit. Both Optus, Australias second-biggest telco, and Telstra, the largest, were privatised in the 1990s. That process began in 1991, when the trade union-backed Hawke-Keating Labor government sold Aussat, a government-owned satellite communications company, to Optus and gave the company a telecommunications carrier licence. This created the conditions for Optus to start a cost-cutting competition with the government-owned Telecom. In 1993, Labor transformed Telecom into Telstra, a profit-making corporation. That laid the foundation for the Howard Liberal-National government to privatise Telstra in three stages, between 1997 and 2006. This week, Optus, now wholly-owned by Singtel, a Singapore government-backed telco conglomerate, admitted that the triple-zero failure lasted far longer than it initially reported, and continued for 13 hours after several customers first reported the breakdown, which began at 12.30 a.m. on Thursday September 18, to Optus call centres. Last Wednesday, Optus chief executive Stephen Rue claimed that unspecified preliminary internal investigations indicated that human error had caused the meltdown, not any lack of investment by the company or the outsourcing of its call centres overseas. Thats not an investment issue, thats people not following process, he told the media, long before any official inquiry is even convened. This is typical of the corporate elite, blaming workers, not systemic profit-driven cost-cutting, for catastrophes, and confident of government support. To slash wages and conditions for its staff, Optus has about 3,600 overseas call centre workers across India and the Philippines, leaving about 250 centre operators within Australia. The Labor government is equally trying to shield itself from blame. Speaking from New York, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared he would be surprised if Rue had not considered resigning. Last Saturday, when Communications Minister Anika Wells faced a media conference for the first time during the crisis, she said the government had been first informed of the outage the previous afternoon. But Freedom of Information documents later revealed that the Communications Department was informed about the outage on Thursday September 18 at about 2.45 p.m.24 hours before Wells claimed the government learned of the incident. Speaking alongside Wells at a press conference last Monday, Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) chair Nerida OLoughlin confirmed her organisation was aware of the outage on the Thursday, but described the alert as perfunctory and inaccurate. So it is apparent that both the government and the official telco regulator relied on Optus initial false reports that the meltdown was minor and readily corrected. Yet this was the second serious 000 breakdown for Optus since Labor took office in 2022, and the second time Optus has sought to downplay the seriousness of the failure. Then-Optus chief Kelly Bayer Rosmarin told a Senate committee in 2023 that 228 triple-zero emergency calls were unable to connect during the companys previous 16-hour outage in November 2023, which affected some 10 million customers and crippled phone and internet communications nationally. We have done welfare checks on all of those 228 calls. And thankfully everybody is OK, Bayer Rosmarin told the committee, three days before resigning as the Optus CEO. But in January 2024 Optus said an internal review had shown a further 2,468 customers made triple-zero calls during the outage that were unable to go through, and for which welfare checks were not undertaken. ACMA later penalised Optus $12 million for the breakdown. That amounted to a mere slap on the wrist for the multi-billion dollar company and its parent, Singtel, which boasts a market capitalisation of some $82 billion. Last Monday, it was revealed that the Labor governments proposed triple-zero custodian, a supervisory agency that it promised after an official inquiry into the 2023 disaster, was yet to be staffed. The Albanese government also has failed to introduce legislation to give the custodian any powers, which are meant to include compelling telcos to produce more information about outages. That could include new penalties for withholding such information. Government sources could not give the media an intended timeline for the legislation to pass or for the custodian to be staffed. Only four parliamentary sitting weeks remain in 2025. The guardian agency was one of 18 limited recommendations made by the inquiry into the 2023 meltdown, six of which remain to be implemented, according to Wells. That is despite the urgency involved in ensuring the performance of the 000 system. Moreover, in a submission published in April this year, Optus told the government there was no technical capability between the carriers, emergency services, ACMA and the federal government for sharing real-time information. Optus declared that developing such a capability would require significant investment, making it a huge burden. Despite this defiance, the Albanese government has continued to treat Optus with kid gloves, in line with Labors underlying pro-corporate program. In September 2022, also under the Labor government, about 9.5 million current and former Optus customers were caught up in a serious data breach. Personal information, including names, dates of birth, phone numbers and email addresses, were exposed over three days. The personal details of about 10,200 people were later published online. Optus is not alone. Telstra, now controlled by global financial investment funds, was fined $3 million, a pittance, last December after a reported technical issue at a call centre meant that 127 calls to Triple 0 were not transferred to emergency services in March 2024. Another 346 calls were transferred to emergency services using a work-around that did not include the callers digital location. In recent years, both companies have been penalised also, with relatively small fines of $100 million (Optus) or $50 million (Telstra) for unconscionable conduct after selling their services to hundreds of vulnerable customers who did not want or need them. Optus and Telstra have each carried out waves of retrenchments and cheap labour outsourcing since being privatised. This continuing assault has been made possible only with the support of successive Labor and Coalition governments, combined with the assistance of the telco trade union bureaucracies, which have stifled or sold out repeated struggles by telecommunications workers against the decimation of their jobs. These experiences demonstrate the irreconcilable incompatibility between the essential needs of the populationeven for emergency servicesand the domination of societys basic infrastructure and productive capacity by the capitalist oligarchy, protected by their political servants. Two significant studies this year have revealed a mounting crisis within the education sector in Australia, with teachers facing severe mental health challenges. The research shows the toll being taken by crushing workloads and prolonged exposure to student and family trauma. The studies paint a grim picture of a profession under immense strain, with dire implications for teacher retention and student outcomes. Thousands of South Australian teachers on strike, November 9, 2023. [Photo: Facebook/Australian Education Union (SA)] The first study, entitled Teachers workload, turnover intentions, and mental health, was conducted by a research team from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and the Black Dog Institute, a renowned mental health research institution. Surveying nearly 5,000 Australian primary and secondary teachers in 202224, it is one of the most comprehensive investigations into the mental health of educators to date. The study found that teachers were experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress at levels three times the national average. For instance, the average score for depressive symptoms on the Depression, Anxiety & Stress Scale (DASS) among teachers was 15.40, compared to a population norm of 5.02. Anxiety symptoms were at 12.12 versus 3.36 and stress at 21.80 versus 8.10. The research said 90.7 percent of teachers reported moderate-to-extremely severe levels of stress. Furthermore, nearly 70 percent of participants reported moderate-to-extremely severe symptoms of both depression (70.5 percent) and anxiety (68.9 percent). A central cause was unmanageable workload. The research made a distinction between the core work of teachingplanning and delivering lessonsand the ballooning non-core tasks that now dominate teachers time. These included administrative duties, excessive data collection and tracking, and compliance with various policies and accountability frameworks. Some 68.8 percent of teachers surveyed rated their workload as largely unmanageable or completely unmanageable. The studys analysis established a clear chain reaction: a higher, unmanageable workload was positively correlated with greater levels of depressive symptoms, which, in turn, were strongly correlated with higher intentions to leave the profession. Lead researcher Dr. Helena Granziera noted that teachers were not overwhelmed by teaching itself, but by the mounting load of non-core tasks, driving burnout and disillusionment. The consequences were severe: clinical-level depression and anxiety that diminished quality of life, impaired daily functioning and, in the schools, reduced performance, increased absenteeism, and worsened teacher shortages. This also undermined classroom quality and student outcomes, creating a ripple effect that threatens an entire generation. The second study, published in May, The Silent Cost: Impact and Management of Secondary Trauma in Educators, revealed another serious threat to teacher mental health: secondary traumatic stress (STS). Led by Dr. Adam Fraser in collaboration with Deakin University, this research surveyed almost 2,300 educators and collected over 1,000 detailed trauma stories. The study said educators had effectively become the social workers of society, yet the education system was dramatically under-prepared and under-resourced to support educators. STS occurs from repeated exposure to the traumatic experiences of others. For teachers, this involves consistently hearing students distressing personal stories, witnessing their struggles, and carrying the emotional burden of their challenges. The report explained that this exposure is qualitatively different from that experienced by other frontline professionals. As research collaborator Christine Armarego explained, the prolonged nature of the teacher-student relationship is a crucial factor. Unlike a paramedics brief interaction, a teacher knows a student and their family context for an entire year or longer, leading to a deeper and more sustained emotional investment. The study found that teachers are not only supporting students but often entire families, as parents turn to them for guidance on complex issues, further expanding their emotional labour. Educators reported STS levels 21 percent higher than psychologists, 23 percent higher than mental health nurses and 34 percent higher than paramedics. Despite the intensity of this impact, most educators received no formal support or training to manage STS. Statements from educators are scattered throughout the report. One educator who had worked in a language centre for refugees stated: War, murder, trauma, deaths at sea of siblings, violence, despair, self-harm, racism there was so much these kids had to deal with. I didnt realise the impact until I took leave. I have anxiety and more self-doubt than previously. Another, working in a Schools for Specific Purposes (SSP) setting, dealing with children with disabilities, autism, mental health and behavioural disorders, said eight students had passed away since she began working there. She said: Another hard part of working in an SSP is seeing student self-harm. Working closely with students that hurt themselves is so hard to do. You feel helpless when it happens and it happens multiple times a day, hitting themselves, hitting their head on the floor, pulling out their fingernails, picking at their cuts to make them worse. It is mentally exhausting and physically draining. The study found that STS accumulated over an educators career, contradicting the belief that experience builds resilience. Nearly 40 percent of the participants were considering leaving the profession due to overwhelming STS. When we started this research, no one in education was talking about STSit was all about burnout and general wellbeing, Fraser explained. He said STS was deeper than burnout, combining with it to lead to compassion fatigue, a debilitating state that drains empathy and leaves educators emotionally disconnected. Its the cost of witnessing student trauma day after day, with no buffer, no outlet, and no support, he explained. One of the most pressing difficulties was the lack of accessible services to support traumatised studentsleaving teachers to shoulder the burden alone. Research found that only one undergraduate program in Australia addressed STS, leaving new educators unaware of its emotional toll. Taken together, the two studies show that teachers are being crushed by an ever-expanding administrative workload, while also being asked to deal with the increasing and complex social and emotional traumas of their students and families, a role for which they are largely untrained and unsupported. The UNSW research also reported that rural and remote teachers reported far higher levels of depression than those in metropolitan schools. These communities, already disadvantaged by distance and scarce resources, were those where teachers struggled most. The studies did not directly link traumatic stress to school socio-economic status, but in working-class communities teachers carry a heavier emotional load. With little systemic support, these schools are hit twiceby the hardships they face and by the erosion of the workforce. The studies show that these conditions are worsening under the Albanese Labor government and its state counterparts. They continue to cut public education funding in real terms while funnelling billions into elite private schools and pouring billions more into military programs like AUKUS. The teacher unions have played a pivotal role in enforcing these conditions. Through sell-out agreements on wages, workloads, and class sizes, they have not only suppressed resistance but also been complicit in exacerbating the crisis facing teachers. Other than advising that teachers report their conditions to the Education Department, they encourage teachers to take courses on classroom managementplacing at the feet of individual educators the responsibility of dealing with the myriad social conditions of their charges. While posturing as defenders of educators they function as enforcers for government and corporate demands. The problems go deeper, rooted in a capitalist system that prioritises profit over social need. While the studies call for reforms, what is required goes far beyond policy adjustments. The struggle for decent public educationand for healthcare and other essential rightsinevitably collides with the dictates of big business and finance capital. To overcome the crisis and break the stranglehold of the Labor and the union bureaucracy, new organisations must be built. Rank-and-file committees (RFCs) of teachers, education support staff, parents and students are needed to share information, formulate demands and organise genuine collective action. The fight for a free high-quality public education system, full resourced with trained staff, psychologists and health professionals, creating a positive and nurturing environment for all, cannot be separated from the fight against the capitalist order itself. That requires the development of a socialist leadership in the working class, uniting educators with broader layers of workers in the struggle for a society based on human need, not private profit. To discuss these critical issues and how to form RFCs, contact the Committee for Public Education (CFPE), the educators rank-and-file network: Contact the CFPE: Email: cfpe.aus@gmail.com Facebook: facebook.com/commforpubliceducation Twitter: CFPE_Australia President Donald Trump holds a signed presidential memorandum on countering anti-fascism in the Oval Office at the White House, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, in Washington. [AP Photo/Alex Brandon] On September 25, President Donald Trump issued National Security Presidential Memorandum-7 (NSPM-7): Countering Domestic Terrorism and Organized Political Violence. NSPM-7 is a fascist blueprint for mobilizing the entire repressive apparatus of the American statethe FBI, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Justice (DOJ), State Department, Treasury, and the militaryagainst all political opposition on the left. The memorandum begins with the killing of Charlie Kirk and asserts that individuals who adhered to the alleged shooters ideology embraced and cheered this evil murder while actively encouraging more political violence. More than two weeks after Kirks killing, no evidence has emerged that the shooter had a definite political ideology, or that he was part of an organized group, left or right-wing. There is no evidence he planned the assassination with anyone else and there have been no other arrests connected to the shooting. In order to manufacture the image of a unified, centrally directed left-wing terror network, NSPM-7 strings together entirely unrelated incidentsprotests against police, opposition to ICE, the killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson and assassination attempts on Trump and Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaughand presents them as parts of a single conspiracy. This deliberate conflation creates the mirage of a vast, organized movement of domestic terrorism on the left, even though no evidence has emerged connecting these events. Unsurprisingly, the memorandum is silent on right-wing political violence. It does not mention the January 6 coup attempt, when Trump, with the backing of fascist militias, the Republican Party, large sections of the police-military-intelligence apparatus and elements of the Supreme Court sought to overturn the 2020 election and establish a presidential dictatorship. It ignores the long trail of murders and attacks carried out by racists, religious zealots and neo-Nazis over decades, including the recent murder of Minnesota Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark. It says nothing of the constant incitement to violence from Trump himself and his political allies, including instances of Trump and his allies joking about the hammer attack on Paul Pelosi or calling for the deportation of Democratic politicians such as Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota) and Zohran Mamdani. There is not a word on the Republican embrace of Great Replacement theory rhetoric which has animated mass shootings in the US and internationally for over decade. This selective accounting is not an oversight. The greatest purveyor of political violence in the world and the greatest threat to the democratic rights of everyone, inside and outside the United States, is the US government itself, led by Trump, but supported by both the Democrats and Republicans. Yet NSPM-7 presents anti-fascism and left-wing opposition to genocide, forced disappearances and police violence as the terrorist menace. Terrified of growing support for socialism in the US and internationally, NSPM-7 frets that anti-fascism movements, portray foundational American principles (e.g., support for law enforcement and border control) as fascist to justify and encourage acts of violent revolution. The claim in NSPM-7 that foundational American principles include support for law enforcement and border control is historically absurd. Americans did not take up arms in the Revolution of 1776 because of their love of police or their defense of border guards. Modern policing in the United States did not even exist at the time of the revolution. The earliest municipal police departments emerged only in the 1830s and 1840s, and they were designed above all to discipline the working class and enforce slavery. Border enforcement, likewise, only became institutionalized with the creation of the Border Patrol in 1924in the midst of a wave of xenophobic and racist immigration restrictions. By retroactively treating the coercive apparatus of the capitalist statethe police, ICE, border controlas foundational, Trumps memorandum rewrites history to equate America with its modern machinery of repression. In Trumps fascist framework, opposing police brutality or the persecution of immigrants is equated with terrorism. The memorandum continues: Common threads animating this violent conduct include anti-Americanism, anti-capitalism, and anti-Christianity; support for the overthrow of the United States Government; extremism on migration, race, and gender; and hostility towards those who hold traditional American views on family, religion, and morality. This sweeping definition paints a target on anyone who rejects the official ideology of Trump and the Republican right. Those who oppose capitalism, challenge nationalism, defend immigrants, expose racism or fight for gender equality are to be placed in the same category as terrorism. By treating political beliefs as the animating threads of terrorism, NSPM-7 provides a pseudo-legal justification for the persecution of individuals and organizations on the basis of their political convictions. It is a direct attack on the First Amendment. The memo orders all 56 Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTFs) to develop and implement a comprehensive national strategy to investigate, prosecute, and disrupt individuals and organizations allegedly engaged in political violence. Its scope is expansive: it explicitly includes funders, officers, employees of organizations, US citizens abroad, and NGOs with close ties to foreign governments. The Treasury is directed to track and disrupt financial networks, while the attorney general is ordered to prosecute all cases to the maximum extent permissible by law, and to classify activities like doxing campaigns, swatting, rioting, looting, civil disorder as forms of terrorism. ICE, which is presently kidnapping and deporting immigrantsincluding US citizensis positioned in the memorandum as a primary victim of supposed left-wing violence. As of this writing, not a single ICE officer has been killed on the job, period. This sleight of hand turns reality on its head: the same agency terrorizing working class immigrants is presented as under siege, justifying more repression. The White House released an accompanying Fact Sheet elevating attacks on ICE officers and the harassment of billionaires as existential threats, while erasing the January 6 coup and decades of fascist terror. The omissions are deliberate. As with the Reichstag Fire Decree of 1933, the aim is to transform isolated incidents into a pretext for the destruction of democratic rights and the persecution of left-wing opposition. NSPM-7 follows directly from Trumps September 23 Executive Order designating Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization. As the World Socialist Web Site explained: The Trump White House has now taken the unprecedented step of branding Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization. The order has no basis in law, but it provides the pseudo-legal framework for targeting left-wing political opposition. Together, the EO and NSPM-7 amount to a declaration of war on anti-fascist opposition. They criminalize dissent, invert the reality of political violence in America, and unleash the state against the left while covering for the fascist forces nurtured by Trump himself. At the September 25 press conference announcing NSPM-7, Trump and his aides dispensed with any pretense of neutrality. Trump himself declared: Were looking at the funders of a lot of these groups These arent your protesters that make the sign in their basement late in the evening because they really believe it. These are anarchists and agitators, professional anarchists and agitators, and they get hired by wealthy people, some of whom I know. This language openly revives the McCarthyite trope of a shadowy outside agitator bankrolling protest. Stephen Miller called the day historic, claiming: This is the first time in American history that there is an all of government effort to dismantle left-wing terrorism, to dismantle Antifa This is part of an organized campaign of radical left terrorism. It is structured. It is sophisticated. It is well funded. It is well planned. There is really no parallel like this There is an entire system of feeder organizations that provide money, resources, weapons. FBI director Kash Patel reinforced the same narrative, vowing to chase them down like the domestic terrorists that they are, while Attorney General Pam Bondi bragged that President Trump has taken the handcuffs off law enforcement and JD Vance supplied lurid anecdotes about paid people in black ski masks in Oregon. Trump capped the event by floating familiar namesGeorge Soros and LinkedIn billionaire Reid Hoffmanas potential funders of this supposed terrorism. As of this writing, not a single leading Democrat, including Senator Chuck Schumer, Senator Bernie Sanders, former President Barack Obama, Representative Hakeem Jeffries or Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, has posted a word on social media opposing NSPM-7. Their silence is not incidental. It reflects the Democratic Partys longstanding collaboration with Trump on the central pillars of his authoritarian program, above all, immigration enforcement and the strengthening of the repressive apparatus of the state. In January, a majority of House Democrats joined Republicans in passing the reactionary Laken Riley Act, which mandates the detention and deportation of immigrants on the basis of mere accusations. In March, Schumer personally delivered the key votes in the Senate to secure passage of a government funding package that kept the deportation machine fully operational, even as Trump escalated his mass roundups. Far from constituting an opposition, the Democrats record shows them as enablers of Trumps fascistic agenda, ensuring that the state remains armed against the working class while political dissent is criminalized. The lesson of NSPM-7, and of the Democrats silence in the face of Trumps latest fascist directive, is that the defense of democratic rights cannot be entrusted to the Democratic Party. This is the very party that paved the way for Trumps return to power through its own war policies, its defense of Wall Street, its slanders against anti-genocide protesters and its refusal to mobilize against the far right. The fight against dictatorship and repression requires a complete political break with both capitalist parties. It demands the independent mobilization of the working classthe only social force with the power to shut down production, end war, and dismantle the repressive apparatus of the capitalist state. Only through the conscious, international organization of the working class can state violence be ended and the democratic rights of all be secured. Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe speaks to attendees during the Governor's Ham Breakfast at the Missouri State Fair Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Sedalia, Missouri. [AP Photo/Charlie Riedel] Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe announced on September 25 that he will sign the congressional redistricting plan, known as House Bill 1, at a private event on Sunday, September 28. The measure all but guarantees the Republican party seven of the states eight seats in the US House of Representatives, up from the six it currently holds. Kehoe called the special session on August 29 to redraw the map following weeks of pressure from Donald Trump and the White House for Republican-led states to pursue mid-decade gerrymanders to maintain the partys control of Congress in the face of massive opposition to its policies. The other measure passed in the special session will make it nearly impossible to amend the state constitution through ballot initiatives, currently the only official avenue for workers to express their political opposition to the Republicans reactionary policies at the state level. This measure would need to be approved by a majority of voters in the 2026 elections. Just as Texas Governor Greg Abbott redrew congressional districts at Trumps urging, Kehoes Missouri First map slices up urban working-class and minority populations to dilute their vote and fortify Republican control. Trump himself publicly urged Missouri Republicans to pass the plan AS IS. Trump and the Republicans are pulling out all the stops to prevent the Democrats from retaking control of the US House in the 2026 elections, a real possibility given the widespread hatred workers have for Trumps policies, reflected in a recent Gallup poll indicating only 29 percent of Americans are satisfied with the countrys direction. The new maps effect will be felt most acutely in Kansas City, the largest city in Missouri, which will likely see Democratic Representative Emanuel Cleaver lose his seat. Under the redistricting plan, working class voters, including majority black and immigrant neighborhoods in the former 5th district would be carved up into the majority-Republican 4th and 6th districts, with some heavily Republican areas along the Missouri River added to the 5th district in exchange. In St. Louis, Democratic-leaning areas remain concentrated in the 1st district, the seat held by Wesley Bell, while surrounding districts are to be reconfigured to shore up Republican support. The new gerrymandered map has generated opposition. On September 10, thousands protested at the state capitol and several lawsuits and ballot initiatives have been filed in response. One lawsuit is asking the court to declare Missouris new congressional map unconstitutional since the new map is using the same 2020 census, which is forbidden under the Missouri constitution. Under the state constitution, redistricting may only occur once a decade. Groups around the Democratic Party are also circulating petitions to force a referendum vote on the new map, with a deadline of December 11 on gathering signatures. Legislators also took aim at ballot initiatives, which have been employed in recent years to pass measures bitterly opposed by the Republicans. This was how Medicaid expansion was achieved in 2020, how the minimum wage was raised in 2018, and how cannabis was legalized in 2022. One of the most significant votes occurred in 2024, when abortion was again legalized by constitutional amendment, overriding the ban on abortion that went into effect following the Supreme Courts overturn of Roe v. Wade. Republicans now hope to close off this process. Instead of a simple statewide majority, under the new requirements, amendments would need a majority in every congressional district, in addition to a majority statewide. In practice this means as little as about five percent of voters concentrated in one rural district could veto a reform supported by millions across Missouri. Urban workers in Kansas City and St. Louis could win overwhelmingly on issues like healthcare or abortion rights, only to see their victory nullified by a conservative minority. Amendments proposed by the legislature itself would not face these hurdles. What is taking place in Missouri is part of a coordinated national strategy. In Texas, Abbott rammed through mid-decade maps under Trumps instruction, targeting Democratic districts in Houston and Austin to tilt the balance of power permanently toward the right. In Ohio, Republicans spent years trying to raise barriers to citizen-led amendmentsincluding a failed 2023 referendum that would have required 60 percent approval for any amendment to pass, an effort widely seen as aimed at blocking the abortion-rights vote later that yearand continue to pursue additional curbs. Democrats have responded with their own partisan gerrymanders. In California Governor Gavin Newsom, a potential 2028 presidential candidate, is attempting to erase five Republican seats by suspending Californias independent redistricting commission, which was originally created by voters in 2010. The assault on democratic rights in Missouri stands in a long line of such measures in American history. After the Civil War, the Reconstruction amendments briefly extended the franchise to formerly enslaved people and opened the possibility of a more democratic society. But the bourgeoisie, terrified of a united working class, soon imposed Jim Crow laws, literacy tests, poll taxes and racially gerrymandered districts to gut those gains. In the 20th century, Democrats and Republicans alike manipulated electoral boundaries and voting rules to protect their bipartisan domination over official politics, while pushing the battles over democracy into courts and commissions where the results were predetermined. What is taking place todaythe combination of redistricting and the effective veto over ballot initiativesrepresents the latest stage in this reactionary tradition. The American ruling class, confronted with deep social crisis, is incapable of responding to even the most elementary democratic sentiments. The Democrats, far more fearful of the emergence of a mass movement outside of their control than they are of the building of a presidential dictatorship by the fascistic Republican Party, limit themselves to lawsuits, petitions and their own anti-democratic maneuvers. This is because both parties are beholden to Wall Street and the military-police-intelligence complex and share responsibility for the assault on democratic rights. They have gerrymandered when it suited them, and they accept the legitimacy of measures that disenfranchise their own voters so long as capitalist stability is preserved. The gerrymandering wars are not just partisan squabbles but part of the breakdown of democracy under capitalism. The defense of democratic rights cannot be entrusted to either of the parties of big business. It requires the independent mobilization of the working class: rank-and-file committees in workplaces, neighborhoods and schools that unify workers across racial and geographic lines. These committees must link the fight against disenfranchisement to the broader struggle against the capitalist system, the source of fascism, inequality, and imperialist war. Former FBI director James Comey is sworn in via videoconference before testifying during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020. [AP Photo/Ken Cedeno] The indictment of former FBI director James Comey on Thursday is a significant step in the establishment of a personalist presidential dictatorship under Donald Trump. By moving to jail his opponents within the political establishment, Trump is seeking to consolidate his power to smash the democratic rights of the working class. This is what prosecutors do in dictatorships, said Richard W. Painter, a law professor at the University of Minnesota who served as the chief ethics lawyer for President George W. Bush, in a social media post. Other prosecutors will feel even more pressure now to bring charges against whomever displeases the president, said Brendan Nyhan, a professor of government at Dartmouth College. And you dont want to live in a country where displeasing the president can put you in jail. Trumps newly appointed US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Lindsey Halligan, secured a two-count indictment against Comey from a grand jury on charges of making false statements to Congress and obstructing Congress. The charges carry a maximum jail sentence of five years. The grand jury refused to endorse a third count requested by Halligan. Comey is scheduled to appear for arraignment on October 9. Comey served as FBI director from 2013 to 2017, when he was fired by Trump. He oversaw the Crossfire Hurricane investigation into alleged ties between Russia and the Trump election campaign that was begun under the Obama administration. This was a propaganda exercise organized by the Democratic Party in pursuit of its plans for war against Russia and concerns that Trump was not sufficiently on board. During the 2016 election campaign, the New York Times, the main mouthpiece of the Democrats, published a column by Paul Krugman headlined, Donald Trump, the Siberian Candidate, accusing Trump of being a stooge of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump and Comey became bitter enemies, and during his first term Trump repeatedly called for the prosecution of Comey as well as Hillary Clinton and other opponents within the US political establishment. Trump pledged to use his second term to carry through retribution in the name of the MAGA movement against those who played roles in his two impeachments and numerous criminal and civil prosecutions, including for the attempted coup of January 6, 2021. Trumps direct hand in the indictment of Comey was brazen and blatant. Last Saturday, September 20, Trump posted a statement on his social media platform, Truth Social, lambasting Attorney General Pam Bondi for failing to indict Comey as well as New York Attorney General Letitia James and Democratic Senator Adam Schiff. James headed up a lawsuit against Trumps business empire that led to a massive civil judgment against him. Schiff, as a member of the House of Representatives, led the first impeachment of Trump on charges of interfering in the dispatch of US arms to Ukraine. The Department of Justice is investigating James and Schiff for mortgage fraud. We cant delay any longer, Trump wrote. JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!! The previous day he forced out Erik Siebert, the US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, whom he had appointed, because Siebert opposed indicting Comey for lack of evidence to sustain a prosecution. In this, Siebert was backed by the Justice Department career prosecutors in the district. On Monday, Trump appointed Halligan to succeed Siebert. Halligan was one of Trumps personal lawyers and a White House aide involved in the attack on the Smithsonian Institution. She is an insurance lawyer who has no prosecutorial experience. Nonetheless, despite the reservations of career prosecutors, she made a decision to go ahead with the prosecution of Comey within hours of taking office. Trumps hysteria on the Comey case was fueled by the fact that the charges being brought dated from September 30, 2020 and had a five-year statute of limitations. Comey is being prosecuted for allegedly lying to a Senate committee during testimony about the leak of information to the media by his subordinate, Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe. Comey denied that he had authorized the leak. In any event, the leak dated from 2017 and concerned an investigation into Hillary Clintons email use, not the supposed collusion between Russia and the Trump election campaign. The trumped-up character of the case is indicated by the highly unusual fact that Halligan herself, rather than lower-level prosecutors, brought it before the grand jury. The two-page indictment, moreover, is signed only by Halligan. On Thursday night, following the indictment, Trump hailed the move in a post on Truth Social, writing: JUSTICE IN AMERICA! One of the worst human beings this Country has ever been exposed to is James Comey, the former Corrupt Head of the FBI Today he was indicted by a Grand Jury on two felony counts for various illegal and unlawful acts He has been so bad for our Country, for so long, and is now at the beginning of being held responsible for his crimes against our Nation. Trump also attacked the judge in the Comey case, US District Judge Michael Nachmanoff, because he was appointed by Joe Biden. Trumps role in the indictment of Comey increases the chances that a motion to dismiss, on the basis of selective or vindictive prosecution, could succeed. That, however, would not halt the use of the Justice Department as a political weapon in the drive to dictatorship. Friday morning, as he left the White House, Trump said more indictments would be coming. Frankly, I hope there are others because you cant let this happen to a country, he said. In addition to James and Schiff, Trump and members of his administration have called for criminal investigations of former CIA Director John Brennan, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. After issuing a presidential memorandum Thursday calling for a crackdown against radical left terrorism, Trump explicitly named billionaire Democratic donors George Soros and Reid Hoffman as likely targets. Students in a Nashville classroom. [Photo: Metro Nashville Public Schools] In an unprecedented assault on education that pushes the normalization of firearms in the classroom, Tennessee has become the first state to force educators to teach gun safety. House Bill (HB) 2882, which passed the Tennessee General Assembly on May 1, 2024, went into effect with the start of the 2025-2026 school year. Every charter school and local education agency (LEA) must provide students with age-appropriate and grade-appropriate instruction on firearm safety on an annual basis. The legislation prevents districts from opting out. The bill states that such instruction should begin at the earliest appropriate grade.But the Outcomes and Guidance manual, developed by the Tennessee Department of Education in collaboration with the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, clearly indicates that instruction will begin at the Kindergarten level. The manual itself divides instruction into three distinct grade ranges: K-2; 3-5; 6-12. The first two grade groupings primarily focus on familiarizing children with firearm nomenclature, identifying the difference between a toy and a real firearm, and the importance of telling an adult if a child finds a firearm. The third grade grouping focuses on teaching All family members safe gun handling and including the proper storage of firearms and ammunition. This is not the first time that the Tennessee legislature has sought to shift the responsibility of mitigating gun violence onto educators. In the aftermath of the 2023 school shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville, which left three children and three adults dead, Senate Bill (SB) 1325a school safety billwas passed, which allowed educators to carry firearms in schools. Iowa and Wyoming passed similar bills; however, Wyomings bill was later vetoed by the governor. Under that law, teachers would be forced into the role of armed guardsrequired to undergo 40 hours of training, pass a psychological evaluation, obtain a handgun permit, and even submit their fingerprints. While the legislation shields school districts from financial liability, it leaves individual educators exposed to legal and personal risk. Parents, meanwhile, are not even guaranteed the right to know if their childs teacher is carrying a firearm in the classroom. No district has adopted the policy so far, yet its very passage reveals the reactionary fantasy underpinning it: the notion that arming good guys with guns is the only way to stop bad guys with guns. This logic not only evades the social questions behind mass shootings but also entrenches the broader militarization of schools and American society as a whole. The group Everytown for Gun Safety shows that Tennessee ranks 12th in the nation for gun deaths, with 158 unintentional shootings by children between 2015-2023, the third highest of any state. Yet lawmakers proudly maintain some of the weakest gun laws in the country: there is no requirement for secure firearm storage, and even the basic permit for concealed carry has been scrapped. Against this backdrop, the push for gun safety education in schools is not to protect children, but to disguise the deadly status quo and palm responsibility onto individuals. In championing SB 1325, Republican state representative Ryan Williams stated that We know, some of us know, that sometimes somebody will go to place A to shoot up a school or do something negative and they end up going somewhere else because theyre deterred. This statement peddles the myth of more good guys with guns. A practice that is already in full swing, as the Tennessee legislature has funneled more money into School Resource Officers (SROs)often off-duty police officersallocating an additional $140 million in 2023 to ensure every public school has at least one armed officer. Meanwhile, Nashvilles public school system faces a shortage of teachers and bus drivers. Far from protecting students, the reliance on SROs has transformed schools into gateways to prison. Instead of resolving behavior in ways that foster safety, children are expelled or arrested for minor infractions, effectively criminalizing them. The presence of an SRO does not ensure student safety. This was made tragically clear at Antioch High School in Nashville, where despite having two armed officers on campus, a shooting left one student dead and two others wounded. In response to the passage of SB 1325, in April 2023, nearly 200 Nashville High School students walked out of class to protest outside the Tennessee State Capitol. They could be heard chanting Hey, hey, ho, ho. Guns in schools have got to go. The Tennessee Education Association (TEA) and the national National Education Association (NEA) have offered little more than symbolic opposition, calling instead for common-sense gun reform and expanded mental health services. By limiting their response to token opposition and predictable calls for minimal, common-sense gun reform and mental health funding, the Democrats, TEA and NEA reinforce the falsehood that mass shootings are simply the result of troubled individuals and are isolated events. In doing so, they seek to obscure the underlying social and political catalysts that trigger mass violence. Neither of the major capitalist parties offer a path to ending mass shootings or gun violence in the United States. These tragedies are symptoms of a society in an advanced stage of degeneration, where decades of endless war, staggering inequality, police brutality, ICE raids against students and families, and the dismantling of public infrastructure, have created the conditions for recurring eruptions of mass violence. Amid the deepening crisis of capitalism, public education has become a central target. The ruling class seeks to roll back decades of social progress, crush opposition, and extinguish critical thought and culture. Defending the right to free, high-quality education demands a conscious fight against capitalism and imperialist warnot futile appeals to the courts or the Democrats. Trumps so-called Big Beautiful Bill, passed with bipartisan support, cut $12 billion from public schools, on top of the expiration of pandemic aid. The results have been devastating: teacher layoffs, overcrowded classrooms, gutted health services, and a surge in child hunger. Within this backdrop, Tennessee educators have already voiced their concern about how HB 2882 will be funded through the social media platform Reddit. How will this get paid for? Theyll just use the arts budget, since theyve decided that learning about or participating in the arts isnt important. Another post read How about they also teach us about 401ks and retirement savings, so people arent forced to work till they die? Union bureaucrats throughout the US, far from leading resistance, trap teachers in dead-end lobbying, token protests and electoral diversions designed to safeguard the status quo. Teachers must draw a clear conclusion: the fight to save public education cannot be waged through the Democrats nor union officials. Only independent rank-and-file committees, organized to mobilize mass action, can lead this struggle. The battle for public education is inseparable from the broader fight against war, dictatorship, and capitalist rule. The only way forward is through the building of the Educators International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees. Through these committees teachers can shatter the grip of the union bureaucracy and establish genuine democratic control over their fight. Postal workers picketing outside the Albert Jackson Processing Centre, in east end Toronto, during last fall's month-long strike. When the Liberal government illegalized it, using a trumped-up "reinterpretation" of an obscure section of the Canada Labour Code, the CUPW leadership unilaterally ordered workers to submit to the back-to-work order despite mass rank-and-file sentiment for defiance. Over 55,000 Canada Post workers walked off the job Thursday in response to the federal Liberal governments drive to all but eliminate postal delivery as a public service. The trigger for the strike was Transformation, Public Works and Procurement Minister Joel Lightbounds announcement of an unprecedented transformation plan. It calls for the federally owned Crown Corporation to dramatically curtail services and slash tens of thousands of full-time jobs over the next few years. Letter carriers and sortingplant workers in Atlantic Canada began spontaneously walking off the job immediately after the ministers Thursday afternoon press conference. News of their defiant action quickly spread via social media. According to information received by the World Socialist Web Site from rank-and-file workers, workers also walked out in Manitoba before the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) felt compelled to call a nationwide strike in the early evening, with the aim of placing themselves at the head of the movement the better to politically control and suppress it. For the second time in less than a year, postal workers find themselves in an industrial and political struggle that pits them against Canada Post management, the Liberal government, and corporate Canada as a whole. The entire ruling class wants to see Canada Post restructured to set an example for the destruction of all public services across the country to pay for military rearmament, the waging of global war, and the enrichment of Canadas financial oligarchy. Postal workers can defeat this class war agenda by appealing for all workers to join in their struggle, since the issues they are fighting for are of paramount importance to all workers. They include defence of public services and the right to strike; protection against Amazon-style precarious employment; and the need to establish workers control over the use of AI and other new technologies, so they are used to lighten the workload with no loss of pay, not boost worker-exploitation and corporate profits. The government of former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor Mark Carney, who took over the prime ministership earlier this year, has seized on the Canada Post crisis to declare war on postal workers and on the working class as a whole. With the full-throated support of the corporate media, the Carney Liberal government is moving to implement a self-avowed program of austerity and investment. Public services are to be slashed, beginning with a 15 percent cut in federal discretionary spending over the next three years, and hundreds of billions diverted to expanding the military, and providing subsidies and tax cuts for big business and the rich. Postal workers only got back the right to strike in May, after they were robbed of it for five months by a draconian back-to-work order issued by Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon last December, after a month-long strike. However, CUPW refused to mobilize postal workers and appeal to the entire working class for support in defending public services. Instead, it kept the rank and file on a tight leash, confining them to an overtime ban, which was later replaced by a ban on delivering unaddressed ad flyers. Although the union offered no perspective for carrying forward the struggle, when the Liberal government intervened against the postal workers yet again, forcing them to vote in July on Canada Posts concessionary offers, 70 percent of the workers, both urban and rural, voted No. Speaking in Ottawa Thursday, Lightbound portrayed his plan as a rescue operation, aimed at saving a national postal service that he claimed was facing an existential crisis. He pointed to billions of dollars in accumulated losses, a sharp drop in lettermail volumes and a recent $407 million quarterly loss. The minister unveiled measures drawn almost entirely from the rigged Industrial Inquiry Commission (IIC) the government established last December at the same as it stripped postal workers of the legal right to strike. Declaring the post office effectively insolvent, he ordered Canada Post to implement massive cuts. These include eliminating doortodoor delivery for the 4 million households that still receiving it and their conversion to community mailboxes; lifting the moratorium on closing rural and suburban post offices; and adjusting lettermail delivery standards so that nonurgent mail can be trucked rather than flown. Under the governments plan, which Lightbound has given Canada Post management 45 days to translate it into an action plan, mail delivery will drop from five to as few as three days a week, stamprate increases will be accelerated, and management will gain authority to hire parttime weekend staff. Sweeping as they are, these measures mark only the first step in a much broader restructuring plan aimed at slashing the total workforce by two-thirds or more and hiving off the most profitable markets to private providers, leaving Canada Post to serve rural and remote areas with a skeleton staff of gig workers. These plans are to be fleshed out by a new committee the government is forming to review Canada Posts mandate. Former Canada Post executive Ian Lee, now a frequently cited professor of business at Carleton University, has stated that it is necessary to sell off the post offices profitable urban operations and reduce Canada Post to a skeleton service in rural areas, meaning the elimination of 40,000 jobs. What Lightbound presented as fiscal necessity is in fact a premeditated assault on the public postal service. The blueprint he invoked emerged directly from the Trudeau governments strikebreaking operation last December. Invoking a newly concocted, and patently illegal re-interpretation of Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, the Liberals illegalized the postal strike without even the fig-leaf of parliamentary support, unilaterally extended postal workers expired contracts and imposed a fivemonth ban on collective action. At the same time, they established the IIC under Section 108 of the Labour Code and tasked it with proposing restructuring measures. Chaired by trusted federal mediator/arbitrator William Kaplan, the commission was given the power to recommend changes to all Canada Posts operations, its collective agreements and even the bargaining process. In other words, the government rode roughshod over postal workers right to strike while it established a handpicked commission to rubber stamp its plans to gut their jobs and benefits. While the rank and file have made clear their determination to fight these attacks, including through defiance of government intervention, management and the CUPW bureaucracy share a common objective: to return Canada Post to profitability at workers expense. The union leadership has backed expanding night and weekend deliveries and proposed nonpostal ventures, such as electricvehicle chargers and checkins on seniors to raise revenues. All of these proposals leave untouched the premise that the post office should be run as a profit-making business. The CUPW leadership confronts postal workers in their struggle as an enemy that stands on the side of management and the government. This fact was summed up in comments by CUPW negotiator Jim Gallant, who told reporters Thursday that the workers actions were organic, i.e., not under the bureaucracys control, and declared, We dont want to be there. Striking Air Canada flight attendants picketing at Montreal's Pierre-Elliott Trudeau International Airport Such comments reveal the bureaucrats fear that a militant movement could develop beyond their control. This fear is well-founded, given the dramatic sharpening of the class struggle in Canada and internationally over the past year. The Liberal government has repeatedly stepped in with anti-democratic strike bans, including against dock workers, rail workers, and most recently 10,500 Air Canada flight attendants. But unlike on previous occasions, when the union bureaucracy succeeded in dragooning workers back on the job when faced with government strikebreaking orders, the flight attendants courageously defied the government. However, their militant standlacking an organized leadership fighting to broaden the struggle and seize control of it from the bureaucracydid not prove sufficient to prevent the Canadian Union of Public Employees from stabbing them in the back. It concluded a late-night deal with the help of a government-appointed mediatorthe same William Kaplan who wrote the IIC report on Canada Postto sabotage the strike and give the company what it wanted. This included denying the flight attendants the right to vote on most elements of the sell-out deal, and imposing arbitration on them when they rejected the proposed wage settlement by more than 99 percent. The renewal of the struggle by postal workers therefore has significance far beyond the immediate dispute. The manner in which the strike broke out, like the Air Canada workers stand, shows that the death grip exercised for decades by the union bureaucracy over workers struggles is breaking down, and underlines that extremely favourable conditions exist for the postal workers to obtain a powerful response from other sections of workers if they fight to broaden their struggle. To do so, strikers must immediately establish rank-and-file strike committees to take control of the fight and advance demands based on what workers need, not what management and government ministers claim is affordable. These committees must take up a struggle against the corporatist partnership between the union bureaucracy, corporate management, and the government, repudiating the rotten Canadian nationalism on which it is based and appealing for support from postal workers in the US and further afield. CUPW, CUPE and the wider union bureaucracy act as arms of the state: policing the workforce, collaborating with management and blocking any challenge to the profit system. The union leaderships cover up their indispensable role in imposing the interests of the ruling elite on the workers with bogus references to a Team Canada that supposedly unites workers and bosses as one against Trump, when in fact the team they are part of is the one bought, paid for, and sponsored by the financial oligarchy. The basis to oppose this gang-up against the workers is the closest alliance between postal workers and other sections of the working class in the US, Europe, and internationally. Workers everywhere face the same dangers, including the slashing of jobs and wages, destruction of public services, and abrogation of their right to strike and other basic democratic rights in the name of funding wars and with the aim of enforcing the interests of the capitalist oligarchy through dictatorship. In the US, the would-be dictator Trump wants to privatize the US Postal Service, while in Britain the rights of Royal Mail workers are under systematic attack. The Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee was established in June 2024 to lead this struggle among postal workers. It rejects the claim that Canada Post must be run as a profitmaking enterprise. It demands that decisions about operations, new technologies and working conditions be made by those on the shop floor. The committees programme calls for an immediate 30 percent wage increase to reverse decades of concessions, full pensions and benefits for all employees, and an end to twotier wage scales and contracting out. It insists that automation and artificial intelligence be deployed to reduce workloads and improve service, not to intensify exploitation, and that Canada Post be funded as a public utility rather than treated as a cash cow for bondholders. Affiliated with the International Workers Alliance of RankandFile Committees, the PWRFC appeals to logistics workers and publicsector workers across Canada and internationally to join a common fight against austerity and war. By building independent rankandfile committees and uniting workers struggles across borders, postal workers can defeat the Liberals assault and lay the basis for a broader working class counteroffensive. Only through such a movement can workers defend public services and secure decent jobs; the battle over Canada Post will determine whether essential services remain public and accessible or are sacrificed to corporate profit. Elevenlabs AudioNative Player Wanted war criminal Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Friday, September 26, 2025. [AP Photo/Richard Drew] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered an address before the United Nations General Assembly on Friday in which he vowed to defy international law, gloated about committing mass murder and terrorism, and vowed to continue the Gaza genocide in defiance of world public opinion. Netanyahu traveled to the United States as his government deliberately subjected the population of Gaza to the worst famine in the world, driving the Palestinians from their land and killing dozens of people every day in its assault on Gaza City. Netanyahu, who is facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court on war crimes charges, traveled to the United States via a jet that flew almost exclusively over water. He deliberately avoided the airspace of Greece, Italy, France, and Spain, where he risked apprehension and extradition to face trial. Once inside US airspace, Netanyahu received the full protection of the Trump administration, which has vowed to defy the ICCs arrest warrant. The very fact that the United Nations allowed this fascist mass murderer into the building, let alone gave him the rostrum to address the General Assembly, is an indictment of the impotence and complicity of this institution, whose forerunner, the League of Nations, Lenin accurately called a thieves kitchen. Outside the United Nations building, thousands of people took part in demonstrations against Netanyahus appearance. Inside the hall, the vast majority of delegates walked out, leaving Netanyahu speaking to a mostly empty room. But the American delegation sought to make up for the walkout by loudly cheering and applauding Netanyahus boasts about the people he has killed and his vows to kill more. Netanyahus address was largely framed as a response to the ICCs war crimes charges against him, as well as the finding this month by the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza. The speech was not an attempt to rebut or refute these charges. Instead, Netanyahus 45-minute rant was a variation on the theme, I am guilty of war crimes and plan to commit more. What are you going to do about it? He rattled off a list of political leaders and even scientists whose murder he had commissioned. Half the Houthi leadership in Yemen gone. Yahya Sinwar in Gaza gone. Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon gone. The Assad regime in Syria gone And as for Irans top military commanders and its top nuclear scientists Well, theyre gone too. Netanyahu also boasted of masterminding a terrorist attack that wounded over 4,000 people in Lebanon in September 2024 using exploding pagers and walkie-talkies. You remember those beepers, the pagers, we paged Hezbollah, and believe me, they got the message. And thousands of terrorists dropped to the ground. To the accusations that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, Netanyahu replied, Would a country committing genocide plead with the civilian population it is supposedly targeting to get out of harms way? Would we tell them to get out if were trying to commit genocide? Netanyahus ridiculous argument amounts to, Were not committing genocide because were committing ethnic cleansing. The impudence and absurdity reached even greater heights. Protesting that he was nothing like Adolf Hitler, Netanyahu declared, Were trying to get them out Did the Nazis ask the Jews to leave? The answer to this question is yes. Prior to the implementation of the final solution in 1941 it was the official policy of the German Nazi Party to encourage the emigration of Jews from Germany. In fact, more than half of Germanys Jews had emigrated from Germany before the start of the Holocaust due to Nazi policies aimed at forcing the Jewish population to flee. In other words, ethnic cleansing and genocide went hand in hand in Nazi Germany, just as it goes hand in hand in Israels rampage through Gaza. Responding to the allegation by both the ICC and the UN Commission of Inquiry that Israel is using starvation as a weapon of war, Netanyahu declared, Israel is accused of deliberately, deliberately starving the people of Gaza, when Israel is deliberately feeding the people of Gaza. The Gaza famine is the most rapid decline in the food security of a population ever recorded and the first modern famine outside the African continent. It takes place in an enclave whose borders are completely controlled by Israel, the occupying power, with tons of food stationed outside its borders, waiting to be allowed in. The method in Netanyahus statements is simply to take the war crime that Israel is flagrantly committing before the eyes of the the world and assert the opposite: that instead of starving the Palestinians, Israel is feeding them. It is a variant of Adolf Hitlers theory of the big lie, which Hitler asserted is believed because the audience would not believe others could have the impudence to distort the truth so infamously. But in Netanyahus case, nobody is expected to believe the lie, and all that remains is the impudence. There was one part of Netanyahus speech, however, in which he told the truth. Addressing the leaders of the imperialist powers, Netanyahu declared, You know deep down that Israel is fighting your fight. He continued, This past June, when Israel struck Irans nuclear facilities, German Chancellor Mertz admitted the truth. He said, Israel is doing the dirty work for all of us. Here, Netanyahu has the imperialist leaders dead to rights. Not only the United States, but also France, the UK, and Germany have all funded and armed the genocide in Gaza and have publicly defended Israels illegal war of extirpation. Whatever tactical criticisms they may have of Israel, they are all complicit in the vast crimes Netanyahu has committed. To the extent that they now criticize one or another action by the Israeli government, it is to cover up this fundamental fact. The protests taking place outside the UN on Friday were only a partial expression of the overwhelming opposition that exists among workers and young people all over the world to the Gaza genocide, which is only growing with the death toll. We are rapidly approaching two years of mass murder in Gaza, and certain lessons must be drawn. The first and most important is the total futility of appealing to imperialist governments and international institutions to stop the genocide. All of the imperialist governments are implicated in the Gaza bloodbath, which is part of a globe-spanning war by the imperialist powers to subjugate the world. The targets of this global war are not only in the Middle East, but also in Russia and China. The same governments that are sponsoring the Gaza genocide are also presiding over vast attacks on the social and democratic rights of the working class. There is a deep-rooted connection between the criminality of the Gaza genocide, whose foremost international sponsor is Trump, and the efforts by the White House to establish a dictatorship in the United States. The movement against war must be fused with the struggle to defend the social and democratic rights of the working class in a common effort to end the capitalist system, which is the root cause of imperialist barbarism and dictatorship. Production workers at Dundee Engine Complex [Photo: Stellantis Media] Hundreds of Stellantis workers in Dundee, Michigan, returned to work on Monday, September 22. They had been laid off for six months or more from the engine plant where Ronald Adams Sr., a 63-year-old machine repairman, was crushed to death on April 7. At a meeting for returning workers, management and United Auto Workers officials discussed new production targets but maintained a guilty silence about Adams. It has been nearly six months since the well-respected skilled tradesman, father and grandfather was killed while performing maintenance on an industrial washer in an enclosed factory cell. An automated hoist, also known as a gantry, suddenly activated without warning, pinning Adams to a conveyor and inflicting horrific crushing injuries to his torso. In nearly a half-year, Stellantis management, the UAW and the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) officials have not given any explanation of the causes of the workplace fatality to his family and co-workers. I think everybody has been brought back to work now, a Dundee worker whom we will call Kevin to protect him from retaliation. They are definitely ramping up for full production. They called us into the auditorium and said the plant had to build 11,000 Hurricane engines by November 3. During the meeting, Kevin said, company and UAW officials made a few perfunctory remarks about safety. They mentioned power lockouts, something about a new process for maintenance workers doing repairs on the line. But they did not even mention Ronalds name. So, they are going to have every machine running at full blast, and theyre not saying anything about how Ronald died. The silence visibly upset many workers. They have never even given a reason why this happened to his widow, his family or any of us. Its like they want to sweep it under the rug, Kevin said. Several officials who were suspended after Adams death were back on the job, he said. Nobody is being held accountable. The plant manager, the safety manager, theyre all back. I dont know if the UAW Safety rep who got fired is back, but I wouldnt be surprised. Ronald Adams Sr. [Photo by Adams Family] On May 13, the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) launched an independent investigation into the death of Ronald Adams Sr. After interviewing dozens of workers at Dundee and other auto plants, Adams family members, experts on workplace safety and other relevant witnesses, the IWA-RFC presented the initial findings of its investigation at a public hearing on July 27, which was held in Ronald Adams community in Detroit. Stellantis was more than a year behind the $100 million retooling of the Dundee factory, which is set to produce hybrid-ready and HEMI V.8 engines for the 2026 Jeep Cherokee and Ram 1500 models and European brands. Witnesses detailed how management, with the blessing of the UAW bureaucracy, regularly cut corners on safety to reduce cost overruns and shorten the downtime period. A safe lockout/tagout system, designed to cut power to machines before maintenance and repair, was virtually non-existent. Management acknowledged its widespread distribution of so-called cheater keys, which can bypass a lockout. Contract workers from Fives Cinetic, who programmed the specific washer and gantry system and worked with Adams before he was killed by the automated hoist, testified that they were never interviewed by the company, the UAW or MIOSHA. The workers and young people who attended the public hearing voted unanimously to continue the investigation and to expand it to other workplace fatalities, including the August 2024 death of 53-year-old Antonio Gaston at the Stellantis Toledo Assembly Complex. Earlier this week, this reporter questioned MIOSHA spokesman Michael Krafcik about the agencys investigation. Krafcik said the investigation in still ongoing and confirmed that the process had not even reached the point of a closing conference, where a MIOSHA compliance officer presents the agencys findings to management and union representatives, along with potential violations and required corrective actions. Asked why the investigation was taking so long, Krafcik said, I cant say more than what Ive said before. You know, its under investigation and not concluding conferences held yet, concluding conferences. He could not explain why MIOSHA had not given any updates to Adams widow Shamenia Stewart-Adams and other family members which the agencys own guidelines say it must do. Shamenia Stewart-Adams and family members at the IWA-RFC investigation into the death of Ronald Adams, Sr., July 27, 2025 Commenting on the IWA-RFC hearing, Kevin said, Its good to see the support and just a lot of people who will volunteer to do the right thing. Its important to bring attention to this, because, as I saw at the plant meeting, these people in the corporations and the UAW dont care. They trying to sweep the deaths of Ronald Adams and Antonio Gaston under the rug. I might have been timid at first about putting myself out there, but you have to speak out so that other people will step up. Im not scared anymore, Kevin said. We have to right to speak and to have a safe workplace. Asked what he thought of Trumps efforts to destroy freedom of speech and what few workplace protections workers have left, Kevin said, Trump and his followers want to put their foot on everybodys neck who doesnt go along with him. They dont care about us. During the public hearing, Will Lehman, a Mack Trucks worker and leader of the IWA-RFC, urged workers to form their own organizations, independent of the UAW bureaucracy, to defend their lives. Safety committees must be formed in every plant to fight for the principle that no job should be carried out unless and until it is made safe. In consultation with trusted safety experts of our own choosing, workers must have full authority to set safety standards and shut down unsafe operations through collective action. Our goal is to place control over workplace safety into the hands of the working class itself, as part of the broader struggle for workers control over production. As long as production is driven by profit and controlled by corporate owners, workers lives will remain expendable. Asked about this, the Dundee worker said, Yeah, I totally agree with that, and the need to get people to be on board. So thats going to be the biggest challenge, but it definitely needs to happen. Such a fight must be conducted in opposition to UAW President Shawn Fain and the entire union bureaucracy. Fains bogus Stand Up strike and the sellout of the 2023 contract struggle paved the way for mass layoffs and other cost-cutting, which contributed to the death of Gaston and Adams. Fain has fervently supported Trumps tariffs and economic nationalism and blocked or quickly shut down strikes that threaten military production, including most recently at GE Aerospace. This has only emboldened the fascist presidents dictatorial moves. Autoworkers must reject economic nationalism and unify with workers internationally against job cuts, deadly working conditions, dictatorship and war. Earlier this week, Stellantis announced temporary layoffs at several plants in Europe, due to lagging sales and competition from lower-costing Chinese EVs. Several European states are on the verge or already in recession and imposing the cost of military rearmament on the working class. Production of the Alfa Romeo Tonale and Fiat Panda vehicles is being suspended in Pomigliano, Italy, from September 29, after the company meets with local labor union officials. Stellantis is also halting production of the Opel and DS cars at its Poissy plant near Paris from October 13 to October 31. Other factories suspending production include Tychy in Poland, Eisenach in Germany and two plants in Spain. > < 23:02 EC to review Bihar poll preparedness on Oct 4, 5 The Election Commission, led by CEC Gyanesh Kumar, will visit Patna on October 4 and 5 to take stock of poll preparedness in Bihar, officials said on Saturday.The term of the 243-member legislative assembly ends on November 22, and assembly polls in the key state are likely to be held in... Read more > 22:13 Modi condoles loss of lives at Vijay's rally Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed grief at the death of several people during a stampede-like situation in the rally of actor-politician Vijay in Tamil Nadu.Modi said on X, 'The unfortunate incident during a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, is deeply saddening. My thoughts... Read more > 21:51 How rupee performed this week The rupee closed at 88.72 against US dollar on September 26, weakening slightly from 88.15 on September 22.Against the pound, it eased to 118.50 from 118.80, while it slipped to 103.62 per euro compared with 103.49 earlier.The rupee, however, strengthened against the yen, firming to 59.24 (per... Read more > 21:48 Markets extend losing streak as FIIs continue heavy selling Markets fell for the fifth straight day on September 26, with the BSE Sensex falling from 82,159 on September 22 to 80,426, while NSE Nifty dropped from 25,202 to 24,654.Foreign investors offloaded shares worth Rs 2,910 crore on September 22, escalating to Rs 5,688 crore on September 26.Turnover... Read more > 20:53 Stampede-like situation at Vijay's rally, 10 feared dead UPDATE: At least 10 persons, including children, feared dead due to stampede-like situation in Vijay's heavily crowded rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu.Those feared dead include a couple of children. After hospitalisation of several persons, police resort to baton-charge in Karur to drive away... Read more > 20:45 Stampede-like situation at Vijay's rally, many faint Stampede-like was witnessed and many persons, including a few children, fainted in Karur on Saturday while they were at a rally presided by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam chief, actor-politician Vijay.The crowd swelled and became uncontrollable even as Vijay was addressing the gathering and a number of... Read more > 19:46 'Wangchuk supporter' held outside Jodhpur jail Police on Saturday detained a person outside the Jodhpur Central Jail, where Sonam Wangchuk is lodged under the stringent National Security Act in connection with the Leh violence, after he indulged in slogan-shouting in favour of the activist.The man, who identified himself as Vijay Pal from... Read more > 18:51 India registering highest growth under Modi: Putin Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reaffirming the strong and time-tested nature of relations between Moscow and New Delhi last week.The Russian leader disclosed details of the exchange during a meeting with members of the... Read more > 18:49 Maulana forgot who is in power: Adityanath on Bareilly violence With a crackdown by Uttar Pradesh police after violence in Bareilly during protests related to the 'I Love Muhammad' campaign, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said his government has sent a firm message that disruptions to law and order will not be tolerated.Whenever there were... Read more > 18:03 Curfew relaxed for 4 hours in Leh town For the first time since curfew was imposed three days ago in violence-hit Leh town of Ladakh, the restrictions were relaxed Saturday afternoon in a phased manner for a few hours, providing relief to residents who lined up outside shops selling essential commodities.Police and paramilitary forces... Read more > 17:55 Delhi BMW accident: Accused woman gets bail A court in New Delhi on Saturday allowed the bail plea of Gaganpreet Kaur, the key accused in the BMW accident case.Kaur, 38, is accused of behind the wheel of the BMW car that rammed into a two-wheeler being ridden by senior finance ministry official.Navjot Singh, 52, died while his wife was... Read more > 17:40 PM now indulging in 'vote revdi': Cong The Congress on Saturday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the government's scheme to provide Rs 10,000 to 75 lakh women of Bihar, alleging that along with 'vote chori' he is now indulging in 'vote revdi' too.Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh said the prime... Read more > 16:53 India, Pakistan set for high-voltage Asia Cup 2025 final India and Pakistan face off in the Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai on September 28. India, unbeaten so far in the tournament and dominant in head-to-head T20s, enter as favourites, while Pakistan look to script an upset. Read more > 16:46 'I Love Muhammad' campaign: Security upped in UP districts Tensions escalated in Barabanki and Mau districts as protests over the 'I Love Muhammad' campaign turned violent in Bareilly with police carrying out overnight house-to-house raids to nab the culprits and arresting a prominent cleric.Officials said on Saturday security forces have been deployed... Read more > 15:45 Wangchuk being probed for Pak links: Ladakh Police chief Ladakh Director General of Police S D Singh Jamwal on Saturday said Sonam Wangchuk is being probed for allegedly having links with Pakistan on the back of last month's arrest of a Pakistani Intelligence Operative who sent videos of his protests across the border.Jamwal described Wangchuk as the... Read more > 15:24 US tariffs pose major risk to India's growth: Crisil High tariffs imposed by the United States on Indian goods pose a major risk to the country's growth, Crisil Intelligence said in its September report.The tariffs will impact both Indian goods exports and investments, the report added.However, domestic consumption, driven by benign inflation and... Read more > 15:08 Major Maoist arms manufacturing unit destroyed A Maoist 'ordnance factory' engaged in manufacturing weapons and explosives to target security forces has been destroyed in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district, a police official said on Saturday.Acting on intelligence inputs, a joint team of Sukma District Force and 203rd battalion of CoBRA (Commando... Read more > 14:04 US to revoke Colombian Prez's visa for urging American soldiers to disobey orders The United States Department of State said on Friday (US local time) that it will be revoking the visa of Colombian President Gustavo Petro over his actions of inciting violence and urging American soldiers to disobey orders. The Colombian President had expressed support for the Palestinian... Read more > 13:22 Pak man who accidentally crossed border sent back A Pakistani national was repatriated along the International Border after he was recently apprehended by Border Security Force (BSF) near Jammu, officials said on Saturday.Mohd Akram, a resident of Pakistan, was taken into custody from the R S Pura sector on the outskirts of Jammu city on... Read more > 12:40 Heavy rains batter Marathwada; villages cut off, roads flooded Incessant rains pounded several parts of Marathwada in Maharashtra on Saturday, cutting off villages and inundating low-lying roads and bridges in the traditionally drought-prone region, officials said.More than 65 mm of rainfall was recorded in several parts of Beed, Latur, Dharashiv, Nanded,... Read more > 12:14 Uneasy calm in Leh, patrolling intensified Curfew remained in force for the fourth day in violence-hit Leh town of Ladakh on Saturday as police and paramilitary forces intensified patrolling and checking following the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA) the previous day, officials said.In a... Read more > 11:12 Huge difference between old and new self: Ajit Pawar Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday quipped there was a huge difference between his old and new self and that he had matured with age. Do you know, there is huge difference between the old Ajit Pawar and the current Ajit Pawar. As age increases, one has to change.... Read more > 11:05 BKI terrorist Parminder Pindi extradited from UAE A Babbar Khalsa International terrorist, involved in multiple heinous crimes, has been extradited from the UAE, said a top Punjab Police officer on Saturday. Parminder Singh alias Pindi, a close aide of foreign-based terrorists Harwinder Singh alias Rinda and Happy Passia, has been... Read more > 11:04 Terrorists waiting at LoC launch pads, security on high alert, says BSF IG A senior BSF officer in Srinagar on Saturday said that terrorists were waiting at the launch pads across the Line of Control to infiltrate into the Kashmir valley, but the security forces were alert and prepared to foil any such attempts. Speaking to reporters here, Inspector General... Read more > 11:03 Gauhati University to rename Centre for Performing Arts after Zubeen The Gauhati University has decided to rename its Centre for Performing Arts and Culture after popular singer Zubeen Garg.The varsity has also decided to install his statue on the campus. To pay tribute and preserve the timeless creations of popular singer and heartthrob of the youth Zubeen... Read more > 10:52 Mumbai braces for heavy rain; orange alert issued With an orange alert in place, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted heavy rainfall in Mumbai and suburbs on Saturday, officials said.The IMD, in its forecast at 8 am, valid for 24 hours, said that Mumbai will witness cloudy sky with heavy rain in the city and suburbs, with the... Read more > 10:49 5 killed, 1 injured after speeding Thar collides with divider on Delhi-Gurugram eway Five people were killed and a person was injured after their Thar crashed into a divider on the Delhi-Gurugram expressway early Saturday morning, police said. The deceased and injured are yet to be identified, police said. According to police, the incident took place at exit 9 of... Read more > 10:18 UP cattle smuggling murder case: Accused dies in encounter Representative image The accused in the murder of NEET candidate Deepak Gupta from Gorakhpur was killed in a police encounter here, police said on Saturday. The accused was identified as Zubair alias Kalia (26), a cattle smuggler and a resident of Gher Mardan Khan in the Kotwali police station area.... Read more > 09:23 Rahul Gandhi embarks on 4-nation South America visit Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has embarked on a visit to four South American countries, where he is expected to interact with political leaders, students, and businessmen. Congress' media and publicity department, in charge, Pawan Khera, informed this without disclosing... Read more > 09:08 IMD issues extremely heavy rain forecast for Maharashtra The Maharashtra government has issued an advisory urging people to remain cautious following a forecast of heavy to very heavy rainfall across several parts of the state over the next three days.The Revenue and Forest Department, in a release on Friday, said that the India Meteorological... Read more > 08:44 Pak pleaded for cessation during Op Sindoor: India at UN India has said Pakistan's military pleaded with it for a cessation of fighting during Operation Sindoor and that there is no room for any third party to intervene in any issue between New Delhi and Islamabad.The remarks were made by First Secretary in India's Permanent Mission to the UN Petal... Read more > 00:31 HC refuses to order take down of 'satirical' content against BJP leader BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia/File image The Delhi high court has refused to order the removal of certain social media posts on BJP leader and senior advocate Gaurav Bhatia, saying they appear to be satirical, humorous and in the nature of hyperbole. Justice Amit Bansal, while refusing to order the removal of around 25 social media... Read more > Assata Shakur, a political activist who sought asylum in Cuba following her 1977 conviction in the killing of a state trooper, has died. Cubas Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared a statement on Friday, Sept. 26, revealing that Shakur, whose legal name was Joanne Deborah Byron, had died in Havana one day earlier. On September 25, 2025, American citizen Joanne Deborah Byron, Assata Shakur, died in Havana, Cuba, as a result of health problems and her advanced age, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additional details weren't immediately available. COMPLEX SHOP: Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what's next. Buy. Collect. Obsess. Though convicted in 1977 in the death of Werner Foerster, the larger circumstances of that conviction have been frequently questioned by activists in the years since. In 1979, Shakur, a prominent Black Liberation Army member, escaped from prison, ultimately securing political asylum in Cuba several years later. Activist Angela Davis, per a Guardian piece by Bim Adewunmi, said Shakur was not a threat in a 2013 TV interview. She is innocent, Davis said at the time, noting that people are not aware of the extent to which [Shakur] was targeted by the FBI and the COINTEL program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For those unfamiliar, the FBIs COINTELPRO projects, spanning from the late 1950s through the early 1970s, took aim at multiple political groups. The FBI itself, notably, lists COINTELPRO as having later been rightfully criticized by Congress and the American people for abridging first amendment rights and for other reasons. In 2013, the FBI announced that Shakur had been added to its Most Wanted Terrorists List. The total reward offered by the agency and the State of New Jersey, combined, came to $2 million. I was tried for the murder of a New Jersey State Trooper by an all-white jury in a highly prejudiced county where something like 70 percent of those polled already believed I was guilty, Assata said of her conviction in a 1992 interview, adding that she had also been tried in the press for years. As 2Pac fans will note, Assata was described as both a godmother and step-aunt to the late All Eyez on Me rapper. Assata was once quoted as praising 2Pac as a genius, adding I love his music. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On his 2000 album Like Water for Chocolate, Common paid tribute to Assata Shakur on the CeeLo Green-featuring track A Song for Assata, heard below. RIP. Related News 7 Things You Didn't Know About 2Pacs Makaveli...The Don Killuminati' Album , The Best Rapper Alive, Every Year Since 1979 , Man Charged in 2Pac Murder Calls Prosecutors 'Ugly on the Inside' During Heated Court Moment Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related News Laura Loomer Calls Rep. Jasmine Crockett 'Ghetto' in Racist Attack Two Detainees Reportedly Killed at Dallas ICE Facility After Possible Sniper Shooting COMPLEX SHOP: Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what's next. Buy. Collect. Obsess. Making Culture Pop. Find the latest entertainment news and the best in music, pop culture, sneakers, style and original shows. Selena Gomez's wedding to Benny Blanco will be as star-studded as it gets ... with some of her "Only Murders in the Building" co-stars Steve Martin, Martin Short and Paul Rudd confirmed to be supporting her on her special day! Check out our gallery -- the actors all gathered Friday evening at Santa Barbara, California's luxury hillside hotel El Encanto for some mingling on the elegant patio before heading off to the rehearsal dinner. Shutterstock All three actors look dapper, dressed in suits and smiling as they spoke among other well-dressed guests. Paul is even seen cracking up as he speaks to Steve at one point. Taylor Swift Lands in California For Selena Gomez's Wedding, Covers Up with Umbrellas - Click image to open gallery While she was not present, we know Selena's longtime bestie Taylor Swift is also in the area for the highly anticipated wedding. We caught her stepping off her private jet at the Santa Barbara airport Friday afternoon ... though we only saw a glimpse of her arm because she walked behind a wall of privacy umbrellas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we reported ... Selena and her better half are saying "I do" at a stunning private estate adorned with palm trees and lush vegetation in Montecito Saturday. Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco Prep for Santa Barbara Wedding - Click image to open gallery We captured some of the crew setting up tents on the gorgeous property Friday ... check out our pics to get a glimpse of what guests can expect for the grand event! Voddie Bauchams net worth in 2025 has become a noteworthy topic of interest in the wake of his recent demise. Before his death, he was a key figure in educating people about Christianity. His theology was Reformed Christianity, and he supported biblical patriarchy. Hailing from Los Angeles, Baucham pursued his education at New Mexico State University and Rice University. He later attended Houston University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree. He followed this up with his pursuit of a Master of Divinity course at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry course at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Further, he pursued additional post-graduate studies at Oxford University. Here is Voddie Bauchams net worth at the time of his death, explained. What is Voddie Bauchams net worth in 2025? Voddie Baucham had an estimated net worth of $1 million in 2025 at the time of his death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bauchams net worth in 2025 consisted of earnings from his work as a pastor, educator, and author. Baucham was most famous for being the Dean of Theology at African Christian University in Lusaka, Zambia. He was also recognized as the Founding President of Founders Seminary in Cape Coral, Florida. What does Voddie Baucham do for a living? Voddie Baucham was a pastor, educator, and author. Most recently, Baucham passed away at the age of 56 after suffering an emergency medical incident. Voddie Bauchams earnings explained how do they make money? Voddie Baucham earned money from his work as a pastor, educator, and author. Pastor Baucham was a pastor before his death. In 1993, he founded Voddie Baucham Ministries. He had been an itinerant minister in Texas for years, but also preached at Passion events during the 90s. He served as a pastor of Grace Family Baptist Church in Spring, Texas, until 2015. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baucham was also the founding president and board member of Founders Ministries. Based in Cape Coral, Florida, the Reformed Baptist group works to bring Southern Baptists back to their roots. Moreover, Founders Ministries has been running the Founders Press since 1983 and also publishes the Founders Journal, a quarterly journal first established in 1990. Furthermore, the group also established the Institute of Public Theology in 2020, offering undergraduate and certificate programs. Educator Baucham worked as the Dean of Theology at African Christian University in Lusaka, Zambia, for nine years. Author Baucham authored several books based on Christianity, such as The Ever-Loving Truth: Can Faith Thrive in a Post-Christian Culture? and Joseph And the Gospel of Many Colors: Reading an Old Story in a New Way. The post Voddie Baucham Net Worth 2025: How Much Money Did He Make? appeared first on Reality Tea. The new Netflix series House of Guinness officially premiered on the streaming platform on September 25, 2025. The period drama is "inspired by true stories" and includes real-life historic figures, like Sir Benjamin Guinness' four children. However, series creator Steven Knight admits that he took creative license in the project and "fill[ed] in the gaps" himself while writing the script. If you love a scandalous historical drama and/or splitting the G, boy, do I have a show for you. The creator of Peaky Blinders, Steven Knight, is reuniting with Netflix for another gritty period saga packed with sibling rivalry, secrets, and perfectly poured pints. ICYMI, the streaming platform dropped all eight episodes of House of Guinness on Thursdayand yes, if you haven't picked up on my hints already, it is indeed about that Guinness family. The series follows the aftermath of patriarch Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness' death, his four children, and the feud that erupts between them after the reading of his will. And while I'm sat for the show nonetheless (and canceling all weekend plans to binge every single episode), the premiere begs the question: How true is the story? Is 'House Of Guinness' A True Story? The series opens with a quick disclaimer that the plot is "inspired by true stories," but what exactly does that mean? Well, the characters in the showspecifically, Guinness' four adult childrenare all real historical figures and part of the family dynasty. Some "remarkable" (and very real!) events from the family's history also play out on the show, but according to Knight himself, there was definitely a bit of creative license to come up with the rest of the script. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Theres no Facebook, no Instagram pages," he told Netflixs Tudum of his research for the project. "What I had to do is take things that these family members did, things that they said, achievements they made, mistakes that they made, and use them as stepping stones. Then I had to fill in the gaps myself." So the answer is...sorta! While the premise, characters, and some of the key events are very much real, not everything from the series is 100% true. However, that's pretty much the case with every historical drama. "[The scripts] are rich, full of brilliant charactersa piece of history. Tonally, its playful, funny, smoky, hot, and at the heart of it is a great story with a great family dynamic," series star James Norton said. "The show has everythingrich characters, brilliant relationships, and a hot, textured world to learn about." Which 'House Of Guinness' Plot Lines Are Real? While there is plenty to unpack, let's start with a few of the key storylines that were very much part of the family's history. For starters, Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness was indeed the grandson of brewery founder Arthur Guinness. He took over in 1839 and left it to his sons, Arthur and Edward, in his will, People Magazine reports. Yet the dynasty would later be shadowed by scandal, with heirs dying young or falling into addictiontragedies that fueled whispers of a "Guinness curse." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arthur was also involved in the political scene in Ireland. He was elected Conservative MP for Dublin in 1868. His election was voided due to his election agent's bribery, though Arthur himself was not personally found guilty of the unlawful efforts. And while he did receive a death threat in 1872, it wasn't actually related to his second Parliament run. Decades later, the familys name would resurface in darker headlines, from the assassination of Walter Guinness in 1944 to the Guinness share-trading scandal of the 1980s. Which Plot Lines Are Fake? Like Knight pointed out, there are plenty of exaggerated (and straight-up fictional) moments in the series. But...what were the fictional plot lines? In the series, Benjamin forces Arthur and Edward to take on brewery leadership or lose their inheritance altogether. However, that wasn't the case. In reality, they could have bought each other out for 30,000 plus half the stock value. Edward is also shown in the series as the mastermind behind Guinness moving into the American market in the 1870s, but the beer was first shipped to America long before Edward took over, the outlet reports. And while much of the cast is based on real people, there were a few fictional adds, like Edward's illegitimate cousin and business partner, Byron Hedges, as well as Irish Republican Brotherhood leaders Patrick and Ellen Cochrane. Though it is important to note that the revolutionary group was very much real in Ireland at the time. You Might Also Like NEED TO KNOW House of Guinness stars Anthony Boyle, Louis Partridge, Emily Fairn and Fionn O'Shea as the real-life heirs of the iconic Irish brewing family, the Guinnesses The Netflix historical drama premiered on Sept. 25 and chronicles the events of the 19th-century family after their patriarch's death Danielle Galligan, Dervla Kirwan and Ann Skelly also star in the show House of Guinness recounts a fictionalized version of what happened to the real-life Guinness family following the death of patriarch Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness in 1868. The grandson of Irish brewer Arthur Guinness, who founded the famous Irish brewery, became one of the richest men in the country after he developed a stout export trade to the United States, England and continental Europe. When he died, he left his fortune to his four children: Arthur Guinness, Edward Guinness, Anne Plunket and Ben Guinness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They were all so young, and their father left them both huge responsibility and a huge legacy," Ivana Lowell, a Guinness descendant who inspired the series, told the BBC in September 2025. "Each was forced to find a path." Although some of the figures in the historical drama were created for the series, many including Sir Benjamin's four children were inspired by real individuals. See some of the House of Guinness cast side-by-side with the real family members they portray from the brewing dynasty. 01 of 07 Anthony Boyle as Arthur Guinness The Picture Art Collection via Alamy ; Ben Blackall/Netflix Arthur Guinness II ; Anthony Boyle as Arthur Guinness in 'House of Guinness'. Arthur Guinness II ; Anthony Boyle as Arthur Guinness in 'House of Guinness'. Anthony Boyle's character, Arthur, was the eldest of the family who inherited half of his father's empire alongside his brother, Edward. According to the Dictionary of Irish Biography, he also took over his father's Dublin city parliamentary seat but was later removed due to corruption. He regained the seat in 1874 and held it until 1880. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arthur remained with the family beer business until 1877, when he sold his shares to Edward. The Say Nothing star told Town & Country in September 2025 that he was drawn to the role after seeing a photo of Arthur and being mesmerized by his "powerful glare." "I was like, 'Oh, I think I know this guy. I think I can kind of get into who he is a little bit,' through that photo," he said. 02 of 07 Louis Partridge as Edward Guinness Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty ; Ben Blackall/Netflix A portrait of Edward Guinness ; Louis Partridge as Edward Guinness in 'House of Guinness'. A portrait of Edward Guinness ; Louis Partridge as Edward Guinness in 'House of Guinness'. Edward, played by Louis Partridge, was the youngest of the Guinness siblings and played in the series as the most idealistic and ambitious of the heirs. In real life, he took over as sole proprietor of the brewery business in 1877 and had a successful municipal career as a high sheriff and, eventually, an earl. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the company went public in 1886, Edward remained chairman until 1890. However, he remained deeply involved with the company until his death, according to the Dictionary of Irish Biography. 03 of 07 Emily Fairn as Anne Plunket Ben Blackall/Netflix Emily Fairn as Anne Plunket in 'House of Guinness'. Emily Fairn as Anne Plunket in 'House of Guinness'. Emily Fairn plays Anne Plunket, Sir Benjamin's only daughter. According to the BBC, she inherited only a small amount of her father's empire and used it to help the poor and sick in her city. Shes the only girl [in the family], which is tricky because in the 1800s, women had very little power, Fairn told Tudum in September 2025. She begins to grow despite her circumstances. There is so much she is battling against, and shes trying her best to be strong and powerful despite all of this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 04 of 07 Fionn O'Shea as Ben Guinness Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty ; Ben Blackall/Netflix Benjamin Guinness, circa 1916 ; Fionn O'Shea as Ben Guinness in 'House of Guinness'. Benjamin Guinness, circa 1916 ; Fionn O'Shea as Ben Guinness in 'House of Guinness'. In House of Guinness, Ben is portrayed as the struggling black sheep of the family. Little is known about the real life of the Guinness middle brother, but the actor who plays him said his character has "demons." When we first meet Ben, hes battling a lot of demons, Fionn O'Shea told Tudum. He has never really been given a chance to be someone within the family. He feels like a ghost in his own home ignored, overlooked. 05 of 07 Danielle Galligan as Lady Olivia Hedges Ben Blackall/Netflix Anthony Boyle as Arthur Guinness and Danielle Galligan as Lady Olivia Hedges in 'House of Guinness'. Anthony Boyle as Arthur Guinness and Danielle Galligan as Lady Olivia Hedges in 'House of Guinness'. Danielle Galligan's character, Lady Olivia Hedges, is a real-life aristocrat who married Arthur Guinness in 1871. The couple had no children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The actress told Tudum that Lady Olivia was "a dream role" and described her as "vivacious, ambitious, hedonistic, very forward in her thinking." "Shes obviously a woman in a mans world, but she tries to use the constraints of her station to her advantage," Galligan said, "She bends the rules to make the most out of a bad lot. 06 of 07 Dervla Kirwan as Aunt Agnes Guinness Ben Blackall/Netflix Dervla Kirwan as Aunt Agnes Guinness in 'House of Guinness'. Dervla Kirwan as Aunt Agnes Guinness in 'House of Guinness'. Another real-life Guinness relative that made it to the small screen was Agnes Guinness, the siblings' aunt. Little is known about Agnes, but she's portrayed as a sharp and shrewd matriarch by Dervla Kirwan in House of Guinness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As a Victorian woman, her raison detre is to protect the familys reputation," the actress told Tudum. "Which, given the children shes essentially inherited, is a very difficult job." 07 of 07 Ann Skelly as Adelaide Guinness Ben Blackall/Netflix Ann Skelly as Adelaide Guinness in 'House of Guinness'. Ann Skelly as Adelaide Guinness in 'House of Guinness'. Ann Skelly's character, Adelaide Guinness, is the last real-life figure featured on the show. She's inspired by a real aristocrat and is the Guinness sibling's cousin. She married and had three children with Edward. Read the original article on People Throughout his life and career, Anthony Bourdain gained a broad perspective by traveling the globe and sharing his experiences, usually with honesty and candor through his uniquely poetic prose. Whether it was his unabashed love for meat and sausages or his distaste for the famed James Beard Awards, Bourdain usually made his feelings clear about anything food or travel-related, and he had a healthy respect for underappreciated cuisines and cultures. Speaking with National Geographic, Bourdain called Uruguay and its capital, Montevideo, an underrated destination that's off the radar of most world travelers. He loved the country for its friendly, laid-back citizens, progressive and liberal government, and beautiful beaches. And of course, for the food. Bourdain visited the small South American country twice, once in 2008 with "No Reservations" and again in 2018 with "Parts Unknown." With a population of just over 3.5 million people, which, for reference, is a smaller population than the city of Los Angeles, CA, Uruguay has managed to fly under the radar of most tourists, especially when compared to its behemoth-like neighbors Argentina and Brazil. But similar to the famed meat-eating countries that it borders, Bourdain called Uruguay the most meat-centric place in the world, noting that it would not be an ideal country to live as a vegetarian. Bourdain loved both Uruguay and Montevideo, saying the country was "unlike any other place on the continent" of South America. Read more: 13 Best Spots For Mouth-Watering BBQ Brisket Around The US Anthony Bourdain's love for meat knew no borders a chivito sandwich piled high with fries alongside - Marcos Milan Rodao/Shutterstock Montevideo, the country's capital city, sits on the southern coast of Uruguay, where the sea provides both a tranquil setting as well as a wealth of seafood, despite the country's obsession with meat. But predictably, Anthony Bourdain was drawn to the siren call of charred meats. "Parillas," large, grated iron grills, are ubiquitous in the country, with smoke and flames licking all varieties of meat cooked on the grills, awaiting hungry diners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bourdain called chivito, the iconic loaded steak sandwich that serves as the national dish, "the apex of the sandwich making arts," fondly considering it as his "philosophy encapsulated in sandwich form." The hot sandwich, which Bourdain referred to as "the mighty chivito", usually consists of thinly sliced grilled steak, ham, bacon, melted cheese, a fried or hard-boiled egg, tomato, mayo, and various garnishes, which tend to be left up to the chef or the diner as they order it. Italian and Spanish influences are seen in the food of Uruguay after many from both countries immigrated there in the late 1800s. Take gnocchi, referred to as "noqui," for example. The potato pillows are so popular that on the 29th of each month, Uruguayans celebrate "Dia de Noquis" (day of the gnocchi), when restaurants will have gnocchi specials and many families come together to make gnocchi from scratch. Similarly, Italian-influenced caruso sauce is a hearty blend of ham and cheese that's popular over pasta. Travelers seeking a beautiful and relaxed environment, as well as rib-sticking, delicious food, will love Bourdain's favored Uruguay. Read the original article on Tasting Table. The perfect fried rice may not require much more than a small amount of bacon for flavoring, but if you want to upgrade it from a side dish to a main course, you'll probably want more protein. The fried rice used in the ketchup-topped Japanese omurice often contains chicken, while the dish is also an excellent way to transform leftover steak strips. If you're out of fresh meat, though, canned fish makes a great shelf-stable alternative. (Don't turn up your nose! Trust us, canned fish can make you a better cook.) As restaurateur Maricel Gentile, author of Maricel's Simply Asian Cookbook, tells The Takeout, when it comes to adding protein to fried rice, "Anchovies are my number one choice." "[Anchovies] are small but powerful, and when you saute them with garlic in a little oil, they melt right down into the pan. That flavored oil coats the rice, turning simple garlic rice into something deeply savory and rich with umami," explains Gentile. She suggests first sauteing onions and garlic, then stirring in the sardines to break them apart. Be sure to use the oil from the can so it can coat the rice. "A squeeze of calamansi or lemon at the end cuts through the richness and brightens the flavors," she says. "That balance of savory, bold, and citrusy is very Filipino in spirit." As Gentile notes, "Anchovies are used across many Asian cuisines for this exact reason as they give dishes a backbone of flavor without needing to add much else." In the Philippines, they're fermented into a salty paste called bagoong, while in Japan and Korea, they're used to flavor noodles, soups, and stews. Anchovies are also used in fish sauce, a staple of Southeast Asian cuisines, while in Indonesia, nasi goreng teri is a fried rice dish flavored with dried anchovies. "All of these traditions show how important anchovies are in building layers of flavor," says Gentile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 6 Canned Meats You Should Be Eating And 6 To Avoid If you're not into anchovies, try sardines instead opened can of sardines on a solid surface - Claudia Totir/Getty Images Anchovies are still pretty unpopular in the United States, but surprisingly, canned sardines have become TikTok-trendy in recent years. If you prefer the idea of using the latter in fried rice, Maricel Gentile approves of these, too. When used in fried rice, Gentile says, "Canned sardines bring a bolder, more rustic flavor. They are briny, meaty, and depending on the sauce they are packed in, can add a hint of sweetness, smokiness, or spice." Sardines enjoy the same degree of popularity as anchovies in many cultures. As Gentile points out, "Sardines are loved in Southeast Asia and Southern Europe for the same reason [as anchovies]: They are affordable, accessible, and full of flavor. In the Philippines, they are eaten with rice and pan de sal (Filipino bread). In Indonesia and Malaysia, sardines are spiced and cooked in sambal." Gentile adds that cooking with sardines isn't relegated to Southeast Asia. "Even in Portugal and Spain, sardines are celebrated for their robust flavor," she points out. For more food and drink goodness, join The Takeout's newsletter. Get taste tests, food & drink news, deals from your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more! Read the original article on The Takeout. DENVER (KDVR) Two boys were killed in a serious crash involving multiple vehicles on Interstate 25 in Greenwood Village Thursday evening. The crash was reported by South Metro Fire Rescue at about 6:52 p.m. on southbound I-25 near Arapahoe Road. The agency said later that night that six people were taken to local hospitals. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox On Friday morning, the Greenwood Village Police Department said in a press release that two boys died in the crash. Both were 13 years old, one from Commerce City and the other from Henderson. FOX31s Shaul Turner is above the crash on I-25 on a pedestrian bridge. (KDVR) First responders were on scene of a multi-vehicle crash that sent six people to local hospitals on Thursday, Sept. 25. (Courtesy of South Metro Fire Rescue) First responders were on scene of a multi-vehicle crash that sent six people to local hospitals on Thursday, Sept. 25. (Courtesy of South Metro Fire Rescue) First responders were on scene of a multi-vehicle crash that sent six people to local hospitals on Thursday, Sept. 25. (Courtesy of South Metro Fire Rescue) First responders were on scene of a multi-vehicle crash that sent six people to local hospitals on Thursday, Sept. 25. (Courtesy of South Metro Fire Rescue) A Colorado Department of Transportation camera shows traffic backups on I-25 southbound after a multi-vehicle crash. (Courtesy the Colorado Department of Transportation) The Greenwood Village Police Department is still investigating the crash. Police said the cause of the crash is unknown, and so far the investigation has not found any indication that drugs or alcohol were involved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police department said more information will be released as it becomes available. The southbound lanes of the interstate were closed at Orchard Road while investigators and hazmat crews were on the scene. SMFR said there was a fuel leak from one of the vehicles involved. See the latest traffic conditions in Denver on FOX31 Traffic was backed up to I-25s intersection with I-225 near the Denver Tech Center, which is about three miles of roadway. Simultaneously, SMFR and the Colorado State Patrol were working on a separate commercial vehicle fire on northbound I-25, just south of Arapahoe Road. South Metro Fire Rescue and the Colorado State Patrol responded to a commercial vehicle fire on northbound I-25 near Arapahoe Road. (Courtesy SMFR) South Metro Fire Rescue and the Colorado State Patrol responded to a commercial vehicle fire on northbound I-25 near Arapahoe Road. (Courtesy SMFR) South Metro Fire Rescue and the Colorado State Patrol responded to a commercial vehicle fire on northbound I-25 near Arapahoe Road. (Courtesy SMFR) South Metro Fire Rescue and the Colorado State Patrol responded to a commercial vehicle fire on northbound I-25 near Arapahoe Road. (Courtesy SMFR) The fire was under control Thursday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. MOBILE, Ala. (Gulf Coast CW TV) Blue skies this weekend call for enjoying some time outdoors and in the community! This weekend offers you many opportunities to do just that. Whether you love running, learning about exotic animals or helping clean up the community, weve got you covered with the 5 Things to Do This Weekend! 1. So much work is being done at the Mitchell Cancer Institute to end cancer. This weekend, you can help their mission by lacing up your running shoes for the 18th annual GO Run, all to help support gynecologic cancer research. There will be a 5-K and one-mile fun run Saturday at the campus of the University of South Alabama, beginning at Hancock Whitney Stadium at 8 in the morning. You can sign up on the USA Health website. 2. Foley is the place to be if you are looking to buy local goods. Saturday morning, you can head to the Coastal Alabama Farmers and Fishermens Market, off Mifflin Road, for this weekends Market Day. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., you can buy fresh produce and seafood, as well as baked goods and handmade treasures. If you miss this weekend, Market Day is being held every weekend through Nov. 15. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 3. If you love anime, pop culture and comic books, downtown Mobile is the place to be this weekend. South Alabama Comic Con is coming to the Convention Center Saturday and Sunday for a fun-filled weekend of panels, gaming, artists, cosplay contests, and much more. Some of this years guests include Bonnie Wright, who played Ginny Weasly in the Harry Potter movies, Jon Heder and Efren Ramirez, known as Napoleon and Pedro from Napoleon Dynamite, and pro wrestler Kane. Tickets start at $35. 4. You can head to The Grounds in West Mobile, Saturday and Sunday for an Exotic Pet Expo. For $10, you can see different animals, including kangaroos, ball pythons, geckos, tarantulas, parrots, sugar gliders and hedgehogs, just to name a few. Vendors will also be there to sell supplies and toys for your pets. 5. Over in Northwest Florida, you can do your part to help clean up local beaches. The Santa Rosa County Sheriffs Office is asking for your help to clean up Navarre Beach. Volunteers can meet at 8 Saturday morning at the Seagull Pavilion. Supplies will be provided, but organizers do recommend you bring your own gloves and bucket if you have them already. One other event we want to mention is the Destin Seafood Festival, which kicks off on Friday at 4 p.m. The festival kicks off the Destin Fishing Rodeo, which lasts the entire month of October. The festival is free to attend and will have over 100 vendors. It will take place on Friday from 4 to 10 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. Some 50,000 people gathered in central Berlin on Saturday to protest Israel's military action in the Gaza Strip, according to police estimates, in what organizers expect will be the largest Gaza rally in the city to date. The "All Eyes on Gaza" demonstration began outside the Berlin city hall and marched toward the Victory Column, a monument in the German capital's Tiergarten park, where a mass rally is scheduled to run into the evening. Chants of "Free Palestine" and "Long live international solidarity" echoed through the crowd, while placards read "Gaza Stop the massacre," "Never again for everyone" and "Freedom for Palestine." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The protest was called by an alliance of around 50 groups, including pro-Palestinian organizations, The Left party, Medico International and Amnesty International. Their demands include an immediate halt to German arms exports to Israel, unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza and EU sanctions against Israel. Berlin police said about 1,800 officers were deployed across the city. The largest Gaza demonstration in Berlin to date drew about 50,000 people. The organizers expected the total number of people at Saturday's rally to exceed that figure. The rally is set to see performances from Jewish violinist Michael Barenboim, as well as German hip-hop artists K.I.Z. and Pashanim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the main demonstration was peaceful, police said they had to break up a smaller rally of around 1,200 people in Berlin's Kreuzberg district due to criminal offences. Some participants who did not leave the protest were detained by the police. Accusations of genocide The organizers of "All Eyes on Gaza" demonstration accuse Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians. Barenboim, one of the protest's initiators and concertmaster of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra founded by his father Daniel Barenboim, echoed the accusation. "'All Eyes on Gaza' aims to make the protest against the genocide in Gaza visible on the streets," he told Berlin broadcaster rbb24. "I don't consider that a drastic description, because it's the term used by almost all human rights organizations and nearly all experts." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Preventing and punishing genocide is the duty of us all," he said. The leader of The Left party, Ines Schwerdtner, gave a short speech at the beginning of the demonstration, in which she criticized the German government's inaction. "The chancellor and ministers talk, but they do not act," she said. "They speak of 'reasons of state' while hospitals are reduced to rubble and ashes. They remain silent about the genocide - and make themselves complicit," she added. Schwerdtner emphasized that her criticism was directed at the Israeli government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "But our solidarity is with the people in Palestine and in Israel who oppose the extreme right-wing government," she said, calling for "the release of the hostages and all political prisoners." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Gaza conflict began on October 7, 2023 with a large-scale attack by Hamas and other militant groups on southern Israel, leaving around 1,200 people dead and more than 250 abducted and taken to Gaza. According to the Gaza health authorities, controlled by Hamas, more than 65,500 Palestinians have been killed. The figure does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. An independent United Nations inquiry announced this month that it had found that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. UN agencies also say that many of Gaza's residents are enduring famine. The Israeli government firmly rejects accusations of genocide, saying it is conducting the war in self-defence and in accordance with international law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli government also says sufficient food is being brought into the Gaza Strip and accuses Hamas militants of siphoning off humanitarian aid. Thousands rally in Dusseldorf Several thousand people also gathered in Dusseldorf in western Germany in support of Palestinians. Police in the city deployed a large contingent of officers, but a spokesman said in the afternoon that the event had been peaceful. The route of the march went from the main train station through the city centre. Some participants arrived in Dusseldorf by bus from other parts of Germany. The demonstration, organized by an action alliance, took place under the slogan: "We will not forget Gaza Freedom for Palestine and all oppressed peoples." Pro-Palestine demnstrators gather in front of Berlin's Red City Hall to protest against the war in Gaza. Annette Riedl/dpa Illustration: HuffPost; Photo: Getty Images This summer, attorneys working with detainees at the Alligator Alcatraz immigration jail noticed a pattern: They would schedule in-person or video conference visits with clients who were stuck in the mysterious facility, only for the facility to cancel the appointments at the last minute because authorities had transferred their clients elsewhere. What might have looked like a victory getting people out of a hastily constructed jail already known for its poor conditions and chainlink cages instead felt ominous. News: Armed Guards Are Keeping Immigration Attorneys Out Of 'Alligator Alcatraz': Lawsuit In August, for example, one attorneys five-hour block of meetings was canceled the night before, despite only being scheduled two days earlier. Authorities had released all 10 people the lawyer was supposed to talk to. They are no longer here, a contractor emailed attorney Troy Elder, who directs the detention program at Americans for Immigrant Justice. (The nonprofit firm has a hotline for people seeking legal assistance.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The following week, Elder was informed that all 21 detainees hed planned to speak to via videoconference that day had also been transferred. The news came in an email sent two hours after the meetings had been scheduled to start. The detainees you were scheduled to visit have been transferred by ICE, an email signed simply Southern Detention Coordination Team read. The visits are therefore canceled. We have no information on their current location. Several attorneys involved in a lawsuit spearheaded by the American Civil Liberties Union say they have experienced the same thing, including as recently as last week. The suit, which was transferred to Floridas middle district last month, challenges the governments unconstitutional limits on attorney-client communication at Alligator Alcatraz. Now, though, all individuals who were originally named in the case as plaintiffs have been transferred out of the facility, the ACLUs Eunice Cho, the lead attorney for the plaintiffs in the case, told HuffPost. Politics: Trump Responds As Team Europe Taunts Him By Name After Ryder Cup Win This sort of pattern causes me to second-guess whether to contact my clients at Alligator Alcatraz for fear that they could/would then be transferred out of state, Elder wrote in a declaration for the lawsuit this month. He noted that at other immigration detention facilities in the state, as well as jails and prisons, he would be allowed to visit clients without first scheduling an in-person appointment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Alligator Alcatraz and, increasingly, other new detention centers celebrated by the Trump administration that are popping up across the country, arent playing by those rules. While detention standards differ based on facility type, a wave of new immigration jails built quickly, and meant at least in part to produce propaganda and pressure detainees to leave the country is drawing widespread criticism for terrible conditions and restricted access to legal resources. The number of people in immigration detention has exploded over the past 30 years, from approximately 7,000 in 1994, to 19,000 in 2001, and to over 50,000 in 2019, according to Detention Watch Network. Now, that number hovers around 60,000 daily. And with the giant infusion of cash from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the Department of Homeland Security has projected adding 80,000 beds for ICE to use. Politics: Gavin Newsom Trolls Donald Trump Over Bonkers AI Video That Shows Hes LOST IT To do that, the administration is building capacity wherever it can, from military bases and state prisons to tent cities in the middle of the Everglades. It all adds up to a dizzying mix of federal, state and private players, making oversight even more challenging. Crucially, immigration detention is not meant to be punitive; as opposed to prisons, where people are held as the result of criminal convictions, immigration jail is merely meant to hold people pending developments in their immigration case. But the Trump administration has moved to aggressively expand the pool of people who can be jailed during those proceedings, saying that millions of immigrants are eligible to be held without bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem saidlast month that Alligator Alcatraz could be a potential model for other states, and immigration advocates are concerned that the facilitys legal and human rights issues are spreading. Over the past few weeks, the Everglades jail has been joined by a wave of alliterative additions to the immigration detention system, including the so-called Deportation Depot in north Florida, Cornhusker Clink in Nebraska, Speedway Slammer in Indiana, Lonestar Lockup in Texas and the Louisiana Lockup in Angola, one of the most infamous prisons in the world. For Mich Gonzalez, a co-founder of Sanctuary of the South, a legal aid group thats an organizational plaintiff in the suit over legal access, Alligator Alcatraz has created a blueprint for obfuscation, misdirection and rights violations. Politics: JD Vance Says More Indictments Coming After Comey Its a black site, Gonzalez told HuffPost. Its this totally new and worse type of facility, [one] that the Trump administration is probably trying to propagate around the country, to use as propaganda for their base. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of Gonzalezs clients, Michael Borrego Fernandez, a named plaintiff in the legal access lawsuit, was transferred from Alligator Alcatraz down the road to Krome Detention Center in August, and then to Otay Mesa Detention Center, in California, where his family didnt hear from him for several days, only to end up being deported to Tabasco, Mexico. The grim reality for detainees stuck at the Everglades jail, Gonzalez said, is being detained indefinitely while having no idea what your process is going to be. A Rush Job Much of what happens at Alligator Alcatraz is a dramatic departure from even infamous existing detention centers, like Krome in Miami, a 50-minute drive east. Though conditions there are known to beterrible, for example, attorneys can visit clients without prior scheduling and the facility has its own immigration court. Politics: Trump Makes Cruel Joke About Alligator Alcatraz Immigrant Escapees But detainees at the Everglades jail have no access to legal calls or videoconferences that arent monitored or easily overheard, attorneys have alleged. There is no legal mail system; all documents are subject to inspection. Detainees locations are regularly inaccurate in ICEs detainee locator system; two-thirds of 1,800 detainees listed in July rosters werent fully accounted for as of the end of August, with their names and case numbers returning either no information at all in ICEs detainee locator, or simply prompting the user to Call ICE for details, the Miami Herald recently found. Attorney visits are frequently delayed or mired in red tape and require advance notice of three business days. Untilmid-August, there was no immigration court associated with the site, and detainees were unable to move their cases through the Byzantine immigration legal system at all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new facilities have varying legal structures. Texas new facility is staged within Fort Bliss, the massive military installation, while those in the Midwest and north Florida are based in state prisons where authorities have most likely simply rented bed space to the federal government. Alligator Alcatraz, for its part, is state-run, and essentially rests on a section of immigration law that empowers the federal government to deputize local law enforcement. Floridas reading of the law is so expansive that the state faces another ACLU lawsuit on those grounds alone. Yet another lawsuit concerns allegations from the Miccosukee tribe that the state ignored federal environmental regulations with the sites rapid construction. A federal district judge in August ordered the facility to effectively shut down, only for that order to be reversed by a federal appeals court earlier this month. Its unclear how many detainees are currently at the facility. Despite the structural differences, the rapid pace with which the various facilities have been opened imperils immigrants legal and human rights, advocates told HuffPost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the Executive Office for Immigration Review, the Justice Department body that oversees immigration courts, deferred to the Department of Homeland Security for questions regarding their detention and removal operations, including questions regarding legal access for detainees. DHS did not respond to a lengthy list of questions, nor did several state authorities whose work with the agency is detailed in this story. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem tours "Camp 57," a facility to house immigration detainees at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, Louisiana, on Sept. 3. GERALD HERBERT via Getty Images In the so-called Louisiana Lockup, housed in Camp J, a wing of the notorious Angola prison formerly known as the Dungeon, newly arrived immigration detainees went several days without receiving toilet paper, and are given drinking water in shared five-gallon buckets, according to Bridget Pranzatelli, a staff attorney with the National Immigration Project. Sinks and toilets in the facility have malfunctioned, and overflowing toilets have contaminated cells with urine and fecal matter, Pranzatelli said, citing conversations shed had with several detainees and their family members. Over a dozen detainees, all part of a single wing of the detention facility, recently launched a hunger strike, reportedly because they did not have regular access to medication for chronic conditions like diabetes and mental health diagnoses. Pranzatelli said shed heard from detainees family members that those participating in the hunger strike were placed in solitary confinement, and that one was hospitalized Monday but later brought back to Angola. As of Friday afternoon, four detainees were still participating in the hunger strike, she said, citing a colleague whod just visited the facility. Also, contrary to ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahans claim at the facilitys grand opening press conference that it would have a law library one aspect of ICEs National Detention Standards every single person we spoke to said that there is no law library, Pranzatelli said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Camp J facility will expand ICE detention space by up to 416 beds, according to a DHS press release. The hunger strike appears to have been sparked by false narratives in the media that put that idea in the detainees heads, Louisianas Department of Public Safety & Corrections told NOLA.com in a statement Monday, adding that reports of poor conditions create a false narrative about the facilitys operations and were misleading. Detainees have full access to medical treatment, three proper meals per day, legal counsel, and other essential items, a DHS spokesperson told Fox News. Neither state nor federal immigration officials, nor LaSalle a private prison company that recently posted job openings for Angola, NOLA.com reported responded to HuffPosts questions about conditions there. The so-called Lonestar Lockup its real name is Camp East Montana was holding some 1,400 detainees as of earlier this month, and could ultimately hold up to 5,000 migrants, The Washington Post reported. Yet within 50 days of opening, the massive tent city racked up 60 violations of federal immigration detention standards, the Post found, citing an internal inspection report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the violations, in the papers words, the facility failed to properly monitor and treat some detainees medical conditions, lacked basic procedures for keeping guards and detainees safe and for weeks did not provide many of them a way to contact lawyers, learn about their cases or file complaints. The Trump administration accused the Post of twisting inspector notes. Similar allegations have come up at other new facilities. In Alligator Alcatraz, detainees and staff have long reported miserable conditions, from broken plumbing to flooding, mosquitoes and respiratory illness. People jailed at Floridas so-called Deportation Depot at Baker Correctional Institution, outside Jacksonville have reported issues since the facility opened to immigration detainees earlier this month: several-day waits to receive medical attention, a lack of cold-weather clothing even in chilly mornings outside, phone calls being limited to 15 minutes each, and mail being withheld, said Gonzalez, whose group has a couple of clients at the facility. The facility could ultimately hold up to 2,000 people, state officials have said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gonzalez said he had not yet been able to schedule a video call with a client there, something that would be routine at a more established facility. It seems like a rush job, Gonzalez said. As with Alligator Alcatraz and the Louisiana Lockup, he said, it wasnt immediately clear if there were any ICE deportation officers present for detainees to ask about their immigration cases. ICEs National Detention Standards state that facility orientation should include Procedures for the detainee to contact the [ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations] officer handling his/her case. So Much For Worst Of The Worst The propaganda value of horrid detention centers is undeniable. The Trump administration has openly said it is using immigration jails to pressure people to leave the country, thus giving up their immigration case in the United States what the administration calls self-deporting, though that term doesnt have a specific legal meaning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its also red meat for President Donald Trumps base. Administration officials have used worst of the worst to describe people brought to everyfacilitymentionedinthisstory thus far, suggesting that in addition to being in the U.S. illegally these detainees are violent criminals. (As soon as he returned to office in January, it became clear Trump was not actually prioritizing arresting people with serious criminal records.) That has gotten a little bit awkward at times, such as when the Miami Herald pointed out in July that hundreds of Alligator Alcatraz detainees had never faced criminal charges at all. More recently, the Trump administrations claims about supposed criminal illegal immigrants has butted up against local politics: In Nebraska, Noem thanked Gov. Jim Pillen (R) for his partnership to help remove the worst of the worst out of our country. But the new Nebraska facility, located at Work Ethic Camp in McCook, Nebraska, likely wont be housing the worst of the worst. The states governor, state correctional services director, and chair of the legislatures appropriations committee have allsuggested that the immigration detainees set to be housed there could be described as requiring low or medium security. Efforts to find out more about the new immigration jail havent gone far: The governors office skipped a hearing on it held by state Sen. Terrell McKinney (D), and state Sen. Megan Hunt (I) told HuffPost that records requests shed filed had been refused by state officials who cited exceptions to public records laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not every state holds their documents so close to the chest. Annie Goeller, chief communications officer for the Indiana Department of Correction, sent HuffPost two contractdocuments describing that states relationship with ICE the morning after we asked for them. (Still, Goeller did not answer several questions about the nature of the facility.) The documents, experts told HuffPost, appear to describe a fairly standard intergovernmental service agreement, or IGSA, through which the state agreed to rent bed space at Miami County Correctional Facility to ICE, starting on Sept. 30. If ICE doesnt fill at least 450 beds in the facility after 120 days of the execution of this contract, it will be required to reimburse the service provider for 450 beds at a minimum as a guarantee of security of payment, one document says. Such agreements are commonplace in ICEs modern mass detention era, though more so at the local level than among state governments. The 287(g) Mystery The explosion of immigration detention facilities during Trumps second term has raised new concerns about the legal authority for the jails, and the risks that come with rapidly multiplying the number of people ICE holds behind bars. There are nearly 200 detention facilities listed in ICEs current statistics, up from 109 last October. Those include facilities owned by the federal government, private contractors, and state and local governments that make agreements with ICE to share detention space. That number will continue to rise in the new fiscal year, as ICE counts facilities that have only one or two beds set aside for ICE detainees, like local jails, said Adam Sawyer, a data analyst at Relevant Research, the group behind detentionreports.com, which breaks down government data on each of the facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the facilities newly being used for ICE detainees is Nassau County Correctional Center, a jail on Long Island where people arrested in the New York City area can be held temporarily. Last week, a 42-year-old man arrested by ICE died at the facility. An investigation is ongoing, Sheriff Anthony LaRocco has said. ICE acknowledged the death of Santos Reyes-Banegas, a Honduran citizen, in a press release, and said the preliminary cause of death appears to be liver failure complicated by alcoholism. Reyes-Banegas death behind bars is part of an especially deadly year for people in immigration custody. Would the world know if someone died in Alligator Alcatraz? After at least one medicalemergency last month, when a man collapsed at the site, attorneys and activists arent so sure. Thats because the facility is unique. In the various lawsuits over its existence, stateandfederalofficials have told judges that Alligator Alcatraz is a state-run immigration detention center operating under so-called 287(g) authority. The statute allows the federal government to deputize local police for things like immigration arrests and short-term jail detainers, and the Trump administration has been aggressive in encouraging the program, particularly in Florida. But it has not before been used as the foundation for a long-term state-run detention center. President Donald Trump tours "Alligator Alcatraz" on July 1 in Ochopee, Florida. via Associated Press In the most recent lawsuit against Alligator Alcatraz, lawyers for the ACLU laid out troubling implications of the jail. The suit describes hundreds of men spending weeks at the facility without formal immigration charges from the federal government, detained at the facility in violation of federal law, by state employees and contractors who lack statutory authority to hold them for civil immigration violations. In the thirty years since the statute was enacted, state officers have never claimed the authority to detain people under this statute, other than the short period after an arrest during transport to an ICE facility, the suit alleges, saying that in the first month of operations, a number of anomalies and severe problems have emerged at the facility, many of them previously unheard-of in the immigration system. Among other alarming accusations, the suit accuses jailers of using Exposure to mosquitoes, sun, and other harsh elements [as a] form of punishment and retaliation, with restrained individuals placed outside for hours at a time to be bitten and sun burned. An anonymous plaintiff in the suit, M.A., entered the facility able to walk, but he is now in a wheelchair, the suit alleged. Like others, according to the complaint, he has gone weeks without appearing in ICEs detainee locator. Florida officials didnt respond to HuffPosts request for comment about the suit. For critics of the states immigration enforcement gambit, the secrecy around Alligator Alcatraz is a danger unto itself. Anna V. Eskamani, a Democrat in the Florida House of Representatives and a candidate for Orlando mayor, told HuffPost last month that she had reviewed emails from a family member of an Alligator Alcatraz detainee. The communications look like ping-pong, back and forth with various contractors and authorities telling the family member different things about getting in touch with her husband, Eskamani said. This facility has no involvement with immigration courts or their proceedings, an unnamed contractor emailing on behalf of Alligator Alcatraz told the family member in July, before Krome became the designated immigration court for Alligator Alcatraz detainees. When the woman protested that shed gotten the email address from someone at the facility, the email address responded: This email is for information that the facility possesses. The information you request, we do not possess. That sort of bureaucratic morass, and the indefinite detention it threatens, is on purpose, because every day, theyre asking people to self-deport, Eskamani said. They create this environment thats incredibly hostile, with the goal of basically pressuring you, psychologically getting to you, to the point where you just quit. If you ask the Florida Department of Emergency Management, or ICE, everythings going well, theres no COVID, theres no hospitalizations, the ambulances are just a hallucination, Thomas Kennedy, an activist who has worked as a consultant with the Florida Immigrant Coalition, told HuffPost last month. CBS News and the Naples Daily News have reported on several alarming 911 calls from the facility, which the outlets obtained through public records requests. Its really important, and really scary, whats happening at Alligator Alcatraz, Kennedy added, calling the facility basically an extrajudicial black site. Any effort to duplicate how Florida has operated is dangerous, Eskamani said. Dangerous to due process, dangerous to the Constitution, dangerous to our values as Americans. And it should be pushed back against in every way by local, state and federal officials, in whatever capacity that you have, because this is not appropriate, and the history books are going to look back at this moment as incredibly dark, as a stain on our countrys history. CORRECTION: A previous version of this article misidentified Nebraska state Sen. Megan Hunts party affiliation. She is an independent. Related... Read the original on HuffPost OWENSBORO, Ky. (WEHT) The NAACP is the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Its the nations oldest and largest civil rights organization founded in 1909. This years NAACP state conference was held in Owensboro. The three day event will gather members of the community, leaders, and advocates from the state to advance civil rights, equity, and justice. Todays event was held at Brescia University and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear attended the event to talk about and celebrate diversity in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Diversity is a celebration of our differences in background and approach that make us better, Beshear said. The federal administration wants to try to convince you that diversity is a dirty word. Its not a strength and never a weakness. Theres always room for more seats at the table, we should always be welcoming people in and not kicking them out. Beshear says that he was honored to say yes to the organizations invitation for him to visit. This years conference features workshops, issue focused panels, art exhibitions, a fashion show, and more. NAACP Kentucky State Conferences Kellye Cunningham says the organization is for all people and loves all people. Our governor loves people and in our organization, we do too! We want the best people, we want to eliminate discriminatory practices towards people and so with him giving us the fuel to go on it is just exciting for me every time we get to see him, Cunningham said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NAACP Kentucky State Convention will continue tomorrow with more community centered programming. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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). Joanne Chesimard, a fugitive from justice for more than 45 years after escaping a life prison term in New Jersey for the murder of a state trooper, died in exile in Cuba on Sept. 25, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Cuba confirmed. She was 78. Chesimard, also known as Assata Shakur, had been on the lam since Nov. 2, 1979, when she escaped from what was then known as the Clinton Correctional Facility for Women, where she was serving a life term for the murder of Trooper Werner Foerster during a gunfight on the New Jersey Turnpike in 1973. Chesimard, a member of the Black Panther Party and later the Black Liberation Army, stood trial in 1977 and was also found guilty of assault and battery on Trooper James Harper, who was wounded during the same gunfight on May 2, 1973. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chesimard became the first woman named to the FBI's list of most wanted terrorists in 2013, on the 40th anniversary of the shootout that claimed Foerster's life. The FBI had offered $1 million reward for information leading to her capture. Gov. Phil Murphy and Col. Patrick Callahan, superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, issued a joint statement expressing regret that Chesimard was never returned to New Jersey to face full justice for Foerster's murder. "Earlier this morning, we spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who informed us that the government of Cuba has announced the death of U.S. fugitive Joanne Chesimard, who viciously murdered New Jersey State Trooper and Vietnam War veteran Werner Foerster,'' their statement said. "For years, we have worked with the State Department to bring Chesimard back to New Jersey, so she could face justice for the cold-blooded murder of an American hero,'' they said. "Sadly, it appears she has passed without being held fully accountable for her heinous crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We mourn Trooper Foerster's loss every day, and we extend our deepest sympathies to his widow, Rosie, their son, Eric, and the entire New Jersey State Police family,'' the joint statement said. "Unlike his killer, Trooper Foerster never had a chance to live out his days in peace,'' their statement said. "But we remain fully committed to honoring his memory and sacrifice. We will vigorously oppose any attempt to repatriate Chesimard's remains to the United States.'' Chesimard was living underground since her escape from prison, until being granted political asylum in Cuba in 1984. She died in Havana, Cuba, "due to health conditions and advanced age," the Cuban ministry said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chesimard, whose legal name was Joanne Deborah Byron, was the godmother of pioneering rapper Tupac Shakur. She was a close friend of slain rapper Tupac's mother, Afeni Shakur, a fellow activist and member of the Black Panther Party. A New York City native, Chesimard first joined the Black Panther Party after graduating college, contributing to the group's political activism and community-focused initiatives. She later moved to an offshoot of the Black-power group, known as the Black Liberation Army, which opted for more militant tactics. Starting in the early '70s, Chesimard had frequent run-ins with law enforcement, her name appearing as a person of interest for bank robberies and several violent assaults on police officers. She was a wanted woman by both the FBI and the New York City Police Department. She was not arrested, however, until 1973, after she and two others were stopped on the New Jersey Turnpike for a motor vehicle violation. At the time, she was wanted for her involvement in several felonies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When she and her accomplices allegedly opened fire on the New Jersey State troopers, Harper was wounded and Woerster was killed. Chesimard fled the scene but was subsequently apprehended. One of her accomplices was killed in the shoot-out, and the other remains in jail, according to the FBI. Chesimard maintained that she did not open fire and was shot while her hands were above her head. She was convicted at trial In 1977 and sentenced to life in prison. In the years since, she became a potent political symbol for some. Her 1988 memoir, "Assata: An Autobiography," has had an enduring influence on the Black power movement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the United States government continued to insist her return was key to normalizing relations with Cuba. Contributing: Taijuan Moorman This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Joanne Chesimard, FBI's Most Wanted, dies at 78 The head of the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPO) told members gathered in Salzburg on Saturday that the party, currently in opposition, aims to transform the country to halt migration and ban political Islam. "It is not the system that will break us, but we who will break this false system," said Herbert Kickl at the FPO congress, after being re-elected as party leader. He spoke of setting up a Third Republic. The current Austrian political set-up is referred to as the Second Republic, established after World War II. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The First Republic in 1919-34 ended imperial rule, and the country was annexed by Nazi Germany in the intervening period. Kickl was re-elected with 96.9% of the party vote. With the FPO leading in the polls, he reaffirmed his aim of becoming chancellor and completely reshaping the country. In current opinion polls, the FPO receives around 35% of the electorate's support, well up on the nearly 29% it secured in parliamentary elections a year ago. Despite coming in first in the elections, the FPO was unable to form a government, as the conservative Austrian People's Party, the centre-left Social Democratic Party of Austria and the liberal New Austria and Liberal Forum formed a three-way coalition to keep the far-right party out. HONOLULU (KHON2) There is an update on a viral animal abuse case in Wahiawa that occurred in July 2025. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Hina is back with her owner after months under the Hawaiian Humane Societys care. KHON2 found out that animal advocates are concerned, even though the owner was not the person who beat the dog. A video of a 15-year-old boy beating a small dog named Hina went viral in July and prompted swift action from the Hawaiian Humane Society. Hina was returned to her owner after 76 days in HHS custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Disturbing animal abuse continues to outrage Hawaii We had a legal obligation to return her to his care. I will say that he signed an agreement with us promising to safeguard Hina and agreeing to allow our officers to come out and do welfare checks to make sure that she was in good care and good spirits and we will do that, said HHS community engagement director Steph Kendrick. HHS officials said that because the abuser was a juvenile family member of Hinas owner, forfeiture could not be filed for since the child does not own Hina. The case was handled in family court and frustrated advocates at local rescue foundations. Putting a dog back in a home where the possibility are its going to happen again, said Hinas Legacy Rescue Foundation president Chantell Moniz. Im not happy about it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hawaiian Humane Society cares for dog seen in social media abuse video State representatives said legislative efforts to strengthen animal cruelty laws stalled in recent years, despite reforms in other areas like microchip requirements. When it comes to animal cruelty, weve tried several different ways to implement excessive charges or offenses in some of these cases, and weve just havent been able to come to an agreement here in the Legislature, Rep. Darius Kila said. Family Court records are sealed, but more transparency is being called for. I would only ask that when our prosecutors are pursuing these cases or agreements are made, there are ways that we can effectively communicate something without compromising folks privacy, said Rep. Kila. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Humane Society added that animals are treated more like property than living creatures under Hawaii law, and there are efforts underway in foreign countries to change that. And were just not there yet as a state when it comes to our laws. And really, the United States in general hasnt done much to acknowledge the fact that animals are sentient beings, Kendrick said. Check out more news from around Hawaii HHS said Hina was returned to her owner on Wednesday, Sept. 24, and welfare checks on the pups condition will occur regularly. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Belarus has proposed building a nuclear power plant on its territory that could supply electricity to Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Sept. 26, Reuters reported. "If a decision is made, we will immediately begin building a new power unit or a new station if there is a need (for electricity) in western Russia and in the liberated regions," Lukashenko said during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Russia and its allies use the word "liberated" to refer to territories occupied by Russia during its invasion of Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Financing is not an issue at all. If there is a consumer who will take electricity and pay the required tariff, it's not a problem at all," Putin said in response. Belarusian state media reported that discussions on where to build the new plant were ongoing. "Personally, I have some doubts about where to build it. Either a third unit at the current station in Ostrovets, or to place it in the east. We can build in both places. I think we will decide soon," Lukashenko said. While Belarus is not directly involved with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the country has supported Russian troop movements throughout the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the outset of the full-scale invasion, Belarus permitted its territory to be used as a staging ground for Russias attempt to seize Kyiv from the southern border. Read also: Russias Rosatom complicit in war crimes, report alleges, says treatment of power plant staff risks nuclear disaster Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Belarus unveiled a proposal on Friday to build a second nuclear power plant in the country capable of supplying energy to the regions of Ukraine occupied by Russian forces. President Aliaksandr Lukashenka raised the plans during a meeting at the Kremlin with President Vladimir Putin, who appeared to publicly support the idea. Lukashenka said the plant could be used if needed to supply areas controlled by Russia in the Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk and Donetsk regions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia announced the annexation of the four regions in September 2022, referring to them as new territories despite only occupying part of them. That announcement has not been recognised by any of the international community, with the exception of North Korea, and under Ukrainian law they are referred to as temporarily occupied territories. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Aliaksandr Lukashenka shake hands during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, 26 September, 2025 - AP Photo Belarus opened its first nuclear power plant in Astravets in 2020 amid protests and concern in neighbouring Lithuania, where there was opposition to the plants location, just 40 kilometres away from the capital Vilnius. The Astravets plant was built by the Russian state atomic energy corporation, Rosatom, with a $10 billion (8.5 billion) loan provided by Moscow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putin did not specify at Friday's meeting whether Russia would provide financial backing for the second plant proposed by Lukashenka. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the exiled leader of Belarus' opposition, slammed the proposal, saying it "all of Europe at risk." "By proposing that Putin build a second nuclear power plant in Belarus to supply electricity to occupied territories in Ukraine, Lukashenka once again proves he is complicit in Russian aggression. He is trading Belarusian sovereignty for power and profits from war crimes," she said. Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus for over three decades, is a close ally of the Kremlin. He allowed Russia to use Belarusian territory as a staging ground for Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and later authorised Russian tactical nuclear missiles to be deployed in his country. A demonstration against Israel's military action in the Gaza Strip drew more than 100,000 people to the streets of central Berlin on Saturday, organizers said, marking the largest Gaza rally the capital has seen to date. Timo Dorsch, spokesman for Medico International, one of the protest's organizers, reported the figure to dpa, noting that the largest Gaza demonstration previously recorded in Berlin drew 50,000 people earlier this year. A police spokeswoman said in the early evening that there were around 60,000 people, but she did not rule out a larger number, stressing that police estimates are rough guides and only serve operational planning purposes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The "All Eyes on Gaza" demonstration began outside the Berlin city hall and marched toward the Victory Column, a monument in the German capital's Tiergarten park, where a mass rally is scheduled to run into the evening. Chants of "Free Palestine" and "Long live international solidarity" echoed through the crowd, while placards read "Gaza Stop the massacre," "Never again for everyone" and "Freedom for Palestine." The protest was called by an alliance of around 50 groups, including pro-Palestinian organizations, The Left party, Medico International and Amnesty International. Their demands include an immediate halt to German arms exports to Israel, unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza and EU sanctions against Israel. Berlin police said about 1,800 officers were deployed across the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police spokeswoman described the demonstration as "very peaceful for the most part." She said there were about 30 "restrictions of liberty" on the fringes, 20 of which were due to property damage before the demonstration. The rally is set to see performances from Jewish violinist Michael Barenboim, as well as German hip-hop artists K.I.Z. and Pashanim. While the main demonstration was peaceful, police said they had to break up a smaller rally of around 1,200 people in Berlin's Kreuzberg district due to criminal offences. Some participants who did not leave the protest were detained by the police. Accusations of genocide The organizers of "All Eyes on Gaza" demonstration accuse Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barenboim, one of the protest's initiators and concertmaster of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra founded by his father Daniel Barenboim, echoed the accusation. "'All Eyes on Gaza' aims to make the protest against the genocide in Gaza visible on the streets," he told Berlin broadcaster rbb24. "I don't consider that a drastic description, because it's the term used by almost all human rights organizations and nearly all experts." "Preventing and punishing genocide is the duty of us all," he said. The leader of The Left party, Ines Schwerdtner, gave a short speech at the beginning of the demonstration, in which she criticized the German government's inaction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The chancellor and ministers talk, but they do not act," she said. "They speak of 'reasons of state' while hospitals are reduced to rubble and ashes. They remain silent about the genocide - and make themselves complicit," she added. Schwerdtner emphasized that her criticism was directed at the Israeli government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "But our solidarity is with the people in Palestine and in Israel who oppose the extreme right-wing government," she said, calling for "the release of the hostages and all political prisoners." The Gaza conflict began on October 7, 2023 with a large-scale attack by Hamas and other militant groups on southern Israel, leaving around 1,200 people dead and more than 250 abducted and taken to Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Gaza health authorities, controlled by Hamas, more than 65,500 Palestinians have been killed. The figure does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. An independent United Nations inquiry announced this month that it had found that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. UN agencies also say that many of Gaza's residents are enduring famine. The Israeli government firmly rejects accusations of genocide, saying it is conducting the war in self-defence and in accordance with international law. The Israeli government also says sufficient food is being brought into the Gaza Strip and accuses Hamas militants of siphoning off humanitarian aid. Thousands rally in Dusseldorf Several thousand people also gathered in Dusseldorf in western Germany in support of Palestinians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police in the city deployed a large contingent of officers, but a spokesman said in the afternoon that the event had been peaceful. The route of the march went from the main train station through the city centre. Some participants arrived in Dusseldorf by bus from other parts of Germany. The demonstration, organized by an action alliance, took place under the slogan: "We will not forget Gaza Freedom for Palestine and all oppressed peoples." Pro-Palestine demonstrators gather at the Neptune Fountain to protest against the war in Gaza. Annette Riedl/dpa REP. NANCY MACE: We saw the world leaders come to New York this week, the UN summit, and we had the president of Syria, the prime minister of Syria there, and while hes there speaking at the UN, speaking with world leaders, we gave him a visa to travel here. There were Christian villages in Syria that were being burned down. BILL MAHER: And Nigeria. REP. NANCY MACE: No, in Syria. BILL MAHER: No, but both. REP. NANCY MACE: In Nigeria, yes. BILL MAHER: Nigeria, I mean, the fact that this issue has not gotten on peoples radar REP. NANCY MACE: Right, no ones talking about it. BILL MAHER: Its pretty amazing. If you dont know whats going on in Nigeria, your media sources suck. You are in a bubble. And again, Im not a Christian, but they are systematically killing the Christians in Nigeria. Theyve killed Over 100,000 since 2009. They burned 18,000 churches. This is so much more These are the Islamists, Boko Haram. This is much more of a genocide attempt than what is going on in Gaza. They are literally attempting to wipe out the Christian population of an entire country. Where are the kids protesting this? REP. NANCY MACE: Thank you. No one will talk about it, so thank you. Absolutely. Its Africa. No ones talking about it. And they should be. You cant read about it on mainstream media. Its sad. So thank you for bringing it up. BILL MAHER: Well, because the Jews arent involved. Thats why. Its the Christians and the Muslims who cares. Now to Tylenol. A tropical storm watch was issued Sept. 27 for Brevard County. The advisory means tropical storm-force winds are possible on the Space Coast within the next 48 hours. Tropical depression 9 is expected to develop and strengthen into a tropical system as it moves northward across the southwestern Atlantic and parallel to the Florida coast into early next week. The storm, expected to become Tropical Storm Imelda by Sept. 28, was 120 miles south-southwest of the central Bahamas as of Saturday afternoon. It had maximum sustained winds of 35 mph winds and is producing significant rainfall over portions of eastern Cuba and the Bahamas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Primary impacts to east central Florida from (Tropical depression 9) are anticipated to be dangerous beach and boating conditions along with a low chance for tropical storm force winds, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne. Outer rain bands from the western side are also forecast to move onshore, with localized flooding possible on Sunday. What to expect weather-wise in Brevard The storm is expect to make an uncomfortably close pass near Florida late Sunday through Monday, according to the National Weather Service. Officials warn residents to monitor conditions closely over the next few days. Boating and beach conditions are of the most concern. Waves offshore could reach up to 15 feet, while breaking waves are expected to be between 6 to 8 feet through Sunday afternoon. A high risk of rip current also is expected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sunday going into Monday will be peak periods for wind and rain concerns. Rainfall totals are estimated to be between 1 to 3 inches with some areas exceeding 4 inches. It is important to note that there is still a level of uncertainty relative to rain and wind impacts, and any shifts in the track, according to the National Weather Service. Ensure you are receiving forecasts from reliable sources, as that will be key in having the best and most up-to-date information. Spitzer is a Trending Reporter. She can be reached at MSpitzer@Floridatoday.com. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Tropical storm watch issued for Brevard County. Here's what to expect Britain is prepared to let Germany join the Tempest next-generation fighter aircraft project amid a bust-up with France over a rival European effort, industry sources say. The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) currently involves the UK, Japan and Italy but there is speculation now that Germany could join as well. Defence industry sources said a decision would ultimately fall to the governments involved, adding that the scope for a German role in development was narrow because project was at an advanced stage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, they did not rule out Berlin joining GCAP as a buyer and having an input into certain aspects of the aircraft, including the drone platforms that are expected to accompany it. Getting Germany on board with GCAP would be a coup for Britain and its partners and would further improve the economics of the programme. For now, Berlin has said its current preference is to remain part of the rival scheme known as Systeme de Combat Aerien du Futur (SCAF), which it has pursued jointly with France and Spain. However, significant tensions are bubbling under the surface with German officials and Airbus, which represents German industry in the project, reportedly exasperated with French defence giant Dassault Aviation over its demands for a contract renegotiation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dassault, which makes the hugely successful Rafale fighter jet, is said to be demanding more control over the programme and a bigger share of the work because of its aviation expertise. Airbus has insisted it will not reopen the deal. Behind the scenes, Berlin has begun examining alternative options including potential partnerships with Britain or Sweden, according to the news website Politico. Last week, French executives dared Berlin to walk away. The Germans can complain, but here we know how to do this, Eric Trappier, the boss of Dassault, said on Tuesday. If they want to act on their own, let them do so. Eric Trappier, who has served as chief executive of Dassault since 2013, dared Berlin to walk away from SCAF - Thibaud Moritz/AFP via Getty Images Industry sources said the main concern with German involvement in GCAP would be the risk of delays. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the moment, the three partner countries are racing to sign final contracts this year after concluding tough negotiations to hash out the division of work between themselves. Reopening those talks is not seen as attractive and could put the projects already-tight timelines at risk. Tokyo in particular is seeking a tarmac-ready aircraft that can be deployed from 2035. The three countries are also working towards a demonstrator jet in 2027. A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence would not be drawn on potential German participation but reiterated the UKs commitment to GCAP and the schemes focus on interoperability with allies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The programme, originally conceived as Tempest in Britain, brings together the next-generation fighter programmes of the UK, Italy and Japan and aims to create a stealthy, supersonic jet that will act as a platform of platforms coordinating drones, missiles, battlefield communications and intelligence-gathering. Together, the three partner countries have set up Edgewing a joint venture of Britains BAE Systems, Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co and Italys Leonardo to pilot a rapid development process, which will involve coordinating a large group of industrial businesses that includes Rolls-Royce in the UK. A spokesman for Edgewing said: All three GCAP nations have highlighted their openness to working with other nations through this programme, based on shared consideration of what is best for the programme and of mutual benefit. Any decisions on wider partnering will be made trilaterally by the national governments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Edgewing has been created to lead the design and development of the aircraft and, as such, it is completely focused on maintaining critical momentum on the programme and mobilisation of its business operations in three nations. Francis Tusa, an independent defence analyst, predicted that the difficulty of unpicking the arrangements reached so far would significantly limit any potential role Germany can play. He said: It was made really clear at [London trade show] Defence and Security Equipment International that Germany could join as a production partner, just not as a development partner. So they are saying: Yes, if Germany wants to buy them of course they can have some production lines, but we are not going to stop the programme to open everything up for negotiation again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Professor Justin Bronk, an aviation expert at the Royal United Services Institute, added that because of this, it wasnt obvious how GCAP can offer things at this stage that would make it noticeably better than what they currently have with France albeit that is very unsatisfactory for them at the moment. However, he said: If they end up with no alternative, becoming a customer of GCAP maybe with some local assembly is potentially an option that I can see being plausible. Mr Tusa said the row with France had left Germany in an awkward position because the country lacks the capabilities to develop a fighter aircraft on its own. Another potential alternative could be to work with Sweden on a future fighter programme. He added: For all intents and purposes, SCAF is dead and frankly, Germany is up a creek. 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. LONDON (AP) A London court on Friday threw out a terror-related charge against a member of the controversial Irish rap group Kneecap, basing its decision on a technical error in the way the charge was brought forward. Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who is also referred to by his anglicized name Liam OHanna and performs under the name Mo Chara, had been charged after waving a flag of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which is banned in Britain as a terrorist organization, during a London concert last year. Chief magistrate Paul Goldspring sitting at Woolwich Crown Court said the case should be thrown out, agreeing with O'Hanna's lawyers that the prosecutors had missed the deadline for the charge by a day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These proceedings were instituted unlawfully and are null, he said. There were huge cheers from the public gallery as the chief magistrate handed down his decision, while O'Hanna smiled and gave a thumbs up to his supporters. The Belfast trio, who rap in English and Irish about drugs, working-class life and the reunification of Ireland, has faced criticism for political statements seeming to glorify militant groups including Hamas and Hezbollah. Canada and Hungary have previously banned the group. Kneecap has accused critics of trying to silence the band because of its support for the Palestinian cause throughout the war in Gaza. The band says it doesn't support Hezbollah and Hamas, nor condone violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement O'Hanna, 27, had claimed the prosecution was a politically motivated effort to silence the bands support for Palestinians. We will not be silent, the rapper told supporters outside the court after the charges against him were thrown out. As people from Ireland, we know oppression, colonialism, famine and genocide. Northern Irelands First Minister Michelle ONeill welcomed the move, saying the charges were part of a calculated attempt to silence those who stand up and speak out against the Israeli genocide in Gaza. Kneecap have used their platform on stages across the world to expose this genocide, and it is the responsibility of all of us to continue speaking out and standing against injustice in Palestine, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Crown Prosecution Service said it was reviewing the decision of the court carefully and pointed out that it can be appealed. London's Metropolitan Police said it was working with the prosecutors to understand the potential implications of this ruling for us and how that might impact on the processing of such cases in the future. Kneecap has been the center of controversy in Britain since last year, when the previous government sought to block an arts grant for the band, citing its anti-British politics. That decision was overturned after the Labour Party won last years parliamentary election and Prime Minister Keir Starmer took office. The groups members played themselves in Kneecap, which won an audience award when it was screened at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. It was shortlisted for best foreign-language film and best original song at this years Academy Awards, though it did not make the final cut. SMITHFIELD, R.I. (WPRI) Bryant University hosted business leaders, academics, government officials and entrepreneurs for its 2025 Global Trade Summit on Thursday and Friday. The university said the summit allowed attendees to explore global trade trends, emerging technologies, and new market opportunities. Former 7-Eleven and Blockbuster CEO James Keyes was the keynote speaker. Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressman Seth Magaziner also spoke at the event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This years program included panel discussions on trade policy and the impact of artificial intelligence as well. Winning this AI war is crucial both from an economic competitiveness point of view and also a national security point of view, Magaziner told attendees during a panel discussion. We want to make sure that, for the next century, anytime a business or individual is using an AI platform, that they are using an American platform. There were also free breakout sessions that were open to the public on Friday to spotlight the ocean economy, life sciences and food manufacturing in Rhode Island. ALSO READ: Bryant University buys Parentes Restaurant Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app. Follow us on social media: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Enrollment at the Clark County School District is down this year, continuing a trend over the last few years of fewer parents putting their children in CCSD. One reason from the district has been lower birth rates, but parents also now have more options, like charter schools. We came in about 3,600 students less than projected, so theres more movement than we initially anticipated, CCSD Superintendent Jhone Ebert said at a press conference on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to CCSD, the district projected in the spring to start the year with 280,683 students. But that wasnt the case, and as a result, Ebert said teachers from schools with lower enrollment will get transferred to schools that experienced an increase in students. Across the district, we had about 40% of our schools increase actually in students, and 60% decrease in the number of students, Ebert said. So thats something across the school district, that in some schools, you will see staff added, and other schools, you will see staff reduced. Numbers from both CCSD and the Nevada Department of Education detailed the decline over the last four academic years of students attending the nations fifth-largest school district. From Aug. 2022 to Aug. 2025, the district saw a 27,193 decrease in students. CCSD School Year: CCSD Enrollment Numbers: 2022-2023 304,276 2023-2024 304,568 2024-2025 296,145 2025-2026 277,083 The district has previously blamed low birth rates for the decline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our total county population is growing annually, but we are seeing Clark County School Districts are seeing fewer and fewer students coming into the system each year, Rick Baldwin, CCSD Director of Comprehensive Planning, told 8 News Now on Feb. 10. Birth rates have been declining in Clark County by 1% annual decrease each year for the past eight years in a row. RELATED: Las Vegas parents call for proposed CCSD school to expand; district points to data On whether the lower number of students will have an impact on the districts current finances, Ebert said no. Were not in a budget deficit. Again, we have fewer students than expected, Ebert said. We will continue to work with the legislator to determine that we dont get in that situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Nevada Department of Education hasnt yet released statewide enrollment data for the 2025 school year. But recent state data has shown charter schools are the second largest school district in Nevada, overtaking Washoe County in enrollment. Prior to the pandemic-shortened school year, CCSDs enrollment in 2019 was 323,787. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HONOLULU (KHON2) After four years of service with the Hawaii Authority for Rapid Transportation, Chair of the HART Board Colleen Hanabusa stepped down from her position. In a statement, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi thanked Hanabusa for her years of dedicated and extraordinary service. Honolulu officials host events to connect skyline stations and local food access for all Colleens leadership, experience, and steady guidance have been invaluable to the progress of this critical project for our city. On behalf of the people of Honolulu, I thank her for her commitment and the many contributions she has made to moving Skyline forward, said Blangiardi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HART Executive Director and CEO Lori Kahikina also released a statement, expressing her gratitude to gain valuable insights and professional growth through her interactions with Hanabusa. Hanabusa shared her gratitude to the Mayor in her resignation letter, stating: It is with heavy heart that I submit my letter of resignation from the HART Board of Directors. I want to thank you and your Administrations, years of support while I served on the Board. I do apologize for not meeting you in person to tender this resignation. Though the decision was made last month, I could not tender this without a face to face with you. Unfortunately, my inability to effectively serve has become obvious and I will have to delay my curtesy of a visit. She added, Thank you again and I am certain your leadership is what will bring the project to completion. My resignation shall be effective the end of September 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Check out more news from around Hawaii Mayor Blangiardi said the City and County will work with the community to fill the position. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has stated that the country has effectively stopped living in conditions of peace due to the growing number of hybrid attacks on critical infrastructure and networks. Source: Merz during a speech to business representatives at the Schwarz Ecosystem Summit in Berlin, as reported by German newspaper Handelsblatt Details: Merz said that peace in Germany can no longer be spoken of given the increasing number of attacks on data transmission networks and infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are not at war, but we are not living in peace either," he said. He did not name those responsible but listed a number of hostile actions Germany has been experiencing. Quote: "Drone flights, espionage, the killing in Tiergarten [of a Chechen activist by a Russian Main Intelligence Directorate officer] and large-scale threats against public figures not only in Germany but also in many other European countries. Acts of sabotage every day. Attempts to paralyse data processing centres. Cyberattacks." Details: Merz stressed that the problem has affected not only state institutions but also businesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I assume that probably every second person in this room has at some point faced attacks on their data networks and infrastructure," he underlined. Background: On 26 September, several drones were spotted over Schleswig-Holstein, a state in northern Germany, prompting a local investigation. At the beginning of September, special police units searched a cargo ship in the Kiel Canal, suspected of being used as a base for drone flights. At the end of August, Merz stated that Russia is systematically attacking German infrastructure and destabilising large parts of the country. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The Chatham County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) took an active step on Thursday to prevent sex crimes and forced labor by creating a victim-centered Human Trafficking Unit. Chatham County has the 4th highest rate of human trafficking referrals out of Georgias 159 counties. And the state of Georgia is ranked the 6th highest in the country. This issue, which is a reality, trickles down from state to state and ultimately from county to county, said Chatham County Sheriff Richard Coleman. There are not a lot of resources out there that directly address this issue of human trafficking, but that does not mean that we have to sit on the sidelines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriff Coleman said hes received several phone calls about the human trafficking issues in town, telling him, Its going on here in Chatham County. Will you listen? Will you get involved? Chatham Countys new unit intends to identify, investigate and disrupt human trafficking operations throughout the county and neighboring jurisdictions. Chatham County Sheriff Richard Coleman announced a new Human Trafficking Unit on Thursday. Since announcing the creation of the unit, Sheriff Coleman said there are two active human trafficking cases currently under investigation. The United Nations International Labor Organization estimates 27.6 million people worldwide are victimized by human traffickers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Human trafficking is broken into two categories by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act: sex trafficking and forced labor. Sex crimes are defined as a person being solicited and induced by force, fraud or coercion to perform a sex act. Forced labor is when a person is subjected to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage or slavery. Boys and men make up 57% of all types of trafficking. But, girls and women make up 78% of sex trafficking victims. Those who may be at an increased risk for human trafficking are people who have experienced childhood abuse or homelessness, children in the foster care or juvenile justice system and survivors of violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Victims have no age, no gender. They only have one thing in common they suffer, Sheriff Coleman said. Human trafficking survivors often face short- and long-term consequences to their physical and mental health. Tharros Place in Savannah works directly with 12 to 17-year-old girls who have experienced human trafficking, providing trauma-informed care, transitional housing and restorative treatment plans. CCSOs Human Trafficking Unit will work directly with Tharros Place to ensure the survivors are given the support they may need. It is important that we all understand that we can fight and we can win. We can help those who have been involved, who have been hurt, who have been suffering due to the trauma that theyve experienced from the individuals who have placed them into a situation that they did not want to be in, said LaToya Scott, residential director of Tharros Place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigator for CCSO, Jason Heckman, will be leading the human trafficking investigations for the unit. Its not just the fact of putting handcuffs when somebodys done something, its being there for the victims and being sure the victim is taken care of in every form or fashion that we can provide, he said. The funding for the unit comes from the law enforcement budget, Sheriff Coleman said, but right now, its not going to hurt or take away a great deal of percentage out of our budget to get it started. This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Chatham County cracks down on human trafficking with specialized unit This is an adapted excerpt from the Sept. 25 episode of Deadline: White House. On Thursday, The Washington Post was first to report that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has summoned hundreds of military officials for a meeting at a Marine Corps base in Virginia next week. The highly unusual directive was sent to virtually all of the militarys top commanders worldwide, more than a dozen people familiar with the plan told the Post. The meeting is the latest in a series of chaotic decisions that have come out of the Pentagon since Hegseth took the reins in January. Last week, the Defense Department released a memo stating that journalists covering the agency can no longer gather or report information, even if it is unclassified, without approval from the government. Days later, the department also announced Hegseth would shutter a committee created to expand the role of women in the military. And then, of course, who could forget Hegseth allegedly sharing highly sensitive information on an unsecure messaging app? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the wake of this latest announcement from the Pentagon, I can tell you that behind closed doors, my former Republican colleagues on the Senate Armed Services Committee are likely asking themselves, What is going on? The first major issue here is the sheer expense of such a meeting. The Trump administration likes to posture about how it wants to save money and fire people, and yet its going to spend likely millions of dollars to bring all of these military leaders in from around the world. Thats especially concerning given were facing a possible government shutdown. Then there are possible security issues. Our countrys top military leaders will be in one place at a now highly publicized meeting. That should definitely raise concern. But one of the most pressing issues that could stem from Hegseths meeting is the message of instability it broadcasts to the rest of the world. In Donald Trump, we already have a leader who is all over the map when it comes to military matters. First, hes against Ukraine, then hes for Ukraine; hes against NATO, then hes for NATO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As retired Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling said on Thursdays Deadline: White House, other countries around the globe would see this meeting as a bright red light an indicator that something is going on with the U.S. military. That damages our image on the world stage. The truth is, there is nothing Hegseth could say in that meeting that couldnt be communicated to the troops more effectively and efficiently and nobody knows that better than the leaders who are being called into Washington simply so the secretary can prove hes in charge. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Welcome to the online version of From the Politics Desk, a newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics teams latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail. In todays edition, we report on how the indictment of James Comey came to be. Plus, Kristen Welker examines how this government shutdown fight is different from the last, as well as the potential political consequences. Sign up to receive this newsletter in your inbox every weekday here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adam Wollner How the Comey indictment happened and what comes next Newly appointed acting U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan presented the case to secure the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey on her own, according to a source familiar with the grand jury proceedings in Alexandria, Virginia, Vaughn Hillyard, Chloe Atkins and Dareh Gregorian report. Tapped for the acting role just three days earlier, Halligans action came after a senior Justice Department official told NBC News that career prosecutors in Halligans office sent her a memo documenting why they believed probable cause did not exist to secure an indictment against Comey. The appointment of Halligan, who was on President Donald Trumps defense team in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case prior to his election to a second term, followed the resignation of prior acting U.S. Attorney Erik Siebert last Friday after pressure grew from the White House to prosecute Comey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Time was of the essence in bringing an indictment: A five-year statute of limitations on the charges against the former FBI director was set to expire early next week. Halligan was also the only prosecutor to sign the indictment. It is highly unusual for the U.S. attorney to not assign assistant prosecutors to a case for grand jury presentation. Halligan and the Justice Department did not immediately respond to NBC News requests for comment. What Comey is saying: The indictment charged Comey with making a false statement and obstruction of a congressional proceeding. He has denied any wrongdoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My family and I have known for years that there are costs to standing up to Donald Trump. But we couldnt imagine ourselves living any other way, Comey said in a video on Instagram. We will not live on our knees, and you shouldnt either. My heart is broken for the Department of Justice, but I have great confidence in the federal judicial system, Comey said. And Im innocent. So lets have a trial. Comeys arraignment is set for Oct. 9 before U.S. District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff, an appointee of President Joe Biden. What Trump is saying: Speaking to reporters today, Trump praised the Comey indictment. Its about justice. ... Its not revenge, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump was also asked who the next person on your list in this retribution will be now. Its not a list. I think there will be others. I mean, theyre corrupt, Trump said. Read more A looming government shutdown raises key questions for both parties By Kristen Welker With a funding deadline just a few days away, sources on Capitol Hill from both parties broadly agree that the government is heading for a shutdown. Republicans want a short-term funding bill with no strings attached, while Democrats are pushing for key Obamacare subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year and looking to roll back Medicaid cuts. President Donald Trump, meanwhile, has refused Democrats latest requests to meet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This moment is a departure from the March funding fight when lawmakers averted a government shutdown, with the Democratic base urging party leaders to stand up more forcefully to Trump. A group of Senate Democrats relented back in March and voted to keep the government funded and prevent widespread federal layoffs. The Trump administration is threatening more layoffs if the government shuts down next week, but this time it doesnt appear that Democrats are backing down. They argue that the president will move forward with these firings whether theres a shutdown or not. Both parties are facing significant questions as this fight continues: For Republicans, could their strategy backfire? And for Democrats, how will they extract concessions when Trump has signaled that he is also not willing to budge? And for both parties, what are the political consequences if there is a shutdown? Historically, Republicans have shouldered the blame for shutdowns, according to polling conducted in past government funding fights. But they broadly have not hurt the party in the long term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The last time a shutdown occurred at this point in an election cycle was back in 2013, when Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and his fellow Republicans clashed with Democrats over Obamacare funding. A majority of Americans blamed Republicans for the impasse, according to an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll conducted at the time, while 31% blamed President Barack Obama. The GOPs overall popularity also hit a low point, while Democrats held an advantage on the congressional ballot. But just over a year later, in the 2014 midterms, Republicans captured their largest House majority in decades and took control of the Senate. Well delve into the latest on the government funding fight on Meet the Press this Sunday with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is running for New York City mayor as an independent, will also be joining us with just a few weeks to go until Election Day. Mailbag: Has Trump ended 7 wars in 7 months? Thanks to everyone who emailed us! Heres this weeks reader question: What are the 7 wars that Trump keeps saying hes ended in the last 7 months? The only wars the press talks about are Israel with Hamas and Russia with Ukraine. I have not heard of any others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump has made some version of this claim several times throughout his second term, most recently during a speech to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday. In a period of just seven months, I have ended seven unendable wars, Trump said. I ended seven wars, and in all cases, they were raging, with countless thousands of people being killed. This includes Cambodia and Thailand, Kosovo and Serbia, the Congo and Rwanda a vicious, violent war that was Pakistan and India, Israel and Iran, Egypt and Ethiopia, and Armenia and Azerbaijan. Our White House Unit researcher Megan Shannon helps to provide some key context around Trumps role in these conflicts. Cambodia-Thailand: In July, Trump requested a ceasefire between the two nations and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that State Department officials assisted with peace talks in Malaysia. A ceasefire was then reached, though the border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand remains unresolved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kosovo-Serbia: Trump often refers to the yearslong conflict between Serbia and Kosovo that he helped solve during his first term. In 2020, the president hosted a two-day summit in Washington with top officials from both countries that resulted in the normalization of economic ties between the two nations. Rwanda-Democratic Republic of the Congo: Trump hosted leaders of the two countries at the White House in June to sign a U.S.-brokered peace treaty. The treaty is an attempt to establish peace between the African neighbors, which have a long history of violent conflict, but questions loom over how it will be implemented. Pakistan-India: In May, the Trump administration claimed to have brokered a ceasefire between the South Asian neighbors after military conflict broke out over four days. The following month, Pakistan nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, but India denies that the U.S. served as a mediator. Israel-Iran: After participating in joint strikes with Israel on Irans nuclear facilities in June, the U.S. brokered a fragile ceasefire between the two countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Egypt-Ethiopia: Trump has claimed credit for averting a conflict between the two countries over a hydroelectric dam Ethiopia constructed along the Nile River. But the dispute has not been resolved. Armenia-Azerbaijan: Trump hosted the leaders of the two countries at the White House in August to sign a joint peace agreement, but it still needs to be finalized. Have a question of your own? Send it to politicsnewsletter@nbcuni.com and we may answer it in a future edition of the newsletter. Today's other top stories Exclusive: U.S. military officials are drawing up options to target drug traffickers inside Venezuela, and strikes within that countrys borders could potentially begin in a matter of weeks. Read more SCOTUS watch: The Supreme Court handed another win to the Trump administration by allowing it to withhold $4 billion in spending on foreign aid that was appropriated by Congress. Read more Mixed MAHA messaging: Trump gave a string of unproven medical advice about Tylenol and childhood vaccines on Truth Social, some of which directly contradicted guidance from his administrations own health agencies. Read more Tariff agenda: Trump said the U.S. will impose a 100% tariff on imported branded drugs, 25% tariff on imports of all heavy-duty trucks and 50% tariffs on kitchen cabinets. A 30% tariff on upholstered furniture is coming next week. Read more Kimmel (fully) returns: Sinclair and Nexstar, the broadcast station owners that took Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air amid criticism of the hosts comments about the assassination of Charlie Kirk, said that the show will return tonight on the companys ABC affiliates. Read more At the U.N.: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was met by a mass walkout of delegates as he began his address to the United Nations General Assembly. Read more More from the Middle East: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said during an interview with NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas that Trumps plan for peace in the Middle East could set fire to the region. Read more Awards kept: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wont rescind the Medals of Honor given to soldiers for their actions in 1890 at the Wounded Knee massacre. Read more 'Creator briefings': In recent months, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., has hosted private virtual briefings with social media influencers, equipping them with information on key policy issues and Democratic messaging to disseminate on their large global platforms. Read more 2026 watch: MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, a close Trump ally who promoted debunked conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, is considering running for governor in Minnesota. Read more Thats all From the Politics Desk for now. Todays newsletter was compiled by Adam Wollner and Owen Auston-Babcock. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have feedback likes or dislikes email us at politicsnewsletter@nbcuni.com And if youre a fan, please share with everyone and anyone. They can sign up here. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Delta Air Lines will begin seasonal daily nonstop service from New York (JFK) to Porto, Portugal, in May 2026 through October 2026 as part of a larger push for more transatlantic flights. Deltas new nonstop service from JFK to Porto is part of seven new European routes launching next summer, giving customers even more opportunities to experience Europe and enjoy our award-winning service and premium onboard experience, Paul Baldoni, Delta's Senior Vice President of Network Planning, said in a statement. The flights will be operated by a three-class Boeing 767-300, with Delta One business class seats and recliner-style premium economy seats as well as extra-legroom and standard main cabin seats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why Portugal is the 'safer bet' for Americans traveling to Europe United Airlines also serves Porto seasonally from Newark. According to local officials, Porto has seen a big increase in international tourism interest in recent years. "Delta Air Lines decision to invest in the Porto Region is a strong endorsement of the growing relevance of this market, which has more than doubled since 2019 and is set to grow over 20% this year alone. This is yet another significant milestone in our efforts to strengthen Porto's position as a gateway to the Northwest Iberian Peninsula," Karen Strougo, Chief Commercial Officer at ANA Aeroportos de Portugal, said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Delta also recently announced routes from New York to Sardinia and Malta for next summer as well as service from Boston to Madrid and Nice, and Seattle to Barcelona and Rome. Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Delta will fly daily to Porto, Portugal in summer 2026 NEED TO KNOW U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested and detained Dr. Ian Roberts on Friday, Sept. 26 The Department of Homeland Security called the Des Moines Public Schools superintendent a "criminal illegal alien" He entered the U.S. on a student visa in 1999, and holds four degrees, a B.S. degree, two Masters degrees and doctorate Dr. Ian Roberts, a former Olympian and current Des Moines Public Schools superintendent, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Friday, Sept. 26, the agency said in a statement. The former Olympian and public school administrator was arrested and detained for allegedly residing in the U.S. illegally, according to the agency. In the statement, ICE alleged that Roberts was issued a "final order of removal by an immigration judge" in May 2024. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) described Roberts a "criminal illegal alien." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time of the arrest, the Guyana native allegedly abandoned his car and fled from police, DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin told the Des Moines Register. McLaughlin also alleged that Roberts was in possession of a loaded handgun, $3,000 in cash and a hunting knife. The district did confirm in a statement, per Iowa Public Radio, that its policy dictates that weapons are "prohibited on school grounds or at a school-sponsored or school-related activity." Roberts also allegedly faces "existing weapon possession charges" from February 2020, per DHS. He was also charged with one count of possessing a loaded firearm inside a vehicle in connection with a December 2021 incident in Erie, Penn., per court records obtained by PEOPLE. He entered a guilty plea in January 2022. "Dr. Roberts has a previous firearm charge related to a hunting rifle, which he disclosed to the DMPS Board during the hiring process," DMPS said of Roberts' 2021 charge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He provided sufficient context and explanation of the situation to move forward in the hiring process. He has also spoken publicly about this experience," DMPS said, per the Des Moines Register. Roberts also addressed the incident in a February 2022 social media post. At the time, he was the superintendent of the Millcreek Township School District in Pennsylvania. He explained that a state game warden issued him a citation while he was hunting in a wooded area. Roberts claimed he was a licensed gun owner. During the conversation, Roberts put the gun in his car to make the officer feel safe. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Ian Roberts, February 2020 Ian Roberts, February 2020 Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The district also confirmed that Roberts underwent a third-party comprehensive background check. "In this case, Dr. Roberts completed the I-9 employment eligibility verification form and submitted the required documentation," Phil Roeder, the district's director of communications and public affairs, said in a statement to the Des Moines Register. The statement also said the district did not know Robert's order of removal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following Roberts' arrest, the district announced that Matt Smith would serve as its interim superintendent in a press conference. "We, too, are devastated by news of his detainment," Smith said. "In the words of Dr. Roberts, 'If you paddle together, you will survive the tide. If you paddle alone, you will likely drown. As we learn more, we chose to paddle together." Jackie Norris, DMPS board president, added, What we do know is that Dr. Roberts has been an integral part of our school community since he joined over two years ago. Des Moines city officials, including the police department, did not have advance notice of his detainment, Mayor Connie Boesen said in a statement. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Ian Roberts on Sept. 26, 2025 Ian Roberts on Sept. 26, 2025 Born in Guyana, Roberts grew up in Brooklyn, New York. He entered the U.S. on a student visa in 1999, according to DMPS. He graduated with a B.S. degree from Coppin State University, two Masters degrees from St. Johns University and Georgetown University. Roberts later received his doctorate in Urban Educational Leadership from Trident University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roberts has worked in education for decades, holding roles as a classroom teacher, school administrator and executive leader. He has also authored several books about education. Before becoming the DMPS superintendent in July 2023, he was a superintendent at Millcreek Township School District and St. Louis Public Schools (MO) High School Network. He also worked at schools in Baltimore, the South Bronx, N.Y. and Washington, D.C. He earned the George Washington Universitys 2013 Washington D.C. Principal of the Year award. Roberts also competed as a mid-distance runner in track and field for Guyana during the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Read the original article on People Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts was arrested by U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement for allegedly being in the United States illegally, according to federal officials. Tricia McLaughlin, a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security, confirmed Roberts' Friday, Sept. 26, arrest and detention and said a court had issued a "final order of removal" in May 2024 for the deportation of the Guyana native and longtime U.S. resident. She said Roberts abandoned his car and fled from police on Friday, and was allegedly in possession of a loaded handgun, a large amount of cash and a hunting knife. He was arrested in what DHS described as a "targeted enforcement operation." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a 3 p.m. news conference, School Board Chair Jackie Norris said the district was still working to learn more about what happened. "We do not have all the facts. There is much we do not know," she said. "However, what we do know is Dr. Roberts has been an integral part of our school community since he joined two years ago." She said earlier in the day that Associate Superintendent Matt Smith will serve as interim superintendent until further notice. Smith previously served as interim superintendent during the 2022-23 school year. In a statement Friday evening, the district said it "has not been formally notified by ICE about this matter, nor have we been able to talk with Dr. Roberts since his detention." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roberts, 54, has served as Des Moines Public Schools superintendent since July 2023. Ian Roberts speaks with the media after being named the new DMPS superintendent during a Des Moines Public Schools board meeting at Central Campus on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in Des Moines. DHS says Superintendent Roberts lacked work authorization; DMPS knew about a 2021 hunting rifle citation In an emailed statement, DHS called Roberts a "criminal illegal alien." Roberts allegedly sped away when officers approached his vehicle and identified themselves, and officers found his vehicle abandoned in a nearby wooded area. Inside was the handgun, $3,000 in cash and the hunting knife, the department said. Roberts' official DMPS bio says "he enjoys hunting." In response to the reports of the loaded gun reportedly found in Roberts' vehicle, the district said Friday evening that its policy dictates that weapons are "prohibited on school grounds or at a school-sponsored or school-related activity." Department of Homeland Security officials allege Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts had this loaded handgun in a DMPS vehicle when he was arrested. DHS states that Roberts has "existing weapon possession charges" from Feb. 5, 2020. It's not clear where those charges were filed or whether they were resolved. Records of those existing charges were not immediately available or provided Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Dr. Roberts has a previous firearm charge related to a hunting rifle, which he disclosed to the DMPS Board during the hiring process. He provided sufficient context and explanation of the situation to move forward in the hiring process. He has also spoken publicly about this experience," DMPS said in a release. However, that charge was from 2021 in Pennsylvania. More: From 2021: Millcreek superintendent responds to social media reports related to firearm citation In its statement Friday evening, the Des Moines district said a third-party comprehensive background check had been conducted on Roberts and he would have been required to verify employment eligibility for all employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In this case, Dr. Roberts completed the I-9 employment eligibility verification form and submitted the required documentation," reads the statement from Phil Roeder, the districts' director of communications and public affairs. The statement also said the district had no knowledge of Roberts' order of removal. Who is Ian Roberts, Des Moines' superintendent? Roberts grew up in Brooklyn, New York City. Federal records and previous reporting said he was born in Guyana. Before a career in education, Roberts competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games in track and field for Guyana as a mid-distance runner. Roberts became the superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools in July 2023. He succeeded longtime Superintendent Tom Ahart, who resigned at the end of the 2021-2022 school year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DHS statement says Roberts entered the United States on a student visa in 1999. It also states that Roberts was working for the school district despite having no work authorization. "This suspect was arrested in possession of a loaded weapon in a vehicle provided by Des Moines Public Schools after fleeing federal law enforcement, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations St. Paul Field Office Director Sam Olson said. This should be a wake-up call for our communities to the great work that our officers are doing every day to remove public safety threats. How this illegal alien was hired without work authorization, a final order of removal, and a prior weapons charge is beyond comprehension and should alarm the parents of that school district. DHS also accused Roberts of violating federal law by possessing a handgun while in the U.S. without legal authorization, and said it was referring him to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for further investigation. DMPS choses to 'paddle together' Norris, the chair of the Des Moines Public Schools board, said Roberts received a valid license from the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners in 2023 before beginning his tenure with Des Moines. She said there is "new information that has been made public" but said the board has not yet been able to verify additional details. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matt Smith, the interim superintendent, acknowledged the concern and alarm of community members and said that "we, too, are devastated by news of his detainment," but that the district would continue working hard to serve its students. "In the words of Dr. Roberts, 'if you paddle together, you will survive the tide. If you paddle alone, you will likely drown,'" he said "As we learn more, we chose to paddle together." Roberts initially held in Iowa jail According to ICE's website, Roberts is in the agency's custody. Initially, he was listed as detained at the Pottawattamie County Jail, although the listing was updated later Friday to remove any mention of a specific detention facility. The Iowa jail would have put him in close proximity to the Omaha Immigration Court, the closest federal immigration court to Des Moines. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website lists Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts in custody in Pottawattamie County on Sept. 26, 2025. Data from Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), a research organization at Syracuse University, from early September showed Pottawattamie County Jail in Council Bluffs had a daily average of 37 ICE detainees. The jail typically holds an annual average of 38 people for ICE, Pottawattamie County Jail Administrator Trisha Bernhards said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pottawattamie County Jail can hold somewhere between 95 to 100 federal inmates, she said. Thirty-five beds are for ICE detainees. More: Who is Ian Roberts? What to know about the Des Moines superintendent arrested by ICE Iowa State Patrol assisted in arrest, DMPD not involved Des Moines Mayor Connie Boesen said in a statement that city officials, including the police department, did not have advance notice that Roberts was to be detained. "The City of Des Moines is learning of Dr. Roberts detainment alongside the rest of the community," she said. "At this time, we do not have any additional information regarding this incident as the Des Moines Police Department was not involved and did not have prior knowledge of this search." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Iowa Department of Public Safety said in a news release that state troopers were called by ICE for help "in locating an individual who fled from a traffic stop initiated by their agents" at about 8:45 a.m. Friday. Governor in contact with state and federal officials Mason Mauro, a spokesman for Gov. Kim Reynolds, said in a statement that Reynolds was informed Friday morning that Roberts was taken into custody by ICE agents. Reynolds "is in contact with the Iowa Department of Public Safety and federal authorities," Mauro said. Superintendent Ian Roberts' supporters react The Directors Council, an umbrella group of several nonprofits focused on Des Moines' Black community, said in a statement that Roberts is "a valued member of our board" and it was seeking details on the circumstances of his detention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Dr. Roberts has been a trusted partner, a dedicated advocate for equity, and an unwavering supporter of families and youth in Polk County," the statement posted to Facebook read. His contributions to both The Directors Council and the wider community are immeasurable, and we stand with him during this uncertain moment." Alison Hoeman, founder of the local nonprofit Des Moines Refugees Support, said she was stunned when she heard the news and that her phone blew up this morning with texts from friends and volunteers already looking for ways to support Roberts. She has learned from families of Des Moines Public School of students calling their parents, asking, Nothings going to happen to Dr. Roberts, right? You know its the Black and Brown kids who are worried," she said. "If its Ian Roberts whos in trouble, what does that mean for them? Mazie Stilwell, executive director of the liberal group Progress Iowa, demanded "answers and appropriate action" from elected leaders in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "No Iowan is safe. Were living under a fascist regime because Nunn, Miller-Meeks, Hinson and every single Iowa Member of Congress has been in lockstep with the MAGA administration that is terrorizing our communities," said Stilwell, who noted she is a DMPS parent. "President Trump is willing to use political power against anyone who disagrees with him." Rep. Ashley Hinson: Roberts 'dangerous fugitive,' 'should be deported' In a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, U.S. Rep. and Senate candidate Ashley Hinson called for Roberts to be "deported immediately" and challenged Democratic candidate Zach Wahls to disagree. "ICE arrested the Superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, Ian Andre Roberts an illegal alien from Guyana & active ICE fugitive with a deportation order since May 2024. When ICE caught him, agents found a loaded gun, a hunting knife, and $3,000 in cash. He should be deported immediately. "He should have never been anywhere around Iowa kids in the first place!" Hinson wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, who represents the area that includes DMPS, said in a statement on X, that he stands "with our law enforcement officers who uphold public safety. "Unfortunate situations like today underscore exactly why we must fix our broken immigration system. An individual with a prior weapons charge and an active deportation order should never have been placed in this position of public trust," Nunn said. "Since 2023, my office has opened more than 800 cases to help Iowans navigate immigration issues and well continue doing that work." Iowa Sen. and candidate for governor Mike Bousselot, R-Ankeny, also weighed in, on X by asking, "How does this happen? How does the biggest school district miss the red flags?" He suggested the Legislature might hold oversight hearings on the "scandal." In a post on Facebook, Iowa Rep. Larry McBurney, D-Des Moines, said he was "furious" to learn about Roberts' arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is not only unacceptable, it is an outright disgrace," he said. "Our schools should never be treated as political battlegrounds for federal overreach." McBurney said he's called on Iowa's congressional delegation, including Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, to take action. "I hold President Trump and Iowas delegation Congressman Zach Nunn, Senator Chuck Grassley, and Senator Joni Ernst directly responsible for this action. Their silence or complicity will not go unnoticed. If they have any shred of leadership, they must intervene immediately." Read the entire DMPS letter to the Des Moines schools community "On behalf of the Board of the Des Moines Public Schools, I wish to share information of immediate importance to the DMPS community. Pursuant to the Board-approved DMPS leadership succession plan, Matt Smith, Associate Superintendent, will immediately step into the role of Interim Superintendent until further notice. This action follows Dr. Ian Roberts being detained by Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents this morning. We have no confirmed information as to why Dr. Roberts is being detained or the next potential steps. Our priority is to provide a safe, secure and outstanding education for all students and to support our students, families, and employees. The appointment of Mr. Smith as Interim Superintendent ensures that our District continues to operate at the highest level. Mr. Smith previously served DMPS as Interim Superintendent during the 2022-2023 school year. The Board has the highest confidence in Mr. Smiths leadership at this time. We know you have many questions, and we will provide updates as we learn more confirmed information. We thank you and appreciate your support. Jackie Norris, Board President Des Moines Public Schools Reporter Amanda Tugade contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: DMPS superintendent arrested by ICE Prince Harry has denied claims a recent reunion with his father King Charles was distinctly formal. Prince Harry has denied claims a recent reunion with his father King Charles was distinctly formal The Duke of Sussex, 41, who lives in California with his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and their two children, Archie, six, and Lilibet, four, was reported in The Sun to have made jokes about the formality of the meeting earlier this month, with the newspaper claiming Harry left feeling as if his reception was more businesslike than familial. He has now hit back at the claim by describing reports suggesting he was treated more like an official visitor than a family member during the meeting as categorically false. A spokesperson for Harry strongly rejected the story in a statement on Saturday (27.09.25), saying: Recent reporting of the Dukes view of the tone of the meeting, is categorically false. The quotes attributed to him are pure invention fed, one can only assume, by sources intent on sabotaging any reconciliation between father and son. Presumably, those same sources have also chosen to disclose that gifts were exchanged. While we would have preferred such details to remain private, for the sake of clarity we can confirm that a framed photograph was handed over, however the image did not contain the Duke and Duchess. According to reports, Harry presented his father with a framed picture of Archie and Lilibet. In response, a spokesperson for The Sun said Harry confirms the exchange of gifts, including a family photograph. The newspaper said its article was a carefully-sourced account of the meeting, adding: We have today updated the online article to include his new statement. Harry has faced a strained relationship with the royal family since stepping back from official duties in 2020. Alongside Meghan, 44, he relocated to the United States, later giving a televised interview to Oprah Winfrey in 2021 in which the couple discussed their difficulties with royal life. In 2023, Harry published his memoir Spare, which detailed tensions with his brother Prince William, 43, and described his feelings of isolation within the family. The duke has since pursued legal battles with the British press and campaigned on mental health and veterans issues through initiatives such as the Invictus Games. Despite his public criticism of aspects of royal life, Harry has returned to the UK on several occasions, including for the funerals of his grandfather Prince Philip in 2021 and Queen Elizabeth in 2022. Reports of his relationship with Charles, 76, and William have continued to circulate, with sources frequently commenting on the possibility of a public reconciliation. Harry has previously said he hopes to rebuild ties, telling ITV in an interview to promote his memoir: I would like to get my father back. I would like to have my brother back. A drone has been seen flying above the Valajaskoski power station in the Finnish city of Rovaniemi. Source: European Pravda, citing Finnish broadcaster Yle Details: The incident took place last weekend but has only now been reported. Since August 2025, Finnish authorities have designated power stations as no-fly zones, prohibiting the use of drones in their vicinity. A passer-by noticed the drone in Rovaniemi and alerted police. Regional law enforcement agencies confirmed the incident to Yle but declined to share further details, citing the ongoing investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Valajaskoski is operated by energy company Kemijoki Oy. Juha Kytolahti, head of the emergency services unit, said power stations are monitored by CCTV, but the system did not capture the drone operator. Background: Finnish President Alexander Stubb said during his address at the Helsinki Security Forum in September 2025 that he doubts Russia will stage a drone attack on Finland similar to the one carried out in Poland. Drone-related incidents have been reported with growing frequency in recent weeks, including in Denmark. Aalborg airport in northern Denmark suspended operations on the night of 24-25 September due to unidentified drones in its airspace, including near military facilities. The Danish government considers the repeated appearance of unidentified drones over the country, including near military sites, to be a hybrid attack, and has warned that similar incidents are highly likely to recur. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Drones have flown over Denmarks largest military base in the latest hybrid attack against the country. Two drones were seen flying outside and over Karup military base, the main air base of the Royal Danish Air Force. It also serves as the headquarters of Natos Multinational Division North unit. The base, located in central Denmark, is also home to all of the Danish armed forces helicopters and airspace surveillance functions, as well as its flight school. Its runways are also used by Midtjylland Airport for civilians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An unspecified number of drones were also seen hovering over other military locations, according to Danish Defence, but they declined to provide any further details. Norwegian police are also currently investigating a possible drone observation at rland main air station on Norways west coast. It is Norways largest military air base and the main station for Norwegian military aircraft. The suspicious activity took place after a recent Nato exercise in the area, according to the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK). The latest sightings came two days after drones were seen flying over multiple airports across Denmark, including two used by the military. Four days ago, a drone attack forced Copenhagen airport to shut. A light in the sky over Aalborg, Denmark - Morten Skov/Reuters Troels Lund Poulsen, Denmarks deputy prime minister, said at the time the drones were probably launched by a professional actor but refrained from accusing Russia of being involved. Over the past few weeks, Russian fighter jets have violated Estonias airspace while Moscows drones have hit Poland and Romania, adding to concerns over European security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Simon Skelsjaer, speaking on behalf of Denmarks national police force, said they were unable to comment on where the drones flying over Karup military base on Friday night had originated from. He said: I can confirm that we had an incident around 8.15 pm [18.15GMT Friday] that lasted for some hours. One to two drones were observed outside and over the airbase. We didnt take them down. Denmark and many of its neighbours lack the tools they need to shoot down the drones. The Danish government has announced plans for an integrated layered air defence. In response to suspicious drone activity, Germany was now considering allowing its military, rather than just police, to shoot down drones, a report said on Saturday. The latest drone sighting was late Friday in a northern state along Germanys border with Denmark. Germany also announced plans earlier this week to boost its drone defence systems against Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the drone sightings earlier this week, Mr Lund Poulsen told a press conference: There can be no doubt that everything points to this being the work of a professional actor when we are talking about such a systematic operation in so many locations at virtually the same time. This is what I would define as a hybrid attack using different types of drones. He said there was no evidence to suggest Russian involvement as of yet, adding that the drones were launched locally. The defence minister said a decision was made not to shoot down the drones for the safety of the population. Mette Frederiksen, Denmarks prime minister, said on Thursday: There is one main country that poses a threat to Europes security, and it is Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Denmark has raised the issue with Nato and could invoke Article 4 to convene an emergency meeting of allies. Moscow said it firmly rejects the suggestion of any Russian involvement, with the embassy in Copenhagen dismissing rumours as a staged provocation in a social media post. The drone sightings began days after Denmark announced its plans to acquire long-range precision weapons for the first time. Last week, three Russian fighter jets were seen flying into Estonian airspace in what was described as a brazen provocation on Natos eastern front. A Russian fighter jet flying in Estonian airspace - Forsvarsmakten/AFP Estonias government said the MiG-31 aircraft, capable of carrying hypersonic missiles, entered via the Gulf of Finland without permission and circled for 12 minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nato scrambled Italian F-35s stationed in Estonia to intercept them. Russias defence ministry denied that the jets had entered Estonian airspace. 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 Duke of York has been named in the latest release of the Epstein files which suggest he flew on the paedophiles plane alongside Ghislaine Maxwell. New documents released by Congressional Democrats in the US show Prince Andrew was listed as a passenger on Jefferey Epsteins private jet on a flight from Teterboro, New Jersey, to Palm Beach in Florida on May 12, 2000. It suggests he flew alongside the disgraced financiers then-girlfriend and now convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, as well as two names which have been redacted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The documents also record a payment of $200 for a massage for Andrew on February 11 2000. It is not clear this is referring to the duke, who has strenuously denied any wrongdoing. The photograph with Virginia Giuffre is said to have been taken at Ghislaine Maxwells London home in 2001 (United States District County for the Southern District of New York) Details of the duke being a passenger on Epsteins private jet have previously been heard in court through Maxwells trial with one of her accusers, who was 14 at the time, recalling she had travelled on a flight with Andrew. The documents come days after an email from Sarah, Duchess of York, to Epstein, in which she apologised to him for disowning him in the media. Her spokesman said the message, which also saw her label the sex offender as a supreme friend, was written because he had threatened to sue her for defamation. Sarah, Duchess of York (Jordan Pettitt/PA) (PA Wire) The surfacing of the email led the duchess to be dropped by a number of charities, of which she had been a patron. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Disgraced financier Epstein was jailed in 2008 for 18 months after pleading guilty to soliciting sex from girls as young as 14. Even though he was registered as a sex offender, he was released on probation after 13 months. Epstein, who was accused of running a vast network of underage girls, died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial for serial sex trafficking of women and girls. The latest batch of files include roughly six pages from more than 8,500 documents provided by Epsteins estate to Democratic members on the House Oversight Committee. (US District Court for the Southern District of New York) The documents also made reference to a potential visit to the sex offenders island, Little St James, by X owner Elon Musk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His name appears on what appears to be Epsteins daily schedule on December 6, 2014 six years after he became a listed sex offender - with the entry saying: Reminder: Elon Musk to island Dec.6 (is this still happening?) Musk wrote on X on Friday evening: "This is false". He has previously said Epstein had invited him to the island but he had declined. In June, Musk indicated President Donald Trump should be impeached and claimed his administration was concealing information about Mr Trumps association with Epstein. He later appeared to have deleted posts about the sex offender. Dozens of destinations around the world are grappling with the problematic effects of overtourism. Alongside sparking housing crises and overwhelming infrastructure, the phenomenon is proving disastrous for the environment. Authorities have been forced to experiment with mitigation measures like visitor caps and restricted access to natural sites. But some destinations have managed to protect themselves from mass tourism thanks to decades of sustainable strategies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The international Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index is an annual ranking that uses 70 different indicators to identify the worlds most sustainable tourist destinations. A European city topped the ranking. Heres the strategy behind its winning tourism model. This European city is the most sustainable tourist destination in the world The GDS compares over a hundred cities around the world that are committed to sustainability. Its assessment is broken down into four key categories: destination management, supply chains, social sustainability, and environmental performance. Related Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Specific indicators within these categories include visitor management, environmental impact of airports, safety, and climate change commitment. For the second year in a row, Helsinki has been ranked first in the GDS Index. Helsinki continues to raise the bar by defining the next practices of regenerative destination management, says Guy Bigwood, CEO of GDS-Movement. Through bold climate action, pioneering sustainability strategies, and a steadfast commitment to transparency, the city demonstrates exceptional vision. Inside Helsinkis winning sustainable tourism strategy Several sustainability-related projects have helped Helsinki to claim the title. It measures the carbon footprint of tourism, promotes the citys climate roadmap for tourism, and supports tourism businesses on the path to sustainability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ensuring the participation and well-being of residents is also an important factor in the development of sustainable tourism. We are promoting tourism with all areas of sustainability in mind, reducing negative impacts and increasing positive ones. The aim is for Helsinki to be a better place when a visitor leaves than it was before they arrived, says Helsinkis tourism director, Nina Vesterinen. Related Helsinkis sustainability as a tourist destination is also the result of cooperation between many different operators, according to local authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, the increasing number of companies with environmental certifications and the more climate-friendly production of district heating and electricity have helped the city reach the top of the list. Up to 99 per cent of the rooms of hotels with more than 50 rooms in Helsinki are environmentally certified. This level is significantly higher than in Europe in general, says Vesterinen. Similarly, more and more destinations, meeting and conference facilities, tour operators and others have environmental certifications. Helsinkis sustainable strategy draws tourists In March, Helsinki also became the first city with over half a million residents to be awarded the Green Destinations certification, which has some of the strictest criteria in the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The certification is recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and is an independent recognition of a destinations efforts, achievements and positioning as a place that takes good care of its environment, people and culture. For Helsinki, it is essential that sustainability is transparent. Sustainability must be more than just marketing-level greenwashing, which is already demanded by EU legislation requiring environmental claims to be reliable and verifiable, says Vesterinen. 2025 has already been a record-breaking year for tourism in Helsinki. According to Statistics Finland, the number of nights spent by international tourists increased by 19 per cent in the first seven months compared to the same period last year. Related Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement International surveys show that a growing number of tourists are looking for more sustainable services and destinations, says Vesterinen. Booking.coms 2025 Sustainable Travel Report, for example, found that more than half of travellers are now conscious of tourisms impact on local communities as well as the environment. Whats more, 93 per cent of respondents to the survey, which included thousands of people across six continents, said they want to make more responsible choices and have already taken steps to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tourism director says the aim now is to continue improving Helsinkis sustainability credentials. A large proportion of international tourists visiting the city arrive by boat or by air, the climate impacts of which we acknowledge, she says. Accordingly, we are aiming to attract more and more tourists from Finland and neighbouring European regions. An underrated California wine region has a surprising claim to fame: It's the most diverse grape growing region in the country. Lodi (San Joaquin County) is typically overlooked in favor of Napa or Sonoma, and it's long associated with Zinfandel and commodity wines. But the region features more than 130 grape varieties - compared to roughly 60 in both Napa and Sonoma - largely thanks to one highly unusual acre of land. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A single block of wines at Mokelumne Glen Vineyards is home to 52 German and Austrian grape varieties rarely found in the U.S. Many are grapes that most wine drinkers have never heard of, much less tasted, like Ehrenfelser, Albalonga, Rotgipfler and Sirius. Historically grown in cooler regions, these grapes are an unlikely choice for Lodi's warm, Mediterranean climate. But a handful of small and experimental winemakers are working with the vineyard to debunk that stereotype, simultaneously challenging Lodi's long-held reputation as Zin country. Mary Lou and Bob Koth, founders of Mokelumne Glen Vineyards, passed away within months of each other in 2000 and 2001. Now, their children manage the vineyard. (Courtesy Randy Caparoso) In 1962, Mokelumne Glen founders Bob and Mary Lou Koth purchased the property, located on the east side of Lodi along a bend in the Mokelumne River, and built a family home. The land was planted with a pear orchard, as well as some vines of Zinfandel and table grape Flame Tokay, once Lodi's most widely planted variety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bob was an army veteran and the Koths were both teachers. They didn't initially intend to become grape growers, for in Lodi, most growers are at the mercy of conglomerates, like Gallo, and struggle to make a profit. Bob had grown up in Lodi, and his father, who worked in farming, managed the existing vines, selling the Tokay to Gallo; both the grape and the company played a major role in Lodi's notoriety for mass-produced grocery store wines. Bob experimented with some home winemaking, but not much changed for nearly 30 years until he visited his daughter, Ann-Marie Koth, while she was studying abroad in Germany. During that trip, he tried his first German Riesling. He was shocked that it wasn't sickly-sweet like the Rieslings that dominate the U.S. market. That one bottle led to a newfound fascination with German wine. In the late '90s, he set about grafting over his existing vines to German grapes, starting with Riesling, Kerner and Blaufrankisch. "Everyone thought he was crazy," said Bob's son Brett Koth. "There were admittedly times I thought, I don't know if this is a good idea.'" California's most peculiar grape collection Lodi is the most diverse grape growing region in the country, largely thanks to one acre of land at Mokelumne Glen Vineyards. (Rozette Halvorson/For the S.F. Chronicle) But Bob "wasn't someone that could be swayed," said Ann-Marie, who teaches German and English at Lodi High School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The experimental block, which the Koths named the German Collection, is the only place in California where many of these varieties are grown. For each grape, there are just a handful of vines planted, with the exception of Riesling, for which there are eight different clones. Outside of the German Collection, the vineyard, totaling 15 acres of vines, is planted with nine main varieties - mostly Kerner and Dornfelder - that Bob discovered grew the best. The vineyard's proximity to the river results in slightly cooler temperatures than most of Lodi, but the greatest factor in the vineyard's ability to grow these unconventional grapes is its deep, sandy soils, known to produce concentrated fruit with high levels of acidity and intense aromatics - both defining qualities of many German and Austrian white wines. As Bob was building his collection, the family started a small wine label. They eventually opened a tasting room, but it was a struggle to sell their wines in a local market dominated by Zinfandel. In 2010, the Koths closed the tasting room, shut down the brand and decided to sell their grapes. "My dad was really concerned about what we were going to do," Ann-Marie recalled. "We planted all these German varieties and didn't know how to sell them." The greatest factor in the Mokelumne Glen's ability to grow these unconventional grapes is its deep, sandy soils, known to produce concentrated fruit with high levels of acidity and intense aromatics - both defining qualities of many German and Austrian white wines. (Rozette Halvorson/For the S.F. Chronicle) Their first customer was Swiss native Markus Niggli of Markus Wine Co., who's known for making eclectic, rule-bending blends. Niggli first sourced Kerner, Gewurztraminer and Rieslaner from Mokelumne Glen for what he called a Swiss blend, now named Nimmo ($25), which consisted of German varieties fermented together and then unconventionally aged in oak. In 2021, Niggli also made the world's only sparkling Bacchus, a rare hybrid grape, with grapes from Mokelumne Glen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Niggli's wines caught the attention of other winemakers, and it trickled down to the vineyard. "Suddenly, people were starting to come to us," said Brett." Winemakers were especially interested in Kerner, the base of Nimmo, so the Koths - the only people growing Kerner commercially in California at the time - have since increased their Kerner acreage by more than 30%. Embracing the unexpected Anne-Marie Koth, Brett Koth, and Phil Silver at Mokelumne Glen Vineyards in Lodi, where farming is a scrappy, family affair. (Rozette Halvorson/For the S.F. Chronicle) The family also credits Lodi sommelier, wine writer and photographer Randy Caparoso for saving the vineyard. When he first visited Mokelumne Glen around 2002, Caparoso said he "thought it was very unusual and weird" and "wasn't that impressed with the wines." He now chalks that first impression up to "immaturity" for trying to compare the wines to the traditional styles of Germany and Austria. When Caparoso moved to Lodi in 2010, he developed a newfound appreciation for the Koth family's venture. He realized that some of these stereotypical cool-climate grapes can actually thrive in Lodi, like Kerner, an aromatic, white grape that's a cross between Riesling and Trollinger. Dorfelder, typically produced as a light, easy-drinking style of red wine in Germany, "all of a sudden turns into a Cabernet-type wine in Lodi," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That is something that one would never expect." So when the Koths asked Caparoso to introduce them to some winemakers, he did. One was Matthew Rorick of Forlorn Hope Wines, who often works with esoteric varieties like Picpoul and Mondeuse. Rorick took one look at the German Collection, Ann-Marie recalled, and said, "I'll take it all.'" For about five years, Rorick produced a rare field blend from the block's white grapes, and it made an impression on Chenin Blanc legend Craig Haarmeyer of Haarmeyer Wine Cellars. After Rorick moved on from Mokelumne Glen, Haarmeyer couldn't stop thinking about the field blend. One day, Caparoso received a call from Brett while he was with Haarmeyer. "He turned to me and said, Would you be interested in some Blaufrankisch?'" Historically grown in cooler regions, Mokelumne Glen's grapes are an unlikely choice for Lodi's warm, Mediterranean climate. (Rozette Halvorson/For the S.F. Chronicle) "My reflex was to say, Absolutely, I'll take it,'" Haarmeyer said, "but truth be told, my motivation was to get my foot in the door and one day broach the subject of making the nursery block wine." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haarmeyer never had to ask. In 2023, the Koths approached him about taking the German Collection grapes. Unlike Rorick, he planned to use all 52 grape varieties in his blend, making it one of the most unusual wines produced in all of California. "To rip out old vine Zinfandel and plant nothing but alpine varieties in the heat of the Central Valley seems kind of foolhardy to me," he said. "But I'm glad it piqued their interest." Haarmeyer calls the wine Victor Weisser ($28) and labels it as a Gemischter Satz, a nod to the traditional field blend of Austria, which includes up to 20 different grapes interplanted in the same vineyard. But it doesn't necessarily taste anything like a true Gemischter Satz. "We're not trying to emulate or recreate what's going on traditionally in Austria," Haarmeyer said. "The wine is very lush, very giving. It's definitely California sun-kissed." Ahead of the curve Anne-Marie Koth drives a side-by-side vehicle around Mokelumne Glen Vineyards in Lodi. (Rozette Halvorson/For the S.F. Chronicle) Bob and Mary Lou Koth died within months of each other in 2020 and 2021, and their children now manage the vineyard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's a scrappy, family affair. Ann-Marie can be found on the tractor over the summer preparing for harvest when she's on break from teaching. Brett, who worked alongside his father for decades, has more time to tend to the vines in the winter, as he has four months off from his job at the San Joaquin County Agricultural Commissioner. Ann-Marie's husband, Phil Silver, pitches in, too; recently, he fashioned a trimmer to the front of a tractor to ease the process of clipping the vine shoots, which they'd historically done by hand. It cost him $1,000, he said, while purchasing a tractor attachment would have cost $50,000. Mokelumne Glen now consistently sells its grapes to a handful of geeky, small-production winemakers from regions across California, including Napa Valley, where a Mokelumne Vineyard Kerner from Localism previously made it on the French Laundry wine list. The Koths have even had to turn people away. "There was a wait list for three years at the vineyard to get these grapes," said Farrah Felten-Jolley, VP of marketing and sales at Lodi's Klinker Brick Winery. Klinker Brick produces a semi-sweet white blend ($25) of Gewurztraminer, Rieslaner and Weissburgunder (also known as Pinot Blanc) from Mokelumne Glen. It always sells out. A sign marks the site of Mokelumne Glen Vineyards in Lodi. (Rozette Halvorson/For the S.F. Chronicle) Now with three decades of hindsight, Bob Koth's vision doesn't seem so crazy. White wines are trending while Zinfandel sales have been in a steep slump. Lodi also has cheaper land prices and lower farming costs than more famous California regions, which have sparked an era of experimentation. Suddenly, Lodi has become a hot spot for esoteric white grapes - and Mokelumne Glen led the way. "A lot of people are pretty envious now," said Brett. "They say, You're really lucky your dad did this.'" Authorities investigating the 1991 murders of four teenage girls at a North Austin I Cant Believe Its Yogurt shop believe they have solved the case through newly available DNA testing, closing the chapter on one of the citys darkest crimes, the American-Statesman has learned. Top Austin police leaders and cold case detectives plan to announce Monday that they have linked the deaths to a serial killer who died by suicide eight years after the crime. Three officials briefed on the case confirmed the development to the Statesman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect, Robert Eugene Brashers, was never targeted as the possible murderer during an investigation that spanned 34 years. Brashers had no connection to Austin aside from the gruesome crime. This undated photo provided by the Missouri State Highway Patrol shows Robert Brashers. Authorities said Friday, Oct. 5, 2018 that DNA evidence has identified Brashers as the man who killed three people and raped a girl in the 1990s, even though the suspect killed himself nearly 20 years ago. Investigators say they've solved three homicides and a rape case, all from the 1990s, after obtaining DNA by digging up the corpse Brashers. (Missouri State Highway Patrol via AP) ( Missouri State Highway Patrol/via AP) Police relied upon genealogy DNA, which has been used in recent years by law enforcement across the nation to solve cold cases, to identify Brashers. He has been linked to at least three murders across the U.S., but was not connected to those and other crimes until 2018 through the advent of so-called genetic genealogy." The Austin Police Department is expected to deem the yogurt shop murder case closed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new DNA matches come in a case that confounded a generation of investigators and left a trail of unresolved grief and trauma among families of the girls and the wider Austin community. The murders of the girls Jennifer Harbison, 17, her sister, Sarah, 15, Eliza Thomas, 17, and Amy Ayers, 13 were said to have shattered the citys innocence and are interwoven into the fabric of Austin. The Dec. 6, 1991, murders of (clockwise from top left) Jennifer Harbison, Sarah Harbison, Amy Ayers and Eliza Thomas were finally solved, Austin police says. (HANDOUT) The latest revelations in the case will also likely resurrect pain and place a renewed microscope on improper police investigative work decades ago that resulted in the arrest of the four young men linked to the crime, one of whom, Robert Springsteen IV, sentenced to Texas Death Row but whose conviction was overturned before he was set to be executed. The billboard advertising a reward of $125,000 for leads in the Yogurt shop murders. The billboard was at South Congress Avenue and Ben Whilte Boulevard. (American-Statesman file) The murders have drawn fascination among true crime enthusiasts for 34 years, marked with renewed interest through the years by television shows, documentaries and online chat groups. Just six weeks ago, the case received its latest round of national intrigue with the release of a four-part HBO documentary that seeks to underscore the impact of lurid crime media coverage that endures for decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the site today, a ground-level plaque dedicated to the girls stands in the parking lot of the strip mall where the yogurt shop stood. Forever in our hearts, the metal plaque on a granite base says, listing the names of the four girls. A newly placed yellow rose sits on the memorial for the four victims of the Yogurt shop murders on Anderson Lane. (American-Statesman 1999 file) A case that spans decades The girls were found around midnight on the night of Dec. 6, 1991, after Austin firefighters responded to the yogurt shop on West Anderson Lane. Inside, they discovered the girls bodies bound, gagged and burned. The shop had been doused with accelerants and set ablaze, severely limiting available forensic evidence. The girls had been shot in the head. Eight days after the murders, Austin police arrested 16-year-old Maurice Pierce with a .22-caliber revolver at Northcross Mall, a few blocks east of the yogurt shop. Pierce said he had loaned the gun to a friend, Forrest Welborn, 15, who had used it in the yogurt shop murders and told him about it later. The certification hearing of yogurt-shop suspects Maurice Pierce, (shown) and Forrest Welborn began today in the 98th District Court in Austin. District Judge Jeanne Meurer will decide whether to certify these men to stand trial as adults. They were juveniles at the time of the slayings. November 29, 1999. (David Kennedy/Austin American-Statesman) But police did not charge the men with the murders at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the first six years of investigation, Austin police followed thousands of leads, questioned numerous suspects and obtained multiple confessions that detectives later discredited. With much fanfare, Mexican authorities announced two months after the murders that they had arrested two men, saying both would be charged with the Austin murders after one had confessed. He later recanted that confession. A newly created cold case task force in 1999 put the spotlight back on Pierce, Welborn, and two associates, Michael Scott and Springsteen. Springsteen and Scott confessed, but later recanted, saying they had been coerced by police. A Travis County jury convicted Springsteen, and he was sentenced to death. Scott was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. The case against Welborn was dismissed, and Pierce later saw his case dismissed due to insufficient evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Springsteens conviction was overturned in 2006 on the grounds that his confession was improperly used against him, while Scotts conviction was overturned the following year on similar grounds. He was never exonerated for the crime. Robert Springsteen, walks out of 167th District Court a free man after prosecutors filed for dismissal on the homicide indictments against him and Michael Scott for the Yogurt Shop Murders in Austin, Texas, on Wednesday, October 28, 2009. (American-Statesman 2009 file) Prosecutors dismissed the charges against the men in 2009 after new DNA testing excluded them. Pierce died in December 2010 after an altercation with an Austin police officer, who Pierce stabbed in the neck and who was killed when the officer shot him following a traffic stop. DNA strand was possible new lead When she took office in 2017, then District Attorney Margaret Moore worked with Austin police to develop a new task force to pursue the yogurt shop killer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A new possible lead developed in the case came in 2020, when the American-Statesman reported scientists had been able to develop a male-only strand of DNA from the bodies of one of the girls. But it is not clear whether or how that lead may have been used to identify Brashers. Published reports about Brashers other crimes share striking similarities to other murder cases, including victims who were bound and shot in the head. On Friday, Austin police met with the families of the four girls to notify them of the development in the case but they were not immediately available for comment. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly, signalling he saw no end in sight for the war on Gaza, despite international condemnation. Netanyahu also dismissed a UN commissions findings that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, saying the forced displacement of civilians undermined the assessment. Heres a rundown of some of his key claims, fact checked. Netanyahus claims on Gaza Claim: If Hamas agrees to Israels demands, the war could end right now. Fact check: Israel, with full political and military support from the United States, has blocked numerous efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu and his government have been repeatedly blasted by the families of captives held in Gaza, along with thousands of Israelis, who protested to call for an end to the war and the return of all captives. On March 18, Israel torpedoed a ceasefire deal it had made with Hamas by killing more than 400 Palestinians and starting a months-long total blockade that led to famine in the enclave. Earlier this month, Israel claimed it had agreed to a ceasefire proposal again, only to immediately bomb Qatar in a failed effort to wipe out the entire political leadership of Hamas outside Gaza, and kill any hope of negotiations. Claim: Israel is taking great pains to minimise civilian casualties in Gaza. Fact check: Contrary to Netanyahus statement that the ratio of non-combatant to combatant casualties in Gaza is less than two to one, an investigation in August revealed a classified Israeli database that clearly showed 83 percent of the people Israel was killing in Gaza were civilians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation by +972 magazine, Local Call and The Guardian showed that of the list of 8,900 names of Hamas fighters killed in the database, several were listed as probably killed, meaning the percentage of civilians killed may be even higher. Claim: Hamas is endangering civilians in Gaza by forcing people to act as its human shields. Fact check: Netanyahus claim that Hamas implants itself in mosques, schools, hospitals, apartment buildings and tries to force these civilians not to leave, to stay in harms way, repeated a justification Israel has often used to bomb places where civilians shelter. This includes hospitals, schools, ambulances, mosques, water facilities, power stations and other infrastructure required to sustain life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, it has offered no evidence of an effort by Hamas and other fighters to use civilian facilities as so-called military command and control centres. Claim: A country committing genocide would not plead with civilians to get out of the way of its bombs. Netanyahu claims that issuing forced evacuation orders, which give families very little time to pack up their entire lives and flee or risk being killed, negates multilateral evidence-based findings that genocide is being committed in Gaza. The International Court of Justice, an independent international UN commission of inquiry, the International Association of Genocide Scholars, a large number of international human rights groups, including Israeli group BTselem and Amnesty International, and several countries have found that Israel has been committing genocidal acts in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UN and a slew of international organisations and doctors working on the ground in Gaza have testified that Israel has also been systematically blocking aid while creating a highly unsafe and desperate environment in which aid is regularly looted. Claim: Israel is not blocking aid from entering Gaza; it is Hamas that is stealing the aid from Palestinians. Fact check: Several reports have found that Hamas is not stealing the meagre aid that is allowed into Gaza. One report was by Israels own army, another by the USs foreign aid agency, USAID. Israel has imposed full blockades of all aid entering the Strip at various times, most recently between March and May this year. In May, it announced its support for the so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation as an aid distributor, with only four locations for the two million people in the entire Gaza Strip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The GHF relies on armed guards and Israeli soldiers to secure its premises, and more than 1,000 people have been killed there as they tried to secure food aid for their starving families. On the other hand, Netanyahu has admitted openly that his government is supporting a Palestinian militia in Gaza that is widely reported to be looting aid trucks. Netanyahus claims on the region Claim: Iran is rapidly developing a massive nuclear weapons programme and a massive ballistic missile programme that were meant to destroy Israel, threaten the US and blackmail nations. Fact check: Iran has always said its nuclear programme, which it has had for more than two decades, is for civilian purposes and that it is not seeking a nuclear weapon. Iran does not currently possess a nuclear weapon and the International Atomic Energy Agency say they have not found evidence of nuclear weapons production though they have raised concerns about their uranium enrichment efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is unlike the 90 or more nuclear warheads that Israel is believed to possess, according to multiple sources, including the United Kingdom parliament. The House of Commons Library says Israel is also thought to still be producing plutonium for weapons purposes and could even have a triad for delivery of its weapons (by land, sea and air). Western belief in the 2000s that Tehran wanted to build a bomb culminated in UN sanctions, which were lifted through the 2015 nuclear deal, which heavily restricted Irans enrichment capacity. Trump unilaterally left the deal in 2018, prompting Iran to gradually ramp up its nuclear enrichment, which is now at up to 60 percent, a closer technical step from the more than 90 percent required for a bomb, but it maintains it will never build a weapon of mass destruction. Claim: Israel has killed Irans top military commanders and its top nuclear scientists Fact check: Israel has succeeded in assassinating dozens of top military commanders and nuclear scientists across Iran, but Iranian authorities have said that eliminating individuals will not stop it from achieving its goals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also said some of the countrys air defences remain intact, while others have been repaired or replaced. Iran has also threatened to launch more retaliatory strikes if Israel attacks it. Claim: Israel has killed half of the leadership of the Houthis, Hamas, and Hezbollah, destroyed former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assads armaments in Syria and deterred Shia militias in Iraq. Fact check: The Israeli military has attacked Yemen repeatedly, including its single-largest strikes on the capital, Sanaa, on Thursday, allegedly targeting the headquarters of the Houthi General Staff, and killing the Houthi prime minister last month, along with other cabinet ministers and leaders. But it does not appear to have wiped out Houthi military command, which continues to launch drone and missile strikes on Israel in opposition to the war on Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel has assassinated much of the top political and military leadership of Hezbollah, including longtime secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah, but the Lebanese group remains defiant, vowing to continue fighting against Israel. Israel has killed senior political leaders of Hamas inside and outside Gaza, including Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh. Hamas, although weakened, continues to launch attacks against invading Israeli ground forces in Gaza and is recruiting more fighters. In Syria, after the fall of the 50-year Assad dynasty, Israel continued to attack Syrias military assets and infrastructure, destroying much of it. Israel also continues to militarily occupy the Golan Heights and large parts of Syria south of the capital, Damascus, arguing it is necessary for its security. Is there evidence that Erika Kirk was a recruiter for Jeffrey Epstein or that she had her husband, Charlie Kirk, killed to shut him up about it? No, that's not true: The claim appears to be based on another false claim that Erika Kirk operated a charity in Romania that was used for trafficking orphaned children internationally. Lead Stories previously researched that claim and found it unfounded. Another possible basis for the claim in that she was a competitor in the Miss USA pageant, which was owned by Trump, who was a friend of Epstein's. The timeline of those purported connections does not support the claim. The claim appeared in a post (archived here) shared by the @princess_kim_k account on X on September 14, 2025. It read: ERIKA KIRK IS IN THE EPSTEIN FILES AS A RECRUITER! ERIKA KIRK IS IN THE EPSTEIN FILES ABD HAD CHARLIE KILLED TO SHUT HIM UP ! This is what the post looked like at the time of writing: Source: screenshot of X.com by Lead Stories Erika Lane Frantzve, born in Ohio in 1988, became Erika Kirk when she married Charlie Kirk in 2021. She was a student at Notre Dame Preparatory High School in Scottsdale, Arizona, in 2005, when the Palm Beach Police Department began an investigation of Epstein's sexual activities with underage high school girls in South Florida. Frantzve was studying political science at Arizona State University in 2008, when Epstein accepted a deal to plead guilty to charges of soliciting prostitution to end the investigation. The federal indictment (archived here) that preceded Epstein's 2019 arrest -- and subsequent death in jail -- covered sex trafficking allegations relating to 2002 to 2005. There is no evidence that Frantzve knew Epstein, helped recruit minor victims, or was a victim of Epstein, while she was in high school in Arizona. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frantzve was chosen Miss Arizona USA in 2012, part of the Miss USA competition owned by Donald Trump at the time. The implication that this connection to Trump led her to Epstein is not feasible, since there is no evidence that Trump's friendship with Epstein went beyond about 2004. Another aspect of the disinformation about Erika Kirk is the false claim that she operated charities in Romania that were accused of trafficking Romanian orphans. Lead Stories debunked that claim in our fact check titled Fact Check: No Evidence Erika Kirk's 'Romanian Angels' Evangelical Ministry Was Accused Of Trafficking Children Or Banned From Romania. It opened: Is there any evidence that Charlie Kirk's widow Erika Kirk's "Romanian Angels" or "Everyday Heroes like You" ministries were accused of "snatching children only to send them straight into sex and organ trafficking networks in the United Kingdom and Israel? No, that's not true: A review of Romanian court records and media reports by Lead Stories' Romanian staff found only positive mentions of the charities' work. The charity promoted a campaign for Americans to "adopt" an orphan by sending them Christmas gifts to be delivered by U.S. military personnel stationed in Romania. It was not involved in international adoptions. Charlie Kirk was speaking out about the Epstein scandal in the months before he was shot to death on September 10, 2025. In this July 10, 2025, segment of "The Charlie Kirk Show," he is critical of President Trump's opposition to the government releasing more documents relating to the Epstein scandal: The claim that Erika Kirk has her husband killed "to shut him up" is not supported by any evidence given by those making that claim. Since we know she was not connected to the Epstein sex scandal, we also know Charlie Kirk's calling for release of the Epstein files would not have been a motivation for murder. NEW YORK Wall Street multimillionaire Howard Rubin was arrested Friday on charges alleging he psychologically and sexually brutalized women inside luxury hotels and a Midtown sex dungeon with help from his assistant in a yearslong sex trafficking scheme. The famous financier was picked up by the feds in Fairfield, Connecticut, in an early morning bust and arraigned later Friday in Brooklyn federal court on a bombshell 10-count indictment, which accuses him of sex trafficking and transporting people for prostitution, stemming from allegations by at least nine women. Rubins personal assistant, Jennifer Powers, 45, was arrested in Texas for allegedly facilitating all aspects of his abuse as his right-hand. At his arraignment, Rubin pleaded not guilty. Brooklyn federal Judge Peggy Kuo ordered him remanded without bail, calling him a flight risk and a continued danger to the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a very serious set of allegations. He was allegedly involved in very violent behavior and faces very serious criminal penalties, Kuo said, also citing Rubins alleged attempts to intimidate his accusers, including hiring a hitman on the Dark Web, in her reasons for denying bail. The feds say that from 2009 to 2019, the 70-year-old retired money manager and Powers lured Playboy models and other women to the city under false pretenses, to torture and leave deformed after bondage, discipline, dominance, submission and sadomasochism sessions, known as BDSM. Among several distressing incidents alleged in court docs are details of Rubin raping women after they had fallen unconscious or were unable to give consent because they were gagged and thus unable to coherently speak. In a letter to Judge Kuo ahead of Rubins appearance, the feds said the weight of their evidence was strong and asked that the divorced financier, who has lived alone in Connecticut since 2022, remain jailed before trial, referencing $74.4 million he has stored in a Cayman Islands account. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They said Powers, who has made millions working for Rubin, yet has never reported wages to the IRS, should be detained on a significant bail package untied to Rubins wealth after shes transported to New York in the coming days. The abuse mostly took place at luxury hotels in Manhattan before Rubin began leasing the 76th-floor penthouse on West 57th Street in 2011, where he and Powers transformed one of its two bedrooms into a sex dungeon, painted red, soundproofed, storing an electrocution device, and regularly stocked by Powers with other BDSM equipment, court docs say. Ive put chains on the four points of your cross and four points of the Dungeon bed. On the end of each chain is a cuff, Powers is quoted telling Rubin, a July 2012 email referenced in Fridays filings. Ive done this bc it will be VERY easy to just throw someone on the cross or on the bed and just strap them into the premade chains and cuffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A doorman at the midtown apartment building said he was surprised by the shocking news. He seemed like a normal guy. Hed say, Hi, how you doing? Have a good night. I might need a taxi. I got a food delivery coming. Can you watch my bags? That was it, the doorman, who asked not to be identified, said. He said sometimes women would come to the building as visitors and Rubin would tell the doorman to send them up. The indictment also contains allegations that Rubin used force, fraud and coercion to traffic a woman in 2018 in Las Vegas. In a statement, Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella alleged that Rubin, with the help of Powers, employed his staggering wealth to recruit women for sex and sexual torture without their consent, traumatizing them and often inflicting lasting physical, deforming injuries. Court documents allege he spent at least $1 million to fund the sadistic abuse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Todays arrests show that no one who engages in sex trafficking, in this case in luxury hotels and a penthouse apartment that featured a so-called sex dungeon, is above the law, and that they will be brought to justice, Nocella said. Human beings are not chattel to be exploited for sex and sadistically abused, and anyone who thinks otherwise can expect to find themselves in handcuffs and facing federal prosecution like these defendants. Rubin is also accused of bank fraud in the indictment for allegedly lying when he financed Powers mortgage for a Texas home for her and her husband. A former portfolio manager for George Soros investment fund, whose successful career was detailed in Michael Lewis best-selling books The Big Short and Liars Poker, Rubin has faced similar allegations in civil lawsuits but not criminal charges, until Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He and Powers were sued in November 2017 for sex trafficking and other claims and found not liable in spring 2022. An appeal before the 2nd Circuit is pending. Prosecutors allege Powers facilitated Rubins rampant abuse by arranging for the victims air travel, typically via LaGuardia or Kennedy Airport, paying them, typically in installments on PayPal to avoid scrutiny, and securing their silence with aggressively enforced nondisclosure agreements. The NDAs blank copies of which were kept on hand in a penthouse safe contained a $500,000 penalty, court papers say, and Rubin at one point went so far as to pursue a hitman on the dark web to silence the women who filed suit against him. Court papers allege the NDAs grossly misrepresented the manner and degree of violence the women would endure, but required them to assume the risks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubin knew women would be left in a lot of pain, and that the sessions would make them cry, and would leave them sore and bruised for probably a week, and stated as such in an August 2013 email, prosecutors wrote Friday. The abuse Rubin inflicted on victims many of whom were gagged and restrained in the locked Dungeon during the encounters included electrocuting their genitals; probing their genitals with pool cues and utensils; beating their breasts and bodies with closed fists; and performing violent sex acts on their bodies while they were unconscious, Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath wrote in Rubins detention letter. The well-connected financier allegedly brazenly detailed many of his crimes on his work email account, the feds say, and Powers often wrote back, taking pleasure in the sick details of his abuse. At Rubins arraignment on Friday, McGrath alleged that Rubin had more victims and accomplices than those named in the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are dozens of other victims that the government is aware of who are not yet included in charges. And his network was also more expansive than just the victims. He relied on at least 10 other individuals to recruit women and to facilitate their torment, McGrath said. McGrath also alleged at arraignment that Rubin has been dishonest about his finances, reporting only a fraction of his wealth to investigators. He reported pretrial that he had wealth of $49 million but in 2024 he had almost $75 million in one single account in the Cayman Islands, she said, adding there was no explanation for the huge difference. She accused him of hiding $40 million. Additionally, Rubin refused to tell law enforcement where his passport was, according to McGrath. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The allegations resemble those against deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein and his convicted conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell, with Rubin and Powers similarly accused of operating a recruitment system and seeking out vulnerable, young, financially desperate women with a history of addiction and being sexually abused. A grand jury indicted Rubin and Powers in Brooklyn on Sept. 17. They each face a minimum term of 15 years imprisonment, with Rubin facing a max of 30 years. Attorneys who repped Rubin in related lawsuits could not immediately be reached for comment. On 57th St., a nearby worker was stunned. Thats crazy, he said. You never know what people are doing inside their homes. They could be doing anything. (Emma Seiwell contributed.) _____ Journes described how he believes the ongoing war and surrounding diplomatic turmoil could add up to something positive, explaining that Israel can turn this status into a victory. The French Ambassador to Israel, Frederic Journes, discussed French President Emmanuel Macron's decision to recognize a Palestinian state and the Israel-Hamas War during an interview with KAN on Thursday. Journes described how he believes the ongoing war and surrounding diplomatic turmoil could add up to something positive, explaining that Israel can turn this status into a victory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The French decision would serve as a basis for the normalization of Arab countries with Israel, according to Journes, adding that recognition of a Palestinian state will lead to recognition of Israel as a state as well. France is one of 140 countries that voted to approve a United Nations resolution that would lead to the official recognition of a Palestinian state. French Ambassador Frederic Journes, German ambassador Steffen Siebert speaking at The Jerusalem Post Diplomatic Conference, September 16, 2025. (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM) Implications of the Israel-Hamas war On the day after, Gaza will not be under Hamass control, Journes shared, regarding what the end of the ongoing war might look like. It will not be simple, but Israel has already done tremendous military work against Hamas in Gaza. They killed their entire leadership. Journes suggested that military work will not be enough here, the real issue is Hamas' constant recruitment of young civilians, and that the way to resolve that issue is by empowering credible local authorities who will tackle crime and provide a normal life to the residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Journes acknowledged the serious toll this war has taken on the Israeli people: I see the suffering and the pain here; there is another way to end this, a ceasefire that will lead to the release of the hostages and then to the establishment of an international security force. Addressing a rumor that the Israeli government may force the closure of the French embassy in Jerusalem in response to Frances recognition of a Palestinian state, Journes said he had made clear to our Israeli colleagues that if such a move is carried out, we will respond forcefully. Journes did not elaborate on what a forceful response might entail. The ambassador rejected the notion of carrying on with hostile diplomacy between the two nations, emphasizing that he hopes that the two nations may one day restore the relationship they shared before October 7. We are not the enemy. We are offering options for peace, and attacking the discourse between us is not the right step. Our declaration is a path to reconstruction and further investments, he concluded. West African migrants deported from the United States to Ghana earlier this month have been transferred to neighbouring Togo by force, according to their lawyers, who are pursuing lawsuits in US, Ghanaian and regional courts alleging violations of fundamental human rights. Editors note: This post was updated at 16:00 on Saturday to reflect developments in the ongoing story. Of 14 people who landed in Ghana from the US on 6 September, lawyers say 11 were kept in detention. After around two weeks at a military camp near Accra, six of them were allegedly taken across the border to Togo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deportees were forced by armed military guards to climb wire fences, said Samantha Hamilton, an attorney for Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC), a civil rights organisation that has filed a lawsuit in the US on behalf of the migrants. A woman in her late 50s was thrown on the back of a motorcycle and smuggled across the border. The lawyers believe that Togo was chosen for its proximity. It is two and a half hours' drive from where the deportees were held in Ghana. Only two of the people removed between 18 and 19 September are Togolese nationals, according to their lawyers, the others hailing from Nigeria, Mali, Liberia and Gambia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Malian woman who only speaks Bambara was left to fend for herself in Togo. She was sexually assaulted, Hamilton told RFI. A spokesperson for the Ghanaian government, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, told RFI on 23 September that "all deportees have left Ghana for their respective home countries". Yet their lawyers say they have information that indicates four other deportees were not transferred to their countries of origin but sent by Ghanaian authorities to different countries. One of the deportees has reportedly been released to family in Ghana. Public embarrassment Hamilton believes it was a calculated attempt to get rid of these people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The migrants were transferred after they filed lawsuits against the authorities in Ghana, suing for their release and to avoid being repatriated to countries where they could be in danger. After an initial hearing on 17 September, a judge adjourned the case until 23 September. By then, the 11 deportees were no longer in Ghana so the lawyers had to withdraw the application for an injunction to prevent their repatriation and the application for the government to produce them in court. West Africans deported by US sue Ghana for 'unlawful detention' What the government did was try to circumvent and frustrate the court processes, said Oliver Barker-Vormawor, a senior partner at Merton & Everett law firm in Accra and one of the lawyers representing the deportees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was every attempt to keep this under wraps. The government was embarrassed by the lawsuits and this becoming public, he claimed. The deportees told us that the military hierarchy and those who were holding them were in an apparent state of confusion regarding the publicity and wanted to get rid of them as fast as they could. Lawsuits ongoing Barker-Vormawor told RFI that the case against the government in Ghana for breach of human rights remains ongoing. We're also pursuing the government for the detention of the deportees in a military facility. They were detained as civilians in a military facility for around 14 days without being brought before a court, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The matter will be taken to the court of regional body Ecowas, involving lawyers from the US, including the American Civil Liberties Union. An action is being filed to compel Ghana's government to disclose its agreement with the US and halt its implementation until it is submitted to parliament for ratification. Ghana's foreign affairs minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said that his government was not under any obligation to produce its memorandum of understanding with Washington. Opposition parties, however, point to a 2017 Supreme Court ruling that states any international agreement must be ratified by parliament. US efforts In the US, the AAJC has also been trying to get hold of the agreement but the US government has been unwilling to provide that information, said Hamilton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This seems like a scheme to disappear people in violation of American immigration laws as well as international law. Hamilton claims President Donald Trump's administration entered a deal with Ghana while knowing it has a history of unlawfully repatriating people to countries where they face torture and persecution, as documented by the US Department of State. We want to put an end to this third country removal policy completely, she said. Theres a lawsuit pending in a federal court in Boston challenging this policy. Several US federal courts have ordered the return to the US of people who have been deported to third countries, Hamilton noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These federal courts are some of the only tools we have to try hold the Trump administration to account... The Trump administration has flouted the rule of law repeatedly. I have to believe, for my own sanity, that one of these days the government will comply with court-ordered decisions, because that's all that we've got. How Trumps 'deportation campaign' is reshaping ties with Africa 'Pan-African solidarity' Ghana, one of five African countries to agree deportation deals with Washington, is preparing to take in more people expelled from the US. According to Barker-Vormawor, some 14 more deportees reached Ghana on 19 September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know that the government is taking extreme measures to prevent any leak of information about the detention of these persons, he said. Last week, foreign minister Ablakwa announced that 40 more deportees were to be transferred to Ghana from the US. He also said that accepting them in Ghana was an act of "pan-African solidarity" designed to provide "temporary refuge" and prevent suffering. Barker-Vormawor dismissed that justification. "Given what we have uncovered, the governments PR about pan-African solidarity does not stand," he said. "We think that the initiative came from the US, whereby certain actions from Ghana might be favourably looked upon by the Trump administration. We think that was the deal on the table, and that's why the government accepted it." Hamad falsely stated in the CNN interview that the terror organization only attacked military targets and that they "never intended to kidnap civilians." Hamas remains unapologetic about its October 7 attacks, terror group official Ghazi Hamad told CNN in a report published Friday. Hamad, a member of the terrorist organizations political bureau, survived an Israeli strike earlier this month in Doha. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attacks on October 7 in Israel killed nearly 1,200 people, and more than 250 were taken hostage, in an event Hamad said the terror organization has no regrets about, despite the consequences for the Gaza Strip. Hamad falsely stated in the CNN interview that the terror organization only attacked military targets and that it never intended to kidnap civilians. He added that the Palestinian cause has benefited from October 7, citing in the interview more international support in Palestinian state recognition and further worldwide condemnations of Israeli actions. You know what the benefit of October 7 is now? If you look at the [United Nations] General Assembly yesterday, about 194 members opened their eyes to the atrocity and brutality of Israel, and they condemned Israel, CNN quoted him as saying. We waited for this moment for 77 years. Ghazi Hamad, member of Hamas Political Office, delivers remarks on the Israel-Hamas war during a press conference in Beirut, Lebanon, November 2, 2023; illustrative. (credit: REUTERS/ALAA AL-MARJANI) Another Hamas official, Osama Hamdan, also said that some countries recent recognition of a Palestinian state is the result of Hamass October 7 attacks in an interview with Al Mayadeen. Hamad: No regrets for Palestinian civilian suffering in Gaza When asked by CNN if Hamad had any remorse for Palestinian civilian life lost in Gaza, Hamad made no apologies. The report also previously quoted Hamad as saying Palestinians are proud to sacrifice martyrs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNN also showed Hamad footage of Gazan civilians condemning the terrorist organization, the US news organization reported, noting that Hamad refused to look at the footage for more than a few seconds, pushing the iPad away. When asked about the hostages by CNN, and whether they were being used as human shields dispersed throughout Gaza City amid the IDF incursion into the area, Hamad denied the claims and said they are being treated with Islamic principles. Hamad then described talks with US President Donald Trump to end the Gaza war as frozen, the report added, despite Trump saying that talks with Middle Eastern players on Gaza were productive. Hamad claimed that there have been no negotiations with the US leader since the strike on Qatar, accusing Trump of giving the green light for Israels attempted assassination of him. The CNN report continued, adding that Hamad claimed his actions had caused US negotiators involved in the ceasefire mediation to lose their credibility. Hello its the weekend. This is The Weekender Eager to cleanse his administration of the human guardrails that fenced him in during his first term, President Trump stocked his second White House with slavishly loyal zealots. Podcast hosts and Fox News anchors run the FBI and Pentagon, Trumps small-time defense lawyers get launched into the stratosphere of the DOJ. While prioritizing blind devotion over basic competency has its pitfalls see the fiefdom of nightmares Kristi Noem and Cory Lewandowski are running over at DHS, complete with a FEMA director who refuses to respond to natural disasters outside the 9-5 its also given Trumps orbit significantly more job protection than it had the first time around. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Trump I, he had six White House communication directors, four chiefs of staff, four DHS secretaries. Brookings found that as of January 2021, Trumps A team the most influential positions within the executive office of the president had a 92% turnover rate (Reagans 78% was the only rate of a modern president that came anywhere close to Trumps). His Cabinet turnover was similarly astonishing compared to other presidencies, nearly doubling the next highest rate. Trumps second administration while still early in the term is markedly stable by comparison. Mutterings occasionally circulate about displeasure with AG Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, but each cycle of speculation fizzles fairly quickly, more often than not with a Truth Social announcement of confidence from Trump. Michael Walz, the former National Security Adviser who let a reporter into a Signal chat about combat operations, was the most high profile head to roll, and he was gently parachuted over to the United Nations. The staff has been so stable that the departure of a deputy chief of staff without a national profile made headlines this week as the first major aide to leave. The first time around, Trump had to systematically dispense with the adults in the room, the serious people that came along with him either (ungenerously) for the big name jobs and proximity to power or (generously) to also temper his worst impulses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are no adults in charge this time. The few that carried over to the second term Russ Vought, Stephen Miller share or exceed Trumps authoritarian passions. Anyone with the spine to oppose him has been expelled. Trumps thirst for bloodletting hasnt diminished, hes just trained that impulse on USAID staffers and National Labor Relations Board members, the second ever Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs and inspectors general across the government, the Bureau of Labor statistics chief and nearly the entirety of the DOJs Public Integrity Section. Civil servants who escaped the purges have left voluntarily, refusing to turn the might of the federal government against Trumps enemies or to peddle anti-vax propaganda at the CDC or to hand IRS data on undocumented immigrants over to ICE. The stability of a government job has evaporated, the appeal for the public servants who, administration in and administration out, kept the country functioning has dimmed, all by design. Its a catastrophic problem and will be a massive undertaking for the next Democrat who takes back the Oval Office. But for the next 3.3 years, theres one ironclad survival tactic (for those lucky enough to avoid the random and haphazard layoffs): Just do whatever Trump wants, all of the time. Kate Riga Heres what else TPM has on tap this weekend: A bunch of big-name comedians are gearing up to help the kingdom of Saudi Arabia whitewash its governments record of human rights abuses, murdering journalists and general authoritarian rule as part of the Riyadh Comedy Festival this month. Missouris Republican governor will make the states new Missouri First congressional map official this weekend, after the state legislature happily bowed to pressure from the White House to help President Trump rig the midterms for Republicans. The new map splits up the historically Dem Kansas City district, one of Missouris two U.S. House seats held by a Democrat. Democrat Adelita Grijalva, the daughter of Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) who died of cancer in March won a special election for his old seat this week, shrinking House Republicans tiny majority even further. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lets dig in. Guffaws in the Gulf In Saudi Arabia, if you do journalism or speak out against the government, you could get your ass killed. And, if you buy an approximately $26 ticket, you can laugh your ass off to some of the biggest names in comedy! Starting on Thursday and going through October 8, the kingdoms repressive regime and its capital city are playing host to the Riyadh Comedy Festival. This oil barrel of laughs will feature huge acts including: Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, Louis C.K., Pete Davidson, Bill Burr, Hannibal Burress, Whitney Cummings, Chris Tucker, and Andrew Schulz. These hilarious festivities are part of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmans Vision 2030 campaign, which, essentially, is a plan to use the countrys immense oil revenue to develop other businesses there, while also promoting modernization and cultural diversity. However, bin Salmans supposed reforms have also come alongside mass executions and a brutal crackdown on dissent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Human Rights Watch issued statements on Tuesday that described the festival as a whitewashing of the countrys violent authoritarianism. The organization said the Saudi governments comedy event could deflect attention from its brutal repression of free speech and other pervasive human rights violations. Earlier this month, Human Rights Watch urged the participating comedians to request a meeting with officials to raise concerns about these abuses. They did not receive a response. The whole dystopian spectacle is especially disturbing since many of these comedians are regulars on the so-called man-o-sphere podcast circuit where they style themselves as free speech absolutists. And, if any of them were somehow unaware of the fact Saudi Arabia is the polar opposite of a free speech haven, it all became abundantly clear when one participating comic, Tim Dillon, said he was pulled from the festival lineup after criticizing the kingdoms government on a podcast. According to Dillon, the comedians were given staggering six and seven figure sums to crack jokes in Riyadh. Along with overlooking Saudi Arabias treatment of its own citizens, that cash was apparently enough to get these comics to see past the countrys extensive involvement with the 9/11 hijackers. That last bit makes the show especially awkward for Davidson, whose father was a firefighter who tragically and heroically died responding to the attacks. Other comedians have blasted their colleagues for signing up for the festival, including Marc Maron, who noted the September 11th connection as he mocked the event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How do you even promote that? You know, like, from the folks that brought you 9/11, two weeks of laughter in the desert, Maron quipped. Dont miss it! If, in spite of all this, you are still interested in attending the Riyadh Comedy Festival, tickets are available on the Saudi Tourism Authoritys website. The page also includes an extensive series of FAQs with guidance for visitors including warnings about public etiquette, guidance encouraging women to consider long sleeves and full-length skirts or pants, and a warning for LGBTQ travelers to respect our culture and follow our local laws, which punish same-sex activity with measures that have included prison sentences, deportation, flogging, and capital punishment. Hilarious fun! Hunter Walker Missouri GOP Guv Will Make Trumps Midterm-Stealing New Map Official Sunday Missouri Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe will sign a bill into law on Sunday that redraws some of the states congressional districts, a new map that will benefit Republicans. Its part of the effort to acquiesce to President Donald Trumps pressure campaign to compel red states to engage in mid-cycle redistricting ahead of the midterm elections. Kehoes announcement is the latest in Trumps larger plan to lessen the chances that Republicans lose the House in 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new congressional map, which Kehoe has described with an extremely MAGA name Missouri First will, as previously reported by TPM, change a Kansas City congressional district that is currently represented by Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, who was also the first Black mayor of Kansas City. The new gerrymandered map will now split Kansas City into three GOP-favoring congressional districts. After a thorough bill review process with our team, I am prepared to officially sign the Missouri First Map into law, Kehoe said in a press release on Thursday. Missouris conservative, common-sense values should be truly represented at all levels of government, and the Missouri First Map delivers just that. Trump, in a post on Truth Social, has referred to Missouris gerrymandered map as a new, much fairer, and much improved, Congressional Map. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thank you very much to the Great State of Missouri for the Redistricting which will, hopefully, give us an additional Seat in Congress! Trump wrote. Khaya Himmelman Adelita Grijalva Victory Shrinks GOPs House Majority Further Democrat Adelita Grijalva daughter of the late Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) won the Arizona special election this week, defeating Republican Daniel Butierez and formally replacing her father to represent the states 7th congressional district. Raul Grijalva lost a long battle with cancer in March. Grijalvas victory will effectively shrink the House GOPs margin, shifting the numbers to 219 Republicans, 214 Democrats and 2 vacancies. That means House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) can only afford to lose two Republican votes in any party line vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Besides the margin, Grijalvas win is also crucial for House Democrats because the Arizona Democrat has said she will be the 218th member to sign the discharge petition to allow a floor vote to try to force the Department of Justice to release all records related to Jeffrey Epstein. Im planning on traveling to Washington D.C. on Monday to join my Democratic colleagues in demanding that Republicans come to the negotiating table to prevent a government shutdown and vote on the release of the Epstein files, Grijalva said in a statement Wednesday night. Grijalva will first have to be sworn into office to sign the Epstein petition. As of now, the exact date of her swear-in is not set and will depend on when Speaker Johnson calls the House back into session. Johnson recessed the House last Friday until after the government funding deadline to try to strong-arm the Senate into either voting for the CR they passed or accepting a shutdown. Meanwhile, White House officials and senior House Republicans are reportedly pressuring Reps. Nancy Mace (R-SC), Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Lauren Boebert (R-CO) to remove their names from the petition. Emine Yucel On the evening of September 27, 2024, a string of Israeli bunker-busting bombs on a Hezbollah complex in Beirut's southern suburbs killed Nasrallah Hezbollah on Saturday will commemorate one year since its then-chief Hassan Nasrallah was killed by Israel, the opening salvo of a war that ultimately battered his once-powerful group and left swathes of Lebanon in ruins. On the evening of September 27, 2024, a string of Israeli bunker-busting bombs on a Hezbollah complex in Beirut's southern suburbs killedNasrallah, who had led the powerful Shi'ite religious, political and military group for more than 30 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nasrallah's death and the war that followed dealt huge blows to the Iran-backed group. His heir apparent Hashem Safieddine was killed weeks later. By December, Hezbollah's Syrian ally Bashar al-Assad was toppled. Now pressure is swelling on the group to disarm - a demand Hezbollah has rejected. Nasrallah became secretary general of Hezbollah in 1992 aged just 35 after his predecessor, Sayyed Abbas al-Musawi, was killed in an Israeli helicopter attack. Hezbollah supporters gesture as they gather at the site where the group's late leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed, before the first anniversary of his assassination in an airstrike, in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, September 26, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/MOHAMED AZAKIR) With his fiery speeches, he swiftly became the public face of a once-shadowy group founded by Iran's Revolutionary Guards in 1982 to fight Israeli forces. Fighting against the Jewish state He was at the helm when Hezbollah guerrillas drove Israeli forces from southern Lebanon in 2000, ending an 18-year occupation, and declared a "Divine Victory" after the group waged 34 days of war with Israel in 2006, winning the respect of many Arabs who had grown up watching Israel defeat their armies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As his group grew to become Lebanon's most influential political and military force, it also developed a regional role as the spearhead of Iran's "Axis of Resistance" - fighting in Syria on behalf of Assad and training Houthis in Yemen. The day after Hamas's cross-border attack into Israel on October 7, 2023, Hezbollah entered the fray in solidarity with its Palestinian ally by firing on Israel from southern Lebanon. That prompted exchanges of fire for nearly a year before Israel sharply escalated by detonating explosives-rigged communication devices used by Hezbollah, pummeling the country with air strikes and sending troops into Lebanon's south. More than 4,000 people were ultimately killed in Israel's military assault, including more than 300 children. Despite a truce, Israel continues to carry out deadly strikes in Lebanon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel's air and ground campaign prevented a formal burial for Nasrallah for months. Followers, including his son, have since flocked to his grave to pray. Crowds are expected to gather in Hezbollah strongholds in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon's south and east. The group's secretary-general, Naim Qassem, who took over a month after Nasrallah's killing, will make an address. Tensions over the commemoration have been mounting this week, particularly after Hezbollah projected the portraits of Nasrallah and Safieddine on the famed towering rocks off the coast of Beirut. The display went ahead, despite orders by Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and the Beirut governor not to do so, angering Lebanese opponents of Hezbollah who said the cliffs should not be used for political displays. The projection of Hezbollah leaders onto a natural landmark has sparked fierce debate over state authority and deepening political tensions, according to an Arab News report. The Lebanese government was put on notice last week after images of Hezbollahs late leaders were projected onto a natural landmark off the coast. The Raouche Rocks, also known as Pigeon Rocks, are an important natural landmark in Beirut. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hezbollah projected images of Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah leader, and Hashem Safieddine, his successor. Both were killed by Israel last year. Hezbollah still lurking in the background The goal of projecting the images was to show Lebanon that Hezbollah is still powerful and that it lurks in the background. This has cast a shadow over Lebanese politics as Lebanons government continues to weigh demands to disarm the Iranian-backed terrorist group. A report from Arab News in Saudi Arabia said that the Lebanese government has vowed to rein in Hezbollah after the Raouche Rocks display. An image of the group's late leader Hassan Nasrallah hangs from a building as people watch atop near the site where Nasrallah was killed, before the first anniversary of his assassination in an airstrike, in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, September 26, 2025. (credit: MOHAMED AZAKIR/REUTERS) The Lebanese government pledged swift legal action after Hezbollah brazenly defied an official ban, projecting images of its late leaders onto Beiruts landmark Raouche Rock, a public display that has reignited fierce debate over state authority and deepened political tensions across the country, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lebanons Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the incident. He made it appear like a bureaucratic incident, noting that Hezbollah had breached its permit for an event. Ministers stressed the governments commitment to Lebanons stability and social cohesion, vowing to counter divisive rhetoric and halt hate campaigns that threaten national integrity, Arab News said. The incident illustrates how Hezbollah continues to play a role in Lebanon, although it has been weakened since the war with Israel. Israel had reached a ceasefire agreement with the group in November 2024. The IDF continues to carry out airstrikes on Hezbollah operatives. However, the group appears to want to wait and hope that it can pass through this period of weakness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These is no doubt that Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and President Joseph Aoun deemed the Raouche incident important. They know Lebanon wants to make a comeback, as it has sought to keep its weapons and continue its influence in various parts of Lebanon. Lebanons Minister of Justice Adel Nassar has confirmed he is looking into the incident. Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, who opposes Hezbollah, praised the governments reaction. There appears to be growing consensus in Lebanon against Hezbollahs antics. More voices are willing to condemn the group. Meanwhile, Aoun called for the first anniversary of the killing of Hezbollah's two secretaries-general, Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine, to be "an occasion to rally around the project of a single, strong, and just state." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This appears to clearly be a shot across Hezbollahs bow. Aoun wants to show that he and the prime minister will continue to try to solidify the state, which will mean eventual confrontation with Hezbollah. However, so far, the Lebanese state has not been willing to confront and disarm the group. The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, declared that Hezbollah "represents a solid barrier against the Israeli entity, according to a report at the pro-Hezbollah Al-Akhbar. These comments come during the anniversary of Israels strikes on Hezbollah that brought the group to its knees between September and November 2024. During a press conference following his meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain al-Tineh, Larijani said, "Hezbollah is a genuine movement in Lebanon and the Islamic world, and what matters to it is the well-being of the Lebanese people." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that the resistance represents a significant asset for the Islamic nation, and there is no doubt that the martyr Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has a distinguished role in this field. He recognized the danger of Israel decades ago, devised and implemented plans to confront this enemy, and launched this massive movement that includes this large number of young mujahideen. Iran's challenges Iran is facing many challenges in the region. Its nuclear program is in the spotlight and it now faces what is called snapback, as sanctions appear to be returning on Iran from several European countries. As such, Iran knows it will have trouble funding or re-arming Hezbollah, who has lost part of its missile arsenal due to the war last year. It continues to lose commanders to IDF airstrikes. Iran is therefore hinting that it cant come to the groups aid. Will this mean Iran cuts its losses and ditches Hezbollah? That is unlikely, but it means Hezbollah is now isolated and on the back burner in Irans regional policy. Iran may prefer to try to shore up its role in Iraq and also continue outreach to Qatar, Turkey, Russia and China. Hezbollah can project images onto landmarks in Lebanon, but this may be the current extent of its power. Nevertheless, it continues to cast a shadow of Lebanon. (WIVT/WBGH) The middle of September through mid-October is Hispanic Heritage Month. I spoke with a member of the Hispanic community who has cemented himself as a leader here in Greater Binghamton. Edward Marte has hosted Binghamtons Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration since 2023 and says that, since moving to the US from the Dominican Republic, he wanted to make an impact. I knew that I came to the United States for a reason. Not being able to go to school for a year really motivated me to continue and also learn about my community and actually want to give back to my community, said Marte. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marte has been making a difference in his community from a young age. He started a business at just 13 years old, selling clothes and school supplies in the Dominican Republic. He moved to the US at the age of 16 and didnt speak English. Between the language barrier and distance from home, he says his transition to America was not easy. I moved here without my parents and without my family, so it was really challenging to adapt to the culture and being far away from all my family and friends. So, it was definitely really a challenge for me, said Marte. Despite facing early struggles, Marte soon found his footing and continued his passion of helping others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a Binghamton High School student, he was recommended by one of his teachers to travel to the Puerto Rican Institute in Syracuse and serve as a translator for other students. Marte says the only bus from Binghamton that would get him to Syracuse in time for the 9:30 trainings left at 4 a.m., so he would arrive at 5 and wait for hours until the students arrived. He says the wait was well worth it, as the experience made him into a true leader. Not only is he a leader within Binghamtons Hispanic community, but also in the classroom as he teaches Spanish at East Middle School. I know what it is to be in middle school, and I know how it is to be educated, so thats what really inspired me to give back to the community and help others to be successful in life, said Marte. Martes contributions have not gone unnoticed. In January, he received the 2025 National Youth Award from the Consulate General of the Dominican Republic in New York for his work abroad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He says for the past few years, he has donated school supplies to children in the Dominican Republic. Marte says he helped over 250 children this past year, and he doesnt just ship the supplies there; he travels there himself to hand-deliver them and spends time with the students. From teaching to philanthropy to running city-wide events, Marte has a busy schedule but is excited for the upcoming Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. Im looking forward for more people to come together, especially with everything that is going on. I want to see my community come together, I want to see new faces. And also new performances because, like I mentioned, I want to have more performances that represent not only the Dominican Republic, but the entire Hispanic community, said Marte. Marte says many different Spanish-speaking cultures will be represented at the festival, with a variety of food and dancing. But he says hell always remain proud of where he came from. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im really proud to be Dominican, orgullosamente de ser Dominicano y de celebrar el mez de la Herencia Hispana con todo los Hispanos, said Marte. That translates to Marte is proud to be Dominican and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with all of the Hispanics in the community. This years Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration will take place at 98 Glenwood Avenue in Binghamton on Saturday October 11 from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for kids. For more information, you can call (607)621-7563. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34. Pages of history features excerpts from The News Journal archives including The Morning News and The Evening Journal. See the archives at delawareonline.com. Sept. 29, 1925, The Evening Journal Monument dedicated to Delaware naval hero In honor of Commodore Thomas Macdonough, a Delaware naval hero of the War of 1812 with Great Britain, a memorial monument costing $20,000 and erected by the War Department, was dedicated at Vergennes, Vermont on Sept. 11 with elaborate ceremonies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congressman Robert G. Houston of Georgetown, Del., made an address at the exercises on Macdonoughs Victory on Lake Champlain, in which he linked Commodore Macdonoughs early life in Delaware with his outstanding achievements as a naval hero in later years that won him the title The Hero of Lake Champlain. Front page of The Evening Journal from Sept. 29, 1925. Commodore Macdonough was born at a little settlement known as Macdonough along the State Highway in St. Georges Hundred. His victory over the British on Lake Champlain near Plattsburg, N.Y. on Sept. 11, 1814 brought him lasting fame. The fleet that won that victory was constructed at Vergennes, Vermont. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congressman Houston in his address said: The great land battle of the War was that of New Orleans and General Andrew Jackson who was in command of the American forces, became a popular hero, and afterwards, President of the United States. It was, however, the victories on the sea, repeated and impressive, which won the war of 1812, and the most important and conclusive of these was that of Lake Champlain which we commemorate today. Much of the credit for that great victory was due to the splendid leadership and personal bravery of Commodore Thomas Macdonough who was in command of the American squadron and who was born and raised in the State of Delaware. The battle was fought with the large vessels of both squadrons at anchor and lasted over two hours, the tide of the battle first favoring one and then the other. It is said that Macdonough fired the first shot himself from the Saratoga and worked at his gun throughout the battle as a common sailor. Many of his men were new and inexperienced, hence the commanders personal activities. Finally, American bravery, seamanship and leadership prevailed and the British ships shattered, disabled struck their colors and surrendered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More recent seafaring news: What's that ship? Historic R/V Robert Gray shelters from Hurricane Erin in Lewes Oct. 1, 1975, The Morning News Newark study finds home costs rising faster than income The way to integrate schools without busing could be to open Newarks housing market to low and moderate-income families, according to a report released yesterday by Newarks Planning Department. The report shows that the median value of a home in Newark is $43,500, requiring an income of at least $15,000 by traditional real estate standards to buy it. Average salaries in Newark are not keeping up with the average price of homes. Thus, the inflated real estate market is creating a community of predominantly upper middle income families, the report says. And, outgoing residents are being replaced by wealthier ones. Page 3 of The Morning News from Oct. 1, 1975. Newarks median family income has risen from $12,500 in 1973 to $12,700 in 1975. However, the median family income for homeowners is around $20,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federally-financed report was prepared by Annette G. Mehan and William J. Cohen of the Planning Department. It is the second part of a housing report begun last year. Statistics show that Newark housing is extremely expensive compared with the rest of Delaware. The median value of a Newark home, $43,500, has increased 11% from $39,200 in 1973 and 76% from $24,700 in 1970. In New Castle County as a whole, the median value of a home increased from $21,500 to $36,000 between 1970 and 1974. ... Statewide, the median value rose from $17,500 to $23,400. ... Since affordable housing is not available in suburbs, segregation by income results. Low income people are locked into old, deteriorating areas, causing several financial burdens on cities such as Wilmington, the report says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oct. 3, 2000, The News Journal Construction of Del. 1 enters the final stretch The state Department of Transportation this week will make its final requests for bids on the Del. 1 project, 10 years after construction began on a $1 billion effort to speed motorists to and from the Delaware beaches. Nearly eight miles of the highway are still uncompleted. The last segment will link the Dover-Smyrna bypass that opened in 1993 and the Odessa bypass that opened last year, creating a superhighway between Interstate 95 and Dover Air Force Base. ... Page 9 of The News Journal from Oct. 3, 2000. The most expensive project ever in the state, the highway will replace U.S. 13 as the main north-south artery in northern and central Delaware. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Work began late last year on an almost five-mile stretch from Smyrna to Townsend. More Smyrna area news: What's being built on Route 13 between Smyrna Rest Area and Delaware Surplus store? Construction on the remaining three miles of the nearly $70 million section will begin when the final contract is awarded. ... The eight-mile stretch will feature two bridges over U.S. 13, an overpass for Black Diamond Road and bridges over several roads along the way. However, there will be no interchanges like those found on the Odessa bypass or Dover-Smyrna bypass. ... While the new road promises to bring easier commutes, it also threatens businesses. ... Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Del. 1 is finished, many travelers wont take U.S. 13. Reach reporter Ben Mace at rmace@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: History from News Journal: Delaware naval hero, Del. 1 nears completion As Hurricane Humberto continues to intensify, forecasters are now looking at a soon-to-be tropical storm with more concern as it has an uncertain track, with one scenario that puts it on track to make a southeastern U.S. landfall in the near future. Currently known as Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine is forecast to become a named storm, Imelda, in the second half of the weekend and a hurricane by early next week. Forecast models are showing two scenarios, which both carry a considerable amount of uncertainty, thanks to the influence of Hurricane Humberto, and a ridge and a trough in the U.S. DONT MISS: What does a hurricane's cone of uncertainty mean? While the Bahamas will see considerable impacts from future Imelda with certainty, it is unclear, exactly, what impacts the southeastern U.S. may see, including a possible landfall. Humberto to remain a major hurricane into next week A favourable environment allowed Humberto to undergo rapid intensification on Friday as it passed far north of the Leeward Islands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Saturday morning, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) found its maximum and sustained winds are near 230 km/h with higher gusts. Humberto is a Category 4 hurricane. Additional strengthening is forecast through the weekend, with a brief peak at 260 km/h (Category 5 status), but the environment early next week becomes more hostile to support such intensity. The forecast track and ridge breakdown may influence the next hurricane in the Atlantic. The circulation from Humberto could help pull the system away from the U.S. coast. Hurricane Humberto forecast track through Wednesday By early Monday, a turn toward the northwest at a slightly faster forward speed is forecast followed by a turn toward the north-northwest by Monday night. Humberto is this seasons third hurricane behind Erin and Gabrielle. This is the first time in 90 years weve seen a seasons first three hurricanes intensify to Category 3 status or stronger, according to hurricane expert Philip Klotzbach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Swells generated by Humberto will begin affecting portions of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Bermuda this weekend and early next week. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Future Imelda brewing near the Bahamas Another system, currently known as Potential Tropical Storm Nine, nearby may cause some serious issues across the southeastern U.S. early next week. Atlantic tropical development last 12 hours (Sept. 27) The NHC began issuing advisories on Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine on Friday evening. This special designation allows forecasters to issue watches and warnings on a tropical disturbance thats expected to develop and hit land within the next 24 to 48 hours. RELATED: The high-stakes factors that decide where a hurricane tracks Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine (soon-to-be Imelda) forecast track Meteorologists expect this system to organize into a tropical depression or storm by Saturday night. Once it is named, it will become Tropical Storm Imelda. It is then forecast to reach hurricane status by late Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The forecast grows trickier from there. Currently, the NHC has the centre of the system moving across the central and northwestern Bahamas this weekend, and approaching the southeast U.S. coast early next week. So, the official forecast has it remaining offshore, but close enough for significant wind, rain and surge impacts. Atlantic model trends with next tropical system and Humberto An eastward turn is supported by the majority of models, in part due to the influence of Hurricane Humberto. But latest trends show a ridge to the east and a trough over the U.S., expected to greatly influence the track, bringing a turn to the north-northwest. The 72-hour outlook has some uncertainty, with some models showing a potential landfall across the southeastern U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those with interests elsewhere in the Bahamas and along the southeastern coast of the United States, from Florida to North Carolina, should monitor the progress of this system. At the moment, tropical storm warnings are in effect for the central and northwestern Bahamas. Southeastern U.S. rainfall outlook through Wednesday The disturbance is expected to produce 200 to 300 mm of rain, with isolated maximum totals of 400 mm possible to eastern Cuba, and 100 to 200 mm of rain to the Bahamas. This rainfall will likely produce flash and urban flooding. Mudslides are also possible in areas of higher terrain across eastern Cuba, Hispaniola, and Jamaica. As well, moisture from the disturbance is leading to a threat of heavy rainfall from this system well to the north across portions of the U.S. Southeast and Virginia into early next week. That could cause flash, urban and river flooding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As well, swells generated by both this system and Hurricane Humberto will affect portions of the Bahamas this weekend, and spread to portions of the southeast U.S. coast early next week. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Explainer: What to do if caught in a rip current A tropical system in this part of the world is unwelcome news as western North Carolina continues recovering from the devastating flooding inflicted by Hurricane Helene last September. North Carolina Gov. Josh Steins office reported on Sept. 25 that 95 per cent of public roads damaged by Helenes flooding have been repaired, and 57 per cent of public bridges damaged during the storm have been repaired or replaced. Crews had removed more than 6.1 million cubic metres of debris from waterways as of Sept. 16. Stay with The Weather Network for all the latest tropical updates. Thumbnail courtesy of NOAA. WATCH: What steers a hurricane? Click here to view the video 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. Editor's note: Track the latest hurricane forecast updates with USA TODAY's coverage for Saturday, Sept. 27. Hurricane Humberto rapidly intensified in the open Atlantic Ocean on Sept. 26, becoming a Category 4 hurricane after gaining more than 30 mph in wind speeds in just six hours. Even though it's forecast to strengthen even further, it's not the storm that poses the most danger to U.S. shores. No, the storm that U.S. residents have to worry most about was dubbed Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine at 5 p.m. on Sept. 26. That storm, about 145 miles northwest of the eastern tip of Cuba and about 145 miles south of the Central Bahamas, is forecast to become Tropical Storm Imelda over the weekend, the National Hurricane Center said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The center's forecast shows the potential system could grow into a strong tropical storm or Category 1 hurricane early next week as it moves through the Bahamas and past Florida, then make a very close brush near or over the coast of Georgia and the Carolinas. "An increasing threat of heavy rainfall from this system is forecast over the southern Mid-Atlantic through coastal Georgia which could cause flash, urban, and river flooding into next week," the hurricane center said in the update. The other growing concern for millions across the Carolinas and into Virginia isn't tropical at all. It's the slight risk for excessive rainfall ahead of the storm in a phenomenon the National Weather Service calls a predecessor rain event. If that sounds familiar, it's because a similar event took place in mountainous areas of North Carolina and Tennessee before Helene arrived a year ago. A cold front sitting over the Appalachians is generating showers, and could continue to generate rain through the weekend, with the bulk of the rainfall slowly shifting eastward over the weekend, said Scott Kleebauer, a meteorologist at the Weather Prediction Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By Sept. 28, Kleebauer said the showers and thunderstorms in the eastern Carolinas could begin pulling in early bits of tropical moisture out in front of the approaching tropical system, expected to be Imelda by then. To be clear, the weather service isn't forecasting Helene-like extreme rainfall, but is urging residents, especially in southeastern North Carolina and coastal South Carolina to expect heavy rain, potentially through the end of September. Satellite view of Tropical Storm Melissa 10:30 a.m. Oct. 22, 2025. One of five homes that collapsed within 45 minutes on Sept. 30, 2025, as rough seas from two hurricanes pounded away at beaches along portions of North Carolina's Outer Banks. An image of the winds over the Atlantic Ocean, as seen on earth.nullschool.net on the morning of Sept. 30, 2025, as hurricanes Imelda and Humberto spin away from the United States. Hurricanes Imelda and Humberto swirl in the Atlantic Ocean on Sept. 30, 2025 in this image from NOAA's GOES 19 satellite. Hurricane Gabrielle spins in the Atlantic east of Bermuda, while two other potential storms are seen in the tropical Atlantic on the morning of Sept. 24, 2025. One is causing rain and storms over Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and the other is east of the Leeward Islands. The National Hurricane Center is monitoring all three. Tropical Storm Chantal over the U.S. East Coast on the morning of July 5, 2025. Tropical Storm Andrea, the first storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, is seen via satellite on June 24, 2025. Barry made landfall on June 29, 2025, south of Tampico, Mexico as a tropical depression, after weakening from a tropical storm. Tropical Storm Chantal slammed North Carolina with heavy rain that caused extreme flooding to central parts of the state on Monday, July 7. Footage shared by Cassaundra Anderson, a Chapel Hill resident, shows rapidly rising floodwaters in her neighborhood, leaving cars partially submerged. The storm was dubbed a tropical depression upon landfall on Sunday, July 6, and further downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone on Monday, July 7, according to the National Hurricane Center. Tropical Storm Dexter on satellite on Aug. 4, 2025. Surfers take advantage of the swells coming from Hurricane Erin into Wrightsville Beach around Crystal Pier on Aug. 19, 2025, in Wrightsville Beach, N.C. Hurricane Erin crawls along the U.S. East Coast on the morning of Aug. 20, 2025. Hurricane Erin on a geocolor satellite image on August 16, 2025. Wave heights offshore could reach heights of 50 feet near the eye of Hurricane Erin as the storm passes the U.S. East Coast on Aug. 19-21. It's massive wind field is stirring up the ocean across an area hundreds of miles wide. An aerial view from a NOAA Aircraft along Highway 12 on the Outer Banks of North Carolina after Hurricane Erin's high surf surrounds homes on the beach in Buxton. Tropical Storm Fernand 2025 full track. Hurricane Gabrielle is seen via NOAA satellite as it moves eastward in the Atlantic Ocean east of Bermuda, on the morning of Sept. 24, 2025. On Oct 28, 2025, a Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite captured a vivid view of Hurricane Melissa's eye a few hours before landfall on Jamaica's southern coast. Dawn Jensen (from left) Leann Johnson, Denise Gjertson and Dean Gjertson traveled to Jamaica at the end of October and were stranded after Hurricane Melissa. They returned home Nov. 4. Flooded houses in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, in Black River, Jamaica, November 5, 2025. Hurricane Melissa's eye is captured by NOAA satellite as the sun rises, as the Category 5 storm, with peaked sustained winds of 185 mph and gusts of more than 200 mph, approaches the island of Jamaica. Gloria Hutchins, 70, is assisted by a member of the army medical staff in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in Darliston, Jamaica on Nov. 3, 2025. Dorothy Headley, 75, prepares a meal of cow liver over a wood fire as damaged property is seen in the background in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in the Watercress community of Westmoreland, Jamaica, on October 31, 2025. A woman is evacuated from her home by emergency personnel after the Cauto River flooded due to Hurricane Melissa, in Rio Cauto, Granma Province, Cuba October 31, 2025. Hurricane scientist Andy Hazelton with the University of Miami took this photo inside the eye of Hurricane Melissa aboard a flight on the NOAA WP-3D hurricane reconnaissance aircraft dubbed Kermit, for Kermit the Frog. A damaged house is pictured after Hurricane Melissa slammed Boca de Dos Rios village, in Santiago de Cuba province, Cuba, on Oct. 30, 2025. People walk through a flooded street following Hurricane Melissa in Petit-Goave, 68km southwest of Port-au-Prince, on October 30, 2025. Hurricane Melissa was moving towards Bermuda on Thursday after ripping a path of destruction through the Caribbean that left at least 20 people dead in Haiti, and parts of Jamaica and Cuba in ruins. A drone view shows an affected area after Hurricane Melissa made landfall, in Crane Road, Black River, Jamaica, October 30, 2025. REUTERS/Maria Alejandra Cardona Drone view of flooding after Hurricane Melissa made landfall in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. A NOAA satellite captures the eye of deadly Hurricane Melissa at Jamaica's coast on Oct. 28, 2025. Storms of the 2025 hurricane season so far 1 of 30 Satellite view of Tropical Storm Melissa 10:30 a.m. Oct. 22, 2025. Meanwhile, although Humberto is forecast to remain out to sea, it could still affect the path of soon-to-be Imelda through a meteorological process known as the Fujiwhara effect. How all of the weather systems moving into the larger overall region interact with one another will determine the extent of impacts the storms could have on the U.S. East Coast, the Bahamas and potentially Bermuda over the next few days. But the risks are growing for impacts along the coast between Florida and North Carolina, National Hurricane Center director Michael Brennan said on the evening of Sept. 25. What's the forecast for Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine? Showers and thunderstorms continue to show improved signs of organization on Sept. 26, and it's expected to become Tropical Storm Imelda within 24 hours, according to the hurricane center. The current forecast predicts the storm will move into the central and northwestern Bahamas through the weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tropical storm watches and warnings went into effect on Friday afternoon for portions of the Bahamas, where the hurricane center forecasts 4 to 8 inches of rain. The National Hurricane Center has released its first forecast graphic for Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, expected to become Tropical Storm Imelda over the weekend. Depending on surrounding weather conditions, the track forecast could change as the storm near the U.S. early in the week of Sept. 29. Eastern Cuba, where the potential tropical cyclone was centered about 145 miles offshore on the night of Sep. 26,, is forecast to see 8 to 12 inches of rain, with isolated totals up to 16 inches possible, the hurricane center said. Hispaniola, Jamaica and portions of central and southern Cuba are expected to receive up to an additional 4 inches of rain. "This rainfall will likely produce flash and urban flooding, the hurricane center said. "Mudslides are also possible in areas of higher terrain across eastern Cuba, Hispaniola, and Jamaica." By Monday, Sept. 29, the forecast grows more uncertain, according to the hurricane center. It depends in large part on Imelda's forward speed, which could either put it into sooner proximity with the cold front moving over the Southeast, or slow it down and increase the chances of a stronger interaction with Hurricane Humberto as the two systems near each other early next week, said Brian McNoldy, a senior research associate at the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science at the University of Miami. Hurricane Humberto, right, and Potential Tropical Cyclone 9, are shown over the western Atlantic and northeastern Caribbean on the afternoon of Sept. 26, 2025, in a geocolor satellite image from NOAA/NESDIS/STAR GOES 19. Will it hit the US? Could it be another Helene? "A majority of the (model) solutions, but not an overwhelming majority, bring the system toward the Carolinas by around Tuesday," said Houston-based meteorologist Matt Lanza on his Substack "the Eyewall" on Sept. 26. "However a non-trivial number of models peel the system back to the east, into the open Atlantic, due in part to some complex interactions with Hurricane Humberto." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Anyone having confidence in what, precisely, will happen at this point is probably not being honest with themselves (or you)," he added. Heavy rain might end up being the main calling card of Imelda. "There is real potential here for a rainmaker in the Carolinas, and particularly North Carolina," Lanza said. "Readers there will certainly and understandably be concerned that this could become another Hurricane Helene-like event. For now, we think that is unlikely, as the strongest rains appear to be east of areas most impacted by Helene, and the overall signal for prolonged, heavy rainfall is lower this time." For now, he said, NOAA is predicting 6 to 10 inches of rainfall for areas hardest hit, which is no picnic, but also far from reaching Helene-levels. Hurricane Humberto is the 2025 season's third major hurricane At 11 p.m. on Sept. 26, Humberto was centered about 390 miles northeast of the northern Leeward Islands and moving west at 7 mph. Its sustained winds had grown from 115 mph to 145 mph in just six hours. Those winds are scheduled to peak at 160 mph on the night of Step 27. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For now, Humberto is forecast to follow a pattern similar to Erin, moving between the U.S. and Bermuda, but the strengthening Humberto is increasing the risks of long period swells that could make seas and surf hazardous along the U.S. coast, the hurricane center said. Humberto's exact track is uncertain and remains tied to the future of the potential Imelda and other weather systems in the region. Humberto is forecast to ultimately reach wind speeds of 150 mph, about 1,100 miles east-southeast of Miami by Sept. 28, the hurricane center said. If it does so, Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach said the Atlantic would be "3 for 3" in hurricanes becoming major this year, with Erin and Gabrielle both becoming major hurricanes. The last time an Atlantic hurricane season's first three hurricanes reached that level was in 1935, he said. Doyle Rice and Dinah Voyles Pulver are national correspondents for USA TODAY, with decades of experience covering hurricanes, weather and climate. Reach them at drice@usatoday.com and dpulver@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Humberto becomes major hurricane amid worrying forecast Without firing a shot, Russian President Vladimir Putin has over the past week managed to bring the war in Ukraine to millions of Europeans largely untouched by the conflict. And it started not with a bang but a whimper. As Danish prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, told anxious Danes Thursday night, after drones triggered major disruption at several airports, Europe should see more violent and frequent hybrid attacks as a new reality. But she did not cite Russia as the direct culprit as perhaps the evidence is lacking so far, or attributing blame feeds too keenly Moscows aims but instead as Europes main threat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lack of clarity is one symptom of these attacks. The anonymous culprit cant - for a while - be named or stopped, regardless of the damage, or mild inconvenience they cause. And the wait or uncertainty is another. Frederiksen added another motive to the unknown attacker - that they want us to no longer trust our authorities. The same story is playing out across Europe. Did Russia really intend to send more than 20 drones into Poland? Was the 12-minute violation of Estonian airspace down to the poor training of Russian pilots, as the top US general in Europe, Alexus Grynkewich, has suggested, or a widening of Moscows aggression? How could a hacking attack grounding various flights across Europe days later be just an unconnected coincidence? After three days of airport closures, and the reported spotting of a Russian military vessel sat off its coast with its transponders off, Danish officials are still not clear who is behind the attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frederiksen admitted the risks of both hasty wrong answers and late answers. Danish military intelligence said Thursday night they could not name the culprits, while the head of internal security police, PET, said the risk of Russian sabotage in Denmark is high. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is interviewed about drone activity in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Tuesday. - Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix/AP Denmark is otherwise open about the threat of Putin. It has given Ukraine F16s, will help them build drones and is arming itself with long-range missiles as part of deterrence efforts. Western officials wrestle daily with a paradox of hybrid warfare whether to apportion blame or not. Does blaming the real culprit especially if it is Russia actually bolster the discord and anxiety they wish to sew? Or does failing to highlight the growing threat instead leave society blind and unprepared to the problem until the moment when hard defensive actions and choices are needed? It is a lot easier, politically and hypothetically, to shoot down a Russian jet after months of publicly blaming Moscow for airport closure and chaos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For months, the specter of sabotage has crept over mainland Europe. The United Kingdom another fervent sponsor of Ukraines defense has seen young gang-like criminals recruited by Russia and convicted under the ferocious terms of the National Security Act for setting fire to a warehouse holding supplies for Ukraine. British police arrested a 41-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman in Essex under the same law last week. Poland has jailed young Ukrainians for Russian-sponsored arson attacks. Airport check-in software and a London nursery have been hacked but possibly by criminal gangs, rather than Moscows agents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regardless of whos responsible, the spread of this chaos and vulnerability has enabled Putin to bring the sense of widening conflict to Europes door, at the very moment the Trump administration demands Europe be more responsible for its own defense. It makes the costs of the urgent and unavoidable support of Ukraine feel more palpable in European homes. It both amplifies the arguments of Putin appeasers - who propose giving him what he wants if he will just stop and those who say the Kremlins appetite for aggression is only growing OK and needs a decisive response. And the threat temporarily risks distracting European policymakers and budgets from the weightier and more consequential task of Ukraines front-line peril. It is a miracle, to some degree, that Russias summer offensive has not taken more territory. But its assault on Ukraines cities is relentless and growing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To Europes strained defense budgets, the past weeks of hybrid turmoil has added two costly immediate tasks: greater resilience in infrastructure to drones and hackers, and a wide-ranging, constant, expensive aerial defence against Russian drones and jets across their entire eastern border. The cost of defense against multiple cheap drones has yet to mimic the extraordinary efficiency this new threat represents. A Dutch F35 can fire tens of thousands of euros worth of missile to shoot down a $30,000 Shahed-type polystyrene drone in Poland. But this is unsustainable over a long period and leaves an awkward choice between not intercepting intruders as its too expensive, or spending millions monthly in the robust infinite defense of NATO airspace. Russia's President Vladimir Putin tours an exhibition of military equipment while attending the joint Russian-Belarusian military drills at a training ground in the Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Russia. - Sergei Bobylyov/AFP/Getty Images It is not all roses for the Kremlin. There is a substantial risk their outsourced saboteurs - or spies competing for favour - overstep and kill civilians in a NATO country. There is a risk Russia is blamed for things they did not do and provides cover for genuine organized crime to widen its activities. There is a risk the unpredictable nature of US President Donald Trump brings a reaction that is disproportionate to any escalation. He could also refuse to react at all, or massively overreact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This wide-ranging unpredictability is how larger conflicts start. Again, that is also not all in Putins favor. He is not a fan of stark risks. He invaded Ukraine after being told it would take weeks to overrun. He appears to have escalated against Kyiv and Europe in recent weeks only after a very chummy summit with Chinas president, Xi Jinping. But for now, these hybrid attacks are by design or coincidence imposing a sense of cost on ordinary Europeans for their governments enduring support to Ukraine. The non-lethal inconveniences of airport delays, rising gas prices and hack-attacks are without a trace of irony comparable to those felt by ordinary Russian civilians in the very nation that launched an unprovoked invasion, killing innocent Ukrainians daily. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in the past month, Europe has been given a new set of expensive worries for which there is no easy culprit or cheap fix. That short-term distraction is surely enough of a win for Putin, in his fourth year of a war of existential import. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com An ICE agent monitors hundreds of asylum seekers being processed upon entering the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building on June 6, 2023 in New York City. Credit - David Dee DelgadoGetty Images To those who know him, Superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts is an integral part of the school community and a former principal of the year. But to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), he is a criminal alien and a threat to public safety. Those competing descriptions of Roberts, 54, emerged following his dramatic arrest by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency on Friday morning, in a case that has stunned the Des Moines, Iowa, community in which he has worked for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roberts, an educator with decades of experience who became Superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools in 2023, was detained by ICE in a targeted enforcement operation last week. Read more: Even With Tons of Money, ICE Finds Obstacles in Hiring 10,000 New Agents Immigration officials say Roberts is a citizen of Guyana whose work permit expired in 2020. A statement by ICE said an immigration judge gave him a final order of removal in May 2024. Authorities acted upon that removal order on Friday morning. ICE said Roberts sped away in his vehicle when officers approached him, abandoning his vehicle near a wooded area. He was later arrested in possession a loaded handgun in his car, ICE said, a violation of federal law for those in the U.S. without legal status. Protests and confusion Robertss arrest has roiled the Des Moines community where he oversaw some 30,000 students and had worked for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The detention comes amid a deepening immigration crackdown across the country by the Trump Administration, as it aims to meet its target of carrying out the largest mass deportation campaign in U.S. history. President Donald Trump campaigned on a promise to target the worst of the worst in his deportation efforts, but the governments own data shows that around 70% of people detained by ICE have no criminal record. According to recent polling, approval of Trumps handling of immigration has dropped from around 50% in March to 43% this month. Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the federal courthouse in Des Moines following the arrest, calling for Robertss release. Some carried signs that read Free Dr Roberts. Teachers from neighboring school districts joined students and parents at the protest, according to CNN. This photo provided by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shows Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts on Feb. 26, 2025. ICE via AP The case appeared to have caught the local school district by surprise. School Board Chair Jackie Norris said Friday that the district was still working to learn more about what happened, and called for the community to practice radical empathy while the investigation was ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We do not have all the facts. There is much we do not know," she said. "However, what we do know is Dr. Roberts has been an integral part of our school community since he joined two years ago." But in a closed meeting on Saturday evening, the Des Moines Public School Board voted to place Roberts on administrative leave. While there is still much that we dont know, what we do know is that Dr. Roberts is currently unavailable to perform his duties as superintendent, board member Kimberly Martorano said. The district said it was unaware of a removal order issued against him in 2024. Norris, the board president, told the local ABC affiliate: "Everything the district has on file affirms that Dr. Roberts is a citizen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A biography on the Des Moines Public Schools website says Roberts was "born to immigrant parents from Guyana, and spent most of his formative years in Brooklyn, NY." It describes him as an educator with two decades of experience as a classroom teacher, school administrator and executive leader. Before becoming a teacher, Roberts competed in track and field at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. He went on to earn masters degrees from St. Johns University and Georgetown University, and a doctorate in urban educational leadership from Trident University. His career has included posts in Baltimore, Washington, D.C., the South Bronx, and Millcreek Township, Pennsylvania. He was named George Washington Universitys Washington, D.C., Principal of the Year in 2013. ICE said in its release after his arrest that Roberts had existing weapon possession charges from 2020. But Roberts had disclosed that arrest during his hiring process, according to the school district, and had spoken about that arrest publicly No Iowan is safe Mazie Stilwell, the executive director of Progress Iowa and a parent of a child in the Des Moines Public Schools system, called the arrest an attack on our freedoms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No Iowan is safe. It is time for them to finally stand up for us and stop these attacks on our freedoms and our communities, Stilwell said in a statement. Every Iowan should call their legislators and ask why Iowans are being detained, and what they are doing to protect us. Iowa State Education Association President Joshua Brown and Des Moines Education Association Anne Cross said in a joint statement that they were shocked to hear of Robertss detention. Since being hired as superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, we have known Dr. Roberts to be a tremendous advocate for students, families, staff, and the community. His leadership and compassion for all students, regardless of background, identity, or family origin, are a beacon of light in one of the states most diverse school districts, they said. It is a dark and unsettling time in our country. This incident has created tremendous fear for DMPS students, families, and staff. We call on the community to come together and support each other," they added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans and immigration officials, meanwhile, criticized the school board for allowing a person they characterized as a public safety threat to work for the school system for so long. This should be a wake-up call for our communities to the great work that our officers are doing every day to remove public safety threats, said ICE St. Paul Field Office Director Sam Olson. How this illegal alien was hired without work authorization, a final order of removal, and a prior weapons charge is beyond comprehension and should alarm the parents of that school district, he added. Iowa Republican Congresswoman and Senate candidate Ashley Hinson called for Roberts to be "deported immediately". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He should have never been anywhere around Iowa kids in the first place!" she wrote. Democratic Des Moines Rep. Larry McBurney called the arrest a "disgrace." "Our schools should never be treated as political battlegrounds for federal overreach," he added. The Des Moines school board is due to hold a special closed session to discuss the situation on Sept. 27. Contact us at letters@time.com. The superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools Iowas largest school district was detained Friday morning by immigration agents, according to the Department of Homeland Security, which said the educator was in the country illegally and had existing weapon possession charges. Superintendent Ian Roberts an educator with decades of experience who previously competed as an Olympic athlete for Guyana was arrested as part of a targeted enforcement operation and fled after US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers approached him, according to statements from DHS and the Iowa Department of Public Safety. DHS said he was in possession of a loaded handgun, $3,000 in cash and a fixed blade hunting knife at the time of his arrest. Its a violation of federal law to own a firearm and ammunition if an individual doesnt have legal status in the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNN is working to identify Roberts attorney. The school district and DHS presented starkly divergent portraits of Roberts. DHS described him as a criminal alien and suggested he was a public safety threat. But at a news conference after his arrest, board president of Des Moines Public Schools Jackie Norris said the superintendent was an integral part of our school community who has shown up in ways big and small for students and staff. And Roberts disclosed his weapon charge, related to a hunting rifle, when he was hired, a district spokesperson told CNN. The arrest spurred a protest outside the federal courthouse in Des Moines. Education, not deportation / Free Dr. Roberts, read one sign carried by a demonstrator, according to footage from CNN affiliate KCCI. Local education and immigration advocacy groups have rallied behind the superintendent. Community members gather to condemn Roberts' arrest during a protest at the Federal Building on Friday,. - Lily Smith/The Register/USA Today Netowrk/Imagn Images The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners issued Roberts a license to serve as superintendent in the state in July 2023, according to Norris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is new information that has been made public that we did not know, and we have not been able to verify, Norris said. Roberts oversaw over 30,000 students in the Des Moines public school system, according to the districts website, and had previously worked at public schools across the country. Another administrator, Matt Smith, has taken the role of interim superintendent in the meantime, according to a message posted on social media by the district earlier. Our priority is to provide a safe, secure and outstanding education for all students and to support our students, families, and employees, the statement read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roberts arrest comes amid the Trump administrations continued crackdown on immigration, which has seen raids on workplaces and arrests of community pillars including a firefighter, a journalist and a pastor. Superintendent was given final order of removal in 2024, DHS says Roberts entered the US on a student visa in 1999 and was given a final order of removal by an immigration judge in May 2024, according to the DHS statement. He had existing weapon charges from 2020, the agency added. Des Moines Public Schools said it was unaware of the order of removal but Roberts did inform the school board of a firearms offense related to a hunting rifle during his hiring process. The district said in a statement Roberts provided sufficient context and explanation of the situation to move forward in the hiring process. Roberts speaks during the Standing Up For Public Education Rally at Goodrell Middle School in Des Moines on May 1. - Lily Smith/The Register/USA Today Network/Reuters Public records show Roberts pleaded guilty to a weapon charge in Pennsylvania in 2022. CNN has been unable to verify whether Roberts has a separate charge from 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district also said Roberts submitted an employment eligibility verification form and an I-9 as part of the hiring process. The district has not been formally notified by ICE about this matter, nor have we been able to talk with Dr. Roberts since his detention, district spokesperson Phil Roeder said. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations St. Paul Field Office Director Sam Olson said in a statement Robertsons arrest should be a wake-up call for our communities to the great work that our officers are doing every day to remove public safety threats. ICEs online detainee locator system shows Roberts was born in Guyana and is being held at a county jail in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Community rallies behind longtime educator Roberts was named Des Moines Public Schools superintendent in 2023, according to the districts website. He was born to immigrant parents from Guyana, and spent most of his formative years in Brooklyn, NY, the website reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before becoming an educator, the superintendent was an Olympic athlete and competed in track and field at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. Roberts long educational career has included positions in New York City; Baltimore; Washington, DC; St. Louis; Oakland, California; and Erie, Pennsylvania, according to his LinkedIn profile. Among the crowd protesting Roberts arrest Friday was district teacher Mary Pat LaMair, who said she was excited to see the display of support. I just think its really important that we take care of one another, and we seem to be at a spot where thats not whats happening, LaMair told CNN affiliate KCCI. She added, Its important for people to know that the general public, I think, is not okay with whats happening. Hundreds attend a community service in support of Roberts at Corinthian Baptist Church in Des Moines, Sept. 26, 2025. - Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register/USA Today Network/Imagn Images Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, a Republican, was made aware of the incident and is in contact with local and federal authorities, according to KCCI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Iowa State Education Association and Des Moines Education Association said they were shocked by Roberts detention and described the administrator as a tremendous advocate in a statement, reported KCCI. His leadership and compassion for all students, regardless of background, identity, or family origin, are a beacon of light in one of the states most diverse school districts, reads the statement, according to KCCI. It is a dark and unsettling time in our country. This incident has created tremendous fear for DMPS students, families, and staff. The Directors Council a nonprofit group serving Des Moines Black community identified Roberts as a board member and offered him their full support in a post on Facebook. Roberts has been a trusted partner, a dedicated advocate for equity, and an unwavering supporter of families and youth in Polk County, reads the post. His contributions to both The Directors Council and the wider community are immeasurable, and we stand with him during this uncertain moment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a video statement posted on their Facebook page, organizers from the Iowa Movement for Migrant Justice said news of the superintendents detention was shocking and scary for immigrant communities. We know in advance that our families right now are afraid that if they go to pick up their kids, if they send them to school, if immigrant agents are going to go take their kids out of school, Elizabeth Balcarcel said in the video statement. There are many questions, many doubts. The Des Moines School Board has scheduled a special closed-session meeting on Saturday to discuss the arrest and Roberts status with the district. This story has been updated with additional information. CNNs Catherine Shoichet contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A federal law enforcement agency ramping up deportations nationwide could potentially be expanding its presence in Oklahoma City. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, commonly known as ICE, is looking for office spaces in OKC and 18 other major cities, as first reported by The Washington Post. The growth of ICE comes amid a surge of deportations ordered by President Donald Trump and his top officials. While Trump and others have described increased immigration enforcement as necessary, ICE operations have drawn criticism and outcry nationwide. Many people who have been arrested by ICE do not have prior criminal histories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal officials have also determined that a deadly Sept. 24 shooting at an ICE field office in Dallas was likely motivated by anti-ICE sentiments. The gunman had intended to kill ICE agents, but instead fatally shot one detainee and critically injured two other detainees before turning the gun on himself, officials said Thursday. New office sites for ICE are being sought by the General Services Administration, an agency that manages federal real estate, the Post reported. Around 300 locations need to be secured, according to the Post. Kristy Yager, a spokeswoman for Oklahoma City, said she did not believe city officials were aware of possible ICE expansions in the area before the news came to light. According to her, City Manager Craig Freeman did not know anything about the potential plan. Saying the proposal did not involve OKC police, spokeswoman Capt. Valerie Littlejohn declined to comment. Public affairs officials at ICE did not respond to requests for comment by Thursday, Sept. 25. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Trump orders ICE to expand efforts in NYC, LA, Chicago: See how many immigrants live in major metros A listing titled "Seeking Competitive Lease Proposals Administrative Office Space in support of Law Enforcement Operations" was posted Sept. 11 on a federal contracting website by GSA. That listing details the government's search for "as-is, fully-finished and furnished office space" within Oklahoma City and other major cities in Alabama, Idaho, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Iowa, Florida, Kentucky, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Washington, Wisconsin and Virginia. Requirements include an estimated 70 workstations and desks, a dedicated server room and a certain level of security. The proposed lease term is 10 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The listing notes that the government will not consider sharing spaces with other tenants "whose primary clientele or operations could present security, operational or reputational conflicts with law enforcement functions." U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), agents detain an immigrant in California in 2015. ICE funding and deportation activity have seen a significant surge in 2025 amid President Donald Trump's administration. More: ICE agents face burnout and frustration amid Trump's aggressive enforcement In its Sept. 18 article, the Post spoke with several officials who said that ICE needed help supporting 10,000 new employees nationwide. A GSA spokesman would not immediately confirm if the office space proposals were specifically for ICE, but said the agency would look into The Oklahoman's inquiry. In a statement also shared with KOCO 5 News, the agency said it was committed to working with partner agencies to meet their workspace needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "GSA remains focused on supporting this administrations goal of optimizing the federal footprint and providing the best workplaces for our federal agencies to meet their mission," the statement read. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: ICE looking for new offices in OKC, other US cities A former Olympian serving as the superintendent of public schools in Des Moines, Iowa, was detained by ICE on Friday, his district and ICE announced in separate statements. ICE has accused the capital citys lead educator, Ian Roberts, of fleeing ICE agents when confronted Friday morning. GOP Rep. Ashley Hinson, of Iowa, claimed on X that Roberts is an an illegal alien from Guyana and active ICE fugitive with a deportation order since May 2024. ICE released two photos of Ian Robertsthe first from 2020, the second from Fridayand a loaded gun they alleged was in his possession. / ICE Hinson further alleged that agents found a loaded gun, a hunting knife, and $3,000 in cash when ICE agents caught him. ICE later repeated those allegations in a statement emailed to the Daily Beast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a targeted enforcement operation on Sept. 26, 2025, officers approached Roberts in his vehicle after identifying himself, but he sped away, ICE wrote in a statement. Officers later discovered his vehicle abandoned near a wooded area. ICE stated that state troopers assisted in locating Roberts and took him into custody. An online database lists Roberts as in custody at a jail more than 100 miles from his office, but the facility told ABC News that he is not actually there. ICEs database lists his country of birth as Guyana. ICE stated in a news release that Hinson entered the U.S. on a student visa granted to him in 1999. His school district said in a news release, We have no confirmed information as to why Dr. Roberts is being detained or the next potential steps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Daily Beast was unable to find any criminal record for Roberts in Iowa or elsewhere, but ICE claimed in its statement that he had a prior weapons charge. Ian Roberts was an Olympian and a standout athlete at Coppin State University in Baltimore, where he is in the athletic departments hall of fame. / Des Moines Public Schools This suspect was arrested in possession of a loaded weapon in a vehicle provided by Des Moines Public Schools after fleeing federal law enforcement, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations St. Paul Field Office Director Sam Olson said in a statement. How this illegal alien was hired without work authorization, a final order of removal, and a prior weapons charge is beyond comprehension and should alarm the parents of that school district. A LinkedIn page for Roberts states that he has led the school district since July 2023, having previously worked as a teacher in New York and Maryland. Roberts also represented Guyana in the Olympics as a track and field athlete at the 2000 Sydney Games, where he competed in the 800-meter race. At the same time, he was a member of the track and field team at Coppin State University in Baltimore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats in Iowa have raged at the arrest and lack of immediate answers. This is not only unacceptable, it is an outright disgrace, said Iowa Rep. Larry McBurney, who represents Des Moines. Our schools should never be treated as political battlegrounds for federal overreach... I am appalled. The idea of ICE raiding our schools and removing a highly respected leader from our community is a stain on Iowa and on America. It undermines trust, threatens stability, and sends a chilling message to educators and families across the state. Algerian authorities should end the repression and excessive control over civil society groups and parliament should enact a new associations law based on international human rights standards, said eight Human Rights organizations in a joint statement. The Rights organizations warned that a new Algerian draft bill would further undermine the right to freedom of association. The text does not address provisions in existing law that violate the right to freedom of association. It introduces additional restrictions and strengthens government control over organizations in the country. Algerian authorities should cease erecting roadblocks that prevent associations from operating freely, said Alexis Thiry, legal advisor at MENA Rights Group. Rather than addressing shortcomings in Algerias associations law, the draft bill would make the situation even worse. Civic organizations in Algeria have faced a crackdown and growing restrictions since the start of the Hirak protest movement in 2019. The authorities have banned public and political gatherings, targeted human rights groups and defenders, and dissolved two prominent groups: the Rassemblement Actions Jeunesse (the Youth Action Rally or RAJ) and the Algerian League for the Defense of Human Rights. The 2012 law currently in place includes overly broad and vague provisions and imposes burdensome registration and operating procedures on associations. The draft bill would grant the Interior Ministry sweeping authority over the creation, function, and financing of associations as well as a virtually unlimited control over their activities. The bill sets out arbitrary restrictions on associations purpose and activities. It narrowly defines an associations purpose as support to public authorities to implement public policies, which contradicts the very principle of an independent civil society. The text forbids organizations from maintaining any relationship with political parties or receiving financial assistance from them, as does the 2012 law. Foreign funding would be subject to authorization by the Interior Ministry or a governor and any donation or bequest to a national association. The draft bill maintains stringent requirements for establishing an association. It also imposes a cumbersome registration system and imposes restrictions on foreign associations, hindering their ability to operate freely, granting the Interior Ministry sweeping control. Other burdensome requirements include providing minutes, financial, and narrative reports to the authorities within 30 days of each general assembly. The draft bill allows Interior Ministry agents to inspect associations headquarters at any time and to access administrative and accounting documents. Such abusive provisions allow for intrusive surveillance without judicial oversight and open the door to further abuses. The joint statement has been signed by Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS), Committee for the Preservation of the Algerian League for the Defense of Human Rights (CS-LADDH), EuroMed Rights, Fondation pour la Promotion des Droits, Human Rights Watch, International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), MENA Rights Group and World Organization Against Torture (OMCT). Israel has delivered a Patriot air defence system to Ukraine, which has been operational for the past month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday. Speaking at a press conference, Zelensky added that he expects two more systems to arrive in the coming weeks, without specifying their country of origin. Ukraine relies heavily on Western air defence systems to protect its cities from Russian attacks. Zelensky has repeatedly requested the US-made Patriot systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In May, the New York Times reported that a system stationed in Israel would be sent to Ukraine after undergoing refurbishment. Official confirmation of the delivery came only on Saturday. According to media reports, Ukraine is set to operate a total of 10 Patriot batteries, including some from Germany. Berlin has also provided Kiev with several of its domestically developed IRIS-T air defence systems. Both the IRIS-T and Patriot are primarily designed to defend against aircraft, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. A federal judge in Arizona temporarily blocked the Trump administrations efforts to deport close to 70 unaccompanied minors from Honduras and Guatemala on Thursday. U.S. District Judge Rosemary Marquez granted a preliminary injunction preventing the repatriation or removal of any Plaintiff Child without a valid voluntary departure order or removal order issued by an immigration judge. She criticized the governments argument that it was sending the children back to reunite them with their parents, writing it was dangerously unclear whether the plan would realize this outcome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The foundation of Defendants argument for their authority to transport Plaintiffs out of the United States is that Defendants are reuniting Plaintiff Children with parents abroad, but counsel could not identify a single instance of coordination between a parent and any governmentAmerican or Guatemalan, Marquez wrote. Altogether, whether Plaintiffs would actually be reunited with a parent upon being transported out of the United States is dangerously unclear, she continued. She wrote that while the government insisted that Guatemalan officials had requested the return of the children in the case, a report from Guatemalas attorney general found many of the families of 115 adolescents in the U.S. did not do so. Fifty families stated that they would accept their children upon their return, but with the caveat that none of them was requesting their return, indicating their desire to consider first the viability of the children staying in the United States, Marquez wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another 59 families, she continued, expressed annoyance at being contacted and were not willing to be assessed to determine their suitability as a home for their children. Marquez previously issued a temporary restraining order over Labor Day weekend, preventing the government from removing 57 children from Guatemala and 12 from Honduras. A case similar to the one in Arizona unfolded in D.C.s federal court, with a federal judge blocking the Trump administrations plans to deport unaccompanied Guatemalan children last week. In the case, the Trump administration also argued that it aimed to reunite children with their parents by sending them back an argument U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly found unconvincing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Defendants plunged ahead in the middle of the night with their reunification plan and then represented to a judge that a parent or guardian had requested each childs return, that turned out not to be true, Kelly wrote. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Kentucky woman has been charged after allegedly firing a gun at a vehicle with four Drug Enforcement Administration officers inside, according to court documents. The shooting happened Wednesday at a home on Scuddy Mountain Road near the Scuddy community in Perry County. Court documents say a DEA task force was at the home to arrest a man with an active state warrant. The man was arrested after the task force searched the home with permission from his wife, Ashley Begley, 30. Court documents allege that while the task force was driving away, Begley fired one shot toward the groups line of vehicles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shot hit a vehicle with four DEA agents inside, court documents say. No injuries were reported, according to Kentucky State Police. The agents exited the vehicle and saw Begley holding a gun, according to court documents. Begley quickly surrendered and was arrested. She faces federal charges including four counts of attempted murder of federal law enforcement officer and one count of discharging a firearm during a violent crime. If convicted, Begley could face anywhere between 10 years to life in prison for the offenses, according to court documents. She is also ordered to forfeit a Taurus pistol and any ammunition associated with the gun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Begleys trial is scheduled to begin Dec. 1 and is expected to last about three days, according to court records. She is being held at the Laurel County Detention Center in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. State police are investigating the shooting. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) President Donald Trump deployed more than 2,000 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., in a crime-centered mission, and now he wants a replica of that in Memphis, but the early blueprints show key differences. Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee has publicly said he would not expect more than 150 National Guard members to be sent to Memphis, though he's said the numbers aren't solidified. The city has said there won't be tanks. And the Guard troops won't be armed unless local authorities request that, Lee said. Next week, Memphis will get its first batch of additional federal officers. In waves over weeks and months, they will come from 13 federal agencies, ranging from immigration to drug enforcement. The Guard members wont be making arrests, Lee said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The majority-Black city also presents some stark differences compared with the nation's capital. It's roughly four times as expansive with almost 100,000 fewer residents. Here is how Memphis fits Trump's deployment plan: Memphis and Washington In growing Tennessee, Memphis population has been declining, with nearly 611,000 people across nearly 300 square miles (776 square kilometers). Washington includes about 702,000 people in roughly 68 square miles (176 square kilometers). Memphis sees about half the number of visitors annually as Washington, with its wider path of sightseeing areas. Memphis might similarly see troops in tourist spots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thaddeus Johnson, a former Memphis police commander and a senior fellow at the Council on Criminal Justice, worries the presence of troops could worsen Memphis economy. Imagine a place like Memphis that already cant compete when it comes to those things, theyre struggling with tourism and getting people to come and feel safe, Johnson said. Im not sure if thats going to bring businesses back. Johnson said its important for people to feel safe in highly visited areas, but some neighborhoods have greater needs. Lee has pledged a long-term effort, but Johnson said that if the follow-through isn't enough, the situation could get worse before it gets better. Governor and mayor weigh in Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee's estimate of 150 National Guard members came with the caveat that it's not finalized, and he's been hesitant to repeat it. And while authorities from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will be in town starting next week, it's unclear when Guard members will arrive. Lee also said 300 Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers will be in the region. Trump's Sept. 15 order setting up the Memphis task force calls for "large-scale saturation of besieged neighborhoods with law enforcement personnel" and "strict enforcement of applicable quality-of-life, nuisance, and public-safety laws." Lee has said the National Guard members will be from Tennessee, the vast majority of them military police, trained for law enforcement. He announced another $100 million from the state for public safety grants for Memphis. Memphis Mayor Paul Young, a Democrat, has said Washington city officials told him the Guard functioned there more as a large-scale neighborhood watch than frontline police officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Young has said he didn't ask for the Guard's deployment and doesn't think it will reduce crime. He thinks the Guard can help Memphis the most through beautification: clearing more vacant lots, removing more trash, and restoring more blocks. He also called for a federal hand in homelessness services, from housing vouchers to tiny homes, from job readiness to mental health support. Housing and health and human services agencies are in the Memphis task force. How Trump landed on Memphis Last month, Trump appeared on a Memphis radio show in which host Todd Starnes asked him if there was anything the president could do to help the city. Trump said what they are doing in Washington is sort of a test and, regarding Memphis, he said he was glad Starnes mentioned the city and that he can put that early on the list. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Memphis was on FBI director Kash Patel's radar in May, when he called it the homicide capital of America per capita in a Fox News interview. Didnt know that, Patel said. We have a problem there. Were now addressing it. Lee said Patel visited him at the Tennessee Capitol. Since May, the FBI says a Memphis operation has arrested some 500 people and produced 101 federal indictments of violent criminals. Then on Sept. 12, Trump announced he would send the National Guard to Memphis. He quipped that Chicago was his preference, where local politicians have fiercely resisted his plans, but he said the city was too hostile with professional agitators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Los Angeles, meanwhile, Trump in June deployed roughly 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines after days of protests over immigration raids. During the September announcement, Trump said he decided to send troops into Memphis after Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena who regularly visited the city while on the board of FedEx urged him earlier in the week to address crime there. Crime numbers Memphis has endured gun violence issues for years. In 2023, the city saw a record of more than 390 homicides, and specific killings have topped headlines. But both Democratic and Republican officials have noted that Memphis is seeing recent decreases in some crime categories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Across the first eight months of 2025 compared with the same period in previous years, Memphis police have reported that overall crime hit a 25-year low, and murder a six-year low. Johnson, with the Council on Criminal Justice, said the city still should provide more nuance since the police stats rely on total incidents, not the number of victims. A study by the Council on Criminal Justice of roughly 30 to 40 U.S. cities found that the homicide rate in Memphis was among the highest from 2018 through June 2025, and its rate was 58% higher in the first half of 2025 compared with the pre-pandemic first half of 2019. The average change across the large cities studied was a 14% decrease. Memphis' mid-2025 rate dropped 21% below its 2023 homicide peak. The city outpaced others in recent declines in reported carjacking and motor vehicle theft, and it made roughly average drops in reported robbery, and residential and nonresidential burglary, the study found. Despite recent declines, motor vehicle theft remained well above 2019 levels. Young said that even with rate decreases, work remains "to get crime at a level where people really, really feel it. AUSTIN (KXAN) After 34 years, a break in Austins most infamous cold case led to the identification of the suspect believed to be linked to the Yogurt Shop Murders, whom police called a serial killer. The suspect was identified by officials as Robert Eugene Brashers, who is connected with several other violent crimes across the southeast U.S. He died by suicide in 1999. Austin Police identify suspect in yogurt shop murders Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fighting a fire at an Austin yogurt shop turned into a homicide investigation when first responders found four bodies in the burning shop called I Cant Believe Its Yogurt in north Austin on Anderson Lane on Dec. 6, 1991. The victims, all teenage girls, whose deaths rocked the community were 17-year-old Jennifer Harbison, her sister, 15-year-old Sarah, 17-year-old Eliza Thomas and 13-year-old Amy Ayers. Brashers had a lengthy criminal history with various violent crimes. Brashers was initially charged for shooting and beating a woman in Florida. He met the woman in a public parking lot on Nov. 22, 1985. The woman then went with Brashers to a remote citrus grove, where he told her he was the devil before shooting three time, including in the head, before she was able to run away according to The Fort Pierce Tribune. He was convicted of attempted murder in 1986, the Missouri State Highway Patrol said in a 2018 news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Pierce Tribune, Brashers was expected to receive 12 years in prison for the attempted murder in Florida. However, he only served three and a half years in prison and was released in 1989, according to The Greenville News. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 30 years later, infamous Austin yogurt shop murders remain unsolved In 2018, advancements in DNA evidence helped investigators link Brashers to three other murders. He was accused of murder in the 1990 death of a South Carolina woman. In 1992, Brasher was arrested in Georgia for the possession of a stolen pistol and stolen vehicle. He also had a scanner, police jacket, burglary tools and a fake Tennessee license when he was arrested. He was sentenced in connection with the possession charges and was then released in February 1997, according to The Greenville News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was also linked by Memphis police to the rape of a Memphis teen, according to previous reporting from WREG in Memphis, Tennessee. Authorities also accused Brashers of a 1998 double homicide in Missouri. Then, in 1999, Brashers died by suicide after a standoff with police that lasted four hours at a motel in southeast Missouri, according to The Lake Sun Leader. Officers tracked Brashers down after checking on a vehicle that had stolen license plates. Police then went to the motel where he was at, along with his family. Police were able to convince Brashers over the phone to allow his wife and three children out of the motel room. Negotiations with Brashers continued until police heard a single gunshot. He was found with a gunshot wound to the head, and he later died at the hospital, according to The Lake Sun Leader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. A 32-year-old felon from Kona was charged with attempted murder and robbery for hitting a 65-year-old man in the head with a brick Tuesday and stealing his belongings in Waikiki. Cody Allen Lucas was charged with second-degree attempted murder and first-degree robbery. His bail was set at $300, 000. Also Friday, a $10, 000 bench warrant was issued for Lucas arrest for violating his probation, according to state court records. Lucas, who has cycled in and out of the criminal justice system since 2012, was on probation for assaulting a Hawaii Police Department officer in September 2024 when it was revoked March 18 after he broke into a car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lucas was serving time at the Halawa Correctional Facility until bed space opened up at the Habilitat alcohol and drug treatment center in Kaneohe. Lucas was sent to the facility on Aug. 29, according to state court records. On Sept. 15, the Habilitat staff told Lucas probation officer that he was terminated from the program after he became incoherent and was taken to Adventist Health Castle hospital. Lucas also was discharged from a drug treatment program and failed to get a mental health assessment in January and had his probation revoked. He was arrested in Kane ohe on Wednesday afternoon on suspicion of attempted murder and robbery in connection with the Tuesday attack in Waikiki. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A probation officer with the Kona Adult Client Services Branch office filed a motion Thursday to revoke Lucas probation. He had a March 18 felony conviction for car theft and a Jan. 22 felony conviction for assaulting a law enforcement officer, according to the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center. In June 2024 he was convicted of misdemeanor contempt for missing a court date, another misdemeanor for obstructing a public highway and misdemeanor theft. In September 2013 he was convicted of misdemeanor assault for attacking his ex-girlfriend and her father in their home. On Tuesday, shortly before 5 a.m., District 6 Honolulu Police Department patrol officers responded to a bus stop at Kuhio and Paoakalani avenues and found the 65-year-old man lying on a mattress, bleeding from his head. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A brick Lucas allegedly used in the attack was found nearby. Lucas allegedly hit the 65-year-old multiple times in the head with the brick before taking his belongings. District 4 Community Policing Team members in Kaneohe helped connect Lucas to the car theft and the Waikiki attack. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth spoke with Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur on Sept. 22 after Russian fighter jets allegedly violated NATO airspace, prompting a rapid allied response. The Pentagon said Hegseth affirmed the Department of War stands with all NATO allies and that any incursion into NATO airspace is unacceptable. He praised the quick reaction by European partners, calling it proof that NATO at its best, ready and focused on their core mission. The Incident On Sept. 19, Estonia accused three Russian MiG-31s of crossing into its airspace for 12 minutes, calling the intrusion unprecedentedly brazen. Italian F-35s stationed in the region under NATOs Baltic Air Policing mission were scrambled to intercept the aircraft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Estonias foreign minister demanded accountability, noting the country shares a 183-mile border with Russia and has long pushed for stronger NATO defenses in the Baltics. NATO Response NATO formally condemned the incursion and vowed to defend its airspace using all necessary military and non-military means. The alliance invoked Article 4 consultations to coordinate a collective response. Hegseth told Pevkur he is in close consultation with the Supreme Allied Commander for Europe on next steps. The Pentagons chief spokesman, Sean Parnell, provided the official summary on Sept. 23. Kremlin Reaction The Kremlin rejected the accusations, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying, We heard the exchanges when our planes were accused of violating Estonian airspace. However, absolutely no evidence, let alone convincing evidence, was presented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also condemned NATO warnings about shooting down Russian jets, calling them reckless, irresponsible. And, of course, dangerous in their consequences. Growing Pressure on NATO The airspace breach came just weeks after NATO scrambled to intercept Russian drones in Poland and Romania, part of a broader pattern of incursions testing alliance defenses. With tensions mounting, U.S. officials said Hegseth will maintain close monitoring of the situation and coordinate with allies to deter further violations. HONOLULU (KHON2) For over seven decades, Hawaiian Airlines has been a long-time supporter of Aloha Festivals, shared Debbie Nakanelua-Richards, director of community and cultural relations at Hawaiian Airlines. We have been looking through our archives for photographs and the first one that we see is from 1949. Hawaiian Airlines was started in 1929 so we were already in our 20th year when we started to participate in Aloha Festivals, Nakanelua-Richards said. PHOTOS: Sharing aloha at Aloha Festivals through the years, one volunteer at a time Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To keep with the 2025 festivals theme of mauka to makai, the Hawaiian Airlines team considered how to share the importance of land and what story could be told through their float. Our focus this year is to kind of tell the story of what is land and what does aina mean to us, Nakanelua-Richards said. We know that land holds the story of people, of place and culture, so this year were focusing on the story of Maui and how he captured the sun to slow it down so his mom could dry her kapa. Hawaiian Airlines float building Sept. 24, 2025. (Courtesy: Debbie Nakanelua-Richards) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The story of the float follows Maui, embodying both ocean and land. We can see toward the front is where we focus on the ocean part, or the kai, and these are large representations of naupaka that is known to be grown near the coastal areas on the beach and then it makes its way up to Haleakala where Maui is going to snare the sun, Nakanelua-Richards said. It also features a makau, Mauis hook, and then towards the back it kind of shows Haleakala and the mountain, kind of indicating again, from the mountain to the sea. Our float is kind of this labor of love Construction for the float began about a month ago, Nakanelua-Richards added. Our float is kind of this labor of love and it starts with construction, as you can see theres a basic framework to it. Its all done by hand and we have two major people, mechanics actually, that do the major pieces and they have a crew of four or five that starts the framework with chicken wire and fencing and all the soldering and welding, again, all done by hand, Nakanelua-Richards said. And that started about a month ago. Just that construction alone is about 200 hours of labor, so pretty extensive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the three days before the parade on Sept. 27, up to 100 people could be involved in the process of building the float, she said. Its probably going to be about between 80 to 100 people that will come over the course of three days. So this phase kind of starts once the paper mache is finished, it starts with all the dried objects that arent perishable, Nakanelua-Richards said. Fresh flowers, the most perishable of the items on the float, will be added on Sept. 26, the night before the parade. Flowers that will be added to Hawaiian Airlines float. Common flowers, most is anthuriums, is proteas, carnations and those all came from our friends at Green Point Nursery in Hilo. We like to use local businesses as well, our friends at Watanabe Floral is also where we source some of our mumsroses from, as well, Nakanelua-Richards said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roses act as a tribute on their float, honoring those who have participated in the past. For us, it kind of symbolizes the people who have since passed, that have worked on the float with us. We like to continue in their memory. A lot of the work that we do, they taught us how to do, she said. So we like to incorporate them in that kind of fashion. On the day of the parade. there will be Hawaiian music and hula featured on the float. Its the oldest festival west of the Rockies, I mean that alone speaks to its legacy and its tradition, Nakanelua-Richards said. For us, our parents, our great-grandparents have also participated so we know we are a part of something larger than ourselves and that is really unique to Hawaii where there will be floral representations of the parade theme, therell be pau riders, therell be bands, therell be, again, more family, more friends. Just really a special part to come together as a community to really honor, again, the culture of Hawaii. To Nakanelua-Richards, the festivals are about more than an individual impact, but the many hands involved in the work and the community itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Really privileged to be a part of this long-standing tradition, not just for Hawaiian Airlines but for our island home, she said. Just really a special part to come together as a community to really honor, again, the culture of 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 KHON2. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) U.S. Labor Secretary and former Oregon Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer has praised President Donald Trump after he announced on social media he would be sending federal troops to Portland. The announcement came not even a day after multiple public officials including Mayor Keith Wilson, Sen. Jeff Merkley, Rep. Maxine Dexter and others held an emergency press conference when increased signs of federal presence were reported at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Portland. Chavez-DeRemer, who lives in Happy Valley, had previously called on President Trump to send federal agents to Oregon during a cabinet meeting on Aug. 26. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump asks Supreme Court to uphold restrictions he wants to impose on birthright citizenship Thank you for what you are doing with your agents on ICE, she said. I hope you will come to Portland, Oregon and crack down. In her remarks, she also praised the President and invited him to her office to see a large banner with his face printed on it. After Trumps Saturday post began to circulate, Oregon leaders largely condemned the presidents tactics. But Chavez-DeRemer had another point of view, which she shared in a statement on social media: Ive seen firsthand how lawlessness has transformed Portland from a beautiful place to live to a crime-ridden war zone. Thank you, @POTUS, for taking action to keep our ICE facilities protected and Make America Safe Again! A person stands outside the ICE facility in Portland, September 27, 2025 (AP Photo/Gillian Flaccus) Before becoming U.S. Secretary of Labor under President Trump, Chavez-DeRemer previously served as an Oregon representative before losing her bid for re-election to Rep. Janelle Bynum in the states 5th Congressional District. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prior to that, Chavez-DeRemer served in a variety of roles in Happy Valley, as a councilor, then council president and later mayor, where she served two terms. Oregon House GOP leader Christine Drazan of Canby also supported the move: The ICE facility in Portland has been subject to months of dangerously chaotic protests that have put residents and federal agents in harms way. The governors assertion that there is no national security threat and the mayors assertion that everything is fine is tone-deaf. Its shameful that state and local leaders have allowed violent mobs and domestic terrorists to assault federal law enforcement, destroy property, and interfere with those seeking immigration services from obtaining assistance and case management. We need order, we need to restore safety, and Oregons local leaders have failed to provide it. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Metro police arrested a woman who they said was performing injectable procedures without a license, leading at least one client to develop lumps and abscesses, documents said. Raquel Ortiz, 50, of Las Vegas, faces charges, including performing a health care procedure without a license and resulting in substantial bodily harm, and acting as a medical practitioner without a license, following her arrest on Tuesday, Sept. 23, records said. In July, an attorney contacted Metro police about a client who received a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) from a woman operating a business out of a south valley home near Maryland Parkway and Serene Avenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ortiz, who is not a licensed provider, ran Candy Face Beauty Lab, which offered aesthetic services, including fillers, Botox and other procedures involving injectables, police said. Nevada law requires the procedures be performed by a licensed health care provider. Ortiz has no license with any state board, including the boards of nursing, medical examiners, cosmetology or pharmacy, police said. Police also noted Ortiz describes herself as the Baddie Babe Nurse Injector, which falsely portrays her as a licensed nurse, they noted. A victim spoke with police, who said Ortiz told her she was a registered nurse who had previously worked with a high-end plastic surgeon in Los Angeles, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the BBL procedure, Ortiz allegedly injected the woman with Korean-manufactured hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, which cannot be purchased in the United States, according to police. Following the procedure, [the victim] began to feel ill while driving home, reporting symptoms of chills, fever, and significant pain, to the extent that she was unable to sit comfortably, police said. Afterward, she developed large lumps and pus-filled abscesses on her buttocks. On the day of her arrest, police served a warrant at Ortizs home, seizing fillers, creams and other evidence, they said. In an interview with police, Ortiz admitted she had no active medical license and said she was unaware that a license was required to perform the services, but admitted responsibility after being informed of Nevada state laws, documents said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ortiz also told police she carries an insurance policy, but under the guise of a beauty spa, which her business is not, documents said. During Ortizs probable cause hearing, a Las Vegas Justice Court pro temp judge set bail at $15,000, records said. The judge ordered Ortiz to refrain from performing any medical procedures. Ortiz remained jailed at the Clark County Detention Center as of Friday afternoon. She was scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 29. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. In todays increasingly polarized world, Im often asked how I remain optimistic. My answer is simple: Every day I get to meet Tennesseans who are rolling up their sleeves to strengthen their communities. Its also why Im so excited about the ThinkTennessee Policy Forum, Driving Tennessees Prosperity, happening on Tuesday, Sept. 30, at the Music City Center in Nashville. This inaugural gathering will bring together policymakers, community leaders and issue experts from across Tennessee for a full day of dialogue on some of our states most pressing challenges: housing, transportation, child care and workforce development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The speaker lineup is inspiring. There will be two former governors, three commissioners, six mayors and more than two dozen other civic leaders. What unites them is a shared belief that Tennessee can achieve a future where every family can thrive. Opinion: Vanderbilt should clarify DEI policy instead of bowing to political pressure Looking forward Commissioner Stuart McWhorter will share remarks on the state of Tennessees economy, followed by a panel of business leaders (Bill Dunavant III, Dunavant Enterprises; Matt Kisber, Silicon Ranch; Janelle Reilly, CHI Memorial; and Dr. Keith Gray, UT Medical Center) discussing Whats Next for Tennessees Economy. Tennessees economic growth is the envy of our peer Southern states. But growth alone is not enough. As we look forward, how do we ensure that wages keep pace with rising costs and that more Tennesseans have access to good jobs? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These conversations arent just about charts and numbers theyre about families, neighbors and communities who deserve the chance to build a secure future. Discussion of the new podcast "You Might Be Right" at the Rotary Club of Nashville, Sept. 12, 2022, at the Wildhorse Saloon. From left to right, former Gov. Phil Bredesen, Tennessean Opinion and Engagement Director David Plazas, and former Gov. Bill Haslam. Setting shared goals Former Govs. Bill Haslam and Phil Bredesen will join us for a lunchtime plenary on Making Politics Work for Tennesseans. Governor Haslams Drive to 55 initiative aiming for 55% of Tennesseans to hold a postsecondary credential has already moved the needle significantly on educational attainment across the state. Governor Bredesens efforts while Mayor of Nashville to revitalize downtown, recruit the Tennessee Titans and invest in schools is credited with setting Nashville on its path to becoming the It City. Opinion: TCAP, EOC exams help us track and improve student success. We should keep them Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governors accomplishments are proof that when elected leaders set a shared vision for government, nonprofits and the private sector to work on together, the results can be transformational. Since leaving office, theyve started a podcast together, You Might Be Right, that models thoughtful debate on tough topics. Their leadership continues to show us that good ideas come from both sides of the aisle, but only if youre willing to hear it. A new affordable housing complex opened in Gallatin on Aug. 20, 2025, with similar developments on the horizon for nearby Middle Tennessee communities. Collaboration across communities Our closing plenary will feature four Tennessee mayors (Mayors Ken Moore, Franklin; Gary Davis, Bradley County; Craig Fitzhugh, Ripley; and Paul Montgomery, Kingsport) discussing regional collaboration. From Ripley to Kingsport, local leaders understand that challenges like transportation and housing dont stop at county lines. When I first arrived in Nashville, I had the opportunity to witness the Middle Tennessee Mayors Caucus bring together nearly 40 mayors to tackle regional issues. Their collaboration left a lasting impression on me and later inspired the ThinkTennessee Mayors Roundtable, where mayors from the states largest 13 cities shared strategies to improve housing affordability. Passionate experts, innovative case studies The forum will also host panels on child care, housing, transportation and workforce development. Each panel will feature Tennesseans who bring not only expertise, but also passion for building a stronger future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our goal is simple: to create a space where partisanship fades and common sense takes the lead. We may not agree on everything, but we can agree on this: We all want our families and communities to thrive. I believe in Tennessee, and I believe that when we set bold goals and work together, there is no limit to what we can achieve. I hope you will join us on Sept. 30. Erin Hafkenschiel is the president of ThinkTennessee. Erin Hafkenschiel is the president of ThinkTennessee. Previously, she was executive director for transportation at Vanderbilt University and director of the Mayors Office of Transportation and Sustainability for Nashville Mayors Megan Barry and David Briley. Erin has a masters in public policy and urban planning from Harvard University and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Vanderbilt University. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: ThinkTennessee forum brings TN leaders together | Opinion A new program has been launched by the Lebanon Police Department with the goal of aiding police officers with information during interactions with people who have mental illness, cognitive or communication issues. The Community Assistance Registry for the Exceptional (C.A.R.E.) uses voluntarily provided information when officers respond to calls involving individuals with certain needs, such as autism, Alzheimers, dementia and other conditions which may require mental health assistance or special communication aid. The program is all-ages, no specific medical information or diagnosis is required and information is confidential only accessible by dispatch and the responding LPD officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anytime we can get up to the minute information or already have information in our system, thats always huge for us because as police officers, were going to situations that are always changing, Officer Zachary Wesley said. That piece of information can be the one constant that we have when were headed to an emergency situation or a call for service. Any vulnerable individual who could benefit from being in that registry as far as triggering words, calming strategies, tendencies anything that could assist in bringing them back home safely or calming them down in an emergency situation is invaluable, Cecilia Jennings, Dispatcher and C.A.R.E. Coordinator, said. Individuals with sensitivity to light, sounds or even rapidly changing environments may react erratically or even become non-responsive, especially if a familiar caregiver may not be nearby. As doctors learn more about the symptoms, its easier to diagnose individuals and more parents and loved ones are becoming more familiar with how mental illness or other cognitive disorders affect lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though I am a dispatcher, Im first and foremost a mother to a special needs, autistic, nonverbal child who is also prone to wandering, Jennings said. So all the boxes were checked for me when I heard about this opportunity to enroll my child in something that could have an extra layer of safety and protection that is beyond me that includes the entire community. Wandering from safe environments can be common with children with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) and data from pediatrics has found that approximately 49% of children do wander off. This is similar to behaviors seen in seniors with dementia or Alzheimers Disease. I have a daughter who is eight years old that exhibits a lot of the signs and symptoms that are equivalent with ASD, Wesley said. When she was a young child, about three years old, I would begin to notice that she wouldnt really want to make eye contact with me or any other family members. Refraining from eye contact or difficulty communicating is common with children on the autism spectrum, and sometimes they have difficulty responding to commands. This has led to tragic encounters with law enforcement throughout the country, so LPD is taking this initiative to better prepare and educate officers on how to interact with affected individuals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is geared for anybody from any age and it is for anybody that might need mental health support or special aid, Courtney Howard, Mental Health Co-Responder, said. [If] you have a loved one, or you know of someone that could benefit from this program, we encourage you to sign them up. They can sign themselves up as well. LPD says anyone wishing to sign themselves or a loved one up for C.A.R.E. can approach a police officer on the street, go to the LPD station on Sparta Pike or visit LebanonPD.org/CARE. BEIRUT (AP) Hezbollah suffered one blow after another during its most recent war with Israel, culminating in the killing of the militant group's longtime leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in massive Israeli airstrikes on a Beirut suburb. The group was weakened militarily and politically. Many of its opponents declared that its days as a dominant regional and local player were over. But one year later, many of Hezbollahs supporters, enemies and analysts agree in their assessment: It is regrouping. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The loss of this leader was a very painful blow to Hezbollah, senior Hezbollah political official Mohammed Fneish told The Associated Press in the run-up to Saturday's anniversary of Nasrallah's death. However, Hezbollah is not a party in the usual sense that when it loses its leader, the party becomes weak, he said. In a relatively short period of time, it was able to fill all the positions it lost when (leaders) were martyred, and it continued the confrontation. An Israeli military official, speaking anonymously in line with regulations, said in a statement that Hezbollah's influence has declined considerably and that the likelihood of a large-scale attack against Israel is considered low. But the statement added that the organization is attempting to rebuild its capabilities; efforts are limited but expected to expand. The military declined to comment on how much of Hezbollah's arsenal of missiles and drones Israel believes remains intact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre rebuilding' Despite losing most of its top leadership and key communications systems, Hezbollah continued to fight when Israeli troops invaded southern Lebanon last October. After a U.S.-brokered ceasefire halted the fighting in late November, Israeli forces took control of more territory than they did during the war, and Israel has continued carrying out near-daily airstrikes that it says target Hezbollah militants and facilities. Hezbollah also lost a key route for supplies from its backer, Iran, when the allied government of Bashar Assad in Syria fell in a rebel offensive in December, which Fneish acknowledged was a blow to Hezbollahs strategic depth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Lebanese government, meanwhile, has said it will work on disarming the group by the end of this year, a key demand of the U.S. and Saudi Arabia before funding reconstruction and a decision Hezbollah has categorically rejected. Political opponents say the group is in denial about its loss of power. Hezbollahs leadership is detached from reality, said Lebanese lawmaker Elias Hankash, a frequent critic of Hezbollah, who called on it to surrender its weapons and become solely a political party. Hezbollah did not defend the Lebanese, nor itself, nor its weapons, nor its command. But U.S. envoy Tom Barrack cautioned against underestimating the group in an interview with United Arab Emirates-based IMI Media Group: The Lebanese think Hezbollah is not rebuilding. Theyre rebuilding." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli military official said, Hezbollah is currently struggling to receive sufficient funding from Iran." But Barrack asserted the group, which the U.S. designates a terrorist organization, is receiving as much as $60 million per month from unknown sources. That is despite measures to cut off its funding, including a ban on flights from Iran. Hezbollah is our enemy, Iran is our enemy. We need to cut the heads off of those snakes and chop the flow of funds, Barrack said. Fneish didn't address the groups funding sources, but said its financial situation is normal and its institutions are functioning as before, including healthcare and social services as well as its armed wing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A post-Nasrallah identity Founded in 1982, months after Israel invaded Lebanon and occupied parts of it, Hezbollah morphed into one of the region's most powerful armed groups, fighting several wars with Israel and spearheading a campaign that forced it to withdraw from southern Lebanon in 2000. The latest conflict began the day after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that triggered the ongoing war in Gaza. Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel from Lebanon in a support front for Hamas and the Palestinians. In September 2024, Israel expanded its attacks, starting with the detonation of thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah members. Days later, it launched a major wave of airstrikes that killed Hezbollah commanders and hundreds of civilians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The biggest blow was Nasrallahs assassination, with the dropping of more than 80 1-ton bombs that destroyed an entire block under which Nasrallah and some of his top officials were meeting with an Iranian general. Days later, Nasrallah's successor, Hashem Safieddine, was killed in airstrikes. The group later named Nasrallahs deputy, Naim Kassem, as the new leader, but the wide perception is that Kassem lacks Nasrallahs charisma. Nasrallahs assassination was an emotional shock that is destabilizing, but their identity finds continuity through the martyrdom culture, said Bashir Saade, a lecturer of politics and religion at the University of Stirling in Scotland who has written a book about the group. Fneish said the group does not have an identity crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was the representation of this identity; he was not himself the identity, he said. Hezbollah, particularly its military wing, largely went underground after Nasrallah's death. Officials in the group said Hezbollah has been working to close the intelligence gaps that led Israel to successfully target its military and political officials. Hezbollah members now rely less on technology, an official with the group said on condition of anonymity because he was speaking about internal affairs. The Hezbollah official said Israel used technology and spies to gather information and plan attacks. Months before Nasrallahs assassination, the group detained a Lebanese man who had been suspiciously wandering around the area where Nasrallah was later killed. The man confessed to gathering information for Israel and is still detained by Hezbollah, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The biggest breach, the official said, was Israels infiltration of the groups internal cable communications network. A catch-22 over weapons Growing pressure within Lebanon for Hezbollah to give up its weapons and delays in reconstruction of war-battered areas have left many in its largely Shiite base feeling that there are attempts to marginalize them. Lebanese political writer Sultan Suleiman said that feeling contributed to the base rallying and an overwhelming victory by Hezbollah and its allies in this years municipal elections in its traditional political strongholds. Some who originally favored disarmament have reassessed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a portion of this community that was psychologically worn down after this war, and started saying, fine, let's give up the weapons and well be able to relax, Lebanese journalist Jad Hamouch said. But after they saw how Israel is behaving in the region, now theyre saying, no, we want to keep the weapons. Amira Jaafar, who lived in the border village of Kfar Kila before it was largely destroyed during the war, lost her son in the conflict. She said despite all of Hezbollah's losses, including the death of its great leader Nasrallah, we are still strong and there are many, many young men" still "ready to fight until their last breath." A Western diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to speak freely, said the Lebanese state is caught in a catch-22 regarding its decision to disarm the group. The cash-strapped and understaffed Lebanese army, where many soldiers work second jobs to make ends meet, is ill-equipped to face a force of battle-hardened and better-paid fighters who also, in some cases, come from their own communities, he said. I dont see any coming back on this (decision), but I dont see how it will go forward either, he said. ___ Associated Press writer Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv, Israel, contributed to this report. MALTA - The music venue and Louisiana-themed restaurant NaNola, which debuted on Halloween in 2013, will close after service on Tuesday, Sept. 30. Owner Shane Spillenger, whose late father, Ralph, owned local bars and restaurants for decades, said his liquor license is expiring and he didn't want to renew it as NaNola entered its slow season. "It makes money for half the year, and I put money into it for the other half," Spillenger said Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I probably should have made the decision years ago," he said, recognizing that, despite the growing presence of the GlobalFoundries nanotech plant - which in part inspired the restaurant's name - Malta had not boomed the way he'd hoped. Further, he said, while construction workers patronized NaNola during building phases, too few of its permanent employees turned into regular customers. Nostalgia and optimism kept Spillenger going in recent years, he said. He opened NaNola when he was in his 20s; his father was still running the similarly themed Bayou Cafe at its original location in Glenville, and the younger Spillenger booked music at The Hollow Bar + Kitchen, which took over the Bayou's North Pearl Street space in downtown Albany the year NaNola opened. "I watched families grow up here. It means a lot to me," Spillenger said. Unredeemed gift cards for NaNola will be honored at Ophelia's on Broadway, the restaurant and music venue Spillenger opened at 388 Broadway in Albany in October of last year. Spillenger runs the music schedule and bar service at Ophelia's, while the kitchen is under the purview of the Slidin' Dirty brand, which also provided food service at NaNola for the past seven months. In addition, Spillenger promotes music at other venues and founded and continues to produce the Pearlpalooza festival on North Pearl Street, which celebrated its 16th anniversary earlier this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tim Taney founded Slidin' Dirty as a food truck in 2012 and opened it as a restaurant on First Street in downtown Troy in 2014. He rebranded it in summer 2023 as a music-focused pub called Twisted Fiddler, which closed in October 2024 when the lease ended. Taney is returning the Slidin' Dirty brand to the Collar City later this year as a restaurant and performance venue in the 11,000-square-foot former River Street Market space on the ground floor of Hedley Park Place on River Street. He and Spillenger said they will work together on the new Slidin' Dirty, with Taney as the owner and Spillenger in a role, not yet fully defined, having to do with live music. About 60% of the space will be used for the 100-seat restaurant, kitchen, prep room and other facilities, with the remainder devoted to a music and event venue that will host concerts, banquets, receptions and more, Taney said. A flexible stage will allow the restaurant area to be incorporated for larger acts, with a projected indoor capacity of about 500, Taney said, making it the largest club-style venue in Troy. Hangar on the Hudson, about half a mile north on River Street, can accommodate about 200 for shows. Taney said he also hopes to host national-level entertainers on an outdoor stage in an adjoining parking lot that previously was home to the Rockin' on the River concert series. NEED TO KNOW The Coast Guard is searching for a 44-year-old diver who disappeared off the coast of Hawaii earlier this week Bryson Higashi was last seen around 4:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Sept. 23 in the Hanalei area of Kauai, Hawaii, the Coast Guard said "Higashis truck was discovered near Hanalei Bay after being left unattended for a full day," the Coast Guard said The Coast Guard is searching for a 44-year-old diver who disappeared off the coast of Hawaii earlier this week. Bryson Higashi was last seen around 4:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Sept. 23, in the Hanalei area of Kauai, Hawaii, the Coast Guard said in a statement. Reached over the phone, a Coast Guard spokesperson confirms to PEOPLE the search is still ongoing as of Friday, Sept. 26. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency described Higashi as 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighing around 180 lbs. "Higashis truck was discovered near Hanalei Bay after being left unattended for a full day," the Coast Guard said in its statement. Around 7:36 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 24, Coast Guard command center watchstanders received a notification from Kauai Fire Department workers about a possible person in the water near Hanalei Bay. Watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and diverted a 45-foot response boat, a helicopter crew and an airplane crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Coast Guard cutter William Hart's crew also diverted to assist with the response. On Thursday, Sept. 25, weather conditions in the search area included 15 mph winds, 2- to 4-foot waves, occasional showers and reduced visibility, the Coast Guard said. Authorities believe Higashi "may have gone missing while freediving," Fox News reported. 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 addition to the Coast Guard, the Kauai Fire and Police Departments and the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources are assisting with the search for Higashi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a social media statement, the Kauai Police Department noted Higashi has brown eyes and black hair. Asking others to keep an eye out for Higashi, the police department wrote, "Your assistance could make a significant difference." Read the original article on People GEORGE F. LEE / DEC. 10 Hawaii Supreme Court Associate Justice Sabrina S.McKenna makes an appearance in the Mililani High School gym in December to hear the case of Blosson Bell v. Hawaii Public Housing Authority. McKenna will begin serving as acting chief justice Oct. 1, following the retirement of Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald at the end of September. GEORGE F. LEE / DEC. 10 Hawaii Supreme Court Associate Justice Sabrina S.McKenna makes an appearance in the Mililani High School gym in December to hear the case of Blosson Bell v. Hawaii Public Housing Authority. McKenna will begin serving as acting chief justice Oct. 1, following the retirement of Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald at the end of September. Hawaii Supreme Court Associate Justice Sabrina McKenna will begin serving as acting chief justice Wednesday, following the retirement of Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald at the end of September, the state Judiciary announced Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On behalf of all judiciary employees, the bar, and the entire State of Hawaii, I express our deepest appreciation to Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald for his Aloha Spirit-imbued leadership over the past 15 years, as well as his commitment to Access to Justice and the Rule of Law, McKenna said in a news release. Recktenwald leaves the Supreme Court due to the states mandatory retirement age of 70 for justices and judges. The Judical Selection Commission must now provide a list of four to six nominees to replace the chief justice. Gov. Josh Green will then select one of the nominees, who must be confirmed by the state Senate. However, there are not enough nominees from which the governor can make a selection at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McKenna is the longest-serving active jurist in the Judiciary, having also served in the district, circuit and family courts in the Oahu Circuit, including as senior family court judge, according to the release. She has served on the Hawaii Supreme Court since 2011. Justice McKenna is uniquely qualified to lead the Judiciary at this pivotal time, Recktenwald said. She has served with distinction at nearly every level of our courts, and her deep experience and unwavering commitment to justice will guide us forward. I am excited she will have the opportunity to use that vast knowledge to lead the Judiciary. The Judiciary also announced the departure of Administrative Director of the Courts Rod Maile. Brandon Kimura, who served as deputy administrative director of the courts, will succeed him Wednesday. Daylin-Rose Heather will serve as deputy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McKenna thanked Maile for his dedicated leadership as administative director. I am extremely humbled and honored to be able to guide the Judiciary from October 1st until the next chief justice is sworn in, alongside Brandon, Daylin, and all our incredible and hard-working judges, administrators and employees, she said. 0 Comments By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our. Having trouble with comments ? . The U.S. military is continuing to pursue its post-Red Hill refueling strategy in the Pacific with a new facility under construction in Papua New Guinea. Adm. Samuel Paparo, the commander of the Hawaii-based U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, visited the country last week with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau as PNG celebrated its 50th anniversary of independence from Australia. While there, Paparo also attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the new fuel facility in Port Moresby. Photos released by the military showed Paparo and other dignitaries on Sept. 15 posing with hard hats and shovels to celebrate the official beginning of construction of the fuel complex, which is expected to hold about 70 million gallons of fuel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a news release, the construction contract was awarded to DGCI Corp., an aerospace and defense company based in McLean, Va. and projected to be completed in 2030 to the tune of $400 million. As the military looks to permanently shut down its Red Hill fuel storage on Oahu, its continuing to look for ways to make up for the loss of the facility, which was capable of storing up to 250 million gallons. It has been pursuing a distributed fueling strategy, putting more of its fuel reserves in various other facilities and tanker ships spread across the region. Lately China and the U.S. have been competing for influence in the Pacific Islands, with Papua New Guinea (PNG ) a key focus for the two superpowers. PNG is the most populous Pacific Island nation and has a diverse population that speaks more than 800 indigenous languages. Its also rich in gold, nickel and natural gas and has long attracted attention from outsiders keen to harvest them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chinese President Xi Jinping visited in 2018 when Port Moresby hosted the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders summit. In 2023, then-President Joe Biden was set to become the first sitting U.S. President to visit the country, but canceled on short notice to focus on debt limit talks in Washington and sent Secretary of State Antony Blinken in his place. During Paparos visit he met with Prime Minister James Marape and other officials, including talks with officials from Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. Paparos engagements in PNG were part of a wider regional tour that included stops in South Korea, Japan and the Marshall Islands as American commanders in Hawaii work to bolster alliances amid tensions with China. The Pentagon was forced to defuel Red Hillwhich sits just 100 feet above a critical aquifer most of Oahu relies on for clean waterafter fuel from the facility leaked in 2021, contaminating the Navys Oahu water supply that serves 93, 000 people. The contamination affected both both military families and civilians living in former military housing areas on the Navy water line, with thousands reporting intense rashes, gastrointestinal issues, breathing problems and a variety of other ailments that in some cases led to hospitalizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pentagon initially resisted a state emergency order to defuel the tanks, but eventually assembled a task force in 2022 that removed most of the fuel by March 2024. Though the Navy had for years insisted that the facility was safe and critical for national security, it later acknowledged the World War II-era complex had fallen into deep disrepair and that the task force needed to make extensive repairs and upgrades to safely remove the fuel. The military has since said that spreading out its strategic fuel reserves smaller facilities and tankers will actually make its fueling operations more flexible and resilient, as well as allow American forces access to fuel closer to potential conflict zones in the Western Pacific. But shortly after the Pentagon announced initial defueling plans, a senior defense official told the Star-Advertiser we think weve got enough to be able to get us in the right direction (but ) its not going to be enough long term. I mean, obviously, were gonna have to offset the loss of Red Hill. When the military first emptied the fuel from Red Hill, it ferried usable fuel to storage facilities in West Oahu run by Island Energy Services at Campbell Industrial Park, to a fuel storage point in San Diego, Calif., a fuel storage point in the Philippines at Subic Bay, and another fuel storage point in Singapore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PNGs strategic location makes it an attractive one for the U.S. and its allies to add to the list as they seek more logistics hubs across the region. Paparo has made regular visits to the island nation both as commander as the Navys Pacific Fleet and since being promoted to commander of all American forces in the region as he looks to bolster relations and expand access for American forces. He has also been in regular contact from his office at Camp Smith. The new fuel facility is part of a wider 2023 defense agreement between the U.S. and PNG to increase cooperation. In April, U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command broke ground for two new facilities at the PNGs Lombrum Naval Base on Manus Islandnorth of the nations main islandthat the U.S. embassy said would support maritime readiness, enhance the capabilities of the Papua New Guinea Defense Force, and support long-term regional security in the Indo-Pacific. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lombrum once housed as many as 30, 000 U.S. military personnel during World War II as they fought island hopping campaigns against Imperial Japanese forces. At the same time as the Navy began its latest work on Manus, soldiers from the Schofield Barracks-based 130th Engineer Brigade joined by other Army units from around the U.S. were training in the country with local forces as part of the annual Exercise Tamiok Strike. The increased military engagement hasnt been without critics. Not long after the agreement was signed, former PNG prime minister Peter ONeill told The Guardian that Marape had placed the island nation at the epicenter of a military storm between China and the USA by agreeing to enter into defense arrangements with both superpowers without consultation with our people. Meanwhile, the longterm impact of U.S. fueling operations in the Pacific continues to be heavily scrutinized. The Red Hill fuel sent to Subic Bay sparked controversy in the Philippines. Just as the contracted commercial tanker carrying it was nearing the end of its voyage in January 2024, Philippine Sen. Imee Marcos released a statement accusing the U.S. and Philippine governments of a lack of transparency regarding the shipment. The shipment was temporarily delayed and prompted scattered protests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In April 2024, the Pentagon Inspector General office released an investigation of military fuel facilities worldwide prompted by the Red Hill crisis that found that across the board there had been poor oversight and record keeping, resulting in an increased risk of fuel leaks and spills, which could endanger public health, harm natural resources, and lead to mission failure. This July the Honolulu Board of Water Supply filed a federal civil tort complaint in the U.S. District Court of Hawaii in which it said it is suing the Navy over its handling of fuel leaks at and around Red Hill over the decades since it was built, in particular looking at harm that may have come to the aquifer. BWS has estimated the cost of past, current and future impacts from fuel leaks at $1.2 billion. A retired financier has been charged with sex trafficking after allegedly running a sex dungeon for 10 years in a New York City penthouse. Howard Rubin, 70, was arrested Friday morning in Fairfield, Connecticut, while his former personal assistant, Jennifer Powers, 45, was taken into custody in Texas. A newly unsealed 10-count indictment accuses the pair of running a sex trafficking operation, recruiting dozens of women to perform BDSM acts with Rubin that were at times reportedly non-consensual and left some with painful injuries requiring medical care. Howard Rubin (center) was arrested Friday morning in Fairfield, Connecticut, on sex trafficking charges. / Patrick McMullan / JONATHON ZIEGLER/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images During many of these encounters, Rubin brutalized womens bodies, the indictment states, adding that he spent at least $1 million to operate and maintain the sex network, which ran from 2009 to 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors say that Rubin paid different women for commercial sex multiple times a week, and if he was dissatisfied, he paid them less than $5,000 for a sexual encounter. In 2011, prosecutors say that Rubin leased a luxury penthouse near Central Parkdescribed in the indictment as the penthouse. He and Powers converted one bedroom into a red-painted, soundproof sex dungeon with a lock on the door and BDSM equipment, including devices prosecutors say could shock or electrocute women. The New York Post reported that the penthouse, leased by Rubin, was located on West 57th Street, an area known as Billionaires Row, as its home to some of the worlds most expensive residences. The women recruited by Rubin and Powers were often former Playboy models, all of whom were made to sign a non-disclosure agreementoften after consuming alcoholthat they never received a copy of. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the indictment, Rubin and Powers downplayed and misled women about the nature of the BDSM encounters, and some women later contacted Powers to report violent acts and injuries Rubin had inflicted on them. The penthouse leased by Rubin was located on West 57th Street, an area known as Billionaires Row. / Gary Hershorn / Gary Hershorn/Getty Images The indictment lists examples of Rubins violence, including cases where women agreed to encounters on the condition they could use a safe word to stop. Prosecutors say Rubin ignored the safe word, continuing activities, including penetrating women with foreign objects without their consent. At times, the women were unable to give consent because they had been encouraged to become intoxicated with drugs and alcohol. One womans breast implant flipped upside down and required surgery, and some women were unable to work due to injuries Rubin allegedly inflicted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When women reported injuries to Powers, she allegedly downplayed Rubins behavior, blamed his intoxication, and at times faulted the women themselves, according to prosecutors. This is not Rubins first accusation of sexual misconduct. In 2017, two Playboy models and a Florida model claimed he beat and raped them in New York City. In 2022, a Brooklyn federal jury found Rubin liable for trafficking and ordered him to pay around $4 million in damages. The millionaires career in finance includes working at Soros Fund Management, a firm founded by George Soros. Rubin was scheduled to appear in Brooklyn federal court on Friday to hear the charges against him before Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo. If convicted, Rubin and Powers face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years, and could be jailed for life. Moldova's electoral commission barred a pro-Russian party from participating in this weekend's parliamentary elections on Friday, a vote beleaguered by widespread claims of Russian interference. The outcome of Sunday's high-stakes vote could determine whether Moldova, a former Soviet republic and a candidate for EU membership, will continue on a path towards the West or be brought back into Moscow's orbit. The Heart of Moldova party is one of four parties in the Russia-friendly Patriotic Electoral Bloc (BEP), which is viewed as one of the main opponents of the ruling pro-Western Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Central Electoral Commission's decision was based on a ruling a day earlier by the Chisinau Court of Appeal, which restricted the party's activities for 12 months. The justice ministry requested the restrictions following searches earlier this month on Heart of Moldova party members that led to allegations of voter bribery, illegal party financing and money laundering. A campaign tent for the Patriotic Electoral Bloc in Chisinau, 26 September, 2025 - AP Photo The electoral commission said in a statement that all names proposed by Heart of Moldova will be removed from the bloc's list of candidates and gave the bloc 24 hours to adjust its list to meet the representation thresholds required by electoral law. The PAS party has held a strong parliamentary majority since 2021, but risks losing it in the upcoming race, in which it faces several Russia-friendly opponents but no viable pro-European partners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The BEP says it wants "friendship with Russia," permanent neutrality and a "state that serves the people, not officials." Irina Vlah, leader of the Heart of Moldova, condemned "the abusive decision" and called it a "political spectacle, concocted a long time ago" by the ruling party. She made a similar statement condemning the court ruling the previous day. A woman smiles as she holds Moldovan and EU flags during a pro-EU rally of the ruling Party of Action and Solidarity in Chisinau, 26 September, 2025 - AP Photo We have made numerous calls pointing out the crimes that were being committed against us, but there has been no reaction, no change in attitude, which once again confirms that in recent weeks a scenario has been implemented against us," she said in a statement posted on her Facebook page. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, Vlah was banned from entering Latvia, Estonia and Poland, which accused her of "helping the Russian Federation interfere in the preparations for the parliamentary elections." Related Inflaming tensions The electoral commission's decision is expected to inflame tensions in an already polarised country where authorities have warned that Russia is spending hundreds of millions of euros to sway the outcome of the vote via an alleged vote-buying operation and plans to incite riots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moscow has repeatedly denied meddling in Moldova. In a statement on Thursday, Russias Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed allegations of Russian interference as "anti-Russian" and "unsubstantiated." Moldova's Prime Minister Dorin Recean raises his fist next to supporters during a pro-EU rally of the ruling Party of Action and Solidarity in Chisinau, 26 September, 2025 - AP Photo Cristian Cantir, an associate professor of international relations at Oakland University, said that pro-Russian parties may use the ban to claim they are being discriminated against and energise supporters. "If political competitors break the law and contribute to the Kremlins plans to undermine Moldova, an institutional response is necessary for the preservation of the countrys security and democracy," he said. "Having said that, the decision will be used by pro-Russian groups as further evidence for their claim of political persecution...These groups will ramp up this rhetoric to mobilise their electorate." Lilongwe, Malawi In the rural valleys of Malawi, where homes are built of mud and grass, and electricity is scarce, Tamala Chunda spent his evenings bent over borrowed textbooks, reading by the dim light of a kerosene lamp. During the day, he helped his parents care for the familys few goats and tended their half-acre maize field in Emanyaleni village, some 400km (249 miles) from the capital city, Lilongwe. By night, he studied until his eyes stung, convinced that education was the only way to escape the poverty that had trapped his village for generations. That conviction carried him through his final examinations, where he ranked among the top 10 students in his secondary school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then, this May, a letter arrived that seemed to vindicate every late-night hour and every sacrificed childhood game: a full scholarship to the University of Dayton in Ohio, the United States. I thought life was about to change for the first time, Chunda told Al Jazeera. For my entire family, not just myself. News of the award brought celebration to his grass-thatched home, where family and neighbours gathered to mark what felt like a rare triumph. His parents, subsistence farmers battling drought and rising fertiliser costs, marked the occasion by slaughtering their most valuable goat, a rare luxury in a village where many families survive on a single meal a day. Distant neighbours even walked for miles to offer their congratulations to the boy who had become a beacon of hope for the children around him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But just months later, that dream unravelled. The US embassy informed Chunda that before travelling, he would have to post a $15,000 visa bond more than 20 years of the average income in Malawi, where the gross domestic product (GDP) per person is just $580, and most families live on less than $2 a day, according to the World Bank. That scholarship offer was the first time I thought the world outside my village was opening up for me, he said. Now it feels as if Im being informed that no matter how hard I work, doors will remain sealed by money I will never have. Scholarship recipient Tamala Chunda, whose dream of studying in the United States has been put on hold due to the $15,000 visa bond requirement [Collins Mtika/Egab] A sudden barrier Chunda is one of hundreds of Malawian students and travellers caught in the sweep of a new US visa rule that critics say amounts to a travel ban under another name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On August 20, 2025, the US State Department introduced a yearlong pilot programme requiring many business (B-1) and tourist (B-2) visa applicants from Malawi and neighbouring Zambia to post refundable bonds of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000 before travelling. The programme, modelled on a proposal first floated during the Trump administration in 2020, is intended to curb visa overstays. But Homeland Securitys own statistics suggest otherwise. In 2023, the department reported that Malawian visitors had an overstay rate of approximately 14 percent, which is lower than that of several African nations not subject to the bond requirement, including Angola, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Liberia, Mauritania, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. It is the equivalent of asking a farmer who earns less than $500 a year to produce 30 years worth of income overnight, said Charles Kajoloweka, executive director of Youth and Society, a Malawian civil society organisation that focuses on education. For our students, it is less of a bond and more of an exclusion order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A US embassy spokesperson in Lilongwe told local media that the bond programme was intended to discourage overstays, and said it did not directly target student visas. While student visas, known as F-1s, are technically exempt from the bond requirement in the pilot phase of the programme, in practice the situation is more complicated, observers note. International students on F-1s are allowed to enter the US up to 30 days before their programme start date. However, for those needing to arrive prior to that for orientation programmes, housing arrangements, or pre-college courses, for instance they must apply for a separate B-2 tourist visa. That means that many scholarship recipients need tourist visas to travel ahead of the academic year. But without funds to secure these visas, the scholarships can slip away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For students entering the US on tourist visas with the intention of changing their status to F-1 once they are there, this is legally permissible, but it must be approved by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. The visa bond requirements make this pathway much more complicated for Malawian students. Even for those who manage to raise the funds, there is no guarantee of success. Posting a bond does not ensure approval, and refunds are only granted if travellers depart on time through one of three designated US airports: Logan in Boston, Kennedy in New York, and Dulles outside Washington. Kajoloweka added that the policy also places extraordinary discretion in the hands of individual consular officers, who decide which applicants must pay bonds and how much. The United States embassy in Malawi, where the new visa bond requirement has caused widespread concern among students and business owners [Collins Mtika/Egab] Students in limbo For decades, programmes such as the Fulbright scholarships, the Mandela Washington Fellowship, and EducationUSA have created a steady pipeline of Malawian talent to American universities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Malawi depends on its brightest young minds acquiring skills abroad, especially in fields where local universities lack capacity, said Kajoloweka. By shutting down access to US institutions, we are shrinking the pool of future doctors, engineers, scientists, and leaders It is basically a brain drain in reverse. The visa bond has strained decades of diplomatic and educational ties between the US and Malawi, a relationship built by programmes dating from the 1960s and reinforced by sustained investment in education and development. Last month, Malawis foreign minister, Nancy Tembo, called the policy a de facto ban that discriminates against citizens of one of the worlds poorest nations. This move has shattered the plans most Malawians had to travel, said Abraham Samson, a student who had applied for US scholarships before the bond was announced. With our economy, not everyone can manage this. For those of us chasing further studies, these dreams are now a mirage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Samson has stopped monitoring his email for scholarship responses. He feels there is little point, believing that even if an offer were to arrive, the overall costs of studying in the US would remain far beyond his reach. Section 214(b) of US immigration law already presumes every visa applicant intends to immigrate unless proven otherwise, forcing students to demonstrate strong ties to their home country. The bond adds another burden, wherein applicants must now prove both their intention to return and that they have access to wealth beyond the means of most. A motorist pumps fuel into his vehicle in the commercial capital of Malawi, Blantyre [File: Eldson Chagara/Reuters] Hope on hold The situation is even more difficult for small business owners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One businessman has spent two decades creating his small electronics import company in Lilongwe, relying on regular trips to the US to identify cost-effective suppliers. In the aftermath of the mandate, the $15,000 visa bond has disrupted his plans, forcing him to buy from middlemen at outrageous prices. Every delay eats away at my margins, he explained, speaking under the condition of anonymity to protect future visa prospects. My six employees rely on me. If I cant travel, I may have to send them home. Civil society groups, such as the one Kajoloweka helms, are mobilising against the policy. The group is documenting real-life stories of affected students, lobbying both locally and internationally, and engaging partners in the United States and Europe to raise the alarm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We refuse to let this issue quietly extinguish the hopes of Malawian youth, he said. This bond is a barrier, but barriers can be challenged. Your dreams are valid, your aspirations are legitimate, and your voices matter. The world must not shut you out, he added, speaking generally to Malawian youth. Meanwhile, back in his village, Chunda contemplates a future far different from the one he had imagined. His scholarship to the University of Dayton sits unused, a reminder of an opportunity denied. I thought life was about to change for the first time, he lamented. For my entire family, not just myself. I now have to look elsewhere to realise my dream. This article is published in collaboration with Egab. Sep. 27MADISON, Wis. In the spring of 1886, the three-master schooner F.J. King and crew left her berth in Morristown for her long sail and annual task of shipping cargo on the western Great Lakes. She was expected back in the fall, when its captain and owner, William Griffin, would again head to Potsdam, where he would spend another winter. But the F.J. King never returned to the waters of the St. Lawrence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She instead becoming a legend on Lake Michigan a "ghost ship" because she eluded discovery on the bottom of the lake after sinking in spectacular fashion in September 1886. But on June 28, she gave up the ghost. The ship's remains were finally found. The F.J. King traveled through the Welland Canal, which opened in 1829, connecting Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. A canal update was completed in 1845 to allow for larger vessels like the 144-foot F.J. King to pass through. From Lake Erie, F.J. King navigated to Lake Huron, and then to Lake Michigan, where in September, Capt. Griffin picked up a load of iron ore, a heavy burden for a ship that usually carried wheat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Missing for 139 years, the F.J. King was one of the most highly sought after lost ships on Lake Michigan and had been the subject of countless search efforts since the 1970s. Green Bay based Neptune's Dive Club had even issued a $1, 000 reward for her discovery. "We wanted to find her because she had become a sort of a local legend," Brendon Baillod, president of the nonprofit Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association (WUAA), said in a phone interview from Madison, Wisconsin. Baillod has been studying Great Lakes maritime history for decades and has published dozens of articles and papers on the topic. He grew up on the Keweenaw Waterway in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and has dived to several wrecks in the Keweenaw. Baillod led the project to find the F.J. King, in which 20 citizen scientists and community historians from around the Midwest got to participate directly in the discovery of an historic shipwreck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "So many people have tried to search for the F.J. King," Baillod said. "About half a dozen of my colleagues have looked for the wreck, starting in the 1980s, with good equipment. They weren't guys who didn't know what they were doing. They spent weeks and months looking for her and could not find her. That was really surprising because we have a wreck report. Capt. Griffin filed a report with the the (Oswegatchie) Customs Bureau. He had to, by law." From wheat to ore Built in 1867 at Toledo, Ohio by master shipwright George Rogers, F.J. King was constructed mainly for the grain trades and designed to engage in trans-lake commerce through the Welland Canal around Niagara Falls. She had a third mast added in 1885. The schooner had a very successful 19-year career before taking on a cargo of iron ore at Escanaba, Michigan, bound for Chicago. Baillod said that Capt. Griffin, based at Morristown, purchased the ship from her previous owners, who were based out of Toledo and Chicago. The sale was made in 1876. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She was a canal schooner," Baillod said. "Her main role was to carry grain from the port cities on Lake Michigan to Buffalo and Oswego. From there, the grain would go down the Erie Canal or the Oswego Canal, and then down to the East Coast." A schooner like the F.J. King was not a good business fit for the St. Lawrence River/Eastern Lake Ontario region thus her long commute. "It was difficult to make a profit up there because there were all of these duties on importations coming from other countries," Baillod said. "The American fleet on Lake Ontario tended to trade with American ports in the west, as opposed to Canadian ports up on the St. Lawrence." At the time, Baillod said that about 80% of the grain harvested in the U.S. came out of Wisconsin. "By the 1800s and 1890s, the farming practices exhausted the soil here in Wisconsin, and it became no longer suitable for wheat, which moved further out, into the prairies." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baillod estimates there was a fleet of about 2,000 of these wheat-carrying schooners sailing the Great Lakes in the 1870s-1880s. "Ordinarily, this ship (F.J. King) would have been carrying grain from Lake Michigan to all the way east. It was very common. This ship aged out of the trade. She couldn't carry grain anymore. She had too much hull rot.' According to insurance documents on the F.J. King examined by Baillod, the schooner's value kept dropping. "Finally, in 1885, they decided to put money into her and installed a third mast, which I think is because they wanted to put her into the iron ore trade, which was not a good idea for an old vessel like that. She hadn't hauled iron ore in years. It's a heavy cargo. So, her owners were sending her on what we call tramp runs just for odd cargoes. They sent her for iron ore and that was the end of her. Her hull couldn't take it." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He noted another reason why the schooner may have been carrying iron ore when she went down: "Grain was considered a food-grade item, and ships had to be in really good condition to carry it." The sinking When off the Door Peninsula, in eastern Wisconsin, separating the southern part of the Green Bay from Lake Michigan, the F.J. King ran into a gale from the southeast. Seas were estimated at 8-to-10 feet, which caused the schooner's seams to open. The crew was put to the pumps, but after several hours of work, Capt. Griffin ordered the crew to gather their belongings and to get into the ship's 12-foot yawl boat. At 2 a.m. on Sept. 15, 1886, the F.J. King went down bow-first as the men pulled for shore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They watched as the ship plunged for the bottom," Baillod said. "The iron ore cargo rushed forward, and slammed into the bow. Air rushed backward and blew the stern deckhouse 50 feet into the air. The captain's papers went flying. It was a violent end for the vessel." The crew was picked up by the passing schooner La Petite, which took them to Baileys Harbor on the eastern shore of the Door Peninsula. "Morristown Schooner Lost," the Watertown Daily Times reported on Sept. 23, 1886. "Owing to the value of repairs made on her last winter, she was worth $9,000." The discovery Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baillod had collected hundreds of original documents about the ship and her loss and corresponded with previous searchers who told him that the entire area had already been searched, to no avail. But he wasn't dissuaded. Capt. Griffin filed a wreck report at the Oswegatchie Customs House, where the vessel was enrolled. On it, he stated that he thought the vessel went down around 5 miles from shore at a depth of 150 feet. However, the next week, the keeper of the Cana Island Lighthouse reported seeing the masts of a schooner breaking the surface nearer to shore. To Baillod, the lighthouse keeper's report became a "smoking gun." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We reasoned that the captain may not have known where he was in the 2 a.m. darkness, but the lighthouse keeper's course and distance to the masts were probably accurate." He drew a 2-square-mile grid around the location given by the lighthouse keeper. His WUAA group considered any discovery a long shot and were mostly focused on learning about sidescan sonar and remote operated vehicle (ROV) technology when they left the dock on Saturday, June 28. "We provide opportunities for the public to participate in underwater archaeology, not just through diving, but through remote sensing." The voyage on June 28 was designed for "fun" and education, Baillod said, not necessarily discovery. "It was mostly an experience thing, and a cool way to get people out onto the water." A large screen was set up on the WUAA vessel linked to the ROV. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two hours into the ROV deployment, a "huge ship" came into view. Baillod knew immediately what it was. "We couldn't believe it. You could see the cargo hatches and the details of the vessel, even though it was 250 yards away from our boat. We could see iron ore around it. A shout went up and people got their cell phones out to record the screen. We were pinching ourselves." Baillod said he immediately called Wisconsin's underwater archaeologist. "She couldn't believe it either." Baillod had to keep the discovery under wraps until a few days ago, to allow Wisconsin officials to perform 3D photogrammetry on the wreck. It's a process of creating a 3D model by taking multiple photographs from different angles and using specialized software to reconstruct the object's geometry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It records the vessel as it is, pre-disturbance," Baillod said. "Once we release the location for sport divers, they can go out and enjoy the wreck. We want to make sure nobody steals any artifacts and people understand that this is a historically important site." The wreck, in 120-to-140 feet of water, is classified as a technical dive. WUAA is preparing a nomination to have the site listed on the National Register of Historic Places. "We expect it to be listed, probably in the spring. And when she is on that national register, we will release the location and divers will be able to visit her themselves." The captain Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Capt. Griffin was not faulted for losing the ship. "This was just a hazard of doing business at the time," Baillod said. "Losing a ship like that was not considered a black mark. It happened. Think of how many thousands of ships were lost on the Great Lakes. Something like a third of all the vessels that we had on the Great Lakes were lost due to an accident." Many of those vessels are still missing. "Here at Lake Michigan, we have over 200 commercial vessels that sank and that have never been found." Capt. Griffin would go on to other vessels. He died in Chicago in November of 1893, on a ship when he fell from the rigging and into the hold of a vessel. he was 59. "He was a very genial, pleasant man, well-known here and at West Potsdam," the Watertown Daily Times reported on Nov. 28, 1893, in a story filed from Potsdam. "He passed his summers upon the lakes, and usually bought a boat in the spring, ran it a season, sold it, and started with a new outfit the next season. Two sons survive him." He rests at West Potsdam Cemetery with his wife, Sabrina, who died in 1873. By Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The National Congress of American Indians strongly condemned on Saturday a Pentagon review that decided against revoking medals awarded to U.S. soldiers at the 1890 Battle of Wounded Knee, an event which many historians consider a massacre. "Celebrating war crimes is not patriotic. This decision undermines truth-telling, reconciliation, and the healing that Indian Country and the United States still need," Larry Wright Jr., the Congress' executive director, said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Battle of Wounded Knee, also known as the Wounded Knee Massacre, took place on Dec. 29, 1890, in South Dakota, when U.S. soldiers killed and wounded more than 300 Lakota Sioux men, women and children. Lloyd Austin, who was the Biden administration's defense secretary, had ordered a review of the military honors but had not made a final decision before leaving office in January. In a video posted on X late on Thursday, President Donald Trump's defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, said a review panel had recommended allowing the soldiers keep their medals in a study completed last year, and that he followed that recommendation. "We're making it clear that they deserve those medals. This decision is now final and their place in our nation's history is no longer up for debate," Hegseth said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth criticized Austin for not taking the same decision, saying that the former Pentagon chief was more interested in being "politically correct than historically correct." A resolution passed by Congress in 1990 expressed "deep regret" for the conflict. "It is proper and timely for the Congress of the United States of America to acknowledge... the historic significance of the Massacre at Wounded Knee Creek, to express its deep regret to the Sioux people and in particular to the descendants of the victims and survivors for this terrible tragedy," the resolution said. The events at Wounded Knee marked the end of the Indian wars, during which Native Americans were coerced to cede their lands and then forced onto reservations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth has taken aim at diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at the Pentagon since he took office. The Pentagon has ended commemorations of identity month celebrations, like Native American History Month and Black History Month. The Pentagon drew fire earlier this year for briefly erasing online references to the Navajo Code Talkers, who developed an unbreakable code that helped Allied forces win World War Two. (Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Nick Zieminski) NATO chiefs-of-staff gathered in Riga on Saturday for talks on recent airspace violations by Russian forces. "Today, I express full and unequivocal solidarity with all allies whose airspace has been breached. The alliance's response has been robust and will only continue to strengthen," Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, chairman of the 32-member organization's Military Committee, said in his opening address. "These acts are escalatory reckless and endanger lives, and Russia bears full responsibility for these actions," Dragone said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dragone pointed to historical events, noting that on September 25, 1939, Soviet bomber and reconnaissance aircraft had violated the airspace of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, describing this as "the opening signal of Moscow's determination to impose its will." "The moment should resonate deeply with us today," he said. In his address as host, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics said: "The immediate priority today is clearly air defence." He added, "As I've already noted, Russia continues a pattern of provocations, most recently recklessly violating the airspace of Poland and Estonia." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rinkevics called for a continuing robust response that transformed Baltic air policing into a Baltic air-defence mission with respective rules of engagement. Russian forces have recently conducted a series of potentially dangerous incursions into NATO airspace over the Baltics and Poland. The incursions have been linked to the ongoing war in Ukraine. NATO's Military Committee advises NATO countries on military issues. One of the aims of the current conference is to implement decisions taken at the NATO summit in The Hague in late June. NATO could transform the current mission monitoring the airspace over its eastern flank into a full defensive operation following repeated incursions by Russian drones and jets, a top military officer said on Saturday. Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, chairman of the 32-member alliance's Military Committee, said after a meeting of chiefs-of-staff in Riga that such a move could be an option once ongoing investigations are complete. He cautioned that it is still too early to fully assess what actually happened during the recent airspace violations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Converting the current air policing mission into an air defence mission could significantly bolster NATO's capabilities on the eastern flank. New rules of engagement would likely make it easier to intercept or shoot down intruding aircraft. NATO countries met Tuesday at Estonia's request after three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets flew through Estonian airspace over the Baltic Sea for roughly 12 minutes. In a subsequent statement, the military alliance warned of potential force in response to further violations. Warsaw had earlier reported that Russian drones had entered Polish airspace on September 9. The NATO Baltic Air Policing mission has been in place since 2004, designed to safeguard the airspace of alliance partners in Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia during peacetime. NATO members provide rotating fighter jets for the mission, as the Baltic states themselves do not have suitable aircraft. Steps the governor took to win Trump administration approval include continuing to use the states National Guard to provide administrative support to ICE. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Nevada was removed from the Trump administrations list of sanctuary states this week after Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo signed an agreement with the Department of Justice to fully collaborate on federal immigration enforcement making Nevada the first state to be removed from the list. Nevada was initially placed on the federal list of sanctuary jurisdictions on Aug. 5 following an executive order by President Donald Trump directing the Justice Department in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security to identify places where officials continue to use their authority to violate, obstruct, and defy the enforcement of Federal immigration laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lombardo has denied Nevadas status as a sanctuary state since making it on the list, and said the agreement reaffirms our commitment to following federal immigration law in Nevada. In a statement announcing the agreement, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said We applaud Governor Lombardo and Nevada for taking necessary steps to fully comply with the Trump Administrations immigration policy. This should serve as a reminder to other jurisdictions: come to the table and work with us instead of going to court. The agreement lists several commitments Nevada must make to remain off the list of sanctuary states in the future, including the continued use of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds to assist in federal immigration operations. In August, Nevada agreed to use FEMA funds to upgrade detention facilities at the Washoe County Jail to include dedicated holding cells and office space for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the agreement, Nevada will also continue to use the states National Guard to provide administrative support in immigration enforcement operations. DOJ will provide notice of further opportunities for Nevada to collaborate with the federal government on immigration enforcement including identification of laws and policies that impede federal law enforcement, the agreement reads. The agreement points to several policies that lead the Justice Department to place Nevada on the list of sanctuary jurisdictions, including the states Model Immigration Policies, which offers guidance from the Nevada Attorney General to state employees on how to interact with federal immigration enforcement authorities. The non-binding policies were mandated by the Nevada Legislature in 2021 and include guidance for limiting immigration enforcement in public spaces, while also complying with federal law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lombardo accused Nevadas Attorney General Aaron Ford of attempting to implement sanctuary policies through the model immigration policies. Despite the Attorney Generals attempts to implement sanctuary policies, Nevada is not a sanctuary state, has never been a sanctuary state, and will never be a sanctuary state under my leadership, Lombardo said. The agreement also notes that Nevada will take steps available in law to counter-balance any actions the Nevada Attorney General and Nevada Legislature may take to enact unlawful sanctuary policies. In response to Lombardos comment and the agreement, Ford emphasized that he has never supported sanctuary for criminals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sanctuary designation from the Trump administration happened on Governor Lombardos watch which is yet another failure of his tenure, Ford said. Unlike the governor, I have actually passed legislation to crack down on fentanyl being trafficked across our border, and have won more than $1 billion to combat the opioid issue right here in Nevada. The agreement outlines several actions Lombardo and state officials took to remove Nevada from the list of sanctuary jurisdictions, including the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department rejoining the federal 287(g) program in June, which authorizes officers to perform some immigration enforcement functions. Lombardos veto of a bill that would prohibit school employees from granting permission to immigration officers to enter a school or provide student records without a warrant was also highlighted in the agreement. The agreement also noted actions Lombardo took to stop Nevadas Office for New Americans from providing legal assistance referrals for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and those seeking Temporary Protected Status or Legal Permanent Residency. Next stop for college grad? Senegal, as a Peace Corps member Ansley Carpenter, a recent college graduate from Coweta County, is set to embark on a significant journey as she joins the Peace Corps. I was sitting in the school library with one of my friends when it came in. I could not believe I got in, she told Channel 2s Berndt Petersen. Ansley Carpenter will serve in Senegal for two years and three months and will live with a host family. She graduated from the University of the South in Tennessee and previously attended Woodward Academy in College Park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I came to understand what an honor it is to be in Peace Corps. I feel extremely grateful to be a part of this program and serve, she said. A biology major, Ansley Carpenter will train as a forestry and environmental specialist and will live with a host family in Senegal. Her mother, Becky Carpenter, described the opportunity as the opportunity of a lifetime, encouraging her daughter to take on the challenge. She was asking me, Momwhat do you think? I was like, My gosh, youve got to go, Becky Carpenter said. The Peace Corps, established by President John F. Kennedy, has seen over 4,000 Georgians serve since its inception in 1961, with Carpenter joining 117 current volunteers from Georgia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ansley Carpenters journey begins with a flight to Washington, D.C., before heading to Africa. Its a long way from Newnan, and as the slogan says, its the toughest job youll ever love. As Carpenter prepares for her departure, her family will have to visit her in Senegal until her vacation in Christmas 2026. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Sep. 26MORGANTOWN Two segments in Monongalia County and the entire width of northern Preston County are included in NextEra Energy Transmission's preferred route for its MidAtlantic Resiliency Link transmission project. NextEra unveiled the "community-informed route " it will submit to the West Virginia Public Service Commission Friday morning. Asked for specificity as to how much of the 107.5-mile, 500-kilovolt overhead line will pass through Monongalia and Preston counties and generally where a spokesperson for the MidAtlantic Resiliency Link said the route would "include fewer than six miles in Monongalia County and fewer than 16 miles in Preston County." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Looking at the map available at nexteraenergytransmission.com, the proposed route runs from a substation in Dunkard Township, Pa. and dips into Monongalia County northeast of Maidsville near the Longview Power Plant and exits back into Pennsylvania in the area between Fort Martin Road and the Monongahela River. It drops back into Monongalia County east of Fairchance Road in the area of Ryan Hollow and cuts southeast to parallel an existing transmission line that runs toward Preston County. Just before exiting Monongalia County, the proposed route deviates from the existing line briefly, cutting a short, new route through a small portion of Coopers Rock State Forest in Preston County. The path across Preston County largely parallels existing lines, but appears to deviate from that path in at least four segments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After passing into Maryland, the route ultimately reenters West Virginia and passes through Hampshire and Mineral counties en route to a connection point near Gore, Va. NextEra notes the proposed route is the result of more than 1, 200 public comments collected from eight open house events and two online surveys as well as more than 300 landowners, elected officials, local businesses, economic development agencies and community organizations. According to the company, the project is needed to support the regional power grid and will serve as a significant economic driver for the region by providing increased transmission capacity and potential access capabilities. "When complete, the MidAtlantic Resiliency Link will provide increased access to lower-cost generation resources, strengthen the regional electric grid, enhance reliability for homes and businesses and support economic growth across Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and Virginia, " MidAtlantic Resiliency Link spokesperson Kaitlin McCormick said in Friday's announcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Community groups and elected officials have pushed back, pointing out that the line is simply using West Virginia as a means to pull power from Pennsylvania primarily to benefit data centers in Virginia. Each of the West Virginia counties to be impacted have taken a public stance against inclusion in the project. In addition to a resolution passed in July, the Monongalia County Commission recently penned letters to both Gov. Patrick Morrisey and the West Virginia Public Service Commission stating the power lines would "impose significant and lasting harm on our community while providing no meaningful local benefit." The commission believes the project would negatively impact environmentally sensitive areas, property values, agricultural operations, tourism and the scenic character of the county. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to NextEra, the finalization of the route selection process is at least a year away. "The proposed route and several alternative options will be submitted to each state's respective public service commissions, " the company explained in Friday's announcement. "The respective public service commissions will evaluate the proposed options, provide an opportunity for the community to share their feedback and make the final decision on the route one to two years after submittal." Anthony Campbell, president of West Virginians Against Transmission Injustice, urged concerned citizens to get involved. "The route is not a certainty it's simply what NextEra wants, " he said. "The actual application to the West Virginia Public Service Commission is not expected until later this year, and West Virginians need to make their voices heard now." PIEDMONT TRIAD, N.C. (WGHP) Governor Stein declared a State of Emergency on Saturday as the state prepares for heavy rainfall and potential impacts from Tropical Depression 9, which could develop into storm Imelda, according to a press release. North Carolinians across the state should prepare for tropical weather to bring heavy rainfall and potential flooding, said Governor Josh Stein. This State of Emergency will enable North Carolinas State Emergency Response Team to mobilize resources and prepare for potential impacts. Forecasts remain uncertain, so its important that North Carolinians get prepared now, have emergency kits ready, and listen to local emergency guidance to stay safe and informed. Some areas in the Piedmont Triad are warning the public of severe weather and potential flooding. Randolph County Randolph County Emergency Services is closely monitoring the systems in the Atlantic, according to the Randolph County Sheriffs Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a post to RCSOs Facebook page, the sheriffs office emphasizes that severe weather can affect anyone and is especially dangerous for vulnerable individuals who may have difficulty evacuating quickly. RCSO encourages families, caregivers and community members to register with the Guardian Project, which helps the sheriffs office keep track of those most at risk so first responders can respond faster and more effectively in an emergency. The lessons from Hurricane Helene underscore the importance of community support and long-term preparedness, RCSO said. Burlington Emergency management is monitoring the tropical forecasts and attending National Weather Service briefings, according to a City of Burlington spokesperson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burlington Public Works deployed barricades in advance of any possible rainfall and is checking storm drains. Below is the City of Burlingtons map of flood-prone areas that should pay special attention should the area see heavy rainfall. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. As Moldova prepares for the snap parliamentary election on Sunday, the eastern European countrys authorities are registering a Russian disinformation campaign on an unprecedented scale, aimed at derailing the countrys EU path through vote meddling. Personal attacks on Moldova's pro-European President Maia Sandu make up a significant chunk of the Kremlin's all-out campaign, lobbing outlandish allegations through a network of anonymous websites, sometimes spoofing real-world news outlets. Deliberately mimicking Western media, one website ran a fabricated story titled Moldovan president in celebrity sperm scandal, falsely using the name of a real reporter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It alleged that Sandu, who is unmarried and does not have children, was purchasing sperm from gay celebrity donors such as Ricky Martin and Elton John to have a child. The article seeks to discredit Sandu by weaponising gender stereotypes and targeting her personal life, while eroding her political reputation, said the report by Reset Tech, a global not-for-profit that monitors digital threats to democracy and Russian online influence operations since 2022. Another article on a different fake news website referenced as its primary source a report by the EU-sanctioned Russian Foundation to Battle Injustice, which accuses Sandu of running a child trafficking campaign via Ukraine to pedophile networks in Europe. FILE: Moldova's President Maia Sandu arrives to meet French President Emmanuel Macron Monday, March 10, 2025 at the Elysee Palace in Paris - AP Photo Friedrich Merz slaughters family of polar bears Meanwhile, Chancellor Friedrich Merz became a victim of a Russian disinformation campaign even before he was elected to Germany's top office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February, German researchers working with the Robert Bosch Foundation discovered networks of hundreds of fake social media accounts promoting pro-Russian narratives and demonising Friedrich Merz. One fake news article falsely claimed Merz suffered from an "emotionally unstable" personality disorder and that he had tried to take his own life in 2017, backing the allegations with fabricated medical records. Russian officials led by former President Dmitry Medvedev further targeted Merz, comparing him to World War II Nazi German propaganda chief Joseph Goebbels. Recently, a false story about Merz emerged under the banner of a fake outlet calling itself Toronto Journal after the German chancellors visit to Canada for the G7 summit in June. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The story claimed that Merz shot dead a mother polar bear and her two cubs, going as far as to cite fake witnesses who allegedly described what they called senseless slaughter of the polar bear family next to an image of a bloodied bear. But arguably the biggest fake claim scandal involving Merz also included French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Macron, Merz and Starmer 'cocaine on a train' claim Back in May, a slew of viral social media posts alleged that Merz, Macron and Starmer were caught taking cocaine on their trip to Kyiv. At the centre of the claims was a video showing the three leaders together on a train from Poland to Ukraine, ahead of a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reaffirm their support for his country. FILE: Keir Starmer, Emanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz onboard a train to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv where all three will hold meetings with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, May 9, 2025 - AP Photo Social media users allege that a white object next to Macron was a bag of cocaine, which they claim he hurriedly removed, and that the object next to Merz's hand was a spoon used to take the drug. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian officials joined the disinformation campaign once again, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova posting on her official Telegram channel that the trio "got high" together. The French Presidential Office commented on the fake story, dismissing claims made by Russia about a paper tissue allegedly seen during European leaders' visit to Kyiv. "When European unity becomes inconvenient, disinformation goes so far as to make a simple tissue look like drugs," the Elysee Palace reacted, showing a close-up of the actual serviette in question. Mocking Russian claims, the French Presidential Office added a description to the picture, saying: "This is a tissue. For blowing your nose." Macron and the 'gay lobby' deal Macron has been a target of fake claims since his first presidential campaign in 2017, when the Kremlin-orchestrated fakes claimed he got elected with the support of a very wealthy gay lobby. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The allegations further said that Macron was chosen to be president as part of a CIA-run scheme or similar mind-control program. In the run-up to the 2022 French presidential elections, Russian attacks on Macron further intensified, involving France's First Lady Brigitte Macron. Fake stories were spread by Russian outlets claiming the two are blood relatives who have committed incest and contributed to the conspiracy theory about Brigitte Macrons alleged gender transition. In another falsified take, Russian fake-news propaganda outlets fabricated a story claiming a French surgeon was murdered to silence him over alleged revelations about Brigitte Macrons gender. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The story was published under the name of French journalist Audrey Parmentier, who publicly stated she had nothing to do with it. The website where the story was published had been created just a few days before the story ran and was filled with content in French on various topics to give the fake site credibility. The fake story on the surgeon's alleged assassination was then spread by Russian outlets and social media accounts and gave a renewed push to the conspiracy theory that Brigitte Macron was born male, which had been circulating for several years. These claims have recently gone even more viral, prompting Macron and his wife to file a defamation lawsuit in the United States against conservative podcaster Candace Owens, accusing her of spreading false rumours that the first lady underwent gender reassignment. FILE - French President Emmanuel Macron and wife Brigitte arrive at 10 Downing Street in London, Wednesday, July 9, 2025 - AP Photo Kamala Harris' hit-and-run When it comes to the US, Russia's disinformation campaign used a different approach over the past year. In the run-up to the 2024 presidential elections, Moscow-affiliated actors focused their personalised attacks on the Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the fabricated stories falsely claimed that Harris left a 13-year-old girl paralysed after an alleged hit-and-run in San Francisco in 2011. The investigation by Microsoft later revealed that the story was fake. The staged video showed a paid actor appearing as the alleged victim on a fake website for a non-existent San Francisco news outlet named KBSF-TV. Another Russia-backed fake news article falsely claimed that Kamala Harris killed an endangered rhino during a visit to Africa. Kremlin-affiliated groups also created a fake website which looked very similar to the official campaign website of the Harris campaign. Completed with Harris election slogans and colours, it falsely outlined a policy platform that included fully open borders, abolishing voter ID requirements, and other controversial proposals. FILE: US and Ukrainian flags commemorate American volunteers, who were killed in battles with Russian troops defending Ukraine, their names are on flags, Kyiv,Ukraine,27.09.24 - AP Photo Moscow implemented a different strategy for Donald Trump, however. When the Republican candidate and now US president refrained from harsh criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin, not calling him an aggressor in Moscows war against Ukraine, the Kremlin-affiliated fake news machine did not attack Trump personally and instead focused on spreading disinformation aimed at eroding US support for Kyiv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One such video, a fabricated E! News report, falsely claimed in February that the US Agency for International Development (USAID) paid movie stars to visit Ukraine after Russias full-scale invasion in 2022. The claims were verified and debunked. E! News told Reuters after the posts had been shared by Donald Trump Jr and Elon Musk that the video was not authentic and did not come from them. Further fake videos appeared, supposedly showing Ukrainian soldiers burning effigies of Trump or his supporters. One fake clip depicted soldiers saying Trump must not be allowed to take office and should never be president again. Multiple investigations debunked the video. Other clips, just as fake, depicted Ukrainian soldiers burning Trumps books or calling him a coward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to US intelligence, Russia has sought to support Trump in the presidential elections and after his victory, believing he would reduce American backing for Ukraine and perhaps the NATO alliance with the ultimate goal of undermining Americas global leadership by dividing its people and undermining support for its institutions, way beyond Washingtons support of Ukraine. A volunteer fighter with callsign Dima from Texas, who serves with the 23rd separate rifle battalion of Ukraine's Armed Forces, Kharkiv region, 26.10.24 - AP Photo Who is behind Russias viral fake stories? Microsofts Threat Analysis Centre first identified the Kremlin-backed group Storm 1516 in 2022. Operating across continents, in different languages, and on various platforms, this group is known to be responsible for some of the most viral fake news stories. Using fake bylines or names of real journalists, and creating AI-generated videos under the fabricated logo of real news outlets, the group is targeting politicians and voters worldwide. According to Microsofts Threat Analysis Center, the group developed a distinct technique in 2024 for combining videos with AI-generated audio impersonations of celebrity and expert voices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Various misleading stories have reached millions of views on social media in several countries, often generating public debates at the highest levels. With all of its sophisticated tools, the operation aims at attacking Ukraine and its allies, discrediting Vladimir Putins political opponents and undermining the electoral process in countries deemed enemies by the Kremlin. In May, the French government published its VIGINUM report stating that since 2023, the Storm1516 cyber attack group has been used in 77 Russian information campaigns targeting France, Ukraine and all Western countries. The Storm-1516 attack group is reportedly linked to a complex network of individuals and organizations acting from Russian Federation territory, some of whom are particularly close to the Russian Government, which suggests close links with the propaganda machine deployed by Russia, the report revealed. Researchers investigating the Storm 1516 operations and techniques have pointed out that the cyberattack groups goal is not so much to convince as it is to confuse the audience, leaving them uncertain about what is fact and what is fiction to ultimately spread doubt. Voting in the regional rounds has come to a close, leaving us with the final four in our bracket to determine the Most Rhode Island Thing Ever. Once again, voters were clear about what should proceed through the bracket, with the closest matchup coming in the Events quadrant final as the Bristol 4th of July Parade topped WaterFire by a 58% to 42% margin. You can view the full second-round results here and the full first-round results here. We now move on to Round 3, which will pit the winners of the four quadrants of Food, Landmarks, Things to Do and Quirks against each other. Voting will be open until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 29. Voting in the finals will begin Tuesday, Sept. 30, at noon as we move closer to National Rhode Island Day on Oct. 5. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Take a look at the matchups below and register your votes all the way through. We're on to the final four of the Most Rhode Island Thing Ever bracket. Coffee Milk vs. Big Blue Bug Coffee Milk For those who didnt grow up drinking coffee milk from cartons in elementary school, coffee milk is exactly what it sounds like: milk mixed with a sweet coffee syrup. The drink was invented in Rhode Island sometime in the 1930s. Big Blue Bug Officially named Nibbles Woodaway, the bug measures 58 feet long and weighs about 4,000 pounds and has been on its perch along Interstate 95 since 1980. Bristol 4th of July Parade vs Rhode Island Accent Bristol 4th of July Parade Known as the oldest continuous Fourth of July parade in the United States, the parade is one part of Bristol's celebration around Independence Day. Rhode Island accent People who study the Rhode Island accent often describe it as a unique mixture of influences from Boston and New York that was likely also shaped by immigration from Italy, Portugal and Ireland. Thank you for voting. Check often to vote again and see live results. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Most RI Thing Ever Round 3 vote and results With elections scheduled for Nov. 11, Iraq is heading toward another vote. But the outcome is already being written in Tehran. Irans agents have infiltrated Iraqs election commission, manipulating the process before a single ballot is cast. Votes are not counted they are engineered. Through a process known as apportionment, parliamentary seats are divided in advance among groups including militias and political allies tied to the so-called muqawama Iran-backed resistance militias. This includes not only Shia factions but also Kurdish and Iraqi groups drawn into Irans orbit. The people of Iraq are being robbed of their voices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not the democratic Iraq the U.S. promised when it removed Saddam Hussein. Instead, Americas unfinished project left a vacuum that Tehran eagerly filled. Iraqs elections are no longer contests of ideas or competition for public trust. Today, Iraqs government often answers not to its citizens, but to the Ayatollahs. The illusion of democracy hides the erosion of sovereignty. Iranian influence reaches into every corner of Iraq and Washington must decide before Nov. 11 whether to resist or yield. This betrayal is not only of Iraqis who once believed in change, but of the very principles the U.S. claimed to be upholding in 2003. America promised freedom but instead allowed the theocracy next door to seize control of Baghdad. The U.S. can no longer afford its policy of ambiguity. With Iraqs elections approaching, it faces two stark options. First, it could walk away, abandoning Iraq to Irans ayatollahs and accept that Baghdad will become another satellite of Tehran. On the other hand, the U.S. could push back and confront Iranian interference, strengthen Iraqs democratic institutions and give the Iraqi people the sovereignty they deserve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To do nothing is to choose surrender by default. If the U.S. retreats after Iraqs election, the consequences will extend far beyond Iraq. Every Iranian proxy will be emboldened, and Tehran will tighten its grip across the region. Israel will face heightened threats. U.S. allies in the Gulf will view American passivity as an invitation to tilt toward Tehran. Nor is this only a Middle Eastern problem. It is a direct challenge to U.S. credibility worldwide. After years of sacrifice, trillions of dollars spent and countless lives lost, what message will it send if Washington abandons Iraq to its greatest regional adversary? The Iraqi people have endured dictatorship, invasion, terrorism and corruption. They should not now be condemned to live as pawns in Irans geopolitical game. Iraq still has the potential to be a sovereign nation with its own voice, but only if Washington chooses to act before Nov. 11. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. owes Iraq more than broken promises. It owes Iraq the chance to live free of Irans grip. If Washington fails, Iraqs story will not be written by its people, but by Tehran. This chapter of history is not yet finished. But unless America wakes up, Iran will write the ending. Whoever leads the United States must act before this catastrophe becomes irreversible. Heyrsh Abdul is a senior business and intelligence analyst who has worked with organizations in Washington, D.C. He specializes in Middle East affairs, Iraqi elections and Iranian regional influence. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Peru man was arrested Wednesday by detectives from the Indiana State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, along with troopers from the Peru Post, on multiple felony charges for possession of child sex abuse material. The investigation began in July 2025 after a complaint was received regarding an individual distributing CSAM, according to a press release from the ISP. The Miami County Prosecutors Office issued a search warrant for the residence of Jason L. Jessup, 43, in Peru. During the execution of the search warrant, multiple electronic devices containing CSAM were seized. On September 24, the Miami Superior Court II issued an arrest warrant. Members of the Peru Post executed this warrant, taking Jessup into custody without incident. He was transported to and remanded at the Miami County Jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Preliminary charges include 10 counts of possession of CSAM, a level 5 felony. The Indiana ICAC is a multiagency task force led by the Indiana State Police that investigates and prosecutes persons who use the internet to sexually exploit or entice children. Each year, Indiana ICAC investigators evaluate thousands of tips, investigate hundreds of cases, and rescue dozens of children from ongoing sexual abuse. The Indiana ICAC Task Force encourages Hoosiers to report online exploitation, solicitation, and enticement-type crimes against children to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. To learn more, visit https://internetcrimesagainstkids.com. Under the law, criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. The Kokomo Police Department, Office of Special Investigations (USAF), and the Miami County Prosecutors Office also assisted in the investigation. No injuries were reported after a commercial regional jet overshot the designated touch down zone at a Virginia airport amid heavy rain Wednesday night, but was stopped in a safety area at the end of the runway, officials said. Delays continue at the airport Thursday morning. CommuteAir Flight 4339 landed long as it arrived at Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport around 10pm, according to a Federal Aviation Administration statement. It was safely stopped by an engineered materials arresting system bed at the end of the runway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The safety area made of cellular cement blocks meant to slow and stop an aircraft that overruns the runway was upgraded last year and performed as intended, airport spokesperson Alexa Briehl said in an email. There was heavy rain in the area at the time of the incident, Briehl said. There were 50 passengers and three crew members on board the flight operating as United Express from Washington Dulles International Airport when it overran the runway while landing at Roanoke, CommuteAir executive vice president and chief financial officer Sean Frick said in an email. The captain reported no injuries, Frick said. CommuteAir Flight 4339 at the end of a runway at Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (Roanoke-Blacksburg Airport) Passengers aboard the Embraer 145 were bused to the terminal and law enforcement released them to go home a little before midnight, officials said. All runways at the airport were closed for a time. One runway reopened after midnight to arriving and departing traffic, but the runway where the overrun occurred remained closed, the airport said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FAA said it will investigate. This was the third save this month by an engineered materials arresting system, according to the FAA. On Sept. 3, an arresting system stopped a Gulfstream G150 with two people aboard that overran the runway at Chicago Executive Airport. On the same day, a Bombardier Challenger 300 with four people on board was stopped when it went beyond the runway during landing at Boca Raton Airport. No serious injuries were reported in either case, the FAA said. There are currently 122 such systems at 70 U.S. airports. Delays continued at the Roanoke airport Thursday morning, but most flights were on time by afternoon, officials said. On Thursday, Dec. 11, the National Weather Service (NWS) continued issuing winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories across the U.S., so if you think your round of cold and snow is over, take another look at what's ahead. As for Thursday morning, the NWS announced fresh winter storm ... Emery Sapp & Sons taking internship applications Emery Sapp & Sons, a heavy civil construction company, provides a summer internship program that hosted 44 students this year from colleges and trade schools across the region. Designed for hands-on learning, the ESS Internship Program provides students the chance to dive headfirst into their field, from drafting proposals to laboring on active job sites. ESS interns are paired with a dedicated mentor, an experienced employee-owner who provides one-on-one guidance, industry insights, and real-time learning. Applications for future internships are available online. To learn more about the ESS Internship Program, visit https://emerysapp.com/career/intern/. Emery Sapp & Sons intern Erik Hernandez poses for a photo on a job site. Bass Pro Shops and White River Marine Group acquire Hobie Bass Pro Shops and White River Marine Group announced the acquisition of watercraft manufacturer Hobie, known for its kayaks, sailboats and pedal-driven watercraft. As part of the move, Hobie production will return to the U.S., with White River Marine in Lebanon planning to expand its manufacturing operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were proud to see Bass Pro Shops and White River Marine Group deepening their commitment to Missouri through this expansion, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe said in a release. This investment is strengthening the community of Lebanon while contributing to Missouris reputation as a prime destination for both business and outdoor adventure. The project is supported by the State of Missouri, the Missouri Department of Economic Development, Missouri Partnership, the City of Lebanon and Lebanon Regional Economic Development, Inc. CU bus drivers recognized for work after April storms Twenty-two City Utilities of Springfield bus operators were recognized for their collective efforts when Springfield was hit with unexpected and devastating storms in late April that caused outages to over 60,000 electric customers, damage to trees and destruction to many buildings. Twenty-two transit operators from City Utilities of Springfield were presented with a Transit Operator Champion Award from the Missouri Public Transit Association for their work during April storms. Thirteen of the 22 are pictured. From the left in the front row: Eric Jones, Everett Gardner, Tony DiDia, Lynn Dickerson, Andy Renshaw and Brad Cunningham. From left in the back row: Jim Stockham, Jeff Glass, Tim Coram, Jerry Willets, German Boscatto, Mark Morrison and Keith Hartman. The bus drivers were presented with a Missouri Transit Operator Champion Award from the Missouri Public Transit Association during its 2025 Midwest Transit Conference in Kansas City in early September. The honorees ranged from a 38-year veteran to a driver who had started three weeks before the storm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A news release announcing the award noted that the bus operators reacted immediately to the sound of the storm sirens and direction of their supervisors to seek shelter for themselves and their passengers. Some experienced difficulties in securing shelter and persevered. CU Transit had participated in a statewide tornado drill just six weeks before the storm, the release said. Harmison receives judicial excellence award At the annual Judicial Conference of Missouri in Branson on Sept. 18, Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice W. Brent Powell presented the judicial excellence award for circuit judges to Judge Jerry Harmison of the 31st Judicial Circuit in Greene County. Harmison, one of 19 judicial officers in the circuit, currently serves as presiding judge. Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice W. Brent Powell (left) presents the judicial excellence award for circuit judges to Judge Jerry Harmison of the 31st Judicial Circuit. The annual award recognizes significant contributions to the advancement of the administration of justice in Missouri. Judge Powell noted Harmison was recognized as a leader in the greater Springfield community even before becoming a judge, as he previously served as the president of the Springfield School Board, chairman of the board for the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, and president of the board for Care to Learn. "As a judge Harmison has displayed new depths of leadership," Powell said, noting that during a recent period of change and transition in the Greene County Circuit Court due to turnover among judges, "Harmison has been a steady hand at the helm, steering his circuit court forward while treating parties, jurors, and colleagues alike with fairness and respect." Classy Llama adds EVP of go-to-market Springfield-based Classy Llama, a digital commerce agency, has appointed Scott Robertson as executive vice president of go-to-market. In his new role, Robertson will work closely with the team to accelerate the agencys growth strategy and strengthen its position within the commerce ecosystem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robertson brings more than two decades of leadership experience in digital commerce, sales and agency growth. As managing director and partner at CQL, he led a team of industry professionals in designing, developing and implementing world-class e-commerce solutions for leading retailers including PetSmart, e.l.f. Cosmetics and Cole Haan. Prior to that, he co-founded Grand River, Inc., one of Inc. 5000s fastest growing companies in America for three consecutive years. Grand River grew into a leading e-commerce agency known for delivering enterprise-scale Adobe Commerce (Magento) solutions for brands including Ford Motor Company, Camping World, and Zumiez. The addition of Robertson reflects Classy Llamas commitment to scaling its Shopify offering within enterprise and B2B commerce, building on its expertise with portals, enterprise e-commerce, data management and AI-powered transformations. President of Springfield Mid-Missouri Bank to retire Mid-Missouri Bank announced that longtime Springfield MidMo Bank Community President Dan Derges plans to retire by the end of the first quarter of 2026, after his replacement has been hired. Dan Derges Derges has been with Mid-Missouri Bank since 2011 and has led the Springfield-area personal and business banking operations at MidMo for almost 15 years. A native of the St. Louis area, Derges earned a bachelor's degree and MBA from the University of Missouri and worked for Boatmens Bank in Springfield before joining MidMo. While with Boatmens Bank, Derges graduated from the Southwest Graduate School of Banking in Dallas, Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his time with MidMo Derges played a key role in the construction of three new Springfield facilities, at 3546 E. Sunshine St., 5419 S. Campbell Ave. and 1615 E. Independence St. In addition to its locations in Springfield, Mid-Missouri Bank has locations in Republic, Willard, Mt. Vernon, Bolivar, Stockton, El Dorado Springs, Lebanon, Joplin, Richland and Webb City. This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Construction summer internships available; Bass Pro buys Hobie brand U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, interacts with attendees on Sept. 26, 2025, at the Black Hills Forum and Press Club in Rapid City. (Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight) RAPID CITY When John Thune disagrees with people, he tries to do it in a respectful way, he said Friday. So his description of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. might be as close as Thune gets to a put-down. Hes got some very interesting views, Thune said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Republican U.S. Senate majority leader from South Dakota made the comments in response to an audience member at the Black Hills Forum and Press Club. The question came from Sherry Bea Smith, who identified herself as a nurse from Nemo, a small Black Hills community. Smith said Americans have been placed in harms way by Kennedy, the secretary of the federal Department of Health and Human Services. Smith asked Thune who voted for Kennedys confirmation if he has a plan to provide oversight and take action to ensure the health and safety of the American public. Thune replied that the Senate is exercising its oversight role and will continue to do so. He referenced a fairly argumentative and explosive and combative Senate Finance Committee hearing with Kennedy earlier this month, and said he expects more hearings like that if Kennedy takes actions that senators view as out-of-step with science. I think thats where a majority of my colleagues are, Thune said. And I think if RFK veers off too much one way or another on that, Im guessing hell be brought back into a zone thats more consistent with that overall philosophy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy sparked controversy recently with his assertion that Tylenol is one potential driving factor behind autism, despite the medical community describing the link as inconclusive. Kennedys critics responded with concern, including for pregnant women. Medical professionals worry that if pregnant mothers avoid using Tylenol to treat fevers, they could increase their risk for miscarriage and other complications. Thune, who has two daughters and three granddaughters, indicated he shares that concern. He said recommendations and decisions about public health should be made by medical professionals, by people who are grounded in science, grounded in medicine, and have done the research. Kennedy is a lawyer, not a physician or scientist. Especially on an issue like Tylenol, Thune said, that ought to be something that your doctor gives you advice about. Another controversial Kennedy move was his firing and replacement earlier this year of everyone on an influential vaccine advisory panel. That panel has since moved to change recommendations concerning childhood vaccines, COVID-19 immunizations and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before Kennedy was appointed to the Trump administration, he was known for spreading false and misleading information about the safety of vaccines, including a repeatedly debunked claim that some vaccines lead to autism. Thune said hes had discussions about vaccine safety with President Donald Trump. The president believes in vaccines, Thune said. Hes made that very clear. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Rhode Island Current Reporter Alexander Castro was honored with a first place A-Mark Award at the New England Newspaper & Press Association (NENPA) fall publishers conference in Northampton, Massachusetts, on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Ken Castro/Rhode Island Current) Rhode Island Current reporter Alexander Castro won a first place A-Mark Prize at the New England Newspaper & Press Association (NENPA) fall publishers conference for his reporting on the RIBridges data breach. The prize for investigative journalism came with $5,000 cash for Castro and an additional $2,500 for Rhode Island Current. Funding comes from the A-Mark Foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The awards ceremony occurred on the second day of the NENPA conference at The Hotel Northampton in Northampton, Massachusetts. This years conference was jointly hosted by the New York Press Association, and A-Mark Prizes were given to three reporters in Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont. There were not enough entries for A-Mark Prizes from Maine and New Hampshire news outlets, according to the event program, although NENPA hopes to award A-Marks in these states next year. The Prize will reward ambitious, well-researched reporting that may expose a wrong, hold powerful individuals accountable, or explore a complex problem, issue, or subject, the prize application read. The judging panel for each state consisted of journalists, editors, journalism educators, and investigative reporters. Castros winning entry on the RIBridges data breach spanned reportage published from December to May, when the states public benefits systems was hacked and the data leaked online. Around 650,000 residents were affected, according to state officials. After the initial wave of reporting on the breach had subsided, Rhode Island Current coverage revealed that a state request for proposals posted months before the hack contained a system architecture diagram a blueprint for possible intrusion. Castro notified officials and Rhode Island Current delayed publication until after the documents were taken down. Providence Journal writers Mark Reynolds and Jack Perry placed second and third, respectively, in Rhode Islands batch of A-Mark prizes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rhode Island Current content partner Connecticut Mirror won first and third place A-Mark prizes in its state. At last years fall publishers conference in Providence, NENPA named Rhode Island Current the regions Online News Publication of the Year. That competition was judged by New England readers. NENPA announced there is no Online News Publication award for 2025 because judges did not receive enough entries to consider. RIBridges data breach stories include: Rhode Island state government hit by major cyberattack, Dec. 13, 2024 Governor urges Rhode Islanders to take precautions to protect personal data, Dec. 14, 2024 RIBridges attack linked to Brain Cipher ransomware gang, Dec. 16, 2024, 1:41 p.m. Many questions for Deloitte as state officials roll out response to cyberattack, Dec. 16, 2024, 8:34 p.m. RIBridges data dump deadline may not have passed. It might be Wednesday afternoon. Dec. 17, 2024 Hackers sit on RIBridges data dump, Dec. 21, 2024 Data stolen from RIBridges shows up on dark web, Dec. 30, 2024 RIBridges has many lines of defense. How was the system breached? Jan. 10, 2025, 5 a.m. Letters go out to RIBridges customers whose data was stolen, Jan. 10, 2025, 6:17 p.m. Everything you need to know about RIBridges backend was on the internet for the past six months, Jan. 22, 2025 State relaunches RIBridges portal, one phase at a time, Jan. 23, 2025 Deloitte pays $5 million to Rhode Island to cover costs of RIBridges data breach, Feb. 4, 2025 R.I. House bill would expand notification obligations after data breach, Feb. 12, 2025 After RIBridges breach, R.I. state agencies share high tech wish lists at budget hearing, April 7, 2025 Rhode Islands IT department wants a fresh install of 15 full-time roles, May 13, 2025 RIBridges firewall worked. But forensic report says hundreds of alarms went unnoticed. May 15, 2025 SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Royal Navy has carried out a successful test of a new missile capable of taking out enemy warships from a range of more than 100 miles. Frigate HMS Somerset launched the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) at the Norwegian Arctic rocket range in Andya, during an exercise codenamed Aegir 25. The drill, conducted alongside Nato allies from Norway and Poland, included the debut of the new weapon as it was launched from a British ship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 400kg missile represented a significant upgrade from the ageing Harpoon missile system, which is currently carried by the Royal Navys Type 23 frigates and Type 45 destroyers. With a greater range, and modern targeting equipment, the NSM can strike both warships, and land targets. Luke Pollard, the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, said: The Naval Strike Missile is one of the most advanced missiles in our naval arsenal. It will give the Royal Navy and our allies an edge against our enemies. This milestone, achieved through our exemplary international partnership with Norway, significantly enhances our maritime deterrent and underscores the Governments dedication to investing in the technologies that will maintain Britains security. The missile flies close to the sea to evade radar detection The new weapon travels at near-supersonic speeds, flying low over the sea level to evade radar detection before it strikes its target. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is already in service in the Norwegian, United States and Polish navies, and will now be rolled out across the Royal Navy. HMS Somerset, which was recently deployed to monitor the Russian undersea reconnaissance ship, Yantar, is the first British warship to fire the weapon. HMS Richmond and HMS Portland also have the new missile system fitted. Commander Matt Millyard, the commanding officer of the Somerset, praised his crew, saying: I am very proud of the team following the successful first-of-class firing of the Naval Strike Missile. This is not something that comes together easily and has involved an incredible amount of work by the crew and staff from across the defence enterprise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The professionalism and teamwork demonstrated by all throughout the planning and execution has been exemplary. The test took months of preparation, with engineers from the Norwegian defence company Kongsberg, which makes the missile, supporting the launch. Commander Matthew Cox, the UKs NSM programme director, said: This programme showcases the strong UK-Norwegian strategic partnership, enabling the UK to achieve its first ship installation within 12 months of business case approval an unprecedented pace for a complex weapons programme. The UKs first NSM firing, hosted by Norway at Andya, further highlights this enduring collaboration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NSM will complement the Royal Navys future cruise and anti-ship weapon, a heavier missile that is set to be fitted to next-generation warships such as the Type 26 and Type 31 frigates. It is understood that the two systems are meant to restore long-range strike power to the Fleet. 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. Calls to "close the skies" over Ukraine the rallying cry of pro-Ukraine demonstrations in early 2022 are resurfacing after a wave of Russian airspace violations against NATO members. These incursions have put European countries on edge and raised questions about the alliances ability to counter Russian drones and aircraft. Within days, NATO launched the Eastern Sentry mission, and talk of closing the skies over Ukraine returned to the agenda. "NATO is a defensive bloc, so any steps it takes will only come as a reaction to moves made by Russia. What really matters is how member states choose to respond," aviation expert and analyst Kostiantyn Kryvolap, told the Kyiv Independent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former U.S. envoy for Ukraine Kurt Volker said in a recent interview that Russian provocations could push NATO to reconsider the idea of "closing the skies" after it refused to do so in 2022, citing fears of escalating the war beyond Ukraine's border. Volker said NATO members may become more open to the idea of protecting Ukraines airspace if Moscow continues drone and military aircraft provocations like those seen recently in Estonia, Poland, and Romania. What does closing the skies actually mean? In the context of Ukraine, closing the skies would mean a NATO-enforced no-fly zone over part or, all of Ukraine. Any Russian aircraft, drones, or missiles entering this zone would be a legitimate target for NATO forces to intercept and/or down even before they enter NATO airspace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because Russia failed to establish air superiority in Ukraine from the very start of the full-scale invasion, its aircraft do not enter Ukrainian airspace for fear of being shot down. Instead, Russia's Air Force launches missiles and bombs against Ukrainian cities from the safety of their own airspace, out of reach of Ukraine's air defense systems. Since 2022, Ukraine's air defenses have been significantly bolstered with Western-supplied systems, including Patriots, IRIS-T, SAMP/T, and NASAMS to defend against missiles, while German-made Gepards and Skynex guns target drones. Soldiers stand guard in front of an IRIS-T SLM air defense system at the Todendorf military base in Panker, Germany, on Sept. 4, 2024. (Gregor Fischer / Getty Images) Defense analyst Anatolii Khrapchynskyi told the Kyiv Independent that these deliveries have helped reduce the impact of Russian strikes, but the systems remain scattered and are not present in large enough numbers to fully protect the entire country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The real challenge is that while the systems exist, there is no integrated architecture no multi-level wall of drones and missiles that functions as a single living organism," he said. A no-fly zone would allow the full might of NATO countries' air defenses to bolster what is already in Ukraine. Crucially, even a partial no-fly zone over Western Ukraine would have a dramatic effect. "This would free Ukrainian assets for the frontline, strengthening the defense of major cities such as Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, and Kryvyi Rih, and limiting Russias reliance on glide bombs against Ukrainian troops," Victoria Vdovychenko, joint programme leader of the Future of Ukraine initiative at Cambridge University, told the Kyiv Independent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would also have the added benefit of providing a haven in the west of the country for Ukraine's defense industry, the factories and facilities of which are frequent targets of Russian attacks an arrangement that would have multiple benefits. "They could protect our skies, and we could share what weve learned through years of war," Kryvolap said. What's needed to make it work? The two main things are political will, and the military assets required to set it up. While the political will was lacking in 2022, Russia's recent violations of NATO airspace with drones and aircraft have significantly changed the calculus for NATO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement European diplomats warned Russian officials this week that NATO is prepared to respond to further airspace violations with force, including by shooting down Russian planes, Bloomberg reported Sept. 25. "The psychological barrier to authorizing force has largely been broken, and readiness for decisive action is higher than before, Vdovychenko said. But so far this still only applies to NATO airspace, though Warsaw is moving to amend its law on overseas military deployments to allow its forces to shoot down Russian drones over Ukraine without prior NATO or EU approval. Vdovychenko said the easiest way to protect Ukraine's skies would be to extend the European Sky Shield Initiative, a project to create an integrated European air defense network first established in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An extension dubbed European Sky Shield for Ukraine was proposed in March of this year. According to the plan, developed by former British Air Force planners in cooperation with Ukraine's Armed Forces, the protection zone would cover Ukraine's three operational nuclear power plants, as well as the cities of Odesa and Lviv in Ukraine's south and west. The Rivne Nuclear Power Plant in Varash, Rivne Oblast, Ukraine, on Sept. 10, 2023. (Roman Pilipey / AFP via Getty Images) It would involve partners taking an active role in policing Ukrainian airspace, particularly across its western and central regions, to shield against Russian missile and air strikes, Vdovychenko said, referring to her policy paper Winning the Future. In that paper, she argues such a safe zone would not only restore stability and enable economic recovery, but also allow Ukraines Air Force to focus on defending the eastern front. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Building what she calls an Integrated Air and Missile Protection Zone would require around 120 modern fighter jets, backed by early warning planes, tankers, and robust intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and cyber protection. With about 1,000 combat-ready fighters across the EU and UK, she noted that dedicating even 10 percent of this fleet "would represent a modest but decisive contribution to Europes long-term security." Experts argue that another option is the creation of bilateral or regional coalitions. Vdovychenko points to a potential PolishUkrainian framework as a starting point that could expand into a wider coalition. "Such moves would send a strong signal that European allies are willing to act individually and collectively, without waiting for Articles 4 or 5 of the NATO Washington Treaty," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vdovychenko said such a coalition could draw on aircraft and crews from the UK, France, Sweden, and the Netherlands, use airfields and infrastructure in Poland and Romania, and tap ISR support from the Baltics, with political backing from Belgium. Financing, she added, could come from frozen Russian assets. "Structured as a five-year mission, the coalition could give Ukraine time to build the capacity to protect its skies independently," Vdovychenko said. From a military perspective, Kryvolap said such a coalition could look like a layered defense along NATOs eastern flank. "These countries could create their own military alliance to secure the eastern corridor. They could intercept targets once they cross into Ukraine, staying clear of Russian skies," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Who sabotaged Nord Stream? 3 years on, investigations offer more questions than answers Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. As Moldova approaches its parliamentary elections of 28 September, it finds itself at the epicentre of an unprecedented Russian disinformation campaign that has fundamentally altered how information reaches its citizens. The shift from television to social media platforms has created new vulnerabilities that Moscow has been quick to exploit. Constantin Uzdrish, a producer with television channel TVR Moldova, has seen this transformation firsthand. Having begun his career in 2010, just after Moldova emerged from Communist rule, he describes a media landscape currently under siege. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The climate in the Republic of Moldova? Our media are trying to survive," Uzdrish told RFI, noting that the entire advertising market amounts to no more than 9 billion annually, creating a monopolistic environment where independent media struggles to thrive. But the problem runs deeper than financial constraints. Moldovas security services allege that Russia has spent approximately 100 million to undermine the upcoming elections, dwarfing local media budgets. This massive investment has enabled sophisticated operations that have evolved from using traditional television broadcasts to social media networks. 'Unprecedented interference': how Russia is attempting to shape Moldovas future Soviet narratives For decades, Russian influence in Moldova operated through conventional channels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Uzdrish recalls how "many Russian channels were translated in Moldovan, starting from our independence in 1991 until 2022," when the authorities blocked Russian television following the invasion of Ukraine. However, he believes this came too late to prevent deep cultural penetration. "During [the time that media oligarch Vladimir] Plahotniuc ruled Moldovas media landscape, they banned just talk shows. But every year, from the end of April through 9 May [when the end of the Second World War is commemorated] all channels would broadcast translated World War Two movies, he says. These films consistently promoted Soviet narratives. "We fight for Stalin, we fight for our big country, we fight for the USSR, Uzdrish says, recalling the main themes. A digital army When, in 2022, Russian-backed television channels were blocked, the operation simply migrated online. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Intelligence services have observed an increase in propaganda channels on TikTok and Telegram, as well as anonymous Facebook pages distributing sponsored extremist content. Facebook and Instagram parent company Meta has removed networks targeting Russian-speaking audiences in Moldova, which operated across multiple platforms including Facebook, Telegram and TikTok. One pro-Russian disinformation campaign, dubbed "Matryoshka", has promoted false claims including allegations that Moldova's President Maia Sandu embezzled 24 million and is addicted to "psychotropic drugs". This operation has came up with 39 such false claims in just three months. Moldova President warns European parliament about Russia threat Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Between December 2024 and March 2025, there were 11,250 pro-Kremlin articles published per million inhabitants more than 18 times higher than in Romania and 56 times higher than the Western European average. According to fake news watchdog Digital Forensic Research, the campaign employs artificial intelligence and creates networks of fake accounts. Researchers have identified a "digital army" of at least 90 accounts associated with Russian operations. Nicolae Mocanu, TVR Moldovas director, confirms the unprecedented nature of the current interference. "I think we never saw propaganda like today, because the Russians spend a lot of money here. They change their ways, they use artificial intelligence, they use everything," he told RFI. Existential challenge Meanwhile, Moldovas traditional media is facing an existential challenge as audiences migrate to digital platforms a trend that plays directly into Moscow's hands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Uzdrish says that his outlet has responded by developing multiple social media channels, growing their YouTube audience from 10,000 to 30,000 subscribers in a single year. "If you are not on the one web platform, you dont exist within the media area," Uzdrish says and, waving his mobile phone, adds that he estimates the elections will be decided for "more than 20 to 25 percent by this gadget". Moldova will keep pro-EU course despite Russian threat, Popescu tells RFI The implications go far beyond Moldova's borders. During the country's 2024 presidential elections and EU referendum, attempts were made to buy an estimated 150,000 votes through criminal networks tied to pro-Russian actors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Moldova is at war with Russia, even though not a single shot has been fired, noted the United States Institute for Peace in a report . For Uzdrish, EU membership represents not just a political choice but a survival mechanism. "Moldova needs to become a EU member, it is a necessity for our existence. We are a small country without big possibilities." Concrete pouring officially commenced at the Bushehr Unit 2 site on Nov 10, 2019. Courtesy: AEOI The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) said Iranian officials have signed an agreement with Rosatom, Russia's state-owned nuclear power company, to build at least four nuclear power plants in Iran. The $25-billion deal announced September 26 comes two days after Rosatom said officials said they had signed a memorandum of understanding to advance construction of nuclear power technology in Iran. Rosatom on Wednesday did not disclose the number of reactors it would build, saying only it would work with Iran on construction of small nuclear power plants. The Moscow Times news service said the deal was signed just hours before more United Nations' sanctions are expected to be placed on Iran, including on its nuclear program. The agreement comes as European officials are prepared to institute so-called "snapback sanctions" on Iran, related to the 2015 deal about Iran's nuclear program. Britain, France and Germany triggered the sanctions last month, accusing Iran of failing to adhere to its commitments under the agreement. China and Russia at a United Nations' Security Council session on Friday offered a draft resolution to allow another six months for talks, though most political analysts have said it is not likely to have enough support to pass. Adding Nuclear Generation Capacity Iranian state television on Friday reported that A deal for the construction of four nuclear power plants with a value of $25 billion in Sirik, Hormozgan was signed between the Iran Hormoz company and Rosatom. Iran currently has just one operating nuclear power plant. The 1-GW Bushehr facility is located in the southern part of the country. IRNA reported that each of the four new reactors would have 1,255 MW of generation capacity. No timeline was reported for that construction. Construction is continuing at two new units at Bushehr, work that began in 2019 and 2020. Those Russian-designed units, which are VVER-1000 reactors, could come online as soon as next year, according to Russian officials. The latest agreement comes on the heels of a visit to Moscow this week by Mohammad Eslami, Iran's vice president and head of its nuclear program. Eslami has said at least four future reactors would be located in Bushehr. Iran has a reported goal of at generating at least 20 GW of electricity from nuclear power by 2040. Russian officials earlier this year said they have a plan to build at least eight reactors in Iran. Darrell Proctor is a senior editor for POWER. The scent of roasted green chile wafted along Bishops Lodge Road as tourists and locals alike poured into Fort Marcy park Friday for a taste of New Mexico food, brews and the signature spice. The Land of Enchantments official state aroma teased guests waiting in a long line at local company Bueno Foods booth, where employees were roasting fresh Hatch-certified chile, then placing it in quesadillas. The booths visitors hailed from all over the country, and for many it was their inaugural introduction to green chile, according to regional sales manager Veronica Zavala. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its great being the ones to tell them, It has a little bit of a kick, but youre going to get that great taste in there, she said. Its awesome. Bueno Foods was one of dozens of culinary vendors set up in Fort Marcy park for the Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiestas fourth annual Chile Friday, a relatively recent addition to the festivals 34-year history. Live music and a meandering mariachi band filled the air as attendees snagged mini desserts and sipped from little cups of beer or margaritas from the two margarita bars on hand. 092625_MS_Wine Chile Fiesta_002.JPG Glenn Smerage tastes a margarita sample at Chile Friday, an event that's part of the Wine and Chile Fiesta, at Fort Marcy park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chile Friday also hosted a handful of nonculinary vendors, including a large booth selling official Wine & Chile Fiesta merchandise, like red and green chile-shaped Christmas tree ornaments. A cooking demonstration tent invited guests to watch local and visiting chefs at work. Overall, the multiday, multievent festival brings together 80 wineries, 65 restaurants and 4,500 guests but Chile Friday offers a slightly quieter experience. Santa Fe residents Suzy Preston and Wynn Holht said they had been to the festivals other ventures, like Saturdays grand tasting, but it was their first time at Chile Friday. Preston said she enjoyed Chile Friday because its what Wine & Chile used to be in terms of the number of guests and tourists. All the locals are here, so its fun, Preston said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Holht added Fridays event felt more accessible than the grand tasting is now. Sure, there arent as many people who are pouring and not as many restaurants, but it just has much more of a community feel, she said. According to the festivals research, a quarter of its attendees are from Santa Fe, another quarter are from New Mexico outside the city and the remaining half hail from out of state, The New Mexican reported earlier this week. Lynn and Tom Kulzak, visiting from Redondo Beach, Calif., said they traveled to Santa Fe for the first time specifically to attend the Wine & Chile Fiesta something theyd been wanting to do for quite a while. Tom Kulzak dressed the part in a button-down shirt covered in red chiles that he bought, he said, just for the occasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though theres chile in Southern California, Tom Kulzak said, New Mexican chile tastes completely different. 092625_MS_Wine Chile Fiesta_004.JPG Magdalena Nero pours a sample during the Wine & Chile Fiesta at Fort Marcy park. Which is good, because we need to get away from that, he added. Lynn Kulzak described the event as fabulous. La Fonda on the Plaza Executive Chef Lane Warner, standing at La Plazuelas booth, said people travel from far and wide to attend the festival but the events are also an opportunity for camaraderie among chefs. We dont get to do it often, said Warner, who has been participating in the Wine & Chile Fiesta since its inception. We dont get to see each other often in this business. So when we all get together on the weekend like this today and tomorrow you get to walk around and see all your chef buddies. Its pretty cool. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearby, at Plaza Cafes booth, employees passed out another beloved New Mexican food: the biscochito. But the guest favorite dish was the pumpkin posole, according to Aidee Contreras, general manager of the restaurants downtown location. Everybodys loving it, Contreras said, adding the event provides people with the opportunity to try a little bit of everything from the various culinary vendors. A recent study cited the Wine & Chile Fiesta as having an $8 million economic impact in recent years, The New Mexican previously reported. Jessica and Joe Thurman, the wife-husband duo that owns Santa Fe Popcorn Co., attended Chile Friday as first-time vendors. They made new flavors of popcorn specifically for the event: Christmas red and green chile and salted caramel agave. Weve been entrepreneurs for a while, and I think Santa Fe is super special, Jessica Thurman said. So being able to really kind of blend our love for food and also local tradition has been super special for us. It's the end of an era for Schmidt Family Barbecue, an acclaimed Texas eatery that's been serving up a smorgasbord of smoked meats, sides and more within the state's Bee Cave area since 2013. Now, after 12 years of service, restaurant owners are bidding their beloved body of customers adieu. "It is with tremendous gratitude and a touch of bittersweetness we are sharing this news," the eatery wrote in a Sept. 19 update to social media. "After 12 incredible years in Bee Cave, Texas, Schmidt Family Barbecue will be closing its doors." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the restaurant's history page, the barbecue joint is part of a family tradition that stretches back to the early 1900s, when Charles Kreuz Sr. opened Kreuz Market, a merry little meat shop located in Lockhart - otherwise known as the Barbecue Capital of Texas. Kruez's son eventually sold the shop to Edgar "Smitty" Schmidt, an employee who worked at the shop since 1936. Edgar then sold the shop to his sons Rick and Don Schmidt in 1984. The pair worked side by side there until Don retired in 1997. ALSO READ: Teso Life San Antonio sets grand opening with freebies, deals and more In 2013, several of Edgar's grandchildren "decided to expand the family tradition by opening a new restaurant together in Bee Cave, Texas" and thus, the Austin-area outpost of the beloved Texas barbecue joint was born. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, that outpost will be shuttering operations on Oct. 4, according to the eatery's announcement. Chad Franks, the location's pitmaster, will be stepping away from his role to focus on his family - namely, to be a full-time rodeo dad to his daughter Makayla. "This new chapter has been unfolding for a while, and it's time to give it the attention it deserves," the announcement said. ALSO READ: Jimmy Kimmel lauds Ted Cruz's 'free speech' stance after short suspension over Charlie Kirk comments They invited their faithful patrons to attend a farewell bash complete with live music, set to take place at 4 p.m. on Oct. 4 on the eatery's final day of service. Until then, the joint will be open for business seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. or until they're sold out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before you go spilling all those salty-savory tears at once, though, the Schmidt family reminds you that you can still get its signature fare around these parts and up in North Texas. "Though this location is closing, our family's barbecue legacy continues. We hope you'll visit our beloved spots in Lockhart - Smitty's Market and Kreuz Market - as well as Lockhart Smokehouse in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Thank you for being part of our story." ALSO READ: Death of H-E-B Mexico contract worker allegedly pranked by bully spurs outrage South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster issued a state of emergency on Sept. 26 as officials monitor developments of Tropical Disturbance 94L. The governor urges South Carolinians to prepare sooner rather than later. The tropical disturbance is expected to move from Hispaniola towards South Carolina as it intensifies over the weekend, according to the governor's executive order. The order states is could impact the state, and the Southern region of the U.S., as early as late Sunday or early Monday with strong winds, storm surge and rainfall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: 'Rare weather pattern' could emerge with 2 systems in the Atlantic. How it could impact SC The governor's declaration actives the South Carolina emergency operations plan and directs the state emergency management division to start preparation and coordination with relevant agencies. "As this storm approaches our coast, I am issuing a State of Emergency to ensure Team South Carolina is able to access and deploy the resources and personnel needed to prepare for and respond to this storm," McMaster said in a statement. "While the storm's arrival, speed, and intensity remain hard to predict, we do know that it will bring signficant wind, heavy rainfall, and flooding across the ENTIRE state of South Carolina. We have seen this before." McMaster urges South Carolinians to review their hurricane plans and monitor the storm via local news and updates from the National Hurricane Center. Some of the other steps residents can take to prepare include building a disaster supply kit with water and nonperishable foods, downloading the South Carolina Emergency Manager app, and planning for outages with backup cell phone chargers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Now is the time to start paying attention to the forecasts, updates, and alerts from official sources and begin making preparations," McMaster stated. Spartanburg Emergency Management Division Director Doug Bryson addressed the disturbance earlier Sept. 26, before the declaration was made. As of now, the Upstate is expecting to see mainly heavy rains, but officials will monitor the situation over the weekend, Bryson said. 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 under a state of emergency as Tropical Disturbance 94L develops While the state budget deadline is looming, government leaders in Michigan have granted reassurance: A budget is coming. While the state operates on an Oct. 1 through Sept. 30 fiscal year, it is standard for state budgets to be mostly agreed upon by June 30, with a budget passed by July 1. This allows school districts to prepare for what revenues they'll be seeing for the upcoming school year right at the start of their own fiscal year. The state failed to meet the usual summer deadline this year. Students arrive at Sheridan Elementary School in Petoskey for the first day of school on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. On Thursday, Sept. 25, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks and Speaker of the House Matt Hall issued statements committing to passing the school aid budget and state budget before the end of the fiscal year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a release from Whitmer's office, the bipartisan budget will "lower Michiganders costs, reduce waste and increase government efficiency, and help Michiganders thrive. The administration and legislative leaders will continue meeting to finalize and pass the budget." The announcement came after weeks of concerns about failing to meet the deadline, and lawmakers who, seemingly, were unwilling to budge on issues. Boyne City Public Schools Superintendent Pat Little told the News-Review that local superintendents had recently met with representatives about their concerns of a government shutdown and how that would impact operations. While schools have been able to operate business as usual in September, if the government failed to make an agreement, schools would be unable to get their state aid payments, meaning districts with smaller fund balances would be at risk of needing to take out loans to support payroll. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Budget deal could avert first double shutdown in Michigan government history Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our local coverage Public Schools of Petoskey Superintendent Jeff Leslie said this year's budgeting process was frustrating because the typical process didn't seem to be happening at all, leaving question marks for school budgets a quarter of the way into their fiscal year. "We know what our expenses are going to be, but we don't know what our revenue is going to be," Leslie said. More: Petoskey school board tables lunch decision, awaiting state budget for funding plans For the past two years, the state of Michigan has reimbursed school districts the money necessary to provide free breakfast and lunch for all students, not just those qualifying within federal guidelines. Prior to the state making progress on the budget, there were concerns regarding the reimbursements and whether schools would need to foot the bill or reintroduce meal prices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boyne City Public Schools recently passed a resolution saying the district would cover the costs through October if needed, and the Petoskey school board discussed funding the program themselves as well, without making a formal resolution, as they await the state budget. Contact reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @KarlyGrahamJrn. This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: The Michigan state budget may be coming. What did the delay mean for schools? RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) With a hurricane formation on the horizon and the edge of the North Carolina coast in the tracking cone, Governor Josh Stein on Saturday afternoon declared a state of emergency. Tropical Depression Nine became Tropical Storm Imelda on Sunday after some organization on Saturday night. Saturday night, the National Hurricane Center warned of possible flooding in eastern North Carolina with 3 to 6 inches of rain possible but that has since been lowered significantly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Weather Service issued a hazardous weather outlook for the risk of beach erosion, ocean overwash, and coastal flooding starting late Sunday for the Outer Banks and other North Carolina beaches and islands. FULL STORY Tropical Depression 9 to bring rain to NC Monday and be named Imelda today As of 8 a.m. Sunday, Tropical Depression 9 had 35 mph winds and was moving north-northwest at 7 mph, the National Hurricane Center said. North Carolinians across the state should prepare for tropical weather to bring heavy rainfall and potential flooding, Stein said in a news release Saturday announcing the state of emergency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Hurricane Center said that the storm would likely reach its greatest intensity when it is closest to the southeast U.S. coast. The state of emergency includes an aspect against price gouging, banning sudden and excessive increases for key supplies such as fuel, water, medicine, and lodging. In the past, the North Carolina Attorney General has pursued businesses that it says took advantage of a crisis to charge much higher prices. Officials said a special North Carolina group is prepping swift water rescue teams, search and rescue task forces, the National Guard, and other resources to assist with any possible local needs. Future Imelda threatens NC beach erosion, ocean overwash, and coastal flooding, forecasters say Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This State of Emergency will enable North Carolinas State Emergency Response Team to mobilize resources and prepare for potential impacts, Stein said. The state of emergency includes a temporary waiver and suspension of some motor vehicle regulations. The cone for possible Imelda now Tropical Depression Nine shifted significantly on Saturday to include just the fringes of the southern Outer Banks and the southeast North Carolina coast. A tropical storm watch was issued Saturday for a stretch of Florida beaches. The watch was issued from the Palm Beach/Martin County Line northward to the Flagler/Volusia County Line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com. Des Moines attorney Alfredo Parrish spoke with Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts on Saturday morning, Sept. 27, and said Roberts is still in the country after his arrest by U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement. But Parrish, whose Des Moines firm is assisting Roberts and spoke to the Des Moines Register exclusively, said he could not answer more questions as the situation was still developing. Roberts was being held at the Woodbury County Jail after being transferred from Pottawattamie County, according to ICE's website. The dramatic arrest of Roberts, 54, stirred a wide array of questions in Iowa and across the country, as he appears to be the only U.S. superintendent ICE has arrested in recent history. A Guyana native, he has been a highly respected education leader with an extensive two-decade work and academic track record in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has enjoyed wide-ranging community support, as evidenced by the roughly 500 supporters who attended an evening community gathering Sept. 26 at Corinthian Baptist Church in downtown Des Moines and an hourslong protest in front of Des Moines' federal building soon after his arrest. The leader of Iowa's largest school district since July 2023, he was arrested for allegedly being in the United States illegally. The Department of Homeland Security has said he was issued a final order of removal by an immigration judge on May 2024 and his arrest was part of a "targeted enforcement operation." DHS said Roberts abandoned his car and fled law enforcement on Sept. 26. He was allegedly in possession of a loaded handgun, $3,000 cash and a hunting knife. Agency officials called him an illegal alien and a "threat to public safety." Since his arrest, some, including Iowa legislators, have been asking questions about alleged inconsistencies in Roberts' work experience and resume. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many have recirculated comments and observations by Laura Powell, whose bio says she is an attorney in California, who said on X Saturday, Sept. 27, there are so "many inconsistencies in his public biographies that it's amazing that no one questioned his identity before." Powell pored over Roberts' book, Wikipedia page, news articles, self-published book, LinkedIn page, military service, looking for errors and inconsistencies. "We are very concerned by the details emerging today alleging that the Des Moines Superintendent is an illegal immigrant with a criminal record. The Government Oversight committee is committed to investigating this situation thoroughly," Iowa House Republicans said on Facebook Friday. On Saturday, Gov. Kim Reynolds said in a statement that Roberts; arrest was "shocking, particularly his attempt to evade authorities, and the loaded gun, knife, and large sum of cash found in his vehicle. " The investigation is still underway, so I wont comment on details of the case at this time. But I want to be clear: we are a nation of laws that must be enforced. Those who believe immigration laws are optional are dangerously wrong. When laws are ignored, or when people are led to believe there will be no consequences, our communities are at risk. Iowans wont stand for that. We must enforce the law, every time, to protect our families and our future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to DMPS spokesman Phil Roeder, Roberts underwent a comprehensive background check by Baker-Eubanks, a third-party contractor. Roeder said employers, like the district, are required to verify employment eligibility for all employees, and Roberts completed an I-9 employment eligibility form and submitted required documentation. "The district has not been formally notified by ICE about this matter, nor have we been able to talk with Dr. Roberts since his detention," Roeder's statement said Friday. The Des Moines School Board is holding a special session the evening of Saturday, Sept. 27, to discuss Roberts' arrest. The Des Moines school board said it would "discuss this personnel matter in closed session. The Board will also take action regarding Dr. Roberts administrative leave status following closed session." Before he came to DMPS in 2023, Roberts worked for the Millcreek Township School District from August 2020. Prior to that, he was chief schools officer at Aspire Public Schools in Oakland, Calif., from 2018 to 2020, according to information he and his employers have provided. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former State Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad, a Democrat from Des Moines, said a prayer rally will be held Sunday, Sept. 28, at 6:30 p.m. Parrish, a prominent criminal defense and civil litigation attorney who has argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, said he would share more information with the Register as soon as he could. School Board Chair Jackie Norris said at a news conference Sept. 26 the district was still working to learn more about what happened. "We do not have all the facts. There is much we do not know," she said. "However, what we do know is Dr. Roberts has been an integral part of our school community since he joined two years ago." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The superintendent search that led to Roberts' hiring was conducted by JG Consulting. Roberts had a 2021 firearm citation , which he disclosed to the district during his hiring process, related to a hunting rifle. The release from Roeder said he provided sufficient context and explanation of the situation to move forward in the hiring process, and he had spoken publicly about the experience. The Department of Homeland Security said Friday that Roberts had "existing weapon possession charges" from Feb. 5, 2020. The dates from the disclosed citation and the alleged weapons charge do not match. Federal officials did not provide and the Register's searches did not find the documents related to the 2020 charge. "The February 2020 arrest was made by Port Authority PD," ICE's communications arm told the Register Friday night. There are multiple local port authorities across the country and it is not clear which one would have made the alleged 2020 arrest. The DMPS Friday statement also said the district had no knowledge of Roberts' order of removal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roberts has said he grew up in Brooklyn, New York City. Federal records and previous reporting said he was born in Guyana. Before a career in education, Roberts competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games in track and field for Guyana as a mid-distance runner. The DHS statement said Roberts entered the United States on a student visa in 1999. It also said that Roberts was working for the school district despite having no work authorization. "This suspect was arrested in possession of a loaded weapon in a vehicle provided by Des Moines Public Schools after fleeing federal law enforcement, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations St. Paul Field Office Director Sam Olson said. This should be a wake-up call for our communities to the great work that our officers are doing every day to remove public safety threats. How this illegal alien was hired without work authorization, a final order of removal, and a prior weapons charge is beyond comprehension and should alarm the parents of that school district. DHS also accused Roberts of violating federal law by possessing a handgun while in the U.S. without legal authorization, and said it was referring him to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for further investigation. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines superintendent was still in U.S. Saturday after ICE arrest Syrian authorities have issued an arrest warrant for the country's long-time president Bashar al-Assad, more than nine months after his ouster, a judge said on Saturday. Al-Assad, who governed Syria for more than two decades, fled to Russia in December after an Islamist-led rebel alliance advanced on the capital Damascus. An arrest warrant in absentia was issued for al-Assad on charges of premeditated murder and torture leading to death, Syria's state news agency SANA quoted investigative judge in Damascus, Tawfiq al-Ali, as saying on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The charges are related to a 2011 crackdown by al-Assad's forces in the southern city of Daraa. In 2011, a pro-democracy peaceful uprising erupted against al-Assad's rule, demanding political change. However, his government responded with brutal oppression. The situation soon evolved into a full-blown conflict that resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and massive devastation. Hundreds of thousands more ended up in prison, subjected to torture or disappearance, according to rights advocates. "The judicial decision opens the door to circulating the notice through Interpol [International Police] and pursuing the case internationally," Judge al-Ali said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that the step comes in response to a lawsuit filed by the victims' families. Daraa is deemed the cradle of the anti-Assad uprising. Syrian media reported that the Ministry of Justice issued the warrant on Thursday on charges that also included an assault intended to incite civil war. Since al-Assad's fall, Syria's new leadership has sought to project a moderate image and respect for human rights, as they seek international economic support to rebuild the country devastated by more than a decade of strife. Swedish gangsters are recruiting teenage girls to kill and maim rival criminals with firebombs, a Telegraph investigation has found. In an attempt to evade Swedish police, gang members are using social media sites to offer cash payments to girls as young as 15 to carry out the bloody contracts teenagers such as Olivia, 17, who was caught on a CCTV video casually handing over bags containing an explosive material nicknamed napalm. The attackers are known in Sweden as Green Women because the gangs believe that teenage girls are less likely to arouse suspicion when buying and storing firebomb materials than men. Damaged caused to a block of flats after a gang-related bomb attack in Sundbyberg in 2024 - Linnea Rheborg/Getty One expert, who has interviewed multiple teenage gang members, said the handlers were increasingly on the lookout for young, blonde, typical Swedish girls to carry out the contracts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tactic marks a shift from previous years, where gang handlers would groom impoverished or vulnerable boys, such as the mentally disabled, as they were deemed easy to manipulate. The Telegraph understands that some girls take on the high-risk contracts to help compete for senior leadership positions within the male-dominated gangs, in a perverse mirror image of the challenges of women in the corporate world. Others simply use the blood money to treat themselves to luxury clothes and handbags. The Telegraph has seen text messages and video footage relating to a case in which a 17-year-old girl, Olivia, was hired to build and deliver a firebomb for an arson attack on a rival gang members home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Olivias case was just one of hundreds in 2024 where teenage girls aged 15 and over were charged with murder, manslaughter or other violent gang-related offences. But Swedish investigators say the true scale of the use of so-called child soldiers is likely to be much higher, as so many of the cases never reach a courtroom. In the case of Olivia, the teenager was approached by a gang handler, a criminal based overseas who arranges gang hits with children over social media sites. In text messages seen by The Telegraph, the handler tells Olivia that he wants her to carry out a napalm attack, referring to a petrol bomb. He stresses that the attack must be carried out today and offers Olivia more money as an incentive. According to Swedish investigators, Olivia then went shopping to acquire petrol, petrol cans and a crucial everyday ingredient that is available in most hardware shops to assemble a Molotov-style firebomb. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Telegraph has chosen not to identify the third ingredient to avoid inspiring copycats. She then combined the ingredients to form what Swedish investigators refer to as a firebomb batter and delivered it to some male accomplices in the same gang. CCTV video seen by The Telegraph shows the moment that Olivia hands over some bags, which Swedish investigators say contained the napalm mixture. Further text messages between Olivia and her boyfriend show him asking her how it went, an apparent reference to the contract, with Olivia responding that it went OK. The boyfriend then texts her a link to a news story covering the ensuing arson attack, followed by a Swedish slang word which roughly translates to wild or cool. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents seen by The Telegraph, Olivia was later convicted of aiding and abetting arson, for which she received a one-year prison sentence. The Telegraph has taken care not to identify her fully as she was a child at the time of the offence. Lisa dos Santos, who is a leading prosecutor of organised drug criminals, says young girl assassins fly under the radar - David Rose for the Telegraph Lisa dos Santos, a Swedish prosecutor who has handled many child gangster cases, said she has been left deeply disturbed by the rise of girls acting essentially as young assassins or murder accomplices. They [the gangs] call them Green Ladies, green as in newbies, because the police initially didnt look at them in the same way as the men, she said. The police are now aware that girls are taking part but I think its still easier for them to fly under the radar. Ms Dos Santos said that, in her experience, girls carry out the gang contracts because they can be highly lucrative, with some reports suggesting as much as 150,000 kroner (13,000) is on offer for an assassination. The police bomb squad work outside the domestic flight terminal at Goteborg Landvetter airport in 2016, thought to be linked to gangs - Frida Winter/TT/AFP via Getty Less risky assignments, such as buying and mixing napalm to assist assassinations, carries a much lower rate, estimated to be several thousand kroner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think they share this fascination for an exclusive lifestyle, expensive jewelry, bags, clothes, you know, said Ms Dos Santos. Weve seen a pattern where after taking part in this type of crime, they go shopping. While gang crime is nothing new in Sweden, which has one of the worst gun crime rates in Europe, the use of children and now, increasingly, girls has shocked the prosperous Nordic state, once considered the epitome of European calm and stability. The recent disclosure that 280 girls were suspected of serious gang crimes last year, data that was first reported by German newspaper Die Welt, has also triggered a diplomatic spat with Hungary. Viktor Orban, the Hungarian prime minister, hit back at Sweden this month which had accused him of trying to dismantle the rule of law in his country by bringing up the child gang crime figures. The Swedish government lectures us about the rule of law. Meanwhile, according to an article by Die Welt, criminal networks are exploiting Swedish children as killers, knowing the system wont convict, Mr Orban claimed. Sweden, which is increasingly frosty towards Hungary due to the latters Kremlin-friendly foreign policy, dismissed that claim as outrageous. Bomb disposal experts collect suspicious devices left by robbers in Gothenburg in 2008 - Bjorn Larsson Rosvall/AFP via Getty Earlier this month, the Swedish government announced it would lower the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 13 for serious crimes such as murder, closing a loophole where the youngest child gangsters can escape justice entirely. But Swedish crime experts say the country needs to more urgently confront the rise in the use of children as de facto child soldiers. They also note that there are fundamental societal issues in Sweden, such as poor integration of impoverished children from a migration background, which have made the issue harder to tackle. Evin Cetin, a former lawyer, youth crime expert and author of In Our Midst, a book that investigates child gangs, said many of the girls felt a need to prove to their male counterparts in the gang that they are just as tough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What we are seeing is the girls are sometimes using more violence than the boys, showing that they are capable of committing crimes, to show that they can be part of it too, she said. Police at the site of an explosion in Olskroken, Gothenburg, in 2023 - Adam Ihse/TT News/AFP via Getty One male gang member interviewed by Ms Cetin told her that young, blonde, typical Swedish women were in high demand for the contracts, because the police would not automatically find them suspicious. The reason why he wanted [them] was the idea that Swedish society, the Swedish system, the police, would never stop a blonde Swedish girl would never think that she could be a part of committing these crimes, she said. Recruiting women and girls from all kinds of areas in Sweden is a strategic plan for the gangs to minimise their risk of being stopped by police or controlled by the government, she added. There is some hope for Sweden, as statistics for 2024 have also shown that the number of violent deaths, which includes gang murders, is in decline for the first time in a decade. Swedens National Council for Crime Prevention recorded 92 incidents of deadly violence in Sweden in 2024, a fall of 29 compared to 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But as long as there are gang handlers able to operate with impunity overseas such as by using social media to groom youngsters the killings are likely to 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. A year after the assassination of Hezbollah's long-time leader Hassan Nasrallah, thousands of the Iran-backed militia's supporters flooded the streets of Beirut on Saturday to commemorate the anniversary. Men, women and children draped in black marched through the Lebanese capital toward Nasrallah's burial site, carrying portraits of the slain leader and chanting pledges of loyalty to his successor, Naim Qassem. "We came here to tell everyone in Lebanon that Hezbollah is still strong," said Fatima, whose husband was killed in war with Israel last September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At exactly 6 pm (1500 GMT), Hezbollah called on followers across Lebanon and abroad to stop their cars and observe a minute of silence in Nasrallah's memory. Nasrallah was killed on September 27, 2024 in a massive Israeli airstrike on Beiruts southern suburbs. Days later, his designated successor, Hashem Safieddine, was also assassinated in a similar attack. Among the crowd at Saturday's rally were survivors of last years pager explosions, which injured scores of Hezbollah members. Israeli media has reported that Israel orchestrated the operation. Mohammed, who lost both his eyes, told dpa the group is still steadfast despite the setbacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We lost our eyes, but our allegiance remains with the resistance and its leadership," he said. Tehran signals support The event drew regional dignitaries, including Ali Larijani, secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council, underscoring Tehrans continuing support for Hezbollah. Hezbollah's opponents argue the movement has been weakened militarily and politically since Nasrallah's killing, eroding its long-standing dominance over Lebanons fractured political landscape. "No one will ever disarm us even in their dreams," declared Nasrallahs son, Jawad. Calls for unity Lebanese President Joseph Aoun marked the anniversary with a statement urging Lebanese unity under one state, one army, and one sovereignty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally, called civil peace the best weapon against the ultimate evil, Israel. Rallies also unfolded in towns across eastern and southern Lebanon, but the largest gathering remained in Beiruts southern suburbs, the heartland of Hezbollahs support. Thousands of people gathered in central Berlin on Saturday afternoon to protest Israel's military action in the Gaza Strip, with organizers predicting that tens of thousands will join as the day progresses. The "All Eyes on Gaza" demonstration began outside the Berlin city hall and is marching toward the Victory Column, a monument in the German capital's Tiergarten park, where a mass rally is scheduled to run into the evening. Chants of "Free Palestine" and "Long live international solidarity" echoed through the crowd, while placards read "Gaza Stop the massacre," "Never again for everyone" and "Freedom for Palestine." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The protest was called by an alliance of around 50 groups, including pro-Palestinian organizations, the Left Party, Medico International and Amnesty International. Their demands include an immediate halt to German arms exports to Israel, unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza and EU sanctions against Israel. Berlin police said about 1,800 officers have been deployed across the city. Organizers registered 30,000 participants but expect more, noting that the largest Gaza demonstration in the capital to date drew about 50,000 people. The organizers accuse Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians a charge Israel firmly rejects. Jewish violinist Michael Barenboim, one of the protest's initiators and concertmaster of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra founded by his father Daniel Barenboim, echoed the accusation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "'All Eyes on Gaza' aims to make the protest against the genocide in Gaza visible on the streets," he told Berlin broadcaster rbb24. "I don't consider that a drastic description, because it's the term used by almost all human rights organizations and nearly all experts." "Preventing and punishing genocide is the duty of us all," he said. The main rally is scheduled to start at 5 pm (1500 GMT) and continue into the evening. Barenboim is expected to perform, alongside German hip-hop artists K.I.Z. and Pashanim. People hold up Palestinian flags during a pro-Palestine demonstration in Berlin. Annette Riedl/dpa Several thousand people gathered in Dusseldorf on Saturday for a demonstration to draw attention to the plight of Palestinians in the war-torn Gaza Strip. Police in the western German city deployed a large contingent of officers, but a spokesman said in the afternoon that the event had been peaceful. The route of the march goes from the main train station through the city centre. Some participants arrived in Dusseldorf by bus from other parts of Germany. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The demonstration, organized by an action alliance, took place under the slogan: "We will not forget Gaza Freedom for Palestine and all oppressed peoples." Tens of thousands of people were also expected to take part in a major protest in Berlin against Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip, now nearing their third year. The Gaza conflict began on October 7, 2023 with a large-scale attack by Hamas and other militant groups on southern Israel, leaving around 1,200 people dead and more than 250 abducted and taken to Gaza. According to the Gaza health authorities, controlled by Hamas, more than 65,500 Palestinians have been killed. The figure does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An independent United Nations inquiry announced this month that it had found that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. UN agencies also say that many of Gaza's residents are enduring famine. The Israeli government firmly rejects accusations of genocide, saying it is conducting the war in self-defence and in accordance with international law. The Israeli government also says sufficient food is being brought into the Gaza Strip and accuses Hamas militants of siphoning off humanitarian aid. NEED TO KNOW Researchers believe a skull unearthed in 1990 suggests the emergence of the human species occurred 400,000 years earlier than previously believed The fossil was discovered in Chinas Hubei Province Scientists digitally reconstructed the fossilized skull, which is between 940,000 and 1.1 million years old, to aid their research A human skull found in 1990 is now changing scientists' understanding of human evolution. In a study published in the journal Science on Sept. 25, researchers determined that an ancient skull unearthed in Chinas Hubei Province over 30 years ago may push back knowledge of the emergence of the human species by 400,000 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When discovered, the skull called Yunxian 2 was crushed and deformed as a result of the fossilization process, making it difficult for researchers to understand its significance. We decided to study this fossil again because it has reliable geological dating and is one of the few million-year-old human fossils, the studys first author, Xiaobo Feng, a professor at Shanxi University in China, told CNN in a statement. A fossil of this age is critical for rebuilding our family tree. Paleoanthropologist Xijun Ni of Fudan University and the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, digitally reconstructed the fossil and determined that the skull, which is between 940,000 and over a million years old, seems to be the oldest-known member of the evolutionary lineage that includes the Denisovans. The Denisovans are an extinct subspecies of archaic humans, which were discovered in 2010 after researchers found a fossilized finger in the Denisova Cave in Siberia. They are believed to have lived across much of Asia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result, the timeline for Homo sapiens and Homo neanderthalensis archaic humans who disappeared from Europe and Central Asia around 40,000 years ago and are known to have lived alongside the Denisovans has also been shifted. Culture Club/Getty Prehistoric man, human evolution Prehistoric man, human evolution While it was initially believed that the three species began to diverge from a common ancestor around 700,000 to 500,00 years ago, the new study indicates that common ancestry could actually date back as far as 1.32 million years. 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. This changes a lot of thinking because it suggests that by one million years ago, our ancestors had already split into distinct groups, pointing to a much earlier and more complex human evolutionary split than previously believed, coauthor Chris Stringer explained to CNN. Read the original article on People Hurricane Humberto reached major hurricane status northeast of the Leeward Islands on the afternoon of Friday, Sept. 26, and could grow even stronger as it moves between the U.S. and Bermuda over the next several days. Meanwhile, a new storm is expected to soon form much closer to the coast of the mainland United States, the National Hurricane Center said at 5 p.m. on Sept. 26. Dubbed Potential Tropical Storm Nine by the hurricane center, that storm is forecast to soon become Tropical Storm Imelda. The system is expected to bring "a significant risk" of coastal impacts to the Southeastern coast beginning Sunday and into next week, forecasters say. The initial forecast calls for it to briefly become a hurricane then weaken to a tropical storm as it moves through the Bahamas over the weekend, with a potential landfall somewhere between North Florida and North Carolina on Wednesday. But meteorologists everywhere are warning a lot can happen in the meantime. A cold front is sitting over the Appalachians, creating showers and storms completely unrelated to the tropical systems, said Scott Kleebauer, a meteorologist at the Weather Prediction Center. And, Humberto and the soon to be Imelda could influence each other at the beginning of the week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of 5 p.m. on Sept. 26, Humberto has rapidly strengthened into a major hurricane with sustained winds of 115 mph and higher gusts, the hurricane center said. Moving at just 5 mph, the hurricane was about 430 miles northeast of the northern Leeward Islands. Humberto is forecast to become a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, with 130 mph winds on Sept. 27 and could reach winds of almost 150 mph within 24 hours after that. Humberto is expected to bring long period swells to the Atlantic Coast, creating life-threatening surf and currents, according to the National Weather Service. Potential Tropical Storm Nine, which could soon strengthen into Tropical Storm Imelda, has been designated near the eastern end of Cuba by the National Hurricane Center in an update at 5 p.m., Sept. 26. US danger explained: Hurricane Humberto to explode into major hurricane, but forecasters have bigger worries There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect in the U.S. related to Hurricane Humberto. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Humberto strengthens to hurricane: Forecast warns of rising risk for parts of US Hurricane Humberto 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 Humberto 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. Gabrielle becomes a post-tropical cyclone According to the Hurricane Center, the center of Gabrielle is moving away from the Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal in the mid-Atlantic. It has dissipated into a post-tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Winds will continue to weaken later in the afternoon, while flooding across the high terrain in the Central Azores is also expected to subside. Gabrielle becomes a post tropical cyclone. NHC tracking one more system in the Atlantic Humberto is not the only storm in the Atlantic Ocean, according to the NHC. Invest 94L, a tropical wave moving in the Caribbean Sea, is likely to become the next named storm, Tropical Storm Imelda, by the weekend as it moves into the Bahamas, and it's increasing the likelihood of potential impacts along the U.S. coast, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm has already brought "heavy rains and gusty winds" to the Dominican Republic, Haiti and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The storm is expected to reach the Bahamas and eastern Cuba within the next couple of days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Invest 94L has a 90% chance of formation in the next 48 hours and a 90% chance of formation in the next 7 days, according to the NHC. Where will the storm go? Path uncertain. Uncertainty remains in the track forecast for the wave, with the models meteorologists use to forecast the storm's track divided about its eventual direction. The models show chances of the wave moving very near the coast or possibly making landfall in the Carolinas, as well as chances of it veering out over the open Atlantic as other storms have done this season. "Interests in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Bahamas should monitor the progress of this system. Regardless of development, heavy rains and gusty winds are likely across that region during the next couple of days," the hurricane center said. "While there is significant uncertainty in the long-range track and intensity of the system, the chances of wind, rainfall, and storm surge impacts for a portion of the Southeast U.S. coast are increasing. Interests in that area should monitor the progress of the system." Invest 94L is likely to become the ninth named storm of the 2025 hurricane season. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Prepare now for hurricanes Delaying potentially lifesaving preparations could mean waiting until its too late. "Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period," the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recommends. Develop an evacuation plan . If you are at risk from hurricanes, you need an evacuation plan. Now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there. Assemble disaster supplies . Whether youre evacuating or sheltering in place, youre going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for a possibly lengthy aftermath, NOAA said. Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions . Contact your insurance company or agent now and ask for an insurance checkup to make sure you have enough insurance to repair or even replace your home and belongings. Remember, home and renters insurance dont cover flooding, so youll need a separate policy for those. Flood insurance is available through your company, agent or the National Flood Insurance Program. Create a family communication plan . NOAA says you should take the time now to write down a hurricane plan and share it with your family. Determine family meeting places and make sure to include an out-of-town location in case of evacuation. Strengthen your home. Now is the time to improve your homes ability to withstand hurricanes. Trim trees and install storm shutters, accordion shutters, and impact glass, and seal outside wall openings. This story has been updated with new information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contributing: Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY Julia is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers all things Labubu and Pop Mart, scientific studies and trending news. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Where will Hurricane Humberto go? See path tracker, spaghetti models This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). Im face to face with a black jaguar. With the unhurried, nonchalant gait of a predator at the top of its food chain, the feline ambles closer to our quad bike, which we parked at a distance along a dirt path. Its about to overtake us, then halts so close we could reach it in three strides, turns as if in slow motion and meets our stares. Eyes this yellow can be one of two things: a warning; or a lure, tempting as a honeytrap, damning as light to a moth. Ill never tire of this, whispers Eduardo Edu Fragoso from the drivers seat, wearing wraparound glasses to shield himself from the sun of the Cerrado, a savannah stretching across much of central Brazil. Hes a coordinator at Oncafari, a nonprofit pioneer of safari drives in the country, which operates here out of Pousada Trijuncao, a lodge set in over 125sq miles of protected land. Edu and his team have been observing the local big cat population for two years, with the aim of offering jaguar-spotting tours by 2027, and theyve taken me on a research trip. Its rare, he says as the animal walks on, following the thick vegetation lining the road, seeing it so close and clearly. Cerrado has the worlds highest incidence of melanistic jaguars. Photography by Edu Fragoso The best place to find jaguars in the wild is widely believed to be the Pantanal, a wetland far to the west, but there are benefits to coming here instead. On average, around 10% of the species is melanistic (black-coated); in the Cerrado, the incidence is over 40%, the highest in any region. We dont know why, says Edu. Were trying to answer the question.Proceeds from Oncafaris safari drives support its research, including conservation projects like this one. We know the power of a black jaguar the icon, the myth, continues Edu. Were using it to save them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Americas second-largest biome, the Cerrado covers over 775,000sq miles, which is almost four times the size of France. Since the 1970s, its been turned into an agricultural behemoth, with encroaching monoculture plantations and mammoth irrigation systems that leech the soil dry. More than half of both its primary vegetation and jaguar population have been lost. Its the most devastated part of the country, says Edu. His teams main goal is habitat connectivity in the Mosaico Sertao Veredas-Peruacu, a group of 38 protected areas including Pousada Trijuncao and the adjacent Grande Sertao Veredas National Park across some 11,500sq miles. We work with the environmental agency to prove the importance of wildlife corridors, says Edu. Take the animal in front of us: its home range is almost 1,900sq miles, the largest recorded for the species, and over 70% of that lies outside protected land. He cant find what he needs. And if its true for one, its true for many. Rooms at Pousada Trijuncao blend the surrounding landscapes and local culture into a stylish stay. Photograph by Carmen Campos The slanted, late-afternoon light outlines the silhouette of the jaguar, now distant again. Its jaw, which gives the most powerful bite of any big cat; the curve of the leg, which allows it to sprint as fast as 50mph and jump as high as 10 feet. But here, too, is an animal panting in the heat, dragging its paws to shade a king among creatures subject to the rule of nature, fast-changing around it. Ill leave him now, says Edu, starting the quad bike. Hes been kind to us. Lets be kind to him. The upside-down forest The word cerrado is Portuguese for closed, a name that captures what this land was once perceived to be: remote, unwelcoming, inhospitable. Even today, reaching its heart involves a five-hour drive from the capital, Brasilia. Much of the ground is covered in tall grass, leather-tough shrubland and stunted trees. During the dry season, it can be more arid than the Sahara. But because of its location on the flat Brazilian Plateau, its also one of the most wide-open places youre likely to come across. These horizons are like nowhere in Brazil, says Vinicius Vini Vianna, an ornithologist at Pousada Trijuncao, holding a pair of binoculars like a natural extension of his hands. The sunsets are like Africas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At night, the stars sweep 180 degrees in a full arc above. Were on a watchtower in the courtyard of the lodge for a sunrise birdwatching tour, taking in a panorama so expansive it spills out of the peripherals. The Cerrados known as an upside-down forest, Vini says, looking at the seemingly infinite expanse of low canopy. The trees focus their energy downward to seek water. The roots can dig much, much deeper than the height of the branches. Much of the Cerrado is not as first seems, and guests here learn about it on walking, kayaking and driving tours. Pretty calliandra flowers are believed to curse whoever picks them. Biting leaf-cutter ants are a much-loved food, and taste like lemongrass. A melancholic whistle in the night might be a potoo bird, a low buzzing a rattlesnake dove. For every secret uncovered, theres a surprise coming. Wait thats a black jacobin hummingbird, a new species for the lodge, says Vini, rushing for his camera to document the sighting. Wow-ow-ow! You dont know how happy I am right now. When he started working here four years ago in 2021, the lodge had about 220 documented bird species; as of this morning, 309. The Cerrado has around 870 in total, as well as over 50,000 species of insects, mammals like giant anteaters and armadillos, and around 13,000 species of plants, 40% of which dont exist anywhere else. Its the most biodiverse savannah on Earth, home to around 5% of all species. Maned wolves are called foxes on stilts for their long, slender legs. Photography by Edu Fragoso Bruna Nunes searches for maned wolves using VHF frequencies. Photograph by Angela Locatelli The best-known residents, aside from the jaguars, are maned wolves large canines with sunburnt-orange fur, oversized ears and slender limbs that can reach three feet to the shoulders. We call them foxes on stilts, says Bruna Nunes, a researcher at Oncafari, that evening. Shes leaning halfway out of an open-sided 4WD to guide me on another safari drive, her own mane of curls wind-whipped. In fact, the animals are neither wolves nor foxes, not coyotes nor jackals; theyre alone in their genus, and have adapted to life in the Cerrado over three million years. If humans tried to walk around here, theyd fight with the vegetation, Bruna says, mimicking a person taking knee-high, awkward steps. The wolf fits naturally. Aside from habitat loss, they suffer from the proximity to farmland, getting scabies from domestic dogs and being hit by cars. Oncafaris been researching and raising awareness of threats to the species since 2016, and wolf-spotting is the companys flagship experience in the Cerrado. Some of the animals have been fitted with tracking collars to facilitate studies and sightings, but finding them is still detective work, involving GPS data, VHF frequencies and drone images. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lets see what we find, says Bruna, angling a beeping antenna to intercept signals. The Cerrados always a surprise. We spot miniature crab-eating foxes and ostrich-like rheas. We pass a vereda, a word that means path and is used here to describe belts of palm trees along rivers. Periodically, we stop when the signal gets stronger, scour the surrounds with a drone, think were nearing a wolf only for it to trot off and away again. One thing we learned working with them is patience, says Bruna after hours on the road, playing the ultimate game of hide and seek. But also to have hope. And so it appears: on the path ahead, an animal like nothing Ive seen, lithe and nimble, seeming to glide on dirt as if on air. It walks like giraffes, moving the limbs on one side of the body at the same time, says Bruna. It makes it look like a model on a runway. I look closely, wondering how an environment that was named for its perceived roughness could have helped create a creature of such grace. But all too soon, the wolf steps off the path and melts back into the wilderness, the thickets seeming to open and close for it. Looks like some of the Cerrados secrets are meant to stay that way. Published in the October 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK). To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only). Humberto is a powerful Category 4 hurricane in the Atlantic Saturday, Sept. 27, but the system of most concern for U.S. East Coast residents is a storm near the Bahamas expected to become Tropical Storm Imelda this weekend, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center. At 8 a.m., the storm designated as Potential Tropical Cyclone 9 was 110 miles south of the central Bahamas with 35 mph winds. The storm is expected to become Tropical Storm Imelda in the next 24 hours and produce significant rainfall over portions of eastern Cuba and the Bahamas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The system is expected to move across the central and northwestern Bahamas this weekend before becoming a hurricane by late Monday and approaching the southeast U.S. coast early next week. Track all active storms Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location Tropical storm warnings are in effect for portions of the central and southwestern Bahamas. While Humberto is expected to remain out at sea, it could affect the path and intensity of would-be Imelda, making the impact on the U.S. difficult to predict. The two could interact with each other in known as the Fujiwhara effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While there is still some uncertainty in the long-range track of the system and even if interaction with Humberto keeps it offshore, forecasters say there is an increasing threat of heavy rainfall early next week from coastal Georgia through the Carolinas and into the southern Mid-Atlantic states, which could cause flash, urban, and river flooding as as well as heavy rainfall/flooding concerns in inland areas. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster declared a statewide state of emergency Friday. "As this storm approaches our coast, I am issuing a State of Emergency to ensure Team South Carolina is able to access and deploy the resources and personnel needed to prepare for and respond to this storm," McMaster said. "While the storm's arrival, speed, and intensity remain hard to predict, we do know that it will bring significant wind, heavy rainfall, and flooding across the ENTIRE state of South Carolina. We have seen this before. Now is the time to start paying attention to forecasts, updates, and alerts from official sources and begin making preparations." Where is Hurricane Humberto? 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. Spaghetti models for Hurricane Humberto 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 Potential Tropical Cyclone 9, future Tropical Storm Imelda? Potential Tropical Cyclone 9 is forecast to become Tropical Storm Imelda this weekend and bring tropical storm conditions to portions of the central and northwestern Bahamas, where Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A north-northwestward motion is expected to begin later today and continue through Monday. On the forecast track, the center of the system is expected to move across the central and northwestern Bahamas this weekend and approach the southeast U.S. coast early next week. Rainfall associated with this system is expected to impact eastern Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and the Bahamas through the weekend, which will likely produce flash and urban flooding. Mudslides are possible in the higher terrain. There is an increasing threat of heavy rainfall early next week from coastal Georgia through the Carolinas and into the southern Mid-Atlantic states, which could cause flash, urban, and river flooding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While there remains considerable uncertainty in the long-range track and intensity of the system, there is an increasing threat of heavy rainfall early next week from coastal Georgia through the Carolinas and into the southern Mid-Atlantic states, which could cause flash, urban, and river flooding., the Hurricane Center said. A tropical storm warning is in effect for: Central Bahamas, including Cat Island, the Exumas, Long Island, Rum Cay, and San Salvador Portions of the northwestern Bahamas, including Eleuthera, New Providence, the Abacos, Berry Islands, Andros island, and Grand Bahama Island Key messages for Potential Tropical Cyclone 9, soon to be Imelda The disturbance is forecast to become a tropical storm this weekend and bring tropical storm conditions to portions of the central and northwestern Bahamas, where Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect. The disturbance is forecast to become a tropical storm this weekend and bring tropical storm conditions to portions of the central and northwestern Bahamas, where Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect. The disturbance is forecast to become a tropical storm this weekend and bring tropical storm conditions to portions of the central and northwestern Bahamas, where Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect. The disturbance is forecast to become a tropical storm this weekend and bring tropical storm conditions to portions of the central and northwestern Bahamas, where Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect. Spaghetti models for PTC 9, future Imelda 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. Will future Tropical Storm Imelda impact South Carolina? The storm is expected to track north-northwest across the Bahamas and parallel to the east coast of Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While no direct impact is expected, dangerous beach and boating conditions are forecast to develop late Sunday into next week, the National Weather Servicen Jacksonville reported. Localized flash flooding is possible along and east of the I-95 corridor. The system is expected to bring heavy rain, high winds and dangerous surf along the East Coast. "There is an increasing threat of heavy rainfall early next week from coastal Georgia through the Carolinas and into the southern Mid-Atlantic states, which could cause flash, urban, and river flooding," according to the National Hurricane Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents should continue to monitor the forecast for updates and ensure their emergency plan is ready. From Hurricane Hell Week to twin tropical trouble? Tricky forecast for Humberto, 94L "At this time, we are thinking that the storm should remain off the east coast of Florida, regardless of the scenario with Humberto," said AccuWeather lead hurricane expert Alex DaSilva at 8 a.m. Sept. 26. "So, right at this point, we do not expect a direct landfall to Florida, although it's possible that this could get pretty close. Florida still needs to pay close attention." Once the invest develops a defined area of circulation, forecasters will have a better idea of what will happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Regardless of whether a hurricane makes landfall in the southeastern U.S. or not, strong winds will create large, chaotic swells that will propagate toward the southern and middle Atlantic coast late this weekend to the middle of next week," according to AccuWeather. Be prepared for the possibility of coastal flooding, strong rip currents and beach erosion, AccuWeather forecasters said. What is the Fujiwhara effect? "When two hurricanes spinning in the same direction pass close enough to each other, they begin an intense dance around their common center," the National Weather Service said. "If one hurricane is a lot stronger than the other, the smaller one will orbit it and eventually come crashing into its vortex to be absorbed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Two storms closer in strength can gravitate toward each other until they reach a common point and merge, or merely spin each other around for a while before shooting off on their own paths. "In rare occasions, the effect is additive when the hurricanes come together, resulting in one larger storm instead of two smaller ones." So simply put, if there are two hurricanes spinning close together usually between 345 and 863 miles here's what can happen: One gets absorbed by the other They merge into a single storm They shoot off on their own path in a sort of slingshot effect Rarely, they not only merge but become a larger storm than each individual was Memories of Hurricane Helene fresh as eyes keep wary eye on tropics A combination of weather factors and geography helped make Hurricane Helene one of the most brutal storms in the modern history of hurricanes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Helene formed in the northwestern Caribbean on Sept. 24, 2024, and rapidly intensified into a powerful Category 4 hurricane before making landfall near Perry, Florida, less than 72 hours later. Hurricane Helene began a path of destruction a year ago. Why was it was so deadly? Then a double whammy from a colliding weather pattern set up historic rainfall across the North Carolina and Tennessee mountains. A year later, many hurricane victims from Florida to Tennessee continue to struggle with attempts to rebuild and recover. South Carolina weather radar South Carolina weather watches and warnings Interactive map: Hurricanes, tropical storms that have passed near your city Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text Brandi D. Addison covers weather across the United States as the Weather Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network. She can be reached at baddison@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Will Imelda develop? South Carolina to receive heavy rain. President Donald Trump said he is sending troops to Portland, further escalating his aggressive campaign of deploying the military to Democrat-led cities. Trump made the announcement on social media the morning of Sept. 27, saying he was directing the Department of Defense to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland. "At the request of Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, I am directing Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists. I am also authorizing Full Force, if necessary. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" he said in a Truth Social post. President Donald Trump said he is sending troops to Portland. Its not immediately clear if or when troops would arrive in Portland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We havent had an official request at this time, Lt. Col. Stephen Bomar, a spokesperson for the Oregon National Guard, told The Oregonian. Any request that would come would be coordinated through the governors office. In a statement released Sept. 27, Gov. Tina Kotek said her office is reaching out to the White House and Homeland Security for information. "We have been provided no information on the reason or purpose of any military mission," Kotek said in the statement. "There is no national security threat in Portland. Our communities are safe and calm. I ask Oregonians to stay calm and enjoy a beautiful fall day." The ICE facility in Portland has been the target of frequent demonstrations, sometimes leading to violent clashes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some federal agents have been injured, and several protesters have been charged with assault. When protesters erected a guillotine earlier this month, the Department of Homeland Security described it as unhinged behavior. However, the protests peaked in June, officials noted, and despite flare-ups, most have involved no more than several dozen people in recent weeks. In a press conference Sept. 26, local officials urged Portland residents not to react to an increase of federal officers in the city. Dont take the bait, said U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same press conference, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson said, This may be a show of force, but thats all it is: its just a big show. Trump said the decision was necessary to protect U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities, which he described as under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for details on Trumps announcement, such as a timeline for the deployment or what troops would be involved. Trump previously threatened to send the National Guard into Chicago without following through. A deployment in Memphis, Tennessee, is expected to include only about 150 troops, far less than were sent to the District of Columbia for Trumps crackdown or in Los Angeles in response to immigration protests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 18 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on X at @ZachsORoutdoors and BlueSky at oregonoutdoors.bsky.social This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Trump says he is sending 'full force' of troops to Portland, Oregon The Trump administration has proposed a 21-point Gaza peace plan that calls for all hostages held by Hamas to be released within 48 hours of an agreement and sets out a roadmap for Gaza once the war ends, according to a source familiar with the proposal. US President Donald Trump has voiced optimism about resolving the conflict, saying Friday theyre very close to a deal, just days after his envoy said a breakthrough was possible. Meanwhile, Israels assault in the enclave continues, with the military escalating its offensive in recent days and forcing many to flee Gaza City as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) pushes deeper into the urban area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, however, vowed to continue the war until Hamas is destroyed. The plan could be problematic for Netanyahu, given it recognizes aspirations for a Palestinian state - something firmly opposed by key members of his government. The release of the hostages about 20 of whom are thought to be still alive would be in exchange for a phased withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, according to the source. The plan would deny Hamas any future role in the governance of Gaza, the source said. Instead, it calls for two levels of interim governance in the territory an overarching international body and a Palestinian committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no timeline in the proposal for the international body to pass leadership of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority (PA), which exercises nominal self-rule in parts of the occupied West Bank, and faces heavy restrictions by Israel. The Israeli government has persistently rejected any role for the PA in running Gaza. Displaced Palestinians move southwards on Wednesday, as Israeli forces extend their control over Gaza City. More than 700,000 Palestinians have left the area, according to the Israeli military. - Eyad Baba/AFP/Getty Images The plan does not indicate that the US would support the creation of a Palestinian state, but recognizes it as an aspiration of the Palestinians. The Trump administration has been highly critical of moves by other governments, including the UK, France and Canada, to recognize a Palestinian state. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described it as reckless. However, the US plan could potentially offer a pathway to some form of Palestinian self-rule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu reiterated his opposition to a Palestinian state while speaking at the UN General Assembly on Friday, saying that giving the Palestinians a state a mile from Jerusalem is like giving al-Qaeda a state one mile from New York City after September 11. The US blueprint also says there cannot be any forced displacement of Gazas population, according to the source. Earlier this year, Trump talked of the US taking over Gaza and rebuilding it while relocating its entire population of two million. Ever since, the Israeli government has supported the idea of depopulating Gaza of Palestinians, while saying it would not coerce residents to leave. Deal presented to Arab states Trump held a meeting with a number of leaders from Muslim nations, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Indonesia, Turkey, and Pakistan on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, calling it his most important meeting of the day. The US plan was presented to Arab states at the United Nations, US special envoy Steve Witkoff said Wednesday. Were hopeful and, I might say, even confident that in the coming days well be able to announce some sort of breakthrough, Witkoff said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The source familiar with the plan told CNN the plan specifically says that Israel will not attack Qatar again. Israel targeted Hamas leaders in Doha earlier this month with a series of airstrikes just days after Hamas said it was considering a different US proposal. U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan at a meeting with several Arab and Muslim countries at the UNs General Assembly last week, where post-war governance in Gaza was on the agenda. - Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Trump has also voiced optimism about resolving the conflict, saying a deal is very close. In a social media post Friday, Trump hailed what he called inspired and productive discussions with Middle Eastern partners to end the war in Gaza. Intense negotiations have been going on for four days and will continue for as long as necessary in order to get a Successfully Completed Agreement, Trump wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that all of the countries within the region are involved, Hamas is very much aware of these discussions, and Israel has been informed at all levels, including Prime Minister Bibi (Benjamin) Netanyahu. It is unclear if Hamas has been presented with the proposal, which could have undergone revisions in recent days and may still be tweaked. It would likely be relayed through the Qataris to what remains of Hamas negotiating team in Doha. Hamas said on Sunday that it had not received any new proposals for a ceasefire. In a statement, it reiterated readiness to examine any proposals it receives from its mediator brothers in a positive and responsible manner, while upholding the national rights of our people. Netanyahu is due to meet with Trump at the White House on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump emphasized the goal of the negotiations is to get the hostages back and establish a PERMANENT AND LONGLASTING PEACE. Netanyahus safety net It remains to be seen how the plan would be received in Israel, where Netanyahus far-right coalition members have threatened to collapse the government if the war comes to an end before Hamas is eradicated. Far-right ministers are pushing for a full takeover of Gaza as well as for extending Israeli sovereignty over much or all of the occupied West Bank. Israeli politicians posted messages on social media about the peace plan as Shabbat ended on Saturday. Far-right Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir came out in opposition, writing in a terse post on X that Netanyahu does not have a mandate to end the war without the complete defeat of Hamas. Ben Gvir and far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have consistently opposed hostage deals and ceasefire arrangements throughout the war, pressing instead for continued and intensified military pressure and full occupation of the territory. The two have threatened to topple Netanyahus government if the war should end. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Minutes after Ben Gvir posted, Netanyahus Foreign Minister Gideon Saar wrote in a post of his own that he trusts the prime minister to represent Israels interests as required in the talks with Trump. After two years of war, Israels clear national interest is to end the war and achieve its objectives, he said. Netanyahus ultra-Orthodox coalition partners also have come out in support of a hostage deal that would end the war. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said Saturday that he had told US officials that Netanyahu has a safety net from me for a hostage deal and an end to the war in the event of far-right opposition to a peace plan. There is a majority for this in the Knesset (parliament) and a majority in the country, Lapid wrote on X. Theres no need to be alarmed by the empty threats of Ben Gvir and Smotrich. CNN has reached out to Smotrich for comment. Intensifying strikes For now, the Israeli military campaign in Gaza continues unabated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The IDF says 700,000 people have left Gaza City since being ordered to do so earlier this month. CNN is unable to verify these numbers. Despite a mass exodus of Palestinians, hundreds of thousands of people are still believed to be in Gaza City. Over the weekend, the Israeli military said it is intensifying strikes in Gaza, adding that it is using autonomous explosive-armored vehicles in Gaza City to neutralize explosive devices before troops move in. Hospitals in the enclave reported that at least 96 people were killed in Israeli strikes on Saturday, the vast majority recorded in Gaza City. Residents told CNN of Israels intensifying attacks. An hour ago, the Israeli army detonated five robots in the Al-Sabra area. Every ten minutes one would explode, Abu Yasser al-Khour, from Gaza Citys Al-Sabra neighborhood, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The situation is extremely, extremely difficult in Tal al-Hawa and Al-Sabra near Al-Khour roundabout. Tanks are stationed there, and the planes and clashes never cease, the gunfire does not stop at all. Zakaria Bakr, 53, from Al-Shati Refugee Camp, west of Gaza City, told CNN the camp is almost empty. All means of life there have disappeared. Entire alleys have been reduced to rubble. Israels military operation involves three divisions that have pushed to extend their control over the territorys largest urban area in what Israel says is in an effort to extinguish Hamas strongholds. Ibrahim Dahman, Dana Karni, Tal Shalev and Max Saltman contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Imports of Russian oil to Turkey, one of Moscow's top buyers, have fallen due to competition from other suppliers, sanctions, and pressure from the United States, Reuters reported Sept. 26. Frustrated by Russia's refusal to end its war in Ukraine, U.S. President Donald Trump has urged alliesincluding Turkeyto stop purchasing Russian oil and gas, which are key sources of revenue for the Kremlin. After two hours of talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sept. 25, Trump said he believed Ankara would agree to halt Russian oil imports. He added that he may lift U.S. sanctions on Turkey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A shift in Turkey's position remains uncertain. Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin have developed close ties in recent years, and Turkey has sought to act as a neutral third party, even mediating peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that trade decisions rest solely with Turkey. "(Turkey) is a sovereign state that decides for itself in which areas to cooperate with us," Peskov said. "If certain types of trade in certain goods are deemed advantageous to the Turkish side, then the Turkish side will continue to do so." Imports of Russian oil to Turkey fell in September to their lowest level since April, according to two traders and London Stock Exchange (LSEG) data cited by Reuters. Turkey is the second-largest importer of Russian Urals crude after India, LSEG data showed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ankara has not joined Western sanctions against Moscow but complies with international laws and restrictions. Energy ministries in Turkey and Russia did not respond to Reuters' requests for comment. In addition to pressuring Turkey, the Trump administration has repeatedly called on European allies to halt Russian oil purchases and has urged G7 members to impose tariffs of 50 to 100 percent on China and India, the leading buyers of Russian oil, to hasten an end to the war. Read also: Ukrainian military strikes 3 gas distribution stations in occupied Luhansk Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. China warned on Friday that U.S. military activity in the Caribbean poses a threat to peace in Latin America, criticizing Washington's recent deployment of warships and troops near Venezuela. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Beijing "opposes external interference in Venezuela's internal affairs under any pretext" and condemned what he described as "the threat of the use of force in international relations and the undermining of peace and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean." Guo argued that unilateral U.S. actions against foreign vessels in international waters "exceed reasonable limits, violate international law, and infringe upon fundamental human rights, including the right to life," as EFE reports. He added that such measures "represent a potential threat to the freedom and safety of navigation" and called on Washington to maintain cooperation through bilateral and multilateral legal frameworks instead of unilateral enforcement. The criticism comes as the U.S. has deployed at least eight warships, a nuclear-powered submarine, and more than 4,500 troops to the Caribbean since mid-August as part of what it describes as an anti-narcotics operation. The U.S. operation has already included strikes on vessels it said were involved in drug trafficking near Venezuelan waters. The Trump administration has linked Maduro to criminal networks such as the so-called Cartel of the Suns and recently doubled the reward for his arrest to $50 million. China's position echoes remarks delivered in August by another foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, who said Beijing opposed "the use or the threat of use of force in international relations" and urged Washington to "do more things that contribute to peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean." The remarks also come as Venezuela has emphasized its ties to China as of late, as a sprawling report by CNN revealed in August. President Nicolas Maduro has highlighted personal communication with President Xi Jinping and lauded cooperation in technology and economic projects, while Chinese officials have criticized U.S. sanctions and unilateral measures targeting Caracas. China, which has deep commercial ties with Venezuela, including investments in oil fields, framed its statement as a defense of international law. "China supports strengthening international cooperation to combat transnational crime," Guo said, while reiterating Beijing's opposition to unilateral U.S. actions. Originally published on Latin Times The United Nations Security Council has voted against a resolution drafted by Russia and China to delay by six months the reimposition of sanctions on Iran. In a 4-9 vote, with two abstentions, world leaders on Friday opted to reimpose sanctions owing to Irans nuclear programme. The sanctions are set to snap back as of 8pm in New York on Saturday (00:00 GMT on Sunday). Russian and Chinese diplomats pushed for the Security Council to delay the return of sanctions, but they failed to sway enough of the other members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, also known as the E3, have accused Tehran of violating the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) deal geared to prevent Iran from building nuclear weapons. Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018. Iran has repeatedly denied pursuing nuclear weapons, but has affirmed its right to peacefully pursue nuclear energy. The JCPOA was signed between Iran and the world powers, including the US, in a deal that lifted sanctions in exchange for a cap on Iranian nuclear ambitions. Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the imminent reimposition of UN sanctions over its nuclear programme as legally void on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Araghchi told the UN Security Council that European nations pursuit of the so-called snapback is clear and consistent it is legally void, politically reckless and procedurally flawed. The United States has betrayed diplomacy, but E3 has buried it, he added. By ignoring facts, spreading false claims, misrepresenting Irans peaceful programme, and blocking diplomacy, they have actively and intently paved the way for a dangerous escalation. No further negotiations Russias deputy UN envoy, Dmitry Polyanskiy, told the chamber before the vote that Iran had done all it could to accommodate Europeans, but that Western powers had refused to compromise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Jerome Bonnafont, the permanent representative of France to the UN in New York, refuted that and said Iran had not taken any serious steps to avoid the renewal of sanctions. Bonnafont added, however, that diplomacy should continue and that the reimposition of sanctions did not mean a negotiated settlement could not be reached later. Reporting from the UN, Al Jazeeras Diplomatic Editor James Bays said, It doesnt look like there is going to be further negotiation. We had the opportunity all week here in New York for negotiations. But Bays noted that Iran knew the resumption of sanctions was likely. The supreme leader in Iran said that he didnt think there was going to be progress and that snapback was likely I dont think there is much more effort going into this now in terms of negotiation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The snapback sanctions will be layered atop the already tough Western sanctions in place against Iran. What we are talking about here are all the international sanctions, all the UN sanctions that were in place before 2015. Regional tensions escalated in June, when Israel launched a 12-day war on Iran, with Israeli and US forces striking several nuclear facilities. The Israeli-US bombing came a day after the UNs nuclear watchdog board ruled that Iran was not respecting international nuclear safeguards. The UNSC voted last week not to permanently lift economic sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme, setting Tehran up for a major economic blow it claimed was politically biased. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Kyiv is willing to provide Hungary and Slovakia with support for alternative energy supplies, a topic that will be discussed at a joint meeting of the Ukrainian and Slovak governments in October. Source: European Pravda, citing Zelenskyy at a press conference on Saturday 27 September Details: Zelenskyy emphasised that Ukraine can offer alternatives to Hungary and Slovakia in order to reduce their reliance on Russian energy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ukrainian president said he and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico plan a joint government meeting in October, during which Kyiv will propose targeted assistance. Quote: "There will be a meeting of government officials in Slovakia where Ukraine can and will offer alternative steps for energy support. But this cannot be Russian oil or Russian gas." More details: Zelenskyy added that the issue could also be discussed with Hungarian officials. Quote: "There are no steps from their side. Other than a few media signals that are clearly unsupportive of Ukraine, I hear nothing." Background: US President Donald Trump has reiterated his expectation that Europe must abandon Russian energy resources as quickly as possible, stressing that by continuing to buy them, European states "are funding the war against themselves". Trump held a telephone conversation with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban about Russian energy. Following the call, Orban said hundreds of Hungarian families would face financial ruin if they had to give up Russian energy. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! UNITED NATIONS (AP) The U.N. Security Council on Friday rejected a last-ditch effort to delay reimposing sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, a decision that the country's president immediately called unfair, unjust and illegal. The decision on the snapback sanctions came a day before the deadline and after Western countries claimed weeks of meetings failed to result in a concrete agreement. The resolution put forth by Russia and China Irans most powerful and closest allies on the 15-member council failed to garner support from the nine countries required to halt the series of U.N. sanctions from taking effect Saturday, as outlined in Irans 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. The vote was 4-9 with two abstentions. We had hoped that European colleagues and the U.S. would think twice, and they would opt for the path of diplomacy and dialogue instead of their clumsy blackmail, which merely results in escalation of the situation in the region, Dmitry Polyanskiy, the deputy Russian ambassador to the U.N., said during the meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after the vote, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian spoke at a meeting with journalists and Iran experts on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, a day before the deadline for the sanctions to kick in. Pezeshkian said that despite previous threats, Iran won't withdraw from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty like North Korea, which abandoned the treaty in 2003 and then built atomic weapons. Barring an eleventh-hour deal, the reinstatement of sanctions triggered by Britain, France and Germany will once again freeze Iranian assets abroad, halt arms deals with Tehran and penalize any development of Irans ballistic missile program, among other measures. That will further squeeze the countrys reeling economy. The move is expected to heighten already magnified tensions between Iran and the West. But despite previous threats to withdraw from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, Pezeshkian said in an interview with a group of reporters that the country had no intention to do so right now. North Korea, which abandoned the treaty in 2003, went on to build atomic weapons. Four countries China, Russia, Pakistan and Algeria once again supported giving Iran more time to negotiate with the European countries, known as the E3, and the United States, which unilaterally withdrew from the accord with world powers in 2018 during Trump's first administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S has betrayed diplomacy, but it is the E3 which have buried it, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said after the vote. This sordid mess did not come about overnight. Both the E3 and the U.S. have consistently misrepresented Irans peaceful nuclear program. The European leaders triggered the so-called snapback mechanism last month after accusing Tehran of failing to comply with the conditions of the accord and when weeks of high-level negotiations failed to reach a diplomatic resolution. Lots of diplomacy as deadline nears Since the 30-day clock began, Araghchi, has been meeting with his French, British and German counterparts to strike a last-minute deal, leading up to this week's U.N. General Assembly gathering. But those talks appeared futile, with one European diplomat telling the Associated Press on Wednesday that they did not produce any new developments, any new results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Therefore, European sources expect that the snapback procedure will continue as planned. But Pezeshkian painted a different image of how the meetings transpired, saying that it was the Europeans and Americans who refused to make a deal during the high-level week. In a sprawling interview on the sidelines of the U.N., the president said that one night this week, members of the U.S. delegation were supposed to meet with their Iranian and European counterparts but did not show. Every time we spoke with the Europeans, weve reached conclusions and agreements, but then at the end of the day the American side did not accept, he said. As for direct U.S.-Iran talks, one night this week our foreign minister and European foreign ministers were supposed to sit together and reach an agreement, but the Americans never showed up, he said. What are we supposed to do? Pezeshkian added that when the Americans did show during the six weeks of negotiations earlier this year, it was hard to rely on their word and that President Donald Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, had flip-flopped on issues that were previously agreed upon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The distrust at this moment between us and the U.S. is so large, Pezeshkian said, answering a question about what it would take for Iran to come back to the negotiating table. But even before Araghchi and Pezeshkian arrived in New York on Tuesday for the annual gathering, remarks from Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, that peace talks with the United States represent a sheer dead end constrained any eleventh-hour diplomatic efforts from taking place. European nations have said they would be willing to extend the deadline if Iran complies with a series of conditions. Those include resumption of direct negotiations with the U.S. over its nuclear program, allowing U.N. nuclear inspectors access to its nuclear sites, and accounts for the more than 400 kilograms (880 pounds) of highly enriched uranium the U.N. watchdog says it has. Nuclear inspectors said to be currently in Iran Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of all the nations in the world that don't have nuclear weapons programs, Iran is the only nation in the world that enriches uranium up to 60% a short, technical step from weapons-grade levels. Earlier this month, the U.N. nuclear watchdog and Iran signed an agreement mediated by Egypt to pave the way for resuming cooperation, including on ways of relaunching inspections of Irans nuclear facilities. However, Iran has threatened to terminate that agreement and cut all cooperation with the IAEA should U.N. sanctions be reimposed. Iran has been wary of giving full access to inspectors following the 12-day war with Israel in June that saw both the Israelis and the Americans bomb Iranian nuclear sites, throwing into question the status of Tehrans stockpile of uranium enriched nearly to weapons-grade levels. But a diplomat close to the IAEA confirmed on Friday that inspectors are currently in Iran where they are inspecting a second undamaged site, and will not leave the country ahead of the expected reimposition of sanctions this weekend. IAEA inspectors earlier watched a fuel replacement at the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant on Aug. 27 and 28. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Europeans have said this action alone is not enough to halt the sanctions from coming into place Saturday. ___ Liechtenstein reported from Vienna. Associated Press writers Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates contributed to this report. ___ 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. Additional AP coverage of the nuclear landscape: https://apnews.com/projects/the-new-nuclear-landscape/ Editor's Note: This story has been updated with information about NATO's response. Unidentified drones have been detected in the airspace of Denmark, Lithuania, and Finland, several media outlets reported on Sept. 27. The incidents come as Russian drones and military aircraft have increasingly entered NATO airspace, prompting heightened alert and readiness across the alliance. Recent violations have been reported in Estonia, Poland, and Romania. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Denmark, drones were spotted near several military facilities, including Karup Air Base, one of the country's key air force facilities, Danish DR reported on Sept. 27. The Danish Defense Command does not disclose where the incidents took place and how many drones are considered suspicious. Several units of the Danish Armed Forces were deployed to respond to the incidents. In Lithuania, three drones were spotted flying near Vilnius airport, causing delays to seven commercial flights, Lithuanian broadcaster LRT reported on Sept. 27. In Finland, last weekend, a drone flew over the Valajasoski power plant in Rovaniemi, Yle reported on Sept. 27. Law enforcement bodies in the region confirmed this information to Yle, but did not disclose any details due to ongoing investigations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previously, in Denmark, the airspace above Aalborg Airport in northern Jutland was closed overnight on Sept. 26 after police also reported an unidentified drone, Danish broadcaster TV2 said. The closure lasted about an hour, with several flights canceled and two inbound planes diverted. This marked the third disruption at Aalborg Airport in less than a week. On Sept. 24, operations were suspended after drones were detected near a military base, prompting Copenhagen to consider invoking NATO's Article 4. Earlier, on Sept. 22, Copenhagen Airport, the busiest hub in northern Europe, also halted operations due to drone sightings. Norwegian authorities temporarily closed Oslo Airport under similar circumstances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said the origin of the drones remains unclear and that there is no evidence directly linking them to Russia. In response to the Danish drone incursions, NATO said on Sept. 27 that it was expanding its Baltic Sea operations with additional military assets, according to a statement emailed to Reuters. NATO will "conduct even more enhanced vigilance with new multi-domain assets in the Baltic Sea region," the statement read. The alliance plans to upgrade its Baltic Sentry mission to include new "intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platforms and at least one air-defense frigate." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest suspicious drone flights coincide with a notable rise in Russian violations of allied airspace. Three Russian MiG-31 jets entered Estonian airspace over the Gulf of Finland on Sept. 19, prompting Tallinn to request NATO consultations under Article 4. Poland shot down Russian drones during a mass strike on Ukraine on Sept. 10, marking the first time NATO engaged Russian assets over its territory since the full-scale invasion. Romania reported a similar violation on Sept. 13, scrambling F-16s after detecting a Russian drone. The alliance has reinforced defenses through its Eastern Sentry mission amid growing provocations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: As Russia tests NATO, calls to close Ukraines skies have returned heres what that means Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. By Ismail Shakil and Brendan O'Boyle (Reuters) -The United States said it would revoke Colombian President Gustavo Petro's visa after he took to New York's streets on Friday in a pro-Palestinian demonstration and urged U.S. soldiers to disobey President Donald Trump's orders. "We will revoke Petros visa due to his reckless and incendiary actions," the State Department posted on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Petro, addressing a crowd of pro-Palestinian protesters outside the U.N. headquarters in Manhattan, called for a global armed force with the priority to liberate Palestinians, adding, "This force has to be bigger than that of the United States." "That's why from here, from New York, I ask all the soldiers of the army of the United States not to point their guns at people. Disobey the orders of Trump. Obey the orders of humanity," Petro said in Spanish. Reuters could not immediately confirm whether Petro was still in New York. His office and Colombia's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. UN CLASHES OVER GAZA WAR Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has been cracking down on pro-Palestinian voices while countries including France, Britain, Australia and Canada have recognized a Palestinian state - moves that have angered Israel and its ally the U.S. Petro, Colombia's first leftist president and a vocal opponent of Israel's war in Gaza, hit out at Trump in his speech to the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, saying the U.S. leader was "complicit in genocide" in Gaza and calling for "criminal proceedings" over U.S. missile attacks on suspected drug-running boats in Caribbean waters. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addressing the assembly on Friday, denounced Western countries for embracing Palestinian statehood, accusing them of sending the message that "murdering Jews pays off." Israel began its assault on Gaza after an attack led by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7, 2023, killed about 1,200 people, with 251 taken hostage. Since then, Israel's military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 65,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, and displaced the entire population of the narrow enclave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple rights experts say this amounts to genocide, a charge angrily denied by Israel, which says the war is in self-defense. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the U.N. by video on Thursday after the Trump administration said it would not give him a visa to travel to New York. Abbas' office said at the time that his visa ban violated the 1947 U.N. headquarters agreement, under which the U.S. is generally required to allow access for foreign diplomats to the U.N. However, Washington has said it can deny visas for security, extremism and foreign policy reasons. COLOMBIA'S ROCKY START WITH TRUMP Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United States is Colombia's main trading partner and its greatest ally in the fight against drug trafficking, but U.S.-Colombia relations got off to a bad start shortly after Trump returned to office in January, when Petro refused to accept military flights carrying deportees in Trump's immigration crackdown. Petro said his country's citizens were being treated like criminals. But he quickly reversed course, agreeing to accept the migrants, after both countries threatened tariffs on each other and after the U.S. canceled visa appointments for Colombians. Trump this month put Colombia on a list of countries that Washington says have failed to uphold their counter-narcotics agreements, blaming Colombia's political leadership. Petro came to office in 2022 promising agreements with armed groups but pivoted last year, pledging to tame coca-growing regions with massive social and military intervention. The strategy has brought little success. (Reporting by Ismail Shakil in Ottawa, Brendan O'Boyle in Mexico City, Luis Jaime Acosta in Bogota and Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by William Mallard) WASHINGTON (AP) Tensions between the United States and Colombia have escalated with the State Department announcing it was revoking a visa for Gustavo Petro, president of the Latin American country, after he participated in a New York protest where he called on American soldiers to disobey President Donald Trump's orders. The department said on social media that we will revoke Petros visa due to his reckless and incendiary actions. Petro was visiting for the annual U.N. General Assembly. During a nearby protest Friday over the war in Gaza, he said I ask all the soldiers of the United States' army, don't point your rifles against humanity" and disobey the orders of Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Petro returned to Colombia on Saturday as intended, in accordance with a Sept. 18 decree on the delegation of powers during his absence. He said on X that he found out about his visa status upon his arrival. The State Department did not answer questions about whether the revocation would affect future visits. Petro, Colombias first leftist president, used a post on X addressed to Trump to say that international law grants me immunity to go to the U.N. and that there should be no reprisals for my free opinion, because I am a free person. Petro, who has a history of speaking off the cuff in meandering, ideologically charged speeches, also said on social media that I don't care about the punishment because he is also a European citizen. That means he does not need a visa to travel to the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colombia broke diplomatic ties with Israel last year over the Israel-Hamas war. Petro has repeatedly described Israels siege of Gaza as genocide. Colombia has long been a top U.S. ally in Latin America, cooperating closely on the fight against drug trafficking. But there have been repeated clashes between Petro, a former rebel group member, and Trump's Republican administration. In his General Assembly speech Tuesday, Petro called for a criminal investigation of Trump and other officials involved in this months deadly strikes on boats in the Caribbean that the White House has said were transporting drugs. The White House has offered scant information about how the operations came together or the legal authorities under which they were carried out. Earlier this year, Petro resisted deportation flights using American military aircraft, leading to a diplomatic crisis as Trump threatened to retaliate with higher tariffs and visa suspensions. The U.S. is Colombia's largest trading partner, and Petro's government relented, saying it would accept the planes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. accused Colombia earlier this month of failing to cooperate with anti-narcotics efforts. Although the designation did not include sanctions that would have slashed U.S. assistance to the country, it was a sharp rebuke that frustrated Petro. He said his country had lost the lives of policemen, soldiers and regular citizens, trying to stop cocaine from reaching the United States. ___ Associated Press writer Regina Garcia Cano in Caracas, Venezuela, contributed to this report. Officials in the newly-renamed Department of War are preparing plans for an attack on alleged drug traffickers inside Venezuela that could begin within a few weeks, according to a new report. Information about the plans comes from four sources who spoke to NBC News. Those sources include two U.S. officials familiar with the actual plans and two others who are familiar with the discussions surrounding the plans. If the plans are real and a strike does occur, it would mark a significant escalation with the South American nation. The Trump administration has already killed at least 17 Venezuelans on boats under the justification that they are allegedly drug traffickers in the last three weeks, according to the New York Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sources said that President Donald Trump has yet to approve the planned attacks. Another source speaking to the broadcaster said that the Trump administration believes Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro hasn't done enough to stop drugs from entering the U.S. via Venezuela. President Trump shared a video on Tuesday of the strike on the alleged Venezuelan drug boat. Now, a report says the US is considering attacks on Venezuelan soil. (Donald Trump/Truth Social) The plans reportedly call for U.S. drones to strike Venezuelan traffickers membership, leaders and drug labs. The Independent has requested comment from the White House. When NBC News requested comment from the White House, reporters were directed to Trump's previous comments about a potential U.S. - Venezuela conflict. Well see what happens. Venezuela is sending us their gang members, their drug dealers and drugs. Its not acceptable," Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. and Venezuela are reportedly having discussions through Middle Eastern leaders acting as intermediaries. According to a senior administration official who spoke to NBC News, Maduro has reportedly spoken to the intermediaries about concessions he would make in order to retain his leadership position in Venezuela. That official said that the president is prepared to use every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into our country and to bring those responsible to justice." Armed demonstrators march in support of President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela. (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto told the United Nations that the U.S. has an illegal and completely immoral military threat hanging over our heads. He went on to accuse the Trump administration of trying to start a war with Venezuela to rob Venezuelas immeasurable oil and gas wealth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maduro has denied having any role in drug trafficking, and has characterized the U.S.'s sudden focus on drug trafficking as a flimsy pretense for trying to enact regime change. In early September, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a $50 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Maduro, who she accused of being "one of the most powerful drug traffickers in the world and a threat to [U.S.] national security. Pinto called the claims against Maduro and Venezuela vulgar and perverse lies intended to justify an atrocious, extravagant and immoral multibillion-dollar military threat, according to Al Jazeera. The Trump administration has accused Maduro of trafficking drugs through an alleged group called the Cartel of the Suns, but there is debate among Latin America experts as to whether or not such a group even exists. This handout picture released by the Venezuelan Presidency press office shows Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro (left) speaking next to Venezuela's Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino (right) during a military deployment. (Venezuelan Presidency press office) If Maduro is right and the Trump administration is trying to remove him power, it won't be the first time Americans have tried. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2020, Operation Gideon undertaken by a Venezuelan opposition faction and private-security firm Silvercorp USA mercenaries attempted to remove Maduro from power and replace him with Popular Will politician Juan Guaido. The operation was an overwhelming failure. Two American mercenaries both former Green Berets were captured alongside more than 80 Venezuelan dissidents. After nearly two decades and nearly a trillion dollars invested to reduce veteran suicide, thousands of military veterans are once again living in fear. This time, it isnt from the crushing weight of post-traumatic stress or the vivid nightmares of combat. Its from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The agency doesnt care whether you served or sacrificed. Its ultimate agenda is to sow fear and terror in immigrant communities communities that thousands of U.S. military veterans call home. According to the Congressional Research Service, more than 100,000 U.S. military veterans lack citizenship. Some are lawful permanent residents who enlisted on the promise of a fast-track to naturalization. Many of them have family members who believed their loved ones sacrifice would protect them from immigration enforcement. Instead, they live with the constant fear that ICE could knock on the door at dawn, or grab them off the street, and ship them to countries theyve never even been to. It was recently discovered that impoverished nations have cut deals with the U.S. to take these refugees. ICE coming after veterans isnt theoretical. Advertisement Advertisement The Associated Press reported this week on the story of Julio Torres, a Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq. Torres has the American flag and Marine Corps emblem tattooed on his arms, and has struggled with post-traumatic stress and addiction. He was detained by ICE at the Dallas-Fort Worth airport when he returned from visiting relatives in Mexico. He was released after five days, but the message was clear: His service did not shield him from deportation. Today, he limits his movements in East Texas, afraid to venture far from home, afraid that his children will watch him disappear into detention again. Theres also Jose Barco, an Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient. NPR reported earlier this year that after surviving an IED blast in Iraq, he spent years fighting the invisible wounds of a traumatic brain injury and PTSD. His citizenship application was lost in the shuffle of war. When he committed a crime in the fog of untreated trauma, he paid with 15 years of his life behind bars. But when he walked free, ICE was waiting. Venezuela refused to accept him, leaving him stateless. Barco is still awaiting his fate. Sens. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Ct.) are meanwhile pressing the Department of Homeland Security for answers about why Sae Joon Park, a 61-year-old U.S. Army veteran wounded during the 1989 invasion of Panama, was forced to self-deport on June 23, after ICE officials in Honolulu informed him he would be detained unless he left voluntarily. Park, who had lived in the U.S. since he was seven, was separated from his two U.S.-citizen children and a mother reportedly suffering from early-stage dementia. His deportation highlights the vulnerabilities of long-term residents and veterans facing immigration complications, despite their service to the country. The senators criticized DHS for its handling of Parks case and questioned its policies on deporting veterans, especially those with service-connected mental health issues. Immigrants like Mr. Park do not represent a threat to our country, and your treatment of Mr. Park has not made our country safer, the senators wrote. Your department must explain to the American people your reasoning for treating a veteran, who has fought and been wounded for our country, in such a poor manner. Advertisement Advertisement Stories like these ripple through immigrant veteran communities. Men and women who once patrolled streets in Baghdad or Kandahar now avoid supermarkets, skip church services, and refuse to drive long distances. They live like fugitives in the country they fought to defend. Its why, as the AP notes, a bipartisan group of House members introduced a bill this week that would provide an easier pathway to citizenship for veterans, and require DHS to allow immigrant veterans to apply for lawful immigration status. DHS has not been very discerning, though, and ICE is set to receive billions under Trumps so-called Big Beautiful Bill. The agency has relaxed hiring standards for federal agents to levels unseen in modern history. At the same time, Trump is making examples of cities that refuse to cooperate with ICE, threatening prosecutions and the loss of full federal funding if they dont help federal authorities boot as many people out of the country as possible, regardless of whether they have served. Meanwhile, Trumps border czar, Tom Homan, narrowly avoided prosecution for accepting cash bribes in exchange for access to senior Trump administration officials. Its the kind of corruption that has been aggressively prosecuted in states across the country, and by federal authorities in the past. Most famously, Democratic Illinois Governor Rob Balgojevich was convicted for trying to sell a U.S. Senate seat. He later had his prison sentence commuted by Trump. Undocumented Americas veterans wont get pardons, commuted sentences, or any breaks from the Trump administration. They lack the key attributes required to curry favor with Trump. They are brave, heroic, and they fought to defend the U.S. Constitution and everything it represents. Advertisement Advertisement But most importantly, they cannot enrich him, flatter him, or provide anything of tangible value. And because of that, in Trumps eyes, they do not deserve to be saved. Instead, he is willing to cast them aside sending them back to countries who will take them for cash treating their service and sacrifice as a commodity to be bartered away to the highest bidder. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) Virginia Beachs Veterans Week will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam Wars conclusion on Nov. 7 to Nov. 11, according to a press release. Co-sponsored by the City of Virginia Beach Mayors Committee for Veterans, the Hampton Roads Council of Veterans Organizations and Mission: POW-MIA, Veterans Week is a series of events that honor the countrys veterans, prisoners of war and those missing in action. The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, a program that recognizes the wars 50th anniversary, has designated Veterans Week as a national commemoration event. Veterans Week consists of the following events: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Moving Wall , a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, will be on display Nov. 7-Nov. 11, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Virginia Beach Convention Center will feature three military vehicle displays between Nov. 10 and Nov. 11. The Annual Tidewater Veterans Day Parade will start at 16th Street and Atlantic Avenue on Nov. 11 at 9 a.m. The Annual Tidewater Veterans Day Ceremony will take place at the Tidewater Veterans Memorial on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. All of these events are free and open to the public. For more information, you can visit the Veterans Week webpage on the City of Virginia Beachs website here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Matriculating college students are beginning their higher education journeys with an AI-assisted bump or so tech companies want you to think. According to a 2024 global survey of students by the Digital Education Council, more than half used AI tools on a weekly basis. The most common was ChatGPT, as well as tools like Grammarly and Microsoft CoPilot. Educators report students leaning on chatbots to complete assignments, streamline research, and even write college admissions essays. But nearly the same percentage of students reported that they didn't feel equipped with the skills necessary to use and understand AI. A vast majority said they were discouraged by their university's integration of the modern tech. A recent Gallup poll of students around the country revealed nearly half were unsure of their school's stance on AI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As universities contend with the potential consequences of generative AI use, students themselves are feeling the pressure, and even excitement, to use it more and more. AI partnerships vs. AI policies Behind the mass adoption of generative AI in university systems is a push from AI companies to pen official deals with educational leaders. To this end, most major AI developers have launched educational products, including tutor modes for their chatbots and broad licensing options for universities. Part of ChatGPT for Education, OpenAI has announced educational partnerships with Harvard Business School, University of Pennsylvania's Wharton College, Duke, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), UC San Diego, UC Davis, Indiana University, Arizona State University, Mount Sinai's Ichan School of Medicine, and the entire California State University (CSU) System OpenAI's collaboration with CSU schools is the largest ChatGPT deployment yet. But there are dozens more, an OpenAI spokesperson told Mashable, that haven't made their ChatGPT partnerships public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ed Clark, chief information officer for CSU, told Mashable that the decision to partner with OpenAI came from a survey of students that showed many were already signing up for AI accounts using their student emails faculty and staff were too. "One of the concerns, as an access institution, was there are folks in our system that can afford the $30 per month and there are many folks that can't," he explained. "It was about access and equity, and addressing this digital divide that was already occurring, not only within our system, but across the country and beyond." The system's AI advisory committee urged administrators to ensure equitable AI access, and while the partnership is still in its infancy, Clark said that students have been eager. Of more than 140,000 CSU community members who have enabled their accounts, Clark said, around 80 percent are students. The other 20 percent are comprised of faculty and staff. "The adoption is clearly growing the quickest with our student population." Google offers its Google AI Pro plan and Gemini chatbot to college students for free, and is in over 1,000 U.S. higher education institutions, according to a recent blog post. These numbers are due in part to its AI for Education Accelerator, which offers schools free access to AI products and training certificates. The company also announced a partnership with California Community Colleges, offering "2 million students and faculty across the states 116 community colleges with free access to AI training, Google Career Certificates, and some of Google's cutting-edge AI tools including Gemini for Education and NotebookLM." It's considered the largest highest education system in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anthropic, maker of chatbot Claude and its accompanying Claude for Education program, has taken a slower approach to educational partnerships. So far only, Northeastern University, London School of Economics (LSE), the University of San Francisco Law School, Northumbria University, Champlain College, and Breda University of Applied Sciences have announced Claude for Education investments. "Many universities prefer to manage their own communications about AI adoption, and we respect their preferences around timing and messaging," an Anthropic spokesperson told Mashable, explaining that more schools are using Claude than are publicly shared. Microsoft offers AI tools, including CoPilot for Web and CoPilot in 365, for schools through its 365 office suite. Students can now get Microsoft CoPilot for free, as well. An official partnership with an AI company, which Clark explains usually comes with a high initial cost and an array of enterprise features, differs from a university's policies on the use of generative AI, though. Most guidelines governing the use of AI are grouped under academic integrity or honesty policies (students, definitely read them). The specifics can vary by school, department, and individual professors within a larger university an onus that many educators say is too much for them to handle, as the already over-burdened workforce battles new methods for cheating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Take New York University's policy, for example: "Because of [AI's] novelty and flexibility, there are few standard approaches to its use beyond an institution-wide restriction on taking credit for AI output without acknowledging its use. Most policies will be set by the schools or by individual faculty members. Check with your school or department to see if there are local policies." Universities more closely regulate the use of AI by faculty and researchers for reasons like data privacy and academic ethics in many cases. But that may not be where it is most needed. According to a meta analysis of faculty and student surveys, AI adoption among educators lags steeply behind student use. Some surveys report that over 85 percent of students have used generative AI for coursework. A web of stances and policies on AI A lot of that student use could be on personal accounts, but many students have been encouraged by university administrations to take advantage of their generative AI services. Others have granted only limited access to students, or mandated clearer processes for acknowledging AI use in coursework, like a new AI Disclosure Form currently being used by students at American University's business school. Some seem to be pushing it to the back burner. Ivy Leagues America's Ivy League system which includes Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton, and Yale doesn't have a blanket policy for generative AI use. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yale, for example, built the AI Clarity platform and chatbot to help staff and students access AI tools like ChatGPT, as well as CoPilot and Gemini services. The university offers many resources on AI, and even encourages students not to use it as a replacement for learning. But "each course at Yale sets its own policies for using AI. Using AI when its not authorized in a course constitutes academic dishonesty," the university writes. For now, Princeton students can only access Microsoft CoPilot chat and Adobe's AI image generation tools. Use of other generative AI falls under the school's Rights, Rules, and Responsibilities, which prohibit using non-Princeton AI tools to fulfill academic requirements: "If generative AI is permitted by the instructor (for brainstorming, outlining, etc.), students must disclose its use rather than cite or acknowledge the use, since it is an algorithm rather than a source." Columbia has also licensed ChatGPT for student use, and has issued an overarching generative AI policy for staff and students. But it's more clear on student use than others: "Absent a clear statement from a course instructor granting permission, the use of Generative AI tools to complete an assignment or exam is prohibited. The unauthorized use of AI shall be treated similarly to unauthorized assistance and/or plagiarism." Keep in mind, much of the liability falls on users: You can't put confidential or personal information into generative AI programs, its use must be disclosed, and any output of an AI is your sole responsibility. Public and private systems Duke University, one of a few private schools that recently announced a ChatGPT Edu partnership, gives students unlimited access to the ChatGPT default model and even lets students migrate their personal accounts to student accounts. As for policies on using gen AI, Duke's Community Standard says any unauthorized use of generative AI is treated as cheating. But teachers are encouraged to write their own policies on how, if, and when generative AI may be used. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California's many colleges vary quite a bit. The California community college system's public partnership with Google, for example, shouldn't be confused with the California State University system's massive collaboration with OpenAI. And every school within those systems will have varying AI policies. CSU schools, Clark explained, got to choose if and how they deployed the ChatGPT Education platform, according to their own AI stances. Students at large can access general AI resources from faculty, experts, and all of their AI partners on the system's AI Commons website. The University of California system schools are entirely different, too. UC San Diego, a ChatGPT Edu partner, also licenses and has built its own in-house AI assistant known as TritonGPT, which uses Meta's Llama model. UC Irvine has taken a similar approach, building its own ZotGPT AI, but also contracting with CoPilot and Gemini. Tech and research institutions Many research institutions are directly investing in AI research and are figuring out ways to responsibly make gen AI tools and LLMs available to students and staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), for example, has approved licenses for Adobe's generative AI tools, Google Gemini and Notebook LM, and Microsoft CoPilot that means all student accounts can access them. ChatGPT (the advanced version) is only available for faculty use. According to MIT's policies, the use of generative AI tools must be disclosed for all academic, educational, and research-related uses. While the California Institute of Technology (CalTech) offers CoPilot to students and has been reviewing ChatGPT for faculty and staff, it warns users that the use of unlicensed AI tools carries risks. Like many other research-focused schools, AI use is permitted, but at the discretion of faculty and with definitive disclosure and privacy requirements. Georgia Tech has approved the use of the full suite of Microsoft AI tools and says it is exploring ChatGPT Edu, but the OpenAI tool is not approved for student use yet. DeepSeek is entirely prohibited on the campus. The use of other gen AI tools is the responsibility of professors and specific course guidelines. AI is bolstered by student demand Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OpenAI recently announced the ChatGPT Lab for Students program, a pilot that connects AI student enthusiasts with OpenAI's developers, gaining early access to features and providing feedback. Students "will leave the program with a broader understanding of how to use AI in their own lives, new relationships with a special group of passionate peers, and insights into how OpenAI builds products and shapes its storytelling," OpenAI explained in a call for applicants. OpenAI's spokesperson also explained that they've seen a rise in student community groups and AI-focused clubs across U.S. campuses, where students learn the science behind AI and encourage its use among their peers. Students at UPenn's Wharton College, for example, run both the AI & Analytics Club for MBA students and the Wharton Artificial General Intelligence Collective (WAGIC) under the campuses' AI and Analytics Initiative. Columbia University Business School students operate the Artificial Intelligence Club. Clark said students across the CSU system have already taken advantage of ChatGPT Edu's platform by building their own bots students at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo designed a scheduling bot for picking courses and extracurricular activities, for example. Anthropic runs student ambassador programs and Claude builder clubs, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's not just at the college level. If you were to Google "AI student clubs," you'll probably come across SAILea, an initiative to build out a network of AI clubs across high schools run by students from Duke, Georgia Tech, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Students in the U.S. and Canada have become spokespersons for companies like OpenAI. They're demoing new tools like ChatGPT Study Mode for the public, peers, and press, and they're increasingly getting a seat at the table. Fall has barely started, but forecasters are already looking ahead to what this winter may bring for the U.S. While the cold weather months are likely the last thing on your mind, the Farmer's Almanac has released its forecast for 2025-2026 season and it's not looking too great unless, of course, you're a fan of cold, snowy weather. So, what does the Farmer's Almanac predict for Wisconsin's winter? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's what to know: When does winter start in 2025? Meteorological winter begins on Dec. 1 while astronomical winter begins on Dec. 21. More news: Remember when Main Exchange sold iconic icy cocktails? Here's a look at its 35 years in Fond du Lac. What is the Farmer's Almanac predicting for Wisconsin's winter 2025-26 weather forecast? The extended forecast predicts Wisconsin is in for a "very cold, snowy winter." And, in its fall weather outlook, the Almanac said parts of the Badger State could be in for some snow as early as September. But, Wisconsinites won't be the only ones needing to bundle up. Farmer's Almanac Editor Sandi Duncan told USA TODAY most of the U.S. is in store for "a cold or very cold" season. "It's going to cool down, it's going to snow, then it might warm up a little, then it's going to repeat itself again," Duncan said. The Farmers' Almanac forecasts an early start to winter 2025-2026 and the cold may linger into April in some parts of the U.S. But, it's worth noting another projection from the forecaster indicated Wisconsin could be in for a mild and dry winter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More weather news: Can folklore forecast Wisconsins winter and fall? What weather myths vs. current data say How accurate is the Farmer's Almanac forecast? Farmer's Almanac has been making weather predictions for hundreds of years. To make these predictions, forecasters compare "solar patterns and historical weather conditions with current solar activity." Predictions are accurate about 80% of the time, according to its website. Though, forecasters noted its predictions for last winter were 64% accurate, which they said is "a reflection of how abnormal recent weather patterns have been." A report from the Columbus Dispatch also found that most analyses of the almanac's predictions have an accuracy rate closer to 50%. So, it's pretty much a coin toss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information on how the Farmer's Almanac makes weather predictions, you can visit https://www.almanac.com/how-accurate-old-farmers-almanacs-weather-forecast. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Here's what Farmer's Almanac predicts for Wisconsin winter 2025-26 KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) The woman who was convicted of vehicular homicide in connection to a deadly Knoxville drag racing crash that happened in 2023 has been sentenced to serve more than a decade in the Tennessee Department of Correction. On Friday, September 26, Trinity Clark appeared in court for sentencing on her charges. In August, she was convicted on two counts of vehicular homicide by drag racing, one count of vehicular homicide by recklessness, four counts of drag racing resulting in serious bodily injury, two counts of reckless aggravated assault and one count of driving on a suspended license. Science experiment mishap at Gibbs High School leads to lockdown Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Knox County Attorney Generals office said Clark was sentenced to serve 12 years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. This is the same amount of time her co-defendant, TraShawn Glass, was sentenced to after he pleaded guilty to one count of vehicular homicide by drag racing and two counts of reckless aggravated assault in April, the AGs office said. On January 17, 2023, Clark and Glass were accused of drag racing on Magnolia Avenue and causing a crash that left a man dead and two children injured. Knoxville Police said before the crash, two Dodge Chargers were racing and ran a red light at the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and Milligan Street, where they crashed into a Ford Explorer. The driver of the car, Michael Williams, 65, was killed, and his two grandchildren were critically injured. Zoo Knoxville chimpanzee undergoes possible first-of-its-kind spinal surgery In addition to the initial crash, one of the cars also crashed into a the Safe Haven house, which is more than a block down the road from the intersection where the crash happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Clarks trial in August, prosecutors told the court that at the time of the crash, Clark and Glass were driving at 109 miles per hour. Following the crash, citizens stopped to help render aid, including a driver who recounted giving CPR to one of the children to 6 News. I have no doubt that the two child victims in this case are alive today because of the courageous citizens who jumped into action to render aid immediately after this horrendous wreck, said District Attorney General Charme Allen. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Reach Donald W. Meyers at dmeyers@yakimaherald.com or 509-577-7748. He can also be reached securely at donaldwmeyers.93 on Signal or at donaldwmeyers@protonmail.com. The chief financial officer (CFO) of a leading investment management company, Marcellus Investment Managers, has been charged with siphoning off Rs 1.18 crore from the firm. Marcellus Investment Managers legal consultant, Parimal Deuskar, on Thursday filed a complaint against Pankaj Gupta at MIDC Police Station. The alleged fraud unfolded over seven months, from December 2024 to July 2025, officials told Mumbai Mirror. Gupta allegedly transferred Rs1,18,92,909 (Rs 1.18 crore) from the companys accounts in 32 unauthorised transactions, the officials said. The money was deposited into accounts in various banks, including ICICI, IDFC, AXIS and Kotak, they said. The complaint has been registered under Sections 316(4) and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, dealing with criminal breach of trust and cheating. The legal battle for the recovery of the Rs 1.18 crore is now set to begin. Deuskar refused to comment on the matter. The alleged fraud came to light when the company detected suspicious financial movement at Boston House, its office in Andheri East. Gupta reportedly confessed the unauthorised payments to a company director. According to the police, he provided a notarised confession paper regarding the unauthorised payments, but then allegedly followed that up with a threat of some good or bad to his life regarding any ensuing action taken by the company. Gupta is a highly experienced finance executive with more than 16 years in the industry. He joined Marcellus in 2022 as CFO. Guptas background includes serving as the head of finance in a major home finance company and a role as an associate director for strategy and planning at one of the top banks in the country. His move to Marcellus as CFO was seen as a coup for the investment firm. Marcellus Investment Managers is highly regarded in Indias financial sector. Founded in 2018, the SEBI-regulated firm is known for its philosophy of making wealth creation simple and accessible by advising clients to invest in high-quality Indian companies with a track record of clean governance. Official statement Marcellus Investment Managers on Friday released a statement saying safeguarding the trust and confidence of our clients and stakeholders is of utmost importance. We are cognisant of the aforementioned matter at hand and it is worth stating that we had detected and reported the incident, proactively, to the concerned authorities. Suffice to say that the matter is under investigation now and hence we cannot comment anything more, but we want to unequivocally reassure all stakeholders that this incident has no impact on client investments or their funds. Marcellus remains firmly committed to the highest standards of governance, transparency, and ethical conduct. We are extending our full cooperation to the relevant authorities and shall ensure complete regulatory compliance, as we always have, he said. Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Friday met Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral economic and trade ties between the two countries. Goyal, in a post on X, said, "Had a fruitful discussion with the delegation led by Russia's Deputy Prime Minister, H.E. Dmitry Patrushev. We are committed to deepening the India-Russia partnership and exploring new avenues for collaboration in trade, services, and industrial cooperation. Together, we aim to unlock greater opportunities for mutual growth and further strengthen our strategic ties." As per government sources, Patrushev made a visit to India, where he met senior representatives from key ministries. His meeting with Goyal focused on strengthening the work of oversight agencies, enhancing cooperation in the fisheries sector, and opening the Indian market to Russian meat and dairy products. The Russian Deputy Prime Minister also underlined the need to accelerate a free trade agreement between India and the Eurasian Economic Union. Patrushev also held talks with the Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Jagat Prakash Nadda, on increasing cooperation in the supply of mineral fertilisers. During the discussions, he said Russia was interested in continuing its strategic partnership with India and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation. The Russian Deputy Prime Minister met Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chauhan, as well. The meeting centred on possible increases in the volume and range of agricultural supplies. Russia highlighted the potential for higher exports of vegetable oils, legumes, and other products to India. Patrushev noted that agricultural trade between the two countries had risen sharply, registering a 60 per cent increase in 2024. Both sides discussed establishing direct contacts between research institutions and creating advanced training programmes for specialists from the two countries. (ANI) NewsVoir Pune (Maharashtra) [India], September 27: When you invest in mutual funds through SIPs, lump sums, or withdrawals at different times, calculating actual returns may not be straightforward. Simply looking at the Net Asset Value (NAV) does not always show the true outcome of your cash flows. This is where an XIRR calculator may help. By factoring in the exact dates and amounts of each investment and redemption, it provides an annualised rate of return that reflects your real experience as an investor. The calculator is an aid, not a prediction tool. It may provide only an indicative picture. Understanding XIRR XIRR stands for Extended Internal Rate of Return. It is a method used to calculate the annualised return when investments and withdrawals happen on different dates. For mutual fund investors who follow Systematic Investment Plans, make occasional top-ups, or redeem units at intervals, using an XIRR calculator may help track how their portfolio has performed so far. Unlike simple return calculations, XIRR accounts for multiple cash flows and their timings, providing a clearer picture of realised returns. The calculator is an aid, not a prediction tool. It may provide only an indicative picture. Why use XIRR calculator There may be several reasons why investors look at XIRR when evaluating their mutual fund performance: - Considers actual cash flows - It factors in exact dates and amounts of all investments and withdrawals. - Provides annualised returns - Investors may see how irregular contributions translate into a yearly percentage return. - Suitable for SIPs and SWPs - Regular contributions and withdrawals make XIRR a practical measurement than basic return methods. - Helps track progress - It may indicate whether the returns so far are aligned with financial goals. Past performance may or may not be sustained in future. How to use an XIRR calculator To use an XIRR calculator, investors usually need to input: 1. Dates of all contributions and withdrawals. 2. The amount invested and redeemed on each date. 3. The current value of the investment, if any balance remains. Based on these entries, the calculator applies the XIRR formula and arrives at the annualised rate of return. The calculator is an aid, not a prediction tool. It may provide only an indicative picture. Linking XIRR with financial planning When investors use XIRR calculator, they may better understand how their investments may have performed in relation to their financial objectives. At the same time, a compound interest calculator may help investors compare how fixed, regular compounding works in simpler scenarios. Together, both calculators offer useful insights: XIRR reflects irregular real-life investment flows, while compound interest calculator illustrates the effect of steady compounding over time. Factors to keep in mind while using XIRR While useful, XIRR should be interpreted carefully. Investors may consider the following points: 1. Accuracy of input - Results depend on correctly entering dates and amounts. 2. Market-linked outcomes - XIRR values may fluctuate with changes in the market. 3. Not forward-looking - It reflects past outcomes only and should not be treated as a forecast. 4. Impact of costs - Expense ratios and exit loads may affect actual realised returns. Past performance may or may not be sustained in future. Conclusion For investors with multiple cash flows through SIPs, SWPs, or top-ups, using an XIRR calculator may be a suitable way to evaluate annualised returns. It accounts for the timing and amount of each transaction, giving a realistic picture of investment performance. Meanwhile, a compound interest calculator may serve as a comparative tool to illustrate how wealth builds under regular compounding in fixed scenarios. Both tools are aids for evaluation and may be used as part of a broader investment review. Investors may benefit by considering them alongside their financial goals, risk profile, and investment horizon, and by consulting a financial advisor for personalised guidance. Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) PNN New Delhi [India], September 27: In a significant development for India's animal health sector, veterinary vaccine manufacturers have come together to announce the formation of the Veterinary Vaccine India Manufacturers Association (VVIMA). VVIMA is a non-government, not-for-profit organization that will serve as the collective voice of India's veterinary vaccine manufacturers. The association will actively collaborate with policymakers, regulators, and stakeholders to shape an enabling ecosystem for innovation, quality manufacturing, and global competitiveness in veterinary vaccines. It envisions positioning India as a global hub for the research, development, and production of animal vaccines. Committed to advancing the One Health concept, VVIMA will play a pivotal role in promoting animal health through effective immunization strategies, thereby reducing the risk of diseases in animal, the risk of disease transmission between animals and humans as well as towards improving incomes of those involved in animal husbandry in rural India. Meetings were held in Delhi on 25 September between the founding members of VVIMA and the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, with Minister of State Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, Secretary Mr. Naresh Pal Gangwar, Animal Husbandry Commissioner Dr. Pravin Malik & Additional Secretary Ms. Varsha Joshi to express VVIMA's commitment. In alignment with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, VVIMA will work closely with the government to achieve self-reliance in animal vaccines through applied R&D, technology acquisition, innovation, and a robust supply-chain, with the larger goal of making India a global supplier of veterinary vaccines. Industry perspective: 1.Indian animal population is as follows:Cattle: 193.46 million (19.35 crore)Buffalo: 109.85 million (10.99 crore)Sheep: 74.26 million (7.43 crore) Goat: 148.88 million (14.89 crore) Swine (pigs): 9.06 million (0.91 crore) Camel: 0.25 million (0.03 crore) Poultry (without backyard population): 851.81 million (85.18 crore) 2.The veterinary vaccine market in India is estimated at INR 20 billion (2,000 crores) while the world veterinary vaccine market is estimated to be over INR 1,000 billion (1 lac crore). 3.India has eight private sector veterinary vaccine manufacturers and several state-owned veterinary vaccine manufacturing units. 4.Veterinary vaccines in India are manufactured against poultry, cattle, sheep, goats, swine, and pet diseases. 5.Under various National and State Immunization Programs, the Government of India procures and distributes vaccines for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Brucellosis, Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), Goat Pox (for Lumpy Skin Disease), and Classical Swine Fever; all manufactured locally, mainly supplied by the private sector. 6.India is self-sufficient in veterinary vaccines for cattle, sheep, goat, and swine. 7.India exports vaccines for cattle, sheep, goat, poultry and pet. 8.Though India exports small quantities poultry vaccines, India also imports certain vaccines for poultry and pet. Mr. Rajiv Gandhi, CEO & Managing Director, Hester Biosciences Ltd and President, VVIMA said, "It is an honour to be selected as the first President of Veterinary Vaccine India Manufacturers Association - VVIMA. VVIMA will serve as the collective voice of veterinary vaccine manufacturers in India. VVIMA shall proactively engage with policymakers, regulators, and stakeholders to shape an enabling ecosystem that fosters innovation, ensures quality manufacturing, and enhances global competitiveness with a clear mandate to position India as a hub for veterinary vaccines. VVIMA will also play a pivotal role in highlighting the importance of animal & poultry health and effective immunization, not only to protect animals from diseases but also to safeguard human health by reducing the risk of zoonotic transmission." Dr. K. Anand Kumar, MD, Indian Immunologicals Ltd and Vice President VVIMA, said "VVIMA has been formed to look at internal as well as external factors which impact the veterinary vaccine industry in India. Necessary policy advocacy would be done by VVIMA towards the objectives of making India as a hub for veterinary vaccines for the world, in line with what India is for human vaccines." Dr. Sanjay Gavkare, General Manager, Venkateshwara Hatcheries Pvt Ltd and Member of VVIMA said, "As the collective voice of India's veterinary vaccine manufacturers, VVIMA is poised to revolutionize animal health and safeguard human well-being through the One Health approach. By fostering innovation, ensuring quality, and enhancing global competitiveness, VVIMA will position India as a global hub for veterinary vaccines. With a strong mandate to prioritize animal health and effective immunization, VVIMA will play a vital role in - i) Protecting animals from diseases ii) Reducing zoonotic transmission risks iii) Promoting global health security." Founding Members: 1) Biovet Private Limited 2) Brilliant Bio Pharma Private Limited 3) Globion India Private Limited 4) Hester Biosciences Limited 5) Indian Immunologicals Limited 6) Indovax Private Limited 7) Venkateshwara Hatcheries Private Limited Office Bearers: -President: Rajiv Gandhi, CEO & Managing Director of Hester Biosciences Limited -Vice President: Dr. K. Anand Kumar, Managing Director of Indian Immunologicals Limited (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) VMPL New Delhi [India], September 27: Haribol, an ISKCON-inspired conscious food brand, is spotlighting its Satvik food offerings, Ahimsa dairy, and sustainable innovations at World Food India 2025. Organized by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, this global platform underscores India's leadership in ethical and sustainable nutrition. On the sidelines of the event, Haribol CEO Mr. Yachneet Pushkarna and UNEP Faith for Earth Counsellor Shri Gaurang Das Prabhuji participated in a high-level roundtable with Hon. Minister of Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan. Discussions centered on advancing sustainable food ecosystems, Satvik nutrition, and rural empowerment, reinforcing India's role in shaping the future of conscious consumption. Inspired by ISKCON's ethos of purity, compassion, and sustainability, Haribol has consistently championed cruelty-free, ethically sourced products rooted in Vedic traditions. Guided by the vision of Shri Gaurang Das Ji, the company has scaled rural impact initiatives that empower farmers, encourage reverse migration, and build resilient rural economies. Haribol's portfolio spans A2 Bilona Ghee, A2 Dahi, flavored milks, Himalayan Badri Tulsi Honey, cold-pressed oils, and sustainable staples such as water-milled Atta. All products are sourced from DNA-tested Desi Gir cows on farms where cows and bulls are protected for life, reflecting the Ahimsa principle at the heart of Haribol. Haribol's pioneering cow welfare model in Paliyad, Gujarat--tracking over 5,000 cows for lifelong care--was recognized by the World Economic Forum in its 2024 'Faith in Action' report, placing Haribol among global benchmarks in environment and sustainability. Consumers can trace their milk source through the 'Know Your Milk' campaign, reinforcing transparency and ethics in food systems. "The GST reduction announced by Hon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a game-changer," said Haribol CEO Yachneet Pushkarna. "By reducing tax barriers on essentials like dairy and ghee, premium Satvik and Ahimsa products are now within reach of more households, especially during the festive season. This reform not only saves families on grocery bills but also accelerates openness to ethical, high-quality options." Haribol's Strategic Roadmap 1. Millet-Based Innovations: Launching nutritious, clean-label millet products to meet the rising global demand for superfoods. 2. Global Standards Through AI & IoT: Integrating advanced technologies for traceability, quality, and process optimization, including real-time cow health monitoring and transparent supply chains. 3. Ayurveda-Inspired Wellness Solutions: Blending Ayurvedic formulations with agro-ecological practices to deliver superfoods and wellness products tailored to modern health needs. Recent collaborations further Haribol's mission. In August 2025, Haribol partnered with US-based Bankai Ventures to introduce AI and blockchain for supply chain transparency, and with ISKCON Mayapur to advance cow protection through IoT ecosystems. These initiatives underpin 'Haribol 2.0,' a transformative chapter positioning India's ethical and traditional food practices as global benchmarks. Haribol at World Food India 2025 At World Food India 2025, Haribol is showcasing live models of traditional water-milling technologies and the traditional Bilona Ghee making process. Additionally, Haribol is demonstrating live IoT models, the full range of its products, and delectable recipes with live tasting counters. These experiences highlight the company's mission of blending India's agricultural heritage with sustainable innovation and consumer engagement. About Haribol Haribol Food Private Limited is a leader in Satvik, Ahimsa-based nutrition, blending India's heritage with modern sustainability. With 2,000+ farmers in its supply chain, Haribol delivers traceable, cruelty-free products powered by IoT and AI transparency. Recognized by the World Economic Forum, the brand is present in 400+ retail stores, major e-commerce platforms, and 150+ ISKCON temples worldwide, with global expansion underway in the UAE, UK, and US. (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) Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 27: Sunsky Logistics Limited (The Company, Sunsky) is an integrated logistics solutions provider, proposes to open its Initial Public Offering on Sept 30, 2025, aiming to raise 1,683.60 Lakhs with shares to be listed on the SME Platform of BSE Limited. The issue size is 36,60,000 equity shares with a face value of 2 each with an IPO price of 46 Per Share. Equity Share Allocation - Individual Investors - 17,46,000 Equity Shares - Other Investor - 17,28,000 Equity Shares - Market Maker - 1,86,000 Equity Shares The net proceeds from the IPO will be utilized for Purchase of Flatbed Trailers, Prepayment or repayment of all or a portion of certain outstanding borrowings availed by the Company, meet the working capital requirement and General Corporate Purpose. The issue will open on Tuesday, Sept 30, 2025 and will close on Friday, Oct 3, 2025. The Lead Manager to the Issue is Nirbhay Capital Services Private Limited, and the Registrar is Kfin Technologies Limited. Mr. Akash A Shah, Chairman and Managing Director of Sunsky Logistics Limited expressed, "At Sunsky Logistics Limited, we have consistently worked towards providing seamless and integrated logistics solutions that cover the entire supply chain, from origin to destination. With expertise in freight forwarding, customs clearance, inland transportation, and project cargo handling, we have built a robust global presence supported by key certifications and long-standing industry partnerships. The funds raised will enhance our operational capabilities, strengthen service delivery, and position us to capture new opportunities in the rapidly evolving logistics sector, thereby driving sustainable growth for the company." (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) VMPL Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 27: The Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IFCCI) successfully hosted its 48th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Sofitel Mumbai, under the theme "Innovating for Tomorrow: Showcasing Indo-French Synergies for a Sustainable Future." The flagship event brought together over 400 C-level leaders from the Indo-French business ecosystem and was honoured by the presence of H.E. Mr. Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India. As one of India's most active bilateral chambers, IFCCI continues to strengthen Indo-French trade relations and investments, promoting collaborations in innovation, sustainability, and technology. Strategic Messages from Leaders Addressing the gathering, H.E. Mr. Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India, said: "With 716 French companies registered in India and more than 1000 establishments, France stands as one of the top ten foreign investors in the country. Here in Mumbai, the beating heart of India's economy, we are proud to stand alongside Indian and French businesses that are shaping the future together. France and India share a common vision for sustainable growth and innovation, which will be furthered during the India-France Year of Innovation in 2026. By creating more structured innovation corridors between France and India, we will not only be strengthening our bilateral ties but also positioning our partnership at the forefront of global innovation." Mr. Kaustubh Dhavse, Chief Advisor (Investments and Strategy) to the Hon'ble Chief Minister, Government of Maharashtra, said: "France and Maharashtra share a partnership built on trust, innovation, and a shared vision for a sustainable future. With nearly 40% of India's FDI coming to Maharashtra, and with French companies already thriving here, we see France as a co-creator of our growth story. Together, French excellence and Maharashtra's scale will shape the future of industry, technology, and sustainability." The AGM featured two strategic and high-level panel discussions on "Innovation Strategies Driving Sustainable and Inclusive Growth" & "AI & Digital Innovation for Future-Ready Businesses". These sessions were led by CEOs of leading French companies operating in India, highlighting practical pathways for businesses to integrate innovation and sustainability into their growth strategies. Mr. Jean Touboul, Managing Director, Pernod Ricard India and re-elected President of IFCCI, said: "As we gather for this year's AGM, the Indo-French relationship stands as a testament to what can be achieved when businesses, governments, and communities unite on innovation. Together, we can transform challenges into opportunities, creating a sustainable and impactful future." India-France Year of Innovation 2026 A major highlight of the event was the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, a bilateral initiative aimed at strengthening cooperation in artificial intelligence, deep-tech, clean energy, sustainable mobility, space, and defence. The initiative will feature joint research projects, industry collaborations, and innovation-driven events that connect startups, corporates, researchers, and policymakers from both nations - leveraging India's scale and digital strengths with France's R&D and industrial expertise. "With IFCCI approaching its 50th milestone, the Chamber's vision is to continue to enhance bilateral business ties between India and France and to play a pivotal role in advancing positive economic growth across sectors." said Payal S.Kanwar, Director General, IFCCI. Sectoral Engagements On the sidelines of the AGM, IFCCI convened closed-door roundtables and committee meetings across eight sectors: CFO, Food & Agri, Consumer Goods & Services, HR, Higher Education, Technology, Mobility, and Industries. With 17 active committees led by CXOs of French companies in India, IFCCI continues to create meaningful dialogues, share best practices, and address key advocacy issues to support the Indo-French business community. The Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IFCCI), India's most active bilateral chamber, is also one of the most active chambers in the global network of French Chambers, CCI France International, which includes 126 chambers across 95 countries. IFCCI won its 6th international award in May this year, received by Ms. Payal S. Kanwar, Director General, in Paris for its CSR department. About IFCCI Established in 1977, the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IFCCI) is part of a global network of 126 French Chambers (CCIFI) across 95 countries, representing over 37,000 companies. As one of the most active bilateral chambers in India, IFCCI is a private association dedicated to fostering mutually beneficial trade relations between India and France. IFCCI serves as a dynamic business platform for over 800 member companies, with a broader network of more than 7,000 individual members. Headquartered in Mumbai, IFCCI operates six offices in New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, and Hyderabad. Press contacts: rishika.roy@ifcci.org.in I priyank.prakash@ifcci.org.in (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) The second day of World Food India 2025, currently underway at Bharat Mandapam, marked major strides in India's vision to become the global food basket. The summit witnessed the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth over Rs 1 lakh crore in just the first two days, positioning the event as a key platform for investment and international collaboration in the food processing sector. The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) released a statement, stating that 21 companies signed MoUs on Day 2 alone, committing investments of over Rs 25,000 crore. This builds on the momentum from Day 1, pushing the total investment commitments to over Rs 1 lakh crore. Over the first two days, more than 25 knowledge sessions were held, engaging stakeholders across the food processing and allied sectors. These sessions featured high-level participation from global regulators, policymakers, startups, and industry leaders. MoFPI further added that the discussions centred on key themes, including sustainability, technology, international partnerships, and investment opportunities. Day 2 featured special sessions hosted by partner and focus states, including Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab, Jharkhand, and Bihar, as well as countries like New Zealand, Vietnam, Japan, and Russia. Central ministries, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, the Ministry of AYUSH, APEDA, and the World Bank, also held thematic sessions. MoFPI hosted thirteen focused sessions around five key pillars of this year's edition, covering diverse topics such as pet food, nutraceuticals, speciality foods, alcoholic beverages, and plant-based foods. In addition to investment-focused activities, bilateral meetings were held with delegations from Russia and Portugal to strengthen government-to-government cooperation in agriculture and food processing. According to the Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer of HiWiPay, the event upheld an international standard, reflected in both its broad scale and the distinguished nature of its participants. "Along with leading global brands, there was strong representation from Indian states, boards such as the Spices Board, and several country pavilions. This is an impressive initiative by the Government to place India firmly on the global map, showcasing thousands of unique, niche products that are intrinsic to our country," she added. Yashika Singh, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and Head of Sustainability at PepsiCo India, stated that this marks the company's third consecutive year participating in the event. She emphasised that their current focus is on strengthening their longstanding relationship with farmers. Running parallel to the summit are two major international events: the 3rd Global Food Regulators Summit, hosted by the FSSAI, and the 24th India International Seafood Show (IISS), organised by the Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI). These events aim to enhance global regulatory alignment and spotlight India's seafood export potential. "The event reinforced India's position as a receptive and investment-ready destination, urging global stakeholders to leverage innovations across food processing segments, collaborate in technology transfer and knowledge sharing and participate in India's journey from food security to nutrition security," the Ministry stated. (ANI) PNN Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 27: Supreme Power Equipment Limited (SPEL), (NSE Code: SUPREMEPWR), one of the leading manufacturers of power and distribution transformers, has announced the receipt of three significant orders totalling 34.18 Cr in the span of two weeks. These fresh wins reflect the company's strengthening foothold in the Indian power sector, with a notable first-time entry into Telangana and continued traction in Karnataka. Order 1 - From Telangana-based EPC company, a major milestone for SPEL - Date of Receipt: 22nd September 2025 - Contract Value: 19.82 Cr (approx.) - Client: Reputed EPC Company situated in Telangana - Scope: Supply of three orders for 8 nos. of 20 MVA, 20 MVA, 110/33-11 KV power transformers - Execution Timeline: Within 6 months (approx.) This marks SPEL's maiden order from Telangana. The sizeable order highlights growing demand in the state, and the company is confident of building further business momentum in the region. Order 2 - Strengthening presence in Karnataka with repeat business - Date of Receipt: 22nd September 2025 - Contract Value: 4.34 Cr (approx.) - Client: Reputed EPC Company situated in Karnataka - Scope: Supply of two orders for 7 nos. of power and distribution transformers - Execution Timeline: Within 6 months (approx.) Order 3 - New capacity power transformers from reputed Karnataka power company - Date of Receipt: 8th September 2025 - Contract Value: 10.02 Cr (approx.) - Client: Reputed Power Company situated in Karnataka - Scope: Supply of two orders for 2 nos. 20 MVA, 66/11 KV and 2 nos. 20 MVA, 110/33-11 KV (new capacity) power transformers - Execution Timeline: Within 6 months (approx.) These new contracts strengthen Supreme Power Equipment Limited's (SPEL) position in the power sector and reflect the company's ability to execute diverse transformer requirements. With the addition of these orders, SPEL's standalone order book stands at 214.21 Cr, while its 90% owned subsidiary, Danya Electric Company, has an order book of 16.23 Cr. Together, the consolidated order book now totals 230.44 Cr, providing strong visibility for sustained growth and execution in the coming months. On the receipt of the order, Mr. Vee Rajmohan, Chairman and Managing Director of Supreme Power Equipment Limited said, "These contracts mark an important step forward for the company. Securing our first order from Telangana expands our footprint into a new state, while the Karnataka orders further strengthen our role in supporting critical power infrastructure. The mix of high-capacity power transformers and distribution units demonstrates the confidence that clients place in our technical expertise and execution capabilities. We are fully committed to delivering these orders within the agreed timelines, with the quality and reliability that define our work. With the consolidated order book now standing at 230.44 Cr, we see strong momentum ahead and remain focused on building further growth opportunities across India." (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) PNN New Delhi [India], September 27: At the prestigious Bharat Nirmaan Conclave & Awards 2025 held at The Pavilion, Taj Palace, New Delhi, Mr. Sahil Luthra, Founder & Managing Director of Vijayan Trishul Defence Solutions (VTDS), was felicitated for his outstanding contribution to India's MSME sector and for pioneering innovation in the field of defence manufacturing. The Conclave, themed "Saluting MSMEs Shaping India's Tomorrow," brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs to recognise the resilience and impact of India's MSMEs. Among the notable honourees, Mr Sahil Luthra's recognition stood out for VTDS's role in advancing India's journey of self-reliance in defence and contributing to the nation's broader vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Founded with a vision to strengthen India's Armed Forces and national security ecosystem, VTDS aims to advance the nation's defence capabilities from its base in the UP Defence Corridor. With a focus on innovation, the company is steadily aiming to build solutions that respond to the evolving needs of modern security. Guided by advanced facilities, emerging technologies, and a committed team of defence specialists, VTDS is committed to building capabilities that aim to set new benchmarks in quality and reliability in the future. Speaking on receiving the recognition, Mr. Sahil Luthra said: "This award is not only a personal honour, but a reflection of the dedication and perseverance of the VTDS team. Our purpose is clear. We aim to contribute to India's defence ecosystem with solutions that are conceived, designed, and developed in the country. This recognition strengthens our belief that MSMEs have a critical role in shaping India's journey towards self-reliance and national strength." What sets VTDS apart is its uncompromising commitment to long-term vision. With complete ownership and clarity of purpose, every decision is guided by the responsibility to serve the nation while building a foundation of excellence and trust. Innovations at VTDS are also aligned with India's contributions to global peacekeeping efforts. At the Bharat Nirmaan Conclave & Awards 2025, this recognition for Mr Sahil Luthra and VTDS stands as an echo to resilience, foresight, and the spirit of innovation that continue to define India's MSME ecosystem. (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) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated India's fully indigenous 4G stack and one lakh BSNL indigenous 4G towers from Jharsuguda, Odisha. Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M Scindia joined the programme virtually from Assam alongside Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and highlighted the significance of this achievement. Lauding the landmark achievement, the Union Minister stated that BSNL had committed to developing its own indigenous 4G stack guided by Prime Minister Modi's vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and remarkably, within just 22 months, India has joined the world's elite group of five nations that have successfully built their own 4G stack. "This is a moment of pride for the entire nation as India advances towards becoming a global leader in the telecommunications sector," he said. Swadeshi 4G towers were inaugurated across several states with participation from key Union Ministers and Chief Ministers. Union Ministers Ram Mohan Naidu, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Pankaj Chaudhary, Raosaheb Nikhil Khadse, Chandrashekhar Pemmasani, Mansukh Mandaviya and Giriraj Singh were among those who attended the event at different venues. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Andhra Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also joined the programme. Scindia lauded PM Modi's vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. "When 2G, 3G, and 4G emerged globally, India relied on foreign technology. Today, BSNL's expertise has reversed this, establishing India as a global telecom manufacturing hub." The cloud-based, 5G-upgradable swadeshi stack serves over two crore citizens and connects nearly 30,000 previously unserved villages. A release said that BSNL's Rs 37,000 crore initiative has deployed 97,500 towers, of which 92,633 are operational, transforming connectivity across remote, tribal, and hilly areas. These towers, equipped for 5G readiness, benefit students, farmers, patients, and the armed forces. Subscriber growth has surged from 78 lakh in April 2024 to 2.2 crore, with consecutive profits of Rs 280 crore (Jan-Mar FY25) and Rs 261 crore (Q3 FY25), aided by Rs 25,000 crore in capital infusion. "This is India's moment to shine as a Product Nation," Scindia affirmed. The release said the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) has activated 19,823 of 27,106 targeted towers, connecting 26,327 villages and nearly 20 lakh households across aspirational districts, North-East regions, border areas, and LWE zones. In August 2025, these towers facilitated 42,773 TB of data usage, averaging 21 GB per customer. "From remote Odisha to hilly Assam, DBN ensures education, healthcare, and governance reach every doorstep," Scindia said, "empowering the last citizen in line." Scindia highlighted BSNL's role in positioning India for 5G and 6G leadership, with the indigenous stack ready for global export, reflecting Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. "PM Modi's vision has made India a digital vishwa-guru, with 50% of global digital transactions powered by UPI," he said. (ANI) Former Shark Tank India judge and entrepreneur Ashneer Grover seems to have received an invite from Salman Khan's 'Bigg Boss 19' - a revelation that left the internet buzzing. Taking to his Instagram stories on Friday, Ashneer Grover shared a screenshot of an email that was allegedly sent by the show's Senior Casting Coordinator. In his own witty style, Grover made a sarcastic comment while also taking a subtle dig at the superstar host. "Haha! Salman bhai se pooch le!! Mai to free ho jaunga tab tak. Yeh 'mail merge' kisi ki to naukri khayega (Haha! Asl Salman Bhai! I will be free by the time. This 'mail merge' thing will take someone's job)" he wrote in the story. 'Mail merge' is a feature that automates the creation of a certain document by combining a single template with necessary information. The same document can be sent to many, but with personalised details. The email in question contained Ashneer Grover's name, followed by a generic message that read, "We are delighted to contact you regarding an exclusive opportunity to join the show as a wildcard contestant. Your dynamic personality, engaging social media presence, and unique appeal have caught the attention of our casting team, making you a strong candidate for this exciting role." Grover's latest reaction came months after he received a mouthful from Salman Khan during 'Bigg Boss 18'. On the Weekend Ka Vaar episode, the former BharatPe co-founder appeared as a guest on the show when Salman lashed out at him for his statements about their brand collaboration. Reacting to the same, Grover had tweeted, "I hope you enjoyed the Bigg Boss weekend ka vaar! I had good fun. And I am sure the particular episode got great TRP / viewership. BTW, all of the statements below are TRUE: - Salman is a great host & actor - Salman knows what works on Bigg Boss - I've always praised Salman for his sense of self and business - not a single thing demeaning said for him ever." https://x.com/Ashneer_Grover/status/1858510008649949347 He also revealed meeting the actor in 2019 for a brand collaboration. Nonetheless, with the alleged invite for a second appearance on Bigg Boss, it is yet to be seen how the drama unfolds. 'Bigg Boss 19' has already entered its fifth week. It streams on JioHotstar at 9 pm before its TV telecast on Colors TV at 10:30 pm. (ANI) Bollywood actor Rani Mukerji says that her National Award honour feels more special as she won it at the same time as her longtime friend and former co-star Shah Rukh Khan. At the India Today Conclave Mumbai 2025 session titled the 'Queen of Reinvention: National Award to Motherhood, Winning it All' session, the actor said, "The award means so much happiness for my fans, my well-wishers, my friends and my family. My single-minded focus has always been to work hard, do the best in my craft and not to disappoint my audience. It felt even more special as Shah Rukh and I won in the same year and at the same time." Rani went on to express her gratitude to filmmaker Karan Johar and said, "I am eternally grateful to Karan for choosing me as his Tina. That is one character that has stuck with me in my career for three decades now. For people calling it a 'Rahul and Tina' thing after Shah Rukh and me won the award, it makes me think that they have loved the characters so much. It's very sweet." Rani essayed the character of Tina opposite Shah Rukh Khan's potrayal of Rahul in the 1998 romantic comedy directed by Karan Johar. Rani Mukerji also spoke about her 2005 film 'Black', recalling how she expected an award back in the day. "I gave all of mine to 'Black'. I was just 25 at the time. There was a chatter that I would win the National Award, and when I didn't win, that's when my blinkers came on. I was like 'Okay, even when you do your best work, it might not be in your favour. Keep working hard'. My father was very heartbroken that I didn't win that year, and so was Sanjay Leela Bhansali," Rani shared. Having said that, Rani Mukerji did not forget to dedicate her National Award win to her late father and filmmaker Ram Mukherjee. "I'm truly overwhelmed to receive my first National Award in my 30-year journey as an actor. This honour means the world to me, and I want to dedicate it to my late father, who always dreamt of this moment for me. I miss him deeply today, and I know it's his blessing and my mother's constant strength and inspiration that guided me through the role of Mrs. Chatterjee," said Rani Mukerji as quoted in a press note by YRF. Rani Mukerji was honoured with the National Award for Best Actress for her performance in the legal drama 'Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway', which was released in the theatres in 2023. (ANI) Actor Rajinikanth on Saturday expressed grief over the loss of lives in the stampede during TVK chief and actor Vijay's public rally in Tamil Nadu's Karur. Rajinikanth offered condolences to the families of people who lost their lives. In a post on X, Rajinikanth wrote, "The news of the loss of innocent lives in the incident that occurred in Karur shakes the heart and causes immense grief. My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives." https://x.com/rajinikanth/status/1971974014823551331 A massive crowd at TVK chief and actor Vijay's election campaign in Karur turned chaotic on Saturday evening, resulting in a stampede that left 31 people dead and several injured. Multiple attendees had reportedly fainted during the rally, and some of them were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. Sources claimed that the overcrowding at the venue triggered the panic and subsequent stampede situation. Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deepest condolences on the lives lost in the stampede during TVK chief and actor Vijay's public rally in Tamil Nadu's Karur. He wished for the speedy recovery of people injured in the incident. In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, "The unfortunate incident during a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. Wishing strength to them in this difficult time. Praying for a swift recovery to all those injured." Expressing shock over the incident, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami condoled the deaths in the incident. In a post on X, Palaniswami said he has instructed former Minister MR Vijayabhaskar to personally visit the hospital and provide assistance to the injured.In a post on X, the AIADMK leader wrote, "The news that more than 29 people lost their lives and several others fainted and are receiving treatment in the hospital due to the crowd chaos during the campaign meeting of the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam party held in Karur, where its leader Vijay spoke, is both shocking and distressing." "I express my deepest condolences and regret to the families of those who lost their lives. On behalf of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, I have instructed former Minister Mr. @OfficeofminMRV to personally visit the government hospital and provide assistance to those admitted there," he added. Tamil Nadu Assembly LoP Palaniswami also instructed AIADMK volunteers to provide appropriate assistance to those receiving treatment. "Furthermore, as per my instructions, due to the heavy crowd in the hospital area, @AIADMKOfficial volunteers have formed a human chain and are coordinating to provide appropriate assistance to those receiving treatment," he said. He also urged the DMK-led state government to ensure proper treatment for injured and to provide compensation to the families of the deceased. (ANI) The Durga Puja festivities have commenced in Kolkata, with people already thronging to various pandals with their friends and families. Amid them, what stands out are the thematic decorations and unique concepts. One such presentation came with Tridhara Akalbodhan's majestic theme of "Cholo Firi" - a deep and symbolic journey into the origins of art, culture, and spirituality of our ancient forefathers. The theme is a vivid depiction of cave art, where every stroke and symbol will take visitors back to a time when early humans expressed their connection with nature, divinity, and life itself through paintings and carvings on cave walls. This pandal is also an artistic representation of these ancient caves, where the walls are adorned with intricate drawings and symbols that narrate the story of man's first interaction with the divine. The depiction merges the prehistoric art of cave painting with sacred shlokas and mantras, resonating through the atmosphere as if whispered by our ancestors themselves. At the heart of this theme stands the eternal connection between Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Goddess Kali, symbolising the cosmic cycle of creation, preservation, and destruction. The powerful Shiv Tandav Stotra reverberates throughout the space, illustrating Lord Shiva in his dynamic and fierce Tandava dance - the dance of destruction and regeneration. His energy symbolises both the creator and the destroyer, reminding us of the impermanence of the material world and the constant flow of time. Opposite Shiva, the powerful image of Lord Vishnu emerges as the preserver, embodying mercy, balance, and protection. His presence reflects the harmony that sustains the universe and the duty of man to live in accordance with righteousness (Dharma). Culminating this triad is Goddess Kali, the fierce embodiment of Shakti (power), representing the victory of good over evil. Her fierce yet compassionate presence signifies the annihilation of darkness, ignorance, and injustice, heralding the dawn of knowledge and enlightenment. The ancient shlokas etched onto the cave walls are not mere decorations but sacred mantras passed down through generations, a testimony to our forefathers' devotion, their prayers to the cosmos, and their belief in the cyclical nature of existence. These chants create a sacred space where every visitor feels connected to the primal rhythm of the universe. Karan Rajak, one of the members of Tridhara Akalbodhan, echoed the significance of the theme, saying that the cave sculptures symbolise the preservation of art from generations. "This year's theme is Cholo Firi. In ancient times, our ancestors were the masters of art, and they preserved their art with cave art and sculptures in the mountains. With Cave arts, they can transcend generations. We wanted to showcase the art practice of our ancestors which has been preserved for generations. We used no colour in the pandal," said Karan Rajak while talking to ANI. Through this theme, Tridhara Akalbodhan invites people to "Cholo Firi" with the message of "Let us return to our roots, explore the profound wisdom of our ancestors, and rediscover the power of art as a medium that transcends time and connects us all. The juxtaposition of the ancient cave." The Hindu festival of Durga Puja, also known as Durgotsava or Sharodotsava, is a yearly celebration that honours the Hindu goddess Durga and commemorates her victory over Mahishasur. Hindu mythology holds that the goddess comes to her earthly abode at this time to bless her devotees. In 2025, Durga Puja begins on September 28 (Shashthi) and concludes on October 2 (Vijayadashami). (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president Dilip Jaiswal on Friday expressed confidence that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will secure a government with more than a two-thirds majority in the upcoming Bihar Legislative Assembly elections. While talking to the media, BJP state President Dilip Jaiswal said, "In the upcoming Bihar Legislative Assembly elections, we will form a government with more than two-thirds majority..." He added that a meeting was held with Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding preparations for the elections, where detailed discussions were held on how to contest the polls effectively. "A meeting was held regarding preparations for the Bihar Legislative Assembly elections... Discussions were held in great detail on how to contest the elections," Jaiswal said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is currently on a two-day visit to Bihar from September 26-27. During the visit, he attended a high-level strategy meeting at the BJP state office in Patna, which included Bihar BJP leaders, state secretaries, and organisational members from other states assigned to oversee the election campaign. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, recently appointed BJP election in-charge for Bihar, was also present, a party source told ANI. Earlier, on the occasion of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya's 109th birth anniversary, Jaiswal paid tribute to the Bharatiya Jana Sangh leader and ideological guide of the BJP. Speaking to reporters, Dilip Jaiswal said, "Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya had said one sentence which the BJP has incorporated into its ideology to this day. He had said that it is the responsibility of responsible people in society to connect those at the bottom of society with the mainstream. The BJP is working on this very ideology." In Delhi, Minister Parvesh Verma also paid floral tributes to Upadhyaya. Speaking on the occasion, he said, "Today is the birth anniversary of BJP's inspiration, Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya. On that occasion, on the call of PM Narendra Modi, all party workers are participating in the Swachhata Abhiyaan throughout the country. I have come here with the party workers to CP's Hanuman Temple and am undertaking a cleanliness drive in the temple premises." Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya (1916-1968) was a prominent political thinker, economist, and organiser who played a key role in shaping the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the forerunner of the BJP. Serving as its leader from 1953 to 1968, he became its president in December 1967. He pioneered publications such as the monthly magazine Rashtra Dharma, the weekly Panchajanya, and the daily Swadesh. Known for his philosophy of Integral Humanism (Ekatma Manav Darshan), Upadhyaya emphasised social justice, self-reliance, and the upliftment of the most marginalised individuals in society. His 109th birth anniversary served as an occasion for BJP leaders across the nation to honour his legacy and reaffirm their dedication to his ideals. (ANI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday strongly objected to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's remarks made during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), stating that the Pakistani leader should stay within his limits. Speaking to ANI, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said, "...He should stay within his limits. A jackal doesn't become a lion by wearing a lion's skin..." Shinde's statement came in response to Shehbaz Sharif's address at the UN General Debate, where the Pakistan Prime Minister alleged that India attempted to extract "political gains" following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, and further accused India of attacking "innocent civilians." "In May this year, my country confronted unprovoked aggression from our eastern front. The enemy came shrouded in arrogance, and we sent them back in humiliation. India sought to extract political gains from a human tragedy by spurning my sincere offer of an independent investigation into the Pahalgam incident. Instead, it attacked our cities and targeted our innocent civilians. When our territorial integrity and national security were violated, our response was in accordance with the right of self-defence under Article 51 of the United Nations charter," Shehbaz Sharif said. Sharif once again made false claims about India, asserting that Pakistan shot down Indian fighter jets, a statement he's made previously. Sharif claimed Pakistan's forces responded with "stunning professionalism," repelling the aggression and shooting down seven Indian jets, sending them "to scrap and dust." "Our valiant armed forces mounted an operation of stunning professionalism, repulsing the enemy's attack. Our falcons took flight and etched their answer across the skies, resulting in seven of the Indian jets turning to scrap and dust," he added. However, the Pakistan Prime Minister failed to acknowledge that India's response was a calibrated military operation targeting terror infrastructure. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. The operation specifically targeted nine terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes. Unlike Shehbaz Sharif's hypothetical claims, India backed up the details of the strikes with press conferences held by top military officials, who provided evidence, including satellite images. During the first press briefing on May 7, India clarified its response as focused, measured and non-escalatory. It was specifically mentioned that Pakistani military establishments had not been targeted. It was also reiterated that any attack on military targets in India will invite a suitable response. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, across multiple press briefings on May 8, 9, and 10, laid bare India's plan of action and the full extent of Pakistan's designs. India successfully destroyed nine major terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), targeting Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen facilities. Over 100 terrorists were killed in action. Despite repeated false claims by Pakistan, India's position has been backed by international observers who have acknowledged its right to act in self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter. (ANI) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday attended the fifth day of the Ramleela organised by Sanatan Sanskarm in Sector 23 of the Bawana constituency, Rohini, as the chief guest. During her visit, the Chief Minister interacted with differently-abled children present at the event and appreciated their active participation in the cultural celebrations. Speaking to the media at the venue, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said, "There is a festive atmosphere in Delhi...Every person is praying to Lord Ram and enjoying the festivals...May Lord Ram keep his blessings on us." The event, which marks the first edition of Ramleela by the Sanatan Sanskarm organisation, is being spearheaded by Delhi Cabinet Minister and Bawana MLA Ravindra Singh Indraraj. The festival brings together the traditional staging of Ramleela and Dussehra celebrations, aimed at promoting cultural and religious values. As part of the programme, CM Rekha Gupta performed rituals and offered prayers to Lord Ram and Sage Valmiki. She lit the ceremonial lamp, marking the formal inauguration of the Ramleela festivities for the day. Addressing the gathering from the stage, she urged everyone to follow the ideals of Lord Ram, remain grateful in all circumstances, and commit themselves to righteous deeds. She expressed her hope that Lord Ram bless every citizen of the country and the national capital, Delhi, helping transform the city into a model of peace, prosperity, and safety. The Chief Minister also congratulated the Sanatan Sanskarm for successfully organising the event and expressed her delight at seeing the vibrant participation of the public. She said the ongoing Navratri celebrations have brought a renewed sense of devotion and unity in Delhi, with Ramleela and Durga Puja adding to the city's cultural richness. Following the CM's address, Cabinet Minister Ravindra Indraraj personally ensured that the differently-abled children were comfortably seated and interacted with them individually. Earlier this week, CM Rekha Gupta had announced that loudspeakers used during Ramleela, Durga Puja, and other cultural-religious events in Delhi would be permitted until midnight, extending the time limit beyond the earlier restriction of 10 PM. The chief minister said the time extension aims to allow Hindu festivals to continue without time restrictions, similar to celebrations in other states. Speaking to the reporters, Rekha Gupta said, "I always noticed that our Hindu festivals face difficulties, because Ramlila or Durga Puja can never end at 10 pm. When Dandiya can go on all night in Gujarat, when events can happen all night in other states, then why can't the same be for the people of Delhi? So this time we've given permission to all Ramlilas, Durga Pujas, and cultural-religious festivals to continue until 12 am..." The nine-day Navratri festival, dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga's nine incarnations, is being celebrated across the country with devotion. The festivities include fasting, prayers, and traditional dances such as Garba and Dandiya, contributing to a joyful and vibrant atmosphere. (ANI) People of the transgender community in West Bengal's Kolkata celebrate Durga Puja with a Durga Pandal based on the theme of 'Ardhanareshwara'. A non-profit organisation, Gokhale Road Bandhan, organised the pandal. Transgender activist Ranjita Sinha said that earlier, everyone celebrated Durga Puja, while transgender community was not allowed to, due to the social stigma. "We have been celebrating Ardhanarishwara for the last eight years. We began this practice as some people did not consider transgender persons as people. Our community had to face the stigmas. When everyone enjoyed the Puja, we used to cry as we could not step out of our homes. There are transgender men and transgender women among us, and the Ardhanarishwara shows that all are equal. We also distributed rations, and there will be cultural programs on the occasion of Navratri," Sinha told ANI. Meanwhile, a Durga Puja pandal was organised by sex workers in the Sonagachi area of Kolkata. Ananya Chakraborti, Advisor for West Bengal Commission for Child Rights, said that the first clay for the idols of Maa Durga is brought from sex workers' homes. She said, "They (sex workers) have the right to celebrate Durga Puja. When the idols are made, the first clay is brought from their houses. If sex work is wrong, then their clients are wrong too, and if there are no restrictions on their clients, then there should not be any restrictions on sex workers' celebration." Sex workers in the Sonagachi area distributed financial assistance of Rs 2,000 to 100 sex workers who have turned 70 to 80 years old. "Poor people are worshipped here. Hundred sex workers who have turned 70 to 80 years old have been given an assistance of Rs 2000. If everyone has a right to work, then why don't they? They had to take permission from the court. It is fine, they are capable of fighting for their rights," a person attending the Pandal told ANI. The Hindu festival of Durga Puja, also known as Durgotsava or Sharodotsava, is a yearly celebration that honours the Hindu goddess Durga and commemorates her victory over Mahishasur. Hindu mythology holds that the goddess comes to her earthly abode at this time to bless her devotees. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh State Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna, while speaking on the recent 'I Love Mohammad' protest on Friday, said that under the Yogi government, no one is permitted to take the law into their own hands. "No one is allowed to take the law into their own hands under the Yogi government...the government and administration will surely take their course," Suresh Khanna stated. Describing the details of the protest that took place on Friday, where a group of people pelted stones in Bareilly, SSP Anurag Arya said, "When people did not comply, the police, in accordance with their training, dispersed the crowd using minimal force." "There was no disturbance throughout the day... Friday prayers were held safely at almost all locations in the district... Only in the Kotwali area, where a call had been made about gathering at Islamia Ground, a large number of people gathered around 2:30 pm and insisted on going to Islamia Ground at various intersections... Meetings were held at various locations, informing everyone that the government, administration, or police had not granted the requested permission for Islamia Ground," SSP Arya explained. "Those who arrived misbehaved with the police and pelted stones at them. When people did not comply, the police, in accordance with their training, dispersed the crowd using minimal force... We are conducting a detailed investigation to determine who was directly involved in this," he stated. On the consequences of the protest, the SSP said, "Strict action will be taken against them... Information about firing has also been received... Strict action will be taken against those who were involved in making the call, gathering people, and misleading the police administration." A group of people pelted stones during a protest after Friday prayers in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly, prompting the police to resort to a lathi charge and detain several of them. Protestors had gathered outside the Ala Hazrat Dargah and the residence of Ittehad-e-Millat Council chief Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, holding placards that read "I Love Mohammad." Officials said police were conducting a flag march in the area when some miscreants came onto the streets shouting slogans and pelted stones. IG Bareilly Range Ajay Sahni said the situation is currently under control, and some of the stone pelters have been identified and taken into custody. (ANI) Former Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) SP Vaid hit out at Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif over his address at the 80th United Nations General Assembly, saying Pakistan was a country that deserved a Nobel Prize for "speaking lies". Speaking to ANI, Vaid mocked Pakistan's armed forces and government for bombing their own citizens. "If there's one nation that deserves a Nobel Prize for speaking lies, it is Pakistan. Be it Shehbaz Sharif or fraud marshal Asim Munir. They should receive a Nobel Prize, even before the American President Trump... My counter to Shehbaz Sharif is that first, you end the tyranny on the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. It is not India that bombs its own people. It is Pakistan's armed forces, the Pakistan government led by you and Asim Munir, that bombs its own citizens..." Vaid told ANI. Meanwhile, India, in a searing rebuttal to the Sharif's address, accused him of "absurd theatrics" and glorifying terrorism while mocking his claim of "victory" in the May escalation. Exercising India's right of reply at the General Assembly, Petal Gahlot, First Secretary at India's Permanent Mission to the UN, said that the Prime Minister of Pakistan had sought to portray the destruction of airbases in their country as a victory. While dismantling his narrative, the first secretary accused Islamabad of shielding terrorists and peddling "ludicrous narratives" to mask its role as a hub of terrorism. The First Secretary also debunked Sharif's portrayal of the May conflict, noting that Pakistan's threats against India ceased only after Indian forces peppered multiple Pakistani airbases on May 10. "The Prime Minister of Pakistan also advanced a bizarre account of the recent conflict with India. The record on this matter is clear. Till 9 May, Pakistan was threatening more attacks on India. But on 10 May, its military pleaded with us directly for a cessation of the fighting. The intervening event was the destruction caused to multiple Pakistani airbases by Indian forces. The pictures of that damage are, of course, publicly accessible. If destroyed runways and burnt-out hangars look like victory, as the Prime Minister claimed, Pakistan is welcome to enjoy it," she said. (ANI) Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Chief Executive Councillor and BJP leader Tashi Gyalson has condemned the "unfortunate" demise of four young people during the recent protests that turned violent, labelling it as the "darkest day in history". "Innocent people who had come for a peaceful protest. We don't know what kind of mobilisation happened, but the violence started suddenly. Four people died there, and many were left injured. It is the darkest day in our history," Gyalson told ANI. Flagging "excessive use of force" to handle the protestors, he demanded accountability from both sides - police and protestors. "When violence broke out, there was a lot of strictness from the police, and the result was this: four young people lost their lives, and many others were injured. There should be accountability for all the violence. There should be accountability for the excessive use of force to control the violence," Gyalson said. The LAHDC chairman said that the hunger strike initiated by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was "peaceful". He added that the Centre was holding talks promptly, but a narrative began circulating that the government wasn't serious, which led to "some people" making provocative statements. "The ongoing hunger strike was quite peaceful initially, and it was for a larger demand. The people of Ladakh were a little concerned, but there was nothing to worry about, as the government was holding talks from time to time and working to find a solution to the issue. They also gave assurances that Ladakh would receive constitutional safeguards. Despite this, some narratives began circulating that the government isn't serious about talks and will not do anything regarding constitutional safeguards. Some people started making provocative statements," Gyalson said. He informed that they have requested Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta to launch an investigation into the incident of violence that occurred on September 24. "However, we never anticipated it. On the 24th, such an incident occurred, which is unfortunate, and I strongly condemn it. We have requested the LG that there should be a thorough investigation into this. There should be transparency and accountability," Gyalson said. Restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) remained in place in Leh on Saturday, following recent violence during protests demanding statehood for Ladakh. According to the official order, assembly of five or more persons is banned in the district. No procession, rally or march is to be carried out without prior written approval. Security personnel have been deployed in the area. On September 24, violence broke out in Leh during the protests, when the local BJP office was set on fire. Four people died in the clashes. Two days later, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act (NSA). He has been accused of "inciting violence". Wangchuk's family has also confirmed his "arrest". The climate activist has been advocating for Ladakh's inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which concerns the administration of tribal areas and advocates for the creation of autonomous district councils with certain legislative and judicial powers. The Sixth Schedule under Article 244 currently applies to the Northeastern states of Assam, Mizoram, Tripura, and Meghalaya. (ANI) The President of All India Muslim Jamaat, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi, on Saturday called for peace following the recent protests outside Ala Hazrat Dargah and Ittehad-e-Millat Council chief Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan's house in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly. Maulana Bareilvi said that upholding peace and not hurting anyone are the only ways to love the Prophet. He told ANI, "The incident is unfortunate. Such incidents should not occur on either side. I appeal to everyone to uphold peace. The only way to love Paigambar-e-Islam is not to hurt anyone, neither through words nor through actions and uphold peace. He has given a message of peace to the entire world." After the protesters pelted stones and clashed with the police, Maulana Bareilvi urged the Muslims to avoid conflicts with the police and administration. "So, I urge all Muslims to maintain law and order, not take law into their hands and not cause conflicts with anyone - neither with the Police nor with the Administration...Follow what Paigambar-e-Islam said and the path He showed. This is the biggest love," he said. Meanwhile, locals said that the protest was peaceful, and it took a violent turn after police lathi-charged at the protestors. A local Mohd. Sadiq Qureshi told ANI, "A large crowd gathered after namaz. If the Police will lathi-charge, then stones will be pelted. Now the situation is absolutely normal. The administration worked hard." Recalling the incident that occurred on Saturday, Faisal Khan said, "Some people were peacefully protesting here. Police had set up barricades here, and suddenly, the police detained one protester standing near the barricade. When they were taking that person, the protestors opposed, and the police began lathi-charge." "I am not aware of any stone-pelting incident. The situation is now normal. People of Bareilly are peace-loving. No one understood what led to the police resorting to the laathi-charge," he added. Meanwhile, Police have been deployed outside the Ala Hazrat Dargah and IMC chief Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan's house. Earlier, Uttar Pradesh State Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna said that under the Yogi government, no one is permitted to take the law into their own hands. "No one is allowed to take the law into their own hands under the Yogi government...the government and administration will surely take their course," Suresh Khanna stated. A group of people pelted stones during a protest after Friday prayers in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly, prompting the police to resort to a lathi charge and detain several of them. Protestors had gathered outside the Ala Hazrat Dargah and the residence of IMC chief Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, holding placards. IG Bareilly Range Ajay Sahni said the situation is under control, and some of the stone pelters have been identified and taken into custody. (ANI) A performance was held by folk artists in Odisha's Jharsuguda ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit. The PM, during his visit, will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate multiple projects worth over Rs 60,000 crore. Additionally, he will also address a public gathering. In the field of telecom connectivity, the Prime Minister will commission more than 97,500 4 G mobile towers built at a cost of around Rs 37,000 crore with swadeshi technology. This includes more than 92,600 4G technology sites commissioned by BSNL. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1971769594697199730 In a post on social media X, the PM wrote, "Will be in Jharsuguda, Odisha, to inaugurate developmental works worth over Rs. 50,000 crore. In a historic feat, over 97,500 telecom towers across India would be commissioned. These have been built using local technologies and will boost connectivity in remote areas, border areas and those affected by Maoism." Additionally, other projects being launched or the foundation stones being laid pertain to rail connectivity, expansion of IIT infrastructure,and skill development centres. The works are in line with the PM's vision of Viksit Bharat for the poor and downtrodden to get access to all-around development. "The other projects being launched or foundation stones being laid pertain to rail connectivity, expansion of IIT infrastructure, skill development centres, housing and much more. These works are in line with our vision to build a Viksit Bharat where the poor and downtrodden get access to all-round development," the post read. These projects will significantly improve freight and passenger movement in Odisha and neighbouring states, strengthening local industries and trade. On the occasion, the Prime Minister will also flag off the Amrit Bharat Express between Berhampur and Udhna (Surat), providing affordable and comfortable connectivity across states, supporting tourism, creating employment opportunities, and linking key economic districts. Healthcare infrastructure in Odisha will also receive a significant boost during the Prime Minister's visit. He will lay the foundation stone for the upgradation of MKCG Medical College in Berhampur and VIMSAR in Sambhalpur into world-class super-speciality hospitals. The upgraded facilities will include enhanced bed capacity, trauma care units, dental colleges, maternal and child care services, and expanded academic infrastructure, ensuring comprehensive health services for the people of Odisha.(ANI) Informing through his official X account, Khera wrote, "Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Shri Rahul Gandhi, has embarked on a visit to South America. He is scheduled to engage with political leaders, university students, and members of the business community across four countries." This marks Rahul Gandhi's latest overseas outreach after his earlier visit to the United States in April this year. During the visit, Rahul Gandhi was welcomed at Boston Logan International Airport by members of the Indian Overseas Congress, with Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda personally receiving him. The Congress party had then posted on X, "LoP Shri @RahulGandhi received a warm welcome at Boston Logan International Airport, Boston, USA." The senior Congress leader had also addressed the Indian diaspora in Boston, where he alleged that the Election Commission of India was "compromised." Citing the Maharashtra elections as an example, Rahul Gandhi claimed there was something fundamentally wrong with the electoral system. "More people voted in Maharashtra than the total number of people in Maharashtra, and this is a fact... the Election Commission gave us a figure in the evening around 5:30 p.m., and in two hours around 7:30 p.m., 65 lakh voters had voted, which is physically impossible..." Rahul Gandhi said while addressing the gathering. His remarks triggered criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused him of insulting national institutions. Rahul Gandhi's visit to South America is expected to engage with diverse stakeholders, including political representatives, university communities, and the business sector, across four nations, as part of his ongoing international outreach. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President and Union Minister JP Nadda will attend the 72nd birth anniversary celebrations of spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi and is scheduled to hold organisational meetings with BJP leaders in the state on Saturday. He will land at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. Nadda will participate in the celebrations at the Amritapuri Ashram in Vallikavu, Kollam district. Mata Amritanandamayi, fondly known as "Amma", commands a global following, and the annual event is expected to see large-scale participation from devotees and dignitaries. Following the celebrations, the BJP National President will chair a meeting with the BJP State Office Bearers at The Quilon Beach Hotel & Convention Centre, located at Pallithottam, Thamarakulam, in Kollam. The meeting will focus on organisational preparedness, upcoming local body elections, and strengthening the party's grassroots network in Kerala. Earlier on Thursday, Nadda participated in a cleanliness drive in the national capital as part of the ongoing Seva Pakhwada initiative. The campaign coincided with the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya and is part of the BJP's national call for service and cleanliness under the Swachhta Hi Seva movement. "On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, at the call of the Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, I participated in the 'Swachhta Hi Seva (SHS) - 2025' campaign under the 'Seva Pakhwada' in New Delhi," JP Nadda posted on X. "I urge every citizen to actively participate in this campaign and contribute to building a clean, healthy, and green India for all," he added. Union Minister and BJP chief JP Nadda, on Thursday, on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, participated in the 'Swachhta Hi Seva' campaign 2025 under the 'Seva Pakhwada'. Nadda also urged every citizen to actively participate in this campaign and contribute to building a clean, healthy, and green India for all. In a post on X, Nadda wrote, "Joined the 'Swachhata Hi Seva 2025' campaign in New Delhi today on Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya Ji's birth anniversary. Inspired by Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi ji's vision, every act of cleanliness is a tribute to our shared duty towards a Swachh Bharat. #Swachhotsav." Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday paid tribute to the leader of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, at the BJP Headquarters in New Delhi on the occasion of the 109th birth anniversary of Upadhyaya. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President and Union Minister JP Nadda landed at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on Saturday morning. Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar and other top leaders of the party in the State received him at the airport. Nadda will attend the 72nd birth anniversary celebrations of spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi in Kollam and is scheduled to hold organisational meetings with BJP leaders in the state later in the day. Nadda will participate in the celebrations at the Amritapuri Ashram in Vallikavu, Kollam district. Mata Amritanandamayi, fondly known as "Amma", commands a global following, and the annual event is expected to see large-scale participation from devotees and dignitaries. Following the celebrations, the BJP National President will chair a meeting with the BJP State Office Bearers at The Quilon Beach Hotel & Convention Centre, located at Pallithottam, Thamarakulam, in Kollam. The meeting will focus on organisational preparedness, upcoming local body elections, and strengthening the party's grassroots network in Kerala. Earlier on Thursday, Nadda participated in a cleanliness drive in the national capital as part of the ongoing Seva Pakhwada initiative. The campaign coincided with the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya and is part of the BJP's national call for service and cleanliness under the Swachhta Hi Seva movement. "On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, at the call of the Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, I participated in the 'Swachhta Hi Seva (SHS) - 2025' campaign under the 'Seva Pakhwada' in New Delhi," JP Nadda posted on X. "I urge every citizen to actively participate in this campaign and contribute to building a clean, healthy, and green India for all," he added. Union Minister and BJP chief JP Nadda, on Thursday, on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, participated in the 'Swachhta Hi Seva' campaign 2025 under the 'Seva Pakhwada'. Nadda also urged every citizen to actively participate in this campaign and contribute to building a clean, healthy, and green India for all. In a post on X, Nadda wrote, "Joined the 'Swachhata Hi Seva 2025' campaign in New Delhi today on Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya Ji's birth anniversary. Inspired by Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi ji's vision, every act of cleanliness is a tribute to our shared duty towards a Swachh Bharat. #Swachhotsav." Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday paid tribute to the leader of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, at the BJP Headquarters in New Delhi on the occasion of the 109th birth anniversary of Upadhyaya. (ANI) Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Odisha on Saturday, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said that the state was fortunate to have the PM seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath, further stating that the country was fortunate to have the PM driving the double engine. "Odisha is really fortunate that he took the blessings of Lord Jagannath and became the PM of the country in 2014. After our Government came to power in Odisha, he visited here 7 times in one year...We are fortunate that the PM of the country is himself driving the double engine..." Parida told ANI. BJP MP Baijayant Jay Panda said, "PM views Odisha specially. He has visited underdeveloped areas, like the northeast, more than all the previous PMs' visits combined. In last 1 year, he has visited Odisha too several times. He has been here every 2 months...Several projects are being launched from here today. Rs 37,000 crores of telecom project will connect several villages that were still not connected. Foundation stone of 8 new IITs are being laid...What the people of Odisha wanted from the double-engine government is happening now." The PM during his visit will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate multiple projects worth over Rs 60,000 crore. Additionally, he will also address a public gathering. In the field of telecom connectivity, the Prime Minister will commission more than 97,500 4 G mobile towers built at a cost of around Rs 37,000 crore with swadeshi technology. This includes more than 92,600 4G technology sites commissioned by BSNL. In a post on social media X, the PM wrote, "Will be in Jharsuguda, Odisha, to inaugurate developmental works worth over Rs. 50,000 crore. In a historic feat, over 97,500 telecom towers across India would be commissioned. These have been built using local technologies and will boost connectivity in remote areas, border areas and those affected by Maoism." Additionally, other projects being launched or the foundation stones being laid pertain to rail connectivity, the expansion of IIT infrastructure, and skill development centres. The works are in line with the PM's vision of Viksit Bharat for the poor and downtrodden to get access to all-around development. "The other projects being launched or foundation stones being laid pertain to rail connectivity, expansion of IIT infrastructure, skill development centres, housing and much more. These works are in line with our vision to build a Viksit Bharat where the poor and downtrodden get access to all-round development," the post read. These projects will significantly improve freight and passenger movement in Odisha and neighbouring states, strengthening local industries and trade. On the occasion, the Prime Minister will also flag off the Amrit Bharat Express between Berhampur and Udhna (Surat), providing affordable and comfortable connectivity across states, supporting tourism, creating employment opportunities, and linking key economic districts.(ANI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday will meet Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers in Sarairanjan in the Samastipur district, and Forbesganj near Jogbani in the Araria district, ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, party State President Dilip Jaiswal said. Speaking to reporters, Jaiswal stated that Amit Shah is providing instructions for the upcoming polls, and NDA workers are working towards securing a two-thirds majority in the Assembly. He said, "Union Home Minister Amit Shah is on a two-day visit to Bihar, and is meeting district workers. Yesterday, he met 300 workers in Bettiah, West Champaran, Gopalganj, Sivan and Saran. After that, he chaired a meeting with senior party leaders." "Today, he has a meeting with party workers in Sarairanjan in Samastipur, Forbesganj near Jogbani in the Araria district. He is delivering instructions for the upcoming elections. The BJP and NDA workers are showing enthusiasm and working with unity to win more than two-thirds majority in the Assembly," Jaiswal told reporters. Amit Shah is on a two-day tour of Bihar on September 26-27, during which he is holding several meetings and addressing party workers. Meanwhile, Dilip Jaiswal took a jibe at Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, over her Bihar visit on Friday, and accused her of praising the abuses hurled at the people of the State. He said, "She remembered Bihar after five years. Now that elections are ahead, she is visiting Bihar. Priyanka Gandhi claps when Biharis are abused in Delhi and Punjab. Kis muh se aap Bihar aa rahe hain (How come are you visiting Bihar)?" Earlier on Friday, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticised the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bihar, arguing that it is an "attempt to buy" votes rather than giving respect to the women. Addressing a public rally in Patna, she said, "You have to see which party is giving you respect. Respect doesn't mean giving you Rs 10,000 just 10 days before the election. That's an attempt to buy. You will be respected when you receive a fair monthly salary, when the government helps you stand on your own feet, when your daughters go to school and feel safe." (ANI) An eleven-year-old student approached the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi Government's admission policy for CM SHRI Schools that requires students to undergo an entrance test for entry into Classes 6th, 7th and 8th. The writ petition, filed under Article 32 of the Constitution, contends that the admission test violates Article 21-A of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to free and compulsory education and Section 13 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE Act). Section 13 of the RTE Act explicitly prohibits the use of any "screening procedure" in school admissions. Janmesh Sagar, a Class VI student of Government Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya in Delhi, had applied for admission to a CM SHRI school for the academic year 2025-26. However, in compliance with a circular dated July 23, 2025, issued by the Government of NCT of Delhi, he was subjected to an entrance test on September 13, 2025. The petition argues that such tests are unlawful and discriminatory, especially since CM SHRI schools fall under the "specified category" defined in Section 2(p) of the RTE Act, which does not exempt them from the applicability of Section 13. The petition further highlights that while the Delhi High Court in an earlier case held that the RTE Act does not extend to specified category schools, this interpretation contradicts the mandate of Article 21-A and Section 13 of the RTE Act. Hence, the petitioner has directly moved the Supreme Court. Through the petition, Janmesh seeks several directions, including a declaration that Section 13 of the RTE Act applies to CM SHRI schools, striking down the July 23, 2025 circular mandating entrance tests, and directing that admissions be conducted through a lottery system rather than screening procedures.(ANI) Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Odisha's Jharsuguda on Saturday, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Baijayant Jay Panda said that telecom projects worth Rs 37,000 crores would be launched and connect several villages. Applauding the double-engine government, Panda said that the people's wishes in the state were coming true. "PM views Odisha specially. He has visited underdeveloped areas, like the northeast, more than all the previous PMs' visits combined. In last 1 year, he has visited Odisha too several times. He has been here every 2 months...Several projects are being launched from here today. Rs 37,000 crores of telecom project will connect several villages that were still not connected. Foundation stone of 8 new IITs are being laid...What the people of Odisha wanted from the double-engine government is happening now..." Panda told ANI. The PM, during his visit, will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate multiple projects worth over Rs 60,000 crore. Additionally, he will also address a public gathering. In the field of telecom connectivity, the Prime Minister will commission more than 97,500 4G mobile towers built at a cost of around Rs 37,000 crore with swadeshi technology. This includes more than 92,600 4G technology sites commissioned by BSNL. In a post on X, the PM wrote, "Will be in Jharsuguda, Odisha, to inaugurate developmental works worth over Rs. 50,000 crore. In a historic feat, over 97,500 telecom towers across India would be commissioned. These have been built using local technologies and will boost connectivity in remote areas, border areas and those affected by Maoism." Additionally, other projects being launched or the foundation stones being laid pertain to rail connectivity, the expansion of IIT infrastructure, and skill development centres. The works are in line with the PM's vision of Viksit Bharat for the poor and downtrodden to get access to all-around development. "The other projects being launched or foundation stones being laid pertain to rail connectivity, expansion of IIT infrastructure, skill development centres, housing and much more. These works are in line with our vision to build a Viksit Bharat where the poor and downtrodden get access to all-round development," the post read. (ANI) Responding to a post by Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on X, PM Modi said: "Union Minister Scindia highlights how BSNL's 4G stack embodies the swadeshi spirit. "With over 92,000 sites connecting 22 million Indians, it reflects India's journey from dependence to confidence, driving employment, exports, fiscal revival and advancing the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat," the Prime Minister said. In a landmark moment for Bharat's telecom sector, and celebrating 25 glorious years of BSNL, PM Modi inaugurating the country's fully indigenous 4G stack and more than 97,500 BSNL towers from Jharsuguda. The BSNL towers are spread across Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Assam, Gujarat and Bihar. "Union Minister Shri @JM_Scindia highlights how @BSNLCorporate's 4G stack embodies the swadeshi spirit. With over 92,000 sites connecting 22 million Indians, it reflects India's journey from dependence to confidence, driving employment, exports, fiscal revival and advancing the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat." The PM, during his visit to the state today also laid the foundation stone and inaugurate multiple projects worth over Rs 60,000 crore. Other projects being launched or the foundation stones being laid pertain to rail connectivity, expansion of IIT infrastructure,and skill development centres. The works are in line with the PM's vision of Viksit Bharat for the poor and downtrodden to get access to all-around development. These projects will significantly improve freight and passenger movement in Odisha and neighbouring states, strengthening local industries and trade. On the occasion, the Prime Minister also flagged off the Amrit Bharat Express between Berhampur and Udhna (Surat), providing affordable and comfortable connectivity across states, supporting tourism, creating employment opportunities, and linking key economic districts. Healthcare infrastructure in Odisha also received a significant boost during the Prime Minister's visit. He laid the foundation stone for the upgradation of MKCG Medical College in Berhampur and VIMSAR in Sambhalpur into world-class super-speciality hospitals. The upgraded facilities will include enhanced bed capacity, trauma care units, dental colleges, maternal and child care services, and expanded academic infrastructure, ensuring comprehensive health services for the people of Odisha.(ANI) More than 7,000 women-run self-help groups (SHGs) are currently active in the Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). These groups collectively engage over 50,000 female members who are working across various sectors and income-generating activities. Focusing on Budhal Block, which is considered one of the most remote and far-flung areas in the Pirpanjal Mountains Range of the Rajouri district, the impact of NRLM is particularly significant. Budhal is home to more than 1,400 active SHGs, comprising around 12,000 women members. NRLM has helped women start their own income-generating units and small businesses, including medical shops, grocery stores, and tailoring and readymade clothing shops. NRLM Block program manager Kamran Hanif said that the Centre supports self-help groups and provides loans and training to women. Hanif told ANI, "NRLM is a flagship scheme of the Ministry of Rural Development, managed by the central government, and is known locally as 'Ummeed' in J&K. Under this scheme, women form self-help groups. In our district, Rajouri, over 1,000 self-help groups are active, involving more than 50,000 members. Through various schemes, we have provided loans and conducted training sessions to enhance their skills. I am proud to say that they are working remarkably well to support their livelihoods." The beneficiaries regularly receive training and support under various schemes provided by the NRLM department. The training covers all aspects necessary for running a successful business and ensures they are well-equipped with the skills needed for sustainable growth. Beneficiary Nazim Akthar said that after joining the scheme, many women took loans to open beauty salons, clothing stores, and general shops. She told ANI, "I have been part of this scheme since 2018. We formed a group in August 2018 with 8 members, saved for 3-4 months, then withdrew savings and did interlending. Afterwards, the group performed well. We took a bank loan... Our involvement with this scheme has been very beneficial. Many unemployed women took loans to open beauty salons, clothing stores, and general shops. Over 12 activities are now running here." Launched in June 2011, Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) is a flagship poverty alleviation program implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. It aims to reduce poverty by enabling poor households to access gainful self-employment and skilled wage employment opportunities, resulting in sustainable and diversified livelihood options for the poor. (ANI) The Ministry of Education hosted a two-day Kala Utsav in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir, where children from across the district participated in 12 different art categories and demonstrated their talents. The event saw enthusiastic participation from schools, with students competing in various arts, including visual and performing arts, such as clay modelling and painting, as well as music and dance. Sharing her excitement, student Uzma Rizvi said, "A Kala Utsav program has been organised here, attracting many schools to participate in various segments such as clay modelling and painting. These activities offer opportunities to showcase our talents... Additionally, different cultures are being promoted through the event. We feel very happy about this." Explaining the structure of the competition, Nodal Officer of Kala Utsav, Yugal Kishore, said, "Kala Utsav is sponsored by the Ministry of Education and Samagra Shiksha. This initiative aims to showcase the artistic talents of children. This year, in Kala Utsav, children are participating in 12 categories. Whether it is solo dance, group dance, instrumental music, classical music, or 2D and 3D designs in visual art, children have come here to participate in this district-level program. The children who win here will advance to the division level, then to the UT level, and finally to the national level. This is a significant initiative by the government..." While young children in Poonch showcased their creativity, the national stage also saw recognition of artistic excellence. In New Delhi, President Droupadi Murmu graced the award ceremony of the 64th National Exhibition of Art as the chief guest on Wednesday, presenting awards to 20 outstanding artists for their contributions to the visual arts, according to the Ministry of Culture. The event was also attended by Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Secretary of the Ministry of Culture Vivek Aggarwal, and Nand Lal Thakur, Vice Chairman of Lalit Kala Akademi. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a public gathering in Jharsuguda, accused the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh of "blocking" relief measures initiated by the Centre by imposing extra taxes on fuel and cement despite cuts by the Centre and alleged that wherever the Congress is in power, it "loots" the people. "The Congress government is in power in Himachal. The Congress has gotten into the habit of hurling all sorts of abuses at me. When we reduced the GST rates, prices came down across the country, but Congress does not want to give this relief to the common people. Earlier, when we had reduced the prices of diesel and petrol, wherever there were Congress governments, they imposed a second tax on diesel and petrol there, keeping the prices the same and filling their own coffers. When our government reduced the price of cement, the Congress government in Himachal imposed its own tax. The benefit that the Government of India wanted to give to the people of Himachal was blocked by the Congress's plundering government standing like a wall in between. Wherever the Congress government is, it will loot the people there," PM Modi said. He added, "You know well what the situation was earlier. Congress never missed a chance to loot you. In 2014, when you chose us, we freed you from Congress's loot system. Under the BJP government, the era of double savings and double income has begun." Earlier on Wednesday, the Principal Media Advisor to the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Naresh Chauhan, welcomed the Centre's decision to reduce GST slabs but accused the Modi government of exploiting people for eight years under what he termed a "Jaziya tax." Chauhan said, "We welcome the decision to cut GST slabs, but let the BJP government explain why, since 2017, it looted the people by imposing this very GST as a form of Jaziya tax. In eight years, they squeezed the public and collected 55 lakh crore. What explanation does Prime Minister Modi have for this?" Chauhan further alleged that the Centre never passed on the benefit of low global crude oil prices to the public, saying, "The profit from cheaper crude was handed over to big industrialists. Why was the public deprived of that relief?" He also credited Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for consistently opposing the high GST structure. "It was Rahul Gandhi who, from the very beginning, said the GST slabs should be reduced. The Congress had described it as a Gabbar Singh Tax. The Modi government should not mislead the public today but admit that it has only corrected its mistake," he said. Chauhan added that despite the Prime Minister's announcement, there had been "no reduction in prices of goods in the market." During the Jharsuguda event, PM Modi highlighted the government's development push in Odisha, saying the state was moving ahead with "double engine" speed. He announced the launch of BSNL's indigenous 4G services and the approval of two semiconductor units for the state. "A year and a half ago, during the assembly elections, the people of Odisha had resolved to move forward with a new commitment, and that commitment was Developed Odisha. Today, we are seeing that Odisha has started advancing at the speed of a double engine. Today, once again, for the development of Odisha, for the development of the country, work on projects worth thousands of crores of rupees has begun. From today, a new avatar of BSNL has also emerged. BSNL's indigenous 4G services have been launched," he said. The Prime Minister also stressed the government's focus on housing and welfare for the marginalised. "Our major emphasis is on providing basic facilities to the poor, Dalits, backward classes, and tribals. When a poor family gets a pucca house, not only the present but also the lives of future generations become easier. Our government has provided pucca houses to more than 4 crore poor families across the country. In Odisha too, the work of constructing thousands of houses is underway. Today, house approval has been given to nearly 50,000 families," he said. PM Modi highlighted the goverments resolve to make in Indi and spoke of the recent fillip given to the Shipbuilding industry with a package of 70,000 crores. "It is our resolve that from chip to ship, India must be self-reliant in everything. Any country that wants to be economically strong gives great importance to shipbuilding. Whether it is trade, technology, or national security, shipbuilding provides benefits in every field. If we have our own ships, there will be no hindrance in imports and exports with the world during times of crisis," he said. With Navratri ongoing, the Prime Minister said he was fortunate to have darshan of Maa Samalei and Maa Ramachandi Devi. "The festival of Navratri is underway, and in these sacred days, I have had the good fortune to have darshan of all of you on this land of Maa Samalei and Maa Ramachandi Devi. Your blessings are our strength. I bow to all of you," he added. Prime Minister at Jharsuguda inaugurated development projects worth over Rs 60,000 crore. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati were present at the event. Majhi praised the Prime Minister for launching schemes such as the Subhadra Yojana, which benefits one crore women with Rs 10,000 annually, and the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana, which provides pucca houses and financial assistance to vulnerable rural families. Chief Ministers of eight states, including Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, joined virtually, along with several Union Cabinet ministers. (ANI) Director General of Police (DGP) Ladakh, SD Singh Jamwal, said that the provocative speeches were made by "so-called environmental activists", leading to the violence on September 24 in the Union Territory. Addressing a press conference in Leh, the police official accused activist Sonam Wangchuk of derailing the talks with the Centre, and said that five to six thousand people attacked the government buildings and offices of political parties. He said, "An unfortunate incident occurred on September 24. Four lives were lost, and a large number of civilians, police officers and paramilitary officers were injured. There were attempts to sabotage these ongoing processes (talks with Centre)." "This involved some so-called environmental activists; there is a question mark on their credibility as well. They tried to highjack the platform, and the prime name here is Sonam Wangchuk, who has earlier also delivered such statements and worked to derail the process," DGP Jamwal said. He added that there was an increase in provocative speeches and videos on social media in the run-up to the talks with the Centre. He said, "The dates for the high power committee meeting on October 6 and preliminary meetings on September 25-26 were announced, but on September 10, a hunger strike was made the platform for such elements to hamper the peace. In the run-up to the talks, there was an increase in speeches and videos, which we believe were dangerous for the law and order situation. We also registered FIRs." The DGP said that the CRPF officers were beaten up, and at least three women police officers were also stuck in the building that was burnt. "Surprisingly on September 24, a large group of people gathered. There were anti-social elements present there. 5000-6000 people damaged government buildings and offices of political parties, pelted stones. Our officers in those buildings were also attacked. An office of a political party was burned, and CRPF officers were beaten up. One of the officers is seriously injured and admitted to the hospital. Three or four women police officers were also stuck in the building," he said. DGP Jamwal added that four civilians were killed in firing by the police. "To stop such a massive attack, there was firing in which there were four unfortunate deaths. On the first day, 32 people were severely injured; later, we found that 70-80 security officers and an equal number of citizens had been injured. Seven of them were critical, and one woman was airlifted to Delhi for treatment," he said. When asked about a foreign involvement behind the incident, he told ANI, "During the investigation, two more people were caught. If they are part of some design, I cannot say. This place has a history of Nepalese people working as labourers, so we will have to investigate." "We have planned curfew relaxation in two phases," the DGP added. Meanwhile, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has been lodged in Jodhpur Central Jail following his detention under the provisions of the National Security Act (NSA), officials said. He was taken to Jodhpur Central Jail last night after his arrest in Ladakh on Friday. Wangchuk's arrest comes amid chaos over the recent protests in Leh. The protests turned violent in Leh on September 24, following which the BJP office in the area was set on fire. Two days after the death of four people in violent protests, Wangchuk was detained under the provisions of the NSA. The climate activist has been accused of "inciting violence". Wangchuk was on a hunger strike, which ended right after the violence unfolded. (ANI) The Forest Protection Force in Poonch, in collaboration with the district administration, conducted a plantation drive under the nationwide Seva Parv program on Saturday, aimed at promoting an environmentally friendly approach and community participation. Assistant Director of the Forest Protection Force, Masood Ahmed, said, "We, in collaboration with the Municipal Corporation, have carried out plantation activities in this park. This week, we are engaging in planting at multiple locations. Our team is also visiting various institutions and conducting cleanliness drives throughout the area. We have planted numerous new plants today. Additionally, other groups, including school children, have joined us in this plantation effort..." Assistant Commissioner of Revenue, Mohd Sayeed, added, "This program is part of Seva Parv, promoting the 'Viksit Bharat' initiative. The Forest Protection Force (FPF) organised a plantation drive in a municipal park. The core message is that we serve the people in all ways, and the plantation effort emphasises an environmentally friendly approach." Guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, Seva Parv aims to bring together communities, institutions, and individuals in a collective movement of service (sewa), creativity, and cultural pride. The Ministry of Culture is celebrating Seva Parv 2025 from September 17 to October 2 as a nationwide festival of service, creativity, and cultural pride. As part of the continuing celebrations on September 22, vibrant art workshops and artistic programmes were organised at key heritage and cultural institutions across Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu, under the theme "Viksit Bharat ke Rang, Kala Ke Sang." Earlier, the Ministry of Education hosted a two-day Kala Utsav in Poonch, where children from across the district participated in 12 different art categories and demonstrated their talents. The event saw enthusiastic participation from schools, with students competing in various arts, including visual and performing arts, such as clay modelling and painting, as well as music and dance. While young children in Poonch showcased their creativity, the national stage also saw recognition of artistic excellence. In New Delhi, President Droupadi Murmu graced the award ceremony of the 64th National Exhibition of Art as the chief guest on Wednesday, presenting awards to 20 outstanding artists for their contributions to the visual arts, according to the Ministry of Culture. (ANI) Congress MP Pramod Tiwari on Saturday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the situation "going out of hand" in Ladakh, and said that arresting won't resolve the issue, but fulfilling promises will. "The only solution is to fulfil the promises made by the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, which is to give statehood to Ladakh as well as J&K. Arresting someone is not the solution. You have been unable to handle Manipur for the last two years. Now, you let things go out of hand in Ladakh, which is the most sensitive area. It shares its border with China. Suppression won't help in Ladakh, only talks will," Tiwari told ANI. Tensions erupted in Leh following violent protests on September 24, after which the administration restricted unnecessary movement under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). However, while narrating their ordeal, the locals have urged the government to lift restrictions, saying that they were unable to buy basic items like food and milk. Locals are making attempts to go about their daily lives despite heavy restrictions. Restrictions have been imposed in Leh along with a heavy deployment of security forces following a violent protest on September 24, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office was set on fire. Moreover, the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the provisions of the National Security Act (NSA) sparked a massive row. He has been taken to Jodhpur Central Jail. The protests turned violent in Leh on September 24, following which the BJP office in the area was set on fire. Two days after the death of four people in violent protests, Wangchuk was detained under the provisions of the NSA. The climate activist has been accused of "inciting violence". Wangchuk was on a hunger strike, which ended right after the violence unfolded. The climate activist has been advocating for Ladakh's inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which concerns the administration of tribal areas and advocates for the creation of autonomous district councils with certain legislative and judicial powers. The Sixth Schedule under Article 244 currently applies to the Northeastern states of Assam, Mizoram, Tripura, and Meghalaya. Restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) remained in place in Leh on Saturday, following recent violence during protests demanding statehood for Ladakh. According to the official order, assembly of five or more persons is banned in the district. No procession, rally or march is to be carried out without prior written approval. Security personnel have been deployed in the area. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, during his address in Jharsuguda, Odisha, following the inauguration of multiple development projects, said that the state is advancing at the speed of a "double engine," with new projects worth thousands of crores of rupees underway for the development of the state and the country. He also announced the launch of BSNL's indigenous 4G services and the approval of new semiconductor units. "A year and a half ago, during the assembly elections, the people of Odisha had resolved to move forward with a new commitment, and that commitment was Developed Odisha. Today, we are seeing that Odisha has started advancing at the speed of a double engine. Today, once again, for the development of Odisha, for the development of the country, work on projects worth thousands of crores of rupees has begun. From today, a new avatar of BSNL has also emerged. BSNL's indigenous 4G services have been launched," PM Modi said. " I have always had faith in the potential of Odisha and the talent of its people. Nature has blessed Odisha with many gifts. Odisha has seen decades of poverty, but this decade will take the people of Odisha towards prosperity. For this, our government is bringing major projects to Odisha. The central government has recently approved two semiconductor units for Odisha," he added. PM Modi highlighted the government's focus on providing basic facilities to the poor and marginalised and said nearly 50,000 'pucca' houses have been approved for families in Odisha. "Our major emphasis is on providing basic facilities to the poor, Dalits, backward classes, and tribals. When a poor family gets a pucca house, not only the present but also the lives of future generations become easier. Our government has provided pucca houses to more than 4 crore poor families across the country. In Odisha too, the work of constructing thousands of houses is underway. Today, house approval has been given to nearly 50,000 families," he said. PM Modi highlighted the government's resolve to make in India and spoke of the recent fillip given to the shipbuilding industry with a package of 70,000 crores. "It is our resolve that from chip to ship, India must be self-reliant in everything. Any country that wants to be economically strong gives great importance to shipbuilding. Whether it is trade, technology, or national security, shipbuilding provides benefits in every field.Any country that wants to be economically strong gives a lot of emphasis on large-scale shipbuilding. Whether it's trade, technology, or the country's security -- shipbuilding benefits everywhere. If we have our own ships, there will be no hindrance in imports and exports with the world during times of crisis. Therefore, the BJP government has approved a package of 70 thousand crore rupees for large-scale shipbuilding in the country," he said. With Navratri ongoing, the Prime Minister said he was fortunate to have darshan of Maa Samalei and Maa Ramachandi Devi. "The festival of Navratri is underway, and in these sacred days, I have had the good fortune to have darshan of all of you on this land of Maa Samalei and Maa Ramachandi Devi. Your blessings are our strength. I bow to all of you," he added. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati were also present as the Prime Minister inaugurated development projects worth more than Rs 60,000 crore. The projects cover telecommunications, railways, higher education, healthcare, skill development, and rural housing. In telecommunications, the Prime Minister commissioned more than 97,500 4G mobile towers built at a cost of around Rs 37,000 crore using swadeshi technology, including over 92,600 4G sites by BSNL. Over 18,900 4G sites funded under the Digital Bharat Nidhi will connect around 26,700 unconnected villages in remote, border, and left-wing extremism-affected areas, serving over 20 lakh new subscribers. These towers are solar-powered, making them India's largest cluster of green telecom sites. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for important railway projects, including the Rail Flyover at Sambalpur-Sarla, the doubling of the Koraput-Baiguda line, and the Manabar-Koraput-Gorapur line, which will boost freight and passenger movement in Odisha and neighbouring states. He flagged off the Amrit Bharat Express between Berhampur and Udhna (Surat), providing affordable connectivity and supporting tourism and local employment. Healthcare infrastructure received a boost with the foundation stone laid for the upgradation of MKCG Medical College in Berhampur and VIMSAR in Sambalpur into world-class super-speciality hospitals. The upgrades will include enhanced bed capacity, trauma care units, dental colleges, maternal and child care services, and expanded academic infrastructure. PM Modi also laid foundation stones for the expansion of eight IITs, creating capacity for 10,000 new students over the next four years, alongside multiple initiatives to strengthen technical education and skill development in Odisha. CM Mohan Charan Majhi praised PM Modi for launching the Subhadra Yojana in Odisha, which benefits one crore women with Rs 10,000 annually. "After the massacre in Pahalgam, India's response to terrorists in Pakistan has altered India's strategic doctrine. Ever since we have formed the government, you have come to Odisha seven times. Last year, you were here on your birthday and launched the Subhadra Yojana for our mothers and sisters. Today, more than 1 crore women receive Rs 10,000 annually," he said. The Prime Minister also distributed sanction orders to 50,000 beneficiaries under the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana, which provides pucca houses and financial assistance to vulnerable rural families, including persons with disabilities, widows, individuals suffering from terminal illnesses, and victims of natural calamities. Chief Ministers of eight states joined the event virtually, including Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, along with several Union Cabinet ministers. (ANI) New York, US (PANA) - The same refrain ran through the ranks of French-speaking Africa this week during the high-level debate in New York: the UN, 80 years after its creation, must reinvent itself if it wants to regain credibility with a continent that is both in crisis and rich in promises of growth Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday took a veiled dig at the Samajwadi Party in the state and accused it of "family and caste based politics" and alleged that the state was made "bimar" (weak). "Everyone knows how Uttar Pradesh's development was halted because of family (dynastic) and caste based (casteist) politics, how rioting destroyed the businesses in Uttar Pradesh, how the corrupt system made the bureaucracy handicapped, and how the Uttar Pradesh that was once main constituent of India's economy, was made 'BIMAR'," the Chief Minister said at Times of India's 'Developed Uttar Pradesh Vision @2047' programme. Targeting the Samajwadi Party, he said that opportunities were wasted, and the BJP-led government has now made the state's revenue surplus. "Uttar Pradesh's growth story was only like a dream for those who doubted themselves and their capabilities, those who had the opportunity but missed it for Parivarvaad. They made Uttar Pradesh a hub of loot and anarchy. However, under the leadership of PM Modi, we, who had faith in God and our capabilities, were confident that we would remove Uttar Pradesh from the list of BIMARU states. The growth story narrates this. CAG's report says that UP has a revenue surplus of Rs 37,000 crore. That data is two years old. Currently, we have a revenue surplus of Rs 70,000 crore. A state with such a large population is fulfilling its tasks without any hindrance," Adityanath said. He said people who incite in the name of caste, exploit emotions in the name of family should be defeated. "No human being is incompetent. If so, it means there's no organiser.... That's what we have been saying: when dishonest and corrupt people gain power, they will exploit that power in the same way Uttar Pradesh faced an identity crisis. Those who incite in the name of caste, exploit emotions in the name of family, it's for these people that we built the bulldozer. It's for these people who are like those parasites who mislead society with false slogans," he said. The Chief Minister said it is the government's duty to fulfil the expectations of people and his government has been doing so for the past over eight years. "As India progresses, the state with India's largest population cannot simply turn a blind eye and sit idly by. The 25 crore people of Uttar Pradesh also have expectations and aspirations. It is our moral duty to fulfil those expectations and aspirations, and this is our duty. We have been working within Uttar Pradesh for the past eight-and-a-half years to fulfil this duty," he said. Yogi Adityanath said India had a significant share of world trade in the past and it progressively declined under foreign rule. "When there were enough resources here, human civilisation thrived; India developed in every sector. In the 11th century, India had a population of 60 crores... They were not dependent solely on agriculture. A system of big and small industries was also well established in India. India was an important economic centre of the world. During Chandragupt Maurya's reign, India's contribution to the world economy was 40%... In the 11th century, it was reduced to 30%," he said. "In the 17th century, India's contribution to the world economy reduced to 25%... During the British rule, India's natural agriculture was polluted with chemicals and fertilisers. Initially, the results were favourable, but gradually, Indian agriculture deteriorated. They also looted big and small industries... This is an example of how they made themselves prosperous by looting India," he added. The Chief Minister said sometimes people are unable to shake off their bad habits and it needs "denting-painting". "Earlier, whenever the festive season arrived, violence used to begin...Sometimes, people fail to break their bad habits. So, there needs to be 'denting-painting' for them so that we can correct their bad habits," the Chief Minister said. He also referred to violence in Bareilly yesterday and said any attempt to disturb law and order situation will not be tolerated. "You must have seen this in Bareilly yesterday. Maulana (Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan) forgot whose government is in power and thought that he could threaten and block roads. We said there would be neither a jam nor curfew. But we will teach you such a lesson that your coming generations will forget rioting...After 2017, we did not even let a curfew be imposed but such barriers were spoken to in a language they understand and they were also punished....The growth story of Uttar Pradesh begins here," he said. At least ten policemen were injured on Friday when a protest in Bareilly turned violent, with mobs pelting stones at security personnel after afternoon prayers. A large crowd had gathered outside the Ala Hazrat Dargah and the residence of Ittehad-e-Millat Council chief Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, to hold a demonstration in support of the "I Love Muhammad" campaign. Police were conducting a flag march in the area when a group of miscreants emerged, shouting slogans and throwing stones. Inspector General (IG) Bareilly Range Ajay Sahni said police had been engaging with residents since morning to ensure peace. "Since this morning, the police have been continuously talking to the people. They were told to pray peacefully and then go home. Ninety to ninety-five per cent of the people prayed peacefully and went home. Suddenly, some miscreants appeared and started pelting stones and firing. Extensive videography and photography of this incident were done, and some arrests have been made," he said. Sahni added that the violence broke out at three or four locations in the city and appeared to be 'part of a conspiracy'. "More than 10 police personnel were injured... A conspiracy was hatched, that's why so many people suddenly came forward prepared... No permission was given for such a gathering..." he said. (ANI) Following the incident, UP Minister Anil Rajbhar strongly condemned the protest, calling it an attempt to disrupt peace. "These are people with a mindset that cannot digest India's and UP's development. They have tried everything but failed. That is why a riot-fuelled mentality has taken hold. If anyone commits such an act or attempts to disrupt UP's peace, the government will deal with them firmly. We will take such action that even their future generations will remember it," he said. UP Minister Asim Arun stressed the need for prior permission for religious gatherings. "Any religious or cultural event should only take place after obtaining permission... Any procession viewed as a show of strength is detrimental to the country, and divisive elements try to take India in this direction. But our government, police, and administration know how to deal with them," he said. (ANI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the nationwide rollout of the indigenous 4G mobile network, highlighting its role in strengthening communication and connectivity across India. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Pune, Fadnavis said, "This is a joyous day, as 92,633 towers of BSNL are being inaugurated by the Prime Minister. Out of these, more than 900 are in Maharashtra alone. You know that former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji had once said, 'If we want to develop India, communication will be very important.' For development, the roads leading to villages also need to be strengthened, as they are the primary means by which growth and facilities reach rural areas. Now it is necessary to take connectivity to the villages. Only then will development and information reach there. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the 4G network will now reach every village." Emphasising India's resilience, he added, "Whenever India has been challenged, India has always responded. Even today, those countries that are challenging us are being given a strong response." Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde praised the Prime Minister's vision, describing the launch as a significant step towards self-reliance and development. "What did not happen in 60 years of Congress rule has been achieved in the last 10 years. Many development works have been completed, and in the coming 10 years, even more will be accomplished that were not possible earlier. Step by step, we are moving forward to make India a developed nation by 2047. I assure you that under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Maharashtra will also be an active part of this journey," Shinde said. The launch of the indigenous 4G mobile network marks a key milestone in BSNL's expansion plans, aiming to strengthen rural connectivity and bridge the digital divide across the country. (ANI) A total of 44 people have been arrested in connection with the September 24 violence in Leh, Director General of Police (DGP) Ladakh, SD Singh Jamwal said on Saturday. Addressing a press conference in Leh, DGP Jamwal said that the police have nabbed the main orchestrators of the violence, including activist Sonam Wangchuk. He said, "We have arrested 44 people so far...The main ring leaders have been nabbed. Sonam Wangchuk, the main player, has been sent out under NSA charges." Earlier, DGP Jamwal alleged activist Sonam Wangchuk's connection with Pakistan and raised questions over his visits to the neighbouring countries. He said that the police arrested a Pakistan PIO, who was in touch with Wangchuk. He said, "We arrested a Pakistan PIO in the recent past who was reporting back across. We have a record of this. He (Sonam Wanghchuk) had attended a Dawn event in Pakistan. He also visited Bangladesh. So, there is a big question mark on him...Investigation is being done." Further, he accused Wangchuk of instigating violence in Leh on September 24. "Sonam Wangchuk has had a history of instigating. He has referred to the Arab Spring, Nepal and Bangladesh. The investigation into his funding is going on for FCRA violation," he said. Sonam Wangchuk has been lodged in Jodhpur Central Jail following his detention under the provisions of the National Security Act (NSA), officials said. He was taken to Jodhpur Central Jail last night after his arrest in Ladakh yesterday. Wangchuk's arrest comes amid chaos over the recent protests in Leh. The protests turned violent in Leh on September 24, following which the BJP office in the area was set on fire. Two days after the death of four people amid firing by police during violent protests in the Union Territory, Wangchuk was detained under the provisions of the NSA. The climate activist has been accused of "inciting violence". Wangchuk was on a hunger strike, which ended right after the violence unfolded. (ANI) Punjab Water Resources Minister Barinder Goyal on Friday hit out at the Congress party, accusing it of "doing politics over dead bodies" during the Assembly session on rehabilitation after the recent floods that claimed nearly 60 lives in the state. Goyal alleged that the Congress party had appealed to people not to contribute to the relief fund. "This exposes their mentality and shows how much Congress hates Punjab. The Chief Minister wants to rebuild a colourful Punjab, but yesterday Congress displayed a bankrupt mentality," he said. He further blamed Congress, Akali Dal and BJP for Punjab's decline. "In destroying Punjab, the biggest contribution is of Congress, Akali Dal and BJP. In every sector of Punjab, the revenue has increased, and we are also filling the treasury," he added. The Minister stated that the state has requested a 20,000 crore relief package from the Centre. "Whenever we oppose the Central government, the soul of the BJP enters Congress. In the house of the Leader of Opposition, one part belongs to the BJP and the other part belongs to Congress," he alleged. On the Centre's relief announcement, Goyal said, "The PM sahib came so late and then gave a petty package of 1,600 crore and went away. We have not received a single rupee from it." He also warned that if the Chief Minister is not given time by the Prime Minister, they would march to Delhi and hold a protest. He assured that donations are being received transparently. "Every rupee received will be spent honestly on Punjab's rehabilitation. Donations by cheque are coming into the government account, and full transparency will be ensured," he said. Responding to questions on the natural calamity, the Minister said, "The water came at great speed. Who could have controlled it? Despite this, our government and ministers stood with the people." (ANI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Saturday, while addressing the public at the inauguration ceremony of the 'Swadeshi 4G Network' in Pune, stated that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, indigenous technology has been developed. Fadnavis, making an indirect reference to the tariffs levied by the Donald Trump administration and new H1B visa rules, stated that those countries that are challenging us are being given a strong response. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister Fadnavis said, "Whenever India has been challenged, India has always responded. Even today, those countries that are challenging us are being given a strong response. Under PM Modi's leadership, we have developed pure indigenous technology. When connectivity reaches villages, only then we connect them with the world". CM Fadnavis further said, "Today is a day of happiness, as BSNL is inaugurating 92,633 towers at the hands of the Prime Minister. Out of these, more than 900 are in Maharashtra alone. You know that Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji had once said: 'If we want to develop India, communication will be very important.' For development, the roads leading to villages also need to be strengthened, because it is through roads that growth and facilities reach rural areas. Now it is necessary to take connectivity to villages. Only then will development and information reach there. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, 4G network will now reach every village". The Chief Minister added that through connectivity, children can access quality education, health facilities can improve, and farmers can get information about crops and weather. He said, "In Maharashtra too, we have made such arrangements where more than 100 government services are now available online. In the coming time, we are preparing a system in which if citizens need any government service, it will be available directly on their mobile phones". "Citizens will even be able to track where their application file is, on which officer's table. This will create accountability for officers. If there is a delay in work, there will also be a system to impose fines on the officer. But to make all this possible, the backbone is connectivity. That is why, with today's launch of indigenous 4G, connectivity in villages will increase", Fadnavis added. Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL)'s 4G stack embodies the swadeshi spirit. Responding to a post by Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on X, PM Modi said: "Union Minister Scindia highlights how BSNL's 4G stack embodies the swadeshi spirit." "With over 92,000 sites connecting 22 million Indians, it reflects India's journey from dependence to confidence, driving employment, exports, fiscal revival and advancing the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat," the Prime Minister said. In a landmark moment for Bharat's telecom sector, and celebrating 25 glorious years of BSNL, PM Modi inaugurated the country's fully indigenous 4G stack and more than 97,500 BSNL towers from Jharsuguda today. The BSNL towers are spread across Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Assam, Gujarat and Bihar. (ANI) Seven tourist spots in Kashmir Division, including Aru Valley, Rafting Point Yanner, Akkad Park, Padshahi Park, Kaman Post and five in Jammu Division, including Dagan Top, Ramban, Dhaggar in Kathua, Shiv Cave in Salal, Reasi, to be reopened from Monday, September 29. A day earlier, the Lieutenant Governor chaired a meeting of the Unified Headquarters at Srinagar's Raj Bhavan to review the security situation in the region. The meeting was attended by the Army's Northern Commander, the Director General of Police (DGP), the Chief Secretary and other top officials. The office of J-K LG also informed about the development on X. It said, "Seven tourist spots in Kashmir Division including Aru Valley, Rafting Point Yanner, Akkad Park, Padshahi Park, Kaman Post and five in Jammu Division including Dagan Top, Ramban, Dhaggar in Kathua, Shiv Cave in Salal, Reasi to be reopened from Monday, 29th September." "After a thorough security review and discussion in today's UHQ Meeting, I've ordered reopening of more tourist spots in Kashmir and Jammu Divisions, which were temporarily closed as precautionary measures," it posted. Earlier today, LG Manoj Sinha invited tourists from across the country to visit Jammu and Kashmir on World Tourism Day. "On World Tourism Day, I invite you all to visit J&K. Blessed with stunning landscapes, a rich cultural heritage & unmatched hospitality, the crown jewel of India is a cherished year-round destination, offering breathtaking beauty & spiritual experience," it posted. Earlier, security was tightened in Udhampur, especially along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, after an encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in Seoj Dhar area, officials said. According to officials, the encounter broke out around 8 p.m. when alert troops of the White Knight Corps established contact with a group of terrorists in the region. In a post on X, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Jammu, Anand Jain, said, "On actionable intelligence, contact established with terrorists at Seoj Dhar. Encounter in progress. Joint teams of SOG-JKP and the Indian Army on the ground." (ANI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that this year the people of Bihar will celebrate "four Diwalis," each representing a different achievement or promise. Citing the reasons to celebrate four Diwalis, Shah said, the first reason is the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya, the second is because Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana yesterday, and the third is because of the next-gen GST reforms. He said the fourth Diwali will be celebrated if the BJP-NDA wins in the Bihar elections and forms its government. Addressing a rally here, the Union Minister said, Home Minister Amit Shah says, "This time, people of Bihar have to celebrate four Diwalis. The first Diwali is to be celebrated on the day Lord Shri Ram returned to Ayodhya. The second Diwali, just yesterday, Modi deposited Rs 10,000 each into the bank accounts of our Jeevika Didi's, so celebrate that. The third Diwali, Modi reduced the prices of more than 395 items by 15 to 20% through GST. And the fourth Diwali, we have to celebrate it by forming an NDA-BJP government with more than 160 seats..." Union Minister Shah urged people to purchase only 'Swadeshi' products this Diwali, following the changes in the GST rate slabs. He said, "In this Diwali, we shall ensure whatever we purchase is Swadeshi. We have to take resolve of that." Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Modi launched the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana for Bihar via video conferencing. During the programme, the Prime Minister directly transferred Rs 10,000 each into the bank accounts of 75 lakh women across Bihar, totalling Rs 7,500 crore. The assistance can be utilised in areas of the beneficiary's choice, including agriculture, animal husbandry, handicrafts, tailoring, weaving, and other small-scale enterprises. During the event, PM Modi also interacted with the beneficiaries. The beneficiaries lauded the scheme and expressed gratitude towards PM Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. According to a press release by the PMO, the scheme, an initiative of the Government of Bihar, is aimed at making women Aatmanirbhar and promoting women's empowerment through self-employment and livelihood opportunities. It will provide financial assistance to one woman from each family in the state, enabling them to start employment or livelihood activities of their choice, thereby fostering economic independence and social empowerment. The scheme is community-driven, in which, along with financial support, community resource persons connected to Self Help Groups will provide training to support their endeavour. To support the sale of their produce, Gramin Haat-Bazaars will be further developed in the State. The launch of the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana featured a statewide program across multiple administrative levels in the State --district, block, cluster, and village--with over 1 crore women witnessing the programme, the PMO stated. The upcoming assembly elections in Bihar are seen as crucial, with the BJP and NDA facing off against the opposition INDIA bloc. The Bihar elections are expected to be held later this year, in October or November; however, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has not yet announced an official date. While the NDA, comprising the BJP, JD(U), and LJP, aims to continue its tenure in Bihar, the INDIA bloc, comprising the RJD, Congress, and left parties, seeks to oust Nitish Kumar. In the current Bihar Assembly, comprising 243 members, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) consists of 131 members, with the BJP having 80 MLAs, JD(U) having 45, HAM(S) having 4, and the support of 2 Independent Candidates. The Opposition's INDIA Bloc comprises 111 members, with the RJD leading with 77 MLAs, followed by the Congress with 19, the CPI(ML) with 11, the CPI(M) with 2, and the CPI with 2. (ANI) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court sentenced Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (CCIT) P.K. Sharma and Income Tax Officer (ITO) Shailendra Bhandari from Rajasthan to four Years' Imprisonment for their involvement in a bribery case, an official release said. According to the CBI statement, both accused individuals have also been fined Rs 1,10,000 each. The case came to light when Chandra Prakash was caught accepting a bribe of Rs 15,00,000 from a complainant under the direction of both Sharma and Bhandari. The statement stated that, following the recovery of the bribe amount from Prakash and a conversation among all three accused, they were subsequently arrested. Earlier, the case was immediately registered against both accused on March 31, 2015. Following the investigation, the CBI lodged a chargesheet against the three accused in the special CBI court judge in Jodhpur. However, after the trial, the court acquitted Chandra Prakash of all the charges. At the same time, the Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (CCIT), P.K. Sharma, and the Income Tax Officer (ITO), Shailendra Bhandari, were sentenced to four years' imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1,10,000 each in the case, the statement stated. Meanwhile, in another incident, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a fugitive in connection with the murder of Avijit Sarkar. This arrest occurred on Friday and pertains to a case registered with the CBI in Kolkata on August 25, 2021. This case is linked to incidents of post-poll violence that took place during the state assembly elections in West Bengal in 2021. Following the investigation, the CBI filed a charge sheet on September 30, 2021, naming 20 individuals as accused. Additionally, the agency submitted a supplementary charge sheet against 18 more individuals on June 30 this year. (ANI) The Enforcement Directorate has attached 212 immovable properties valued at over Rs 155 crore in connection with the ongoing investigation against LFS Broking Pvt Ltd., its related companies and individuals, including Saiyad Jiyajur Rahaman, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, said the agency in a press statement. The properties attached include parcels of land, apartments, hotels, resorts, and factory plots located across multiple districts in West Bengal and other states, stated ED. These assets were identified during investigation as Proceeds of Crime derived from the fraudulent mobilization of over Rs. 1600 crore from investors, who were misled with false promises of assured high returns through various entities controlled by the accused persons, according to the ED. https://x.com/dir_ed/status/1971858465359544408 ED initiated investigation on the basis of FIRs registered by West Bengal Police under various sections of IPC, 1860 against LFS Broking, Saiyad Jiyajur Rahaman and others. Further, multiple FIRs have also been registered against Saiyad Jiyajur Rahman and LFS group in the states of Gujarat, Odisha and Maharashtra. ED investigation revealed that the masterminds, including Saiyad Jiyajur Rahaman, Dilip Kumar Maity, Md. Anarul Islam and their accomplices, operated illegal investment schemes by manipulating SEBI registration certificates, and used a web of entities to amass and divert investor funds in name of providing them guaranteed monthly returns ranging from 2-3 per cent on their investments. The accused persons operated the illegal business under the guise of M/s LFS Broking Pvt. Ltd., a company registered with SEBI for share broking and other investment activities. However, they knowingly floated several other firms bearing names similar to M/s LFS Broking Pvt. Ltd. Investors were misled into believing that they were investing in the SEBI-registered company, whereas funds were actually diverted to similarly named firms such as LFS Broking and PMS Services, and others. Earlier, ED had arrested six persons in the case, including the mastermind, Saiyad Jiyajur Rahaman. The arrested persons are currently in Judicial Custody. Further, a Prosecution Complaint has also been filed in this case against 10 accused persons before the Hon'ble Special Court, Kolkata. Further investigation is under progress. (ANI) In a highly unusual turn of events, the 15th judge has recused from hearing the cases involving Uttarakhand cadre Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Sanjiv Chaturvedi, drawing fresh attention to the long-running legal battles surrounding his complaints and petitions. Senior Judge of the Uttarakhand High Court, Justice Ravindra Maithani, stepped aside from hearing a contempt case. The contempt petition was filed by Chaturvedi against the members of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) and its registry, alleging willful disobedience of a High Court stay order. "List before another Bench of which I (Ravindra Maithani, J.) am is not a Member," Justice Maithani directed in his order dated September 26, without citing any reason. He is the third Uttarakhand High Court judge to withdraw from Chaturvedi's matters. Earlier, Justice Rakesh Thapliyal recused in May 2023 from hearing a case related to Chaturvedi's appraisal report, while Justice Manoj Tiwari did the same in February 2024 in his central deputation matter. This is the fourth Judicial recusal this year alone. In February 2025, CAT members Harvinder Oberai and B Anand declined to hear his case. In April 2025, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Neha Kushwaha withdrew from a defamation case filed by Chaturvedi against CAT judge Manish Garg, citing her 'previous family relations ' with another CAT judge, DS Mahra. So far, two Supreme Court judges -- Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice UU Lalit, three high Court judges, two lower court judges, and eight CAT (Central Administrative Tribunal) Judges, including the Chairman of CAT, have recused themselves from hearing cases involving Sanjiv Chaturvedi. This year, in April 2025, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Neha Kushwaha had recused from hearing a defamation case filed by Chaturvedi against CAT judge Manish Garg, citing her 'previous family relations ' with another CAT judge, DS Mahra. In February 2025, a Division Bench of CAT consisting of Harvinder Oberai and B Anand had recused themselves, without citing any reason, by simply directing the Registry not to list cases of Chaturvedi before them in future. The Bench was hearing a case related to the appraisal report of Chaturvedi. In February 2024, Justice Manoj Tiwari of the Uttarakhand High Court had recused himself from hearing his cases while hearing a matter related to the deputation of an Officer. Again, the recusal order did not mention any ground. Earlier, in 2018, in a similar matter, the Uttarakhand High Court had passed orders stating that service matters of officers were to be heard at the Nainital Circuit Bench only and had imposed a cost of Rs. 25,000 on the Central Government, which the Apex Court upheld. In 2021, the Uttarakhand High Court reiterated its earlier position, which the Central Government again challenged before the Supreme Court. In March 2023, a Division Bench in the Apex Court had referred the matter to a larger Bench. In November 2013, the then-Supreme Court judge, Justice Ranjan Gogoi, had recused himself from hearing a case filed by Sanjiv Chaturvedi, who demanded a CBI investigation into the role of then-Chief Minister of Haryana, Sh. Bhupender Singh Hooda and other senior politicians and bureaucrats of the State were involved in various corruption cases exposed by him, as well as his harassment. Later on, in August 2016, the then Supreme Court Judge UU Lalit had also recused from hearing this case. In April 2018, a Shimla court judge had recused himself from hearing of a defamation case filed by Mr Vineet Chowdhary, the then Chief Secretary of Himachal Pradesh, against Sanjiv Chaturvedi. In March 2019, the then Chairman, Central Administrative Tribunal Delhi, Justice L. Narasimhan Reddy, had recused himself from hearing cases related to various transfer petitions of Chaturvedi, citing certain 'unfortunate developments'. In February 2021, another judge of the CAT, Delhi, Justice R. N. Singh, also recused himself from hearing a service matter case involving Sanjiv Chaturvedi. In May 2023, Justice Rakesh Thapliyal of the Uttarakhand High Court recused himself from hearing the Chaturvedi cases without mentioning any reason. In November 2023, a Bench of CAT Judges, consisting of Manish Garg and Chchabilendra Roul, had also recused themselves from hearing his cases. This year, in January, another CAT Judge, Justice Rajeev Joshi, had also recused from his service matter. Legal observers noted that this is a record in judicial history of the country, as never have so many judges recused themselves from hearing the cases of a particular person. (ANI) Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk on Friday voiced deep concern over the rapidly worsening human rights situation in South Sudan, citing that nearly 2,000 civilians have been killed this year amid rising political tensions and violence The operation resulted in two of the suspects, Kamal Bhadana and Shashikant, being shot in the leg during a shootout. The police had received information that Kamal Bhadana and Shashikant, along with their associates, were planning to commit a serious crime. Based on this intelligence, the Crime Branch team laid a trap and intercepted the suspects on the Pali-Surajkund Road. When the police tried to stop them, the suspects attempted to flee, leading to a chase and subsequent exchange of fire. During the encounter, Shashikant fired at the police, prompting the Crime Branch team to retaliate, injuring him in the leg. Kamal Bhadana and another associate, Manish alias Golu, were also apprehended after a brief shootout on the Sanik Colony Road. The police recovered eight weapons, including country-made pistols and live cartridges, from the suspects. ACP Crime Varun Dahiya stated that Kamal Bhadana has been referred to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi for treatment. Meanwhile, Shashikant is being treated at the Badshah Khan Civil Hospital in Faridabad. The police are continuing their investigation and taking further action against the suspects. Kamal Bhadana has 15 cases registered against him in various police stations in Faridabad, while Shashikant has six cases against him. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the indigenous 4G network on Saturday at a central event at Jharsuguda, Odisha. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma joined the event in Guwahati, which marked a historic milestone in Bharat's digital journey, virtually from Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati, along with Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia. It may be noted that, in synchrony with BSNL's silver jubilee year, the initiative to inaugurate the 4G network will ensure that all mobile towers, optical fibre, and related components of India's mobile network will now be manufactured in India by Indians. At the beginning of the programme, Chief Minister Sarma, together with Union Minister Scindia and Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran, paid tributes to Zubeen Garg. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to build a self-reliant India through the use of indigenous products in everyday life. He said that some years ago, the Prime Minister entrusted the Department of Telecommunications, BSNL, and the Tata Group with the responsibility of indigenizing mobile towers, optical fibre, and related equipment. He emphasised that indigenous means made entirely in India, without importing any component from outside. He called the launch of the 4G network under the Prime Minister's leadership a matter of pride. He also stated that, as a result of the efforts of Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, 92,633 new 4G towers have been installed across the country. The Chief Minister said that only four countries in the world have developed such an indigenous 4G mobile network. "With the launch of this indigenous 4G network by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, India has become the fifth country to hold its own network, technology, and materials," the Chief Minister said. Thanking Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia for his presence in Assam on this historic occasion, the Chief Minister informed that BSNL would soon upgrade its indigenous 4G network to 5G and by 2030, to 6G. He moreover said that BSNL would set up data centres in five locations across India, one of which will be established in Guwahati. "Construction has already begun on several data centres at the IT Park near Borjhar Airport. These centres will create local employment opportunities, allowing educated youth of Assam to work within the state instead of moving to cities like Bengaluru," he said. The Chief Minister noted that during Advantage Assam 2.0, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had promised a 5G lab at Gauhati University, which has now become a reality. He said that just as Prime Minister Modi indigenised BSNL's entire mobile network, he has also launched a large-scale mission to manufacture chips used in computers, mobiles, and vehicles within India. The Tata Group, operating the semiconductor unit at Jagiroad, Assam, is rapidly emerging as a major hub in India's semiconductor sector. He emphasised that, whether in data centres or semiconductors, Prime Minister Modi and Union Minister Scindia have positioned Assam as a nerve centre of technology. Highlighting Assam's integration with the Swadeshi network, Sarma stated that the development will enable the state to lead the country in technological self-reliance. On the occasion of BSNL's 25th anniversary, the Chief Minister, along with the Union Minister, released the commemorative booklet titled Sanchar Charika. Union Minister for Communications and DoNER Jyotiraditya Scindia, Assam's Minister for Information and Technology Keshab Mahanta, MPs Dilip Saikia and Bijuli Kalita Medhi, Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran, BSNL CMD A. Robert Jerard Ravi, BSNL Enterprise Business Director Sudhakararao Papa, senior officials, and other dignitaries attended the event. (ANI) The Muslim Rashtriya Manch's All India Muslim Maha Sammelan has marked a historic moment in New Delhi, bringing together thousands of participants from across the nation. The event, held at the Talkatora Indoor Stadium, aimed to promote social harmony, equality, and shared progress. Thousands of participants, workers, intellectuals, academicians, community leaders, and social activists, from across the nation, filled the stadium, creating an atmosphere charged with chants of unity, patriotism, and reform. This was more than a meeting; it was a declaration of intent. The Sammelan sent a resounding message: Indian Muslims will be active partners in building a new India rooted in social harmony, equality, and shared progress. The gathering was graced by MRM Chief Patron Indresh Kumar, JPC on Waqf Chairman and MP Jagdambika Pal, former Union Minister Satyanarayan Jatiya, Ajmer Sharif Dargah Chairman Khwaja Nasruddin, All India Imam Organization Chief Imam Maulana Umer Ilyasi, NCMEI Acting Chairman Dr. Shahid Akhtar, BJP Minority Morcha President Jamal Siddiqui, Nizamuddin Dargah Chairman Salmi Nizami, MRM National Convener Mohammad Afzal, Dr. Shalini Ali, Shahid Sayeed, Qari Abrar Jamal, and several other prominent figures. Chairpersons of various Waqf Boards, members of Haj Committees, national and state conveners of MRM, and representatives of its different wings also attended. In his keynote address, MRM Chief Patron Indresh Kumar emphasised unity against terrorism as "pure satanism" beyond caste, religion, or colour and drug addiction, declaring, "We were, we are, and we will always remain Hindustani," which drew thunderous applause, reinforcing pride in a shared Indian identity. He recalled MRM's role in the abolition of Triple Talaq. Kumar cautioned about the growing issue of illegal infiltrators, particularly in states like Bihar, stressing the impact on Indian Muslims' livelihoods. "If infiltrators get the jobs, how will Indian Muslims secure their livelihood?" he asked, drawing serious reflection from the audience. Dr. Shahid Akhtar (NCMEI) announced upcoming initiatives, including reconciliation centers, skill development programs, scholarships, and career guidance cells, to empower Indian Muslims in nation-building. He emphasised that Indian Muslims must embrace their historic role in nation-building. Mohammad Afzal, National Convener, recalled MRM's humble beginnings with just 110 participants, declaring that the movement is now poised to unite lakhs of workers as a force for social harmony and transformation. Jagdambika Pal lauded the government's digitisation of Waqf land, while Khwaja Nasruddin affirmed India's equal rights for all. Maulana Umer Ilyasi reminded the audience that "the DNA of Hindus and Muslims is one." Satyanarayan Jatiya praised MRM's consistent contribution to national unity. Dr Shalini Ali, head of MRM's Women's Wing, stated that Muslim women will no longer remain passive beneficiaries of change, emphasising the need for education, skills, and financial independence. "After the abolition of Triple Talaq, a new dawn has broken. Our mission is to empower women through education, skills, and financial independence so they can lead nation-building," said Ali. She called women's empowerment a fundamental necessity for India's modern progress. Over 25 years, MRM has played a role in landmark events such as the abolition of Triple Talaq, the construction of the Ram Mandir, the abrogation of Articles 370 & 35A, the ban on PFI, the Waqf Reform Law, and nationwide anti-terror campaigns. The Sammelan resolved to intensify campaigns in the coming years, focusing on education, employment, women's empowerment, drug de-addiction, and strengthening national unity. The convention was not just an event, but a historic milestone in shaping a new mindset within the Muslim community--anchored in a clear vision. (ANI) After violence erupted in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly over the 'I love Muhammad' campaign, All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council Chairman Syed Naseruddin Chishty on Saturday emphasised that protests should be peaceful, further urging the State government to speak to the Muslim Community and clear misunderstandings. Speaking to ANI, Syed Naseruddin Chishty asserted that writing and speaking 'I love Muhammad' is not a crime, requesting Muslims not to let anyone take "Political advantage" from it. "Protests are a democratic right, but they should be peaceful. A law and order situation must not be created... Writing and speaking 'I love Muhammad' is not a crime. It is the first condition of Islam to love Allah and His Rasool. But I request the Muslims of our country not to let anyone take a political advantage from it... The state government should call a delegation of Muslims and speak to them and clear the misunderstandings," he said. Earlier today, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Range Ajay Kumar Sahni said that 10 FIRs have been registered, and 39 individuals have been identified in connection with the violence. Speaking to ANI, DIG Sahni said that Maulana Tauqeer Raza, a cleric, has been arrested and sent to judicial custody after he emerged as a main conspirator. Sahani added that 22 police officers were injured in clashes involving firing and stone-pelting. Speaking to ANI, DIG Sahani said, "The situation is normal.10 FIRs have been registered, and an investigation is being done based on evidence. 39 people have been identified so far, and Maulana Tauqeer Raza has emerged as the chief conspirator. He has been arrested and sent to judicial custody." He further said that Social media was used to gather people and incite violence. "Social media was used to gather people and share the plan. A large number of weapons and stones have been recovered from the protestors... Firing was done on police personnel, and stones were also pelted. 22 policemen have been injured. Further investigation is underway... Empty shells, cartridges, pistols, and broken glass bottles have been recovered from the protest site," DIG Sahani added. A group of people pelted stones during a protest after Friday prayers in Bareilly, prompting the police to resort to a lathi charge and detain several of them. Protestors had gathered outside the Ala Hazrat Dargah and the residence of Ittehad-e-Millat Council chief Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, holding placards that read "I Love Mohammad." Earlier today, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath asserted that if anyone attempts to challenge the state's security and cause disturbance by protesting on the streets, such actions will be taken. "Anarchy is not acceptable. We will give respect to everyone, we will provide security to everyone, but if someone dares to tamper with security, attacks innocent citizens, then such action will be taken against them that it will become an example for coming generations...Spoiling the atmosphere during festivals and celebrations is not acceptable. I will say again that if someone dares to cause a disturbance by protesting on the streets...they will have to pay a heavy price for it..." CM Yogi said while addressing a gathering in UP's Shravasti. (ANI) Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi on Saturday slammed the Uttar Pradesh government on the Bareilly protest over the 'I love Muhammad' campaign, accusing the state police of jailing anyone they want. Speaking to ANI, Azmi said that the police had been "misusing" their powers and "spreading fear" instead of upholding the Constitution. "There is 'Gunda Raj' and Mafia Raj in UP. The Constitution holds no value there. The police have been given so much power that they can break anyone's bones and jail anyone they want. I condemn this," he said. The SP leader claimed that the controversy began in Uttar Pradesh during 'Eid Milad un Nabi' when Muslims wrote 'I Love Mohammad'. "People of every religion say good things about their gods... I respect them... Muslims wrote the same thing. But FIR was filed against 25 people, and it spread throughout the country," he explained. The Samajwadi leader argued that the police should have handled the situation peacefully instead of resorting to violence. He further alleged that authorities were deliberately trying to divide communities. "If something illegal is happening, the police should issue a notice. They should call them, talk to them, and file a case but a lathi charge is barbaric and unjust... The police should be prosecuted. They want to divide Hindus and Muslims. If something wrong happens in my constituency, the police should investigate and take action... These people only care about winning the elections; they are not concerned if someone lives or dies or if the country is ruined," Azmi added. "They are doing everything to win the elections. They are spreading the message of hatred across the country," Azmi said. A group of people pelted stones during a protest after Friday prayers in Bareilly, prompting the police to resort to a lathi charge and detain several of them. Protestors had gathered outside the Ala Hazrat Dargah and the residence of Ittehad-e-Millat Council chief Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, holding placards that read "I Love Mohammad." Earlier in the day, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Range Ajay Kumar Sahni said that 10 FIRs have been registered, and 39 individuals have been identified in connection with the violence. DIG Sahni told ANI that Maulana Tauqeer Raza, a cleric, has been arrested and sent to judicial custody after he emerged as a main conspirator. Sahani added that 22 police officers were injured in clashes involving firing and stone-pelting. (ANI) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday chargesheeted the main assailant in the Palakkad Sreenivasan murder case of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI). Shamnad E K has been charged under various sections of the IPC and UA (P) Act in the supplementary chargesheet filed before the NIA Special Court, Ernakulam (Kerala), as per the NIA. The absconding accused was arrested in April this year after a 3-year long hunt by the NIA, which is continuing with its search for the remaining absconders in the case. Armed cadres of the banned PFI had brutally killed Sreenivasan in Palakkad in 2022. A total of 71 accused have so far been identified in the case. Shamnad, the 65th accused to be chargesheeted in the case, had carried a reward of Rs seven lakhs while he was evading arrest. He was a trained cadre of the banned PFI terror outfit and a member of its 'Service Wing', responsible for carrying out terrorist acts, as per NIA investigations. In the run-up to the brutal murder of Sreenivasan, the accused had undergone arms and physical training at various PFI centres in Malappuram district, such as Malabar House at Randathani, Green Valley at Manjeri and PFI office at Achipilakkal, investigations by NIA have further revealed. As per the investigative agency, the killing was part of PFI's conspiracy to unleash terror with the nefarious agenda of establishing Islamic Rule in India by 2047. (ANI) Ahead of the assembly elections in Bihar, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Saturday emphasised the importance of the Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) in the state's politics. He criticised the NDA for treating EBCs merely as a vote bank, rather than empowering them as a significant force in governance, stressing that EBCs should be considered a "power bank," not just a vote bank. Speaking to media persons here, Yadav said, "The NDA people have only considered the Extremely Backward Classes as a vote bank. But they are not a vote bank but a power bank. These individuals have only engaged in cheating. We have previously also announced schemes for the Extremely Backward Classes." Earlier today, the RJD leader expressed criticism towards Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during the 'Karpuri Ati Pichhda Adhikar Samvad', claiming that Kumar is unfit to govern, citing his age and suggesting a lack of capability in promoting rapid development within the state. Addressing the gathering, Tejashwi Yadav said, "Nitish Kumar is no longer fit to run Bihar. He has grown old. Bihar needs to develop at a fast pace... We have to build a new Bihar. The people of NDA have only cheated an extremely backward society. They have only treated it as a vote bank... When our government is formed, the extremely backward will not remain just a vote bank but will become a power bank." Earlier on Thursday, the former Bihar Deputy CM promised to launch the "Mai Bahin Maan Yojana" across Bihar if his party comes to power, declaring that "change is bound to happen" in the poll-bound state. While interacting with reporters, Tejashwi said, "The Maa Yojana will be started, and the Beti Yojana will be started. The Mai Bahin Maan Yojana will be started. A large number of women from every block and panchayat in Bihar have gathered, indicating a strong desire for change. This time, everyone wants change, and change will happen." The Mai Bahin Maan Yojana is an electoral promise by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress in Bihar, India. The scheme promises a monthly financial assistance of Rs 2,500 to women in financially vulnerable and backward communities if the coalition forms the government in the upcoming 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. Earlier, the RJP leader had attacked the ruling NDA government, tagging it a "Nakalchi' (copycat) government "lacking vision".(ANI) State Health Minister Ma Subramanian told ANI over the phone that more than 10 people were brought dead to the hospital. He added that the exact number of casualties will be confirmed shortly. According to initial reports, multiple attendees fainted during the incident, and some were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. Sources suggest that the overcrowding at the venue triggered the panic and subsequent stampede. Following the Chief Minister M K Stalin's directive, DMK district secretary and former minister Senthil Balaji immediately headed to the hospital to oversee relief measures. State Health Minister Ma Subramanian is also en route to the hospital, where the injured are being treated. In a post on X, CM Stalin stated, "I have contacted former Minister @V_Senthilbalaji, Honourable Minister @Subramanian_Ma and the District Collector to provide immediate treatment to the public who have fainted and been admitted to the hospital due to the crowding." https://x.com/mkstalin/status/1971954475335405767?t=uIYAtYwHVeFQffpebbLZHg&s=08 Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the number of injured or the extent of damage, and further details are awaited as the situation develops. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed deepest condolences on the lives lost in the stampede during TVK chief and actor Vijay's public rally in Tamil Nadu's Karur. He wished for the speedy recovery of people injured in the incident. In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, "The unfortunate incident during a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. Wishing strength to them in this difficult time. Praying for a swift recovery to all those injured." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1971968033771127290 A massive crowd at Vijay's election campaign in Karur turned chaotic on Saturday evening, resulting in a stampede that left 31 people dead and several injured. Multiple attendees had reportedly fainted during the rally, and some of them were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. Sources claimed that the overcrowding at the venue triggered the panic and subsequent stampede situation. Expressing shock over the incident, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami condoled the deaths in the incident. In a post on X, Palaniswami said he has instructed former Minister MR Vijayabhaskar to personally visit the hospital and provide assistance to the injured. In a post on X, the AIADMK leader wrote, "The news that more than 29 people lost their lives and several others fainted and are receiving treatment in the hospital due to the crowd chaos during the campaign meeting of the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam party held in Karur, where its leader Vijay spoke, is both shocking and distressing." "I express my deepest condolences and regret to the families of those who lost their lives. On behalf of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, I have instructed former Minister Mr. @OfficeofminMRV to personally visit the government hospital and provide assistance to those admitted there," he added. https://x.com/EPSTamilNadu/status/1971961464807473634 Tamil Nadu Assembly LoP Palaniswami also instructed AIADMK volunteers to provide appropriate assistance to those receiving treatment. "Furthermore, as per my instructions, due to the heavy crowd in the hospital area, @AIADMKOfficial volunteers have formed a human chain and are coordinating to provide appropriate assistance to those receiving treatment," he said. He also urged the DMK-led state government to ensure proper treatment for injured and to provide compensation to the families of the deceased. The social media post reads, "I urge the Tamil Nadu government to immediately take necessary measures to ensure proper treatment for those admitted to the hospital and to provide appropriate compensation to the families of the deceased. @CMOTamilnadu." Following the Chief Minister M K Stalin's directive, DMK district secretary and former minister Senthil Balaji immediately headed to the hospital to oversee relief measures. State Health Minister Ma Subramanian is also en route to the hospital, where the injured are being treated. In a post on X, CM Stalin stated, "I have contacted former Minister @V_Senthilbalaji, Honourable Minister @Subramanian_Ma and the District Collector to provide immediate treatment to the public who have fainted and been admitted to the hospital due to the crowding." Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the number of injured or the extent of damage, and further details are awaited as the situation develops. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Minister Jaiveer Singh on Saturday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the next-gen GST reforms, calling it a "big gift" for every section of society. Speaking to ANI, Singh said, "Before Diwali, Prime Minister Modi gave a big gift by reducing the GST rates. This is a big gift for every section and people are very happy...India will become the Vishwaguru and Viksit Bharat by fulfilling the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat on the strength of its Swadeshi movement, it will become a developed country..." Earlier in the day, BJP National Spokesperson CR Kesavan praised PM Modi over the next-gen GST reforms, saying that these reforms along with the vision of 'Swadeshi' have become the propelling, pivoting force to realise his noble vision of a developed India in 2047. Speaking to ANI, Kesavan further said that 'Modi' in Prime Minister's name stands for "Mission of Developed India." "MODI stands for Mission of Developed India and these transformational next generation GST reforms by Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji, along with his nationalistic vision of a self-reliant India with Swadeshi, have become the propelling, pivoting force to realise his noble vision of a developed India in 2047. We have been meeting people of Puducherry, and they are all celebrating and applauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji's game-changing GST reforms, and this has brought tremendous joy and happiness to each and every family of Puducherry..." the BJP leader said. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms, approved by the Union Government on September 4, came into effect on September 22. GST 2.0 features two main tax slabs, 5% and 18%, with a 40% compensation cess for luxury and sin goods. The reform to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure, approved during the 56th meeting of the GST Council earlier this month, takes effect from September 22. The new framework is expected to ease compliance, reduce consumer prices, boost manufacturing, and support a wide range of industries, from agriculture to automobiles and from FMCG to renewable energy, and is intended to lower the cost of living, strengthen MSMEs, widen the tax base, and drive inclusive growth. In the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and dairy sector, major brands like Amul and Mother Dairy have announced substantial price cuts, reflecting the full benefit of the GST reduction. (ANI) Authorities dropped the charges filed against a Massachusetts teenager who was arrested two weeks ago for allegedly plotting a school shooting. The Cape and Islands District Attorney confirmed the development on Thursday, a week after the 18-year-old appeared in court, where he was released on $2,500 bail. He was also ordered to wear a GPS monitoring device and remain under house arrest. Dropping Charges Against Teenager The district attorney said that investigators learned of a discrepancy that "made further prosecution in the district court no longer available." However, officials did not provide additional details regarding the so-called "discrepancy." Authorities dropped the charge of threatening to use a deadly weapon in a public building, adding that the investigation into the case is still ongoing. Now, parents are expressing their concern and confusion about why prosecutors decided to drop the charges against the teenager. One Falmouth parent, Dianna Wilson, said that it was "extremely terrifying" that the suspect is out on the streets without any kind of monitoring whatsoever. She added that the attorney and the suspect's family should think about all of the parents and children in the town who were scared, according to CBS News. Another parent said that the development is neither fair nor right, saying that they are concerned about moving forward and how they, as a community, could feel safe. On Thursday, a letter to Falmouth Public Schools staff and families announced that there would be no outdoor recess or activities on Friday. Read more: Planned School Shooting in North Carolina Thwarted Thanks to Sandy Hook Tip Line After authorities announced the charges were dropped, Mashpee Public Schools contacted staff and families. It said that they will follow suit with Falmouth schools and have more police officers at the campus. The suspect in the case was previously identified as Ian Fotheringham, who pleaded not guilty to one count of threatening to use a deadly weapon in a public building when he appeared for an arraignment in Barnstable District Court, Mass Live reported. Potential School Shooting Falmouth police started their investigation into the suspect in August after they were informed that the teenager indicated a desire to "shoot up a school." He was supposedly refurbishing guns in his bedroom. There was a separate incident where a possible mass shooting plot at a Michigan graduation ceremony was thwarted by authorities. Police said they are still searching for one of the two suspects. The plot was discovered after officials responded to a fight that broke out during the Arts and Technology Academy of Pontiac graduation in June. In a news conference, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard shared more details about the incident, as per ABC News. Advocate Pradeep Rana on Saturday claimed that his client, Gaganpreet Kaur, was implicated in the BMW accident case after the Delhi court granted her bail, the accused driver, resulting in the death of Finance Ministry official Navjot Singh and grievous injuries to his wife. Discussing the BMW case, Rana stated that, according to the CCTV footage, there was no fault on the part of the accused, Gaganpreet Kaur, and claimed that the BMW vehicle had unintentionally collided with the footpath. "The bail has been granted to the accused. Right from the beginning, we were making the argument that at least the CCTV footage, which covers the place of the accident, should be brought into the court. It should be seen by the court. Finally, when we ran from pillar to post, that CCTV footage was preserved and was seized by the investigating agency, and it was played in the court. In that CCTV footage, it was clear that there was no fault at all on the part of the accused Gaganpreet, who was driving the BMW vehicle, because accidentally or unintentionally, that vehicle collided with the footpath and thereafter it collided and turtled," said Rana. "And when it was turned, it touched the motorcycle and, accidentally, that motorcycle again collided with the bus... She tried to give all the possible help to the injured. But unfortunately, she was implicated in this case," added Rana. The accident occurred on September 14 near the Delhi Cantonment Metro Station on Ring Road, when Kaur's BMW allegedly rammed into Singh's two-wheeler, resulting in fatal injuries. The accused advocate further noted that the accused tried to provide all possible help to the injured. "She tried to give all the possible help to the injured. But unfortunately, she was implicated in this case," said Rana. Meanwhile, the Patiala House Court, presided over by Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Ankit Garg, granted bail on a bond of Rs 1 lakh with two sureties of the same amount. As conditions, Kaur has been directed to surrender her passport, appear at every hearing, and not contact staff members of Nulife Hospital or witness Gulfam. The court's decision was influenced by the CCTV footage, which showed that the accident was accidental and not a result of rash or negligent driving. The footage also revealed that an ambulance arrived at the scene but failed to provide assistance. The court criticised the ambulance driver and paramedic for not providing aid to the victims, despite being the first to arrive at the scene. The court asked if this constituted medical negligence and suggested that the paramedics' actions be looked into. Before pronouncing the bail order, the court inquired about medical negligence and stated that an ambulance had arrived within seconds and remained on site for 30 seconds. However, they did not take the injured to the hospital, even though they had no emergency assignment and were heading to the Army Base Hospital, the nearest hospital. Hence, it further asked the police, 'What should be done with this ambulance?' Are they not accused of the offence of death due to a negligent act? Later, the Court also observed that the Ambulance with a paramedic was duty-bound to take the injured to the hospital. The Paramedics inquired of the bystanders whether anybody wanted help, the Court observed. However, the Patiala court also questioned why the best-equipped vehicle was present, but the Ambulance left the spot within 30 seconds. Is it not the medical negligence? (ANI) Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav, on Saturday attended the Global Food Regulators Summit (GFRS) 2025 and reminded that food is not merely fuel for our bodies, but the foundation of a healthy mind and conscious living. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Global Food Regulators Summit (GFRS) 2025, hosted by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, concluded today at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, with the valedictory address by Honourable Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav. The two-day summit served as a dynamic platform for international collaboration, policy dialogue, and knowledge exchange on critical issues of food safety and regulation, bringing together national and international regulators, policymakers, industry leaders, and experts. Addressing the Gathering, Prataprao Jadhav stated that, "The theme for the summit "Yatha Annam Tatha Manah" - meaning "as is the food, so is the mind" - beautifully encapsulates the profound connection between what we consume and our mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. This timeless principle reminds us that food is not merely fuel for our bodies, but the foundation of a healthy mind and conscious living." He also highlighted the transformative role of scientific research and innovation in advancing food safety and public health globally, while emphasizing India's commitment to harmonizing food safety standards internationally and urging global food regulatory bodies to collaboratively address emerging challenges. The Minister of State commended FSSAI for its efforts in reinforcing India's food safety ecosystem, particularly through widespread capacity-building and grassroots initiatives. He noted that FSSAI has trained over three lakh street food vendors nationwide and highlighted the Eat Right India programmes, including the Eat Right Street Food Hub, as a model demonstrating that traditional food practices can align seamlessly with modern safety standards. In his concluding remarks, Prataprao Jadhav acknowledge the participation of dignitaries from more 70 countries and International Organisations, reflecting the collective commitment towards protecting consumers health and promote fare trade. Dr. V K Paul, Member, NITI Aayog, in his special address stated that, "There is a need to harmonize global regulations for Bio-manufactured food and this sentiment has been echoed in this summit emphatically." He also highlighted that through regulatory frameworks such as "Ayurveda Aahara Regulations" traditional food must be validated and promoted. This also enables safe integration of our traditional and healthy food into the global system, he added. Rajit Punhani, FSSAI CEO, expressed gratitude to both national and international delegates for their invaluable contributions and expertise during the discussions. He emphasized, "Together, we can build resilient, transparent, and future-ready food systems that safeguard public health and foster trust across borders." Second day carried forward the momentum with sessions on harnessing digital systems for surveillance and risk management, empowering regulators with next-generation skills, driving food safety through strategic public-private engagements, and on combating obesity through nutrition, fitness and consumer awareness. The discussions brought together rich perspectives from regulators, industry leaders, academia, and international organizations. The Summit also facilitated parallel sessions, including the CEO Conclave on Responsible Food Systems - Compliance and Consumer Trust, an Ambassadors' Conclave on International Cooperation for Cohesive Food Regulations, a Roundtable Dialogue with MSMEs and Startups on strengthening food safety culture, as well as bilateral and networking engagements. The event also saw special FSSAI-WHO Masterclass Programme on food safety, risk assessment, Codex and WHO frameworks added depth to the technical exchanges. U.S. Dhyani, Executive Director, FSSAI and senior officials from Ministry of Health and family welfare were present at the occasion. (ANI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has expressed anguish over the loss of lives in the stampede during TVK chief and actor Vijay's public rally in Tamil Nadu's Karur. In a post on X, Singh said, "Deeply anguished by the tragic accident at a rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu. The loss of innocent lives is truly heartbreaking. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of those who are injured." Around 31 people were killed while 58 others were injured in a stampede at TVK chief and actor Vijay's public rally in Tamil Nadu's Karur on Saturday evening, officials said. The massive crowd at Vijay's rally turned chaotic, triggering panic and a stampede. Several attendees fainted and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Sources said that overcrowding at the venue led to the tragedy. BJP leader Annamalai also condoled deaths at Karur's stampede and urged the state government to to ensure proper treatment for all those affected. In a post on X, the BJP leader wrote, "In Karur, the news that approximately forty people, including children, lost their lives due to stampede at a gathering attended by Thaveka leader Mr. Vijay is deeply shocking and distressing. Many others have been injured and admitted to hospitals. I urge the Tamil Nadu government to ensure proper treatment for all those affected. I express my deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives." He condemned the state government and the police accusing them of being "negligent" and failing to provide of adequate security arrangements in such political event. The social media post reads, "For a political party's gathering, it is the responsibility of the police to accurately estimate the number of attendees, select an appropriate venue accordingly, and deploy an adequate number of police personnel to ensure the safety of the public attending the event. There are also reports that electricity was disrupted during Mr. Vijay's gathering. The Tamil Nadu government and the police acting with such negligence is highly condemnable." "The DMK government, which deploys the entire district police force to provide security for gatherings organized by DMK members, has made it a habit to fail in providing adequate security arrangements for events held by opposition parties. I strongly urge the DMK government to immediately provide appropriate compensation to the families of those who lost their lives, conduct a thorough investigation into whether this accident occurred due to inadequate security arrangements and the power disruption, and take strict action based on the findings," it added. DMK leader and former Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji, who arrived at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Karur following the Chief Minister's instructions, stated that MK Stalin will visit Karur tomorrow (Sunday) to assess the situation and meet with the victims and their families. He added that instructions have been given to private hospitals not to collect charges from the injured and to provide all necessary medical care. "Till now, 31 people have died in the stampede, and 58 people have been admitted to the hospital. After the stampede incident, the CM immediately enquired and ordered the district collector, SP, and me to rush to the hospital, advising us to call extra doctors and provide proper treatment...Tomorrow, the Chief Minister will come here himself. As of now, 46 persons are in a private hospital, and 12 persons are admitted to a government hospital for treatment," Senthil Balaji told reporters. Tamil Nadu ADGP (Law and Order) Davidson Devarsirvatham told ANI, "There is a possibility that more than 30 people may have died. I am on my way to Karur to inspect the site." Chief Minister MK Stalin is holding an urgent meeting of officials at the Secretariat. (ANI) The Vice President of India, CP Radhakrishnan, wiundertake a one-day visit to Bihar on September 28. During his visit, the Vice President will grace the valedictory session of the third edition of Unmesha International Literature Festival in Patna, as the Chief Guest, according to the Vice President's Secretariat. The Vice President will also visit Chamunda Devi Mandir at Katra, Muzaffarpur. Earlier on Thursday, VP Radhakrishnan inaugurated the new Pilgrim Amenities Centre 'Venkatadri Nilayam' along with Andhra Pradesh Chandrababu Naidu at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams in Tirupati. The Vice President, who arrived in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday, had attended the Vijayawada Utsav 2025 at Punnamy Ghat in Vijayawada as the Chief Guest. The event marked a vibrant celebration of culture, spirituality, and development, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Navratri. Radhakrishnan was accorded a warm welcome at Vijayawada airport by Governor S Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister Naidu on Wednesday on his maiden visit to Andhra Pradesh as Vice President. The Vice-President witnessed a series of cultural performances that showcased the rich artistic traditions of Andhra Pradesh, followed by an audio-visual presentation on the significance of the Vijayawada Utsav. The festival, celebrated across five locations in the city, is a vibrant showcase of Andhra Pradesh's cultural richness, spiritual heritage, and developmental achievements. Addressing the gathering, the Vice President described the Vijayawada Utsav as one of the largest cultural festivals in the world and expressed his wish for it to continue for another hundred years, linking people across generations and regions. Speaking on the significance of Navratri, Radhakrishnan said it is the only festival celebrated continuously for nine days, and it is dedicated solely to Goddesses. "This reflects the importance our society and culture place on women." The Vice President shared his spiritual experience at the Kanak Durga Temple and Goddess Annapurni, who represents nourishment and compassion. "There can be no act more sacred than feeding the poor. That is the true worship of the goddess," he said. The Vice President praised the people of Vijayawada for their warmth and affection, noting that while the city is known for its heat and spicy food, its people are the coolest in the country. He expressed confidence that Vijayawada is among the fastest-growing cities in India and will soon become one of Bharat's most marvelous urban cities. (ANI) The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Ayush, concluded its five-day certificate course, "AYURFARM 2025: Cultivation and Propagation of Ayurveda Herbs," on Saturday, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Ayush. The event was organized by the Department of Dravyaguna from September 22 to 26, 2025, the program was part of the Ayurveda Day 2025 celebrations. The Inaugural Session was graced by Dr. Sameer Sinha, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF), Uttarakhand, who emphasised the need for conservation of forest resources and sustainable use of medicinal plants. The Guest of Honour, Dr. Chandra Shekhar Sanwal, IFS, Former Deputy CEO, National Medicinal Plant Board, Ministry of Ayush, highlighted the importance of policy frameworks and cultivation strategies to strengthen the supply chain of quality medicinal plants. The Valedictory Session was addressed by Dr. Mayaram Uniyal, a senior Ayurvedic scholar, who stressed the importance of integrating classical Ayurvedic wisdom with modern agronomical practices. A total of 27 participants from across India attended the course, which was conducted by six experts in their respective fields. Dr. Janhavi Mishra Rawat, Professor at Graphic Era University, Dehradun, trained participants in plant tissue culture, while Dr. K. Hima Bindhu, Principal Scientist at ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru, explained hydroponics and soilless cultivation. Dr. D. Kalaivanan, Senior Scientist at ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru, demonstrated cocoponics and good cultivation practices, while Dr. Kunal A. Kale, Assistant Professor at Bajaj College of Science, Wardha, shared propagation and conservation techniques. Dr. Saroj Kumar V., Assistant Professor at Kerala Agricultural University, Kollam, highlighted Vrikshayurveda and its propagation methods, and S. Premlata, Agricultural Expert, trained participants on organic farming and soil health. During the program, participants received hands-on training in grafting, layering, soil evaluation, and the preparation of organic manures and vermicompost, as well as studied success stories of medicinal farming. AYURFARM 2025 provided intensive practical exposure and scientific training aligned with Good Cultivation Practices (GCP), enabling participants to master modern propagation techniques while remaining rooted in traditional Ayurvedic knowledge. The program strengthened the foundation for the sustainable availability of authentic, high-quality medicinal plants, directly benefiting Ayurveda education, research, and clinical practice, and contributing to the evidence-based growth of Ayurveda in the country. (ANI) In a landmark operation reaffirming the commitment of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to ensure justice is served, Punjab Police has extradited the wanted terrorist of the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) module identified as Parminder Singh alias Pindi from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) to India with the close coordination and support of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and other Central Agencies, Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said on Saturday. According to officials, Parminder Singh alias Pindi, a resident of Harsha in Batala, is not a mere criminal but a key operative of a dangerous terror-criminal syndicate. The latter has been brought back to India by the team of Batala Police. DGP Gaurav Yadav said that Pindi is a close aide of internationally designated terrorists Harwinder Singh alias Rinda and Happy Passia, and is involved in multiple heinous crimes, including petrol bomb attacks, violent assaults and extortions in the Batala-Gurdaspur region. Accused Pindi was using different social media platforms to coordinate crimes and finance his operations. He said that acting swiftly on a Red Corner Notice (RCN) requested by Batala Police, a dedicated four-member team led by a senior police officer travelled to the UAE on September 24, 2025, coordinated with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and UAE authorities, completed all legal formalities and successfully brought the accused back to face justice. This successful extradition underscores Punjab Police's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and organised crime as well as its advanced investigative capabilities and global reach, said the DGP, while adding, "We are thankful to the the MEA, the Government of the United Arab Emirates, CBI and Other Central Agencies for their invaluable cooperation in this joint effort to uphold justice and strengthen national security." Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Batala Suhail Qasim Mir said that given the gravity of crimes committed by Pindi and his direct links to Pakistan-based terrorists Harwinder Rinda and Happy Passia, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) got published a Red Corner Notice (RCN) against him through INTERPOL at the behest of the Batala Police. This global alert was pivotal in tracing his movements and eventual location in Abu Dhabi. The SSP said that with the apprehension of Parminder Pindi, the Punjab Police has dismantled a critical node in a transnational terror network. This operation sends a strong, unequivocal message that the long arm of the law has no geographical boundaries, he added. Meanwhile, the CBI, as the National Central Bureau for INTERPOL in India, coordinates with all Law Enforcement Agencies in India through BHARATPOL. (ANI) President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday expressed condolences over the loss of lives in the stampede during TVK chief and actor Vijay's public rally in Tamil Nadu's Karur. She prayed for the swift recovery of people injured in the incident. In a post on X, the President said, "Anguished to know about the tragic loss of lives in a stampede-like unfortunate incident in Karur district of Tamil Nadu. I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved family members and pray for the early recovery of those injured." https://x.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1971975893670347067 31 people were killed while 58 others were injured in a stampede at TVK chief and actor Vijay's public rally in Tamil Nadu's Karur on Saturday evening, officials said. The massive crowd at Vijay's rally turned chaotic, triggering panic and a stampede. Several attendees fainted and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Sources said that overcrowding at the venue led to the tragedy. DMK leader and former Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji, who arrived at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Karur following the Chief Minister's instructions, stated that MK Stalin will visit Karur tomorrow (Sunday) to assess the situation and meet with the victims and their families. He added that instructions have been given to private hospitals not to collect charges from the injured and to provide all necessary medical care. "Till now, 31 people have died in the stampede, and 58 people have been admitted to the hospital. After the stampede incident, the CM immediately enquired and ordered the district collector, SP, and me to rush to the hospital, advising us to call extra doctors and provide proper treatment...Tomorrow, the Chief Minister will come here himself. As of now, 46 persons are in a private hospital, and 12 persons are admitted to a government hospital for treatment," Senthil Balaji told reporters. Tamil Nadu ADGP (Law and Order) Davidson Devarsirvatham told ANI, "There is a possibility that more than 30 people may have died. I am on my way to Karur to inspect the site." Chief Minister MK Stalin is currently holding an urgent meeting of officials at the Secretariat. "I have contacted former Minister @V_Senthilbalaji, Honourable Minister @Subramanian_Ma and the District Collector to provide immediate treatment to the public who have fainted and been admitted to the hospital due to the crowding," Stalin wrote in a post on X earlier. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deepest condolences on the lives lost in the stampede during TVK chief and actor Vijay's public rally in Tamil Nadu's Karur. He wished for the speedy recovery of people injured in the incident. In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, "The unfortunate incident during a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. Wishing strength to them in this difficult time. Praying for a swift recovery to all those injured." (ANI) Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on Saturday called upon investors to open their outlets in the state and earn huge profits, as the government has created an investor-friendly ecosystem to promote Telangana as a global destination for investments. Participating in the "Tourism Conclave 2025" programme in Hyderabad today, the Chief Minister said that the People's Government brought a new Tourism policy into force after 10 years of the formation of the state. Congratulating State Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao on successfully entering into agreements with prospective investors to invest Rs 15,000 crores in the state's tourism sector, the CM said that Telangana is blessed with many attractive tourist places, which contribute significantly to the state's economic growth. The Telangana state was also a peaceful and secure state in the country, which helps investors earn more profits. CM Revanth Reddy highlighted the city's best infrastructure and the government's efforts to promote Hyderabad as a world-class destination for future investments. The city was already competing with other developed countries, the CM said that the government organised the Miss World event during the India-Pakistan war and drew the world's attention. On Friday, the release stated that the State Government set a target of attracting Rs 15,000 crore in investments in the tourism sector and providing a large number of employment opportunities to the youth. As part of that, the government is inviting public-private partnership (PPP) and also 100 per cent private investments. Many investors who studied the state government's new tourism policy expressed their willingness to set up international-standard hotels, wellness centres, and hospitality projects in the state. Include a state-of-the-art wellness center in the Ananthagiri Hills in a joint venture with Jesom and Zen Megha, a wine making unit from grape harvest, Taj Safari in the forest area, waterfront resorts by Mahendra Company, five-star hotels, Ginger hotels in tier 2 cities in Telangana, a wellness retreat in Nagarjuna Sagar and Taiwan's Fo Guang Shan is ready to develop a wedding destination center at Buddhavan more attractive. These companies will sign agreements in the presence of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. The government is attracting Rs 15,000 crore in investments, which will create 50,000 jobs directly and indirectly through the agreements. Hyderabad has already emerged as a destination for world-class film production centres. The state government has decided to further develop the film industry and provide a friendly environment for the global film industry, ensuring that a maximum number of films are produced in Hyderabad. (ANI) The Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi on Saturday slammed West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee over a viral video showing her clapping to a song "Kaaba in my heart" at a Durga Pandal. Trivedi questioned the timing and context of the song, suggesting it's part of a larger effort to undermine Hindu traditions. Trivedi accused the INDIA bloc leaders of harbouring malign thoughts and suspicious emotions, particularly during Navratri celebrations. "When the entire nation is celebrating Navratri, malign thoughts and suspicious emotions of INDI Alliance leaders are surfacing. In March 2014, Rahul Gandhi said that he needs to fight the 'Shakti' in Hinduism. Looks like the attack on that 'Shakti' has begun during this Navratri. Recently, the Karnataka government made Banu Mushtaq offer prayers in a Devi temple. Today, WB CM Mamata Banerjee, in a Durga Pandal, clapped and enjoyed a song 'Dil mein Kaaba, nazar mein Madeena'... There is no issue with it, but what is suspicious is why it is being sung in a Durga Pandal, during Navratri, in the presence of the WB CM...," said Trivedi. Notably, the viral video features TMC MLA Madan Mitra singing "Dil mein Kaaba, nazar mein Madeena" at a Durga Puja pandal, with Mamata Banerjee visibly enjoying the performance. Trivedi claimed that Mamata's actions are part of a larger strategy to secure radical votes, calling it the "limit of appeasement politics," highlighting the contrast between the INDI Alliance's absence at the Ram Temple inauguration and their presence at the Durga Pandal, where they expressed admiration for Islamic symbols. "Are landmines being spread to fight and attack the 'Shakti' of Hinduism and uproot Hinduism?... Singing a song of another religion during Puja is secular for them... This is the limit to secure the radical votes, and the nation needs to be aware of this... This is the limit of appeasement politics... We want a direct answer from INDI Alliance; what is their secular point of view behind singing such a song at a Durga Pandal... These are the people who did not visit the Ram Temple even on invitation; they are now coming to a Durga Pandal uninvited and expressing their love for Kaaba and Madeena. We want to ask Rahul Gandhi and Mamata Banerjee what their parties think about this...," said Trivedi. Furthermore, he also accused the Mamata Banerjee-led government of withdrawing the grant for a particular Durga Pandal, as the pandal had a theme related to Operation Sindoor. "... Just because a Durga Pandal was based on the theme of Operation Sindoor, it was not just shut down, but the government grant was also withdrawn. Not just towards BJP or BJP leaders, the disrespect towards the Hindu religion and culture by the West Bengal government is overflowing..." asserted Trivedi. Additonally, Sudhanshu Trivedi also claimed that anti-India statements will emerge from one of Rahul Gandhi's foreign visits. "I also want to leave a note for all of you. Mr Rahul Gandhi has gone abroad again. As usual, news of his meetings with suspicious individuals may emerge after this. All of you, be prepared. And then, some anti-India statement will surely emerge from somewhere, from here, from there, from the front door or the back door, from a window or a 'Roshandaan'. So, all of you, keep a close eye on this," said Trivedi. Later, he also slammed the opposition party for questioning PM Modi's visit to Odisha. "Today, Prime Minister Modi went to Odisha, where he inaugurated several projects and dedicated many development works to Odisha. The BJP government is in power in Odisha, and the main opposition party in Odisha is BJD, but Congress spokespersons are saying who invited Modi ji. I want to ask, who are they? They are neither the ruling party nor the opposition party..." added Trivedi. Meanwhile, following allegations that BJP posters were removed during Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to Kolkata, West Bengal Minister Shashi Panja earlier denied the allegations, claiming that BJP workers were trying to defame the Trinamool Congress. Speaking to reporters, Panja said, "You will see Mamata Banerjee's posters across the state, not just Kolkata. It is incorrect to say that because the Union Home Minister was visiting, more posters of Didi were put up, and his were removed. BJP workers are trying to defame the Trinamool Congress. These allegations are baseless. We say 'Jai Bangla' because all those who stay in Bengal want the state to be victorious." She further alleged that the BJP uses the "Shree Ram" slogan for political purposes. "BJP uses Jai Shree Ram as if they are going to war. We worship lord Ram, but you use the slogan to scare people," she said. (ANI) Congress MP and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi on Saturday expressed deep condolences over the loss of lives in the stampede during TVK chief and actor Vijay's public rally in Tamil Nadu's Karur. In a post on X, Gandhi urged party workers to provide full support to the affected families and work closely with authorities to assist in the ongoing relief efforts. "Deeply saddened by the tragic incident at a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, that has taken so many precious lives. My heart goes out to their loved ones, and I wish a swift recovery to all those injured. I urge Congress workers and leaders to extend every possible support to the victims and their families, and to work closely with the authorities in relief and rescue efforts," he wrote. 31 people were killed while 58 others were injured in a stampede at TVK chief and actor Vijay's public rally in Tamil Nadu's Karur on Saturday evening, officials said. The massive crowd at Vijay's rally turned chaotic, triggering panic and a stampede. Several attendees fainted and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Sources said that overcrowding at the venue led to the tragedy. Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deepest condolences on the lives lost in the stampede during TVK chief and actor Vijay's public rally in Tamil Nadu's Karur. He wished for the speedy recovery of people injured in the incident. In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, "The unfortunate incident during a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. Wishing strength to them in this difficult time. Praying for a swift recovery to all those injured." Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Mallikarjun Kharge expressed deep sorrow over the tragic stampede in Karur, Tamil Nadu. In a post on X, she extended her condolences to the families of the victims, stating, "Heartbroken by the tragic stampede in Karur, TN. My thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost their loved ones in this unimaginable tragedy. May they find strength in this difficult time, and may the injured recover soon. I urge all Congress workers in the region to promptly assist the injured and support the families and authorities in relief efforts." Kharge also expressed deep distress over the tragic stampede at a political rally in Karur. He urged Congress workers to assist victims and coordinate with authorities for relief and medical support. "Deeply distressed by the unfortunate and tragic stampede at a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, which claimed the lives of several innocent people. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. We pray for the swift recovery of the injured. I urge all Congress workers to provide every possible assistance to the victims and their families and work alongside the authorities in relief and prompt medical assistance," he posted on X. DMK leader and former Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji, who arrived at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Karur following the Chief Minister's instructions, stated that MK Stalin will visit Karur tomorrow (Sunday) to assess the situation and meet with the victims and their families. He added that instructions have been given to private hospitals not to collect charges from the injured and to provide all necessary medical care. "Till now, 31 people have died in the stampede, and 58 people have been admitted to the hospital. After the stampede incident, the CM immediately enquired and ordered the district collector, SP, and me to rush to the hospital, advising us to call extra doctors and provide proper treatment... Tomorrow, the Chief Minister will come here himself. As of now, 46 persons are in a private hospital, and 12 persons are admitted to a government hospital for treatment," Senthil Balaji told reporters. (ANI) BEIJING, Sept. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- At Tsinghua University today, global experts and policymakers gathered to confront a pressing challenge: the widening gap between climate pledges and real-world progress. The event, held on the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, featured the launch of the 2025 Global Carbon Neutrality Annual Progress Report, a comprehensive study on the world's climate transition. Framed around the theme "Global Progress and China's Practice," the forum opened with a dialogue featuring Liu Yang, Deputy Director General, Department of Climate Change, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, China, who outlined China's latest progress toward its "dual carbon" goals and its newly announced NDC. Her remarks were followed by international perspectives, including a call to action from Patricia Espinosa Cantellano, former UNFCCC Executive Secretary. The centerpiece was the launch of the third annual progress report, led by Professor Wang Can of Tsinghua. The study offers one of the most wide-ranging, science-based assessments of global climate progress, notable for: Tracking 198 countries and regions with 217 indicators across technology, finance, and policy. with across technology, finance, and policy. Adopting an equity lens to evaluate the justice of the global transition. to evaluate the justice of the global transition. Committing to a continuous, long-term evaluation to inform global climate governance. For the first time, the report is guided by a 13-member international Advisory Committee, co-chaired by He Kebin of Tsinghua and Erik Solheim, former UNEP Executive Director, underscoring its mix of Chinese leadership and global perspective. This year's report identifies a "profound structural imbalance": while ambition and innovation are driving progress, they are being severely undermined by bottlenecks in climate finance and international cooperation. This has created a critical "implementation gap" between stated goals and tangible results. The report's rigorous methodology has earned praise from international climate leaders. "This is the type of research into climate that reinforces our sense of purpose and our sense of hope," said Patricia Espinosa Cantellano. She added, "What stands out is the four-part framework target, policy, action, effectiveness a game-changer for tracking climate progress." The findings and dialogues from the forum are intended to provide a scientific basis for shaping stronger NDCs and informing the critical discussions at the upcoming COP30 in Brazil. By highlighting both the irreversible momentum of the green transition and the urgent need to close the implementation gap, the event concluded with a strong call for renewed international efforts to translate commitments into concrete action. SOURCE Tsinghua University Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on late Saturday night visited the Government Medical College and Hospital and met those injured in Saturday's stampede at Karur that left 38 people dead at a rally addressed by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president and actor Vijay in Karur, Tamil Nadu. CM MK Stalin paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the Karur stampede incident. He also meets the families of victims. Following the incident, He landed in Trichy from Chennai and headed to Karuru by road. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of the victims after 36 were killed in the incident.CM Stalin also announced aid of Rs 1 lakh each to those undergoing medical treatment in hospitals. The Chief Minister further announced the formation of a one-member Commission of Inquiry, headed by retired High Court Judge Justice Aruna Jagadeesan, to conduct a thorough investigation and submit a report to the government. In a statement, the Chief Minister expressed deep sorrow over the incident and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families. Terming the loss "irreparable," he assured that the government is taking all necessary steps to support the victims."On receiving the heartbreaking news that 36 people, including eight children and 16 women, lost their lives in the crowd crush at the political campaign meeting of Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam in Karur today (27.09.2025), I was deeply shocked and pained," read the statement. "These priceless lives lost have shaken all our hearts. I extend my deepest condolences and sympathies to the families who have suffered this irreparable loss. I have directed that all those admitted to hospitals for treatment must receive the best possible medical care," it added. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Sunday expressed immense sorrow over the loss of lives in a stampede at TVK chief and actor Vijay's public rally in Tamil Nadu's Karur. In a post shared on X, Tamil Nadu DyCM said, "The reports of lives lost due to being trapped in a crowd in Karur are causing immense sorrow. I convey my deepest condolences and comfort to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic incident." "Those who fainted after being trapped in the crowd and those whose health has deteriorated are being provided immediate treatment at Karur Government Hospital, as per the orders of the Honorable Chief Minister. In this critical situation, we urge full cooperation to be extended to the government's actions and the medical team," the post further said. (ANI) https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1971688472269451738/photo/1 Addressing the gathering, Jaishankar highlighted that "when multilateralism is under stress, BRICS has stood firm as a strong voice of reason and constructive change." He emphasised the need for the bloc to reinforce principles of peacebuilding, dialogue, diplomacy, and adherence to international law in a turbulent global environment. "In a turbulent world, BRICS must reinforce the message of peacebuilding, dialogue, diplomacy and adherence to international law," Jaishankar wrote on X. On institutional reforms, Jaishankar stated, "BRICS must amplify its collective call for a comprehensive reform of the principal organs of the United Nations, especially the UN Security Council," reflecting the group's long-standing demand for more representative and effective global governance. He also addressed economic challenges, stating, "as rising protectionism, tariff volatility and non-tariff barriers impact trade flows, BRICS must defend the multilateral trading system." Jaishankar also pointed out that "technology and innovation would define the next phase of BRICS cooperation." Outlining India's priorities as the current Chair of BRICS, he stated, "India's Chairship will focus on food and energy security, climate change, and sustainable development through digital transformation, startups, innovation, and strengthened development partnerships." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1971691837246128534 Jaishankar also had a "great meeting" of the IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) Foreign Ministers in New York, where the grouping reiterated its commitment to transformative reform of the UN Security Council. "A great meeting of the IBSA Ministers in New York this evening. IBSA made a strong call for the transformative reform of the UNSC," Jaishankar wrote on X. "Discussions also on IBSA Academic Forum, maritime exercise, Trust Fund and intra-IBSA trade. IBSA will continue to meet frequently," he added. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1971657415075479840 He also co-chaired the India-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, alongside Foreign Minister Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio of Colombia. "Delighted to co-chair the India-CELAC Foreign Ministers' Meeting along with FM Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio of Colombia in New York this morning," Jaishankar wrote on X. "We agreed to strengthen our existing broad-based cooperation in fields such as agriculture, trade, health, digital, HADR and capacity building. Also to explore emerging areas such as AI, technology, critical minerals, space and renewables. India & CELAC also concur on the urgent need to reform multilateral institutions to better represent the Voice of the Global South," the post added. On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Jaishankar also held bilateral meetings with several counterparts, including Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Antigua and Barbuda Foreign Minister Paul Chet Greene, Uruguay Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin, and Colombian Foreign Minister Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio. (ANI) Relatives of individuals held hostage by Hamas staged a protest outside the United Nations headquarters in New York on Friday, urging the global community to take decisive action for the immediate release of those still in captivity. Speaking to ANI, one of the relatives of the people held hostage by Hamas emphasised that the top priority is the safe return of hostages. "My message for the rest of the International community is, if you won't wake up now and realise that radical Islamic youth are being pushed on you, you're going to wake up and you're going to be in the place that we are in right now," he said. "I am warning you to understand that if you don't act now against Hamas, its proxies and all radical Islamic youth, you're going to be next... 80 per cent of the people of Israel, not just Prime Minister Netanyahu, want the war to end. We want them to be released. The only thing that matters is to bring them back," he added. Further, the relative noted that, "everything else will be taken care of once that ends... We need to bring our soldiers back home. We need to stop the suffering and the cycle of death that has been there for the past 2 years." On the fourth day of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Netanyahu delivered a forceful address, vowing that Israel is "not done yet" in its war against Hamas. He said that even though Hamas forces have been diminished, they still pose a threat and "vow to repeat the atrocities of October 7." "Thanks to the resolve of our people, the courage of our soldiers, and the bold decisions we took, Israel rebounded from its darkest day to deliver one of the most stunning military comebacks in history. But, we're not done yet," he declared. The Israeli Prime Minister's remarks came against the backdrop of growing disapproval from traditional allies. The UK, France, Australia and Canada recently joined a number of countries in extending recognition to a Palestinian state, while calls for a ceasefire have dominated interventions at this year's UNGA. Netanyahu dismissed those appeals as insincere. "You know deep down that Israel, Israel is fighting your fight," he told the Assembly. "So I want to tell you a secret behind closed doors, many of the leaders who publicly condemn us, privately thank us," he said. "They tell me how much they value Israel's superb intelligence services that have prevented, time and again, terrorist attacks in their capitals, time and again, saving countless lives." (ANI) Members of the Baloch community staged a protest outside the United Nations headquarters in New York on Friday, demanding independence for the Balochistan region. Protestors displayed banners reading "Free Balochistan" to draw attention to their demands. Speaking to ANI, Sami Baloch of the Baloch National Movement criticised Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for highlighting global peace issues during his address at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), while ignoring the situation in Balochistan. "The Pakistani Prime Minister said in the Assembly today, 'We want peace for Palestine.' What about us, Baloch? You have forcibly occupied us since 1948. You are carrying out extrajudicial killings, killing our people in the courts," Sami Baloch said. "Our leadership, our peaceful protesters, are still imprisoned for four or five months; there's no allegation against them, and they're suppressing their voices...The unfortunate thing is that the Prime Minister of Pakistan is talking about peace in the world, but you should come to Balochistan and see the reality..." he said. Sami further asserted that if Pakistan truly seeks peace in the region, it must begin with Balochistan. "The Prime Minister of Pakistan should think that if there is peace, it should be in Balochistan...If we want to bring peace to this region, then Balochistan should be free," he added. During the fourth day of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Pakistani prime minister decried the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and Israel's "genocidal onslaught" in Gaza, Al Jazeera reported. He directly addressed the killing of Hind Rajab, a six-year-old Palestinian girl killed as her family fled Gaza City. Her story has been one of the most enduring atrocities of the war. "We have all heard her trembling voice on that phone call, which little Hind made as she struggled to stay alive under Israeli onslaught," he said. "Can you imagine that that little girl, Hind Rajab, as if she was our daughter?" he said, calling for an end to the war. He also warned the world of escalating climate disasters, as his country faces another season of devastating floods, according to Al Jazeera. "In 2022, Pakistan faced massive floods of humongous proportions that caused huge losses, amounting to USD 34bn and many valuable lives lost," he told the UNGA. Sharif said the crisis has returned this year, with "thousands of villages washed away from the face of the earth, millions of people displaced, more than 1,000 killed and billions of dollars of crop, livestock and property washed away". He called the floods of 2022 and this year "glaring examples of loss and damage caused due to climate change". "Pakistan contributes less than 1 per cent of global emissions annually, yet it continues to face the relentless brunt and muddy waves of climate change," he added. (ANI) New York [US], September 27 (ANI/WAM): Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, on the sidelines of the ongoing 80th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 80) in New York. The meeting reviewed the latest regional developments and the efforts of the international community to end the war in the Gaza Strip. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed stressed the urgent need to bring an end to the bloody conflict in Gaza, reach a permanent and sustainable ceasefire, prevent further loss of life, and put an end to the crisis and the tragic conditions faced by civilians in the Gaza Strip. The UAE top diplomat reaffirmed the UAE's support for international efforts aimed at securing the release of all hostages and detainees, while emphasising the importance of concerted global action to confront extremism and terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and to safeguard the lives of all civilians. He further noted that the dire humanitarian situation of civilians in Gaza requires the mobilisation of all possible efforts to ensure the unimpeded and sustainable delivery of humanitarian aid. Sheikh Abdullah reiterated the UAE's unwavering commitment to supporting all initiatives aimed at achieving a comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution, in a way that fulfils the aspirations of both the Palestinian and Israeli peoples, as well as all peoples of the region, for lasting security and stability. He underlined the importance of upholding the values of tolerance, coexistence, and human fraternity in the region to help realise the aspirations of its peoples for security, stability, prosperity, and sustainable development. The meeting was attended by Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Minister of State, and Mohamed Mahmoud Al Khaja, UAE Ambassador to Israel. (ANI/WAM) India on Friday (local time) delivered a searing rebuttal to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's address at the 80th United Nations General Assembly, accusing him of "absurd theatrics" and glorifying terrorism while mocking his claim of "victory" in the May escalation. Exercising India's right of reply at the general assembly, Petal Gahlot, First Secretary at India's Permanent Mission to the UN, said that the Prime Minister of Pakistan had sought to portray destruction of airbases in their country as a victory. While dismantling his narrative, the first secretary accused Islamabad of shielding terrorists and peddling "ludicrous narratives" to mask its role as a hub of terrorism. The First Secretary also debunked Sharif's portrayal of the May conflict, noting that Pakistan's threats against India ceased only after Indian forces devastated multiple Pakistani airbases on May 10. "The Prime Minister of Pakistan also advanced a bizarre account of the recent conflict with India. The record on this matter is clear. Till 9 May, Pakistan was threatening more attacks on India. But on 10 May, its military pleaded with us directly for a cessation to the fighting. The intervening event was the destruction caused to multiple Pakistani airbases by Indian forces. The pictures of that damage are, of course, publicly accessible. If destroyed runways and burnt-out hangers look like victory, as the Prime Minister claimed, Pakistan is welcome to enjoy it," she said. Gahlot pointed to Pakistan's April 25, 2025, actions at the UN Security Council, where it protected 'The Resistance Front', a Pakistan-sponsored terror outfit responsible for the massacre of tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that claimed 26 people on Apirl 22. "This Assembly witnessed absurd theatrics in the morning from the Prime Minister of Pakistan, who once again glorified terrorism that is so central to their foreign policy. However, no degree of drama and no level of lies can conceal the facts. This is the very same Pakistan which, at the UN Security Council on 25 April 2025, shielded 'The Resistance Front', a Pakistani-sponsored terror outfit, from the responsibility of carrying out the barbaric massacre of tourists in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir," she stated. Highlighting Pakistan's history of duplicity, Gahlot recalled its decade-long sheltering of Osama bin Laden while posing as a partner in the global war on terror, adding that Pakistani ministers had acknowledged operating terrorist camps for decades. She also accused senior Pakistani military and civilian officials of publicly glorifying terrorists and paying homage to "notorious terrorists" who were slain during India's strikes on Bahawalpur and Muridke during Operation Sindoor. "A country long steeped in the tradition of deploying and exporting terrorism has no shame in advancing the most ludicrous narratives to that end. Let us recall that it sheltered Osama bin Laden for a decade, even while pretending to partner in the war against terrorism. Its Ministers have just recently acknowledged that they have been operating terrorist camps for decades. It should come as no surprise that once again, this duplicity continues, this time at the level of its Prime Minister," she said. "A picture speaks a thousand words and we saw many pictures of terrorists slain in Bahawalpur and Muridke terror complexes by Indian forces during Operation Sindoor. When senior Pakistani military and civilian officials publicly glorify and pay homage to such notorious terrorists, can there be any doubt about the proclivities of this regime?" the First Secretary added. India's response underscored its zero-tolerance stance on terrorism, with Gahlot asserting, "The truth is that as in the past, Pakistan is responsible for a terrorist attack on innocent civilians in India. We have exercised the right to defend our people against such actions and have brought the organisers and perpetrators to justice." She demanded that Pakistan immediately shut down all terrorist camps and hand over wanted terrorists, warning that India would hold both terrorists and their sponsors accountable without succumbing to "nuclear blackmail". Gahlot also addressed Sharif's call for peace, challenging its sincerity, while slamming Pakistan's "hate, bigotry, and intolerance", urging its leadership to reflect on its own political discourse. "The truth is that, as in the past, Pakistan is responsible for a terrorist attack on innocent civilians in India. We have exercised the right to defend our people against such actions and have brought the organisers and perpetrators to justice. The Pakistani Prime Minister has spoken about wanting peace with India. If he is indeed sincere, the pathway is clear. Pakistan must immediately shut down all terrorist camps and hand over to us terrorists wanted in India. It is also ironic that a country which wallows in hate, bigotry and intolerance should preach to this Assembly on matters of faith. The political and public discourse of Pakistan reflects its true nature. Clearly, a look by them at the mirror is long overdue," she noted. Reaffirming India's longstanding position, Gahlot stressed that all outstanding issues with Pakistan must be resolved bilaterally, leaving "no room for any third party." "India and Pakistan have long agreed that any outstanding issue between them will be addressed bilaterally. There is no room for any third party in that regard. This is our longstanding national position," she added. (ANI) In a moment of public embarrassment, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif found himself caught in a glaring contradiction, facing tough questions over his unsubstantiated and conflicting allegations regarding the social media activity of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan. During an interview with British-American journalist Mehdi Hasan, Asif first claimed that Imran Khan was operating his Twitter account from inside the Adiala Jail in Pakistan. However, when countered by Hasan on the Defence Minister's previous claims that Khan's account was under India's control, the minister attempted to backpedal, stuttering while trying to provide a reply. "He is operating a Twitter account from the jail cell," Asif said to Hasan, who then grilled the Defence Minister, saying, "You said he was operating from India the other day... You said India is controlling his Twitter account... You just made two different allegations. Is it Imran in his prison cell or is it India?" The Pakistani Defence Minister, visibly flustered, responded, "Either he is operating from the cell or he should at least identify who is operating the jail cell." When pressed further on the basis of his claims, the Defence Minister cited "intelligence sources" but refused to share any verifiable evidence. "The evidence I cannot publicly disclose the evidence," Asif said. When pressed further by Hasan on the rationale, "If you cannot publicly disclose the evidence, why make the claim?" Asif retorted, "No, because it is there." When cornered on the source of his claim, if India controlled Khan's X account, Asif conceded, "Yes, based on, obviously, intelligence. Nobody is stating it openly." Mehdi also questioned the Defence Minister about the current Pakistani government's handling of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder, who has been imprisoned since August 2023 despite widespread international criticism and UN experts labelling his detention as "illegal". Asif dodged the question, saying, "He must prove that he has clean hands." Imran Khan was taken into custody from his Lahore residence following a three-year prison sentence handed down in a corruption case back in August 2023. Meanwhile, Asif, during the interview, also said that China is not worried about Pakistan "flirting" with the US. Earlier on Thursday (local time), US President Donald Trump had hosted the Pakistan PM Shahbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir at the White House. Asif noted that the two countries have a time-tested partnership. On being questioned if Pakistan's close relationship now with Trump through mineral deals and crypto deals could jeopardise the relationship with China, Khwaja Asif said, "We are not worried about that, because it's a time-tested relationship with China - since the more could just conclude it by saying that China is not worried about our flirtations or whatever you call it." When questioned with whom Pakistan sees its "strategic future"--the US or China--the Pak Defence Minister said, "In the past, even today and in the future also, China has been a very reliable ally, a very reliable provider of arms of all kinds to us. Our Air Force, submarines, and planes. Our submarines are from there. Almost a major portion of our arms are from China, and our defence cooperation is increasing. It is much more robust than before, with China... the main reason is the unreliability of other sources like the United States of America." (ANI) India's upcoming BRICS Chairship in 2026, a firm stand against terrorism, a renewed call for UN Security Council (UNSC) reforms, and alarm over trade-restrictive measures dominated discussions at the BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs meeting held on the margins of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80). The meeting held on Friday (local time) was chaired by India, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar leading the session as India prepares to assume the BRICS presidency next year. The call received unanimous support from counterparts for hosting the annual meeting and steering the group's agenda, as per a Joint Statement issued following the meeting. "The Ministers expressed appreciation to India for holding the BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs/International Relations meeting on the margins of UNGA 80. They extended their full support to India for its BRICS Chairship in 2026 and the holding of the XVIII BRICS Summit in India," the joint statement declared. Jaishankar, in a post on X, highlighted the group's role as a "voice of reason", emphasising priorities like food and energy security, digital transformation, and UN reforms for his 2026 tenure. The ministers also issued a strong condemnation of terrorism, zeroing in on the April 22 attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives. "They condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025, during which 26 people were killed and many more were injured. They reaffirmed their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, terrorism financing and safe havens," the statement read, urging zero tolerance and rejecting double standards. The pointed reference to the attack, attributed to Pakistan-backed terrorist groups, aligns with India's recent rebuttal slamming Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's "absurd theatrics" and glorification of terrorism while exercising the Right to Reply at the UNGA. On UNSC reform, the ministers reiterated support for the 2023 Johannesburg-II Leaders' Declaration, advocating a comprehensive overhaul to make the Council "more democratic, representative, effective and efficient". They explicitly backed "the aspirations of Brazil and India to play a greater role in the United Nations, including its Security Council," bolstering New Delhi's long-standing bid for a permanent seat. "Recalling the 2022 Beijing and 2023 Johannesburg II Leaders' Declarations, China and Russia, as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, reiterated their support to the aspirations of Brazil and India to play a greater role in the United Nations, including its Security Council," the statement read. Jaishankar, in his post, also underscored BRICS' call for amplifying the Global South's voice, a theme expected to resonate in his UNGA address today. The meeting also expressed deep concern over the escalating trade barriers, particularly the "indiscriminate rising of tariffs and non-tariff measures," and protectionist policies that "threaten to further reduce global trade, disrupt global supply chains, and introduce uncertainty into international economic and trade activities." The statement implicitly criticised measures like the US's recent 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods over Russian oil imports, which India has decried as coercive. The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to a "non-discriminatory, open, equitable, transparent, fair, inclusive, and rules-based multilateral trading system" with the WTO at its core. "The Ministers expressed concern over proliferation of trade-restrictive actions, whether in the form of indiscriminate rising of tariffs and non-tariff measures, or protectionism, in particular measures used as a means of coercion that threaten to further reduce global trade, disrupt global supply chains, and introduce uncertainty into international economic and trade activities, potentially exacerbating existing economic disparities and affecting prospects for global economic development. They voiced serious concerns about the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures which distort trade and are inconsistent with WTO rules. They cautioned against such practices that risk fragmenting global trade and marginalising the Global South," the statement added. The BRICS meeting, attended by foreign ministers from Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, and new members including Iran, Indonesia, the UAE, Ethiopia and Egypt, reflects the group's growing influence as a platform for the Global South. (ANI) The Foreign Ministers of G4 countries (India, Brazil, Germany and Japan), met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday to discuss the prospects for reforms of the UN Security Council, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) shared in an official statement on Saturday. The Foreign Ministers of the G4 countries- Mauro Vieira, Foreign Minister of Brazil; Johann Wadephul, Federal Foreign Minister of Germany; S Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India and Iwaya Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, met on the margins of the 80th Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to assess the state of play and discuss prospects for reform of the UN Security Council, the statement said. It further noted that the G4 Ministers emphasized that, amid increasing instability in the international order and with the UN--the centre of multilateralism, increasingly incapable of fulfilling its role--it is crucial to reform the Security Council at the earliest to truly reflect the contemporary geopolitical realities, thereby enhancing its representativeness, legitimacy, effectiveness, and efficiency. The G4 Ministers underscored that the expansion of the UN Security Council in both permanent and non-permanent categories of membership is essential to Security Council reform, and that this position is supported by a majority of Member States. The G4 Ministers concurred on the need to enhance the role and participation of developing countries, and those significantly contributing to international peace and security, in the Security Council, in both membership categories. In this regard, the G4 Ministers reiterated the importance of improving the representation of the underrepresented and unrepresented regions and groups, such as Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean, in both membership categories. The G4 Ministers reaffirmed their strong support for the Common African Position (CAP) as enshrined in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration. The G4 ministerial joint statement highlighted how a comprehensive reform of the Security Council is in the best interest of all. The G4 Ministers reaffirmed the willingness and capability of the G4 countries, as democracies sharing common political values including respect for the rule of law, full adherence to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and commitment to multilateralism, to shoulder the Security Council's primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security. The G4 Ministers also reiterated their mutual support for each other's candidacies as new permanent members of a reformed Security Council. Reviewing the work of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, while appreciating that presentation of models by Member States and groups continued from the previous session, the statement noted that the G4 Ministers reiterated their strong concern over the continued absence of concrete progress on UNSC reform in the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) format. Against the backdrop of the 80th anniversary of the foundation of the United Nations, the G4 Ministers underscored that they would actively participate in discussions during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. The G4 Ministers expressed their intention to cooperate closely among themselves and in partnership with other groups, taking into account the urgent need for reform, with a view to developing a consolidated model, as recognized by world leaders last year at the UN, leading to text-based negotiations. The G4 Ministers also emphasized the importance of the IGN's adherence to the standard working method and procedures of the UN, and the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly, underscoring the fact that consensus is not a decision-making requirement. Furthermore, the G4 Ministers reiterated that discussions on Security Council reform need not be confined to the IGN and expressed their willingness to engage with the wider UN membership on this issue in other forums, including the UN General Assembly. The statement concluded by highlighting that the G4 Ministers urged the international community to engage wholeheartedly in efforts during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly and committed themselves to further reaching out and working in good faith with, the wider UN membership to advance UN Security Council reform, as part of a comprehensive reform of the United Nations. (ANI) Advocate Zubair Baloch, a human rights activist and former chairman of the Baloch Students Organisation (BSO-Pajjar), was killed in a Pakistan Army raid along with his companion, Nasir Baloch. The incident, which occurred during a military operation in Dalbandin, has drawn sharp criticism from rights activists who call it an act of state terrorism, the Baloch Nationalist Movement (BNM) said on Wednesday. In a post on X, the Baloch Nationalist Movement (BNM) stated that Zubair was widely recognised for his peaceful political activism and outspoken criticism of enforced disappearances, exploitation of resources, and ongoing violations in Balochistan. Observers allege that his assassination was not coincidental but a deliberate targeting of a prominent voice advocating for the rights of the Baloch people. The Pakistan Army later acknowledged carrying out the raid, a move that highlights the impunity with which the state conducts such operations. BNM contends that this latest killing fits into a broader pattern where political leaders, students, and civilians are subjected to violence and intimidation under the guise of security measures. For years, Pakistan's authorities have labelled the Baloch struggle as foreign-sponsored, often framing it as "Fitna-al-Hindustan". BNM points out that such rhetoric is designed to discredit what is essentially a homegrown movement rooted in longstanding grievances. The killing of Zubair reinforces how the state conflates peaceful dissent with militancy to delegitimise legitimate demands, BNM stated. BNM condemned the incident, stating that women, children, and nonviolent activists continue to face violence in Balochistan. "The murder of Advocate Zubair is further proof of the systematic campaign to suppress every voice that speaks for justice and dignity." Zubair, a law graduate and political activist, had led BSO-Pajjar, the student wing of a parliamentary party, and consistently promoted peaceful avenues of struggle. His death demonstrates the military's intent to crush democratic opposition rather than engage in dialogue. As Pakistan participates in the ongoing United Nations session, BNM has urged the international community to confront Islamabad's human rights record. "This case highlights the urgency for global accountability," BNM stated, warning that continued silence will only embolden further abuses. (ANI) Agreement subject to approval by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, with hearing expected in October 2025. Miami Seaquarium will temporarily cease operations in 2025 as part of the transition, which will include closure of the park to the public and relocation of all animals. Leisure Investments Holdings LLC and its affiliates remain committed to meeting employee obligations through the closure and executing a responsible plan for the transition and rehoming of all animals by end of 2025. MIAMI, Sept. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Leisure Investments Holdings LLC, and its debtor affiliates, known as The Dolphin Company (the "Company"), have reached an agreement with Miami-based development firm Terra to assume the Company's lease of the Miami Seaquarium. The agreement follows a months-long process in which the Miami Seaquarium was publicly marketed, attracting offers from multiple parties. Terra plans a substantial investment in renovating and modernizing the Seaquarium property in a manner that respects the history of the site and the Miami-Dade County Home Rule Charter. Planned updates include: A new accredited aquarium with no marine mammals Immersive marine- and aquatic-based experiences emphasizing the unique environment of Biscayne Bay An education, conservation, and research center A wet-slip marina and dry dock facility Wellness spaces and experiences tied to the natural waterfront habitat Fisherman's village with marine-oriented retail and food and beverage establishments Preservation of the historic Buckminster Fuller Seaquarium dome for use as event space for public and private gatherings Lushly landscaped green space; and a publicly accessible baywalk Under the terms of the agreement, Terra will assume the Company's lease with Miami-Dade County. A hearing to approve of the agreement for Terra to assume the lease of the Seaquarium is currently set before the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware on October 17, 2025. Subject to the Bankruptcy Court's approval, closing of the transaction will be subject to ultimate approvals of various lease amendments and other transactions by the Board of County Commissioners of Miami-Dade County. As part of the transition, Miami Seaquarium will temporarily cease operations in late 2025. Miami Seaquarium will be closed to the public on a date to be announced, and all the animals will be transitioned to a new home. Through this process, the Company and its management team are firmly committed to protecting its employees' interests, including wages and benefits, and ensuring all animals continue to receive safe, attentive care. "Our employees and animals have remained at the forefront of our efforts to address the Miami Seaquarium as a part of the Company's bankruptcy restructuring," said Steven Strom, Independent Director of the Company overseeing the bankruptcy case. "As we move forward with our transaction with Terra, we are working tirelessly to ensure that our employees continue to receive the pay, benefits, and support they deserve. In addition, in compliance with all federal and state regulations, we will ensure that every animal is safely and appropriately transitioned to a new home." "The Miami Seaquarium has been an iconic property for decades, and we intend to honor that legacy as we enhance the site and elevate its appeal among Miami residents and tourists," said Terra CEO David Martin. "The result will be a publicly accessible, family-friendly destination that brings together residents and visitors for generations to come." As the assignment process advances over the coming months, the Company has pledged to maintain open communication with employees, partners, and Miami-Dade County. "The Miami Seaquarium has been a special part of Miami's story," added Strom. "We are committed to honoring that legacy by ensuring this transition is handled with care, compassion, and transparency. Further, we owe a great debt of gratitude to Commissioner Raquel Regalado and Miami-Dade County, for their support and assistance with this challenging process so far and look forward to the ongoing support of Mayor Levine Cava and the Board of County Commissioners as we move forward with this transaction, which we truly believe is the best possible result for all parties." Further information regarding the transaction and transition process will be posted on the Miami Seaquarium's website. Additional information about the Company's Chapter 11 bankruptcy case, including court documents and claims information, can be found at (https://www.veritaglobal.net/dolphinco); or by calling 888-733-1434 (U.S./Canada) or 310-751-2633 (International). Advisors: During its bankruptcy restructuring process, the Company is being advised by Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP as legal advisor; Odinbrook Global Advisors, as Independent Director; Riveron Management Services to provide a Chief Restructuring Officer; and Riveron Consulting as Financial Advisor; Greenhill & Co. as investment banker; and Keen-Summit Capital Partners as real estate advisor and broker. SOURCE Leisure Investments Holdings LLC, et al. (The Dolphin Company) Bhutan's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, addressing the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80) on Friday (local time), advocated for a reformed UN Security Council (UNSC), explicitly naming India and Japan as "deserving nations" for permanent membership to reflect today's global realities. Addressing the general assembly, Tobgay urged a reinvigorated multilateral system to tackle climate crises, poverty, and conflicts, underscoring Bhutan's commitment to a "representative, responsive, and effective" United Nations, championing a multilateralism that prioritises results over mere resolutions. "Bhutan supports reform of the United Nations, including reform of the Security Council, expanding both permanent and non-permanent membership. A reformed Security Council must include deserving nations such as India and Japan alongside other capable and leading countries to reflect today's complex realities," he declared, aligning with India's long-standing bid for a permanent UNSC seat. Tobgay's endorsement of India, a key regional partner, comes amid growing momentum for UNSC reform, echoed by the BRICS Foreign Ministers' meeting chaired by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, which backed India and Brazil's aspirations for a greater UN role. Highlighting global challenges, Tobgay painted a stark picture: "A planet in a climate crisis, persistent poverty, and conflicts that shatter lives and erode trust among our nations." He rallied behind UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' UN80 initiative, urging a "renewed purpose" to bolster the UN's capacity for decisive action on peace, sustainable development, and climate action. "The Secretary General's UN80 initiative calls on us to respond with renewed purpose. Renewed purpose to strengthen the UN's capacity to act decisively on peace, sustainable development and climate action. Renewed purpose to restore its moral authority. Renewed purpose to make it fit for the purpose of our collective future," the Bhutanese PM said, emphasising the country's role as an "active partner" in this journey. Looking to the UN's centennial, Tobgay envisioned a world where "peace is the norm, where climate is stable, and where every child, no matter where they are born, has the opportunity to grow as productive members of our global community." Earlier, at the BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs meeting held on the margins of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80), the ministers reiterated support for the 2023 Johannesburg-II Leaders' Declaration on UNSC reforms, advocating a comprehensive overhaul to make the Council "more democratic, representative, effective and efficient". They explicitly backed "the aspirations of Brazil and India to play a greater role in the United Nations, including its Security Council," bolstering New Delhi's long-standing bid for a permanent seat. "Recalling the 2022 Beijing and 2023 Johannesburg II Leaders' Declarations, China and Russia, as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, reiterated their support to the aspirations of Brazil and India to play a greater role in the United Nations, including its Security Council," the statement read. (ANI) The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) has released its weekly brief, spotlighting the harrowing survivor accounts, condemning Chinese propaganda in East Turkistan, and mourning the passing of one of its founding figures, reflecting the ongoing struggle of the Uyghur people amid repression. In a testimony highlighted by Radio Free Europe, Kalbinur Sidiq, a former Chinese-language teacher from Urumqi, detailed her experiences inside China's internment camps in 2017. Forced to work in two facilities, she said detainees, including professionals, intellectuals, and entrepreneurs, were tortured, degraded, and subjected to compulsory birth control measures. After nine months of service, Sidiq herself was forcibly sterilised despite her appeals to the authorities. Now resettled in the Netherlands, she has become an outspoken advocate against Beijing's abuses of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities, even as she endures pressure and threats from Chinese state actors abroad. The WUC sharply criticised Chinese President Xi Jinping's 23 September visit to Urumchi, branding it a choreographed spectacle aimed at concealing ongoing crimes against humanity. Groups of Uyghur performers and children received Xi in scenes designed to portray unity and celebration. According to the WUC, the visit sought to mask the grim realities of internment camps, coerced labour, constant surveillance, and cultural suppression that define life for Uyghurs. The criticism was further fuelled by Beijing's release of a new white paper claiming Uyghurs live in "happiness" under Communist Party leadership, an assertion the WUC rejected as deliberate misinformation. The week also marked a solemn moment for the diaspora as WUC announced the death of Perhat Muhammet on 24 September in Munich at the age of 61. A co-founder of the WUC, former vice president, journalist, and chief editor of WUC TV, Muhammet was hailed as a visionary leader whose decades of activism and media work strengthened the Uyghur movement in exile. His legacy, WUC stated, will continue to inspire generations in the struggle for East Turkistan's freedom. (ANI) Harjit Kaur, a 73-year-old Sikh woman who had spent three decades in the United States, shared her ordeal after she was arrested by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and deported to India. Speaking to ANI, she described her ordeal with the ICE. "Their behaviour was very bad. I was arrested on 8 September... I was arrested and taken to Bakersfield, where I stayed for 8-10 days. I was then taken to Arizona, from where I was sent to Delhi..." She told ANI that she was given chips and cookies in food. "My children over there will do something. I cannot do anything", Kaur further added. Harjit Kaur, 73, was deported by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to India after spending three decades in US. Kaur, who had unsuccessfully applied for asylum in the US, was arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials on September 8. She moved to California in 1991 with her two young sons and lived and worked there while making several unsuccessful asylum attempts in the US. She was moved to a holding facility in Georgia on September 19 and deported to India on September 22, never getting to visit her US home or bid a proper farewell to family and friends. She spent 60-70 hours in detention without a bed, forced to sleep on the floor despite double knee replacements. She was given ice to take medication and denied food she could eat, with guards blaming her for her inability to eat the provided sandwich. Harjit Kaur has filed multiple appeals all the way up to the Ninth Circuit Court of appeals and lost each time. During the weekly media briefing, the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday highlighted that 2,417 Indian nationals have been deported or repatriated from the United States since January 2025. MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India's firm stance against illegal migration, emphasising commitment to promoting legal pathways for migration. "The number of deportations that have happened from the United States since January; 2417 Indian nationals are deported or repatriated from the United States... We want to promote legal pathways of migration. India stands against illegal migration," Jaiswal said. He stated that India aims to encourage legal migration, discouraging illegal activities that undermine these efforts. He added that the government verifies nationality and takes back individuals without legal status upon receiving proper documentation. "Whenever there is a person who does not possess a legal status in any country and he or she is referred to us with documents, and if there are claims that he or she is an Indian national, we do the background check, confirm the nationality and then we are in a position to take them back... This has been happening with deportations from the United States," said Jaiswal. (ANI) India, Brazil and South Africa on Friday expressed grave concern over the situation in Gaza and condemned the continuing Israeli attacks on the civilian population. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated after the three countries held the 13th IBSA Trilateral Ministerial Commission meeting on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly. The three countries, meeting under the IBSA framework on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 26, said the humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached a breaking point. They demanded unhindered humanitarian aid, reconstruction of civilian infrastructure, and a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the territory. The MEA statement described the Israeli actions in Gaza as a cause of "unprecedented suffering," pointing to deaths, destruction, famine, and forced displacement. It also condemned the use of starvation as a weapon of war and called for strict adherence to international humanitarian and human rights law. "They called for adherence to international law, in particular to international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and deplored all violations of IHL, including the use of starvation as a method of warfare. They reiterated their calls for a permanent ceasefire, leading to the cessation of Israeli attacks, the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from the territory, the release of remaining hostages, and unhindered access and delivery of humanitarian aid, at scale, "the MEA statement noted. India and its partners reaffirmed their backing for the two-state solution. They said peace is possible only with the creation of an independent and viable Palestinian state, living side by side with Israel within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. According to the MEA press statement, "The Ministers reaffirmed that a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be achieved by peaceful means and depends on the fulfilment of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to self-determination. They reiterated their unwavering commitment to the two-state solution, based on international law, including relevant UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, and the Arab Peace Initiative, with an independent and viable State of Palestine living side by side with Israel, in peace and security, within the 1967 borders, which includes the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem as its capital" They urged countries yet to recognise Palestine to do so and pressed for its admission as a full member of the United Nations. The statement also underlined the need to unify the West Bank and the Gaza Strip under the Palestinian Authority. "They called on states that have not yet recognised the state of Palestine to do so, and expressed their support for the admission of Palestine as a member of the UN." The ministers stressed the urgent need to start rebuilding civilian infrastructure in Gaza. They welcomed the Arab League's Early Recovery and Reconstruction Plan adopted earlier this year and reasserted their support for UNRWA, the UN agency that provides essential services to Palestinian refugees. "They stressed the urgent need for the beginning of the reconstruction of the civilian infrastructure of the Strip and, in this regard, noted the Early Recovery and Reconstruction Plan adopted by the League of Arab States in March 4, 2025. They recalled that the Gaza Strip is an inseparable part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory. They underlined, in this regard, the importance of unifying the West Bank and the Gaza Strip under the Palestinian Authority, and reaffirmed the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including the right to their independent State of Palestine. They reasserted their steadfast support for UNRWA and stressed the need to fully respect the mandate, bestowed on it by the UNGA, for the provision of basic services to Palestinian refugees in its five fields of operations, " MEA noted. The meeting was chaired by Brazil and attended by India's External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, and South Africa's Minister, Sindisiwe Chikunga. The three sides also discussed global humanitarian crises, the Ukraine conflict, and disarmament. Earlier, Jaishankar also noted the other areas where IBSA focused its talks, including reform of the UNSC, maritime security between the three nations. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1971691837246128534 "A great meeting of the IBSA Ministers in New York this evening. IBSA made a strong call for the transformative reform of the UNSC--discussions also on IBSA Academic Forum, maritime exercise, Trust Fund and intra-IBSA trade. IBSA will continue to meet frequently," Jaishankar wrote in an X post. (ANI) In his first public appearance since the violent Gen-Z protests that rocked the nation and led to regime change, deposed Nepali leader and chairman of the CPN-UML KP Sharma Oli blamed "infiltrators" for the escalation of the situation, denying any wrongdoing. "On September 8, after noon, when you (Gen-Z protestors) reached the Everest Hotel and were at the barricade, some infiltrators mingled with the crowd. As the situation escalated, efforts were made to de-escalate it, and many Gen-Z protesters returned. However, some were surrounded and pushed forward by these infiltrators, resulting in damage and the tragic loss of dozens of young lives. An investigation committee has been formed to look into the matter, and I am confident that the truth will be revealed," Oli said at a party program in Bhaktapur, escorted by the security and the party cadres. The Gen-Z protests, which began as a peaceful demonstration, turned violent after police forces used water cannons, tear gas, and live ammunition to disperse the crowd. The protests resulted in the deaths of at least 74 people, mostly students under the age of 30. Oli's government faced severe criticism for its handling of the unrest, with many accusing him of ordering a crackdown on protesters. "On September 8 and 9, the nation witnessed an abnormal situation in the name of the Gen-Z movement. What started as a Gen-Z protest in various countries was misused, exploiting the sentiments and youthful energy of the participants to steer it in a different direction. I've said it before that our new generation, wrapped in the national flag, doesn't engage in vandalism and arson at Singhadurbar or elsewhere. Our Gen-Z doesn't set fire to government buildings, parliament, hotels, industries, or courts. They don't target offices based on political affiliations; that's not what Gen-Z does," added the deposed leader. Oli's re-emergence comes nearly three weeks after violent nationwide demonstrations led by Gen Z protestors demanding political accountability, an end to entrenched corruption, and the reversal of a controversial social media ban. The protests, primarily driven by students and young citizens, rapidly escalated into Nepal's bloodiest day since the 2006 pro-democracy movement. Oli denied accusations of ordering the crackdown, claiming he was trying to prevent casualties and property damage. "On the next day, September 9, following the incident of the day before, I resigned at around 11-11:30 am. Undesirable events had happened the previous day, and my attempt was not to escalate it further. But when I realised nothing was in my hand, I stepped down from the post. Following it all, the incidents of arson, vandalism and looting started," said Oli. On September 8 alone, at least 21 protestors--mostly students under the age of 30--were killed. The following day saw 39 more deaths, including 15 from severe burns, while an additional 14 fatalities were recorded over the next ten days. To date, the death toll stands at 74. Oli, in his address on Saturday, blamed it on infiltrators. The postmortem report of those killed in police firing in Kathmandu Valley states death due to bullet injuries to the head and chest. During the protest, police are only allowed to fire on the protestors below the knee to control the situation. However, a former minister in his cabinet disputed this, stating that Oli was adamant about not stepping down despite rising pressure. The Police also used some lethal weapons to crack down on the protestors, following which the former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak had stepped down from the post. "On the evening of September 8, then Prime Minister Oli was adamant about stepping down. We had made it clear that we could not support him and threatened to resign from the post, but Oli didn't budge. Now he is trying to establish another narrative that portrays him as clear. It is Oli who has blood on his hands; if he had stepped down the same evening, many lives would have been saved," a former minister on board Oli's cabinet told ANI in condition of anonymity. Oli has fled the official residence following the protest in September and was under Army shelter until last week. The protests called for transparency and accountability as well as end of social media ban on September 8 turned violent near the federal parliament, with demonstrators calling for transparency and reform. Following the violence, Oli resigned and was succeeded by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as interim Prime Minister. While Oli publicly denied accusations of ordering a crackdown on protestors, his administration has been heavily criticised for its handling of the unrest. The former Nepal PM further took a jab at the interim government, with reports about a ban on his foreign travels. "I am hearing about various gossip that is going on from the government. Blocking the passports, what have they thought of (me)? The government of publicity, that we will hand over this country and flee abroad, what are they thinking? We have to make this country. We must make this country a constitutional and democratic one, and bring politics back on track. We will bring the rule of law to the country," Oli said. The September 8 uprising, often referred to as the Gen Z Revolution, has since been compared to the 2006 movement that overthrew King Gyanendra and ended Nepal's monarchy, transforming it into a democratic republic. Oli has also raised concerns about his security, citing social media posts that call for his elimination. He has demanded better security measures, questioning the government's ability to protect him. "You must have seen on social media, locating my house- KP Oli's new house; one can reach there within a minute on foot, within this time on a vehicle, let's go and attack. The House's location has been shared and publicised; what are the government waiting for, what are they looking at? The government is now discussing the removal of facilities, blocking passports, and investigating individuals; they take pride in these claims. I would want to question, don't the government have responsibilities and duties? Should those in the government give security or not? Drive the nation to insecurity and take over the government, spread terror and announce to withdraw security," Oli said, demanding security. "A rumor has been spreading, inciting people to say, 'Give me a gun, I'll kill him; give me a sword, and I will slaughter him; give me a drone, and I will strike him.' Such incitements are being fueled, and these kinds of things are being broadcast enthusiastically. However, what role did I, KP Oli, play? I was in Baluwatar, inquiring about the situation, working to avoid casualties, and protecting properties and lives. Upon hearing about the firing, I inquired about the circumstances that led to it. I was initially told that only rubber bullets were fired, but later, I learned that 14 people had died. When I asked where they were shot, I was told it was in the head and chest. The police had instructions to shoot below the knee, but they fired at the head. I questioned how this could happen. My concern was to prevent bloodshed and an unfavourable situation in the nation. Those responsible for the incidents are trying to shift the blame to me," he added. With the parliament dissolved and elections scheduled for March next year, Nepal now faces a turbulent political transition. Meanwhile, demonstrations continue across Kathmandu and other major cities, with Gen Z protestors maintaining pressure on the political establishment. As political tensions persist, Oli's appearance is viewed by observers as an attempt to remain relevant within his party and national politics, despite the public backlash that led to his resignation. (ANI) Iran has recalled its ambassadors from the United Kingdom, France and Germany for consultations after the three European powers activated the UN sanctions "snapback" mechanism for the first time in ten years, Al Jazeera reported, citing local media. The decision was announced on Saturday by state media, a day before the sanctions are set to take effect at midnight GMT on Sunday. "Following the irresponsible action of the three European countries to reinstate repealed UN Security Council resolutions, Iran's ambassadors to Germany, France and the United Kingdom have been summoned to Tehran for consultations," Al Jareera reported, citing Tasnim news agency. The sanctions will ban global cooperation with Iran on its nuclear, military, banking and shipping sectors. Iran's currency hit record lows on Saturday, falling below 1.1 million rials per US dollar in open trading, Al Jazeera reported. Russia and China had attempted to block the move at the 15th Security Council with a draft resolution, but it gained support from only four members. Western powers rejected Iran's last-minute proposals to delay the process during UN meetings this week, Al Jazeera reported. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed on Friday that inspections at some Iranian sites had resumed, but did not clarify whether bombed facilities were included. Iran's nuclear chief, Mohammad Eslami, criticised the agency in Moscow for failing to condemn Israeli and American strikes on its facilities in June. President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran would not seek a new deal under pressure. "If the goal had been to resolve concerns on the nuclear programme, we could easily do that," he told reporters. He accused the US and Israel of using sanctions to weaken the government, as per Al Jazeera. The US envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, said Washington remained open to talks but called sanctions "the right medicine." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addressing the UN General Assembly on Friday, praised joint Israeli and US operations during the June conflict. He said Israeli and American pilots struck Iran's nuclear sites and claimed the campaign severely damaged Tehran's military capability. "Our daring pilots neutralised Iran's missile defences and took control of the skies over Tehran. Israeli fighter pilots and American B-2 pilots bombed Iran's nuclear enrichment sites," he said, calling the campaign unprecedented. "This war will go down in the annals of military history."The Israeli leader went on to commend US President Donald Trump for his role during the confrontation. Netanyahu said, "For his bold and decisive action...President Trump and I promised to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, and we delivered on that promise." Russia's deputy ambassador to the UN, Dmitry Polyansky, said Moscow regarded the renewed sanctions as "null and void." The US and its European partners already impose unilateral sanctions on Iran, targeting oil exports and financial transactions. Washington has also penalised Chinese companies that continue to purchase Iranian crude. (ANI) During Exercise Prasthan-25 (XPR-25) in the South China Sea, the Indian Navy's Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) successfully mated with foreign submarines, showcasing its expertise in intervention and rescue operations. https://x.com/indiannavy/status/1971934353422012891 The DSRV successfully mated with three foreign submarines in the South China Sea, demonstrating India's advanced submarine rescue capabilities. "This milestone underscores our readiness, interoperability and commitment to global submarine rescue, proving India as a dependable maritime partner and a proactive contributor to regional safety and humanitarian response at sea," the Navy said. Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) were deployed over three days, highlighting the Indian Navy's ability to conduct complex underwater operations. This exercise showcased India's growing global rescue capabilities, emphasising its commitment to regional safety and humanitarian response at sea. The successful exercise demonstrated the Indian Navy's interoperability with foreign naval forces, solidifying its position as a dependable maritime partner. Exercise Prasthan-25 (XPR-25) was designed to test the Indian Navy's capabilities in submarine rescue operations, including intervention and rescue operations. The successful completion of the exercise demonstrates the Indian Navy's ability to work with foreign naval forces and respond to emergencies in the region. Earlier, the Indian Navy also collaborated with 17 partner nations to refine standard operating procedures ahead of the upcoming sea phase of the ongoing multinational submarine rescue drill. Speaking with ANI, Commanding Officer Amitsubhro Banerji highlighted INS Nistar's dual roles -- conducting deep-sea diving operations and serving as a mothership for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) during submarine rescue missions. "INS Nistar is a diving support vessel with two main roles. The first one is to carry out diving operations in deep seas, to the clear depths... The second one is to carry out duties of mothership for the DSRV and rescues of submarine operations...," said Banerji. Earlier this month, on September 14, INS Nistar and the Submarine Rescue Unit (East) made their maiden port call at Singapore's Changi Naval Base to join Exercise Pacific Reach. The biennial exercise involves multinational submarine rescue drills and subject-matter expert exchanges. Personnel from the Republic of Singapore Navy and officials from the Indian High Commission in Singapore had welcomed the Indian Navy contingent on arrival. (ANI) President Donald Trump on Saturday (local time) said he has instructed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to deploy federal troops to Portland, Oregon, and to immigration facilities under federal jurisdiction, citing attacks from left-wing anti fascist movement, Antifa. "At the request of Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, I am directing Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists," Trump wrote on his Truth Social account. The announcement followed an executive order signed earlier this week that designated Antifa as a domestic terrorist organisation. The White House said the order gave federal agencies authority to investigate the group's networks, financing, and any activity deemed to provide "material support." "Individuals associated with and acting on behalf of Antifa further coordinate with other organisations and entities for the purpose of spreading, fomenting, and advancing political violence and suppressing lawful political speech," the order said. "All relevant executive departments and agencies shall utilise all applicable authorities to investigate, disrupt, and dismantle any and all illegal operations -- especially those involving terrorist actions...," the order added further. Late on Friday night, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden warned of a repeat of the 2020 clashes in Portland, as federal deployments escalated tensions. "There are credible reports that federal agents may be replaying the 2020 playbook and surging into Portland with the goal of provoking conflict and violence in my hometown," Wyden said in an X post. He added that he was in "close contact" with state officials and urged restraint. "Portland is a peaceful, vibrant city with no need for federal agents on our streets. I urge Oregonians not to fall into Trump's attempt to incite violence," he said. (ANI) Russia has reiterated its support for India's bid for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). At the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Saturday emphasised the need for reform in the UNSC to reflect the current global landscape. He stated that Russia backs India's application for a permanent seat, along with Brazil, to enhance representation from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Lavrov said Moscow "supports the application of Brazil and India for permanent seats" on the Council. With this, Russia became the only permanent member of the UNSC to support India for a permanent seat. Lavrov emphasised that the current global balance is significantly different from when the UN was established 80 years ago, necessitating reforms to make the UNSC more effective and representative. Earlier, Mauritius and Bhutan had also thrown their weight behind India's long-standing bid. Mauritius Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful told the Assembly, "India has now emerged as a major global player, and should have a permanent seat on the Council, commensurate with its constructive role in global affairs."Bhutan's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay also supported India, he said "A reformed UNSC must include deserving nations such as India and Japan." In his UNGA remarks, Lavrov also underlined the importance of forums like SCO and BRICS in shaping collective positions of the Global South. He said these groupings "play a special role as mechanisms for coordinating the interests of the developing world." Calls for UNSC reform have been a key theme in this year's Assembly. On Friday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar chaired a BRICS foreign ministers' meeting on the sidelines of the UNGA. The joint statement from the group reiterated support for the 2023 Johannesburg-II Declaration, which seeks a comprehensive overhaul of the Council to make it "more democratic, representative, effective and efficient." China and Russia, both permanent UNSC members, had also affirmed in earlier BRICS declarations that Brazil and India should play a greater role in the United Nations, including the Security Council. India has been pressing for reform of the UNSC for decades, arguing that its structure no longer reflects contemporary global realities. (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar asserted that Bharat will always maintain its "freedom of choice" and continue to be a "voice for the Global South". In his speech at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Jaishankar said, "We are gathered here, eight decades since the founding of this unique body. The UN Charter calls on us not just to prevent war, but to build peace; not just to defend rights, but to uphold the dignity of every human being," he added. He pointed out three concepts that India has adopted in its approach to the contemporary world. "Bharat approaches the contemporary world, guided by three key concepts. One, Atmanirbharta or self-reliance...Two, Atmaraksha or securing oneself. We remain determined to protect our people and secure their interests, at home and abroad. That means zero-tolerance for terrorism, robust defence of our borders, forging partnerships beyond and assisting our community abroad. And three, Atmavishwas or self-confidence... Bharat will always maintain its freedom of choice. And will always be a voice of the Global South," he said. He also highlighted India's role during the "moment of crisis". "...Turbulent times require that we step forward during moments of crisis. India has been forthcoming in that regard, especially in its immediate vicinity. Whether it is finance, food, fertilizer or fuel, we have responded to the urgent requirements of our neighbours." The External Affairs Minister also highlighted India's humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to Myanmar and Afghanistan. "...The people of Afghanistan and those of Myanmar saw India extend its hand during the recent earthquakes. Our efforts at ensuring safe commerce, combating piracy and preventing attacks on shipping in the northern Arabian Sea also bear mention...our soldiers ensure peacekeeping, our sailors protect maritime shipping, our security counters terrorism, our doctors and teachers facilitate human development the world over, our industry produces affordable products, our techies promote digitization and our training facilities are open to the world. These remain the core of our foreign policy." (ANI) Blog Archive: Dec 2025 (46) Nov 2025 (141) Oct 2025 (153) Sep 2025 (149) Aug 2025 (154) Jul 2025 (155) Jun 2025 (150) May 2025 (155) Apr 2025 (9) Mar 2025 (149) Feb 2025 (139) Jan 2025 (155) Dec 2024 (144) Nov 2024 (143) Oct 2024 (155) Sep 2024 (149) Aug 2024 (155) Jul 2024 (155) Jun 2024 (150) May 2024 (153) Apr 2024 (149) Mar 2024 (155) Feb 2024 (145) Jan 2024 (155) Dec 2023 (155) Nov 2023 (150) Oct 2023 (155) Sep 2023 (150) Aug 2023 (155) Jul 2023 (155) Jun 2023 (150) May 2023 (155) Apr 2023 (150) Mar 2023 (155) Feb 2023 (140) Jan 2023 (155) Dec 2022 (156) Nov 2022 (150) Oct 2022 (155) Sep 2022 (150) Aug 2022 (155) Jul 2022 (154) Jun 2022 (150) May 2022 (155) Apr 2022 (150) Mar 2022 (155) Feb 2022 (140) Jan 2022 (156) Dec 2021 (156) Nov 2021 (150) Oct 2021 (155) Sep 2021 (150) Aug 2021 (155) Jul 2021 (155) Jun 2021 (150) May 2021 (155) Apr 2021 (150) Mar 2021 (155) Feb 2021 (140) Jan 2021 (155) Dec 2020 (155) Nov 2020 (150) Oct 2020 (158) Sep 2020 (150) Aug 2020 (130) Jul 2020 (124) Jun 2020 (120) May 2020 (124) Apr 2020 (120) Mar 2020 (124) Feb 2020 (116) Jan 2020 (125) Dec 2019 (126) Nov 2019 (120) Oct 2019 (124) Sep 2019 (120) Aug 2019 (125) Jul 2019 (124) Jun 2019 (120) May 2019 (123) Apr 2019 (121) Mar 2019 (124) Feb 2019 (112) Jan 2019 (125) Dec 2018 (126) Nov 2018 (120) Oct 2018 (124) Sep 2018 (121) Aug 2018 (124) Jul 2018 (125) Jun 2018 (120) May 2018 (124) Apr 2018 (121) Mar 2018 (124) Feb 2018 (112) Jan 2018 (123) Dec 2017 (124) Nov 2017 (124) Oct 2017 (141) Sep 2017 (135) Aug 2017 (138) Jul 2017 (137) Jun 2017 (134) May 2017 (138) Apr 2017 (135) Mar 2017 (139) Feb 2017 (129) Jan 2017 (143) Dec 2016 (135) Nov 2016 (138) Oct 2016 (142) Sep 2016 (128) Aug 2016 (133) Jul 2016 (136) Jun 2016 (138) May 2016 (164) Apr 2016 (311) Mar 2016 (348) Feb 2016 (320) Jan 2016 (348) Dec 2015 (314) Nov 2015 (338) Oct 2015 (363) Sep 2015 (358) Aug 2015 (399) Jul 2015 (374) Jun 2015 (331) May 2015 (337) Apr 2015 (319) Mar 2015 (320) Feb 2015 (271) Jan 2015 (286) Dec 2014 (254) Nov 2014 (238) Oct 2014 (287) Sep 2014 (267) Aug 2014 (259) Jul 2014 (260) Jun 2014 (238) May 2014 (241) Apr 2014 (228) Mar 2014 (240) Feb 2014 (217) Jan 2014 (263) Dec 2013 (226) Nov 2013 (254) Oct 2013 (256) Sep 2013 (252) Aug 2013 (263) Jul 2013 (261) Jun 2013 (251) May 2013 (250) Apr 2013 (221) Mar 2013 (193) Feb 2013 (164) Jan 2013 (157) Dec 2012 (155) Nov 2012 (240) Oct 2012 (526) Sep 2012 (411) Aug 2012 (394) Jul 2012 (284) Jun 2012 (229) May 2012 (213) Apr 2012 (213) Mar 2012 (253) Feb 2012 (269) Jan 2012 (298) Dec 2011 (273) Nov 2011 (219) Oct 2011 (204) Sep 2011 (201) Aug 2011 (236) Jul 2011 (217) Jun 2011 (211) May 2011 (206) Apr 2011 (215) Mar 2011 (215) Feb 2011 (186) Jan 2011 (215) Dec 2010 (107) Nov 2010 (98) Oct 2010 (55) At the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov asserted that the economic partnership between India and Russia is "not under threat" amid the US tariffs on India for buying Russian oil. Responding to a question by ANI on secondary sanctions imposed on India by the US for importing Russian oil, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, "(The economic partnership between India and Russia) is not under threat... The Indian Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs have made it clear that India chooses its own partners. If the US has proposals on how to enrich bilateral trade between the US and India, they are prepared to discuss the terms for that, whatever terms the US might put forth. But when it comes to trade, investment, economic, military, technological, and other relations between India and third states, it is something that India will discuss only with those states in question." On India buying Russian oil and India-Russia relations, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, "...We have full respect for the national interests of India, full respect for the foreign policy that Narendra Modi is carrying out to promote these national interests. We hold regular contacts at the highest level..." Sergey Lavrov underlined the strategic relationship between India and Russia and said they have "utmost respect" for the foreign policy of the Indian government to pursue its "national interests" under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "These situations that might arise between India and the United States or India and any other country, I can't consider them a criterion for relations between India and the Russian Federation. We have a strategic partnership, as we call it, for a long time, strategic partnership relations. At a certain point, our Indian friends proposed supplementing that term and we now call it a privileged strategic partnership and a little bit later, our Indian friends proposed another clarification now, we call it a particularly privileged strategic partnership. We have the utmost respect for India's national interests and the foreign policy that Narendra Modi is implementing to promote these interests. We hold regular contacts at the highest level. He also recalled the recent meeting of PM Modi and President Putin at the SCO summit in China. He noted the "close coordination" between the two countries at the International level. "Just recently, Prime Minister Modi and President Putin met in Tianjin at the SCO summit in China. And in December, a visit from Mr Putin is being planned to New Delhi. We have a very extensive bilateral agenda, trade, military, technical cooperation, finance, humanitarian matters, healthcare, high-tech, artificial intelligence, and of course close coordination at the international level within the SCO, BRICS and bilaterally..." (ANI) Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor for Africa to the President of the United States, reaffirmed, on Friday, Washingtons support for Moroccos sovereignty over its Sahara and for the Morocco-proposed Autonomy Plan as the only basis for a just and lasting resolution to the regional conflict. The Presidential Advisor said, in a message published on the X platform following a meeting in New York with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, said that the meeting discussed efforts to accelerate a political process for a definitive resolution to the artificial conflict over the Sahara. Boulos pointed out further that he also discussed with Bourita the means of strengthening the strategic partnership and alliance between Rabat and Washington, as U.S. firms pursue opportunities throughout all of Morocco, including the Sahara. The Senior Advisor to President Trump also welcomed the strong partnership between Morocco and the United States. In the context of the United States recognition of Moroccos sovereignty over its Sahara, the U.S. government announced this week that it is encouraging American investment in the Kingdoms Southern Provinces. The United States has recognized Moroccos sovereignty over the Sahara, and as part of the Trump administrations global initiatives to promote economic and commercial diplomacy, we are pleased to announce that we will encourage American companies wishing to invest in this region of Morocco, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau, said in a statement to the press following a meeting in New York Wednesday with Foreign Minister Bourita. The Standard & Poors agency has raised Moroccos sovereign credit rating from BB+/B to BBB-/A-3 with stable outlook thanks to the resilience shown by the countrys economy in the face of consecutive economic shocks, including the one triggered by the instability in global trade because of U.S. trade tariffs. Economic growth prospects are solid, with real GDP growth forecast to average 4% over 2025-2028, said S&P in a statement, noting that growth prospects are, however, vulnerable due to the adverse effects of climate change on agricultural output. We think that Moroccos recent economic performance and its outlook are supported by its policy mix and strong structural socioeconomic and budgetary reform momentum, which we expect will continue to help further formalize and diversify the economy, underlined the experts of the international rating agency. They expect Moroccos budget deficit to narrow to 3% of GDP in 2026, supported by higher government revenue, leading to a slow decline in the general government debt-to-GDP ratio while the current account deficit will remain contained, averaging about 2.1% of GDP over 2025-2028. According to S&P, Moroccos economy and agricultural sector are vulnerable to climate shocks, and recurring episodes of drought. To address these challenges, the authorities are implementing a large-scale action plan aimed at mitigating water scarcity. The government has simultaneously been adopting tax reforms and measures to attract investments, has launched the unified social security system registry, and has widened health care coverage. We think these reforms will continue to support economic growth and diversification as well as widen the tax base, reducing the budget deficit, said the Standard & Poors agency. It expects Moroccos export performance to remain strong, partially offsetting higher imports. With the development of export-oriented sectors, the increase in Moroccos export capacity (for example, with Tanger Med being the largest port on the continent), and a buoyant tourism sector, exports of goods and services increased to 42% in 2025 from an average of 32% of GDP over 2015-2019. S&P anticipates this dynamism to continue in the coming years. In the first quarter, year-on-year GDP growth was 4.8%, supported by construction, manufacturing, tourism, ICT, and higher agricultural and phosphate output. This trend continued into the second quarter. Cement sales increased 15,3% in the second quarter compared with 4.6% in the first quarter, confirming the dynamism of the construction sector. Phosphate output increased by 18% in the second quarter compared with 12% in the first quarter, and tourism receipts increased by over 19% in the second quarter compared with 4% in the first quarter. As a result, the unemployment rate decreased to 12.8% in June 2025 from 13.1% in June 2024. Moroccos Economic activity has benefited from a significant boost in exports, with current account receipts forecast to represent about 52% of GDP in 2025 compared with 38% in 2015. In a country where even teenagers risk their lives crossing the Mediterranean in search of freedom, the recent escape of a former Algerian intelligence chief by boat to Spain has rattled a regime mired in self-inflicted crises. General Abdelkader Haddad, alias El Djinn, is no ordinary fugitive. Once head of Algerias powerful internal security agency, the DGSI, he is now the most high-profile defector in recent memory, and his flight exposes the expanding cracks within Algerias military-led system. Haddads escape comes at a time when the regime is increasingly using anti-terrorism laws and fear tactics to silence dissent, criminalize peaceful activism, and maintain its grip on power. Appointed in 2024 by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to lead the DGSI, Haddad was tasked with safeguarding the regime. But within months, he was dismissed, imprisoned, and later placed under house arrest. Despite being under tight surveillance, he managed to flee to Spain, reportedly by boat. According to Spanish journalist Ignacio Cembrero, Haddad claimed upon arrival: I was going to be assassinated before my trial, and they would have disguised it as a suicide. His escape is a stunning indictment of the regimes internal disarray and a rare glimpse into the clan warfare that has marked Algerian power politics since independence. Once a loyal enforcer of the Tebboune-Chengriha axis, Haddads flight suggests a brutal purge within the ruling elite, where yesterdays protectors become todays threats. Hes a lone wolf, a master of infiltration, and a man of the field, wrote journalist Farid Alilat in Le Point. He knows how to evade surveillance, and he has the resources to fund his own disappearance. Haddads escape comes amid a broader crackdown on dissent. According to human rights groups, Algerian authorities have increasingly used anti-terrorism legislation to prosecute peaceful activists, journalists, and artists. Charges such as apology of terrorism and undermining national interest have become tools to criminalize free expression. By framing dissent as terrorism, the regime installs a climate of fear and repression while projecting an image of stability to international partners. But Haddads escape shatters that illusion. Just as the regime was reeling from the fallout of Haddads disappearance, Army Chief of Staff General Said Chengriha staged a highly publicized visit to Tebessa, near the Tunisian border, where the army claimed to have killed six terrorists in a counterterrorism raid on September 23. The operation, which recovered six Kalashnikov rifles and ammunition, was framed as a major success in the fight against terrorism. But the timing raised eyebrows. Coming just days after Haddads escape, the operation was widely seen as a calculated show of force to reassert control, distract public attention, and reinforce the regimes narrative of national unity and vigilance. Ask a Cool Person Where we ask stylish individuals with particular, exacting, or simply exceptional taste to tell us about the things theyre actually buying. Read more here. Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Mbiye Kasonga, Michelle J. Li, Maria Del Russo Getting a wedding invitation comes with a lot of whats as in, what to give from the registry, what hotel to book, and, usually the hardest, what to wear. The question of what to wear isnt getting any easier as new dress codes are being invented all the time (fancy ranch, anyone?). Before you open 20 new tabs: I did the shopping for wedding-guest dresses for you and asked seasoned wedding attendees including a newsletter author who keeps a wedding spreadsheet and an artist who walked down the aisle as a flower girl about the dresses hanging in their closets. Youll find all kinds here, from the one seen everywhere from a ballroom in Washington, D.C., to a church in New Orleans to another thats forgiving after a long night of margaritas and tacos. I included dresses at different price points: under $250, under $500, and over $500. And if youre shopping for more formalwear, heres our guide to the best button-downs for men and ties to go with them. Updated on October 6, 2025 We checked the prices and stock of the dresses in this guide. Some are on sale, including Sezanes Wanda Dress and J.Crews Asymmetrical Cowlneck Dress. Under $250 Saved View Want to be emailed when products youve saved are over 20% off? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Le Bop Alix Mixed Fabric Tank Dress $158 $158 The wedding of her boyfriends friend at a country club in Cincinnati (with a scene that was string lights, Champagne flowing, and someones Aunt Linda showing off her dance moves) necessitated a new dress, says writer Jo Rosenthal. (I always like to be the most fashionable person at the weddings I attend, she admits. Move over, bride.) Because there wasnt a dress code, some guests dressed as if it were prom, while others dressed as if it were a summer barbecue, she says. This A-line, mixed-fabric frock was the right choice. It has a dance-friendly length, and it hides all crumbs, she tells me. Well, at least in navy its also available in butter yellow, poppy red, and a sky-bluechocolate combination. $158 at Amazon Buy $158 at Shopbop Buy Saved View Want to be emailed when products youve saved are over 20% off? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Sezane Simona Dress $215 $215 I dont personally love renting dresses for formal occasions because I feel like the quality of so many rental sites has dropped, especially on high-rotation items, says Oset Babur-Winter, founder of Prix Fixe. Her priority instead has been to find more versatile pieces. In anticipation of a wedding in March at a Mexico City contemporary-art museum, Babur-Winter bought Sezanes Simona dress. Some dresses feel like theyd be fun for a wedding on paper, but then you actually put them on and theyre clearly more for going out, you know? she says. This wont be restrictive (for moving around at a cocktail hour or being an active participant on the dance floor) with its cotton-knit composition (she has gotten a lot of good cotton knits from Sezane). The wedding date also happens to be around six months after the birth of her daughter, and she feels the higher, Empire-style waist will be flattering then. $215 at Sezane Buy Saved View Want to be emailed when products youve saved are over 20% off? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Sezane Wanda Dress $245 $245 For a black-tie reception in Rhode Island, influencer Heather Hurst initially went down a secondhand rabbit hole. I was at my wits end on page 59 of every site, says Hurst. Until she found this. It makes me feel very feminine, almost Grecian, and the red feels daring without leaning ostentatious, she says. It was styled with a messy Sienna Millerinspired updo and a pair of mesh flats. As its one-shouldered and voluminous, its perfect for long bouts of dancing and eating. She took it out to dinner with her parents afterward. $245 at Sezane Buy Saved View Want to be emailed when products youve saved are over 20% off? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Astr the Label Sorbae Ruffle Maxi Dress $148 $148 Strategist senior editor Hilary Reid attended a wedding in Greece wearing the Sorbae dress from Astr the Label. The chiffon-y fabric felt just the right amount of formal, she says, while the cascade of ruffles was slightly sexy without being over the top. Reid was a little nervous that the straps, which tie at the shoulders, might come undone while dancing, but she danced until 4 a.m. and they stayed exactly where they were at the beginning of the night. $148 at Bloomingdale's Buy $148 at ASTR The Label Buy Saved View Want to be emailed when products youve saved are over 20% off? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Resa Chelsea Maxi Dress $189 $189 Helpfully, the bride and groom of a wedding that personal stylist Meredith Ferguson recently attended had created a mood board for guests to know what to wear. Ferguson also did some more homework: I looked up the venue. I am a freak who dresses to match the setting. She knew the pattern on Resas Chelsea would work against the view of the Majorcan mountain landscape. And while she went with a taupe-brown polka-dot print, the Chelsea is also available in Warhol-esque flowers and a watercolor-y tie-dye. Its figure-hugging (necessitating some no-show underwear) with a plunging neckline, halter-tie, and low V-shaped back. $189 at Resa Buy Saved View Want to be emailed when products youve saved are over 20% off? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Rohe One-Shoulder Scuba Knit Maxi Dress $600 $600 I could nap in this thing, says artist Melly Wirtes of this one-shoulder jersey Rohe. It may be made of whats called scuba material, but it reminds Wirtes more of a windbreaker. Seems like the fabric would be forgiving for sweat, she tells me. I would say when I tear up the dance floor, but lets be honest, I dont dance. She ordered it for a party celebrating the launch of a friends interior-design business (and ended up wearing something else instead), but shell consider it for the next wedding shes invited to. Or maybe a members event at the Frick, whichever comes first. $600 at Shopbop Buy From $80 at Rent The Runway Buy Saved View Want to be emailed when products youve saved are over 20% off? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Kika Vargas Adri Dress From $695 From $695 You cant miss the Adri mini from Kika Vargas. Its made of taffeta (a blend of polyester, nylon, and elastane) with ruffles that seem more like wings than sleeves. I get a million compliments every time I wear this dress, says Mbiye Kasonga, a podcast producer. Kasonga has been to 15 weddings in the past four years, and the dress made an appearance at a few that were black tie. Not only does it have tons of room for cake eating, it has pockets. But its definitely on the short side, she says. So if youre taller, you may need to size up for length. From $695 at SSENSE Buy $595 at Kika Vargas Buy Saved View Want to be emailed when products youve saved are over 20% off? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. LaDoubleJ Roy Dress From $162 From $162 Branded-content strategist Maria Del Russo always rents her wedding-guest dresses. And renting the Roy from La DoubleJ saved her nearly a grand (for comparisons sake, it costs $1,200 to buy and $162 to rent for a weekend). The wedding she went to in it was just outside of Lisbon at the Palacio do Correio-Mor. The wedding itself didnt have much of a theme beyond Were getting married in a castle in Lisbon, and we plan to not go to sleep until the sun rises, she says. So the orange, pink, and red hues of this dress worked. Its like a caftan, and even though its basically a colorful sack, the one-shoulder gives it a touch of sexiness, she says. Perhaps more important, it doesnt require any shapewear. If you prefer something that slinks along the body a little more, she recommends sizing down. From $162 at Rent The Runway Buy $1,200 at Nordstrom Buy Saved View Want to be emailed when products youve saved are over 20% off? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Bardot Verona Long-Sleeve Sequin Slim Midi Dress If youre looking to rent, theres Bardots Verona on Nuuly. Artist Taylor Quitara rented it for a holiday party and ended up buying it instead of returning it. Its been much worn ever since. The show-stopping sequins make her feel like a sparkly mermaid. With sequined garments, the fit can be a bit unflattering sometimes, but I love how formfitting this is, she says. Just be careful with whatever else you wear so it wont be snagged by a sequin. Buy at Nuuly Buy Saved View Want to be emailed when products youve saved are over 20% off? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Beaufille Baes Dress $475 $475 Filmmaker (and former New York photo editor) Stella Blackmons event outfit of choice is Beaufilles slim-fitting, skin-baring Baes dress. Its cut in a way that sort of swings away from the body, she says. It features a cutout on top, with a bra built in for her smaller chest, she doesnt have to keep pulling it up, as theres boning on the sides. My friends tease me that Im in a cutout-dress phase, and I think I actually am because those are the dresses I get the most compliments on, she says. $475 at SSENSE Buy $600 at Beaufille Buy Saved View Want to be emailed when products youve saved are over 20% off? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Stine Goya Mille Dress $500 $500 To a friends nuptials at the Boathouse in Prospect Park, Wirtes went with Stine Goyas Mille Dress: We all went to art school together, so the fashion at this wedding was top tier. Thanks to a torrential downpour, guests were ushered into a moody, candlelit, tiled room. And on a fairly rainy, dreary day, I found this dress is perfect for transitional weather. The sleeves have a bit of cover, while the fabric is still light, she says. Hers has a painterly tulip print on it. Its regularly restocked in different patterns (see here, here, and here), and, as she tells me, Literally, Im sure others will be available by the time you go to publish. $500 at Stine Goya Buy Under $500 Saved View Want to be emailed when products youve saved are over 20% off? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Reformation Cassette Dress $348 $348 Buy at Reformation Buy Saved View Want to be emailed when products youve saved are over 20% off? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Reformation Anaiis Silk Dress $398 $398 Buy at Reformation Buy An entire section of Reformations site is dedicated to wedding-guest dresses and I heard the brand mentioned more than any other by far. Its appeal is in the selection (you can scroll down pages for black tie and bra friendly), with everything from leopard satin for a Vegas chapel to a floral georgette for a Portuguese cathedral. Of course, there are repeat customers; photographer Julia Stotz has been wearing Ref to weddings since 2016. Wirtes walked down the aisle as a flower girl in the Cassette. My guess is that the Cassette is an elusive example of a bridesmaid dress youll actually wear again, she says. The Anaiis is what she wore to her mothers church ceremony: I appreciate that Reformation dresses usually toe a sexy yet classy line. Saved View Want to be emailed when products youve saved are over 20% off? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Reformation Frankie Dress $298 $298 Buy at Reformation Buy Saved View Want to be emailed when products youve saved are over 20% off? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Reformation Aiko Dress $298 $298 Buy at Reformation Buy An issue of Emilia Petrarcas Shop Rat newsletter introduced me to Lily Sullivan, author of the newsletter Love and Other Rugs and the head of partnerships at Big Night, who created a wedding spreadsheet to catalogue her wedding-guest dresses. It came about because she had eight weddings in one year and needed to keep track of what was already in her closet. (She averages about four weddings a year.) Sullivan went to a rehearsal dinner at an Aspen art museum in the Frankie and then saw someone at the same wedding wearing it the next day. Ruby Buddemeyer, director of copy and concept at Starface, decided on the Aiko for a wedding in a field in Stowe, Vermont. It mightve appeared unassuming on the rack, but it fit perfectly when she tried it on. Im really not a dress girl I never feel like myself, she says. It really came to life when I put it on. Saved View Want to be emailed when products youve saved are over 20% off? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Doen Alna Dress $498 $498 Buy at Doen Buy Saved View Want to be emailed when products youve saved are over 20% off? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Doen Quinley Dress $298 $298 Buy at Doen Buy Saved View Want to be emailed when products youve saved are over 20% off? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Doen Rhodia Dress $268 $268 Buy at Doen Buy Maybe your next wedding-guest dress will come from Doen, another brand recommended to me more than once. Im always pleasantly surprised by the quality and how well they fit my body, says Aemilia Madden of the Taeste Bud newsletter. She tells me some can be on the sheerer side as theyre often unlined, and sizes can go quickly at least the Alna, Quinley, and Rhodia are stocked (for now). I dont love the idea of buying a dress Im only going to wear once, says Bathen co-founder Hannah Zisman. So for the past three years, she has been buying Doen dresses, which she likes for their vintage-inspired prints, super-flattering shirring, and, she says, sultry necklines that just make your boobs look extra bountiful for some reason. Her dresses have gone to a wedding at a coastal campground in Maine, where guests ate fresh oysters and played lawn games, and around a pool with espresso martinis in White Rock, British Columbia. Saved View Want to be emailed when products youve saved are over 20% off? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. House of CB Dorothy Stretch Cotton Dress $269 $269 As a rule of thumb, Strategist writer Brenley Goertzen goes a little more formal than the dress code on an invitation requires. (But she says she always stays away from bold colors or patterns because you dont want to draw attention to yourself.) So for a semi-formal wedding at a resort in Punta Maroma, Mexico, she went with House of CBs square-necked, midi-length Dorothy. The boning mightve made the dress slightly heavy, but it was waist accentuating. It really made me feel like a princess, she says. A friend even commented on her resemblance to Cinderella. The dress survived dancing barefoot and jumping into a hotel pool post-reception (with no missing glass slipper at midnight). $269 at Nordstrom Buy $269 at House of CB Buy Saved View Want to be emailed when products youve saved are over 20% off? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Bec + Bridge Angelina Asym Maxi Dress $380 $380 For her best friends November wedding at a hotel on Miamis South Beach, Sullivan couldnt imagine something more perfect than this. Not only for the bold solid color but the fit as she realized when she tried it on for the first time. Im gonna borrow language from a friend who called it a modern Botticelli dress, she says. (Or snatched but not snug, in her own words.) $380 at Free People Buy Saved View Want to be emailed when products youve saved are over 20% off? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Staud Calluna Dress $495 $495 Wirtes says she sees Stauds Calluna dress quite literally, without exception, at every wedding. Thats everywhere from a Washington, D.C., ballroom to a New Orleans church. Aside from it being available to rent, I imagine the universal appeal is that the floor-length, billowy silhouette is super-forgiving on all body types, she explains. Plus, its extremely elegant what more can a girl ask for? $495 at Staud Buy Saved View Want to be emailed when products youve saved are over 20% off? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Issey Miyake Pleats Please Colorful Basics 4 $490 $490 Lettering illustrator Jessica Hische loaned a Pleats Please dress to friend Kelsey Keith, writer of the Ground Condition newsletter and creative director at MillerKnoll, for a pre-wedding event. Because Pleats sizing is so forgiving, it feels like a Sisterhood of the Traveling Dress kind of situation, Keith says. She has seen plenty of tank-style Pleats Please in nearly every color at the weddings shes been to, and she borrowed this one in the brightest, highlighter-iest hue. The neon lime green is an outrageous color that looks good with a tan, she adds. (I linked to a similar version since hers has since sold out.) Costume designer Michelle J. Li borrowed the brands Madame-T stole (like this) for a Balinese affair. Its actually a rectangular-shaped stole with a hole in the center, she explains. I doubt I could ever tie it the same way again. It took about an hour of playing around with the fabric (with the drape held together by color-matched bungee cord, fashion tape, and lots of zhuzhing). But it didnt wrinkle. If you want a look thats easier to put together, you could use a shorter Madame-T stole over a Pleats Please basic. $490 at Issey Miyake Buy Saved View Want to be emailed when products youve saved are over 20% off? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Ganni Cotton Poplin Mini Dress $255 $255 At 46, I get invited to fewer and fewer weddings these days, which frankly is a-okay by me, says Monica Khemsurov, co-founder of Sight Unseen and founder of Petra. But she did just receive a save the date card for one in Miami in March. This cotton-poplin Ganni mini is what shell likely wear. When I go to weddings, I like to eat and I like to dance, so you wont find me in anything super-bodycon or constricting, she says. This one is helped by a ruffled hem. Its the perfect amount of cute and edgy, she adds. I dont do girlie girl. This little ruffle is all youre gonna get from me! $255 at Bloomingdale's Buy $255 at Ganni Buy Over $500 Saved View Want to be emailed when products youve saved are over 20% off? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. LaDoubleJ Mini Gingerbread Dress $807 $807 If the invitation reads more formal, Khemsurov might go for this La DoubleJ. Its nothing like what I would usually wear, she says. Its almost one step too far for me in terms of girlieness, but Im willing to forgive that bit. When she tried it on anyway at the store in Milan (despite her misgivings), she felt cute, a little flirty, and a little fancy. It also holds her in all the right places, and the florals remind her of old German book illustrations (Maybe hence the Gingerbread name? she wonders). I immediately categorized it in my mind as a garden-party dress, something Id wear to a villa in Italy in July, but I think it suits a Miami wedding just as well, she adds. $807 at La DoubleJ Buy Saved View Want to be emailed when products youve saved are over 20% off? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Anaak Airi Maxi Dress $750 $750 Permanent Collections Fanny Singer calls Anaaks Airi a liberation from the idea of what formalwear has to be. She owns a few, including a peony number that feels weddingish without being white or getting too bridal, while a fuchsia is to die for and couldnt be more celebratory. Because the label prides itself in making things limited edition, these colors change seasonally and once one is sold out, its not often restocked. Its a flash of featherweight color that billows like a sail, she says. Its pure romance. It also comes in mini form. $750 at Anaak Buy Saved View Want to be emailed when products youve saved are over 20% off? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Chelsea Mak Tabea Dress $695 $695 Citrin-Safadi was in a wedding party (for a friend who got married at Milk & Roses in Greenpoint), and everyone wore pink. For her turn as maid of honor, she ordered the sugar-spun dream thats the Tabea from Chelsea Mak. (Its still available in black and white if you happen to be attending an all-white event.) Since it was an investment, it will be worn more than once, and Citrin-Safadi happens to have another wedding at Elsewhere in Bushwick a few weeks before her due date. So per my physical size, she says. I will be wearing it again! (It fits like a tent, she explains.) $695 at Chelsea Mak Buy $724 at Garmentory Buy get the strategist newsletter Actually good deals, smart shopping advice, and exclusive discounts. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. For decades, Trinidad and Tobago has relied on oil production to bring in revenue to the small Caribbean state. However, as its oil reserves begin to dwindle, the outlook is less certain, despite ongoing investment in new auctions for further exploration. The country is now at a crossroads, as the government decides whether to support more invasive exploration practices or to shift to alternative energy sources and pursue economic diversification. In recent years, the neighbouring South American state of Guyana has attracted attention from oil majors worldwide looking to invest in exploration and production activities in the new oil region, where its vast reserves are largely untapped. This has also drawn attention to Trinidad and Tobago, as oil firms hope that similar reserves may still be found through more invasive exploration activities. Trinidad and Tobago has long been the largest oil and natural gas producer in the Caribbean and is the 17th-biggest natural gas producer worldwide. The small Caribbean country is home to one of the Western Hemispheres largest natural gas processing facilities the Phoenix Park Gas Processors Limited, with a processing capacity of almost 2 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d). Trinidad and Tobagos upstream oil and gas market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.4 percent between 2020 and 2030, according to Mordor Intelligence, with giant oil firms such as BP, Repsol, and Shell continuing to operate in the country. However, following the introduction of sanctions on neighbouring oil giant Venezuela by the United States, Trinidad and Tobagos oil industry has also suffered. In April, the U.S. governments Office of Foreign Assets Control decided to revoke two special licenses for the Dragon and Cocuina gas fields in the maritime boundary between Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago, with Trump stating plans to further restrict Venezuelan oil production. In September, an auction of Trinidad and Tobagos deepwater oil and gas exploration and production blocks did not attract much interest from foreign investors, which saw bids submitted on only four of the 26 areas on offer. Chinas CNOOC bid on three areas, while a consortium of smaller energy firms bid on another block. With few deepwater energy players in the region, the government has instead been encouraging producers to increase natural gas output to allow it to boost its gas processing capacity and exports. Trinidad and Tobago has a separate agreement with American oil major Exxon Mobil to explore an area equivalent to seven ultra-deepwater blocks, which is expected to bring as much as $21.7 billion to the country if reserves are found. This marks Exxons return to the country after a 20-year hiatus, having left Trinidad and Tobago in 2003 after an unsuccessful offshore exploration. Exxon has conducted successful exploration and production operations in Guyanas Stabroek block in recent years, which appear to have made the oil major reconsider Trinidad and Tobagos potential. Guyana has become the fifth-largest oil exporter in Latin America in less than a decade, with output growing from 400,000 bpd to over 660,000 bpd in just a few months. At present, Trinidad and Tobago does not have any production from its deepwater acreage. However, BP and Shell recently completed seismic work at three deepwater blocks in the region, and Woodside Energy said it is considering the development of its Calypso gas discovery. Trinidad and Tobagos oil production has fallen to less than 54,000 bpd, from over 278,000 bpd of crude oil at its peak in the 1970s. Its only petroleum refinery closed in 2018, due to years of mismanagement and a significant fall in production by the state-owned company Petrotrin. A recent report suggests that the countrys energy revenues fell by 48.4 percent to $14.7 billion in the last fiscal year, in which its non-energy revenues increased by 26 percent to $32.7 billion, suggesting greater economic diversification. Trinidad and Tobago established its Heritage and Stabilisation Fund in 2007, aimed at enhancing economic diversification using its oil wealth to ensure long-term economic security. However, the significant drop in oil revenues in recent years has made the fund far less successful than other oil funds, such as those of Norway and the UAE. In 2022, the government launched a green hydrogen strategy, aimed at diversifying and adding value to the countrys energy sector; however, this is in the nascent stage of development. It is uncertain what Trinidad and Tobago will do to ensure the future of its economic stability while also considering the viability of new, uncertain oil development. A 2019 report by a U.S. consultancy estimated there were 10 years of gas reserves left. While new investment in deepwater exploration could potentially boost this figure, there are no guarantees, and the environmental implications are big. However, only greater economic diversification will alleviate the pressure for the government to continue drilling, which is all the harder to achieve without the oil revenues needed to finance emerging industries. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Like financial services, advertising and marketing have been at the forefront of the net-zero push, making emission reduction commitments and demonstrating a readiness to pressure the energy industry to decarbonize. Also, like financial services, ad and marketing firms are backpedaling from net zero and eager to get Big Oils business. The Financial Times reported this week that advertisers are going the way of bankers in rephrasing their decarbonization messaging on websites and rediscovering the energy industry as a client - a well-paying one. The standard go-to explanation is, of course, President Trump and his anti-net-zero rhetoric and policies. Yet it seems that a much bigger reason for the pullback is simply money. Like banks before them, advertisers and marketers are discovering that the energy industry makes money and doesnt mind paying generously for advertising. The FT cited data from a climate campaign organization called Clean Creatives showing that advertising and PR agencies had boosted the number of contracts with their energy industry clients over the past 12 months. The trend strongly suggests a developing realization that net-zero campaigning is all very well, but it does not really pay the bills. Had it been otherwise, the ad industryand bankerswould have stopped doing any business with Big Oil. What actually happened was that banks started pulling out of net-zero organizations. It is a fact that the Trump administration had a lot to do with it, as did Republican state governments before Trump became president. The saga began back in 2022, when Texas passed legislation forbidding state agencies from investing in any of a number of companies that, the states government said, boycotted the oil and gas industry. The black list of such companies included many Wall Street heavyweights eager to get a piece of the energy transition business. Other states also slammed banks and asset managers for their newfound investment pickiness and took measures similar to Texas. Banks and asset managers rushed to defend themselveseven as they continued insisting on their net-zero commitments that inevitably involved a reduction and a following exit from oil and gas. Only it never came to that. The reality is that for quite some time, fossil fuels will be with us, the chief executive of Barclays told Bloomberg last year, even though the bank had made a pledge to completely suspend financing for oil and gas projectsbut only new ones. The financial industry, CS Venkatakrishnan said at the time, cannot go cold turkey on hydrocarbons. The pushback against what banks called sustainable investing did a lot to change their perspective on the energy transitionand their fiduciary duty, which is to make money for their clients, not force them to cut their emissions. Now, advertisers are following the same path for pretty much the same reasons. Banks have discovered that investments in emission-reduction, carbon credits, and what transition proponents call climate tech do not pay as well as expected and, indeed, in some cases, it does not pay at all. Now, advertisers are discovering that artificial intelligence is encroaching on their territory and they need paying clients. According to the FT reportand the Clean Creatives outletthe ad industrys rediscovery of the importance of making money has led to a change in marketing messaging for the energy industry that, the report implies, is inconsistent with net zero efforts. Marketing spend is shifting towards making them seem [oil and gas] inevitable and vital, the executive director of Duncan Meisel told the FT. It is a fact that net-zero pundits resent the notion that oil and gas are indeed inevitable and vital for modern human civilization. In fact, some of those pundits acknowledge this, especially those involved in electricity generation. Every winter, the northern hemisphere gets a reminder of just how indispensable hydrocarbons are for securing power and heating once the wind dies down and the sun moves past its peak power generation period. Ultimately, however, it is about survival. Advertising is struggling so all business is being considered, one industry insider told the Financial Times. AI is turning into a substantial challenge for advertisers and marketers, threatening to render the industry unnecessary. AI is going to make all the worlds expertise available to everybody at extremely low cost, Mark Read, the former head of WPP, said earlier this year. The best lawyer, the best psychologist, the best radiologist, the best accountant, and indeed, the best advertising creatives and marketing people often will be an AI, you know, will be driven by AI. In response to that challenge, the ad industry is, first, finding ways to use AI itself, and, two, securing all the business it can secure to ensure its longer-term survival. It so happens that oil and gas majors have the money, and companies such as rsted dont have the money, because oil and gas are indeed inevitable and vital and will remain so until such energy technology is developed that has all the pros of hydrocarbons with none of their drawbacks. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The reopening follows a period of heightened tensions and a humanitarian crisis at the border, with Poland accusing Belarus of weaponizing migration to destabilize the EU, a strategy backed by Moscow. China played a crucial, albeit quiet, role in the decision to reopen the border, prioritizing the protection of its trade flows through the Poland-Belarus frontier, a main artery of the Belt and Road Initiative. Poland has reopened its border with Belarus after a nearly two-week closure that was implemented to counter security risks and migration pressure during the Zapad-2025 joint military exercises. Poland has reopened its border with Belarus after a nearly two-week closure tied to the Zapad-2025 joint military exercises held by Russia and Belarus, with Beijing playing a quiet but crucial role in the decision. Within the first few minutes of September 25, passenger vehicles resumed crossing at TerespolBrest and trucks at KukurykiKazlovichy, while freight rail reopened via Kuznica BialostockaHrodna, SiemianowkaSvislach, and TerespolBrest. The move followed an order by Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski that was announced by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The border was closed since 12 September with the aim of countering security risks and migration pressure. Since 2021, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia have accused Belarus of weaponizing migration by luring people from the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia with tourist visas and pushing them toward EU borders. Warsaw has labeled this a hybrid operation by Aleksdandr Lukashenko's regime in Belarus, backed by Moscow, to destabilize the EU. The strategy created a humanitarian crisis, with migrants trapped for weeks in border forests and dozens confirmed dead from exposure. Data show irregular crossing attempts fell in early September, spiked during the Zapad drills to 687, and eased to 663 last week. Between September 20 and 23, 282 attempts were registered. China's Trade Route To The EU China's involvement in reopening the border is key. On September 16, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski met with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Warsaw. Sikorski said Poland hoped Beijing would again help restrain "Belarusian provocations," recalling how a 2024 meeting between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Polish President Andrzej Duda coincided with a temporary drop in crossings. Analysts say China's priority is not political alignment but protecting trade flows. The PolandBelarus frontier is a main artery of the Belt and Road Initiative, carrying goods from China to the EU. Disruption threatens delivery schedules and undermines Beijing's claim that Eurasian rail is a reliable alternative to sea routes. "China wants to avoid blame and keep goods moving," Temur Umarov, a Carnegie Endowment fellow researcher, told RFE/RL. "Its focus is economic stability and showing that Belt and Road works." Whether Beijing's behind-the-scenes diplomacy has worked will be tested soon: Only a sustained decline in migration numbers will confirm whether Minsk has eased pressure on the border under Chinese influence. By RFE/RL More Top Reads From Oilprice.com September 27, 2025: The United States has provided most of the military aid Ukraine needed in its war with Russia. American military advisers began working with Ukrainian forces in 2014, after Russia seized Crimea and portions of two adjacent provinces from Ukraine. The United States was not about to go to war with Russia over this, but that was always a possibility because Ukraine wanted to join NATO. Russia opposed this and believed that Ukraine should be part of Russia. Between 2014 and early 2022, there was some low-level combat in the contested provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk. That changed when Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022. The invaders believed that the Ukrainians would not offer any effective resistance and would quickly surrender. Three and a half years later, the war is still ongoing, and the Russians are losing, with over a million dead, disabled, or missing troops. Economic sanctions imposed on Russia have, according to Russian leaders, done serious damage to their economy. Meanwhile, Ukraine, benefiting from over $200 billion in Western military and economic aid, has seen its economy grow. At the same time, Ukraine invented a new form of warfare, using millions of cheap drones to cause most of the casualties and dominate the battlefield. Ukraine offered this technology to its NATO supporters, especially the United States. The Americans quickly discovered that their defense industries were not prepared to manufacture cheap drones. This sounds absurd, but U.S. defense firms lean toward bigger and more expensive systems. At the moment, the Ukrainians are urging the Americans to overcome their self-imposed drone problems by seeking a manufacturer outside the defense sector to build drones. The Ukrainians pointed out that this was how they did it. Early on, drones were being developed and built by hundreds of small groups using components imported from China. When Russia persuaded the Chinese to stop supplying the Ukrainians, the response was increased Ukrainian production of drone components and finding more firms in Europe willing and able to build drone components as well as completed drones. The Americans were also asked to help, and if the U.S. can contribute, it will simultaneously solve its own problems with building drones for Ukrainian and U.S. forces. . 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: CC0 Public Domain While taste and price remain top priorities, more consumers are starting to consider the safety and sustainability of ingredients when dining outa challenge that restaurants are working to address. To support this shift, researchers at the University of Missouri are investigating how a revolutionary technology that could allow consumers to track ingredients all along the supply chain will affect their decision-making processes. "Customers have become increasingly concerned about where their food is coming from, whether it's sustainably sourced and how safe it is to eat," Pei Liu, an associate professor of hospitality management in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, said. Many diners find it difficult to verify that information because restaurants rarely publicize how their food is sourced in a clear or consistent way. This lack of information breeds uncertainty for the customers. But Liu and her team have found a potential solution: blockchain. Blockchain uses a decentralized, secure and transparent method of recording transactions across multiple computers. Once validated, each transaction is cryptographically linked to the one before it, making the data extremely resistant to tampering or unauthorized changes. This immutability helps promote trust and transparency in shared systems. When restaurants use blockchain to give consumers greater visibility into their supply chainsa practice known as food traceabilityit builds trust in sustainable foods, researchers found. That trust not only enhances the overall dining experience but also strengthens the restaurant's reputation. In fact, the study found that consumers are more willing to pay premium prices when blockchain transparency reduces their concerns about food safety. Because food safety was the most influential factor in their decision making, this increased confidence could ultimately boost restaurant revenue. Showing their work Liu was inspired by her collaborator from the College of Arts and Science's Department of Textile and Apparel Management, who informed her that the blockchain is being used for traceability in the fashion industry. There, it can be used to track cotton from its farmers; for Liu, it can be used to track ingredients throughout the supply chain, thanks to a radio-frequency identification (RFID) label. The RFID would be scanned at every stage: first when an ingredient is sealed and palletized for shipping, again when entering quality-assurance cold storage and once more upon exit. It would then be scanned as it's leaving the manufacturing facility, entering the distribution center and departing for a restaurant. Upon arrival at the restaurant, it would be scanned when placed into the walk-in cooler, and finally, one last time before leaving the cooler to be cooked. For the consumers, this entire process becomes accessible through a simple QR code on the menu, and because the blockchain is unchangeable, consumers can rest easy knowing important information about the source of their food. "It's going to show customers when the dishes were made and what farm the ingredients came from, where the farm was located and how the ingredient was transported," Liu said. "We believe our findings could help the restaurants build trust with customers." 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. This type of process is currently being used by some restaurants in large American coastal cities and in others in Europe. After explaining the process to her survey participants, Liu wanted to answer the question of how three types of consumer concerns affected the consumers' perception of the transparency provided by the blockchain. When surveying consumers, Liu expected those three concernsfood safety, health consciousness and environmentalto matter equally to consumers. She was surprised to discover that health consciousness and environmental concerns didn't create as much uncertainty as food safety concerns. Consumers with a higher level of uncertainty about concerns over food safety were the most likely to pay attention to the added transparency provided by the blockchain, Liu said. The study also showed that when consumers felt a blockchain's transparency provided clear, easy-to-understand information that alleviated their concerns about the food's safety, they were willing to pay more for their meal. Demographics also influenced consumers' uncertainty about food sustainability and their openness to blockchain technology as a possible solution. "Older diners and those who had higher educational backgrounds were more responsive to blockchain transparency," Liu said. Liu's future studies will examine whether a restaurant's assertion that it has a blockchain-verified menu is enough to reduce uncertainty or whether consumers actually need to see the data for themselves to feel confident. The study, "Sustainable food traceability on blockchain: exploring consumer decisions in restaurants through the uncertainty reduction theory," was published in British Food Journal. Co-authors are Song-yi Youn from Mizzou's College of Arts and Science, and Qianni (Jacqueline) Zhu, a doctoral student at Mizzou. More information: Pei Liu et al, Sustainable food traceability on blockchain: exploring consumer decisions in restaurants through the uncertainty reduction theory, British Food Journal (2025). DOI: 10.1108/bfj-03-2025-0332 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: Artist's impression of white dwarf WD 1647+375 accreting icy planetary fragments from a pluto-like world, creating the chemical signature idenfitifed in this study. Credit: Snehalata Sahu / University of Warwick University of Warwick astronomers have uncovered the chemical fingerprint of a frozen, water-rich planetary fragment being consumed by a white dwarf star outside our solar system. In our solar system, it is thought that comets and icy planetesimals (small solid objects in space) were responsible for delivering water to Earth. The existence of these icy objects is a requirement for the development of life on other worlds, but it is incredibly difficult to identify them outside our solar system as icy objects are small, faint and require chemical analysis. In a study published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, astronomers from Warwick, Europe and the US have found strong evidence that icy, volatile-rich bodiescapable of delivering water and the ingredients for lifeexist in planetary systems beyond our own. To make this discovery, the group used ultraviolet spectroscopy from the Hubble Space Telescope to study the chemical make-up of distant stars. One star, WD 1647+375, stood out as having "volatiles" (chemical substances with low melting points) on the surface. White dwarf atmosphere is typically made up of hydrogen and helium, but WD 1647+375 had elements such as carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen. This volatile-rich atmosphere was the first clue that WD 1647+375 was different. Lead author Snehalata Sahu, research fellow, department of physics, University of Warwick said, "It is not unusual for white dwarfs to show signatures of calcium, iron and other metal from the material they are accreting (absorbing). This material comes from planets and asteroids that come too close to the star and are shredded and accreted. Analyzing the chemical make-up of this material gives us a window into how planetesimals outside the solar system are composed. "In this way, white dwarfs act like cosmic crime sceneswhen a planetesimal falls in, its elements leave chemical fingerprints in the star's atmosphere, letting us reconstruct the identity of the 'victim.' Typically, we see evidence of rocky material being accreted, such as calcium and other metals, but finding volatile-rich debris has been confirmed in only a handful of cases." One volatilenitrogenis a particularly important chemical fingerprint of icy worlds. The ultraviolet spectroscopy in this study showed that the material gained by WD 1647+375 had a high percentage of its mass as nitrogen (~5%). This is the highest nitrogen abundance ever detected in a white dwarf's debris. The atmosphere of WD 1647+375 had also gained much more oxygen than would be expected if the object being absorbed was rock84% more, both suggesting an icy object. The astronomers also had data to show that the debris had been feeding the star for at least the last 13 years, at a rate of 200,000 kg (the weight of an adult blue whale) per second. This meant that the icy object was at least 3km across (or comet-sized), but this is a minimum size as accretion can take hundreds of thousands of years more than this 13-year snapshot, meaning the object could be closer to 50 km in diameter and a quintillion kilograms. Together, the data painted a picture of an icy/water-rich planetesimal (made up of 64% water) that was being consumed by this star, perhaps a comet like Halley's or a dwarf planet fragment like C/2016 R2. 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. Second author, professor Boris T. Gansicke, Department of Physics, University of Warwick said, "The volatile-rich nature of WD 1647+375 makes it like Kuiper-belt objects (KBOs) in our solar systemthe icy objects found beyond the orbit of Neptune. We think that the planetesimal being absorbed by the star is most likely a fragment of a dwarf planet like Pluto. "This is based on its nitrogen-rich composition, the high predicted mass and the high ice-to-rock ratio of 2.5, which is more than typical KBOs and likely originates from the crust or mantle of a Pluto-like planet." This is the first unambiguous finding of a hydrogen-atmosphere white dwarf purely absorbing an icy planetesimal. Whether this object formed in the planetary system around the original star or is instead an interstellar comet captured from deep space, remains an open question. Either way, the finding provides compelling evidence that icy, volatile-rich bodies exist in planetary systems beyond our own. The discovery also highlights the unique role of ultraviolet spectroscopy in probing the composition of such rare volatile-rich objects beyond our solar system. Only UV can detect the volatile elements (carbon, sulfur, oxygen, and especially nitrogen) and will be an important part of future attempts to search for the building blocks of life around other stars. More information: Snehalata Sahu et al, Discovery of an icy and nitrogen-rich extrasolar planetesimal, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (2025). DOI: 10.1093/mnras/staf1424 Journal information: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 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: University of California - Riverside Gravitational-wave detection technology is poised to make a big leap forward thanks to an instrumentation advance led by physicist Jonathan Richardson of the University of California, Riverside. A paper detailing the invention, published in the journal Optica, reports the successful development and testing of FROSTI, a full-scale prototype for controlling laser wavefronts at extreme power levels inside the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, or LIGO. LIGO is an observatory that detects gravitational wavesripples in spacetime caused by massive accelerating objects like merging black holes. It was the first to confirm their existence, supporting Einstein's Theory of Relativity. LIGO uses two 4-km-long laser interferometers in Washington and Louisiana to capture these signals, opening a new window into the universe and deepening our understanding of black holes, cosmology, and extreme states of matter. LIGO's mirrors are among the most precise and carefully engineered components of the observatory. Each mirror is 34 cm in diameter and 20 cm thick and weighs about 40 kg. The mirrors must remain perfectly still to detect distortions in spacetime smaller than 1/1,000th the diameter of a proton. Even the smallest vibration or environmental disturbance can overwhelm the gravitational wave signal. "At the heart of our innovation is a novel adaptive optics device designed to precisely reshape the surfaces of LIGO's main mirrors under laser powers exceeding 1 megawattmore than a billion times stronger than a typical laser pointer and nearly five times the power LIGO uses today," said Richardson, an assistant professor of physics and astronomy. "This technology opens a new pathway for the future of gravitational-wave astronomy. It's a crucial step toward enabling the next generation of detectors like Cosmic Explorer, which will see deeper into the universe than ever before." Did someone say FROSTI? FROSTI, short for FROnt Surface Type Irradiator, is a precision wavefront control system that counteracts distortions caused by intense laser heating in LIGO's optics. Unlike existing systems, which can only make coarse adjustments, FROSTI uses a sophisticated thermal projection system to make fine-tuned, higher-order corrections. This is crucial for the precision needed in future detectors. Despite its icy name, FROSTI works by carefully heating the mirror's surface, but in a way that restores it to its original optical shape. Using thermal radiation, it creates a custom heat pattern that smooths out distortions without introducing excess noise that could mimic gravitational waves. Credit: University of California - Riverside Why it matters Gravitational waves were first detected by LIGO in 2015, launching a new era in astronomy. But to fully unlock their potential, future detectors must be able to observe more distant events with greater clarity. "That means pushing the limits on both laser power and quantum-level precision," Richardson said. "The problem is, increasing laser power tends to destroy the delicate quantum states we rely on to improve signal clarity. Our new technology solves this tension by making sure the optics remain undistorted, even at megawatt power levels." The technology will help expand the gravitational-wave view of the universe by a factor of 10, potentially allowing astronomers to detect millions of black hole and neutron star mergers across the cosmos with unmatched fidelity. Looking ahead: LIGO A# and Cosmic Explorer FROSTI is expected to play a critical role in LIGO A#, a planned upgrade that will serve as a pathfinder for the next-generation observatory known as Cosmic Explorer. While the current prototype was tested on a 40-kg LIGO mirror, the technology is scalable and will eventually be adapted to the 440-kg mirrors envisioned for Cosmic Explorer. "The current prototype is just the beginning," Richardson said. "We're already designing new versions capable of correcting even more complex optical distortions. This is the R&D foundation for the next 20 years of gravitational-wave astronomy." Richardson was joined in the research by scientists at UCR, MIT, and Caltech. More information: Tyler Rosauer et al, Demonstration of next-generation wavefront actuator for gravitational-wave detection, Optica (2025). DOI: 10.1364/optica.567608 Journal information: Optica As a result of the Ukraine War, Poland, which borders Ukraine, decided to expand its armed forces, including purchasing a thousand new South Korean K2 tanks. Most of these tanks will be produced in Poland under license, in cooperation with the South Korean manufacturer, which continues to supply some components. This will begin in 2026 and make Poland the largest user of K2s, as South Korea only has a few hundred. Poland will also become the European country with the largest force of modern tanks. This is mainly to deter any Russian attacks on Poland or the neighboring Baltic States. Currently, Poland has 160 K2 tanks, 192 K9 self-propelled 155mm howitzers, and 192 Homar-K rocket launchers. Homar is similar to the American HIMARS vehicles. The Homar fire control system can handle rockets used in HIMARS, along with several other rocket types. Poland can use HIMARS rockets as well as a wide variety of South Korean rockets. South Koreas 400 K2s are sufficient to counter any threat from North Korea, which has a tank force consisting of ancient Russian T-62 tanks, modified but not significantly improved by North Korea. North Korea has designed and manufactured a more modern T-2020 tank but could only afford to build fourteen so far, with indications that mass production may eventually occur. Whether the T-2020 is effective remains to be seen. During military parades in North Korea, the nine T-2020s are always present. South Korea is not only much wealthier than North Korea but also a major manufacturer and exporter of industrial goods, including modern South Korean-designed weapons. One of the best examples is the K2 Black Panther tank, which compares favorably with the latest version of the American M1. Unlike earlier South Korean-designed tanks, the K2 contains no American technology and is a completely South Korean creation. This allows the K2 to be freely exported, leading to over a thousand K2s in production or on order, most for export customers. The high quality of the K2 comes with a high price of over $8 million each, making it the most expensive tank in the world. In 2023, South Korea approved the production of the fourth batch of K2s, giving South Korea a total of 410 K2s. Thats fewer than the 980 K2s Poland is acquiring. Poland faces a more formidable threat from Russia than South Korea faces from North Korea. While the K2 was a significant investment in South Koreas defense capabilities against the persistent threat posed by North Korea, it has also proven to be a highly profitable export item. Poland received its first 180 K2s in 2025 and has begun producing the remaining 820 in Poland under a manufacturing license. The K2 was developed by the South Korean Agency for Defense Development and manufactured by Hyundai Rotem. Introduced in 2014, after over two decades of development, the first model was a 56-ton tank armed with a 120mm NATO-compatible main gun, carrying 40 shells. The main gun has an autoloader, reducing the crew size from four to three. The autoloader enables the K2 to fire ten or more aimed shells per minute. Tank-to-tank combat is usually short and intense. The tank that can fire first and deliver the most well-aimed shells will win, even against multiple opponents. K2 armor includes metal and ERA (explosive reactive armor) in addition to an APS (Active Protection System) to intercept anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) and rocket-propelled anti-tank grenades (RPGs). The 12.7mm machine guns on top of the turret can be operated from inside the tank using RWS (Remote Weapons System) technology. The K2 also includes NBC (nuclear-biological-chemical) protection. The K2s armament is equally impressive. Its main armament is a domestically produced Rheinmetall 120mm L/55 smoothbore gun equipped with an autoloader. This gun, compatible with all standard NATO tank rounds, can also launch the advanced KSTAM (Korean Smart Top-Attack Munition), an intelligent, fire-and-forget projectile that targets the thinner top armor of most tanks. Secondary armament includes a 12.7mm heavy machine gun and a 7.62mm machine gun. The tank is further enhanced by a domestically developed auto-target detection and tracking system, incorporating hunter-killer functionality. The K2s electric gun and turret driving system, along with the stabilization of its gunners primary sight and commanders panoramic sight, enable effective day and night operations. The K2 also features an advanced suspension system that offers multiple positioning options to maximize combat effectiveness across various terrains. With a top speed of 68 kilometers per hour on roads and 40 kilometers per hour cross-country, an auxiliary power unit allows the tank to remain stationary, waiting for action, without operating the main engine. The success of the K2 design has attracted numerous export customers. Over 2 million people affected in mass Yucatan Peninsula power blackout Riviera Maya, Q.R. More than two million people were left without electricity Friday in a mass peninsula blackout. According to the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), the blackout left over 2.2 million people without power that began Friday afternoon and extended into the nighttime. A Cancun Transit officer is seen directing traffic through an intersection due to the mass power failure Friday afternoon. Shortly after the power failure, President Claudia Sheinbaum reported A fault in an electricity transmission line in the southeast caused a blackout in Yucatan, Campeche, and Quintana Roo. CFE informs me they are working to restore service in the three states. I will continue reporting. A majority of the Yucatan Peninsula was left powerless mid-afternoon with a sudden cut in electricity after nine power plants failed. Shortly after the power outage, the Comision Federal de Electricidad (CFE) released a public notice. The public is informed that Friday at 2:19 p.m. Central Time, due to maintenance work on the 400 kV LT ESA A3Q20 / A3Q30 TIC lines with 2,174 MW, an electrical failure was recorded that affected 2,262,000 users in the states of Campeche, Yucatan and Quintana Roo. As a result of this event, nine power plants in the Southeast, with 16 units, went out of service. Immediately, personnel from the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), in coordination with the National Energy Control Center (CENACE), began work to restore service. As of 4:10 p.m., the 230 kV lines at the affected substations and the 400 kV lines have been restored, and power has been provided to the cities of Merida, Valladolid, Cancun, Ciudad del Carmen and Chetumal. Full service will continue to be restored to affected users. The Ministry of Energy monitored progress as did Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama. The CFE reports that a power outage has been identified on the Yucatan Peninsula which has affected service in various areas. CFE specialized personnel, in coordination with CENACE (National Electricity Commission), are already working to restore service as quickly as possible, she reported Friday afternoon. President Sheinbaum also continued to provide progress updates as power was reestablished across the Yucatan Peninsula. Friday evening, she posted a progress report on restoration across the state of Quintana Roo. On Friday night, the CFE reported full restoration to electricity across the entire peninsula. The Federal Electricity Commission, with immediate actions, executed strategic maneuvers and remote control for the rapid restoration of electricity supply, in coordination with the Ministry of Energy and the National Energy Control Center in the Yucatan Peninsula, due to the failure that occurred in high-voltage lines at 2:19 p.m., which took nine power plants in the Southeast out of operation with 16 units. Most of the region was still without electricity well into nightfall. This has restored 100% service to the 2,276,000 users in the states of Campeche, Yucatan and Quintana Roo. The restoration process proceeded as follows: 16% of affected users had their service restored within 57 minutes. At 26.5% in 2 hours 40 minutes. At 48 in 3 hours 41 minutes. At 63% in 4 hours 41 minutes. At 100% in 6 hours 21 minutes. We will conduct the necessary technical analysis to determine the root cause and prevent recurrence of such events, in order to comply with the instructions of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo and inform the public accordingly. The CFE reaffirms its commitment in these types of contingencies to restore power to affected users as quickly as possible, ensuring the safety of its staff and the public. Pair charged with threatening and extorting Cancun land owner Cancun, Q.R. Authorities say Conrado N and Trinidad N have been charged for nearly five years of land extortion. Police say the pair are under investigation for extorting a land owner of payments under threat for nearly five years. According to their statement, the extortion began in March of 2020 when Conrado N offered the victim land in the Bahia Real invasion of Cancun at a low price. The victim purchased a lot in block 20, but starting in June 2020, Conrado N demanded various payments, supposedly to make improvements to the squatter settlement. When he went to collect, he was always accompanied by three individuals whom he claimed were his bodyguards. They brandished firearms and engaged in threatening, forcing and even beating people who didnt pay. Later, in July 2021, Conrado N told the settlers they had to pay him 11,700 pesos for each person occupying a lot, warning them that if they refused, he would take their land. After that, along with his bodyguards, he went to the plots and threatened people with firearms, forcing them off the land to put it up for sale again, police said. In March 2022, Conrado N sent Trinidad N to collect the fees. Trinidad would show up at the victims home weekly, rudely telling him that if he didnt pay, he would be evicted. The woman was accompanied by two men carrying firearms. Following a complaint filed by the victim, the State Attorney General (FGE) requested and obtained the corresponding arrest warrant, for which reason Conrado N and Trinidad N were captured, they explained. Both Conrado N and Trinidad N have been ordered held in preventive detention for a term of two years or the duration of their judicial proceedings. If youre confused about whats going on in Paul Thomas Andersons One Battle After Another, dont worry: so is its hero, addled ex-revolutionary Bob Ferguson (Leonardo DiCaprio). In the movies present, which is never precisely identified but looks and feels a lot like now (Bob says hes 42 and was born somewhere in the 80s), Bob is a rumpled single dad living off the grid, trying his best to raise his 16-year-old daughter, Willa (Chase Infiniti), without fully understanding the world she inhabits. But even in the past, where he and Willas mother (Teyana Taylor) are part of a militant group called the French 75, hes at something of a loss. As his comrade and lover, Perfidia Beverly Hills, preps the groups members for a raid on an immigrant detention facility, a befuddled Bob is just trying to keep up. Im a little unclear what the plan is, he squeaks. I need some direction. You could describe the nearly three hours of movie that follows in many ways; as a knockabout satire or a political broadside or, as Anderson put it after a screening this week, an action comedy with a side of postpartum depression. But one way to think of it is as one mans epic journey to figure out just what the hell is going on. Bobor Pat Calhoun, as he is known back in his radical daysisnt a hanger-on, exactly, but its telling that his specialty is making bombs that are set to go off in unoccupied buildings. During the opening raid, he hangs back as Perfidia storms into the compound and sets off fireworks that turn their local action into a larger spectaclelike Anderson, its his job to put on a show. Meanwhile, Perfidia comes face to face with Sean Penns Col. Steven J. Lockjaw, holding him at gunpoint while she announces just what the French 75 stands for: Free borders, free bodies, free choices, and free from fucking fear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps unsurprisingly, Perfidia is also the one who gets caught, after a bank robbery goes horribly awry. (Although Anderson has moved Thomas Pynchons Vineland, on which One Battle is very loosely based, forward in time by several decades, hes still clearly drawing on the real-life history of groups like the Weather Underground and the Symbionese Liberation Army.) That leaves Bob to raise their daughter in hiding, perpetually afraid that the authorities may one day catch up with them. His paranoia is based in fact, especially after several of his former comrades are shot dead in the street, but it has a way of feeding on itself, and the fact that hes always on some sort of drug certainly doesnt help matters. Its unclear how much Willa knows about her parents past, but she doesnt seem to have inherited their revolutionary fervor, and the distinction between Bobs justified caution and standard paternal overprotectiveness is elusive to them both. When he grills her friends at the door of their house, a bare-bones shack nestled deep in the forest, is he looking out for her safety, or is he just a dad whose little girl is growing up faster than he can adjust? Advertisement Advertisement Anderson himself is no revolutionary, and hes rarely shown much interest in political, or topical, filmmaking. The closest hes come to radicalism is emulating a famous long take from the Communist propaganda film I Am Cuba in his porn-industry fantasia Boogie Nights. But he is, like DiCaprios character, the father of a biracial daughterAnderson has four children with the actress Maya Rudolphand the movie is rooted in Bobs deep-seated determination to do right by his child while struggling to grasp what that actually means. An avowed Pynchon fan who already adapted the authors Inherent Vice for the screen in 2014, Anderson spent two decades tinkering with the script for what became One Battle After Another. But he said it wasnt until he became a father that he began to understand what his version of the story would be aboutand indeed, the relationship between a middle-aged radical and his daughter is nearly the only element of Pynchons novel he retains. The movie isnt even officially an adaptation of the book: Per the credits, its merely inspired by it. Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate The Years Most Acclaimed Movie Is Based on a Famous Novel, but Only Traces of It Remain Read More Bob means well, of course. But his enforced isolation has turned his revolutionary fervor into a kind of nostalgia for struggles past. While Willa is out at her school dance, hes at home smoking a joint and watching The Battle of Algiers. Before the dance, Willas friends drop by to pick her up, and as one approaches the front door, Bob anxiously quizzes her on their pronouns. But rather than appreciate her fathers interest, Willa heaves the heaviest of sighs, even as her dad insists hes just trying to be polite. (As the Gen X father of a Gen Z daughter, I can testify firsthand to the waves of frustration that such a query can generate; it wouldnt surprise me if the exchange in Andersons movie was transcribed verbatim.) Bob wants Willa to see how hard hes trying, but he knows hes always a few steps behind, and there are things about the world she exists in that hell never be equipped to teach her. In a rare moment of self-reflection amid the movies frenzied chaos, he laments that he never even learned how to do her hair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One Battle After Another is a massive, sprawling epic, but it moves at a furious pace, and although it includes shootouts and a bona fide car chase, much of the key action takes place offscreen. Andersons screenplay is immaculately structured, but unless youre particularly attentive to the dialogue, it can feel like a movie in which things simply just happen. My sense is that Anderson wants you, like Bob, to feel like youre struggling just to keep your head above waterthis is, after all, the defining tone of Pynchons novelswhich is why so many key lines are couched in in-group argot, as if were eavesdropping on a conversation that isnt intended for us. Willas martial arts teacher (Benicio Del Toro) doesnt tell Bob that hes helping to bring migrants into the country; he says hes involved in a Latino Harriet Tubman situation. And while the movie doesnt bury the actors words the way Christopher Nolan does, the sound mix definitely favors naturalism over clarity. Which is all to say that while you can nail down a cause for every effect, Anderson seems fine with letting the audience sit back and enjoy the rideyou can figure it out, but you dont have to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That lightness of touch also allows Anderson to salt his movie with allusions to the contemporary political climate without tying it to any specific incident, or even any specific administration. Images of children playing with crumpled-up Mylar blankets inside a chain-link pen evoke the horrors of child separation, and the opening shot of the wall on the U.S.Mexico border feels like a direct allusion to Trumps immigration crackdown, but the time jump serves as an implicit reminder the walls first segments were constructed under President Bill Clinton, and that Obama deported more people than Trump. The last nine years may have brought the countrys uglier elements closer to the surface, but that doesnt mean they werent there before. The movies most ingenious invention is also its most absurd. At the heart of its darkness is a shadowy group called the Christmas Adventurers Club, whose flagrantly silly name belies its sinister agenda. Although one memberplayed, in an understated casting coup, by the legendary Saturday Night Live writer Jim Downeydescribes their enemies as dangerous lunatics, haters, and punk trash, they are quite plainly white supremacists, determined to empower their race and disenfranchise the rest, at least when its not practical to purge them altogether. If Tony Goldwyn, who plays Virgil Throckmorton, one of the clubs higher-ups, isnt reprising his role as Scandals conspiracy-plagued commander in chief, the movie certainly allows you to look at one and see the other, even as hes talking about the need to make the world safe and pure or quizzing a prospective Christmas Adventurer about whether they are American-born, by Gentile. Penns Col. Lockjaw, who barks out orders about rounding up wet and stinkies, is more crudely racist, more nakedly driven by his baser urges. But theres something more chilling about the way Goldwyn can issue a cryptic directive about drugs and tacos and just assume, correctly, that the others around can correctly divine his malicious intent. They dont need to have anything explained to them, because theyre the ones who dictate how the world operates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate The Movie of the Year Is Here Read More Sometimes the meaning of their words becomes clear. At others, as when Virgil tosses off a reference to a half-Comanche mercenary who served the group well at something called Squatting Pebble, were left to speculate. The parallel to the Standing Rock protests is easy enough, but is he suggesting that his agent infiltrated the movement in order to undermine itand if so, is Anderson implying that the same thing happened in the real world? By the time were done processing all of this, a conspiratorial allegation wrapped inside a bit of goofy wordplay, the movie has long since moved on, and we never circle back. It took me two viewings just to catch what Goldwyn was saying, and Im sure there are other pieces of the puzzle that flew right by me. People tend to reserve the term worldbuilding for more fantastical settings, but One Battle After Another takes place in a fully imagined cosmos, even if the films text only exposes us to slivers of it. We always have the sense that theres something bigger just outside the frame, beyond our ability to comprehend it. If it doesnt play like a conspiracy thriller, thats only because most of its characters have no idea theres any conspiracy to unravel. Advertisement Advertisement As befits a movie set in the 21st century, everything in One Battle After Another is a few degrees removed from its source. The French 75 is a revolutionary group named for a cocktail named for a piece of artillery; Bob Ferguson was once Ghetto Pat, aka Pat Calhoun, aka the Rocketman. That reproduction breeds obscurity, the way a copy of a copy grows blurrier with every generation. But its also a form of lineage, a history of meaning, of ideals, of struggle, passed on from one generation to the next: one battle after another. The fight is never won, but it also cant be lost, at least not forever. We take from those before, and we pass on what we can, knowing that one lifetime isnt enough to understand everything wrong with this world, let alone to figure out how to make a better one. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Earlier this week, one of Donald Trumps former personal attorneys, Lindsey Halligan, was temporarily elevated to the role of top prosecutor for the Eastern District of Virginia. Another former Trump attorney, Pam Bondi, tapped her for the role, and she had a chilling mandate from Trump himself: Prosecute his political rivals. In a post on Truth Social, he specifically named former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Sen. Adam Schiff. Halligan quickly followed through: On Thursday, news broke that Comey, who drew Trumps ire for investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election, had been indicted on charges of obstruction and lying to Congress. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump said he hoped there would be more indictments. The Comey indictment is an inflection point for Trump, who has long vowed to retaliate against his perceived enemies but has not, up until now, had much success. Hes failed numerous times when trying to use the justice system to go after his adversaries. Just last week, a Florida judge dismissed Trumps defamation lawsuit against the New York Times for its 2024 election coverage. In 2022, he unsuccessfully sued Hillary Clinton over allegations that she engaged in a malicious conspiracy designed to hurt Trumps campaign. The Comey indictment is a long-sought-after win for Trump, despite its glaringly spiteful intent. Trumps Department of Justice may have secured an indictment against one of his political rivals, but prosecuting the case wont be easy. If I were James Comey, or Tish James or Adam Schiffs defense lawyer, I would be quite pleased at Trumps statement on Truth Social, Brendan Ballou, a former federal prosecutor who previously served as special counsel for private equity in the DOJs Antitrust Division, told Slate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ballou believes the presidents public statements provide material for motions to dismiss these cases for selective prosecution. Trump has made clear how hes thinking about it. In the statement, he referenced Republicans and Democrats and that this was in retaliation to the political prosecutions against him. So its pretty obvious that this is a political prosecution, he said. Trump is able to push forward with this breach of norms in large part because hes filling powerful positions with his former personal attorneyspeople who may not be the most qualified, but who he knows will be loyal and follow his orders without pushing back. Now is a good time to take stock of just how many of Trumps former attorneys have ended up in high places. 1. Lindsey Halligan A former personal attorney to the president, Halligan previously was part of Trumps defense team in the federal classified documents case and was physically present at Mar-a-Lago during the FBIs raid of the property. Though she has no prosecutorial experience, as Halligan previously practiced insurance law in Florida, Bondi tapped her to serve as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia on an interim basis where shell hold the job for 120 days. The decision to install Halligan came days after Trump publicly pressured Bondi to prosecute his enemies in a Truth Social postwhere he mentions Comey. In the message directed at Bondi, Trump added that Halligan is a really good lawyer, and likes you, a lot. Advertisement Advertisement Just days after Halligan was installed as U.S. attorney, she personally presented a case against former FBI Director James Comey to a grand jury and successfully secured a two-count indictment. Before this, Halligan was tasked with spearheading a White House effort to remove improper ideology from the Smithsonian network of museums. Advertisement 2. Pam Bondi Bondi has ties to Trump that date back to his first term as president. She helped Trump during his 2016 presidential transition to the White House and was a member of his defense team during his first Senate impeachment trial. She was a staunch Trump ally who openly accused former President Joe Biden and his son Hunter of corruption. Originally from Florida, Bondi became the states first female attorney general where she served two consecutive terms from 2011 to 2019. In that role, Bondi chose not to start a formal investigation into Trump University at a time when the school was accused of deceptive practices and fraud across the country, including in Florida. At the same moment, the Trump Foundation donated $25,000 to a political group that was connected to Bondi. In 2016, according to the New York Times, Bondi denied that she took any money from the president and that her office was never investigating him. A Trump spokesperson pointed to a Florida ethics panel, which acknowledged political donations had been made by the Trump Foundation but cleared Bondi of any wrongdoing. (Also in 2016, Trump paid out $25 million to settle a series of lawsuits against the now-defunct school.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 3. Emil Bove A former federal prosecutor for the Southern District of New York starting in 2012, Bove left this job to join Trumps legal team in 2023. He represented the president in the New York election interference case and in two federal cases: one related to the Jan. 6 insurrection and the other related to the trove of classified documents Trump took on his way out of the White House in 2021. Soon after Trump took the presidential oath of office earlier this year, Bove was named principal associate deputy attorney general, the third-highest post in the Department of Justice, and then later promoted to acting deputy attorney general. It was in this role that Bove ordered the U.S. attorneys office in Manhattan to dismiss New York City Mayor Eric Adams corruption charges, prompting a slew of prosecutors to resign in protest. Advertisement In July, Bove was confirmed to a lifetime seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd District, but that did not happen without a contentious Senate nomination process. Hundreds of former DOJ prosecutors and dozens of former judges came forward to oppose his nomination, in addition to three whistleblowers who accused Bove of suggesting the Trump administration should tell the courts fuck you as it seeks to implement Trumps mass deportation agenda. Ultimately, Bove slid by in a narrow 5049 Senate vote, with GOP Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins joining with Democrats against his confirmation. Advertisement 4. Todd Blanche Blanche was working at a white-collar law firm until 2023, when Trump tapped him to lead his defense team in the Manhattan hush-money case. Blanche agreed and joined the team one day before Trump surrendered to authorities in that case. He also ended up representing the president in both federal criminal cases brought by former special counsel Jack Smith. In March, Trump named Blanche to be his deputy attorney general, taking over the job temporarily held by Bove. Blanche has had an especially busy summer as the DOJ faced fierce pressure to publicly release files related to Jeffrey Epsteins sex-trafficking case. In July, Blanche met with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epsteins former associate who was convicted of sex trafficking in 2021, to determine whether she was a credible witness in her denials of involvement in Epsteins crimes. Though Maxwell offered her testimony, she has also requested a presidential pardon. Advertisement 5. Alina Habba Habba was one of Trumps personal attorneys who represented him in his $100 million lawsuit against the New York Times and his estranged niece Mary Trump and the unsuccessful revenge lawsuit Trump lodged against his former 2016 Democratic presidential opponent Hillary Clinton. In 2024, Habba made headlines for her bombastic defense of Trump while representing him in his New York civil fraud case, accusing New Yorks justice system of having Trump derangement syndrome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump nominated Habba to serve as U.S. attorney of New Jersey, despite her never having worked as a prosecutor before. New Jersey Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim opposed her nomination, calling her a partisan pick, and prevented the Senate from taking up her nomination through the blue-slip process, where Congress allows senators to sign off on judicial nominees from their home states first, before allowing the nomination to move forward to a committeewide vote. Advertisement However, the president leveraged a workaround by appointing her as interim U.S. attorney, which allowed Habba to legally serve in the job for 120 days. As that stint came to an end, New Jersey district judges voted not to keep her in the role permanently and instead voted to install someone else. Trump immediately bypassed the judges vote and reinstalled Habba as acting U.S. attorney, which buys her an additional 210 days to remain on the job. However, two legal challenges were filed by criminal defendants who have been charged in the District of New Jersey and argued Habba does not have the authority to prosecute them. Last month a federal judge concluded Habba was unlawfully performing the functions and duties of New Jerseys top attorney. He also found that Habba was not qualified and should be disqualified from working on any ongoing cases, but he put his ruling on hold in order to allow the Trump administration to appeal. Bondi confirmed, We will immediately appeal. Advertisement Related From Slate That New York Fraud Ruling Was Not Nearly the Trump Victory Its Being Billed As Read More 6. John Sauer Sauer is a longtime conservative attorney with an elite pedigree, earning his law degree from Harvard Law School and serving as a law clerk for the late Justice Antonin Scalia. Hes also been a longtime Trump supporter, signing onto a brief in 2020 that supported Texas failed effort to overturn the 2020 election results in four states that Joe Biden won. Advertisement But 2024 is when Sauer cemented his relationship with Trump. That year, Trumps lawyers sought to dismiss his federal election interference case, arguing he was protected by presidential immunity, and appealed the issue up to the Supreme Court. Sauer joined Trumps team to argue the case before the high court, and earned a resounding win for Trump when the justices ended up ruling that presidents are immune from criminal prosecution for certain actions. This essentially gutted the federal prosecutions that Trump faced leading up to the 2024 election. Sauer also represented Trump in his appeal of the New York civil fraud case, in which the judge found Trump liable for fraudulently inflating the value of his assets and ordered him to pay more than $478 million. The appeals court panel ultimately threw out the financial penalty, concluding that Trumps crimes didnt cause cataclysmic harm that would justify such a high fee. However, the court upheld the fraud judgement that found Trump unlawfully inflated his assets, which enabled the president to continue to challenge the cases outcome. Days after winning the 2024 presidential election, Trump announced he was nominating Sauer to be the next U.S. solicitor general, and by April the Senate confirmed him. In this role, Sauer will be the voice representing the federal government in front of the Supreme Court, where hes already defended the presidents birthright citizenship executive order. The high courts new term will begin in October, and Sauer will continue representing the White House in a slew of new cases. Sign up for the Surge, the newsletter that covers most important political nonsense of the week, delivered to your inbox every Saturday. Welcome to this weeks edition of the Surge, a politics newsletter that has been freebasing crushed Tylenol pills ever since Donald Trump told us not to. It was another suboptimal week for American politics news. But the good news is that the government will run out of funding next week, which meansand our reading of the literature on this is admittedly lightthat all politics will stop. Well talk about the unusually expensive lunch that border czar Tom Homan allegedly tucked into last year, and well set the picnic tables for Pete Hegseths military jamboree next week. But first, even by recent standards of democratic-backsliding, this week was a standout. 1. Lindsey Halligan Where does Trump keep finding these people? Last week, the White House successfully pushed out Erik Siebert from his role as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. He was ousted for failing to prosecute one of President Trumps political enemies, New York Attorney General Letitia James. Over the ensuing weekend, Trump addressed Attorney General Pam Bondi on social media urging her to pick up the pace of prosecutions against his political enemies, including James, former FBI Director Jim Comey, and Sen. Adam Schiff. We cant delay any longer, he wrote, its killing our reputation and credibility. He then appointed one of his lackeys, 36-year-old Florida insurance lawyer who has no prosecutorial experience Lindsey Halligan, to fill the vacant EDVA post against the wishes of senior DOJ leadership. Halligan agreed to pursue charges against Comey related to his 2020 congressional testimony just before the statute of limitations expired, ignoring prosecutors whod presented her with a detailed declination memo against doing so. Comey was indicted on Thursday. Advertisement Theres not much to analyze, here. Weve got a president openly directing the Justice Department to prosecute his enemies, and firing anyone who doesnt go along. If only the Surge had a published platform with a template for ranking things, wed put this among the most egregious things Trump has done. It should disgust and alarm every adult in the countryyou get a pass, Martha Stewarteven though most people have good reason to dislike Jim Comey. Polling on it will probably break down along partisan lines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2. Tom Homan Damn, weve been ordering the wrong thing at Cava. This week we learned that White House border czar Tom Homan, the administrations closest analogue to Sgt. Slaughter, was recorded in an FBI sting last year allegedly accepting $50,000 from undercover agents posing as businessmen to whom Homan would steer contracts in the next Trump administration. The cash was delivered inside a bag from slop-bowl chain Cava. The Justice Department reportedly held off on charges to see if Homan, upon entering government, would fulfill his end of the bargain. Butand you wont believe thisthe case was put on ice and ultimately closed after the Trump administration took over. Advertisement The FBI and DOJ said in a statement that this matter originated under the previous administration and was subjected to a full review by FBI agents and Justice Department prosecutors. They found no credible evidence of any criminal wrongdoing. More interesting, though, have been the misaligned responses from the White House and Homan himself. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters flat-out that Mr. Homan never took the $50,000 that youre referring to. Homan, meanwhile, sidestepped the question, saying instead that I did nothing illegal, I did nothing criminal. That seems like a discrepancy that the release of a recording could help clear up. 3. Russ Vought The shutdown stakes just rose. The raucous street festivals accompanying the beginning of any new fiscal year may be diminished next week, as the government is barreling toward a shutdown when funding expires Oct. 1. To recap: Republicans want to pass a seven-week extension of current funding to continue bipartisan negotiations on a longer-term budget. But Democratswhose votes are needed to break a filibuster in the Senateare insisting on negotiations to reverse Medicaid cuts, extend expiring Obamacare subsidies, and apply some guardrails on the administrations handling of congressionally appropriated funds. Republicans wont fold, because they have upper hand. Democrats dont appear to be willing to fold, at least not right away, given the enormous pressure theyre under from their base to put on a performance of fighting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a normal shutdown scenario, a likely end would be Democrats receiving some face-saving assurances either just before or a few days into a shutdown. Everyone moves along. But the Trump administration doesnt really do normal. And Russ Vought, the anti-government director of the Office of Management and Budget, issued a memo this week instructing agencies to prepare plans for mass firingsnot just furloughsof federal employees in the event of a shutdown. In a statement, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer brushed this off as an attempt at intimidation and observed that these unnecessary firings will either be overturned in court or the administration will end up hiring the workers back, just like they did as recently as today. We agree its an attempt at intimidation. Its a really good one too! We expect there will be much to discuss on this front next week. Advertisement 4. Robert f. kennedy Jr. Fine, put your little label on Tylenol. On Monday, Trump, alongside his top health officials, announced that the Food and Drug Administration would be initiating a label change on acetaminophen (Tylenol) warning that its use by pregnant women may be associated with an increased risk of neurological conditions such as autism and ADHD in children. In its letter to physicians, the FDA at least attempted to sound professional, noting that while an association between acetaminophen and autism has been described in many studies, a causal relationship has not been established and there are contrary studies in the scientific literature. Our president, meanwhile, did not. With Tylenol, dont take it. Dont take it, Trump said. He suggested pregnant women ideally not take it at all, but if they cant tough it out with a high fever, they could use it very sparingly. How generous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This may seem terribleits not good!but its mostly an effort at face-saving from a frustrated MAHA movement. At the beginning of April, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a Cabinet meeting that by September, we will know what has caused the autism epidemic and well be able to eliminate those exposures. You can bet a pallet of fresh-off-the-mill Tylenol inventory that Kennedy thought he wouldve at least had the government officially unrecommend the hepatitis B or the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine by now. But GOP pollsters have warned that public health disasters dont poll well, and the Centers for Disease Controls recommended changes made to the childhood vaccine schedule last week were lighter than Kennedys movement would want. The September deadline came, and the best the administration could do was jabber about Tylenol in a condescending and politically backward tone. Advertisement 5. Pete Hegseth Hope you can make my military leadership party! Attendance is mandatory. The defense secretarys long war to make people respect his authority has become one of attrition. With a couple of different moves this week, Pete Hegsethwho does not have to be in the news, if he could just accept thatforced a weary nation to turn its eyes, once again, to him. After Surge press time last week, the Pentagon distributed a memo to reporters requiring them, in the New York Times description, not to gather or use any information that had not been formally authorized for release or risk losing their credentials to cover the military. That is so, so far from how any of this works, and anyone who signs this pledgeno serious news outlet wouldshould be mocked all the way into the Potomac River. Then theres the most unusual order from Hegseth recalling hundreds of the top military leaders around the world to Virginia next week for some meeting in Quantico. Speculation abounds. Will there be a firing spree? Will they have to sign a dumbass pledge, too? Trust-building exercises between the Atlantic and Pacific fleets? Trump said on Thursday that theyre going to be talking about the newest weapons. Huh? This meeting is either bad news, or its the biggest couldve been an email of the year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 6. Ted Cruz Strange new levels of strange new respect. The Surge has long held a theory about Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. Hes a meticulous planner, and his plan was, essentially, to re-run the Reagan revolution. After Mitt Romneys defeat in 2012, he framed the choice in 2016 as between another establishment figure (Jeb Bush, or some other dweeb) and a true, credentialed conservative that the movement had been waiting for (him). That the GOP nomination, American presidency, and ensuing 10-years-and-running of global politics instead went to an oddball celebrity populist shocked Cruz and threw him off his game for years. He had spent his life building a planar model of his ascent to the presidency, only to get whacked in the head by an unforeseen z-axis. We think about this the one or two times a year that Cruz emerges from his shell to push back on an emerging Trumpian consensus. In his podcast late last week, Cruz described Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carrs threat against Disney leading up to Jimmy Kimmels suspension as right out of Goodfellas and dangerous as hell. He warned that there will come a time when a Democrat is president againbold prediction, to be honestand they will use this power, and they will use it ruthlessly. The remark earned Cruz praise from liberalsincluding Kimmelwhich he couldve done without. Our bigger-picture takeaway, though, having covered Cruz for years, is: Hes planning again. Hes dropping sporadic disagreements with Trump, which he knows will get significant media coverage, in the event the entire nationalist path brings the Republican Party to tatters and it looks for a home in conservativism again. Is that likely? No, nothing is likely anymore. The only likely thing on Earth is that Donald Trump will live to be 167 years old. But if unlikelihood breaks a certain way, it leaves Cruz with a path to his lifelong goal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 7. Javier Milei Bailout season is upon us. We are in the age of America first, baby. That means: No more globalism, no more handouts to foreigners or foo-foo aid to distant countries that have nothing to do with us. Were strictly looking out for the good folks at home. But also: Argentina? The administration is working out a plan to backstop the Argentinian economy to the tune of $20 billion. Argentinian financial markets have been in turmoil as the country loses faith in chainsaw-wielding President Javier Mileis shock therapy and austerity, and this is an attempt to help Milei out ahead of upcoming congressional elections. Why is Trump doing this? Once again, theres not much to analyze here, Because Trump says it so directly: I love him because he loves Trump, Trump said of Milei last year. Anybody that loves me, I like them. And thats why the U.S. taxpayer has to subsidize his political experiment. Advertisement Whats incredible about this, too, is that comes at a time when an important Republican constituencyfarmersare already mad at Argentina. Soybean farmers have suffered the brunt of Trumps trade war with China. And where has China gone to replace the soybeans its not buying from the United States? Argentina, which suspended its export tax on soybeans, to boost sales to China and undercut the U.S. position, while negotiating this American bailout with the Treasury Department. The move has further infuriated already furious U.S. farmers. Will there be real consequences for Trumps treatment of farmers? No! We no longer have political consequences in this country. But Trumps going to bail out the farmers, just in case. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. In a deeply divided democracy, an aspiring authoritarian seizes new powers, often by declaring emergencies when none exist. This is only possible after he cobbles together a strong alliance of far-right forces in the military, conservative religious nationalists, a few massively wealthy oligarchs, and some centrists spooked by the specter of socialism. Freedoms are curtailed, institutions are undermined, and critics become enemies of the people. Before long, troops are in city streetsand not too long after that, democracy is gone, and an authoritarian reigns in its place. This openly occurred in Spain in the 1930s with the rise of Gen. Francisco Franco. Its also, for obvious reasons, a relevant historical lesson that parallels the U.S. today. While Donald Trumps authoritarian ambitions frequently win him comparisons to Adolf Hitler, that is too far a stretch. Given Hitlers well-deserved status as the shorthand for absolute evil, even the mention of Hitler can derail any conversation, with Trumps camp rightly complaining of hyperbole or hysteria. However, a much better comparison is with Franco, whose contemporaneous rise to power is eerily similar to what America faces todaywith a warning about what could come next. In the early 1930s, Spain was fractured. The reformist government (the Republicans) supported workers rights, pressured wealthy landowners to divide their land more fairly among the people, and aimed to loosen the grip of the Catholic Church by enforcing the separation of church and state. Franco and his nationalist allies decried these reforms as a socialist threat and promised to restore the traditional power structure of the country. Campaigning on a message that Spanish society was headed for a moral collapse, Franco and his allies needed a crisis to unite the right and start a coup, even if they had to manufacture one themselves. They got their chance after the murder of Jose Calvo-Sotelo, a popular conservative politician who was abducted and murdered by members of a left-wing militia. The murder was part of a lethal tit-for-tat: Hours earlier, Jose Castilloa lieutenant in Spains militarized police force and socialist sympathizer who had helped violently quell riots at the funeral of a right-wing activisthad been assassinated by right-wing extremists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But for Spains far right, it was all the pretext they needed: The Spanish Republic had lost control of law and order, and Franco and his allies launched a coup against the government, setting off the Spanish Civil War. Trump has not (at least not yet) launched a civil war, but youll notice the familiar pattern: Trump has repeatedly declared emergencies and used them as a pretext for seizing additional powers. His immigration emergency required the end of due process in favor of rapid deportations; his trade imbalance emergency was justification for end-running Congress on tariffs. And, most recently and alarmingly, his public safety emergenciesset to the backdrop of falling violent crime rates in cities around the countryare a pretext for deploying the National Guard as a civilian police force. The parallels dont end there: The building blocks of Trumps coalition mirror Francos allied forces. Advertisement Franco needed both financial backing from the powerful elites and spiritual backing from the Catholic Church, who could sway the faithful to his side. One key backer was Juan March, once named the richest man in Spain, a notorious banker and shipping magnate from Mallorca who financed many of Francos military operations while securing foreign aid from Germany and Italy. During World War II, March was so powerful and influential that the Allies paid him a substantial sum to keep Spain from joining the Axis powers. Another important Franco supporter (among many) was Jose Maria de Ybarra, an industrialist from the Basque Country who supplied steel and transport infrastructure, and helped forge a political alliance among his wealthy friends and other industrial rivals. Advertisement Following his victory, Franco rewarded these conservative supporters by opposing land reform, protecting private property, crushing labor unions, and granting lucrative state contracts during Spains postwar reconstruction. Advertisement Advertisement Francos reign was also tightly tied to the Catholic Church. Framing his rebellion as a holy crusade against godless socialists, Franco strengthened the churchs role in Spanish life by funding church reconstruction, reinstating religious education in schools, and giving the clergy authority to censor anything they deemed anti-Catholic. The Catholic hierarchy relished their restored privileges and did little to oppose Francos secret and not-so-secret oppression and incarceration of his enemies. To some of the faithful, Franco was the lesser of two evils (authoritarianism vs. socialism). To others, his dictatorship was ethically righteous; Gods imperfect vessel to preserve the power of the church. You dont have to look too hard to see the similarities in the MAGA movement, particularly with billionaire oligarchs like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel lending their considerable financial support. Much as Franco rewarded his rich allies, Trump has done the same: aggressively pursuing a deregulatory agenda while ramming through massive tax cuts that disproportionately benefit the wealthy. Advertisement And the U.S. president certainly has a Franco-esque arrangement established with the American religious right. Trump has long been a self-avowed womanizer with, shall we say, flexible views on abortion. However, he holds evangelical support as an imperfect vessel for their own socially conservative agenda. As we now know, his first-term Supreme Court picks were the backbone of the judicial coalition that overturned Roe v. Wade, while his second-term executive actions have advanced the evangelical agenda even further. Advertisement Advertisement But building a mass coalition also requires control of the mass messagingalongside the nullification of critics who dare to intrude on official narratives with inconvenient truths. Franco slowly brought all media under state control, shutting down or censoring any outlet that didnt extol the virtues of his regime. Anything anti-government was labeled anti-patriotic. Journalists also had to register with the regime and were closely monitored. Many left-leaning reporters who criticized the government were later arrested, executed, or disappeared. Franco even commissioned newsreels that would be played in every cinema in the country. Called NO-DO, or Noticiarios y Documentales, these were propaganda short films framing Franco as a heroic military leader and as a compassionate guardian for his people. Advertisement Advertisement In our current era of fragmented media, Trump has not needed to bring the U.S. media apparatus under his thumb. But he has been very successful in convincing a large portion of his supporters that his critics are fake news, while also commandeering the existing conservative media apparatus into the regimes unofficial mouthpieceparroting his rhetoric no matter how far it strays from any semblance of objective reality. Unmaking a Democracy, One Increment at a Time Franco didnt change his country overnight. The dismantling of Spains democracy was done slowly and through stages. Weaponizing the government and ruling by fear takes time. Did his allies envision Franco becoming a dictator for the rest of his life? Probably not. He was a means to an end, a powerful leader who could return Spain to its traditional roots. Only later did the ruling class realize the possible error of their loyalty. But it was too late. Advertisement Moderates were sidelined. Critics were silenced. And it was all done in the name of the states stability. And many people fanatically believed it. Eventually, the only remaining option was to step in line or lose all relevance. Related From Slate This Is the Most Withering Indictment of the Supreme Court Ever By a Sitting Judge Read More Trump follows many of Francos authoritarian tactics. Paint any swing to the liberal side of the aisle as a moral threat. Claim every institution is corrupt and every loss is rigged. Then erode the power of these institutions from within through loyalist appointments across the government and civil society. Also, depict any government resistance as unpatriotic and ungodly. And finally, cast themselves as the lone protector of their country. And if this last point proves problematic, then manufacture crisis after crisis, distorting real-world conditions in your favor through misinformation, manipulation, and intimidation. The path of least resistance is to portray every real and potential enemy as a devastating option that would produce something far, far worse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The consequences were dire. Franco ruled Spain with an authoritarian grip for nearly 40 years. His regime came to an end only when his hand-picked successor did something the generaland his loyal alliescould never have predicted: return Spain to a democracy. The autocrat planned to continue his regime by appointing Prince Juan Carlos, the grandson of the former king, as his successor. During the handover, Juan Carlos promised stability and continuity. But then he surprised everyone by swiftly legalizing political parties, appointing the reformist Adolfo Suarez as prime minister, and overseeing the creation of a new democratic constitution. Within three years, Spain became a parliamentary monarchy with free elections and democratic rights for all Spaniards. It was a blessing, but one that came only after an autocrat succeeded in shaping Spanish life for two generations. And had Juan Carlos taken the more predictable step of holding on to power, Spains story could have played out far differently. Advertisement In the U.S. today, Francos rise stands as a stark warning to Americans about how Trumps dreams could become reality. Its a warning about how democracies can wither from within through any number of brutal tactics employed by a repressive leader who rules without restraint. But an authoritarian government is neither a natural state nor an inevitability. Its the result of millions of choices, both by the powerful and by the everyday people. Autocracy thrives on apathy and complacency, but even in dark times, people can accomplish the unexpected by choosing to take risks and fight back. Passivity is the enemy. Collective courage is the cure. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. The Supreme Court upended the constitutional separation of powers on Friday afternoon with a brief order allowing Donald Trump to unilaterally cancel $4 billion in foreign aid appropriated by Congress. In an apparent 63 decision, the conservative supermajority greenlit Trumps so-called pocket rescission, ensuring that the money will expire before its intended beneficiaries receive it. It offered a single page of vague, threadbare justification, suggesting that the presidents authority over foreign affairs outweighs Congress control over spending. This view marks a radical rewriting of the Constitution that shifts a massive amount of power from the legislative branch to the executive. It essentially awards Trump a line-item veto over any part of the budget that is remotely connected to foreign policyand, quite possibly, every dollar appropriated by Congress. And the court did all this without full briefing, oral argument, or a signed ruling, abusing the shadow docket yet again to hand Trump one of the biggest wins of his second term so far. Fridays decision in Department of State v. AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition revolves around $4 billion that Congress explicitly appropriated to fund various programs overseas. Lawmakers committed the money to, among other things, democracy-building work, election integrity, climate resilience projects, and gender equality initiatives. But the Trump administration refused to disburse it to its intended recipients, claiming that it was not aligned with the foreign policy of the president. This executive withholding of an appropriation is called an impoundment, and it is flatly illegal. In 1974, after many tussles with Richard Nixon over this issue, Congress enacted the Impoundment Control Act (ICA) to prevent future administrations from canceling money that it had appropriated. Under the law, a president must seek Congress permission to rescind discretionary spending, and give a reason for his request. If Congress does not grant permission within 45 days, the executive branch must spend the money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Trump insists that he has discovered a loophole in the ICA, which his Justice Department calls a pocket rescission. The administration sat on the $4 billion in aid until the final 45 days of the fiscal year, which ends on Sept. 30, when the money will lapse. Then, less than 45 days out from that deadline, he sent Congress a letter asking to cancel the funds under the ICA. Congress will not approve this impoundment. But Trump contends that, because he has asked permission, he can simply refuse to spend the money until the fiscal year endsthen let it expire forever. In response to this gambit, several intended beneficiaries of the aid filed a lawsuit demanding that the government pay out the money. Lower courts ruled in their favor, holding that the Trump administration cannot manipulate the ICA from a restriction on impoundment to a license for impoundment. So the Justice Department asked the Supreme Court for emergency relief. And, predictably, the Republican-appointed justices provided it on Friday in an unsigned shadow docket order. Advertisement The majority essentially offered two sentences of explanation. First, it held that the ICA likely precludes the parties suit to enforce the appropriations at issue here. Second, the president had a stronger claim of injury, because the asserted harms to the executives conduct of foreign affairs appears to outweigh the potential harm faced by respondents. Both of these conclusions are astoundingly backward, which may be why the majority did not try to flesh them out: to describe the majoritys reasoning is to refute it. Advertisement Start with the notion that the ICA bars private plaintiffs from suing to receive appropriations to which they are entitled. At the outset, this theory should raise an eyebrow, since it harms the very partiesvictims of illegal impoundmentsthat the law was designed to help. But set that aside. The majority seems to think that private plaintiffs cant sue because the ICA explicitly empowers only one party, the Comptroller General, to sue over impoundments. Thats what Trumps Justice Department argued. (As Justice Elena Kagan noted in dissent, though, it only adopted this argument recently, and took the opposite position just last month.) Advertisement Advertisement But the ICA contains a disclaimer that directly refutes this theory. It states that nothing contained in the law shall be construed as affecting in any way the claims or defenses of any party to litigation concerning any impoundment. It is, as Kagan wrote, hard to write a clearer and a more emphatic non-preclusion provision than that. Congress provided one avenue of reliefa lawsuit by the Comptroller Generalwhile leaving others open. That included suits by organizations denied their rightful money through an illicit impoundment. To block these groups from suing, the majority had to impose a severe restriction on the ICA that does not exist in the text and in fact defeats the very purpose of the law. Advertisement Advertisement The majoritys second move is even more alarming. In assessing the balance of interests and harms, it asserted that the president stands to lose more if the $4 billion is paid out, since disbursement would interfere with his conduct of foreign affairs. That reasoning ignores the fact that the plaintiffs will now have to slash their programs and quite possibly close their doors because they have been cut off from the money theyre entitled to receive. (These harms are entirely absent from the majoritys analysis.) Advertisement Worse, the courts logic (such as it is) also disregards the profound constitutional injury that occurs when a president takes control over Congress power of the purse. The Constitution assigns authority over appropriations to Congress, not the president. It hands the legislative branch discretion to decide how the publics money is spent. By contrast, the Constitution does not assign the president some sweeping control over foreign affairs; that power is, at best, implicit, gleaned from the shadows of other provisions. One might assume that when Congress express authority over the treasury clashes with the presidents unstated and ill-defined role in international relations, the more explicit and firmly rooted power would win out. Advertisement Related From Slate The Charges Against Jim Comey Are Even More Bogus Than Youd Imagine Read More When the presidents name is Donald Trump, though, it seems that the Supreme Court will sacrifice any constitutional principle to give him what he wants. And so it went here: The court decided (with virtually no explanation) that Trumps desires had to prevail over Congress rights. This outcome, Kagan wrote, conflicts with the separation of powers, as well as centuries of precedent: Past presidents have certainly objected to foreign aid, but they have spent it anyway, because that is just the price of living under a Constitution that gives Congress the power to make spending decisions through the enactment of appropriations laws. Trump alone gets an exception, an extraordinary solicitude in the realm of foreign relations that the majority certainly did not grant to Joe Biden. Advertisement Bad as that is, Fridays decision is not clearly limited to foreign aid: If no private party can ever sue under an illegal impoundment, then Trump can cancel any spending he wants through a pocket rescission. The trick is easy; just stall on disbursing the money until 45 days before the fiscal years end, then invoke the ICA and refuse to spend it at all. The Comptroller General has persistently declined to file suit because it is institutionally subservient to the government. (This office has literally never sued under the ICA.) And private parties can evidently no longer sue to shake loose the money theyre owed. So who, exactly, can stop Trump from impounding the funds he dislikes? Advertisement Advertisement It is also unclear whether Fridays decision is limited to pocket rescissions at the end of the fiscal year. Say Trump invokes the ICA earlier, fails to win congressional approval for an impoundment, then continues to withhold the money anyway. Who can sue to make him pay it out? This Supreme Court keeps finding creative new ways to ensure that the actual victims of the administrations unlawful conduct have no remedy. It is alarmingly plausible that the court might close the courthouse doors to any private party that sues the government over law-breaking impoundments. The effect is a line-item veto for the president over spending, a tool that the Supreme Court previously found to be unconstitutional. Once again, the rules magically change when Trump is in office. Once again, this shift takes place over the shadow docket, freeing the majority from the burden of fully explaining its decision. This is not behavior that a healthy democracy tolerates from its judiciary. It is the kind of constitutional rot that precedes the rule of laws collapse. Absolution pulled off a 10-1 upset in the $30,000 Open 2 for distaff pacers featured on Friday, Sept. 26 at Woodbine Mohawk Park while consolations for the Grassroots Series of the Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) continued with the sophomores in action. In the $30,000 Fillies & Mares Open 2 Pace, Absolution and driver Todd Ratchford tracked in third at the pylons through Glenboro's fractions of :26.4, :55.4 and 1:24.1 before slipping out in the stretch when the first-over challenger, Ms Quick Sand (Louis-Philippe Roy), started to sink. Absolution got the jump on even-money closer Caviar N Crackers (Ed Hensley) to prevail over the favourite by three-quarters of a length in 1:51.2. Angostura Hanover (Trevor Henry) finished third from the pocket while Glenboro (Travis Cullen) faded on the front. Trained by Jack Moiseyev, the McWicked-Bet Ya mare, who was this year's Blizzard Pacing Series runner-up, earned her first Open-level victory. Joanne Colville and Nancy MacNevin's four-year-old homebred is now nine-for 33 in her career with earnings climbing to $134,960. Coming off a second-place finish in her last start in the Mares Preferred on Sept. 13, Absolution was overlooked at 10-1 odds and returned $23.50 to win. In OSS action, driver Doug McNair won three of the four $25,000 Grassroots consolations, first scoring with his father's trainee Tall Dark Lady ($2.80). Leading gate-to-wire and sealing the deal with a :26.4 kicker, the full sister to millionaire stallion Tall Dark Stranger lowered her lifetime mark to 1:52.2. Gregg McNair trains the homebred filly by Bettors Delight out of multiple Grand Circuit stakes winner Precocious Beauty for owner James Arvitt Sr. Winless as a freshman while mostly facing stakes competition, Tall Dark Lady now has four victories and $78,581 in earnings from 23 career starts. Brittas Best Bet (Austin Sorrie) followed 1-3/4 lengths behind the 2-5 favourite in second and Highland Delight (Travis Henry) advanced first-over to show. McNair swept the pacing divisions as he sent the Kyle Fellows-trained gelding Wicked Express ($6.40) down the road to win in a career-best 1:51.2 mile for owner Hutt Racing Stable. Crossing to command in a sub-:26 opener, the son of McWicked-Shes A Pansation still had lots left as he drew off by more than four lengths at the end, with favoured Tip Of Time (Tyler Borth) overtaking pocket-pursuer Scratchin An Itch (Trevor Henry) in the race for place. Sunday Shoes ($6) gave McNair the consolation triple and completed a four-win night for the reinsman when the trotting gelding scored in a career-best clocking of 1:54.3. Trained by Carmen Auciello and owned by Daniel Sarafian, the Wheeling N Dealin-Pointe Shoes sophomore was fourth for most of the mile and capitalized off a miscue by popular pacesetter Solo C P (Bob McClure) in the stretch, sweeping by late to win by three lengths. Wearing The Green (Trevor Henry) finished second and The Bear A Cuda (Austin Sorrie) was third. Tyler Borth drove the last consolation winner as the Ben Baillargeon-trained trotting filly Resolved ($35) out-sprinted favourite P L Stevie (Chris Christoforou) off her cover to prevail in a blanket finish by three-quarters of a length, upsetting at 16-1. Hadley (J.R. Plante) closed from the back to nab third. Thomas and Elizabeth Rankin's homebred filly by Resolve out of Miss Adam T won in 1:56.1 to break her maiden in her 21st career start. The Friday card also included the second leg of a Pop-Up Series for male pacers that started for a purse of $12,000 or less in their last three starts with non-winners of $25,000 in a minimum of 10 starts in 2025 also eligible. American History ($3.10) won his $16,000 division in 1:50.2 for the driving and training duo of Dale and MacKenzie Spence while the other split went to Shanes Dream in a career-best 1:51.1 with Billy Davis Jr. catch-driving for trainer Ed Peconi. To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park. (Standardbred Canada) In this week's edition of Rewind, Robert Smith recalls the start-up and some early happenings from the now-defunct Windsor Raceway. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the 1965 opening of the border oval. This is the first in a series of reminiscences from the more than 45 years the track operated (19652012). Sixty years ago, on Oct. 22, 1965, when Windsor Raceway first opened its doors, a new era of Canadian harness racing was born. The plant, located at the far west end of the city in a historic area known as Ojibway, was a work of mastery, designed entirely to meet the needs and fancies of a new breed of harness racing fan. It was perhaps the fulfillment of the passage build it and they will come. Its design and overall plan was a leap of faith and for many years, it worked marvelously. Windsor Raceway President Al Siegel inspects the new tartan surface being installed at the soon-to-open Windsor Raceway. A portion of the recently completed grandstand can be seen in the background. Below are a few milestones and memorable happenings from the early years at Windsor Raceway. Opening Night 1965 The inaugural race took place on Oct. 22, 1965, with Castle Direct, driven by Fred Roloson, becoming the first horse to ever cross the line a winner with a time of 2:10. Opening day attendance was 5,136, and fans wagered $194,204. The owners of the initial winner were U.S.-based, as was the driver, Fred (Red Fred) Roloson, who was Canadian-born from the Tillsonburg, Ont., area. Much of Windsors design was the result of input by The Hon. Earl Rowe and his son William, who, along with Race Secretary Joe DeFrank, designed virtually every detail. The Rowes extensive racing experience was evident throughout. They knew what fans and horsemen would enjoy. Intense attention to sight lines for the crowd at every level was important. As for the horsemen, Mr. Rowe Jr. said: We were tired of washing our faces in horse pails and believed no horseman should have to do so. Everything will be first class. The Raceways opening attracted a huge number of stables from both sides of the border. Canadian horsemen included veteran Herb Craig from nearby Chatham, Jack Gordon, Bert Madill, Pat Crowe, Fred Goudreau, Keith and Murray Waples, Clarence Lockhart, Harold Wellwood, Wilf Duford, Merv Kirkness, Fred Roloson, Henri Filion, Brian Webster, and dozens more. From the U.S., such names as Gerry Bookmeyer, Wally McIllmurray Sr., Bud Foster, Don Keeton, Gordon Norris, Don Hall, the Merrimans (Tom and Jim Jr.), Jack Betts, and Bert Amos Jr. were on hand. Because of its location, the track attracted many fans from the U.S. In a novel move, the mutuels were set up so bettors could place their wagers in either Canadian or U.S. funds. Winnings, of course, could also be cashed in the corresponding currency. A view of the Windsor betting area on opening night in 1965 as lucky patrons wait to cash their winning tickets (Windsor Star) Albatross Visits Windsor 1972 This large poster was on display at Windsor Raceway for many years recalling a special record setting night in the summer of 1972. This great old picture survived the track's demolition and for a time remained on display at a local establishment. On June 23, 1972, Windsor Raceway played host to the great Albatross, a special horse in the midst of a record-setting season his last before beginning his breeding career. The crowd of 7,312 was treated to a thrilling evening, highlighted by a new Canadian record and a new Windsor track record that had stood for five years. Organizers wisely scheduled the big race as the 10th and final on the card after all, who was going to leave without seeing the sight of a lifetime? The track did take a small hit, experiencing its first-ever minus pool when $1,044 was lost as the prohibitive 25 favourite romped to victory. The handle exceeded $425,000. Albatross controlled the race from the start, never threatened as he set fractions of :28.1, :58.3, 1:28.2, and home in 1:56.3 after a final quarter of :28.1 impressive given the cool June weather (58F) and a brisk wind. Track man Ken Myles had the oval in excellent condition despite lingering effects of Hurricane Agnes. Bruce Nickells, driving Kentucky, enjoyed a perfect trip and had plenty left for the stretch, but admitted afterward: I gave my horse a few clucks, but when I looked up, Dancer was still in command and no one was ever going to catch him. Jack Bailey with Bye Bye Max, who raced third throughout, closed quickly to grab second; Kentucky settled for third. The field of six also included Nansemond, driven by Herve Filion. Having upset Albatross in the Jug the previous year, he was expected to provide stiff competition but on this night, he offered little challenge and finished a disappointing fourth. The clocking of 1:56.3 shown in the background told most of the story of the win by Albatross in the 1972 Continental Cup at Windsor. The old track record of 1:59.4 set in 1967 by Philip Brian was erased as Canada's fastest ever mile was established by Albatross (Windsor Star) Quote for the Week: Change is the only constant in life. Mark Twain Who Is It? Can you name the winning driver in the above photograph? He was a regular for many years and part of the original cast of horsemen who populated Windsors backstretch when it first opened. Who Else Is It? Windsor hosted many charitable events. The 1988 photo above shows two gentlemen in the back row at the far right representing the charity. Can you identify the drivers who participated? Blast from the Past Who is this fellow who starred at Windsor for many years? He won countless driving titles and at times seemed to drive in virtually every race. This one shouldnt pose too many problems who is he? (The correct answers will be posted here by Robert as a comment in a few days.) 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: The second Boeing 737 MAX airplane being built is on the assembly line in Renton, Wash., on Monday, Dec. 7, 2015. Credit: AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File Boeing is getting back the ability to perform final safety inspections on 737 Max jetliners and certify the planes for flight more than six years after crashes of the then-new model killed 346 people, the Federal Aviation Administration said Friday. The FAA said it decided to restore the aerospace company's authorization to issue airworthiness certificates for Max and 787 Dreamliner passenger planes starting Monday following "a thorough review of Boeing's ongoing production quality." Federal regulators took full control over 737 Max approvals in 2019, after the second of two crashes that were later blamed on a new software system Boeing developed for the aircraft. The FAA ended the company's right to self-certify Dreamliners in 2022, citing ongoing production quality issues. Going forward, Boeing and FAA inspectors will take weekly turns performing the safety checks that are required before aircraft are cleared for delivery and declared safe to fly. The FAA said the arrangement will free up more of its inspectors to conduct "rigorous" quality checks on the production line at Boeing plants. The Associated Press sent emailed requests Friday to Boeing for comment. The company's stock price was up about 4% in afternoon trading, as the FAA announcement coincided with news about Boeing securing two more orders from foreign airlines. Turkey's flag carrier, Turkish Airlines, said Friday that it planned to buy 75 Dreamliners and wants to eventually buy up to 150 more 737 Max jets. Boeing said the Max purchase would be the largest single order for its best-selling aircraft, if the deal is finalized. Norwegian Group, the aviation company that operates Norwegian Air Shuttle and regional airline Widere, also placed an order for 30 Boeing 737 Max 8 planes, Boeing said Friday. Since President Donald Trump's return to the White House this year, his administration has made Boeing a focus of its plans to revive U.S. manufacturing. A number of international airlines have signed sales agreements with Boeing in recent months. Some Boeing critics have questioned how meaningfully the company has reformed its culture and processes to ensure the passenger planes it produces are safe. The FAA announced earlier this month that it was seeking $3.1 million in fines from Boeing over alleged safety violations between September 2023 and February 2024. They included the January 2024 blowout of a paneled-over exit door on a 737 Max during an Alaska Airlines flight. 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. 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: The Cyberfort bunker is a solid inclined mass of grass-covered concrete that emerges in the centre of the compound. Credit: Cyberfort/A.R.E. Taylor, CC BY It's a sunny June day in southeast England. I'm driving along a quiet, rural road that stretches through the Kent countryside. The sun flashes through breaks in the hedgerow, offering glimpses of verdant crop fields and old farmhouses. Thick hawthorn and brambles make it difficult to see the 10ft-high razor-wire fence that encloses a large grassy mound. You'd never suspect that 100ft beneath the ground, a hi-tech cloud computing facility is whirring away, guarding the most valuable commodity of our age: digital data. This subterranean data center is located in a former nuclear bunker that was constructed in the early 1950s as a command-and-control center for the Royal Air Force's radar network. You can still see the decaying concrete plinths that the radar dish once sat upon. Personnel stationed in the bunker would have closely watched their screens for signs of nuclear missile-carrying aircraft. After the end of the cold war, the bunker was purchased by a London-based internet security firm for use as an ultra-secure data center. Today, the site is operated by the Cyberfort Group, a cybersecurity services provider. I'm an anthropologist visiting the Cyberfort bunker as part of my ethnographic research exploring practices of "extreme" data storage. My work focuses on anxieties of data loss and the effort we takeor often forget to taketo back-up our data. As an object of anthropological inquiry, the bunkered data center continues the ancient human practice of storing precious relics in underground sites, like the tumuli and burial mounds of our ancestors, where tools, silver, gold and other treasures were interred. The Cyberfort facility is one of many bunkers around the world that have now been repurposed as cloud storage spaces. Former bomb shelters in China, derelict Soviet command-and-control centers in Kyiv and abandoned Department of Defense bunkers across the United States have all been repackaged over the last two decades as "future-proof" data storage sites. I've managed to secure permission to visit some of these high-security sites as part of my fieldwork, including Pionen, a former defense shelter in Stockholm, Sweden, which has attracted considerable media interest over the last two decades because it looks like the hi-tech lair of a James Bond villain. Many abandoned mines and mountain caverns have also been re-engineered as digital data repositories, such as the Mount10 AG complex, which brands itself as the "Swiss Fort Knox" and has buried its operations within the Swiss Alps. Cold war-era information management company Iron Mountain operates an underground data center 10 minutes from downtown Kansas City and another in a former limestone mine in Boyers, Pennsylvania. The National Library of Norway stores its digital databanks in mountain vaults just south of the Arctic Circle, while a Svalbard coal mine was transformed into a data storage site by the data preservation company Piql. Known as the Arctic World Archive (AWA), this subterranean data preservation facility is modeled on the nearby Global Seed Vault. Just as the seeds preserved in the Global Seed Vault promise to help re-build biodiversity in the aftermath of future collapse, the digitized records stored in the AWA promise to help re-boot organizations after their collapse. Bunkers are architectural reflections of cultural anxieties. If nuclear bunkers once mirrored existential fears about atomic warfare, then today's data bunkers speak to the emergence of a new existential threat endemic to digital society: the terrifying prospect of data loss. Data, the new gold? After parking my car, I show my ID to a large and muscular bald-headed guard squeezed into a security booth not much larger than a payphone box. He's wearing a black fleece with "Cyberfort" embroidered on the left side of the chest. He checks my name against today's visitor list, nods, then pushes a button to retract the electric gates. I follow an open-air corridor constructed from steel grating to the door of the reception building and press a buzzer. The door opens on to the reception area: "Welcome to Cyberfort," receptionist Laura Harper says cheerfully, sitting behind a desk in front of a bulletproof window which faces the car park. I hand her my passport, place my bag in one of the lockers, and take a seat in the waiting area. Big-tech pundits have heralded data as the "new gold"a metaphor made all the more vivid when data is stored in abandoned mines. And as the purported economic and cultural value of data continues to grow, so too does the impact of data loss. For individuals, the loss of digital data can be a devastating experience. If a personal device should crash or be hacked or stolen with no recent back-ups having been made, it can mean the loss of valuable work or cherished memories. Most of us probably have a data-loss horror story we could tell. For governments, corporations and businesses, a severe data loss eventwhether through theft, erasure or network failurecan have a significant impact on operations or even result in their collapse. The online services of high-profile companies like Jaguar and Marks & Spencer have recently been impacted by large-scale cyber-attacks that have left them struggling to operate, with systems shutdown and supply chains disrupted. But these companies have been comparatively lucky: a number of organizations had to permanently close down after major data loss events, such as the TravelEx ransomware attack in 2020, and the MediSecure and National Public Data breaches, both in 2024. With the economic and societal impact of data loss growing, some businesses are turning to bunkers with the hope of avoiding a data loss doomsday scenario. The concrete cloud One of the first things visitors to the Cyberfort bunker encounter in the waiting area is a 3ft cylinder of concrete inside a glass display cabinet, showcasing the thickness of the data center's walls. The brute materiality of the bunkered data center stands in stark contrast to the fluffy metaphor of the "cloud," which is often used to discuss online data storage. Data centers, sometimes known as "server farms," are the buildings where cloud data is stored. When we transfer our data into the cloud, we are transferring it on to servers in a data center (hence the meme "there is no cloud, just someone else's computer"). Data centers typically take the form of windowless, warehouse-scale buildings containing hundreds of servers (pizza box-shaped computers) stored in cabinets that are arranged in aisles. Data centers are responsible for running many of the services that underpin the systems we interact with every day. Transportation, logistics, energy, finance, national security, health systems and other lifeline services all rely on up-to-the-second data stored in and accessed through data centers. Everyday activities such as debit and credit card payments, sending emails, booking tickets, receiving text messages, using social media, search engines and AI chatbots, streaming TV, making video calls and storing digital photos all rely on data centers. These buildings now connect such an incredible range of activities and utilities across government, business and society that any downtime can have major consequences. The UK government has officially classified data centers as forming part of the country's critical national infrastructurea move that also conveniently enables the government to justify building many more of these energy-guzzling facilities. A diagram of the Mount 10 bunker in Switzerland. Credit: Mount10, CC BY As I sit pondering the concrete reality of the cloud in Cyberfort's waiting area, the company's chief digital officer, Rob Arnold, emerges from a corridor. It was Arnold who arranged my visit, and we head for his officethrough a security door with a biometric fingerprint lockwhere he talks me through the logic of the bunkered data center. "The problem with most above-ground data centers is they are often constructed quickly, and not built to withstand physical threats like strong winds, car bombs or server theft from breaking and entering." Arnold says that "most people tend to think of the cyber-side of data securityhackers, viruses and cyber-attackswhich dangerously overlooks the physical side." Amid increasing geopolitical tension, internet infrastructure is now a high-value target as "hybrid" or "cyber-physical" sabotage (when cyber-attacks are combined with physical attacks) becomes increasingly common. The importance of physical internet security has been highlighted by the war in Ukraine, where drone strikes and other attacks on digital infrastructure have led to internet shutdowns. While precise details about the number of data centers destroyed in the conflict remain scant, it has been observed that Russian attacks on local data centers in Ukraine have led many organizations to migrate their data to cloud facilities located outside of the conflict zone. Bunkers appeal to what Arnold calls "security-conscious" clients. He says, "It's difficult to find a structure more secure than a bunker"before adding dryly: "The client might not survive the apocalypse, but their data will." Cyberfort specializes in serving regulated industries. Its customer base includes companies working in defense, health care, finance and critical infrastructure. "Our core offering focuses on providing secure, sovereign and compliant cloud and data-center services," Arnold explains in a well-rehearsed sales routine. "We do more for our customers than just host systemswe protect their reputations." Arnold's pitch is disrupted by a knock at the door. The head of security (who I'm calling Richard Thomas here) entersa 6ft-tall ex-royal marine wearing black cargo trousers, black combat boots and a black Cyberfort-branded polo shirt. Thomas is going to show me around the facility today. The entrance to the bunker is located up a short access road. Engineered to withstand the blast and radiation effects of megaton-level thermonuclear detonations, this cloud storage bunker promises its clients that their data will survive any eventuality. At the armor-plated entrance door, Thomas taps a passcode into the electronic lock and swipes his card through the access control system. Inside, the air is cool and musty. Another security guard sits in a small room behind bulletproof plexiglass. He buzzes us through a metal mantrap and we descend into the depths of the facility via a steel staircase, our footsteps echoing in this cavernous space. The heavy blast doors and concrete walls of the bunker appear strangely at odds with the virtual "walls" we typically associate with data security: firewalls, anti-virus vaults, and spyware and spam filters. Similarly, the bunker's military logics of enclosure and isolation seem somewhat outdated when faced with the transgressive digital "flows" of networked data. However, to dismiss the bunkered data center as merely an outmoded piece of security theater is to overlook the importance of physical securitytoday and in the future. We often think of the internet as an immaterial or ethereal realm that exists in an electronic non-place. Metaphors like the now retro-sounding cyberspace and, more recently, the cloud perpetuate this way of thinking. But the cloud is a material infrastructure composed of thousands of miles of cables and rows upon rows of computing equipment. It always "touches the ground" somewhere, making it vulnerable to a range of non-cyber threatsfrom thieves breaking into data centers and stealing servers, to solar storms disrupting electrical supplies, and even to squirrels chewing through cables. If data center services should go down, even for a few seconds, the economic and societal impact can be calamitous. In recent years we have seen this first-hand. In July 2020, the 27-minute Cloudflare outage led to a 50% collapse in traffic across the globe, disrupting major platforms like Discord, Shopify, Feedly and Politico. In June 2021, the Fastly outage left some of the world's most visited websites completely inaccessible, including Amazon, PayPal, Reddit, and the New York Times. In October 2021, Meta, which owns Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, experienced an outage for several hours that affected millions of social media users as well as hundreds of businesses. Perhaps the largest internet outage yet occurred in July 2024 when the CrowdStrike outage left supermarkets, doctors' surgeries, pharmacies, airports, train providers and banks (among other critical services) unable to operate. This was described by some in the industry as "one of the largest mass outages in IT history". Internet architecture now relies on such a complex and fragile ecosystem of interdependencies that major outages are getting bigger and occurring more often. Downtime events can have a lasting financial and reputational impact on data center providers. Some attempts to quantify the average cost of an unplanned data center outage range from US$9,000 to US$17,000 (about 12,500) per minute. The geographic location of a data center is also hugely important for data protection regulations, Thomas explains, as we make our way down a brightly lit corridor. "Cyberfort's facilities are all located in the UK, which gives our clients peace of mind, knowing they comply with data sovereignty laws." Data sovereignty regulations subject data to the legal and privacy standards of the country in which it is stored. This means businesses and organizations must be careful about where in the world their data is being relocated when they move it into the cloud. For example, if a UK business opts to store its data with a cloud provider that uses data centers based in the US, then that data will be subject to US privacy standards which do not fully comply with UK standards. In contrast to early perceptions of the internet as transcending space, eradicating national borders and geopolitics, data sovereignty regulations endow locality with renewed significance in the cloud era. The survival of data at all costs Towards the end of the corridor, Thomas opens a large red blast-proof doorbeyond which is a smaller air-tight door. Thomas waves his card in front of an e-reader, initiating an unlocking process: we're about to enter one of the server rooms. "Get ready," he says, smiling, "It's going to be cold and loud!" The door opens, releasing a rush of cold air. The server room is configured and calibrated for the sole purpose of providing optimal conditions for data storage. Like any computer, servers generate a huge amount of heat when they are running, and must be stored in constantly air-conditioned rooms to ensure they do not overheat. If, for any reason, a server should crash or fail, it can lead to the loss of a client's valuable data. Data center technicians work in high-pressure conditions where any unexpected server downtime could mean the end of their job. To try and make sure the servers run optimally, data centers rely on huge amounts of water and energy, which can significantly limit the availability of these resources for the people who live in the vicinity of the buildings. An average data center consumes an estimated 200 terawatt hours of electricity each year. That's around 1% of total global electricity demand, which is more than the national energy consumption of some countries. Many of these facilities are powered by non-renewable energy sources, and the data center industry is expected to emit 2.5 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide by 2030. The bunkers external armour-plated door. Credit: Cyberfort/A.R.E. Taylor, CC BY In addition, to meet expectations for "uninterruptible" service levels, data centers rely on an array of fossil fuel-based back-up infrastructureprimarily diesel generators. For this reason, the Green Web Foundationa non-profit organization working to decarbonize the internethas described the internet as the world's largest coal-powered machine. Data centers are also noisy and have become sites of protest for local residents concerned about noise pollution. Amid hype and speculation about the rise of AI, which is leading to a boom in the construction of energy-hungry data centers, the carbon footprint of the industry is under increasing scrutiny. Keen to highlight Cyberfort's efforts to address these issues, Thomas informs me that "environmental impact is a key consideration for Cyberfort, and we take our commitment to these issues very seriously." As we walk down a cold aisle of whirring servers, he explains that Cyberfort actively sources electricity from renewable energy supply chains, and uses what he calls a "closed loop" cooling infrastructure which consumes minimal fresh water. 'Like the pyramids' After our walk through the server room, we begin to make our way out of the bunker, heading through another heavy-duty blast door. As we walk down the corridor, Thomas promotes the durability of bunkers as a further security selling point. Patting the cold concrete wall with the palm of his hand, he says, "Bunkers are built to last, like the pyramids." Bunker scholars have long noted that these buildings are as much about time as they are about space. Bunkers are designed to preserve and transport their contents through time, from an apocalyptic present into a safe future. Writers such as Paul Virilio, W.G. Sebald and J.G. Ballard were drawn to the decaying bunkers of the Second World War and, like Thomas, compared them with enduring megastructures which have outlived the civilizations that built them. In his 1975 book Bunker Archaeology, Virilio famously compared the abandoned Nazi bunkers along the coast of France with "the Egyptian mastabas, the Etruscan tombs, the Aztec structures." The bunker's durability invites us to take a long-term view of our own data storage needs, which will only increase over the course of our lives. For technology behemoths like Apple and Google, cloud storage is a key strategic avenue for long-term revenue growth. While the phones, laptops and other digital devices they make have limited lifespans, their cloud services offer potentially lifelong data storage. Apple and Google encourage us to perpetually hoard our data rather than delete it, because this locks us into their cloud subscription services, which become increasingly expensive the more storage we need. Apple's marketing for its cloud storage service, iCloud, encourages users to "take all the photos you want without worrying about space on your devices." Google has made "archive" rather than "delete" the default option on Gmail. While this reduces the likelihood of us accidentally deleting an email, it also means we are steadily consuming more of our Gmail capacity, leading some to purchase more Google Drive storage space. Cloud hoarders It is also increasingly difficult to operate off-cloud. Internal storage space on our digital devices is dwindling as the cloud becomes the default storage option on the majority of digital products being developed. Users must pay a premium if they want more than the basic local storage on their laptop or smartphone. Ports to enable expandable, local storagesuch as CD drives or SD card slotsare also being removed by tech manufacturers. As our personal digital archives expand, our cloud storage needs will continue to grow over our lifetimes, as will the payments for more and more cloud storage space. And while we often imagine we will one day take the time to prune our accumulations of digital photos, files, and emails, that task is often indefinitely postponed. In the meantime, it is quicker and easier to simply purchase more cloud storage. A blast-proof door in the Cyberfort bunker, behind which lies the server room containing the digital 'gold'. Credit: Cyberfort/A.R.E. Taylor, CC BY Many consumers simply use whichever cloud storage service is already pre-installed on their devicesoften these are neither the cheapest nor most secure option. But once we commit to one provider, it is very difficult to move our data to another if we want a cheaper monthly storage rate, or simply want to switchthis requires investing in enough hard drives on which to download the data from one cloud provider and upload it to another. Not everyone is tech-savvy enough to do that. In 2013, bank reforms in the UK introduced a switching service which enabled consumers to easily move their money and payments to different banks, in order to access more favorable rates. Cloud migration services are available for businesses, but until a cloud storage equivalent of the bank switching service is developed for the general public, many of us are essentially locked into whichever cloud provider we have been using. If our data really is the new gold, perhaps we should require cloud providers to offer incentives to deposit it with them. Some providers now offer "lifetime" cloud packages with no monthly or yearly payments and no inactivity clause. However, the cloud market is volatile, defined by cycles of boom-and-bust, with providers and their data centers constantly rebranding, closing and relocating. In this landscape of mergers and acquisitions, there is no guarantee that lifetime cloud providers will be around long enough to honor these promises. In addition, the majority of consumer cloud providers currently only offer a maximum of a few terabytes of storage. In the future, most of us will probably need a lot more than this, which could mean a lot more data centers (roughly 100 new data centers are set to be constructed in the UK alone within the next five years). We may also see more bunkers being repurposed as data centerswhile some providers, such as Florida-based Data Shelter, are considering building entirely new bunker structures from scratch to house digital data. Resurfacing Thomas and I arrive at the steel staircase leading back up to the outside world. The guard buzzes us back through the turnstile, and Thomas unlocks and opens the door. The sunlight stings my eyes. Back in the reception area, I thank Arnold and Thomas for my surreal trip into the depths of subterranean data storage. The Cyberfort data center is a site of extreme contrasts, where the ethereal promise of the cloud jars with the concrete reality of the bunker. Sitting in my car, I add to my fieldnotes that the survival of datawhether entombed in bunkers or stored in "lifetime" cloud accountsis bound to the churn of markets, and depends upon the durability of the infrastructure and organizations behind it. Permanence, in the digital age, is always provisional. One can't help but imagine future archaeologists discovering this bunker and rummaging through the unreadable remains of our lost digital civilization. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This story is meant particularly for the people who know exactly what happened that afternoon 20 years ago, and why. Those with information are encouraged to make the call that may unravel the mystery of May 14, 2003. Punit Dhesi believes a simple haircut can be a powerful act of service. Dhesi is the mind behind Serve Society, a nonprofit, fully mobile barber shop, operated by Dhesi and his collective of volunteer barbers and stylists. Serve Society partners with community organizations to give back and serve those who need it most by providing free haircuts to individuals in addiction recovery, those experiencing homelessness, those in low-income families, individuals reentering society, veterans, and other vulnerable populations in Tucson. For clients themselves, it does a few things, right? On the base level, youre boosting self esteem, confidence, restoring dignity. Its an opportunity to see themselves in a different way, Dhesi said. A lot of times, its just about feeling seen and feeling heard, and in some cases its workforce readiness. With his mobile set-up, Dhesi wants to provide the full barber shop experience and all the luxury that comes with it. The mobile unit comes equipped with three workstations and comfortable barber chairs, a shampoo bowl, restroom, tools and supplies provided by Dhesi, and a convertible deck. I wanted to create a real, dignifying experience, Dhesi said. Its really nice, its nicer than some barbershops. He said his commitment to helping others was sparked by his personal recovery journey. I was a filmmaker most of my life. I found pretty early success in that, and by the time I was 21, I had my first music video on MTV, Dhesi said. But at the same time, I was kind of struggling with my own substance abuse issues. He decided to make a change in his own life after losing his father in 2019, and said he developed his passion for barbering during his stay at an intensive outpatient program in San Diego. I always had this affinity with the barbershop culture, and it felt like a way to connect with people. I was already making one drastic life change, and I was like, I kind of want to change everything. As part of his program, he began barber school, and very quickly found his purpose in barbering and helping others on their own recovery journeys. It started to be a positive association attached to my recovery, Dhesi said. I was doing these haircuts for these guys, and it was an act of service, but it was also this trade. Because in the beginning, they knew that I was practicing, so they were being of service by letting me practice my craft. There was this mutual exchange. All the while, we were talking about recovery in the chair and connecting all these different ways. Dhesi moved to Tucson in 2024, after going back to school for addiction counseling and completing his practicum hours in San Diego. He was searching for a way to use his education and experiences to serve the community. I would try to find these opportunities where I can go cut hair, like volunteer for places with people in recovery, and I kept hitting these roadblocks, he said. Everybody wanted the service, but there werent enough, places to put it or support it to make it a real thing. The biggest roadblocks, Dhesi said, were space availability, safety, sanitation and insurance issues. That was when the idea of Serve Society began. Dhesis solution was to create his own mobile space, which could be fully licensed as a barber shop, and fully insured. That way, he could offer haircuts anywhere theyre needed. I realized that the best business model for this would be some type of nonprofit organization, but I still couldnt get past the fact that it would just be me. I just created a box for myself where this whole organization depends on me being a counselor, me being in recovery, and me being a barber. I was like, thats too small, Dhesi said. I was like, I bet, if Im passionate about people in early recovery, I bet theres other licensed professionals that are passionate about other populations. As it turns out, he was right, and Dhesi now has 20 registered volunteer cosmetologists and barbers, including Aidan Stover and Riana Preciado. Stover has been volunteering with Serve Society since July, and said she values the opportunity to utilize her skills to help people who need it most. I enjoy doing hair, so I may as well do it as much as I can, and help people out. I think that we both kind of benefit from it, you know? Stover said. I love that I cut literally any type of persons hair. We do, men, women, curly hair, straight hair. We get a wide variety of people. Preciado has been working as a barber for more than 10 years, and shared similar sentiments. She said the best part of working with Serve Society is giving back to the community, being a blessing to others. The magic of barbering, and the magic of Serve Society as Dhesi describes it, is that the transformation really happens on both sides of the chair. Kristen Crane, a resident of Old Pueblo Community Services Re-entry Recovery Community, was one of the haircut recipients at Serve Societys event on Sept. 8. She said it had been years since shed had a haircut. I shaved my head when I relapsed in 2023, but before that, I always just cut my own hair, Crane said. Its been a long time since Ive gone and gotten my hair cut. Crane said the service Dhesi and his volunteers provide meant a lot to her. Ive been wanting to do something with my hair, and I just dont have the means right now. So Im very appreciative that they came out today, she said. Crane was also very pleased with her new style, and it was something of a fresh start for her. I love it, it looks so cool, Im really excited, she said. A new me. Dario Dorame is another of the housing complex residents and was a repeat client of Serve Society. He said the free haircuts are a huge blessing. The new look also gave him new confidence. Im hot. Im feeling good, Dorame said. Im hoping it increases my opportunities for employment. Along with Old Pueblo Community Service, Serve Society also partners with several other Tucson organizations that are already providing valuable community resources, including Gospel Rescue Mission and the Pimavera Foundation. Our partnerships are growing, Dhesi said. Im passionate about people, especially men, in early recovery. But we go to places that support adults with intellectual developmental disabilities, were going to low barrier shelters, going to very different programs. Dhesi said he hopes Serve Society can continue to expand its reach in the community, increasing outreach services, and connecting people with the resources they need. I wanted to create something where we can follow the thread wherever the community wants to take it, Dhesi said. Like mobile showers, and providing more immediate services that are kind of hooks to get people motivated to connect to further resources to get help. Another future avenue Dhesi has considered is workforce development. We could do apprenticeship programs and scholarships, Dhesi said. A lot of guys and girls that get in our chair, like, oh, I always wanted to be a barber, or they come out of prison, theyve been cutting hair this whole time, and if we could give them a pathway to education, to get a job placement, thatd be great. Thatd be amazing. I feel like Ive planted a seed and now it should grow wherever it can. Ban can ang nhap e thuc hien chuc nang nay! The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer: PARIS At the 1905, a funky retro bistro in the Marais, Camille, the manager and queen bee, asked where I was from. Arizona, I replied. Her pleasant smile reshaped into the look one gets upon eating a bad clam. Tucson, I said, adding, a long way from Glendale. The smile returned, with a touch of sympathy if not pity. Most Europeans know a lot more about the United States than Americans know about Europe. The five-hour paean to Charlie Kirk was all over the papers. Scathing comments analyzed how a country so many people once admired has so quickly sunk to pariah status. Others detailed the impact on their own daily lives and global security. TV news channels showed excerpts of Stephen Millers six-minute messianic screed. God is with Republicans, he declared, and they will exact terrible vengeance on Democrats and other left-leaning enemies of the people who thwart their noble goals. Le Monde, the influential Paris daily, got to the point in a front-page subhead: Donald Trump uses this wave of emotion to accelerate his battle with the media. The French, long inured to political bombast, were slow to take Trump seriously. In 2016, many dismissed him as a self-obsessed buffoon. They stopped laughing when he tried to extort Volodymyr Zelensky for dirt on Joe Biden and then cripple NATO. His COVID denial worsened a global pandemic, triggering anger. Then France watched the Jan. 6 coup attempt with stunned disbelief. Trump sat back as insurgents savaged Capitol police and tried to lynch the vice president for certifying his lost election. Yet even up until the Kirk reaction, despite Trumps bullying tariffs and threats to allies, many Frenchmen I questioned about him had a similar response: yes, hes bad, but we have Emmanuel Macron. Their own presidents popularity ratings are near 17%. Now the difference is clear. In France, as in other American allies, most people see MAGA for what it is. On the record or privately, many describe it as shockingly corrupt, repressive, driven by greed and antithetical to Christian teachings. In Glendale, they saw Republicans demand vengeance on their political opposition, across the board, ignoring the essence of democracy. A lone 22-year-old pulled the trigger for still-unclear reasons. But Miller declared blanket blame: You thought you could kill Charlie Kirk? You have made him immortal ... and now millions will carry on his legacy. At the U.N. General Assembly, they heard Trump call European leaders stupid for being nice to migrants and favoring fake green energy. As a result, he said in a rambling speech nearly an hour longer than his allotted time, their countries are going to hell. The French are quick to swarm the streets to protest unpopular government decisions. But, aside from apolitical casseurs who break things and loot, they adhere to the rule of law when they demand accountability. Violence erupted across the country in 2023 when Macron raised the retirement age from 62 to 64. Many agreed that was needed to control public spending. The furor was because he did it by executive order without debate in the National Assembly. France has no First Amendment. But the United States does, and this administration is trampling all over it. Free expression is ingrained in French society. Libel and slander are punished by token amounts compared to American standards. The French are scrupulous about keeping money out of politics, ensuring clean elections and probing suspected corruption. Presidents cannot be prosecuted except in egregious cases. But only until they move out of the Elysees Palace. After Nicolas Sarkozy left office in 2012, he was convicted of corruption, influence peddling and illegal campaign funding. Lawyers kept him out of jail, but he had to wear an ankle bracelet for a time and was stripped of his Legion of Honor distinction. And just last week, at 70, Sarkozy was sentenced to five years in prison. He is likely to serve hard time even if his case is under appeal. His crime dates back to 2007, an attempt to collect millions of euros for his campaign from Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi in exchange for economic advantages and diplomatic recognition. No deal was made. Under French law, just soliciting is enough. The charge was association de malfaiteurs. Criminal association. He insists he is innocent and calls the charge a scandal. But he hurled no epithets at judges or rivals. If I have to sleep in prison, Ill sleep in prison, he said, but with head held high. Years earlier, ex-President Jacques Chirac was prosecuted for corruption during his term as mayor of Paris. When finally convicted, old and infirm, he was released on humanitarian grounds. France is hardly squeaky-clean. Questionable deals in political and business circles often escape notice. But a lively, vigilant press keeps watch. And when potential crime comes to light, people react. Voters are indulgent about candidates personal lives. When Macrons predecessor, Francois Hollande, was caught on camera at night sneaking off on a booty call, people just laughed. He looked silly in a too-small helmet, puttering off on a motor scooter. But a pending case could change the nature of France. Jean-Marie Le Pen of the anti-immigrant, far-right National Front stunned voters in 2002 by coming second after Chirac in the first of a two-round election. The popular slogan was hold your nose and vote Chirac. He won with just over 82% of the vote. Le Pens daughter, Marine, took over the party, renamed it National Rally. Its image is more housebroken, but its politics are similar. She had reasonable odds as a presidential candidate in 2027 until she was recently banned from office for five years. A court held her liable for her partys misuse of European Parliament funds. Still, she stands a slight chance of winning an appeal before the election. In the unlikely event of victory, it is hard to imagine anything close to a MAGA in France. Even so, I may have to visit Camille at the 1905 and offer my condolences. For some opponents, the shift in intent by Project Blue's developer to cool its planned data centers on the Tucson area's far southeast side with air rather than water heightens concerns about noise. It's been reported that servers, air-cooled chillers, cooling towers and air handling units in particular can generate a lot of noise. With Project Blue now planning to cool its centers with air to slash water use, an expert in audio technology says the centers are likely to generate more noise. But Beale Infrastructure says it's confident the noise from the data centers won't be a problem, because it picked a site up to two miles away from most residences, reducing if not eliminating the likelihood the noise will disturb people. Residents living near data centers from Chandler to suburban Washington, D.C. in Virginia have complained repeatedly about noise. One Chandler resident, Amy Weber, said on Facebook that sounds from a center a half-mile from her Arizona house were comparable to sounds from someone in a nearby car with "their hand permanently laying on the car horn." Water-cooled data center systems are designed to give off less noise because they rely on heat transmission through contact with water rather than high-speed fans, said Braxton Boren, an associate professor of audio technology at American University in Washington, D.C. Since fans are the main source of noise in an air-cooled system, the noise is greatly reduced in water-cooled systems unless it is somehow allowing turbulent water motion to generate a similar level of noise as the fans would, he told the Star in an email. Beale says it will build its centers far enough away that residents won't be able to hear it. Opponents of Project Blue are skeptical and warn that more housing could be built closer to the complex reasonably soon, given the region's housing crisis and the need for more homes. In a statement to the Star, Beale said, "Beales site was carefully selected, and the project design is being developed, to ensure full compliance with all applicable zoning requirements to fully mitigate potential impacts to neighbors. Beales Pima County site was intentionally located away from neighbors to mitigate potential impacts, with the nearest residence more than a mile away and separated by a highway," which is Interstate 10. The 290-acre site they've agreed to purchase from Pima County for Project Blue's first data center complex lies near the Pima County Fairgrounds, along Brekke Road between Harrison and Houghton roads. Most of the surrounding land is zoned as rural homestead, which allows one home per 4.13 acres. Pima County Supervisor Matt Heinz, a Project Blue supporter, said as far as he knows, the nearest residences are at Cactus Country RV, two miles from the site. It lies north of the interstate at 10195 S. Houghton Road. The (data center) site currently operates as a shooting range and is bordered by another shooting range to the west, Interstate 10 to the north, and the Pima County Fairgrounds to the south, which hosts both a dragstrip and multiple speedways, Beale's statement said. Although the site is surrounded by existing noise-producing uses, we will still implement noise-reduction measures to comply with local noise ordinances and the noise restrictions outlined in the sites approved specific plan." That plan, which county supervisors approved on June 17, said no noise or vibration shall be permitted from the site "which is discernible to the human senses of hearing and feeling at one-half mile or further from the lot line for three minutes or more duration in any one hour of the day." On Wednesday, Beale also told the Star, "Beales air cooled facility will be fully compliant with current noise ordinances and produce less noise than the current shooting range on the 290-acre site, the neighboring shooting range to the west of the site, Interstate 10 to the north of the site, and the Pima County Fairgrounds, which hosts two car race tracks, just south of the site." Asked by the Star in a follow-up question how it knows its data centers will produce less noise than the area's current activities, the company said on Thursday its spokesman is on vacation, so it can't respond until he returns. Future housing issues? Activist Reed Spurling countered that Beale should acknowledge there's a big difference between 24/7 low-frequency noise from a data center, and daytime noise from activities that Pima County residents visit this part of town to enjoy, such as racing or shooting. Spurling is with the opposition group No Desert Data Center Coalition. "Persistent low-frequency noise from data center cooling systems can have negative health impacts," said Spurling, who works full-time as a University of Arizona aerospace engineer. He said local elected officials have made a couple things clear: We are in a housing crunch, and land south of I-10 is being targeted for housing development. "How can Beale be confident that future housing will not be built nearby?" he said, adding that an area zoned for one-acre residential lots lies barely a mile south of the project site. But that site appears from county maps to be state trust land, meaning "it could be decades before we see anything happen on that property and if it does, new homeowners will be moving in near an existing Project Blue, not Project Blue moving in near existing homes," said Chris Poirier, an official of the Pima County Development Services Department. "And that is assuming State Land (Department) sells it and it is developed for homes and not a different use. Highest and best use is typically not one home per acre," which is what the current zoning allows, Poirier said. The noise restrictions in the specific plan covering Project Blue are "common sense rules," said Spurling, but he's concerned about how the county will enforce them. "Data center operators around the country have a habit of breaking rules and then simply paying fines that they can easily afford while continuing to break the rules," he said. Regulations vary Pima County's regulations of noise, whether from data centers or any other major industry, are less strict than the general noise ordinance in Tucson or in other cities and towns, including Marana, Chandler and Mesa that have already enacted ordinances specifically governing data centers. Tucson, for instance, sets maximum decibel limits for noise in its noise ordinance. Pima County doesn't. Its general noise ordinance makes it illegal "for any person to make or continue, or cause or permit to be made or continued, any excessive, unnecessary or offensive noise which disturbs the peace or quiet of any neighborhood or which causes discomfort or annoyance to any reasonable person of normal sensitivity residing in the area." The county has separate restrictions on noise from motor vehicles, loud music and construction activities. Also, Marana, Mesa and Chandler all have passed ordinances requiring proposed new data centers to conduct noise studies showing either how noisy the area of future centers already is, or how loud the centers will be in decibels once they're built. Chandler's ordinance also requires a prospective center to make projections for how far its noise will travel. Pima County supervisors recently passed a series of "due diligence" policies that will allow county officials to require such analyses for new industries, including data centers, but the policies don't require the analyses. The "due diligence" policies, approved on Sept. 2, will allow county supervisors or planning and zoning commissioners to add conditions to rezonings or special use permits to ensure such studies are done, said County Supervisor Jennifer Allen, who pushed for the policies. Separately, the board is having the county Development Services Department reach out to other municipalities to see how they've changed their ordinances for data centers, and hopes to have new proposed ordinances in "as quick as 4 months or as long as 8 months to a year," Allen said. 'Constant hum' The website Tech Target, which covers a wide range of high-tech issues, reported last December that as data centers expand to meet the demands of an increasingly data-driven society, "the sounds generated by their equipment and cooling systems increasingly disrupt the surrounding communities." "From the simultaneous use of multiple diesel generators to the constant hum of cooling systems, the noise of a data center can reach alarming decibel levels, raising concerns about the surrounding community's health," Tech Target said. Tech Target, and several other sites, have reported that noise inside data centers and coming from the centers can commonly range from a decibel level at the edge of what is known to harm hearing, about 85 decibels, to a level more than 10% noisier. Ketchum-Walton, a national consulting firm that specializes in noise control and indoor air quality, says on its website that cooling towers, air handling units and air chillers at data centers can generate unhealthful noise levels. Air handling units, for one, sit on rooftops and can generate decibels just at the unhealthful level or 15 decibels louder, that site said. "This high decibel noise can easily break out and invade nearby areas," the site said. As for outdoor air-cooled chillers, they use fans to remove heat from a data center building and release it into the atmosphere. The chiller's compressor is the main problem, producing "noise levels comparable to a Harley Davidson zooming down the highway," Ketchum-Walton said. As for how far data center noise can travel, "there's no simple answer," said Boren of American University. "The farther you go, it will keep getting quieter and quieter," he said. "Then it will reach a threshold where a person wont hear it anymore. It depends on the geography. It depends on the temperature and humidity. "It travels slightly farther in dry air. Some of the air absorption of noise comes from water molecules in air," Boren said. "If its a dry climate, you wont get much air absorption; it will travel a bit farther. It also depends on the level of the frequency of the sound source itself." In a 2024 study done for Prince William County in northern Virginia, scientist John Lyver wrote that noise from data centers can travel up to three miles. Lyver, who died shortly after the study was published, was a former NASA safety manager and a planning commissioner for that county. His research was used to fight what opponents call "data center sprawl" in the county, which included a 37-building data center complex planned for the edge of Manassas National Battlefield Park. Lyver's report contained no information backing up his conclusion. But Dale Browne, a resident of the county who worked closely with Lyver, said that while he doesn't know how Lyver reached that conclusion, "It is pretty easy to find sources that state that low frequency noise travels further and suffers less attenuation than higher frequencies from weather and physical barriers. Some state as far as 25 miles." Browne cited an example of a ship's foghorn that typically emits low-frequency sounds but travels great distances, even through dense fog. Audio technology professor Boren agreed that noise from a data center could theoretically travel up to three miles. But if a freeway forms a barrier and has few air gaps, the noise will travel less far, he said. (Typically, Interstate 10 has gaps allowing passage of air mainly at interchanges.) "If we imagine an extraordinarily loud data center, producing 120 decibels (from more fans and/or greater fan speeds) it would theoretically be about a 50 dB hum at 2 miles, which could be audible," he said. "At 3 miles that would be about 46 dB, which could still be audible if there is a quiet environment with very little background noise. Unfortunately, we dont always have good data about the sound power levels of the cooling installations planned for these facilities." Low-frequency sounds do travel farther than high-frequency sounds because the high-frequency sounds are more likely to be blocked by physical barriers or absorbed by air, he said. Low-frequency sounds have higher wavelengths, he noted. "If the high frequency sounds run into big obstacles, if you put a barrier wall around a roof, the wall will reflect back a lot of high frequencies ... but low frequencies will go over the wall and bend down again," Boren said. Bangladesh's Deep Sea Port Project has Potential to Improve Regional Trade Ties The deep-sea port project has the potential to improve regional trade ties, boost investment, create jobs, and support infrastructural development, spurring economic growth for Bangladesh, Northeast India, Nepal, and Bhutan, as well as the surrounding areas of the Bay of Bengal Saturday September 27, 2025 11:10 PM , Saleem Samad India has multiple reasons to dislike Bangladesh in the aftermath of the event of the ouster of all-weather friend Sheikh Hasina from power in August 2024. If we look into previous regimes, Delhi developed heightened relations with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (1972-1975) and her daughter, Sheikh Hasina (1976-2001 and 2009-2024). Why? The Awami League party was literally owned by the Sheikhs family and was tilted towards India when their government was in power. The people did not like it, and thousands of critics, dissidents, opposition, and also journalists were severely punished by both the autocratic regimes. Not only the Awami League, but also the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jatiya Party. When the military junta of liberation war veteran General Ziaur Rahman (1977-1981) and the other by General Hussain Muhammad Ershad (1982-1990) floated their parties and recruited politicians mostly from the former defunct Muslim League and pro-Maoist parties. Interestingly, the South Block in Delhi had love and hate relations with both Rahman and Ershad, but both regimes were suspicious and careful of the giant neighbor. India reciprocated not-so-warm diplomatic relations, but each others leaders were on reciprocal official state visits to Delhi and Dhaka. Presently, Delhi is not happy with the sudden change of regime in Dhaka. The 36-day Monsoon Revolution street protest by Gen Z forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to quit and flee. She sought political asylum in India. India has not been able to accept the change in Bangladesh because it did not like what the students did during the uprising last year. We have problems with India right now because they disliked what the students have done, remarked Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the Interim Government. He was speaking at an event organized by the Asia Society and the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York last week, which was moderated by Dr Kyung-wha Kang, president and CEO of the Asia Society. He said Indias hosting of Hasina, who has created all sorts of problems in the country and is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of young people, and is not helping bilateral ties between the neighbors. The United Nations human rights body (OHCHR) claimed that nearly 1,400 people, including students, daily wage earners, vendors, public transport drivers, and children. This issue creates a lot of tension between India and Bangladesh. Also, lots of fake news is disseminated from the other side [of the border]. This is a very bad thing, Yunus lamented while attending the UN General Assembly in New York. He flagged a piece of fake news claiming that the youth who brought about change in Bangladesh are Taliban. They even said Im a Taliban too. I dont have a beard. I just left it at home, he quipped. Yunus said SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) is supposed to be a bloc of very close family members, and the idea was born in Bangladesh. You can invest in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is going to invest in your territory. Thats the whole idea of SAARC, he said. All of us benefit from that This is what we should be doing. Yunus said SAARCs idea was to bring all the countries in South Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka) together so that young people can get in touch with each other. The Chief Adviser said, Our history allowed us to make that happen, but somehow it didnt fit into the politics of someones country [not naming India], so it had to stop. We feel very sorry for that. However, Yunus said Dhaka is willing to revitalize SAARC. We want to make sure that we open it up and bring people [of South Asia] together. That is the only way to solve our issues. I said, why dont you look at neighbors, like Nepal, Bhutan, and also the seven northeast states of India. In the eastern part of Bangladesh, seven states dont have any access to the ocean. These are landlocked regions, he said, hinting at possible fields of economic cooperation. The Indian Godi media are saber-rattling when Yunus mentioned that Bangladesh would give access to a new deep-seaport being built by the Japanese in the Bay of Bengal. So did the leaders of the radical Hindutva, ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), when Yunus spoke of giving access routes to landlocked northeast India states. The Godi media and BJP stalwarts blamed Yunus for interfering in India and attempting to stir a separatist movement in the landlocked states, which will usher in Chinas military presence in the conflict. He also mentioned Nepal and Bhutan. The countries welcomed the proposal, which will facilitate their exports through Bangladesh. Earlier, regional studies suggested that both Bangladesh and Northeast India need to scale up their multi-modal connectivity, which would not only help the region to raise its competitiveness but also narrow long-standing regional development gaps. The port would immensely benefit economically and create jobs in Northeast Indian states, and Japan proposed a plan for road infrastructure for fast communication to the Bay of Bengal, and also developed backward linkage industries. Japan has proposed developing an industrial hub in Bangladesh with supply chains to the landlocked northeast states of India, Nepal, and Bhutan beyond by developing a port and connectivity in the region, under the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B) initiative. The connectivity will bring synergy in trade facilitation and build express corridors for the transshipment and transit of goods from northeast India to the Bangladesh port in Chattogram. The former Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, Japans Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) Vision, focused particularly on emerging economies and developing countries in the Indo-Pacific region and territories vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters. It comes after Kishida visited India in March 2023, where he touted the idea of a new industrial hub for the Bay of Bengal and Northeast India that could bolster development in the impoverished region of 300 million people. After Kishida visited India, Japan approved $1.27 billion to Bangladesh for three infrastructure projects including an enormous commercial port in the Bay, which will be equivalent to the Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka or the Port of Singapore in terms of water depths, said a JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) official in charge of the project. After the Japanese Prime Ministers official visit, top Japanese officials visited New Delhi, Guwahati (Assam), Agartala (Tripura), and in Dhaka (Bangladesh). When Japan proposed the port and the economic emancipation of the majoritarian ethnic communities in the Northeast in 2023, the Indians cheered, after Japanese top officials made presentations in the Indian cities. Japan wants her physical presence in the Bay of Bengal. As prestigious Japanese media Nikkei Asia writes, Bangladeshs ambitious deep-sea port promises a strategic anchor for Japan and India. A mega seaport under construction is shaping up to be a strategic linchpin for Japan and India as the QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) partners (Australia, India, Japan, and the United States) aim to counter Chinese influence in the South China Sea. The Red Sun, as Japan is branded, plans to build a Bengal Northeast India industrial value chain in cooperation with India and Bangladesh to foster growth in the region. A mega deep-sea port at Matarbari, in southeast Bangladesh waters, is expected to be completed in 2027. The complex will take a major load off of the countrys main Chattogram (formerly Chittagong) port and a trade gateway for northeast India, which would be less than 100 kilometers from the massive port facility. Whatever the geopolitical strategy, the deep-sea port project has the potential to improve regional trade ties, boost investment, create jobs, and support infrastructural development, spurring economic growth for Bangladesh, Northeast India, Nepal, and Bhutan, as well as the surrounding areas of the Bay of Bengal. [The writer, Saleem Samad, is an independent journalist based in Bangladesh and a media rights defender with Reporters Without Borders. He is the recipient of the Ashoka Fellowship and the Hellman-Hammett Award. He could be reached at ; Twitter (X): @saleemsamad. The above article is first published in Stratheia Policy Journal, Islamabad, Pakistan, 27 September 2025. Views are personal.] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic As Viet Nams financial sector accelerates its digital transformation, online unsecured lending is becoming a vital tool in bridging long-standing capital access gaps for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Experts warn that while digital lending channels hold great promise, coordinated reforms in legal frameworks, infrastructure and technology adoption are crucial to unlocking their full potential. According to the latest data from FiinGroup, SMEs make up a staggering 95 per cent of all enterprises nationwide, equivalent to approximately 867,000 businesses as of the end of July 2025. Of these, over 90 per cent are classified as small or micro-sized, with charter capital under VN10 billion (US$380,000). Characterised by insufficient capital, a small workforce and weak competitiveness, SMEs contribution to national revenue is modestunder 20 per centand their share in import-export turnover remains below 10 per cent. Access to finance continues to be a pressing issue for this sector. FiinGroup reports that only about 9.3 per cent of SMEs are able to access bank loans, in stark contrast to 56.1 per cent of large enterprises. This significant disparity highlights the structural challenges facing SMEs and hindering their ability to survive and expand. Nguyen Hoang Long, who owns the green technology startup TreOTek, said that small and micro-sized enterprises currently faced significant hurdles in accessing bank loans, primarily due to strict collateral requirements. To overcome these barriers, shareholders and members often must mortgage their personal assets, thereby increasing their financial responsibility beyond their initial investment in the enterprise, Long told saigontimes.vn. According to Tran Nam Thang, sales director of the Ha Noi-based Tex Vietnam Technology Company, technology enterprises face unique challenges due to their lack of tangible assets. Their main assets are people and brainpower. For large projects, enterprises are often required to demonstrate tangible resources, making it difficult for smaller firms to secure such contracts. As a result, they often had to collaborate with larger organisations, Thang told the online newspaper. Facing these challenges, the firms expressed hope that lending institutions such as banks would adopt more flexible and tailored solutions to support small- and micro-sized enterprises. They also called for innovation in the credit market, advocating for more open approaches that create unsecured loan opportunities not only for SMEs but also for individual borrowers. Digital integration According to Nguyen Thi Van Anh, deputy director of Advance Technology Transfer and Consultancy Company in Ha Noi, a major concern for businesses is the lack of support for unsecured loans from banks, which often forces them to prove their financial capacity. She recommended that banks consider approving loans based on audited financial statements and the track records of businesses, thereby creating more opportunities for SMEs with strong financial histories. Concerns over capital access for enterprises have been acknowledged by the Government. In response, the Communist Party of Viet Nam issued a resolution in May 2025 on private economic development (also known as Resolution 68) urging commercial banks to expand unsecured lending to businesses by using cash flow management as a key criterion for credit assessment. Specifically, banks can determine loan limits based on business performance reports, value-added tax declarations and electronic invoices. Additionally, the use of API-based data connections between the banking system, accounting software providers, tax authorities and the Credit Information Center (CIC) enables real-time data verification and creditworthiness assessments. This digital integration significantly streamlines the lending process, allowing banks to reduce personnel costs for the appraisal stage by nearly half. Following the implementation of the new policy, several major banks including BIDV, Techcombank and MB Bank have partnered with MISA Co to launch a fast and flexible loan solution through the MISA Lending platform. Under this model, SMEs using MISAs accounting software can initiate a loan request directly within the system. The platform automatically aggregates data from the past three years of financial statements, cash flow records and electronic invoices, then evaluates the applicant using an AI-powered scoring model. Notably, the entire loan application and approval process is fully automated and conducted entirely on the digital platform. 'Significant milestone' Speaking to saigontimes.vn, financial director at MISA Nguyen Thi Ngoan, said the solution would enable complete digitalisation of the lending process, eliminating the need for paper documents and allowing for 100 per cent online implementation. Loan disbursement could occur within 24 hoursfar faster than the traditional process, which often takes several weeks. Notably, collateral would no longer be required, as credit evaluation would be based entirely on digital data. As a result, the loan approval success rate had reached 30 per cent, a figure ten times higher than that of conventional lending methods, Ngoan said. However, to ensure both safety and efficiency, online credit lending must rely on a diverse range of data, including static information such as credit history, CIC reports, tax filings and financial obligations, as well as dynamic data like daily cash flow, electronic invoices and accounting and human resources records. She added that the combination of static and dynamic data would enable banks to transparently score credit, improve the accuracy of evaluations and minimise the risk of bad debt. Echoing this opinion, ang Ngoc uc, head of the Institute of Financial Technology at ai Nam University, said online unsecured lending represented a significant milestone in the digitalisation of finance, enhancing financial accessibility for many borrowers. However, he cautioned that for this lending model to develop sustainably, comprehensive adjustments would be needed across legal frameworks, State management, infrastructure investment and technology application in lending activities. uc called for prioritising the completion of a robust legal corridor and promoting a controlled testing mechanism. He also stressed the need to supplement regulations concerning electronic contracts, customer authentication, data storage, dispute resolution, and personal information protection. From a business perspective, Long from TreOTek said that beyond developing credit lending models, banks should also assist businesses in creating methodical and feasible business plans. These plans would serve as a critical foundation for credit score assessments and lending decisions, reducing the need for businesses to mortgage personal assets. When banks remain uncertain about the capacity of businesses, why not collaborate with relevant agencies to jointly evaluate these enterprises? This approach could help banks minimise risks when extending capital, Long suggested. VNS By Ly Ly Cao HA NOI Five years after the Viet Nam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) entered into force, both sides have hailed the deal as a success, while also acknowledging the need to tackle remaining barriers and move toward a more balanced trade relationship. Viet Nam has become the European Unions largest trading partner in ASEAN, with bilateral trade reaching nearly EUR64 billion. Trade in goods alone has risen by 47 per cent over the past five years, underscoring what European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic described as "a real success and a reflection of the strong dynamic between the EU and Viet Nam". Exports from Viet Nam to the EU have grown sharply, up 60 per cent since the agreement took effect, adding US$20 billion in export value. By contrast, EU exports to Viet Nam increased by 10 per cent, equivalent to about $1 billion. The imbalance has prompted both sides to intensify talks on how to create more reciprocal benefits. "The truth is that Viet Nam is doing better than Europe right now", Sefcovic said at a press conference on September 26 after co-chairing the EVFTA committee with Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien. "Therefore, we have been discussing with Minister Dien how to achieve more balance in our mutual trade". "We went through a list of very concrete measures, what all still need to be implemented or where we need more cooperation". Among the priority issues are sanitary and phytosanitary permits in agriculture and technical standards in the automobile sector. He proposed simplifying Viet Nams approval process by recognising EU-wide certifications. "If the permit is given for facilities in one of the EU member states, it should be automatically issued for the rest because we have the same regulations, same controls and same standards", he said, adding that the European Commission would reciprocate in favour of Vietnamese exporters. The two sides also agreed to form a special joint task force, comprising officials from key ministries including agriculture, trade and foreign affairs, to address outstanding issues and ensure smoother implementation of the trade deal. "The task force will analyse and evaluate all concerns in a thorough way to make the agreement more efficient, more balanced and to help both sides maximise their full potential", said Sefcovic. Beyond trade in goods, discussions touched on deepening strategic cooperation in critical raw materials, renewable energy, semiconductors and logistics. Telecommunications and transport were also highlighted as promising sectors. The EU welcomed Viet Nam's recent decision to join the WTO's Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA), signalling its commitment to multilateralism and rules-based trade. Sefcovic stressed that EVFTA is not only about trade volumes but also about shared prosperity and closer ties. "All our free trade agreements have several features in common: they lead to the increase of trade, they increase investment, they create new jobs. And through proper implementation, they bring partners closer politically and economically and at the level of people-to-people contacts." The commissioner also shared the other successes of his trip in ASEAN. Fresh from concluding a free trade agreement with Indonesia, the EU is negotiating with the Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia, with the aim of building toward a long-term region-to-region pact. "By 2027, we will celebrate 50 years of dialogue between ASEAN and the EU, and I felt strong commitment from all partners to conclude these negotiations before that anniversary", Sefcovic said. For Viet Nam, the EVFTA has opened unprecedented export opportunities, but policymakers acknowledge that sustainable success will require tackling technical barriers and ensuring European companies feel equally welcomed. Both sides agree that the next phase of cooperation must focus on balance, implementation and diversification, ensuring that the EVFTA continues to serve as a cornerstone of their strategic partnership. BIZHUB/VNS HA NOI The Ministry of Finance (MoF) on Friday held a workshop in Ha Noi to introduce Decree 242/2025/ND-CP, a newly issued regulation aimed at improving the management and use of official development assistance (ODA) and foreign preferential loans. Nguyen Quoc Phuong, director general of the MoF's Department of Debt Management and External Finance, emphasised the strategic significance of the decree. "This decree is critically important. It not only helps remove barriers in accessing and utilising ODA and foreign loans, but also reflects the Governments institutional reform efforts, Phuong said. It aligns with the Politburos four breakthrough resolutions that aim to unlock national resources and drive Viet Nam into a new era of development and prosperity. The decree introduces three key groups of solutions to enhance the efficiency of managing ODA and foreign preferential loans. Simplifying administrative procedures is a central focus, including streamlining the process for adjusting project documents, requiring Ministry of Finance input only when capital increases significantly. The regulation also simplifies procedures for loan reception, capital plan assignment, surplus capital utilisation and the selection of servicing banks, while reducing the number of cases requiring investment policy adjustments, thereby accelerating project implementation timelines. At the same time, it emphasises greater decentralisation and delegation of authority in managing ODA and foreign preferential loans, granting ministries, sectors and local authorities the power to approve investment policies for Group A projects and others that were previously under the direct authority of the Prime Minister. In addition, it assigns relevant governing bodies to oversee most regional projects, excluding certain specialised fields, and delegates the authority to approve the use of surplus capital and make adjustments to projects implemented by State-owned enterprises that re-borrow ODA and preferential loans. Refining mechanisms and removing existing obstacles are also included with key measures given to clarifying regulations related to State-owned enterprises that utilise ODA and preferential loans, thereby facilitating smoother public investment processes. In his speech at the event, Phuong confirmed that the MoF, along with his department, would continue to work closely with ministries, sectors and local authorities to support the effective implementation of the decree. He pledged that clear, timely and accessible guidance would be provided to address any challenges that arise, ensuring smooth execution at all levels. Phuong said that institutional reform efforts would be continuously updated to enhance governance capacity. The ultimate goal, he said, was to ensure that every ODA and foreign preferential loan would be used as effectively as possible, serving the vision of a strong and sustainable Viet Nam. During the conference, representatives from ministries, Government agencies, localities, international donors and enterprises engaged in in-depth discussions on improving the legal framework for managing and implementing public investment projects, particularly those funded by foreign loans and aid. Key issues highlighted included the need to remove rigid regulations on project implementation timelines to enhance flexibility, to consider allowing donor commitment letters as a valid basis for project approval, to adjust the management mechanism for aid programmes and projects in line with general regulatory frameworks and to address financial mechanism challenges. VNS HA NOI Unlocking the full potential of Viet Nam's real estate market must start with reforming institutional frameworks, experts said at a forum on developing the real estate market to boost GDP growth held on September 26 by the Xay dung (Construction) Newspaper. The event brought together policymakers, economists, business leaders and industry stakeholders, all echoing a common message: without institutional reform, efforts to revitalise the real estate sector and, by extension, the broader economy, will fall short. According to Nguyen Xuan Binh, Deputy General Director of Cienco 5 Land, recent policy developments - such as Resolution 68-NQ/TW on private economic development - are injecting optimism into the market. The resolution has upheld the role of the private sector, including real estate enterprises, and provides investors with the confidence to deploy capital into new projects, he said. In addition, the Government is drafting and amending several critical laws aimed at protecting investor rights and improving market transparency. However, despite these promising signs, systemic issues continue to hinder the market's recovery. One of the most persistent challenges remains the lack of synchronisation within the legal system. Unclear regulations, overlapping jurisdiction and sluggish approval processes have left numerous real estate projects stuck in limbo. This is the bottleneck of bottlenecks, said Associate Professor Dr Tran inh Thien, a member of the Prime Ministers Advisory Group and former Director of the Vietnam Economic Institute. A distorted market structure currently leaning toward speculation and group interests only worsens the problem. If we want real breakthroughs, we must start by clearing legal obstacles for long-delayed projects, he said. Thien also called for a thorough review of recent and upcoming legal reforms, including the 2023 Real Estate Business Law, the revised Land Law and the operational framework under the new two-tier government model. These changes, he argued, must be aligned to ensure clarity in project authority and streamline investment processes. From a policy standpoint, Tong Thi Hanh, director of the Department of Housing and Real Estate Market Management, emphasised the need to strengthen the legal foundation across construction, land, investment and finance sectors. The core issue is institutional, Hanh said. We must pinpoint exactly where the problems lie in the legal framework and resolve them there. If we succeed, the market will move in a positive direction. She also highlighted the importance of introducing bold, innovative mechanisms to attract social capital. A transparent and well-regulated market would minimise risks, boost investor confidence and support long-term sustainability. Beyond legal reform, experts also pointed to infrastructure as a crucial driver of real estate development. Architect Tran Ngoc Chinh, chairman of the Viet Nam Urban Planning and Development Association, said that a nations growth begins with a synchronous transportation system. Efficient transport infrastructure enables population redistribution, eases urban congestion and lays the groundwork for modern urban planning, according to Chinh. This view was echoed by architect and deputy director of the Academy of Strategy and Training for Construction Officials Nguyen Vu Phuong. Todays transport systems determine housing opportunities for millions, said Phuong. Integrating models like Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) and rail and property can transform infrastructure into a tool for developing a transparent and sustainable real estate market. Experts agreed that while businesses play a vital role in market development, State intervention would remain indispensable. Removing institutional, legal, capital and infrastructure bottlenecks would be essential not just for market recovery, but for propelling Viet Nam toward its goal of high and sustainable GDP growth. That same day, on the sidelines of the forum, the Xay dung newspaper officially launched its real estate page, aiming to deliver authentic, multi-dimensional and in-depth coverage of Viet Nams dynamic property market. Speaking at the launch, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Van Sinh underscored the significance of the real estate sector, which contributes approximately 4.5 per cent of GDP annually, while the broader construction industry accounts for around 11 per cent. The real estate market has a strong spillover effect on many other industries and fields, Sinh said. Recently, we have seen encouraging signs of recovery: an increase in supply and improved transaction activity. However, persistent issues remain, including a mismatch between supply and demand, and a serious shortage of social housing and affordable housing for low-income groups. The deputy minister expressed hope that the real estate page would become a vital platform for policy communication, helping to clarify and disseminate new regulations and reforms. The page was expected to connect stakeholders, serving as a bridge between State management agencies, businesses and citizens. It also would reflect on-the-ground challenges, providing real insights from market participants to help inform the Government and National Assembly about the ministrys recommendations. BIZHUB/VNS HA NOI The European Commission has imposed anti-dumping duties of 12.1 per cent on hot-rolled steel imports from Viet Nam, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The decision, however, exempts products made by Hoa Phat Group and its member companies while Formosa Ha Tinh will be subject to the 12.1 per cent duty. Besides Viet Nam, the EU also levied duties on imports from major Japanese producers such as Nippon Steel Corporation, JFE Steel and Daido Steel with duties from 29.8 per cent to 30 per cent. A tariff of 11.7 per cent was imposed on imports from Egypt. The decision would weigh on the countrys steel industry which was making efforts to expand in the EU to take advantage of the EU Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), the ministry said. The investigation had been initiated from August 8, 2024 following filing by the European Steel Association. The US has also initiated anti-dumping duties on cold-rolled steel imported from Viet Nam and several other countries, covering the period from July 2024 to June 2025. The decisions highlight the need for Viet Nams steel industry to restructure, boost competitiveness and diversify export markets. VNS HCM CITY The Royal Thai Consulate-General in HCM City, in cooperation with the Thai Trade Centre and the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Viet Nam, has been hosting a Thai Cooking Class from 26 to 28 September 2025. The event is promoting Thai gastronomy and cultural exchange through hands-on culinary experiences. The highlight of the programme was a special session on 27 September led by Assist. Prof. Torroong Jarungidanan, a leading Thai culinary expert, cookbook author and founder of several renowned Thai restaurants in Thailand. Known for his expertise in traditional Thai cuisine, he guided participants in preparing authentic dishes such as Somtam (papaya salad), pan-seared chicken, and sticky rice. The cooking class has attracted the participation of students from Saigontourist Hospitality College and Hoa Sen University. In particular, 15 students from Saigontourist directly experienced Thai culture and cuisine by preparing traditional dishes under the chefs guidance. Divided into small groups, they recreated the unique flavours of Thailand in an engaging and interactive setting. Many students expressed their excitement at being able to learn directly from a Thai culinary master. Students taking part in the programme said the class was a rare opportunity to discover the secrets of Thai cuisine. Many noted that preparing dishes themselves under the guidance of a culinary master gave them a new perspective on cooking and greater confidence in their skills. Others highlighted that the activity was not only about learning recipes but also about understanding cultural values, with Thai cuisine placing great emphasis on balance and harmony in taste. According to the organisers, the programme is not only showcasing Thai culinary traditions but also strengthening cultural ties between Thailand and Viet Nam, while offering young participants practical experience and a deeper appreciation of regional gastronomy. VNS Viet Nam stands on the brink of a historic turning point, with science, technology, innovation and digital transformation playing the central role. At the same time, advancements in human resources are expected to propel the country toward its long-term development goals. Viet Nam News reporter Thu Ngan spoke with Associate Professor Dr Vu Hai Quan, former chancellor of Vietnam National University HCM City, and Ngo Thi Ngoc Lan, regional director of Navigos Search Ha Noi, to assess the current state of personnel in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. Associate Professor Dr Vu Hai Quan, former chancellor of Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City: In recent years, Viet Nam's human resources in the fields of science, technology and innovation have made significant strides -- particularly young professionals who have received comprehensive training both at home and abroad. Many individuals have been able to participate in regional R&D projects, start entrepreneurial ventures in innovation, and engage in international collaborations. However, compared to the demands of global scientific, technological, and innovation advancements, our workforce still requires further development in research capabilities, adapting to international environments, and commercialising research outcomes. For foreign investors, Viet Nam offers the advantage of being dynamic, quick to adapt and eager to learn. However, there is a need to improve language skills, creative thinking and technology management abilities in a cohesive manner to better meet integration requirements. Viet Nam has a young workforce, a high proportion of the population in the working-age group, and a continuously improving education system. The tradition of diligence, the quick adoption of new technologies and a strong spirit of entrepreneurship are notable advantages. The higher education system is increasingly enhancing international cooperation. Various advanced training programmes, high-quality initiatives and links with prestigious universities worldwide have been organised. Besides that, the State's strategic orientation on science, technology, and innovation, reflected through resolutions and national programmes, has created a favourable environment for training and developing high-quality personnel. Take Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNUHCM) as an example: domestic and foreign businesses alike highly value its graduates for their in-depth professional knowledge, self-learning ability, sense of responsibility, professional demeanour, and innovative thinking. The employment rate of graduates within 12 months after graduation always exceeds 90 per cent. Many graduates have become personnel in leading technology corporations, as well as reputable research organisations at home and abroad. The community of businesses also positively acknowledges the language skills, soft skills, problem-solving abilities, and adaptability to global working environments of VNUHCM students. To continue to attract and retain talent in sci-tech development and innovation, there needs to be comprehensive government involvement with practical solutions. Firstly, by establishing a competitive and transparent remuneration mechanism, including salary policies, bonuses and research allowances commensurate with the qualifications and contributions of scientists along with a professional, fair work environment. Also, there is a need for substantial investment in modern research infrastructure such as key laboratories and national innovation hubs to maximise the capabilities of scientists. Similarly, strong support mechanisms for R&D activities and innovation startups through venture capital funds, the national science and technology development fund and policies to encourage commercialisation of research results are necessary. Expanding policies to attract international experts is equally critical, including streamlining visa and residence procedures, offering tax incentives and benefits to attract foreign talent, and encouraging Vietnamese intellectuals abroad to contribute to the country's development. Equally important is fostering a strong partnership between research institutes, universities, businesses and the Government to create innovative ecosystems. These ecosystems would provide talent with comprehensive access to everything from training and research to production and the market, thereby generating sustainable incentives for long-term commitment and contributions. Ngo Thi Ngoc Lan, regional director of Navigos Search Ha Noi: In the context of the rapidly developing digital economy, Viet Nam's demand for skilled human resources in science, technology and innovation is growing, particularly in high-tech industries. According to data from the General Statistics Office, in 2025, the engineering, technology, construction, architecture, and fine arts sectors are expected to comprise approximately 34 per cent of the total employed workforce. Companies are currently seeking specialists with deep expertise in areas such as AI, big data, cybersecurity, software development and automation to keep pace with the rapid growth of the economy. Domestic companies and international investors are turning their attention to Viet Nam in search of cooperation and development opportunities. At the same time, Government policies, strategies and private sector investments strongly boost innovation, increasing the demand for high-quality human resources in other sectors such as e-commerce, manufacturing, and renewable energy. Furthermore, the rising influx of foreign investment, particularly from large technology corporations, is creating a growing demand for specialised experts supporting international business operations and research and development activities. As a result, the demand for skilled labour in STEM fields and advanced technologies such as AI, machine learning, robotics and blockchain is also rising rapidly and visibly. Although Viet Nam is still in the golden demographic structure phase with many young people, this presents a significant opportunity for economic growth. However, the quality of the workforce in these fields still faces many challenges. While many universities and educational institutions in technical and technological fields steadily improve the quality of training and expand their curricula, especially in STEM programmes, there remains a gap between the skills being taught and the actual demand in the technology industry. In reality, many graduates in Viet Nam still lack practical experience and have not reached the high professional standards required in fields like AI, data science and software engineering. Additionally, the shortage of highly qualified researchers and R&D specialists has been, and will continue to be, a challenge to the innovation capacity of domestic companies. To bridge this gap, local organisations and businesses are strengthening cooperation with international partners and leading global universities, providing opportunities for students to access international learning environments, and enhance their skills in emerging technologies. However, developing high-skilled human resources is one of the Government's top priorities. The Government has made progress in addressing these gaps by investing in higher education, encouraging public-private partnerships, and creating innovation centres. Over time, these initiatives are expected to help bridge the skills gap and better align the high-skilled workforce with the needs of industry. Viet Nam has several advantages with respect to training a high-quality workforce that meets the demands for the development of science and technology. First is the golden demographic structure with a young and growing labour force. Viet Nam has a relatively young population, with 67.4 per cent of its people being between the ages of 15 and 64. This demographic advantage provides a large, adaptable labour force that serves as a driving force for economic growth. Second is the government support and policies. The Vietnamese Government has been actively investing in STEM education, providing scholarships, improving and introducing new university curricula, and boosting international cooperation. Its push for new initiatives has contributed to the development of the workforce in line with future technological trends. Besides that, over the years Viet Nam has built a solid foundation in technical education by establishing top institutions such as the University of a Nang, Ha Noi University of Science and Technology, and HCM City University of Technology. Last but not least is an emerging innovation ecosystem. Viet Nam's technology startup ecosystem is thriving, with numerous initiatives by young entrepreneurs in fields like AI, fintech and e-commerce. The increasing number of incubators and accelerators is nurturing and developing innovative projects while training skilled experts and technologists. To attract and retain talent in the fields of science, technology and innovation, the government should consider investing in high-quality education and training. It should focus on modernising and expanding STEM curricula while ensuring universities provide practical skills aligned with innovation trends. Encouraging collaboration between universities, research institutes and industry will provide students with opportunities to learn, gain experience, and become candidates who meet employers' needs. Other solutions include encouraging collaboration with domestic and international businesses, attracting more international talent and supporting innovation and incubation centres and startup ecosystems. VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a working session on the defence industry with the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence on Saturday. The meeting was attended by Defence Minister General Phan Van Giang, Acting Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung, and Deputy PM Bui Thanh Son, among other officials. After hearing reports from the Ministry of National Defence and the General Department of Defence Industry, PM Chinh praised their achievements in the first nine months of this year. He urged stronger research and application of science and technology to advance the defence industry, contributing to nation-building and safeguarding. VNA/VNS Minister of Health ao Hong Lan speaks with Vietnam News Agency about a resolution on public healthcare issued on September 9, 2025 by the Communist Party of Viet Nam. Known as Resolution 72, it aims to reform the health sector and improve the well-being of all Vietnamese citizens. She also discusses the much-anticipated free hospital fees policy and outlines the ministrys bold new plans to strengthen healthcare services across the country. The Party has issued Resolution 72, setting out breakthrough measures for the protection, care and improvement of public health. What significance does the resolution hold for the development of the health sector and public health in Viet Nam? For decades, the protection and care of public health has received special attention from the Party and the State. Party congress documents, Central Committee resolutions as well as conclusions and directives from the Politburo and Secretariat have consistently set out clear orientations and priority objectives for safeguarding and improving the nations health. The role of healthcare has grown increasingly important within socio-economic policy. Nevertheless, the sector continues to face limitations, shortcomings and challenges. Given pressing realities, healthcare services must undergo fundamental changes in thinking, awareness and practice. Over the past time, Party General Secretary To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and senior Party and State leaders have issued multiple directives on breakthrough solutions to strengthen healthcare services. Resolution 72 reflects the Partys deep concern for the well-being of every citizen, seeking to build a healthy Viet Nam where all people have access to quality healthcare, live longer and healthier lives, improve physical fitness, raise awareness of self-care and proactively prevent diseases. This contributes to the broader goal of a strong civilised and prosperous country in the new era. Strategically comprehensive and long-term, the resolution is action-oriented, with new and strengthened policies to remove bottlenecks and obstacles, ensuring sustainable national development and meeting public expectations. It looks ahead to two historic milestones of the Partys centenary in 2030 and the 100th anniversary of national independence in 2045. A key feature of the resolution is shifting the focus from treatment to prevention, with primary healthcare and preventive medicine as the foundation, delivered at grassroots health stations. How will this be achieved? The ministry will implement a series of breakthrough measures. Healthcare quality and effectiveness depend on three crucial factors: personnel, infrastructure and equipment, and financial mechanisms. On human resources, primary healthcare and preventive medicine will be strengthened by allocating and mobilising staff, supported by preferential policies. Local health stations will be strengthened to ensure sufficient numbers of doctors and essential health workers, including village health staff and midwives. From 2025 to 2030, at least 1,000 doctors per year will be seconded to commune-level health stations, with permanent staff gradually added. By 2027, each station will have four to five doctors; by 2030, staffing will meet official requirements. Training is a top priority, with dedicated schemes to produce doctors for remote, disadvantaged, border and island areas, and to develop high-quality training institutions at regional level. On facilities and equipment, all commune health stations will be provided with the necessary infrastructure, medicines and basic equipment. The ministry will also ensure a stable and safe supply of vaccines, while promoting domestic vaccine production to meet the needs of the Expanded Immunisation Programme and prepare for emerging diseases. Financially, commune-level health stations will operate as public service units providing essential healthcare, funded primarily by the State budget, with additional support mobilised from social resources. Public financing will focus on disadvantaged groups, remote and ethnic minority areas as well as specialised fields such as psychiatry, forensic medicine, emergency care and pathology. The measures aim to realise the resolutions spirit of 'innovation, acceleration and breakthrough', ensuring people receive comprehensive healthcare from prevention to treatment at grassroots level. The 'free hospital fees' policy is attracting wide public attention. What will citizens actually benefit from, and how will fairness and efficiency be ensured? By 2030, basic healthcare costs will be covered for all citizens through health insurance. This profoundly humane policy reflects the superiority of our political system, easing the financial burden on families, enabling early disease detection, and placing people at the centre of healthcare policy. The ministry is urgently drafting an implementation plan. The policy will be phased in, with health insurance as its backbone. The State and insurance funds will cover essential medical costs, prioritising disadvantaged and low-income groups. Co-payment will be required for non-essential or high-demand services to promote individual responsibility and ensure cost-effective use of healthcare resources. Universal health insurance coverage will ensure risks are shared, with those better off supporting the less fortunate. From 2026, citizens will be entitled to at least one free annual health check or screening, along with an electronic health record tracking their condition throughout life. By 2030, all basic medical costs within health insurance coverage will be free of charge. The ultimate goal is equitable access to essential healthcare nationwide, reducing out-of-pocket payments and ensuring no one is left behind. This is not 'absolute free healthcare' but a major step towards reducing co-payments of citizens, expanding insurance coverage and building a fair, effective and sustainable healthcare system. Resolution 72 also highlights healthcare personnel, medical ethics and special incentives for medical staff. How will the ministry attract, retain and empower its workforce? Healthcare workers are the backbone of the system, dedicated professionals with skills and medical ethics. Investing in them is investing in development. The resolution introduces breakthrough measures in training, professional ethics and incentives. First, on training, investment will go into high-quality medical schools, with tuition support and scholarships, especially for those committing to work in grassroots or disadvantaged areas. Second, on incentives, special preferential policies will be applied to those working in preventive medicine and grassroots healthcare. Doctors and pharmacists will be ranked at higher salary grades, while frontline staff in remote and difficult areas will receive allowances of at least 70 per cent, rising to 100 per cent in the most disadvantaged regions. These incentives are designed to motivate and retain healthcare workers. Third, on medical ethics and working conditions, professional standards will be revised and strengthened, with greater emphasis on training in medical ethics and communication skills. Working conditions will be improved to reduce stress and enhance job satisfaction, with management increasingly based on service quality and patient satisfaction. How will the health sector turn the resolutions objectives into reality? The ministry will act with renewed determination in leadership, management and execution, ensuring rapid and effective implementation. Key steps include drafting and submitting new legislation, including laws on disease prevention, population, food safety, medical devices and traditional medicine; proposing Government decrees on training and allowances for healthcare workers; developing a national health action programme to guide ministries and provinces. The ministry will roll out flagship projects, such as a national health and population programme (202635), pre-hospital emergency services, medical tourism, specialised health centres and free annual check-ups from 2026; accelerate digital transformation, including electronic health records and a national health database linked to population and insurance systems; strengthen public communication to raise awareness and mobilise citizen participation. The resolution marks a timely and decisive step to remove bottlenecks, unlock resources and create breakthroughs in healthcare, covering institutions, financing, human resources, grassroots capacity and domestic production of medicines and equipment. With strong Party and State leadership, coordinated action across the political system and society, and public consensus, Viet Nams health sector is positioned to build a healthier nation and contribute to a prosperous, civilised and sustainable future. VNS Thu Ngan Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung has praised Vietnamese youths as talented, intelligent, and ambitious, highlighting their strong passion for mathematics -- a key foundation for technology, innovation and digital transformation. He offered the praise during the inauguration of SAP Labs Vietnam in HCM City in August. At the event, the German software corporation announced an investment of 150 million euros (US$176 million) in SAP Labs Vietnam which will play a key role in supporting SAPs product development in core areas, including sustainable digital supply chains and intelligent enterprise solutions, enabled by AI. Having recruited over 200 employees since September 2024, SAP Labs Vietnam intends to expand the payroll to 500 by 2027 by hiring predominantly Vietnamese talent. The strategic factors influencing SAP's decision included an abundant talent pool and robust education system. "When we decided to set up the lab, it was based on research as well as discussions with many companies and academic institutions in Viet Nam, Manik Saha, managing director of Labs Singapore & Vietnam, said. In the past year, the 220 engineers weve hired have already delivered outcomes and products that are now part of our global portfolio. This validates our initial hypothesis that Viet Nams talent pool can play a significant role in developing our core products. The recruitment efforts by a prominent global technology group underscore the fact that Viet Nam possesses a strong and high-quality human resource base capable of meeting the demands of major industry players. The country has been proactively preparing its human resources to support advancements in science, technology and innovation. Viet Nam's top priority now is to achieve its strategic targets by 2030 and 2045, which are to become a developing upper middle-income nation with a modern industrial base by 2030 and a developed high-income socialist country by 2045. Science, technology development, innovation, and digital transformation are key to reaching the goals as is an accessible, high-quality talent pool. General Secretary To Lam of the Communist Party of Viet Nam signed a resolution late last year aimed at advancing science and technology development, innovation, and digital transformation. Known as Resolution 57, it prioritises training initiatives and the implementation of special policies for attracting talent. These measures are pivotal to enabling Viet Nam to catch up with and even outpace other nations in the global race for technological and innovative excellence. The targets for 2030 include having 12 people per 10,000 population engaged in scientific research, technological development and innovation and 40-50 sci-tech organisations recognised regionally and globally. Other targets include a 10 per cent annual rise in published international scientific papers and 16-18 per cent growth in the registration of patents and intellectual property rights. In an interview with Viet Nam News, Ngo Thi Ngoc Lan, regional director of Navigos Search Ha Noi, highlighted the countrys advantages, including a golden demographic structure with its young, growing labour force, Government support, quality higher education and an emerging innovation ecosystem. Viet Nams technology startup ecosystem is thriving, with numerous initiatives by young entrepreneurs in fields like AI, fintech and e-commerce. The increasing number of incubators and accelerators is nurturing and developing innovative projects while training skilled experts and technologists," Lan said. Developing high-skilled personnel is one of the Governments top priorities. It has been actively investing in STEM education, providing scholarships, improving and adding new university curricula, and promoting international cooperation." Furthermore, the Governments push for new initiatives has contributed to the development of the workforce in line with future technological trends. Under Resolution 57, actions to develop human resources will include strengthening investment and innovation and enhancing the quality of education and training to ensure the requirements of science and technology development and national digital transformation are met. It seeks to implement favourable mechanisms related to credit, scholarships and tuition fees to attract talented students to key subjects such as mathematics, physics, engineering and technology, especially at the postgraduate level. In addition, it will help establish advanced schools, centres for training in AI and create mechanisms for public-private cooperation in training people in digital technology. Developing a qualified workforce of lecturers and scientists to teach basic science, semiconductor technology, microcircuits, and key areas of engineering and technology will be a priority. Furthermore, it will seek to enhance cooperation with reputable foreign universities, create international standard training programmes and modernise teaching methods. Kien Nguyen, head of Industry Solutions at German digital consultancy Gradion, said Viet Nam had a young, dynamic and abundant workforce, which would be a major advantage in the process of industrialisation. However, the gap in high-tech skills remained significant. "The biggest challenge today is not only the shortage of manpower, but also the mismatch between the capabilities of the current workforce and the requirements of smart manufacturing, where engineers need to be proficient also in data literacy, system integration and cross-functional operations," Nguyen said. We believe this is also a tremendous opportunity. If Viet Nam invests in the right approach to education and workforce development, the country can accelerate rapidly in its digital transformation and Industry 4.0 journey. Collaborative endeavours Both the Government and the private sector have organised various programmes and initiatives to develop human resources in science and technology development, innovation and digital information. At a meeting in June, Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung said developing a high-quality workforce in science, technology development, innovation and digital transformation would be a crucial factor for progress. The Ministry of Science and Technology plans to co-ordinate with localities to assess practical needs, thereby developing and implementing training programmes and workshops that are suitable, practical and responsive to the requirements of labour force development to serve digital transformation and digital economic development. Thomas Saueressig, executive board member of SAP SE, commended Viet Nam's dedication to science and technology, particularly its focus on STEM education and research essential for emerging technologies like AI. Front-running research is essential to stay ahead, and thats why a strong government commitment to the digital economy, science, and technology is so important, Saueressig said. A number of collaborative efforts between the Government, companies, universities, and organisations are underway to develop and attract people for science, technology, and digital transformation. SAP, beyond its recruitment efforts, is striving to accelerate market and ecosystem development by partnering with a number of Vietnamese universities through the University Alliances programme. They offer online SAP courses through learnings.sap.com, providing accessible and often cost-free ways to obtain certification in SAP technologies. Nguyen of Gradion said that it opened the Vietnam Automation Centre of Excellence in Binh Duong Ward of HCM City to help accelerate the use of robotics, AI and automation, contributing to the realisation of Viet Nams industrial digital transformation strategy. We consider human development one of our core missions. The centre is designed as a learning by doing environment where students and young engineers can practise directly on real production lines with robots, manufacturing execution system and warehouse management system, and AI solutions," Nguyen explained. At the same time, through partnerships with universities such as Eastern International University and industry associations, the centre contributes to shaping a new generation of engineers, those who not only understand technology, but also master and implement it in real manufacturing." To advance its aim of becoming a leading research university system in Asia, the Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNUHCM) has launched the VNU350 programme to draw in and develop 350 exceptional young scientists before 2030. The university shared with Viet Nam News that it had implemented training programmes to develop human resources across all educational levels. All programmes are designed to meet international standards, including three advanced ones, 36 taught in English, and 82 developed in cooperation with reputable universities in the US, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Europe, and other countries, according to VNUHCM. Currently, VNUHCM has nearly 100,000 undergraduate students and over 10,000 postgraduate students. Each year it produces nearly 20,000 graduates with bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in fields such as engineering, architecture, medicine, and pharmacy. Its alumni include many successful entrepreneurs and leading scientists, recognised both nationally and internationally. It also plans to provide vocational transformation training programmes for 80,000 people in microelectronics technology, digital transformation and AI. VNS HUE CITY A competition to search for design ideas towards sustainable solutions for social housing was launched at the 10th National Young Architects Festival in Hue City on September 26. The competition is organised by the Vietnam Association of Architects and implemented by the Architecture Magazine under the direction and sponsorship of the Ministry of Construction. At the event, Architect Phan ang Son, Chairman of Vietnam Association of Architects, called on young architects, organisations, individuals, design consultants, investors, and businesses to actively respond to submit their entries and share their specific elements so that social housing designs can adapt to the local climate and culture. The competition aims to find design ideas, as a basis for research, to form typical design models with component units being apartments, with the ability to flexibly arrange the combination into housing units, housing groups, housing clusters, housing areas, and urban areas. Architectural design ideas for social housing need to be feasible, aiming to form good designs, capable of flexible modularisation, mass industrialisation and high applicability for replication in many localities. It also encourages design options that flexibly meet requirements for functionality, modernity, convenience and architectural form suitable to local cultural identity, adaptable to regional climate and soil conditions, and capable of responding to climate change and natural disaster prevention. Competition proposals need to be feasible, effectively apply green technologies and solutions, reduce costs and design and construction time, creating a premise for sustainable development in the direction of typicalisation and modularisation of social housing in Viet Nam. The winning ideas will serve as the basis for the Ministry of Construction to continue researching and implementing sample and typical design steps, widely applying them in localities, thereby reducing administrative procedures for construction permits, saving time and costs, and ultimately putting the project into construction. With a total prize value of up to VN1 billion, the competition results will be announced and awarded in December 2025. VNS HA NOI Authorities in the northern province of Phu Tho have confirmed jealousy was the motive behind a shocking triple homicide that left three people dead on Friday night. The provincial police said on Saturday morning that investigators had completed initial procedures to prosecute and detain Vu Phuong Nhung (born 1987, resident of Lien Minh Commune, Phu Tho) on charges of murder. According to police, the killings began around 8:10pm on September 26 at Phu Ha Industrial Park, where Nhung fatally stabbed his wife Cao Thi Yen (born 1995, from Lien Minh Commune), along with Nguyen Van Nghia (born 1988, from Binh Ca Commune, Tuyen Quang Province). Both victims died at the scene. Afterwards, Nhung rode his motorbike to the home of Nguyen Tien at (born 1985, resident of Van Phu Ward, Phu Tho) and stabbed him as well. Despite being rushed to the provincial general hospital, at succumbed to his injuries. Phu Tho police said Nhung and Yen were married and had two children, aged four and seven. Investigators believe Nhung, consumed by jealousy, suspected his wife of having extramarital relationships first with at and later with Nghia. This drove him to commit the attacks. Major General Nguyen Minh Tuan, director of Phu Tho provincial police, personally inspected the crime scenes and interrogated the suspect overnight. Within two hours of the initial report, police units tracked down and arrested Nhung. The case is under further investigation, with legal proceedings underway. VNS QUANG TRI - PeaceTrees Vietnam (PTVN) the first US-based NGO permitted to work in Viet Nam to address the dangers of wartime explosives recently celebrated the 30th anniversary on the journey of its humanitarian mission clearing unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the heavily bombarded Quang Tri Province. PTVN reported that it cleared and restored over 46 million square metres of land (equivalent to 4,600ha), while over 157,000 dangerous explosive materials including bombs, mines, mortars, and grenades had been collected and destroyed. The NGO also provided explosive ordnance risk education to more than 230,000 people, mostly children, building 24 classrooms and kindergartens, reaching 6,400 children in remote and ethnic minority communities, two community centres, 100 family homes, 12 libraries, while 4,200 scholarships had been given to disadvantaged children, especially girls and children of UXO victims. More than 1,277 volunteers, sponsors, and diplomats have been brought to Viet Nam through exchange programmes, and more than 50,000 trees were planted on land once contaminated by the explosive remnants of war. Claire Yunker, Executive Director of PeaceTrees Vietnam (PTVN), shared the humanitarian cause over the past three decades. Thirty years ago in Quang Tri, a small group of Vietnamese and American partners stood together on land still scarred by war. The land was known to be dangerous, littered with unexploded ordnance, and the people lived with daily reminders of the past. With courage and trust, they envisioned a future of friendship and renewal one that could be built step by step, hand in hand. That vision became the foundation of PeaceTrees Vietnam, Claire Yunker said. Over three decades, together we have cleared thousands of acres of land and removed and destroyed more than 157,000 explosive remnants of war. We have built kindergartens, libraries, and community centres; supported livelihoods through new crops and agricultural training; provided scholarships and mine risk education for children; and nurtured PeaceTrees Friendship Park into the vibrant forest we see today. Founded in 1995 shortly after the normalisation of US-Viet Nam relations, PTVN began operations in January 1996, led by co-founders Jerilyn Brusseau and her husband, Danaan Parry. Jerilyn Brusseau, co-founder, sent a deeply moving message from Seattle to the celebration by saying Thirty years ago, July 11, 1995 changed the course of history for two nations. Let us move forward together on the path ahead together planting peace trees, nurturing hope, honouring memories until every field, every school, every village is safe, prosperous, and full of opportunities for the future. Tran Phu Cuong, director of the Peoples Aid Coordinating Committee (PACCOM), under Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organisations, reaffirmed: Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organisations, PACCOM are committed to continuing our partnership with PeaceTrees Vietnam; supporting the organisation in effectively implementing programmes and projects in Viet Nam. He said PeaceTrees Vietnam had grown into a trusted bridge, connecting the goodwill of international friends with the urgent needs and aspirations of the Vietnamese people. VNS MOSCOW Viet Nam has laid stress on the significance of international cooperation in the research and development of energy technologies, particularly in the emerging field of fusion energy, an optimal clean energy source that requires intensive research and funding. Attending a panel discussion at the ongoing international forum World Atom Week 2025 in Moscow, Professor and Academician Le Truong Giang, Vice President of the Viet Nam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), underscored that collaboration must start immediately in preparation for the future. He affirmed the close bonds between science, state, and enterprises were the key, with science providing evidence and innovation, the state issuing enabling policies, and businesses leading in application. On the basis, he suggested the establishment of a multilateral research organisation on green energy that engages such partners as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR), Russias Rosatom, and institutions worldwide like the VAST. The goal is to pool resources, share expertise, and train the next generation of scientists. Giang also put forward initiatives to expand training cooperation, particularly in nuclear research and radiation safety, through university partnerships between Viet Nam, Russia, and eventually institutions across the region and the globe. His proposals received strong interest from international participants, helping affirm the countrys commitment to advancing a green, safe, and sustainable energy future in collaboration with the global community. The VAST Vice President told the Viet Nam News Agency that attending the World Atom Week was a valuable opportunity for Vietnamese scientists. Since the very first steps in nuclear energy development, Viet Nam had placed safety as its top priority, seeing this as a central theme in discussions with partners. He noted that with the determination to implement the Politburos key resolutions on energy, the VAST considered international cooperation as indispensable for ensuring both scientific independence and the successful development of new energy solutions for the country. The international forum World Atomic Week, running from September 25 to 28, is the largest event dedicated to the nuclear and related industries. It has brought together representatives of the leadership of countries developing nuclear programmes, leading world experts, and heads of large companies. The forum is dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Russian nuclear industry. VNA/VNS OTTAWA The Vietnamese Embassy in Canada recently hosted a ceremony marking the 80th National Day of Viet Nam (September 2) and showcasing the country as a resilient and culturally rich nation through a special cultural performance. The event attracted nearly 400 guests, including officials and parliamentarians of Canada, foreign diplomats, international experts and scholars interested in Viet Nam, and representatives of the Vietnamese community from across the North American country. In his opening remarks, Ambassador Pham Vinh Quang gave a brief review of Viet Nams eight-decade journey, driven by its peoples aspirations for independence, freedom, and a strong and prosperous socialist country. Highlighting the sound connections between Viet Nam and Canada, he said they were built on sustainable cooperation and profound trust, with both sides viewing each other as true friends and important partners. Rob Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, perceived that bilateral ties had been flourishing over years. He said he was moved by the artists wearing Canadian flag-themed ao dai and performing the two countries national anthems at the ceremony, considering this a symbol of the countries bonds. Oliphant also appreciated the contributions by the nearly 300,000 Vietnamese-Canadians, who have served as a bridge helping enhance mutual understanding. Meanwhile, Senator Yuen Pau Woo and member of the House of Commons Shaun Chen, who co-chair the Canada Viet Nam Parliamentary Friendship Group, noted they were impressed with the development of bilateral ties, as well as Viet Nams successes over 80 years since gaining independence. At the event, Viet Nams development was reflected in a traditional art performance directed by ao dai designer Si Hoang. The performance featured both Vietnamese artists and overseas Vietnamese people, offering participants a glance at the countrys traditional culture. VNA/VNS HA NOI The Civil Aviation Authority of Viet Nam (CAAV) has ordered the temporary suspension of flight operations at several central airports as powerful typhoon Bualoi approaches, citing urgent safety measures. Under the emergency directive, the following closures will take effect (local time): ong Hoi Airport (Quang Tri Province): 1pm 10pm, September 28 Tho Xuan Airport (Thanh Hoa Province): 10pm September 28 7am September 29 Phu Bai Airport (Thua Thien-Hue Province): 8am 2pm, September 28 a Nang International Airport: 6am 11am, September 28 The CAAV said the move is intended to ensure absolute safety for flight operations, passengers, and assets. Airports in Vinh, Tho Xuan, and ong Hoi are forecast to lie directly in the storms path, while Phu Bai and a Nang could experience severe gusts from Bualois circulation. Other airports towards the north, including Noi Bai, Van on, Cat Bi, and Chu Lai, have been instructed to maintain round-the-clock readiness in case the storm shifts course. The aviation authority also directed operators to strengthen inspections of runways, communications systems, and flood prevention measures, as well as to secure equipment. Construction projects at Cat Bi, Vinh, and ong Hoi airports must be suspended, with contingency plans deployed immediately. The Viet Nam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM) has been tasked with closely monitoring developments and issuing continuous meteorological warnings. Airlines are required to proactively adjust flight schedules and operations to minimise disruption. Weather disruptions have already been felt. On September 27, thunderstorms in a Nang City forced several Vietnam Airlines flights to circle before landing, while Vietjet flights from HCM City and Busan were diverted to Cam Ranh before returning once conditions improved. According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the typhoon is moving at an unusually high speed of 3540 km/h, nearly twice the average, and is expected to make landfall in Ha Tinh, Quang Tri provinces' area. Forecasters warned that Bualois unusually rapid movement reduces the likelihood of a change in course, making a northern shift increasingly unlikely. Its wide circulation has already triggered heavy rainfall across Quang Tri, Hue, and a Nang, with more intense downpours forecast overnight. The storm could bring Level 12 winds (118133 km/h) upon landfall and heavy rainfalls, which would trigger flash floods, landslides, and severe urban flooding. The NCHMF has placed coastal provinces from Nghe An to northern Quang Tri under disaster risk level 4 (very high), urging local authorities and residents to take urgent precautions. The CAAV said it will continue to issue timely updates to airlines, airports, and passengers to ensure safety in all circumstances. VNS North Wales MS backs calls to make stroke a health priority This article is old - Published: Saturday, Sep 27th, 2025 A North Wales Member of the Senedd has pledged his support to make stroke a health priority. Welsh Conservative MS, Sam Rowlands made the commitment after meeting with representatives from the Stoke Association at event in the Senedd, in Cardiff. More than 7,000 people across Wales experience a stroke each year. It is the fourth leading cause of death in Wales. The Stroke Association is the only charity in the UK providing lifelong support for all stroke survivors and their families and is now calling on the Welsh Government to place stroke on top of its health priority list. I am always pleased to support the work of the Stroke Association and help to raise awareness of this preventable disease, said Sam Rowlands MS. I fully support their calls to make stroke a health priority as it is something we should all be aware of and know more about. It is important to note that with the right investment stroke is preventable, treatable, and recoverable. Annually, stroke costs NHS Wales 220 million, and the Welsh economy 1.63 billion. Without intervention, this could rise to 2.8 billion by 2035. It is estimated that there is more than 70,000 stroke survivors living across Wales. North Wales Police officers praised for robustly tackling anti-social electric bike riders This article is old - Published: Saturday, Sep 27th, 2025 North Wales Police officers were praised for robustly getting stuck in when taking down anti-social electric bike riders. Speaking at this weeks North Wales Police and Crime Panel (PCC) at Conwys Coed Pella HQ, Cllr Alan Hunter briefed members during a section reserved for feedback from the panels member champions. Cllr Hunter praised police officers for taking 30 electric bikes off the streets across the coast in recent weeks during a dedicated operation. It would be remiss of me not to mention a scheme that has been going on, one that has been close to my heart and I think several members over the past years, and thats the problem we have with electric bikes and electric motorbikes, said Cllr Hunter. Denbighshire and Abergele Coastal Force, under Sgt Iwan Hughes, came up with the Operation Vroom strategy, which from what I can see has been a great success. He then explained the operation was coming to an end but claimed enforcement action would continue. A lot of it is through intelligence passed on by the public; however, they have been out and about with plain-clothed officers, and we had a presentation from Sgt Hughes at Abergele Town Council last week, and at that time it was five days in, and they had already seized 30 (electric) bikes, and the day before on the Wednesday, they had seized nine, he said. There was a very good video shown of a plain-clothed officer taking down an electric bike, which is moving. So fair dos, they are really getting stuck in, and they are robustly taking action which is something Ive been pushing for. So as an anti-social behaviour thing, this is something that has produced really good results. This month, North Wales Police revealed Operation Vrooms crackdown on rising incidents of anti-social behaviour linked to e-bikes in the Denbighshire Coastal district. The initiative saw officers equipped with a smart tag forensic spray a tool designed to safely and discreetly mark offenders for later identification. The smart tag solution has a unique forensic code relating to the pressurised cannister it was sprayed from, which can link a suspect and vehicle to the scene of an offence. Officers then use a UV light to scan the offenders clothing and bike, which will highlight the bright yellow solution to show if they have been tagged. These vehicles are frequently linked to drug supply, theft, and anti-social behaviour and pose serious risks to pedestrians, road users, and the riders themselves, said a North Wales Police spokesman. In recent months, the district has seen a surge in complaints from residents and local councils, including Abergele, Rhuddlan, and Prestatyn, regarding youths causing disruption while illegally riding electric bikes and scooters at high speeds. He added: Individual riders often conceal their identities with hoods and face coverings to avoid detection. Sgt Iwan Hughes added: We hope that public awareness of the forensic sprays use will serve as a powerful deterrent, reducing the frequency of such incidents and restoring a sense of safety in our communities. In a section of a report presented at Mondays meeting, the Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin pledged to work with both UK and Welsh Government to introduce new legislation for e-bikes and scooters. In the report, Mr Dunbobbin said: In my police and crime plan, I recognise and highlight the increasing number of incidents and safety concerns linked to the use of e-bikes and e-scooters. I have pledged to act on the issue of e-bikes and e-scooters causing danger on the streets and roads. He added: It is also important for me to understand and highlight how these electronic transport devices crosscut other priorities and crime and disorder, including anti-social behaviour, theft, serious and organised crime activity, such as drug supply and county lines activity. North Wales Police says you can ride an electric bike, or an electrically assisted pedal cycle, without a licence or insurance if youre 14 or over. But the electric bike: Must have pedals that you can use to propel it Can have more than two wheels, for example a tricycle Must have an electric motor that can run continuously at a maximum power of no more than 250 watts Must have no electrical assistance once you reach 15.5 mph The police says if your electric bike fails to meet any of these requirements, it needs to be taxed and insured as either a motorcycle or a moped. North Wales Police is asking residents to report electric bikes or scooters being ridden dangerously or illegally. By Richard Evans BBC Local Democracy Reporter Wrexham litter pickers collect more than 700 bags in summer clean-ups This article is old - Published: Saturday, Sep 27th, 2025 Wrexhams volunteer litter pickers have been named Wales most active community group after clearing more than 700 bags of rubbish from local streets, rivers and green spaces over the summer. Figures from Keep Wales Tidy show that between June and August, the group organised 98 clean-up activities. In total, 247 volunteers collected 732 bags of litter, alongside large fly-tipped items from the Gwenfro and Clywedog rivers. Since forming in February 2021, Wrexham Litter Pickers have now removed almost 40,000 bags of waste. Now the group is encouraging individuals, families, friends and businesses to play their part in keeping Wrexhams communities clean and green. Kelly Evans, the founder of Wrexham Litter Pickers said: I am so proud of what we have achieved as a community. Since February 2021, we have removed almost 40,000 bags of litter, plus eye-watering amounts of large fly-tipped items from our beautiful Gwenfro and Clywedog rivers and green spaces, which are all havens for wildlife. It is very sad to see what people think they can just dump. However, everyone can help by collecting rubbish on their daily walks and popping it into a bin, clearing up outside their homes or visiting a Litter Picking Hub. Every little helps. To make it easier for residents to get involved, Keep Wales Tidy runs 12 Litter Picking Hubs across Wrexham, offering free equipment such as pickers, bags and hi-vis vests. They are based in community venues including Caia Park, Plas Pentwyn Resource Centre and Wrexham Wellbeing Hub. Emma Watson, Wrexham Project Officer at Keep Wales Tidy said: The success of groups like Wrexham Litter Pickers shows the power of community action. We hope their achievements will inspire others to get involved. If you care about your community, visit a Litter Picking Hub and join the effort! For more information and to find your nearest Litter Picking Hub, visit the Keep Wales Tidy website: www.keepwalestidy.cymru/litter-picking-hubs During my visiting to China in May this year, I planned a few days to visit Hangzhou, ZheJiang. There is a Chinese saying: " Paradise in Heaven; Suzhou and Hangzhou on earth". I've been dream of visting Hangzhou for many years. Finally my dream came true. We took the high-speed train from Shanghai to Hangzhou and stayed there for four nights. For the first three nights, we stayed at a hotel very close to the West Lake. For the last night, we moved to a hotel near the airport for convenient to catch the flight to Chengdu the next day . I really love Hangzhou. But unfortunately, the time was too short, and I mainly wandered around West Lake and its surroundings. Even now, I still often reminisce about the beautiful scenery of West Lake. Stir-fried long beans with salmon (using leftover roasted salmon from the day before). I brought this bamboo pipe back from Hangzhou. The bamboo pipe was actually for ice cream A stone bridge I walked back and forth countless times. Thank you. Have a wonderfull weekend. Ryan Ellison Source: U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Mexico With the recent filing of additional defense challenges to the appointment of Ryan Ellison as acting U.S. Attorney for New Mexico, the states chief federal judge has recused the entire federal judiciary here from hearing such motions. The question of whether the Trump administration violated federal law to extend Ellisons appointment beyond 120 days is now before Senior U.S. District Judge David Nuffer of Salt Lake City. Nuffer, an Obama appointee, has asked the government to respond by Oct. 14. Other challenges to acting U.S. Attorney appointments in Southern California and Nevada are also pending. An earlier case in New Jersey is being appealed to the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals after a Pennsylvania judge ruled that a former personal attorney to President Trump had been unlawfully serving as the top federal prosecutor for the District of New Jersey since July. Nuffer on Wednesday stated in a filing that he also wanted defense and government attorneys in the Ellison cases to file briefs as to whether action on the disqualification motions should wait until the appeals court decides the New Jersey case. Defense attorneys in New Mexico have asked that Ellison and those he supervises be disqualified from overseeing criminal prosecutions brought after his temporary appointment expired in mid-August. As of Friday, a total of eight motions seeking disqualification and dismissal of the defendants criminal charges have been filed. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi appointed Ellison as an acting U.S. Attorney on Aug. 15, adding another 210 days to his term. Typically, the president nominates U.S. Attorney candidates, who are then confirmed by Congress. But Trump hasnt formally nominated Ellison. Chief U.S. District Judge Kenneth Gonzales on Sept. 19 ordered federal judges to recuse themselves from hearing all such disqualification motions, including future motions. There was no explanation given. The judges in August, upon the expiration of Ellisons temporary term, could have appointed their own U.S. Attorney by law but declined to do so. Ellison, an Alamogordo native who started as an assistant U.S. attorney in 2018 and worked on high-profile racketeering cases against the Syndicato de Nuevo Mexico prison gang, contends he is lawfully serving as U.S. Attorney and has submitted vetting documents to New Mexicos U.S. senators. With the disqualification issue undecided, its unclear how the continuing prosecutions in the eight cases will be affected. At least one defendant seeking to disqualify Ellison wants his Oct. 14 trial delayed until Nuffer rules. Ad Defense attorney Edward Bustamante, representing Rafael Ramirez-Martinez on a methamphetamine distribution charge, urged U.S. District Judge Kea Riggs to delay the trial, urging her to take a cautious approach to this rare, if not unique, set of factual and legal circumstances. The publics interest in avoiding the expense of trial and preserving scarce judicial resources supports granting a continuance in this matter especially under this unique scenario where the expense, time and resources of a trial become a nullity should Judge Nuffer rule in favor Rafael Ramirez-Martinez, the defense motion stated. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Hirsch has objected, stating in a response that the disqualification issue could possibly be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, so the litigation is likely to be tied up for months, in the best case. MacKenzie Scott Evan Agostini/Invision/AP Only a couple of times in her career has Angelique Albert, the CEO of Native Forward Scholars Fund, a nonprofit that helps Native Americans go to college, cried in a professional setting. She did so not long ago when she received a call notifying her that MacKenzie Scott was donating $50 million to her organization. We can go from now giving 1,200 scholarships annually to thousands of scholarships annually, Albert said in a Friday interview with the Journal. The impact that that will make in the lives of our students is so big. The donation is not the first that the philanthropist and ex-wife of Amazon founder and Albuquerque native Jeff Bezos has made to Native Forward. In 2020, she gave the organization $10 million. However, Albert said a key difference between the two donations is that all of the money will go directly to students this time. I want 100% of it to go to student scholarships; its the biggest need; its what we need, she said, adding that she would ask the organizations board of directors to create a scholarship endowment. While serving Native Americans across the country, the Native Forward Scholars Fund is headquartered in Northeast Albuquerque, and Albert said New Mexicans will reap the benefits of the donation. New Mexico is always one of our top three funded states; theyre always at the top, so we are a known resource to the tribal communities here, Albert said. This gift will go directly into the hands of a lot of students who are attending college here. Scotts donation marks her most recent philanthropic activity in New Mexico. In 2024, she donated $25 million to Albuquerque-based Homewise and $10 million to Santa Fe-based Anchorum Health Foundation. Before that, she made multiple donations to the United Way of North Central New Mexico. Peter Wirth Javier Martinez As leaders in the New Mexico House and Senate, we strongly condemn all acts of political violence because they make all of us less safe. The recent assassination of Republican political activist Charlie Kirk and the brutal murder of Minnesota Democratic state legislator and Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband represent an unconscionable escalation of targeted political violence in our country. Unfortunately, weve also experienced that kind of violence here in our own state, from orchestrated shootings at Democratic lawmakers homes, to the recent bomb threats directed at our own House and Senate leadership, forcing the evacuation of a school, to firebomb and vandalism attacks at the Republican Party of New Mexico headquarters. These threats and acts of terror strike at the very foundation of democratic governance. When political leaders and their families become targets simply for their beliefs or service, it threatens the safety of every American who engages in public life. We must speak with one voice against this dangerous trend and make clear that it has no place in our state or our country. As elected leaders, we also understand that we cannot allow political violence to stifle debate, weaken our democracy, or prevent us from standing firm in our values and fighting for the needs of New Mexicans. The people of our state deserve access to health care, education and opportunities to thrive. Unfortunately, right now a toxic combination of chaos, cruelty and dysfunction coming out of Washington, D.C., threatens New Mexicans access to these necessities. Your New Mexico Democrats will not sit idly as drastic federal funding cuts threaten the well-being of our families and communities. Thanks to years of smart fiscal planning and thoughtful policymaking, New Mexico is well-prepared to act decisively to shield our residents from federal policies that would take us backward by stripping away health care, nutrition assistance and public media access from our communities. In the Oct. 1 special legislative session, we will deliver immediate relief and take steps toward long-term stability for working families, rural communities and vulnerable populations across the state. We will protect your access to affordable health care coverage by expanding premium assistance eligibility, as Republicans in Washington strip away protections and costs skyrocket. Health care is a right, not a privilege, and New Mexico will ensure no family pays more than they can afford. We will move to safeguard New Mexicos rural health care system by providing emergency stabilization grants to rural providers facing closure, and updating eligibility criteria to include high-need communities like Cuba, Jemez and Hatch. Access to health care shouldnt depend on your income or ZIP code. As national politicization threatens to compromise public health standards, we will empower our New Mexico Department of Health to make science-based decisions so that New Mexicans have continued access to evidence-based vaccines. We will also address the devastating impact of federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program cuts that threaten to make it harder for 450,000 New Mexicans to put food on the table and take away vital nutrition education programs from children. No New Mexican should go hungry because politicians in Washington are playing political games. Finally, we will protect public broadcasting funding so that rural and underserved communities maintain access to critical emergency-related information through trusted local news sources. Ad Special sessions are most effective when they address New Mexicans immediate concerns with specific, targeted legislation that has already been thoroughly vetted and evaluated. That is exactly what we will do this October. These efforts represent just the first step. In the upcoming regular session, we will continue our ongoing work to improve public safety, further expand access to health care, and address the other pressing issues facing our families and communities. New Mexico is not allowing rising political violence or federal dysfunction to weaken our democracy and harm our people. We are standing united in defense of our values and taking bold action to protect every New Mexican. We are choosing courage, community and action over fear, division and despair. Maharashtra's Governance Drowns While Farmers Sink 2 Maharashtras Marathwada is not just fighting natures fury it is battling a far more dangerous disaster: the utter apathy and inefficiency of its own government. Unprecedented rains have ravaged the region, turning fertile farmlands into watery graveyards, sweeping away livestock, cutting off villages, and drowning months of hard labour in a matter of hours. Yet, the state machinery, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his two deputies Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde, has responded with a lethargy that borders on felonious negligence. Their delayed visits to flood-hit areas were not met with gratitude but with outrage, as angry farmers and villagers confronted them over the pathetic pace of relief distribution and the complete absence of proactive planning. Shindes tone-deaf remark, asking people to focus on the intention behind relief rather than the miserable execution, exposed just how detached and insensitive the government has become. People do not need empty intentions; they need immediate action, decisive governance, and leaders who stand with them when their lives and livelihoods are washed away. This government, however, seems too busy saving its own seat belts to save its people. Most of its time has been squandered in the political circus of breaking alliances, forging new ones, and keeping the coalition intact. Governance has taken a backseat to power games. Corruption, irregularities, and bureaucratic red tape run deep within the system, while compassion the most basic quality expected of leadership is nowhere to be found. In just three days, more than ten people have died in flood-related incidents, yet the states response has been sluggish and directionless. It was not the chief minister or his deputies who initiated urgent rescue efforts it was the local MP Omprakash Rajenimbalkar, who took the initiative to coordinate evacuations through the Collectors office. The so-called leadership in Mumbai woke up from its deep political slumber only after Rajenimbalkars video went viral on social media, shaming them into action. Until then, they were content to issue hollow statements and stage-managed visits. The disconnect between the rulers and the ruled was glaringly evident when a desperate farmer questioned Devendra Fadnavis about the insultingly low compensation per hectare. Instead of offering solutions or empathy, Fadnavis snapped, Dont politicise the issue. Police then removed the farmer from the site, silencing the very voice they were supposed to hear. That single moment summed up everything wrong with this government arrogant, intolerant of criticism, and allergic to accountability. In Solapur, where heavy rainfall has destroyed thousands of acres of soybean, cotton, and maize, Fadnaviss big solution was to use drone footage for assessing crop loss. It is a classic bureaucratic band-aid high on optics, low on substance. Farmers dont need aerial surveys; they need swift compensation, interest waivers, and support to rebuild their lives. The reliance on drone footage only delays relief and adds another layer of red tape to a process already strangled by bureaucracy. Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde, for their part, made their rounds in the flood-affected villages, instructing officials to provide food, shelter, and medicine the kind of obvious instructions that should have been issued days earlier. Their words sounded rehearsed and robotic, a ritual performance rather than genuine leadership. Meanwhile, the regions reality is brutal: rivers have overflowed, villages have been submerged, roads and bridges have collapsed, and farmlands the very heart of rural Maharashtra have been wiped out. To make matters worse, some areas are simultaneously battling drought, leaving farmers trapped between two extremes of climate disaster with no safety net. The real tragedy is that the states farmers are already on the brink. Repeated crop failures, mounting debt, and rising input costs have pushed them into chronic distress. Many have not yet recovered from last seasons losses, and now, this years floods have erased whatever little hope remained. In such a situation, timely relief isnt just desirable it is a matter of survival. Yet, the governments slow-motion response shows no urgency, no vision, and no empathy. It is telling that the most effective relief has come not from the state but from the Indian Army, whose personnel conducted high-risk helicopter rescues, evacuated stranded villagers, and distributed food in areas where the government had failed to reach. Their professionalism and speed only highlight the state administrations incompetence. This is not a natural calamity alone; it is a governance disaster, entirely man-made. Maharashtras disaster management is stuck in a bygone era reactive instead of proactive, chaotic instead of coordinated, heartless instead of humane. A state that prides itself on being an industrial powerhouse cannot even ensure basic disaster preparedness for its farmers, the very people who feed its cities and sustain its economy. Eknath Shinde, Ajit Pawar, and Devendra Fadnavis have collectively failed the people of Maharashtra. Their priorities are clear: politics over people, power over performance, survival over service. And unless this attitude changes, the floods will not just wash away crops and homes they will wash away what little trust the people still have left in their government. U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Mobile, speaks during a Forum Alabama event hosted by the Mobile Chamber on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, at the Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa in downtown Mobile, Ala. John Sharp Alabama Democratic U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures continued to call for the complete release of the Epstein files by saying that Republicans would require their publication if former President Barack Obama had a relationship with the wealthy financier and known pedophile. We deserve to know, as American citizens, whether or not our president had an inappropriate relationship with a known and documented pedophile and predator, Figures said in an interview with Nexstars Washington, D.C. Bureau Correspondent Reshad Hudson during an episode of Capitol Conversations. At the end of the day, the people who oppose (releasing the files), the question we present to them is if the relationship was the exact same between Epstein and President Obama, would people on the other side of the issue feel the same way? Figures, a freshman lawmaker from Mobile, said. I dont think they would. Figures, when asked why Democratic politicians were opposed to releasing the files when they were in political power, cited ongoing criminal investigations. It was not an appropriate time to release that information, said Figures, who served as White House liaison for the U.S. Department of Justice under Obama. Commuters walk past a bus stop near Nine Elms Station as activists put up a poster showing President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein near the US Embassy in London, Thursday, July 17, 2025.(AP Photo/Thomas Krych) AP The Epstein files are documents associated with the criminal investigations into Jeffrey Epsteins activities, focusing on alleged sex trafficking of minors. The files have created widespread interest and stirred online conspiracy theories since Epsteins death in 2019, while he was awaiting trial on federal charges. Democratic politicians have pushed to keep Epsteins case in the spotlight by citing his friendship with President Donald Trump. Trump, who had a social and professional relationship with Epstein from the late 1980s and into the 2000s, has not been accused of wrongdoing in relation to Epstein and has denied any knowledge of Epsteins crimes. However, the issue has dogged Trump for months. Elon Musk weighed in on the remaining Epstein documents in June when, in a since-deleted post on the social media site X, alleged that Trump was in the Epstein files. Figures accused the Department of Justice under Attorney General Pam Bondi for selective release of information related to the case. The criticism about the released information continued among Democratic politicians earlier this month when the House Oversight Committee posted 33,000 pages of Epstein documents that Democratic politicians said included information already publicly known or available. The folders, posted on Google Drive, contained hundreds of image files and years-old court filings related to Epstein and his former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a lengthy prison sentence for assisting him. This is part of the deviation from norms weve seen from the Department of Justice, Figures said. The agency has never been an agency that releases information for public curiosity. Weve seen that selective release of information from this administration. If youre going to release some of it, lets not cherry pick it, lets release all of it so people can make a fair and accurate determination of what happened. Other highlights from the interview: National Guard. Figures called the sending of National Guard troops to U.S. cities as reckless and unsafe. He said that U.S. troops are not trained to perform domestic law enforcement responsibilities. His comments come after the Trump administration has targeted National Guard deployment for several cities with Democratic leadership including Los Angeles and Chicago. The president said this month that he is sending the Tennessee National Guard to Memphis. In Mobile, the two candidates in the recently completed mayoral election said that the National Guard was not needed in the Port City. Figures said that if the Trump administration is serious about beefing up domestic law enforcement, they will support doing so through boosting funding streams for police and improve starting salaries and benefits to attract more people to become police officers. The solution is to pay law enforcement well, train them and take care of their benefits and retirement, Figures said. If we do those things, well be able to recruit more law enforcement officers. Government shutdown. Figures said while he doesnt want to see the federal government shut down over a funding standstill with Democrats, the reality is for millions of people, since the (Trump) administration began its cut, the government is shutting down on them anyway. Figures said that his constituents in Alabamas 2nd congressional district are concerned, scared and terrified over what budget cuts will mean for health care. He cited rural hospital closures, cuts to federal food assistance programs, and the impact of Trumps tariffs on businesses. We have primary care deserts in our communities, Figures said about his worries over rural health care. We come into a budget fight where we cannot allow for conditions to persist where peoples (health) premiums go up and then continue to ignore the costs in America. Rural hospitals. Figures touted his sponsorship of the Rural Hospital Stabilization Act in the House, which would provide direct federal grants to rural hospitals at a time when they are facing financial struggles and closures. He called the stabilization of rural hospitals as much as an economic issue as it is a health care concern. Figures has long said that health care is the No. 1 concern among the constituents in the district that stretches from Phenix City to Montgomery and south into Mobile. No one wants to build and retire into a community when you dont have a hospital, Figures said. We are working in a bipartisan way to make sure we can tackle the health care challenges in the district. Rock legend Ace Frehley is taking a brief pause from touring after a minor studio mishap. According to a post on Frehleys Facebook page, the rock guitar legend had to cancel a show as part of his 10,000 Volts Tour on a doctors order after suffering a minor fall in his recording studio. Dear Rock Soldiers, Ace had a minor fall in his studio, resulting in a trip to the hospital, the post reads. He is fine, but against his wishes, his doctor insists that he refrain from travel at this time. Frehleys performance at the Antelope Valley Fair in Lancaster, California, was canceled. It was set for Friday. The post encouraged fans to go to the fair and support his friends in the rock bands Quiet Riot and Vixen. The post also said that Frehley looks forward to continuing his tour and his work on the next album, Origins, Vol. 3. Frehley, 74, a founding member of the rock band Kiss, is set to resume his tour on October 10 in Decatur, Illinois. According to Guitar Players online site, Frehley has a history of falling during his tenure with makeup-clad Kiss, sometimes intentionally, and sometimes not. As part of the Kiss show, he would perform in high-heeled boots that would frequently cause him to trip up and take spills onstage. Whenever it happened, his bandmates Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley would begin playing over him, as if the entire episode was planned, according to the website. I used to fall a lot in those boots, Frehley told Music Radar. A lot of times, Paul would cover for me by walking over to me like it was part of the show. He made it look like was choreography or something. According to the report, Frehley damaged his knees by falling on them while performing. This often took place during the bands performance of Black Diamond, and while he was holding his Les Paul guitar. Kiss performing on stage, circa 1977. Left to right: Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley and Paul Stanley. Getty Images I screwed my knees up by doing that, Frehley is quoted as saying. I would drop to my knees and the weight of that Les Paul really killed them. Frehley was the lead guitarist with Kiss during the bands formation and through its 70s heyday, from 1973-1982. He rejoined the Kiss in 1996, for its reunion tour and continued with them until 2002. His persona with KISS was that of the spaced-out Spaceman. On stage, he was known for his laid-back demeanor, fiery guitar solos, and signature smoking, light-up guitar effects, which became iconic in KISSs live shows. His slurred speech and eccentric humor added to his space cadet charm, making him a fan favorite. He also had the most successful and critically acclaimed of the four Kiss solo albums that were released in 1978, thanks in part to the song, New York Groove. Kiss was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. The band will be celebrated in December with a lifetime achievement award at the Kennedy Center Honors. President Donald Trump, chairman of the Kennedy Center, will present the band with the award during the December 7 show in Washington, D.C. It will be later broadcast on CBS at 7:30 p.m. on December 22. Comedian and social media influencer Nick Banks will be participating in a Talladega anti-gun violence event. J.L. Boseman In an upcoming Talladega event, comedian and social media influencer Nick Banks will be getting serious about gun violence. On Monday, Sept. 29, the Agency for Substance Abuse Prevention, an Oxford, AL based nonprofit, will hold a free anti-gun-violence event at Talladega Bottling Works at 6 p.m. Community members will lead a discussion on how young people can have a hand in stopping violence. I do feel like laughter is one of the best things that you can have. If you laugh daily, it puts you in better spirits. So I just try to provide that, but also just show people that there are other ways that you can be successful other than traditional or criminal ways, Banks told AL.com. The event is a part of ASAPS Barbers and Ballers Against Bullets initiative, launched in 2023 after a community survey found that Anniston and Talladega area youth, ages 16-23, were the primary victims of gun violence. The initiatives bring community members together to discuss the realities of gun violence and how to stay away from it. This is a community conversation so that we can talk about the issues of gun violence and substance misuse in our communities, Christopher Abernathy, an ASAP spokesperson said. We want people to know that they do have the power to change their community. Advocates say getting community members and influential people to talk about making good choices could help to curb violence, especially among youth. The youth are our future so we actually need to include them in these conversations because the issue is affecting them so much, Abernathy said. Past ASAP events have featured local activists including Angela Harris and icons like rapper Yung Joc as well as actor and former athlete Omari Hardwick. This event will feature a panel discussion including Talladega Mayor Ashton Hall, Superintendent Quentin J. Lee, a funeral home director, doctor and special guest Nick Banks. We have these people who make up different instrumental parts of the community who can put their perspective into the conversation, Abernathy said. At every past panel, Abernathy discussed how gun violence has impacted his life. It just floors you. And then you see the fallout of that, Abernathy said. The emotional damage that it does to people and how here we are, years down the road, and you still see that pain in people. Now he works with the Agency, leading discussions about how to put an end to the violence. Lets stop this. We see the damage that its doing, and we know that its not just affecting the victims, its affecting the community, Abernathy said. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said Friday she will not call a special legislative session to redraw the state Senate district map after a federal judge ruled the Montgomery part of the current map violated the Voting Rights Act. U.S. District Judge Anna M. Manasco, a President Trump appointee, ruled in August that the map violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act because Black voters in Montgomery have less opportunity to elect a candidate of their choice than other voters. Manasco wrote that the map should be changed to add a second district in Montgomery that is majority Black or close to majority Black. In her ruling, the judge said the Legislature would have the first opportunity to change the map. In a press release Friday, Ivey said states face uncertainty over how to follow Voting Rights Act caselaw and the Constitutions provisions against racial discrimination. As the law currently stands, states like Alabama are put to the virtually impossible task of protecting some voters based on race without discriminating against any other voters based on race, the governor said. I remain hopeful that we will somehow find the magic map that will both satisfy the federal court and also be fair to all Alabamians. But as of today, I cannot justify the time and expense of calling a special session. In the meantime, I call on the U.S. Supreme Court to clarify the law in this area as soon as possible and relieve states like Alabama from this no-win situation. The governor said she might reconsider her decision if a satisfactory map is later identified and that she would update the public accordingly. In a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of Alabama, the Legal Defense Fund, and the Southern Poverty Law Center, Manasco blocked the state from conducting a state Senate election using the current map. All 140 seats in the Legislature, including the 35 seats in the state Senate, are on the ballot next year. The primary is May 19. Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen, who is the defendant in the lawsuit over the Senate map, has said the state will appeal Manascos ruling. Allen will also ask the court to put its judgment about the Voting Rights violation on hold until the U.S. Supreme Court rules in a Louisiana redistricting case, a decision that could have an impact on cases in Alabama and other states. The Louisiana case is scheduled for argument before the justices on Oct. 15. On the Alabama Senate map, the Montgomery districts are currently District 25, represented by Sen. Will Barfoot, a white Republican, and District 26, represented by Sen. Kirk Hatcher, a Black Democrat. The plaintiffs claimed map violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, in part by unnecessarily packing black voters into District 26. The plaintiffs also claimed that the Huntsville portion of the map violated the Voting Rights Act, but Manasco ruled that it did not. Manascos ruling came after an eight-day trial with 20 witnesses and arguments from 48 lawyers, the judge wrote. Adding a second Black district in Montgomery would not change the balance of power in the Senate, where Republicans hold 27 of the 35 seats. The case has parallels to the one that required Alabama to redraw its Congressional district map before the 2024 election. In that case, the Legislature drew a second map, but it did not follow the courts guidance on adding a second district that was majority Black or close to it. The court eventually approved its own Congressional map drawn by a court-appointed special master in October 2023. That led to the election of Shomari Figures of Mobile as the second Democrat and second Black member of Alabamas seven-member U.S. House delegation. Earlier this week, the court proposed having the same team that drew the congressional map begin work on a remedial plan for the Montgomery portion of the state Senate map on Oct. 1 or soon after. Manasco has scheduled a telephone conference with lawyers in the case for Monday. Tropical Depression Nine could become Tropical Storm Imelda as soon as tonight. Its long-range track is very uncertain. National Hurricane Center The National Hurricane Center had a new tropical depression on its hands on Saturday, and it could become Tropical Storm Imelda soon. However, there are still more questions than answers about the storms long-range path, and if it could strike the United States. The hurricane center was also tracking Category 5 Hurricane Humberto just to the east of the depression. Humberto is not expected to directly affect the U.S. but could impact the track of the tropical depression. Forecasters expect the depression to strengthen into Tropical Storm Imelda as soon as tonight, and it could become a hurricane early next week. Even if it doesnt make a direct hit, the storm has the potential to bring a prolonged period of rain, storm surge and wind to areas along the coast, from Florida northward to the Carolinas. The system is expected to be at or near hurricane intensity when it approaches the southeast U.S. coast early next week, where there is a risk of storm surge and wind impacts. Residents in that area should monitor updates to the forecast and ensure they have their hurricane plan in place, the hurricane center said Saturday. The depression will move through the Bahamas over the next few days, and tropical storm warnings are in effect for many of those islands. A tropical storm watch has also been issued for the east coast of Florida from the Palm Beach/Martin county line northward to the Flagler/Volusia county line. TROPICAL DEPRESSION NINE As of 7 p.m. CDT Saturday, Tropical Depression Nine was located about 210 miles northwest of the eastern tip of Cuba and was tracking to the northwest at 5 mph. The depression had sustained winds of 35 mph. Its winds have to increase to 40 mph or higher for it to be classified as Tropical Storm Imelda. The hurricane center thinks that could happen later tonight or early Sunday. It could continue to strengthen and become a hurricane by late Monday or Tuesday. On the forecast track, the center of the system is expected to move across the central and northwestern Bahamas this weekend and approach the southeast U.S. coast early next week. After that is when it gets complicated. The hurricane center noted on Saturday that forecast models are disagreeing on the storms track. Some show a turn toward the east caused by Hurricane Humberto. But others point to a landfall in the southeastern United States. The hurricane centers official track calls for a slow turn to the northeast and east after 72 hours, but at a much slower forward speed. It should be noted that while this forecast keeps the system offshore, it would still be large enough and close enough to cause wind and coastal flooding impacts along the southeastern U.S. coast, as well as heavy rainfall/flooding concerns in inland areas, the hurricane center said on Saturday. The hurricane center said the storm could cause a threat of heavy rainfall well from coastal Georgia through the Carolinas and into the southern Mid-Atlantic states into early next week which could cause flash, urban and river flooding. HURRICANE HUMBERTO Humberto is the second Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic this season. NHC Hurricane Humberto strengthened on Saturday to a Category 5 hurricane with sustained winds of 160 mph. That makes Humberto the second Category 5 storm in 2025 in the Atlantic (the other was Erin). The hurricane centers forecast track takes Humberto northward between the U.S. East Coast and Bermuda next week before turning more to the northeast. Humberto could move very close to Bermuda, however, and the hurricane center warned those on the island to keep an eye on the storm. There were no watches or warnings for land areas in effect for Humberto. As of 4 p.m. CDT Saturday the center of Hurricane Humberto was located about 685 miles south-southeast of Bermuda and was tracking to the west-northwest at 10 mph. Humberto was a Category 5 hurricane, and the hurricane center said it will likely remain a powerful major hurricane for several days. There were no other systems being monitored for development on Saturday, and the Gulf remained quiet. The Atlantic hurricane season will end on Nov. 30 For anyone who uses popular platforms like Slack, Instagram, or Google Chat, the @mention system is a natural and indispensable way to communicate. Its the simplest way to direct a message to a specific person and ensure they see it. Oddly, this fundamental feature has been missing from Google Messages, the companys primary platform for RCS and SMS texting. However, it looks like Google Messages will finally receive the mentions feature in the near future. Recent progress in the Google Messages code confirms that this communication gap is closing. Google is actively developing and testing a complete system to bring modern @mentions into its messaging app. As spotted by Android Authority, this will drastically improve group conversations. Google Messages group chats will get much better with mentions When Google finally rolls out this feature, the experience for the person being tagged will be immediate and clear. If someone tags you in a group chat using your usernamefor example, @JaneDoeyou will no longer have to scroll back through a long conversation to find where you were addressed. The system will add a visible @symbol next to the chat in your main conversation list. This small but vital visual cue instantly tells you that someone specifically mentioned you in that thread. So, it will be nearly impossible to miss an important note or question. A smoother user tagging experience Google is also working on making the tagging process feel intuitive and frictionless for the sender. Initially, previews of the system suggested users would need to manually type the @ character before a name to activate the tagging feature. But now, developers are making the process smoother. The mentions system will offer automatic suggestions simply by beginning to type another users name within the Google Messages chat window. This prediction feature mirrors the ease of use found on social media platforms and other messaging services. These upgrades will undoubtedly be significant steps toward bringing Google Messages up to parity with other modern messaging solutions. However, one key piece of information remains missing: the official release date. Google is clearly finalizing the technical details, including usage tips that will appear for users once the feature goes live. But sadly, there is no official word on when users can expect to start tagging their friends in their group chats. Until then, the community will keep watching for Google to flip the switch on this long-overdue upgrade. Xiaomi made a decent debut with its in-house chip, the Xring 01, but it was exclusive to the Xiaomi 15S Pro. The chip was able to score over three million in the AnTuTu benchmark, going neck-to-neck with the competition. It appears theres no stopping now, as Xiaomi is working on a next-gen chip for its smartphones, as confirmed by the brands top executive with CNBC. This could be the XRing 02. However, the company will not release a new chip yearly like Apple does. Xiaomis next-gen chip is in development Xu Fei, vice president of Xiaomi, detailed the companys semiconductor ambitions, including the roadmap. It aims to expand its market share globally, especially in the high-end segment. The XRing 01 was its first step in this direction. It is based on a 3nm manufacturing process. It was able to go neck-to-neck and stood tall in front of rivals. Back then, Xiaomi committed to invest at least 50 billion yuan (~$7 billion) in the next 10 years to develop its in-house chips. No yearly release like the competition Talking about the future, Xu Fei said that Xiaomi was planning ahead for its next generation of chip. However, she says the company will not release a new SoC each year like Apple, Qualcomm, and MediaTek. We are a newcomer here, we need to learn and we need to plan, Xu said. The top executive also details how the company goes about the release timeline of the chips and how it relates to the return on investment. Fei notes the company knows that it needs to be patient for at least ten years for the SoC business to break even. This means its initial focus is on offering a premium experience. So at the first time, we just need to make sure the experience is good enough, the performance is good enough, the Xiaomi executive said to CNBC. Partnership with Qualcomm and MediaTek will continue Xiaomi phones currently feature chips from Qualcomm and MediaTek for their models. The Xiaomi 17 series uses the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Meanwhile, the Xiaomi 15T lineup uses MediaTek chips. Xu Fei notes that the company will continue to use Qualcomm and MediaTek chips even as it continues to develop in-house chips. For Qualcomm, MediaTek, they are super, extremely good partners. Weve been working with them for 15 years, so we will continue this path. And at the same time, well select the right product to try our own chipset. We are going with two solutions at the same time. So we made it very clear to our partners, dont be too worried at all, said Xu Fei. Sir Keir Starmer arrives in Liverpool this weekend, 16 months after winning a landslide victory, with his future as prime minister already seriously in doubt. It appears that the darling of the conference will be Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, who is nakedly flirting with the idea of a parliamentary comeback to replace Sir Keir. Labour MPs are talking about ousting Sir Keir if the local and devolved elections in May dont go well. But Nigel Farage is continuing to attract Labour voters in previously safe parts of the country with Reform enjoying a poll lead of around 10 per cent. The Labour leader my need to put on a brave smile this weekend (PA) Indeed, a poll this week suggested Reform would be close to winning a majority while Labour would lose 300 seats in a general election. Little else appears to be going right. Illegal immigration is at its highest levels yet. The economy is flatlining. His chief of staff and key figure in his government, Morgan McSweeney, has been the subject of speculation about historic donations. And his choice for deputy leader (education secretary Bridget Phillipson) looks set to be thrashed in the deputy leadership race by Lucy Powell, who he sacked in the recent reshuffle. This week in Liverpool does not only need to go well for the PM, he needs it to be the springboard for a fightback to ensure his very survival in Downing Street. Here are five things Sir Keir must do this week: 1. Prove he is the best person for the job Andy Burnham has suggested MPs have contacted him about the leadership (PA) Also known as deal with the Andy Burnham problem. But it could also refer to the other potential pretenders including health secretary Wes Streeting (on the right of the party) and a possible comeback by his now former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner (on the left) after she was forced to quit over her tax affairs. The problem is that people in Labour, especially MPs terrified of losing their seats, are looking at these three thinking they all have more charisma and a much clearer idea of what they stand for. In essence, they are seen as leaders while the PM is not. However, Sir Keir is seen as a leader is on the international stage. Among people as diverse as Mark Carney, Donald Trump and Ursula von der Leyen, he is seen as a pivotal figure, someone to go to and get things done. Unfortunately his domestic perception is the reverse of that, especially after disastrous welfare votes in parliament and a series of other U-turns. Sir Keir now needs to show that he is a leader at home as well as abroad. 2. Explain the big idea When the PM went to America earlier this year, he tried to explain Starmerism to the pack of journalists accompanying him. Unfortunately, it was not very rousing. This is very Starmerite, he said of the spending review in June. The first job is always to clear out, clear up, and then move on from there. Starmer needs big ideas to counter Reform and the left-wing of his own party (AFP/Getty) Another phrase he likes to use is fixing the foundations. But none of this really provides a vision with an end point for him to point at and get others to follow. In his conference speech this week, Sir Keir needs to offer something more appealing. If the big idea turns out to be digital ID cards which he announced earlier this week, it is not going to work. With more than 1.5 million people signing a petition against it and strong support and opposition within his own party, the proposal is likely to divide not unite. 3. Bring a warring party together This issue of uniting the party may prove to be beyond the possible. It certainly has the elements of complexity of a five-dimensional Rubiks cube. But that does not mean he should not try. Somehow Sir Keir needs to satisfy the left (where the main threat is coming from) that he is not just a front for the Blairite faction on the right. Labour MPs want stronger action against Benjamin Netanyahu, who has an ICC arrest warrant against his name (Reuters) He will need to articulate policies, not least on wealth taxes to make the unions and others feel they are being listened to. Ending the two-child benefit cap will go a long way to help turn things around. The other issue remains the Middle East and his treatment of Israel. Recognising Palestine as a state is not enough to appease those who believe Israel is committing genocide. Those voices for more action are growing ever louder in Labour. 4. Gain peoples respect In a very short time, the prime minister has lost a lot of respect. It is a pity for a man, who in person, is thoroughly decent and has had a back story growing up from a low income household to a successful lawyer and PM. But the jokes about him saying his father was a toolmaker or the jibes of two tier Keir or never here Keir or nothing to see here Keir are undermining him. Gloria De Piero and Jon Ashworth host the Politics Inside Out podcast (Politics Inside Out) Recently, former Labour MPs Gloria De Piero and Jonathan Ashworth, who host the Politics Inside Out podcast, suggested to The Independent that he should go to working mens clubs in the north of England or elsewhere to show his human side. Ms De Piero said: Nigel Farage is always in working mens clubs with a pint in his hand. I actually would like to take Keir to a working mans club for the podcast or just normally to meet people. It's hard, but I think he would do really well. If Keir went in those clubs, they'd be so bloody grateful to see him. And people just want to be listened to. Were not in masochism strategy yet, I'd call it an engagement strategy, but if he got taken around some of those fabulous red wall working mens clubs and pubs, I think he'd enjoy it, and he'd be quite good at it. I think people would see a different side of him that was unfiltered. 5. Fightback against Reform This brings us to the point which will make or break Sir Keir. He needs to take the fight to Nigel Farage and Reform UK who seem on course for massive victories next year and then at the general election. The prime minister made a good start on Friday with his speech lambasting the lies and division of populism and acknowledging that Labour is in a battle for the soul of the country. Could Farage really be the next PM? (Getty) He also acknowledged the need for a positive vision for social democratic, progressive politics beyond managerialism (which may have been a self-critique). What he cannot do is out Reform Reform on issues like tackling migration. The prime minister needs to find an authentic appealing message which shows he recognises the problems of mass illegal immigration and the issues with the economy but has Labour solutions for them. In some ways he needs to carry on and develop the theme of Fridays speech. If he succeeds he will certainly be leading his party to the next general election with an eye on a second term. Failure though will only bring a great deal more uncertainty and pressure on his position next year. The Badminton House version of The Lute Player was sold by Sothebys in 2001 as circle of Caravaggio ( ) Artificial intelligence has concluded that a painting dismissed by Sothebys and the Metropolitan Museum as a copy is, in fact, by Caravaggio. The 17th-century Baroque master, full name Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, is one of the most revered artists in history. Only a few dozen of the Italian painters works have survived. A new work can now be added to that list, according to scientific analysis, which has determined that The Lute Player bought for Badminton House in Gloucestershire in the 18th century is by Caravaggio, with a probability of 85.7 per cent. Everything over 80 per cent is very high, said Dr Cardina Popovici, the head of Art Recognition, the Swiss company specialising in artwork authentication that carried out the study in collaboration with the University of Liverpool and other partners. The tests showed a strong match with authenticated paintings, as reported by The Guardian. This news will be welcomed by the art world. Caravaggios works are so rare that when one was discovered in 2019, it was valued at approximately 96m. In 1969, Sothebys sold the Badminton Lute Player as a copy after Caravaggio for 750. It was sold again in 2001 as circle of Caravaggio for approximately 71,000. It was purchased that time by Clovis Whitfield, a British art historian and gallerist who specialises in Italian old masters. Mr Whitfield saw that the paintings details such as the reflection on the dew drops of the flowers corresponded exactly with a description by Giovanni Baglione in his 1642 Caravaggio biography. The Badminton Lute Player is one of three versions. There is an undisputed original in the Wildenstein collection, having been displayed at the Met from 1990 to 2013. In 1990, Keith Christiansen, who was then head of European paintings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, identified the Wildenstein version as the original and determined the Badminton version to be a copy. Mr Whitfield bought the Badminton Lute Player with Alfred Bader, a collector, to whom Mr Christiansen wrote in 2007: No one certainly no modern scholar has ever or ever would entertain the idea that your painting could be painted by Caravaggio. Mr Whitfield told The Guardian: The AI result knocks Mr Christiansen off his perch. The analysis not only found that the Badminton was real, but concluded that the Wildenstein was not an authentic work with the AI returning a negative result, according to Dr Popovici. Mr Christiansen declined to comment when approached by The Guardian. Mr Whitfield and Dr Popovici will discuss the painting in a new podcast titled Is It?, which launches on Sunday. The subject will also be explored in a feature documentary that is in development with leading art market expert Geraldine Norman. The Badminton Lute Player is currently in London. Mr Whitfield has said he would like it to go to a public collection. Protesters outside a hotel in Falkirk that is housing asylum seekers. Photograph: Lesley Martin/PA Fears are growing that shared houses may become the focus of anti-migrant protests, with residents and charities saying tensions are building in some areas. Homes of multiple occupation (HMOs) have grown in number as renters seek affordable accommodation amid a housing crisis. Defined as a property where three or more tenants live with shared facilities, HMOs are most often used to house students, young professionals, asylum seekers or, increasingly, anyone on a tight budget. Messages have been posted on social media urging action against HMOs thought to be housing asylum seekers, with some individuals trying to compile lists of addresses. A former pub on the edge of Warrington in Cheshire was daubed with graffiti last month saying No HMOs after rumours it was due to be converted. The local council said it had not received any planning application. Reform UK politicians, including George Finch, the teenage leader of Warwickshire county council, have criticised the use of HMOs to house asylum seekers. Protests led by the far right over the summer have been blamed in part on inaccurate and inflammatory claims from politicians including Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform, and Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary. The Home Office has promised to close dozens of asylum hotels in the new year with ministers due to unveil plans to move asylum seekers into military barracks instead. But there has been growing speculation about whether they could, or should, resort to a greater use of HMOs which separately from the asylum debate have been blamed for tensions in some communities. Louise Calvey of Asylum Matters, which campaigns for better asylum conditions in the UK, said the charity had received reports of an increase in hate crimes near HMOs as well as rumours circulating in communities that HMOs were housing migrants, even if they were not. This anger around HMOs, this fearmongering around HMOs, risks hate crime against all racialised people, she said. Theres huge risk. At least if people are in hotels, theres security there and theres usually some form of support. In HMOs, its much more likely that people are going to be attacked walking around the street and its much more likely that those attacks will go unreported. However, she stressed that the use of HMOs to house asylum seekers was not new and was unlikely to substantially increase. The use of HMOs for asylum accommodation has been employed for far longer than hotels, she said. But I highly doubt the government is going to be able to close hotels and set up HMOs. There just isnt access to that housing stock out there. Calvey urged the government to tackle the asylum claims backlog and allow asylum seekers to work, rent rooms or live with family. The solution is to get people out of both hotels and HMOs where theyre at risk of violence, she said. The Office for National Statistics estimates there were 182,554 HMOs in England and Wales in April, although some councils believe this figure may be too low. Local authorities have taken steps to try to clamp down on the rise of HMOs in their areas, with councillors in Warrington and Bolton voting to scrap exemptions that meant homes could be converted into small HMOs (with six tenants or fewer) without planning permission. Last week, Phil Brickell, the Labour MP for Bolton West, urged the government to allow a debate on why companies such as Serco, which leases hundreds of HMOs across the country, do not tell local communities when and where they are placing asylum seekers. He said the lack of transparency meant proposals for HMOs ended up on social media and surrounded by misinformation. Lisa Catalano has rented billboards in the Bay Area to advertise her new website encouraging eligible bachelors to apply to date her (@MarryLisaOfficial/TikTok) Move over, dating apps one Bay Area woman is trying out a new and innovative approach to dating in the modern world. Lisa Catalano, a 41-year-old from San Mateo, California, has purchased a dozen billboards along Highway 101 advertising her new website: MarryLisa.com. The site encourages eligible bachelors to apply to date her, and includes a trove of information about her hobbies, interests, and what shes looking for in a partner. Catalano told local outlet KRON that she bought the billboards after just not having any luck any other way. I just want to meet somebody, Catalano said. On her website, Catalano says shes looking to get married and start a family in the next two to three years. She has a high energy, healthy, active lifestyle, loves the San Francisco Giants (sorry, Dodgers fans), and even owns a convertible. Lisa Catalano has rented billboards in the Bay Area to advertise her new website encouraging eligible bachelors to apply to date her (@MarryLisaOfficial/TikTok) Shes hoping to meet a man who will match her interests and her energy. You know, it just comes down to chemistry, Catalano told KRON. But, you know, its things like religion, politics, lifestyle. I want somebody who leads a healthy lifestyle like I do. And somebody who wants to get married and have kids, she added. Because thats something thats really important to me. Catalano says shes ready to look for love again after her fiance died from a terminal illness in late 2023. I hope that this is a great story that we can tell our future children, she told KRON. The application on Lisas website asks for biographical information, then allows bachelors to answer some open-ended prompts, such as What are your hobbies and interests? and Describe your personality. Applicants can also upload photos of themselves. Lisa Catalano is encouraging eligible bachelors to apply on MarryLisa.com, where she lists her hobbies, interests and preferences (MarryLisa.com) If you know an eligible bachelor in the area, you can also apply on his behalf using a separate application. This application asks much of the same information, but includes a prompt that asks, Is there anything else you'd like Lisa to know about this man you are referring? What made you decide to fill out this application? Catalano also uploaded a series of YouTube videos describing her dating preferences, addressing topics like kissing on the first date (shes open to it), her celebrity crush (The X Files star David Duchovny) and her relatives (she loves her big extended family). The Independent has contacted Catalano to learn more about her search for love. Europe took a decisive step towards retaining the Ryder Cup after another brilliant morning session of fourballs. They won the four matches 3-1 to move 8.5-3.5 clear going into the afternoon fourballs. PA Graphic Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Young beat Matt Fitzpatrick and Ludvig Aberg 4&2 DeChambeau and Young struck first blood for the Americans, getting in first ahead of a wave of blue following them. They went ahead at the third hole before the European pair quickly hit back on the next. They quickly stole a march on the match by taking the seventh, eighth and ninth holes as they moved into an unassailable position, sealing it with birdie on the 16th. Europe 5.5 USA 3.5 Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood beat Harris English and Collin Morikawa 3&2 It was deja vu for Fleetwood Mac as they thrashed the sorry American pair for a second successive morning. Keegan Bradley stood by Morikawa and English and would have been hopeful after they won the first hole. But McIlroy and Fleetwood again showed them who was boss. Birdies at the second and third turned things around, with further wins at the fifth, seventh and eighth put them four up. A brief fightback by the Americans brought it back to two under but a European birdie on the 16th claimed victory. Europe 6.5 USA 3.5 Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton beat Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay 3&2 Another brilliant European partnership delivered as Rahm and Hatton won again. The LIV team-mates squandered a two-up lead to be tied at all-square before Rahms brilliant chip in from the edge of the bunker gave Europe the advantage again. They did not let it slip as birdies at the 12th and 16th ensured another point and made it five wins from five fourballs for Rahm. Europe 7.5 USA 3.5 Robert MacIntyre and Viktor Hovland beat Russell Henley and Scottie Scheffler 1 up Vik and Bob proved they are no comedy act as they went shooting the stars and stripes of America with an edgy victory full of tension. In the only match that went to the 18th hole, the United States had come back from two down to make it all square at the 13th. But the momentum was lost as a European birdie at the 14th put them back ahead and then clutch putts from MacIntrye at 15 and Hovland at 17 ensured they took the point. Europe 8.5 USA 3.5 Narva is separated from Russia by a 101-metre-wide river, traversed by a Bridge of Friendship on which the Estonians have built a line of 3ft concrete dragons teeth and are constructing a heavy security gate. Photograph: Hendrik Osula/The Guardian It was perhaps inevitable that a proposal to build a military base on the outskirts of Narva, Estonias third largest city, located directly on the countrys border with Russia, featured in this weeks TV debate among the candidates vying to be mayor. Just days earlier, three MiG-31 Russian fighter jets had entered and stayed in Estonias airspace above the Gulf of Finland for 12 minutes, prompting the Estonian government to call rare article 4 consultations with Nato allies over a risk to territorial integrity, political independence or security. Estonia upped the stakes by bringing the issue to the UN security council in New York where western allies warned of dire consequences of further breaches. Donald Trump signalled his support for shooting down Russian jets. The febrile geopolitical climate was then made even more tense after a spate of unmanned aerial vehicle forays over Danish airports that forced the countrys largest, in Copenhagen, to close. It followed recent Russian drone incursions into Poland and Romania. We are at the beginning of a hybrid war against Europe, said Mette Frederiksen, Denmarks prime minister, in an address to the nation. It might be thought, then, that there would be loud acclaim for a military presence in Narva, separated from Russia by a 101-metre-wide river, traversed by a Bridge of Friendship on which the Estonians have built a line of 3ft concrete dragons teeth and are constructing a heavy security gate. But Narva, closer to St Petersburg than the Estonian capital, Tallinn, is complex: 98% of its population is primarily Russian speaking and, while not a homogenous group, international news can be perceived quite differently here, as it is in other such communities in Latvia and Lithuania. For some it is consumed through the prism of Russian TV, banned in Estonia but easily accessible at this proximity to the country. The Kremlin has denied the breach of Estonian airspace ever happened the Nazis in Tallinn, 210km west of Narva, were doing what the global war party does. Others in Narva see such claims on Russias TV stations as fake news but worry about poking the Russian bear. Estonian troops are welcome perhaps, they say, but not foreign Nato soldiers. The candidates in the TV debate generally accepted that the military base was a done deal but criticised the communication of it, saying it had sparked concerns within the city of 53,000 people rather than a sense of assurance. The Russian incursion into Estonian airspace and its suspected involvement in the drone attacks has certainly been a test of Nato but it is something more. The reactions of the Baltic states and their allies to provocations are proving a test in themselves to the resilience and the unity of countries that remain home to large Russian-speaking communities. Local elections are coming up in Estonia in October and it is shot through with risk, said Katri Raik, a former national interior minister, who is the mayor of Narva and in the race for a fourth term. Related: Nato intercepts Russian fighter jets on reckless violation of Estonian airspace A socially and economically disadvantaged city where the phasing out of the oil shale mines has hit hard, Narva was largely ignored for decades by Tallinn and that was fine by the residents, who thought of it as something of an island, she suggested. But in recent years, the state has become really close, said Raik. Following Russias invasion of Ukraine, the Estonian government ordered the removal of up to 400 Soviet monuments that they argued commemorated not the liberation of the country but its occupation from 1945. The most controversial was a Soviet-era tank from its pedestal on the outskirts of Narva. It caused an uproar. Raik, who is among the 2% of the population who speak Estonian as a first language, received death threats when she sought to be a mediator between the government and local people. Then, at a time when the cost of heating has tripled in two years, the closing of the Bridge of Friendship to vehicles and freight, leaving only pedestrian access to the Russian border town of Ivangorod, has been an economic blow. It was the Russians who closed it first but the extra checks enforced by the Estonians on those going by foot is being blamed for the long queues. More recently, there have been claims that Tallinn is repressing religious freedom through its attempt to split the Russian Orthodox church in Estonia from the Moscow patriarchate, which manages it and is seen as being in cahoots with the Kremlin. There was also the passing of a law that phases out the existence of Russian-speaking schools by 2030, causing people to complain that their children were being educated in a language they did not use at home. And the cherry on top, said Raik, has been the ban on non-EU citizens, including Russians and Belarusians living in Estonia, from voting in local elections. Related: Russias high-risk game in Nato skies podcast A third of people [in Narva] will not be able to go to vote, she said. All of this has been magnified and twisted by Russian propaganda. When it is all together then we might be surprised that we are even alive as a city, for our mental health, said Raik. It is really a little bit too much altogether Its a big chance for the populists. The people deprived of voting rights, they have sisters, they have husbands, who can vote, she said. Maria Smorzevskihh-Smirnova, the director of Estonias Narva Museum, was caught up in such a cycle of action, reaction and counteraction. This week she was sentenced in absentia to 10 years in a Russian general-regime penal colony. Her crime was putting up a large poster on the outer wall of her museum a castle on the river by the Friendship bridge that accused Vladimir Putin of being a war criminal and making comparisons between him and Adolf Hitler. The target of her message was those who gathered at the Russian side on 9 May to celebrate Victory Day and the end of the second world war on a newly built square, just below the ramparts of their own castle across the river. There the Russians put up large screens facing in the direction of Narva showing images of Putin or war movies. Its about brutal Russian power, said Smorzevskihh-Smirnova. Its about the cult of death, about the cult of war, and about the glorification of [the] Ukrainian invasion. For her very small protest, she was subject to a torrid barrage of hate on social media. Messages included I will kill you, I know where you walk, I know where you live, she said. But we will be just silent or just ignored? No. It is the sort of emotional response that Egert Belitsev, the director general of the Estonian border force, does not countenance. The Russian provocations are endless in Narva, he said. Surveillance blimps appear in the sky, asylum seekers surreptitiously followed by Russian border guards with video cameras have been steered over the bridge (and then pushed back by the Estonian guards), GPS signals have been jammed, crippling search and rescue operations, and buoys in the river demarcating the border have been removed. Its something in order to cause some mess, to see how we react, he said. How far are we willing to go? What are we able to do? Each reaction by the Estonian authorities is portrayed by Kremlin propagandists as militaristic, belligerent and an attack on the rights of the Russian-speaking people in Narva. This despite Putin suggesting in 2022 that it would be justifiable to take back and secure Narva for Russia. Talk of the appearance among the brutalist Soviet-style blocks in Narva of little green men, the colloquial term for unmarked Russian soldiers, are roundly said to be far-fetched but it does not need to go that far to be damaging. Igor Taro, Estonias interior minister, a former journalist, is in charge of carefully calibrating government policy. He makes regular visits to the city a priority; indeed the countrys prime minister, Kristen Michal, was in Narva opening Europes largest rare-earth magnet factory when he received news of the Russian jets breach of the airspace. Each of the governments contentious policies, Taro insisted, had an explanation. The Russian-language schools were driving segregation. The symbols of occupation needed to be removed. The opportunity of citizens of an aggressor state to vote in Estonian elections was no longer appropriate or safe. But he is not blind to the dangers. We were in a kind of situation where it was hard not to react, to do these decisions, he said. The Estonian security services keep a watchful eye on Narva, he said. On Thursday, a Narva citizen was convicted of spying for the FSB, the Russian security service, since 2017, and seeking to sow discord. He was just a regular working guy, but very social, communicating with lots of different people, and could gather quite different information, said Taro. The Estonian government learned from the experience in Ukraine, he said, where political activists emerged in Donetsk and Luhansk in the east, and ultimately spearheaded break-away republics. Thats what we are trying to avoid here, he said. They are trying to do it. Theyre trying to prepare the soil, in information warfare and in all the kinds of domains, but we have the measures to cut them off. He added: We have been training for all other possibilities with this bridge. The best public interest journalism relies on first-hand accounts from people in the know. If you have something to share on this subject, you can contact us confidentially using the following methods. Secure Messaging in the Guardian app The Guardian app has a tool to send tips about stories. Messages are end to end encrypted and concealed within the routine activity that every Guardian mobile app performs. This prevents an observer from knowing that you are communicating with us at all, let alone what is being said. If you don't already have the Guardian app, download it (iOS/Android) and go to the menu. Select Secure Messaging. SecureDrop, instant messengers, email, telephone and post If you can safely use the Tor network without being observed or monitored, you can send messages and documents to the Guardian via our SecureDrop platform. Finally, our guide at theguardian.com/tips lists several ways to contact us securely, and discusses the pros and cons of each. BMW recalling almost 200,000 cars in the US over potential fire risk BMW is recalling almost 200,000 cars in North America, including the U.S., over a potential fire risk. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a notice this week of a recall on certain BMW models, warning, The engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit. This defect may increase the risk of a fire, federal regulators warned. The recall affects certain BMW models from 2019 to 2022. Here is a full list of recalled cars: BMW 330i; model years 2019 to 2021 BMW Z4; model years 2019 to 2022 BMW 530i, X3 and X4; model years 2020 to 2022 BMW 430i and 430i Convertible; model years 2021 to 2022 BMW 230i; model year 2022 Some Toyota Supras from 2020 to 2022 are also included in the recall. BMW is recalling almost 200,000 cars in the United States over a potential fire risk (Mario Tama/Getty Images) Federal regulators warned owners of recalled cars to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until they can fix the issue. Dealers will replace the engine starter at no cost to the owner, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said. Letters notifying owners of the recalled cars safety risk will be sent out on November 14. Owners will receive a second notice as remedy parts become available, federal regulators said. Federal regulators warned owners of recalled cars to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until they can fix the issue (Brandon Bell/Getty Images) In August 2024, BMW recalled more than 720,000 cars in North America due to a faulty electric water pump that could short circuit and, in rare cases, potentially cause a fire, CBS News reported, citing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Around this time last year, BMW said it was lowering sales and earnings targets for the 2024 fiscal year, partially because of a costly braking system recall in February of that year, Associated Press reported. More than 1.5 million vehicles were impacted globally, including 270,000 in the U.S., per the AP. BMWs net profit in 2024 fell by about 37 percent, CNBC reported. Craig and Lindsay Foreman had planned to reach Brisbane, Australia, in July - Family Handout A British woman detained in an Iranian prison with her husband on espionage charges has been placed on an intravenous drip, her son has told The Telegraph. Lindsay Foreman and her husband, Craig, were arrested in January while driving through the country as part of an around-the-world motorcycle tour. Ms Foreman, a 52-year-old therapist from East Sussex, is being held in Qarchak Prison, a women-only jail near Tehran that human rights organisations say disregards the most basic principles of human dignity. She is staying in an overcrowded cell with 70 other women with temperatures reaching up to 50C, according to her son, Joe Bennett. Ms Foremans husband, also 52, has been transferred to Evin Prison, the same prison where Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, the British-Iranian dual citizen and charity worker, was held for four years on false espionage charges. Pictures were released of Hugo Shorter, the British ambassador to Iran, meeting the Foremans, whose faces were blurred out - Iranian state media Mr Foreman is also physically deteriorating and has been suffering from a dental abscess, according to Mr Bennett, who is leading a public campaign to try to secure his mother and step-fathers release. The family maintain that the couple are innocent and that they have been pulled into a geopolitical position that they shouldnt be in. A meeting between the family and Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary, is expected to take place on Oct 16, The Telegraph understands. A court hearing in Iran about their detainment was scheduled for Saturday, however Mr Bennett said they have no idea what was discussed and that he is likely to only learn of the outcome approximately 10 days later. Mr Bennett said his mothers daily rations are bowls of rice that are occasionally supplemented with fruit and vegetables bought from the prison shop, which is stocked only once a month. Toilet paper is also unavailable unless it is bought from the prison or given as a gift by another inmate. She is sleeping on an iron bed with no mattress, and it was only recently that the family were able to have a yoga mat sent to the prison. Mr Bennett said overcrowding at the prison is likely to have risen following Israels bombing of Tevin Prison in June, which forced a significant number of female prisoners to be transferred to Qarchak. He said the only direct communication he has had with his mother in eight months was an eight-minute long phone call at the end of July. The 31-year-old tech salesman from Folkestone, Kent, said: Theres a severe case of overcrowding, which in turn is unsanitary, which in turn can lead to sickness. From the most recent ambassador visit and the most recent information that we have got is that my mum was on a drip. Hopefully its precautionary. The fact that shes on a drip would suggest that there has been some kind of medical professional [visit]. The one thing that has been said throughout is that the mental strength of the two of them is pretty good. How long that lasts for, who knows? Craig and Lindsay Foreman had planned to spend only five days in Iran - Family handout Mr Bennett said he was growing increasingly worried about his stepfather who is reporting about always being ill. He has had dental problems with an abscess and not being treated for, as of yet. This is what he said to us, the conditions are worsening his health. Mr Bennett said the family have weekly meetings with Foreign Office representatives to discuss the case. He added: We know that they are absolutely innocent the charges of espionage and being spies are absolutely crazy. They are not attached to any political party, are not criminals, and they have been out there for nine months and thats nine months too long. Hamish Falconer, the Middle East minister, said: We are deeply concerned by reports that Craig and Lindsay Foreman have been charged with espionage in Iran. We continue to raise this case directly with the Iranian authorities. The FCDO are providing them with consular assistance and remain in close contact with their family members. Rachel Reeves has been dealt a blow by the Budget watchdog as it slashes estimates on a key economic indicator for the UK, raising fears the chancellor will need to hike taxes. On the eve of the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, The Independent can reveal that the chancellor has been told the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) will substantially reduce its estimates for productivity in the economy which will lead to even lower economic growth. It means Ms Reeves will need to find even more money to balance the books, just weeks before her crucial Budget in November, putting further strain on the manifesto commitment not to raise one of the three big taxes income tax, VAT or national insurance contributions from employees. She will also be left with a Budget deficit in 2030 which, economists warn, mean she has to raise taxes even higher than previously thought. Rachel Reeves is under severe pressure to balance the books but not raise taxes for working people (PA) The chancellor is pushing for the OBR to pin the blame on 14 years of Conservative government and previously over optimistic estimates by the body, in a bid to reduce the political damage. The OBR has been under pressure to ensure it is clear that none of Ms Reevess measures in government including 30bn of tax rises in the last Budget are to blame for its revision downwards for productivity. A senior source told The Independent: The OBR will make it clear that the revision has nothing to do with any of the measures brought in by this government. The chancellor is already struggling to fill a 40bn black hole and sources close to Ms Reeves have admitted the political impact of the renewed forecast ahead of her Budget will be deeply unhelpful and that she is braced for an onslaught from the opposition parties. However, they noted: Really, the OBR has been having a higher estimate on productivity than everyone else for years which is why they decided to review their measurement. If anything, the problem was the Tories [in government] never meeting the level the OBR expected before. Mel Stride says the chancellor has herself to blame for the UKs economic woes (PA) The Tories claim she only has herself to blame pointing to indicators from the Bank of England that businesses have lost confidence and investment is stalling. Economic productivity is the measure of how efficiently resources are used to produce goods and services (outputs) and is a key driver of economic growth, higher incomes and improved living standards. The number is being downgraded because the UK has always failed to meet the economic productivity figures estimated in recent years by the OBR. Professor Stephen Millard, deputy director of the influential National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR), agreed Ms Reeves could not be blamed for the downgrade. But he warned: "The revision does mean that, without any policy change, the OBR will now be forecasting a current Budget deficit in five years time. So the chancellor will have to raise taxes to close the gap. And the gap is going to be higher than it would have been absent the downward revision. Recently, Ms Reeves admitted publicly that the economy is not working well enough. She was already under pressure to break the manifesto commitment and hike income tax or to bring in a series of wealth taxes. With Andy Burnham openly looking at replacing Sir Keir Starmer as leader, and Labour lagging up to 10 points behind Nigel Farage and Reform UK, Ms Reeves needs to be able to turn economic indicators around to give the government a boost. Reeves and Starmer are struggling with fiscal dilemmas and poor poll ratings (AFP/Getty) However, the productivity downgrade comes after the downward revision on economic growth by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. Political opponents believe Ms Reevess spending hikes without asking for efficiency savings as well as tax rises have made the situation much worse. Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride said: If the OBR downgrades productivity, the chancellor only has herself to blame. A downgrade wont be because of the past, but because of the damage Rachel Reeves is doing to Britains future. Business investment is stalling, work is being taxed more heavily, and economic confidence is draining away all under Rachel Reeves's watch. He added: This is all a direct consequence of Labours decision to raise taxes on jobs and abandon pro-growth reform. Instead of taking responsibility, the chancellor is already reaching for her usual excuse: blame everyone else. But the numbers dont lie this is Labours mess. Leading economists who have been highly critical of Ms Reeves's tenure in the Treasury have come down on her side over the long-term problem with productivity. But they warned she has not done enough to change the trend on productivity. Former Treasury minister and Goldman Sachs chief Jim ONeill, who was brought in as an adviser to Ms Reeves while she was in opposition, said: Given that the economy has done better than consensus forecasters so far in 2025, I don't think you can really blame current government. That said, they haven't done enough with their framework to boost public investment spending to get OBR to boost offsets to the OBRs previous over enthusiasm. Shanker Singham, chair of the Growth Commission, warned the UK economy needs a reset. He said: I think all governments going back 30 years or so take responsibility. It is clear that, in that period, economic growth in the UK and the G7 more widely, with the exception of the US, has been anaemic. These countries seem to be hell bent on doing all the things that damage economic growth, while simultaneously paying lip service to it. He warned: We have regulated the price of energy upwards and we have made labour markets less flexible which is a major driver of GDP per capita growth. In the UK, we have persistently failed to take an axe to planning regulations which have tied developers up so nothing can be built. Now we are looking at nationalising services instead of making the privatisation that did take place work better by introducing competition. Ms Reeves, who was in Southport on Saturday unveiling investment in the North, has announced a series of major projects recently including a second runway at Gatwick airport and changes to the planning laws to try to bring economic growth. The Treasury has said it will not comment on speculation about the OBRs forecasts. (AFP via Getty Images) Leopard shark threesome filmed Dr Hugo Lassauce, a researcher from the University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia, was doing his daily snorkel monitoring leopard sharks when he saw something no human has witnessed. Two males were swimming alongside a females pectoral fins; upon closer inspection they were mating. (Dr Hugo Lassauce) The footage he captured, published in the Journal of Ethology, is the first of its kind. Leopard sharks are critically endangered and Lassauces discovery should provide crucial information about their mating patterns and locations, aiding conservation efforts. (Meta) Metas new smart-(ish) specs Last week, Metas CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, hosted a keynote presentation to showcase the latest Meta Connect smart glasses product. The event had a mixed response, with live demonstrations going awry, from Zuckerberg failing to get the glasses phone call function to work after four attempts, to an onstage chef accidentally activating hundreds of sets of glasses in the audience by saying Hey Meta, start live AI on the mic. Regardless of the awkward showcasing, Zuckerberg maintains this tech will be vital for cognitive advantage in the future. The wearable hardware allows users to constantly be in dialogue with an AI chatbot, view the world through augmented reality and take photos or videos. These advantages come at a cost, however, including looking like the grandpa from Up. (Alamy/PA) Its the economy, stupid A study from Erasmus University suggests poorer areas have lower fertility rates, complicating the assumption that wealth alone drives slower population growth. Based on more than 6,000 participants, the research showed a strong link between social disadvantage and fertility outcomes. The study found poverty, lower education and reduced household income were consistently associated with a lower likelihood of conceiving. The findings emphasise the need for targeted public health strategies to better support disadvantaged couples. (PA Wire) Gene therapy could help fight Huntingtons Huntingtons disease is a rare brain illness with no known cure. But pharmaceutical companies are in a race to find the most efficient treatments. This week, the results of an exciting trial were published in Nature, which tackled the defective huntingtin gene at its root cause through gene therapy. Using a revolutionary technique that uses a micro DNA as a kind of muzzle to stop the huntingtin gene from producing the damaging protein that slows the brain, the results from the trial were promising. 75 per cent of the 29 participants who received a high dose of the treatment directly into their brains saw an improvement in their condition of the disease, a drastically higher rate than most treatments available today. (via REUTERS) A bone to pick with history A million year old skull discovered in China has forced scientists to rethink the entire origin story of the human species also known as the Homo sapiens. Previously, experts thought Homo sapiens emerged as a distinct group of prehistoric large brained mammals around 600,000 years ago, alongside the over groups of erectus, heidelbergensis, longi and neanderthalsis. However, after much analysis, experts, who digitally reconstructed a skull that was found in the Hubei province of China, have concluded it was not from a homo erectus as previously thought but a Homo longi, also known as Dragon Man. The new perspective on the skull changes everything, suggesting our ancient ancestors split into their distinct groups one million years ago, far earlier than previously estimated. Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has told STV bosses he is deeply concerned about plans which could see jobs cut and a dedicated news programme for the north of Scotland axed. Mr Robertson has written to STV chief executive Rufus Radcliffe about the impact cost-saving proposals could have, particularly on the broadcasters Aberdeen newsroom. It comes as STV is seeking to make 2.5 million of savings by next year, with First Minister John Swinney having already said he is concerned about the proposals. The Culture Secretary stressed while the internal structures of STV were a matter for the company and its board, the Scottish Government is concerned by proposals that put sustainable Scottish jobs and the outputs of STV services at risk. STV is understood to have told staff on Thursday that up to 60 jobs could be cut along with the removal of its dedicated north of Scotland television news programme. The broadcaster plans to replace its central belt and north of Scotland news with a single programme from Glasgow, which will include sections devoted to regional news. The cancellation would require permission from the regulator Ofcom and it is expected to begin a consultation shortly. In his letter to Mr Radcliffe, the Culture Secretary accepted STV is facing challenging financial circumstances and working to adapt to a changing environment. But Mr Robertson insisted he is deeply concerned that these moves will see significant reductions in news provision and public service broadcasting in Scotland. The Culture Secretary continued: The sustainability of quality news from reliable sources is crucial in the fight against false or misleading information. It is alarming to see decisions to reduce services and resources of news provision across the country, particularly given STVs public service commitments to invest in news and help tackle misinformation. It is also a worrying step backwards when we are seeing these trends throughout the sector in response to advertising downturns and financial challenges. Mr Robertson said he would continue to champion stronger journalism and a Scottish broadcasting sector, adding he would also urge STV against any decisions that would result in further reduction in news reporting in Scotland, redundancies of Scottish-based staff and erosion of trust in STVs operations and output in Scotland. Mr Radcliffe said earlier this week he has every confidence that STV will navigate the currently difficult trading environment and go on to deliver sustainable value to our shareholders. The chief executive added: We recognise that our cost savings programme impacts colleagues across the business and we are committed to supporting people through this change. These steps are necessary to strengthen our financial resilience and position STV for long-term growth. DNA evidence has helped solve the murders of four teenage girls in a yogurt shop in Austin, Texas, more than three decades ago. Police announced Friday that Robert Eugene Brashers had been linked to the brutal killings in 1991, which have since become some of the most notorious crimes in the state capitals history. Amy Ayers, 13; Eliza Thomas, 17; and sisters Jennifer and Sarah Harbison, ages 17 and 15, were bound, gagged and shot in the head at the I Cant Believe Its Yogurt store where two of them worked. The building was then set on fire. Investigators said previously that a suspect had entered the building through the back door of the store near to closing time and attacked the girls before setting the fire. Their bodies were found while firefighters tackled the blaze. Eliza Thomas, 17, sisters Jennifer and Sarah Harbison, ages 17 and 15, and Amy Ayers, 13, were bound, gagged and shot in the head at the I Cant Believe Its Yogurt store where two of them worked. Police announced Friday that Robert Eugene Brashers had been linked to the brutal 1991 killings (HBO/ YouTube) The autopsy revealed heartbreaking and gruesome details about the manner in which the girls had been killed. Their hands were tied with underwear and mouths were gagged with cloth. Ayers had been shot twice. Brashers died by suicide in 1999 during a standoff with police in Missouri. In addition to the yoghurt shop murders, he has also been linked to several killings and the rape of a 14-year-old girl in other states. Brashers died by suicide in 1999 during a standoff with police in Missourri. In addition to the yoghurt shop murders, DNA has also linked him to several killings and the rape of a 14-year-old girl in other states (Missouri Highway Patrol vi AP) Fridays announcement came amid renewed attention on the case with the release last month of The Yogurt Shop Murders, an HBO documentary series. Police said the case remains open and scheduled a Monday news conference to detail their findings. The murders stunned Austin and police investigators struggled to find credible leads for years, after dealing with several false confessions and badly damaged evidence from the burned-out crime scene. Our team never gave up working this case, Austin police said Friday. Tributes lay on a memorial Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, for four teenage girls who were killed in a yogurt shop in 1991 in Austin, Texas (AP) During their investigations authorities arrested four men on murder charges in 1999. Two of them, Robert Springsteen and Michael Scott, were teenagers at the time of the murders. They initially confessed and implicated each other, though both men quickly recanted and said their statements were made under pressure by police. However, they were still tried and convicted of the crimes. A judge ordered both men freed in 2009 when prosecutors said new DNA tests that weren't available in 1991 had revealed another male suspect. The alleged stabbing murders of Dau Akueng, 15, and Chol Achiek, 12, in Melbournes west have fuelled debate about youth crime in Victoria. Photograph: mtreasure/Getty/ Guardian Design Elijah* tried to keep out of trouble when he got out of lock-up. A new path seemed within reach, but he was torn. It was so mixed feelings, he recalls. I wanted to change my life, but I had a bunch of stuff on me it was like two things fighting at once. Within weeks, the teenager, who had previously been swept up in burglaries, had joined one of Melbournes youth gangs. Things escalated from there. The stabbing deaths of 15-year-old Dau Akueng and 12-year-old Chol Achiek in Melbournes west earlier this month have fuelled debate about knife crime and youth offending in Victoria. Youth crime is nothing new, but people working with young offenders in the state say the nature of offending has changed. Crime prevention programs say they are frequently referred children whose offences include carjacking, aggravated burglaries and carrying weapons. Children comprised 1,128 of the 5,400 serial repeat offenders responsible for 40% of crime in Victoria last financial year, police said this week. The youth offenders were arrested a combined 7,118 times. Victoria police have charged eight teenagers with murder over the deaths of Dau and Chol. Elijah, 17, credits enrolling in an alternative education school for students who have disengaged from mainstream education for helping him choose a different path. If it wasnt for the school, then I probably would be locked up again or dead, he says. This school is gangster. They look after you, they feed you. They actually check on you. If he comes to school feeling sad, Elijah says his teachers know what to do: Theyll just leave me alone or I can sit on the bean bag and listen to music, he says. Sign up: AU Breaking News email Theres no point of being disrespectful. If theyre looking after you, feeding you, treating you with respect, theres no bad in the school. Along with attending this school, which supported him through numerous stints in custody over the past few years, Elijah says he has increasingly turned to his Christian faith. Recently, he stopped carrying weapons. Even though I want to carry a sword, or I want to do a lot of things, I dont do it, he says. I started relying more on Jesus. It took away a lot of pressure on myself and it made me feel just happy in general. He used to always carry a sword or knife whatever he could fit in his pants. Sometimes he would even carry a weapon to church. It was often a safety measure, he says, because other people hated him. Im not gonna sit down and watch people come to me with a knife. Victoria has banned machetes but frontline workers in crime prevention programs say young people repeatedly tell them they carry weapons because they are scared or feel as if they have no other choice. Elijahs classmate, Kenji* says he has also carried weapons for protection. After the deaths of Dau Akueng and Chol Achiek he fears for his safety. I feel like it could happen to me as well, he says. Because its happening to a lot of people out there, innocent people as well, he says. When his mother saw a video about what happened to Chol she was crying even though she didnt even know who he was. Having finished a diversion order for numerous violent offences, which involved attending meetings including with a youth worker and mental health service, and not offending for 12 months, Elijah is about to begin a pre-apprenticeship. He says disputes between young boys can begin as a petty rift, often over girls, that then spiral into violence. Its even for the fame people dont do it to get rich and then spoil their families. People do it to get rich and then get girls, he says. Kenji says conflict between groups can start online. Talking to someone over the internet it just causes problems. It could be the root of some problems with gangs, he says. A lot of people die over online stuff. Youth Support and Advocacy Services crime prevention manager Navin Dhillon says his organisations early intervention crime programs are increasingly seeing referrals for more complex alleged offending and for children as young as 12. Dhillon is hopeful of turning childrens lives around because the advocacy service is often the first one to work with these young people. Were able to get in quite efficiently and quite effectively to try and divert them, he says. Victorias childrens commissioner, Meena Singh, says it can be difficult for people to understand that some young offenders increasingly pilloried as emblematic of a crisis in the state were themselves victims of violence. Conflicts between gangs are at the heart of some of the violence. A bail decision published in June for a 17-year-old charged with an alleged murder of an 18-year-old involving machetes, is one example. Police allege that over the space of seven weeks the conflict between two gangs led to the father of the accused being held at gunpoint during a home invasion, a non-fatal beating and stabbing with a machete, and the release of a rap music video in which the victims gang taunted their rivals. Police believe the alleged murder was retribution for the music video. Pat Boyle, a former Victoria police detective superintendent who left the force in 2022, says he has tried many times to change the approach to youth gangs, and the states failure to do so means the problem has become far worse than he could have imagined. Boyle researched the states youth gangs as part of a Churchill Fellowship, which included speaking with police in Europe and North America. He found that including health, education and social service providers in solutions was vital to driving down crime. He says Scottish authorities, for example, looked closely at the foster homes youth offenders had been sent to and found that some children were preyed upon by neighbouring crooks or paedophiles, speeding up the cycle of reoffending. The Victoria police youth gang strategy for 2023-26 says gang members, motivated by status, commit violent crimes, such as robberies and assaults. In Victoria, the states most vulnerable children in child protection and who have contact with the youth justice system often referred to as crossover kids are at a greater risk of being charged with offences, Sentencing Council research has found. Singh says young people involved in the child protection system are overrepresented as victims of youth violence and as youth offenders. Singh says children in care are so misunderstood. The circumstances of those kids lives have led to the government saying we can be a better parent, but whats happened after that is an overrepresentation in criminal offending, she says. Victorias Commission for Children and Young People is working on an inquiry into the experiences of people who were aged between 10 and 13 when they first came in contact with the criminal justice system. Singh says the initial findings were not surprising, reiterating that discussions about how to reduce youth crime too often failed to hear from the young people involved in criminal offending. We just need to get the basics right for young people: safety at home, responding to their health needs, mental and physical, supporting their education needs, she says. Elijah has his eyes set on his pre-apprenticeship and leaving behind the violent offending he says he grew up with. He remains friends with the boys in the gang he joined after his release from youth detention. Having spent time homeless together, these boys are bonded by a brotherhood. Weve made money together. I starved with them. Weve ate together. I cant let go. I wouldnt. *Names have been changed Europe put one hand on the Ryder Cup with a stunning performance on an ill-tempered second day of competition at Bethpage Black. The defending champions won six of the eight points available on Saturday to open up a commanding 11.5-4.5 lead over the United States and move within three points of outright victory. It was a day of high drama and tension, with players arguing and the action being paused at times due to the boorish behaviour of a raucous home crowd. Heated words were exchanged between Tommy Fleetwood (left) and Bryson DeChambeau (David Davies/PA) Yet Luke Donalds side rose above the distractions to deliver a near knockout blow to the shellshocked hosts. Europe tightened their grip with a 3-1 victory in the morning foursomes and for some time a fourball clean sweep looked possible until the hosts clawed the second session back to 3-1. Emotions boiled over as Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose thrashed Bryson DeChambeau and Scottie Scheffler, while Rory McIlroy defied taunts to deliver another telling point. World number two McIlroy was heckled throughout the day and shouted at one fan to shut the f*** up as he prepared to take a shot during his morning foursomes win. He remained a target in the afternoon and both he and partner Shane Lowry needed to pause on numerous occasions as comments were aimed at them as they addressed the ball in their match against Justin Thomas and Cameron Young. Thomas appealed for calm on their behalf at times and extra police were also needed to keep order. Despite the frenzied atmosphere, the Irishmen pulled through to win a tense, tight encounter by two holes. Ultimately a birdie two by McIlroy on the 14th proved crucial but it took some nerveless putting down the stretch to hang on to the lead before victory was secured on the last. Temperatures were also high as Rose and Fleetwood claimed a 3&2 win over world number one Scheffler suffering a remarkable fourth defeat from four and the fiery DeChambeau. Justin Thomas stepped in to appeal for calm (David Davies/PA) Rose was the key figure, winning four holes thanks to some clinical putting, but an argument broke out between Fleetwood and DeChambeau after the 15th was halved. The incident was sparked by Rose asking DeChambeaus caddie to move out of his eyeline as he putted and the pair needed to be separated as they walked to the next tee. Yet there was no way back for the American pair and the match ended with handshakes all round after halving the 16th. It was Fleetwoods second win of the day, having successfully combined with McIlroy in the morning, and it looked like Jon Rahm could follow suit. WHAT A SPECIAL FINISH Fitzpatrick & Hatton close out in style!#TeamEurope | #OurTimeOurPlace pic.twitter.com/eygKHFLfEq Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 27, 2025 The Spaniard and Sepp Straka led by one after 16 against JJ Spaun and Xander Schauffele but late errors saw them surrender the last two holes to lose by one. Yet while that took some gloss off the day for Europe, it was immediately countered by Tyrrell Hatton and Matt Fitzpatrick snatching victory on the 18th. The final match of the day had been tame by comparison until exploding into life as Fitzpatrick played a brilliant bunker shot to within inches of final hole. Hatton, summoned only at the last minute after Viktor Hovland pulled out with a neck injury, then pitched to a similar distance and the Europeans took a one-hole win. Russian crew in front of the newly built "Novorossiysk" in August 2014 (AFP via Getty Images) A Russian submarine with nuclear capability has reportedly suffered a serious accident in the Mediterranean Sea. The Novorossiysk, a 242ft Kilo-class submarine, is said to have surfaced above the Strait of Gibraltar yesterday (Friday). According to Russian Telegram channel VChk-OGPU, fuel is now building up in the hold, creating a risk of explosion. The channel, which is known to have contacts within Russian intelligence, told its 330,000 subscribers that crew members may be forced to pump the fuel directly into the sea. VChk-OGPU reported: Novorossiysk, currently on combat duty in the Mediterranean Sea, is experiencing serious technical problems. Due to damage in the fuel system, fuel is leaking directly into the hold. There are no spare parts for repairs or qualified specialists on the submarine, and the crew is unable to fix the malfunctions. The serious accident has caused other problems as well. The accumulated fuel in the hold is an explosive hazard. The source believes the crew has no choice but to start pumping out the hold directly into the sea. The situation has drawn comparisons to the Kursk submarine disaster on August 12, 2000, when the Russian Oscar II submarine exploded in the Barents Sea during its first major naval exercise in a decade. That explosion was linked to leaked hydrogen peroxide colliding with a catalyst, which caused the failure of a Type 65-76A torpedo in the forward torpedo room. A second blast then ripped through the vessel, sinking the submarine and killing all 118 crew members on board. Launched in August 2014, The Novorossiyisk is part of Russia's Black Sea fleet but it not thought to have been used in the invasion against Ukraine. The diesel-electric attack submarine can stay underwater for 45 days and is manned by a crew of 52 people, and it also has capacity to carry nuclear Kalibr missiles. The vessel's sister submarine Rostov-on-Don was reportedly sank by Ukraine in August last year; and the Royal Navy has monitored the Novorossiyisk since it appeared in the English Channel in January. Defence Secretary John Healey told Parliament yesterday that a Royal Navy nuclear submarine was forced to surface next to The Novorossiyisk in November last year in order to ward it off. Illustration: Nicolas Ortega/The Guardian default It has taken barely two weeks for Donald Trump to turn the horrific killing of Charlie Kirk to his political advantage, unleashing an unprecedented peacetime assault on free speech and a free press on the back of the assassination. Since Kirks death, the president and his top team have: forced a private media company to suspend late-night TV star Jimmy Kimmel for inaccurate comments he made about Kirks suspected shooter; threatened other TV networks with losing their licences should they say things Trump doesnt like; vowed to prosecute hate speech that is fully protected under the first amendment; declared antifa a terrorist organisation in an indiscriminate attack on political ideology; and told journalists covering the Pentagon that they will have their access revoked unless they agree to restrictions on their reporting. Thats a far cry from the promise Trump made on the first day of his new presidency. On 20 January, hours after he had been sworn in as 47th president, Trump sat at his desk in the Oval Office and applied his distinctive signature to executive order 14149 Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship. The order pronounced that government censorship of speech was intolerable in a free society. It promised that under Trumps watch, no federal official would engage in any conduct that would unconstitutionally abridge the free speech of any American citizen. It was a bold pledge to return America to the values of free speech and expression enshrined in the first amendment of the US constitution. But for some observers following events that day, the executive order was to be taken with a large pinch of salt. I knew at the moment that the ink was not even dry, that executive order 14149 was a load of BS, said Matt Welch, editor-at-large of the libertarian magazine Reason. I knew it would not last. Despite the administrations rush to censorship as a result of Kirks killing, Trump has so far enjoyed almost complete support from the Republican party and his wider Make America great again (Maga) movement. Relatively few voices from the right of American politics have cried foul. But those voices are pointed, and in the longer term potentially critically important. Many of them subscribe to libertarianism, with its emphasis on individual rights, civil liberties and limited government. Or as Reason puts it, devotion to free minds and free markets. Other free speech critics have raised their voices from the wider conservative movement, while a few brave souls have even spoken out against Trump from within the Republican party. Collectively, they articulate a conservative and libertarian critique of Trumps second presidency that, given that it comes nominally from his own side, may carry some weight with the president as he proceeds to pulverise constitutional norms. Their presence lonely though at times it may seem underlines that Trump and his Maga army have not yet secured an absolute monopoly of thought on the right. As guardians of free speech trying to hold back an increasingly authoritarian tide, they can also offer tentative clues as to how American conservatism might one day claw its way back from Magas iron grip. But for now they remain engaged in a long, uphill battle. We are locked in a type of memetic combat, Welch said. Were standing on the sidelines trying to get their attention, telling them that each new development is making it worse, and they are not listening at all. *** Rightwing thinktanks have been central to Trumps second presidency. The Heritage Foundation presented him with the blueprint for his incendiary return to office: the 920-page Project 2025. America First Legal, founded by the White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, has provided legal ballast for many of Trumps key ambitions. They include tearing down diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and initiating mass deportations. But as Trump has begun aggrandising his own power and wielding it against his opponents, a separate heavyweight thinktank, the libertarian Cato Institute, has emerged as a thorn in the presidents side. When government officials use the power of the state to suppress speech ... it places a core restriction on individual liberty Thomas Berry Initially, Catos belief in small government and deregulation led it to show enthusiastic support for the Maga agenda. Within 48 hours of Trumps second inauguration, the thinktank had flagged up 22 of his predecessor Joe Bidens executive orders including several countering the climate crisis and enhancing healthcare, all of which Trump dutifully revoked. It also offered its own blueprint, in this case a manual for Elon Musk and his demolition crew, the department of government efficiency, that was so well received that Rolling Stone dubbed Cato Doges unofficial think tank. More recently, however, Trumps egregiously unconstitutional assault on the first amendment has goaded Cato into speaking out as a rare but influential adversary on the right. Thomas Berry, Catos director of constitutional studies, told the Guardian that several of Trumps recent actions had offended one of the institutes most fundamental values. When government officials use the power of the state either to suppress speech or tilt the free marketplace of ideas, thats incredibly dangerous in the long term. It places a core restriction on individual liberty the right to say what you want and say what you believe, he said. Cato began objecting to Trumps authoritarian tendencies well before Kirks death. In June the thinktank joined a coalition of groups in filing an amicus brief supporting Harvard in its lawsuit against the Trump administration after billions of federal dollars were withheld from the university ostensibly as punishment for its failure to combat antisemitism. Cato also expressed concern about Mahmoud Khalil and Rumeysa Ozturk, students from Columbia and Tufts universities respectively, whom the administration tried to deport after their public criticism of Israels war in Gaza. Berry called the administrations yanking of Harvard funding and the student immigration actions core infringements on academic freedom and speech. He also denounced Trumps executive order last month vowing to prosecute anyone burning the American flag. As he pointed out, there is ironclad legal precedent that flag burning is protected speech. Since Kirks killing, Berry has watched the unfolding of Trumps free speech for me, but not for thee response with mounting alarm. Disneys temporary cancellation of Kimmels late-night show for misrepresenting the Kirk suspect as a Maga supporter after threats of government penalties from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), was in Berrys estimation a clear example of government power being used to suppress speech that the administration doesnt like. Then there was the intervention of Pam Bondi, the US attorney general, who days after Kirks death vowed to prosecute hate speech. Like flag burning, hate speech is fully protected under the first amendment, as the countrys top law enforcement official ideally should have known. Ironically, Kirk himself was clear on this point, saying last year: Hate speech does not exist legally in America. Theres ugly speech. Theres gross speech. Theres evil speech. And ALL of it is protected by the first amendment. Berry also regards as a free speech violation Trumps threats to go against leftwing groups he dislikes. On Monday the president designated antifa a domestic terrorist organization, a move that potentially breaches the first amendment by criminalising political ideology. All of these quick-fire steps after Kirks assassination towards controlling public discourse leaves Berry profoundly apprehensive. Im very worried about what the executive branch is trying to do, he said. In particular, the Cato director is concerned about what he calls the capitulation factor. He fears that private companies such as Disney, ABCs owner that suspended Kimmel for six days before the comic was allowed back on air on Tuesday, will settle with Trump rather than stand up for constitutional rights. Long term, well get through this, Berry said. But in the short term a lot of speech is going to be chilled without ever getting into court, and thats very, very bad. *** Opposition to the assault on free speech goes beyond the libertarian right. Other prominent public figures from conservative and libertarian circles have spoken out, indicating fissures that, should they grow, could challenge Trumps Maga hegemony. Bari Weiss, a rising star on the anti-woke right who is being reportedly groomed for a top job at CBS, has castigated the president in her online outlet, the Free Press. In an editorial, the site decried Trumps many threats against media organisations as a case where the medicine is worse than the disease. In Congress, senator Ted Cruz, normally a reliable Trump acolyte, warned the president to avoid habitually bullying media companies. If he did, it would end up bad for conservatives. Thomas Massie, a Republican congressman from Kentucky who has led the charge to have the Epstein files released, compared Bondis threat to prosecute hate speech to George Orwells dystopian thought crimes. Even the Maga cheerleader Tucker Carlson cleared an episode of his online show to rail against the risk of hate speech laws being introduced in America. Were that to happen, Carlson said, then civil disobedience would be called for. Because if they can tell you what to say, theyre telling you what to think, there is nothing they cant do to you because they dont consider you human. People are motivated by censorship envy the idea that the other side got to suppress speech they disliked Eugene Volokh So how did it come to this? How did Trump go from executive order 14149 to threatening an ABC reporter to his face last week that he might face prosecution because you treat me so unfairly? How did JD Vance move from pledging in February that under Trumps leadership we may disagree with your views but we will fight to defend your right to offer it in the public square, to calling for a mass doxing of anyone who had celebrated Kirks murder? How did the FCC chair Brendan Carr veer from having denounced in 2023 government censorship as the authoritarians dream, to using his federal power to force Kimmels suspension with the mob-like menace: We can do this the easy way or the hard way? Eugene Volokh, a libertarian conservative who is a senior fellow at Stanfords Hoover Institution, has a word for the Trump teams razor sharp U-turn on free speech. He calls it censorship envy. Its human nature to want to restrict speech that you disapprove of, to retaliate, he said. People are motivated by censorship envy the idea that the other side got to suppress speech they disliked, so I should jump on the bandwagon and get some of that action too. Volokh added that in his opinion Trumps get-you-back censorship was a mistake. Its bad for the country. Its bad for the conservative movement. That admonition was echoed by Sabrina Schaeffer, a member of the executive team of the R Street Institute, which preaches classical liberalism, individual liberty and free markets. She said that she has been scratching her head over the past few days as so many Republicans applauded the clampdown on free speech. I know theyre tired of woke politics. But this should be a cautionary tale, because one day Democrats will hold the levers of power again and then they will be even more empowered to shut down dissenting views. Welch, who regards his strain of libertarianism as neither of the right nor left, sees the current moment against the long arch of history. Under Ronald Reagan, the Republican party was a broad church that combined conservatism with libertarian activism, with free speech as one of its central tenets. What Trump has unleashed, by contrast, is going against Reagan and 40 years of American politics. People are so addicted to power right now that they are throwing principles out the window. Related: Rightwing podcasters run rampant with Charlie Kirk conspiracies: Its craven opportunism It was Republicans, Welch pointed out, that in the 1970s and 80s led the charge on free speech grounds against the FCCs so-called fairness doctrine that required TV networks to carry opposing viewpoints on controversial public issues. That is a world away from the Republican chair of the FCC threatening a broadcast company over one comment from a comedian. I care about the federal government telling a private broadcaster how they are supposed to conduct their business, Welch said. Thats crazy. Catos Berry is clearly disturbed by the turn of events, but he has not despaired. For him, the way out of this quagmire lies with the American judiciary and the first amendment itself, which he regards as the strongest safeguard of free speech in the world. I remain confident that the courts will uphold the principles that the government cannot be biased, that it cannot chill speech through selective enforcement, that there is no law against hate speech. As for Welch, he draws comfort in the storm from a more amorphous source. He looks to the American spirit, and a characteristic within it that he believes has been integral since even before the countrys founding. That is, the ability of Americans to trash each other. We criticise, always have done, he said. We have just always been kind of assholes, cheeky. Welch sees the portrayal of Trump in the latest season of the animated sitcom South Park as a seamless continuation of this trait. The president is depicted as a censorship-addicted dictator sleeping with the devil. That gives Welch hope. I feel like the South Park in all of us will eventually win, he said. Its the natural place for us to be, and by the time Trump finally goes, hell find himself on the losing end. The best public interest journalism relies on first-hand accounts from people in the know. If you have something to share on this subject, you can contact us confidentially using the following methods. Secure Messaging in the Guardian app The Guardian app has a tool to send tips about stories. Messages are end to end encrypted and concealed within the routine activity that every Guardian mobile app performs. This prevents an observer from knowing that you are communicating with us at all, let alone what is being said. If you don't already have the Guardian app, download it (iOS/Android) and go to the menu. Select Secure Messaging. SecureDrop, instant messengers, email, telephone and post If you can safely use the Tor network without being observed or monitored, you can send messages and documents to the Guardian via our SecureDrop platform. Finally, our guide at theguardian.com/tips lists several ways to contact us securely, and discusses the pros and cons of each. default The Government will underwrite a 1.5 billion loan guarantee to Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) as it continues to face a shutdown following a mass cyber attack. The British carmaker has been forced to suspend production at its UK factories for several weeks after being targeted by hackers. The shutdown is expected to last until October 1 at the earliest, leaving the companys suppliers in limbo. The loan, from a commercial bank, is expected to give those suppliers some certainty amid the continued shutdown. The Government will give its backing to the loan through the Export Development Guarantee (EDG), a financial support mechanism aimed at helping UK companies who sell their goods overseas. It will be paid back over five years, and will help to bolster JLRs cash reserves as it pays back companies in its supply chain, who have been majorly impacted by the shutdown. Business Secretary Peter Kyle during a visit to Jaguar Land Rover supplier Webasto, in Sutton Coldfield (Jacob King/PA) Business Secretary Peter Kyle said: This cyber attack was not only an assault on an iconic British brand, but on our world-leading automotive sector and the men and women whose livelihoods depend on it. Following our decisive action, this loan guarantee will help support the supply chain and protect skilled jobs in the West Midlands, Merseyside and throughout the UK. Were backing our automotive sector for the long term through our modern industrial strategy and the landmark trade deals weve signed to boost exports, as part of our Plan for Change. The UKs largest carmaker, JLR was hit by a cyber attack on August 31. Unions and politicians have warned since that small suppliers producing parts for the car giant could collapse without urgent financial support. Mr Kyle this week met workers and bosses at Webasto, which makes sunroofs for JLR. The brand has the largest supply chain in the UK automotive sector, which employs around 120,000 people and is largely made up of small and medium-sized businesses. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: Jaguar Land Rover is an iconic British company which employs tens of thousands of people a jewel in the crown of our economy. Today we are protecting thousands of those jobs with up to 1.5 billion in additional private finance, helping them support their supply chain and protect a vital part of the British car industry. Chancellor Rachel Reeves described JLR as a jewel in the crown of our economy (Darren Staples/PA) In the aftermath of the attack, ministers have been in contact daily with JLR and cyber experts, as the company attempts to restart production. Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith said: It is welcome to see that the Jaguar Land Rover supply chain an important capability in our country that creates and supports thousands of automotive jobs is finally being supported by the Government with loan guarantees in precisely the way we suggested. Ministers have got to the right place but took too long to get there. Labour must also pick up our suggestion of a cyber reinsurance scheme to protect British businesses from state-backed actors in an increasingly dangerous world. Britains firms and manufacturers deserve a government that is not distracted by scandals and infighting and that understands business. Liberal Democrat business spokesperson Sarah Olney said: The Government and JLR must urgently clarify whether this emergency loan is going to be enough to properly protect tens of thousands of jobs and companies in the supply chain. This move is of course welcome and hopefully not too late but the Government has been too slow to act. The Government must be prepared to provide further support, including a furlough scheme for affected workers, if needed. We must also see a plan for ensuring cyber security standards are improved so that situations like this arent repeated. Liberal Democrats will continue to hold the Governments feet to the fire so our car industry is protected. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham meanwhile said the loan was an important first step and demonstrates that the Government has listened to the concerns raised in meetings with Unite over recent days. She added: This is exactly what the Government should be doing, taking action to protect jobs. The money provided must now be used to ensure job guarantees and to also protect skills and pay in JLR and its supply chain. Keir Starmer said digital ID cards would make it tougher to work illegally in this country. Photograph: Jack Taylor/Reuters Keir Starmer has announced plans for a digital ID system, which will become mandatory as a means of proving the right to work in the UK. From concerns around civil liberties and cybersecurity to a helpful system to streamline services in line with other European countries existing ID schemes, eight people share their views. A danger of the system evolving into mass surveillance This issue was not given to the electorate in the mandate and is being addressed in a parliamentary recess. It does not sit well with me. I did not vote for this. Countries such as France already operate with digital identification systems, yet still face challenges with irregular or unauthorised crossings. Introducing a digital ID does not in itself close borders or prevent determined illegal entry. There is a danger of such a system evolving into a form of mass surveillance or being misused for state control. The requirement for everyone to register with a state-controlled digital identity raises serious questions over data security, privacy and oversight. Rory, engineering service planner, London It allows streamlined access to services Most European nations have a similar scheme in place it allows streamlined access to services and is universally accepted by the population and businesses alike. We already have gifted our personal information to both private and publicly owned companies extending this from the NHS and HMRC apps can only be a good thing. The personal details held by private companies are more easily hacked than our government-held data, and yet we seem so happy to share it. Paul, GP, Hampshire A hackers dream Absolutely terrible idea. Holding all your information in one place is a hackers dream. We already have countless ways we can provide our identity passports, driving licences and so on. There is absolutely no need for this, and its just so the government can try to gain control over illegal working in this country. It makes me absolutely livid that they expect us to put our data at risk to try to control an issue that they are unable to solve. I will absolutely not be signing up to this. Anna Best, IT consultant, Oxford Related: Digital ID cards: a versatile and useful tool or a worrying cybersecurity risk? I hope it paves the way for something bigger I hope it paves the way for something bigger. Im not really bothered by all the illegal immigration stuff, but when my mother lost capacity due to illness earlier this year, I spent so much time trying to prove who I was, and who she was, to doctors, utility providers, the DWP and on and on and on. It was a nightmare. The lack of joined-up records across service providers is a nightmare to navigate. I hope digital IDs will be a step in addressing this. To me, this is worth the potential privacy downsides which everyone seems to be preoccupied with. Sometimes, we find ourselves relying on the state in ways we didnt expect, and in those moments, ensuring the state has up-to-date information on us is maybe no bad thing. Thomas, 30, London We are being forced to own a smartphone Yet more things I will be frozen out of, or made very hard, through my choice to not have a smartphone for my wellbeing. We are being forced to own a smartphone in order to be able to engage in society and it is not OK. The smartphone and constant online engagement is deeply responsible for poor mental health in many of us, and the government keeps making it harder and harder to exist without one. Even doctors surgeries assume you have one and send links for you to follow to your phone ones you obviously cannot follow on a brick phone. Whats wrong with showing a passport? Eve, 38, self-employed, Glossop I have no confidence in the governments ability to resist American tech giants As a professional software developer, I put the odds that the UK government will be able to pull off this enormous centralised IT scheme without scandal at about 0%. I have no confidence in the current governments ability to resist the honeyed words of American tech giants. When it comes to databases, I can only think of a few players big enough to do that for a whole country in a hurry I dont trust the UK government to make a good decision here if these companies offer to help with this scheme, despite the enormous problems that would pose for digital sovereignty and data protection. Furthermore, if its called Brit card then half of Northern Ireland and a third of Scotland will hate it passionately. Alexander, 36, software developer, from Scotland, now living in Denmark The introduction of the ID scheme is a gimmick I am from Mexico and moved to the UK 10 years ago as a student. The introduction of the ID scheme is nothing more than a gimmick aimed at those unfamiliar with the existing process of proving your right to work, live or rent. People moving to the UK already have to provide evidence through an e-visa or a physical BRP [biometric residence permit] card, and both employers and estate agents are legally required to check these documents and carry out verification. My concern is that this will create an unnecessary extra step for those who already have to provide this type of evidence. Dani, 35, from Mexico, now living in Exeter I have an ID card in France I find it practical As a citizen of France as well as the UK I am required to have an ID card in France but not in the UK. My French card, the size of a credit card, has my photo and a chip which records my personal data including my fingerprints. It acts as a passport within the Shengen area. It has been used when I needed to rent, for work etc, and I find it useful and practical, given that if I want to, say, rent a property, I have to give information. It makes sense for me that this is included on my ID card. I wholeheartedly support the introduction of such cards in the UK. So I have no concerns whatsoever, as long as the system is not privatised. Neil Booker, 70, retired, lives in France We are just getting started: MAGA lawyer warns James Comey indictment is only the first step Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted on charges of obstruction of justice and lying to Congress in a dramatic escalation of President Trump and MAGA movement's retribution campaign against their political enemies and according to Trump and his supporters, it may not be the last. "We are just getting started today with this indictment. It's going to get much worse for the Democrats," said lawyer Mike Davis of The Article III Project. Davis is a Trump ally and has advised the president. Now, the Department of Justice has subpoenaed records tied to the travel of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, according to The New York Times. It's unclear whether Willis herself is a subject of the inquiry or if she will face charges, but it's the next step in Trump's apparent prosecution of his enemies. Willis, who brought election interference charges against Trump in Georgia, saw her case falter after an appeals court disqualified her over her past relationship with a senior deputy. The ruling, which cited an "appearance of impropriety," was left intact when Georgia's Supreme Court declined to intervene last week. The DOJ is also investigating New York state Attorney General Letitia James and John Bolton, who was a national security official in Trump's first term. Comey, who oversaw the FBI during Trump's early presidency, has long been a top MAGA target over his role in the Russia investigation. James Comey, who oversaw the FBI during Trumps first presidency, has long been a top MAGA target over his role in the Russia investigation. He was indicted on Friday on accusations of lying to Congress, and a top lawyer said the administration is just getting started. (Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) The indictment accuses Comey, whom Trump fired in 2017, of making false statements and obstructing justice during congressional testimony in September 2020. The document notes that a grand jury didnt concur on one of the charges prosecutors originally sought. The charges stem from questioning in the Senate, where Comey defended the truthfulness of prior testimony where he said he did not authorize FBI investigations into Trump and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to be leaked to the press. A former official who worked under Comey, Andrew McCabe, has claimed the director did, in fact, authorize him to leak to the press, a 2018 inspector general report found. However, the report also found McCabe had made false and misleading statements in the past. Comey stated that he did not authorize someone at the FBI to be an anonymous source, the Justice Department said in a statement on Thursday. According to the indictment, that statement was false. Days before charges were filed, Trump publicly demanded Attorney General Pam Bondi prosecute Comey and other perceived enemies, including New York Attorney General Letitia James and Rep. Adam Schiff. No one is above the law, Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote on X. [It] reflects this Department of Justices commitment to holding those who abuse positions of power accountable for misleading the American people. We will follow the facts in this case. Trump later boasted of removing the U.S. attorney who previously declined to pursue charges and replacing him with his personal attorney Lindsey Halligan, who has no prosecutorial background. MAGA leaders cheered the move and the charges against Comey. Former national security adviser Michael Flynn added: Comey is the first domino to fall others must fall faster now! Legal experts, however, have questioned the strength of the case, according to Axios. Conservative lawyer Andrew McCarthy described the charges as weak, while others warned Trumps public comments could jeopardize the prosecution. Trumps base is still unsatisfied, said podcaster Tim Pool. Many arent optimistic that Trump will actually indict others or even succeed with Comey. The US Department of Justice has subpoenaed records tied to the travel of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. She spearheaded the case that saw Trump get a mugshot. (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) The Georgia case is in limbo and Trump has used the mugshot to promote himself. (via REUTERS) In Georgia, the states highest court last week rejected Williss appeal to return to Trumps election interference case, leaving the prosecution in limbo. Willis was forced off the case after revelations about her romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, whom she had hired. The Prosecuting Attorneys Council of Georgia will decide whether to reassign the case. If it continues, Trump likely wont face trial until after his presidency ends in 2029, though several of his co-defendants could be tried sooner. Four Trump allies, including attorneys Jenna Ellis, Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro, have already pleaded guilty. Trump, who has labeled Willis corrupt and said she should be in jail, celebrated the ruling as another defeat for what he calls illegal Political Lawfare. On Truth Social, he wrote: They went after their Political Opponent at levels never seen before, and LOST. They are now CRIMINALS who will hopefully pay serious consequences for their illegal actions. The World Health Organization headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland - Denis Balibouse/REUTERS The prohibitionists at the World Health Organization are starting to let the cat out of the bag. At a side meeting at the UN General Assembly in New York City this week, Dr Saia Mau Piukala, the WHOs Western Pacific chief, launched into an anti-alcohol polemic. After fondly recalling the time he banned alcohol from all WHO events in his region, he said that he had a simple but powerful message: Alcohol leaves a mark. And together, we will work to erase it for good. On the face of it, this seems to be an explicit call for the worldwide eradication of a substance that has been enjoyed by humanity for more than ten thousand years. The most generous interpretation is that it is only the mark of alcohol the health risks, in other words that the WHO wants to erase. But the WHO itself has repeatedly claimed, contrary to a vast body of evidence, that when it comes to alcohol consumption, there is no safe amount that does not affect health. The mark of alcohol can therefore not be erased without erasing alcohol itself. The event at which Dr Piukala was speaking raises further questions about the direction of the WHO. It was organised by Movendi International, whom Piukala praised for playing a vital role in the crusade against booze. You probably havent heard of Movendi. They used to be known as the International Organisation of Good Templars, but that sounded too sinister and so they changed to something blander. Movendi International could be any nondescript corporation a financial investment firm or a public affairs agency, perhaps. In fact, it is a zealous temperance group. The Independent Order of Good Templars was founded in the 1850s by Protestant teetotallers to campaign for the prohibition of alcohol. By 1906, it had become a truly global movement and changed its name to the International Order of Good Templars. After the fiasco of Prohibition in the USA and similar failed experiments in other countries, it began to drop some of its Masonic elements and became the International Organisation of Good Templars. In the late twentieth century, it realised that it could better achieve its objectives incrementally by infiltrating the field of public health. Now preferring to be known as IOGT International, it formed a youth branch which received funding from the EU and in 2020 changed its name to Movendi International, describing itself as an abstinence organisation and boasting of having more than 170 years worth of advocacy experience. Much of that advocacy involved campaigning for prohibition, but it nevertheless became a non-state actor in official relations with the WHO and made an official arrangement with the agency to draft advocacy materials linked to WHOs activities and increase support for alcohol control initiatives. As the Sunday Telegraph reported last year, it has formed good relations with some leading activist-academics in the field of alcohol research. Movendi is one of the civil society groups that Dr Piukala described as essential in his speech this week. Drinkers everywhere should be worried about a gospel temperance society collaborating with the worlds biggest health agency, although the WHO has become so puritanical and dogmatic in recent years that it is hard to know which of them is more extreme. They both want to denormalise alcohol through advertising bans, licensing restrictions and sin taxes. They both claim that drinking is harmful at any level. They both compare alcohol to tobacco and equate the alcohol industry with the tobacco industry. This is no small thing when WHO Europe explicitly says that its goal is to create a society that is not just tobacco-free but nicotine-free. Oktoberfest guests enjoying beers, which the WHO may disapprove of, Sep 23 - MICHAELA STACHE/AFP Is alcohol next? The idea that the WHO, or anyone else, will be able to erase alcohol is preposterous. Even the idea that the WHO can create global alcohol policy when the actual policies of member states range from complete prohibition in some Muslim countries to relative laissez-faire in parts of Europe is faintly ludicrous. But the intent is there. In any case, the WHO and its outriders can do a great deal of damage without achieving full prohibition. Any government looking to squeeze more money out of drinkers through taxation and minimum pricing can cite the WHO as an authority and echo its rhetoric about there being no safe level of alcohol. When our Government proposed warning labels for alcohol in its 10 Year Plan for the NHS this year, it cited a Movendi webpage as evidence of efficacy. Whatever plans the Government has for alcohol, they are surely not as extreme as the plans these fanatics have for it. A time may come when member states will have to decide whether it is alcohol or the World Health Organization that has to be erased for good. Shelves in a Seoul convenience store stocked with South Korean hangover remedies, from jelly sticks to pellets. Photograph: Raphael Rashid Eighteen years ago, people didnt even know the name of this ingredient, says 58-year-old Gil Sa-hyeon, holding up a cluster of dried brownish stems. Now its everywhere. His shop, Joseon Yakcho, sits in the heart of Seouls Yangnyeongsi Market, South Koreas largest traditional medicinal herb market, its streets lined with shops displaying buckets of herbs such as liquorice root and cinnamon bark that spill on to the pavements, filling the air with their distinct, earthy aroma. The ingredient Gil is referring to is hovenia dulcis, known in Korean as heotgae the oriental raisin tree thats become the cornerstone of South Koreas booming hangover cure industry. South Koreans take their hangovers very seriously. For many, the morning-after ritual still involves a steaming bowl of haejangguk, or hangover soup. Often made with napa cabbage, dried pollack or even congealed oxblood, its a comfort food as much as a cure, with specialist restaurants opening early for bleary-eyed regulars. More recently, though, the cure has gone commercial. Walk into any convenience store and youll find entire sections dedicated to hangover remedies, from traditional drinks to trendy jelly sticks and tablets designed to ward off the suffering. Most contain extracts of hovenia dulcis, though some use other ingredients said to help, including red ginseng, milk thistle or even seaweed. The countrys hangover cure market reached approximately 350bn won (190m) in 2024, according to NielsenIQ Korea, up 10% from the year before. Despite the markets growth, South Koreans are actually drinking less, with per-capita alcohol consumption falling steadily since 2015 and post-pandemic shipments of beer and spirits still below 2019 levels. Analysts link the shift to a combination of factors, from companies cutting back on mandatory after-work boozy sessions to a health-conscious younger generation favouring moderation over binge drinking. Prof Joo Young-ha, a cultural anthropologist at the Academy of Korean Studies who specialises in food culture, says the appeal of hangover products for younger drinkers is as much social as practical. They often buy multiple products in advance to share as gifts during drinking sessions, turning hangover prevention into part of the evenings etiquette, he says. Taeyoung Hwang, an analyst at market research firm Mintel, says that while hangover recovery products remain niche markets globally, South Korea and Japan represent exceptions. They have mature and widely adopted hangover recovery product industries deeply tied to their respective drinking cultures, Hwang says. According to Mintels analysis, South Korea has launched the most hangover products globally in the past five years. Many have become indispensable daily consumer goods, with the so-called Korean Wave enabling international expansion. The global popularity of Korean culture, including K-pop and K-food, is fuelling interest and driving demand for Korean hangover recovery drinks in markets like south-east Asia and beyond, Hwang says. Hovenia dulcis is often promoted as an age-old Korean remedy. Many articles claim that it features prominently in traditional medicine, but experts say this is often overstated. While hovenia dulcis appears in classical Chinese medical texts which historically influenced Korean medical scholarship it was incorporated into Korean medical literature in later centuries and only recently became a commercial phenomenon, part of a broader movement to retroactively attribute traditional health benefits to modern products. Interest in hovenia dulcis for hangover relief only began in the early 1990s, starting with Japanese patents, then Korean scientific research followed, says Dr Choi Goya from the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine Testing the claims Studies in South Korea have examined various parts of hovenia dulcis for potential detoxifying effects, though evidence remains largely limited to animal research. In laboratory settings, researchers found fruit extracts of hovenia dulcis reduced blood alcohol concentration in rats, and fermented fruit vinegar reduced levels of both alcohol and acetaldehyde the toxic compound produced when the body breaks down alcohol. Scientific literature has also found that the plant increased activity of alcohol dehydrogenase, an enzyme that breaks down alcohol, and may protect the liver from alcohol-related damage. However, the body of research has major limitations, including studies of different plant parts, a lack of high-quality human clinical trials, and inconsistent quality standards. Medical researchers remain broadly sceptical about hangover remedies, though a Kings College London systematic review found hovenia dulcis fruit extract among several substances showing statistically significant results in human trials, albeit with very low-quality evidence. Until recently, Korean companies could make hangover cure claims without needing proof, which prompted local regulators to crack down on the industry. In January 2025, new rules required companies to conduct human trials showing measurable improvements in things like hangover symptoms and blood alcohol clearance. Companies that failed to do so have until October to provide new evidence or face a ban on hangover-related marketing claims entirely. For many, though, hangover remedies are perhaps less about scientific certainty and more about comfort, routine, and the shared culture of drinking. Lee So-young, a 26-year-old office worker, has been buying hangover products since university. I dont know if they really work, she says. But theyre cheap, and sometimes I do actually feel better. Thats good enough for me. Kamala Harris outraged by the indictment of James Comey: Are you f***ing kidding me? Kamala Harris had some choice words about the indictment of former FBI boss James Comey. Its frustrating, but more than that, its painful to see, Harris said, speaking to CNN Friday when asked what she made of Trumps term so far. I mean whats happening with Comey, are you f****** kidding me? The United States Department of Justice? The Department of Justice indicted the former FBI director in documents that were made public Thursday, accusing him of making false statements and obstructing justice during congressional testimony in September 2020. No one is above the law, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote on X. [It] reflects this Department of Justices commitment to holding those who abuse positions of power accountable for misleading the American people. We will follow the facts in this case. Kamala Harris had some choice words about the indictment of former FBI boss James Comey (AP) During her failed presidential campaign against Trump in 2024, Harris also a former San Francisco district attorney and California attorney general warned that he would go after his political enemies. He said it, we knew he would do it, Harris told CNN. But it is every day, unrelenting. The indictment of Comey, who was fired by Trump in 2017, is the first in a series of potential charges against critics of the president, who has demanded that Bondi launch swift prosecutions against his political adversaries. In a Truth Social post on Saturday September 20, the president publicly told Bondi, We cant delay any longer and called for action now against Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Democratic Senator Adam Schiff of California, another frequent critic of his. Trump also replaced the U.S. attorney for the district where Comey was indicted with Lindsey Halligan, an administration official with no prior experience as a prosecutor. During her failed presidential campaign against Trump in 2024, Harris also a former San Francisco district attorney and California attorney general warned that he would go after his political enemies (AFP via Getty Images) In her interview with CNN, Harris also noted that Trumps social media post had been addressed to Pam and suggested it had been a direct order to the attorney general. Asked if the indictment of Comey signaled the crossing of a Rubicon, Harris replied, I dont know. Define Rubicon. In a statement released following news of his indictment, Comey said his heart is broken for the Justice Department and described Trump as a tyrant. My family and I have known for years that there are costs to standing up to Donald Trump, but we couldnt imagine ourselves living any other way, Comey said. We will not live on our knees and you shouldnt either. My heart is broken for the Department of Justice, but I have great confidence in the federal judicial system and I am innocent, so lets have a trial, he added. Members of the West Dulwich community who campaigned to scrap the LTN in their neighbourhood. From left, Robbie Owen, Jonathan Fowles, Victoria Freestone, Richard Aldwinckle and Almira Mohamed - Julian Simmonds A Labour council has failed to refund up to 1.4m in fines to motorists who entered an unlawful low-traffic neighbourhood zone. In May, a High Court judge found Lambeth council had unlawfully introduced its West Dulwich LTN after ignoring the legitimate concerns of residents that it would increase traffic and adversely affect air quality. The ruling meant the south London council had to close the LTN and refund nearly 1.5m it had made from the scheme, which banned out-of-town motorists. However, a freedom of information request has revealed the total income generated from the scheme is 1,465,875.96, including income refunded and left for the refund. By Sept 26, only 1,662 penalty charge notices worth 126,715 had been refunded. The low-traffic neighbourhood in West Dulwich has proved controversial - Belinda Jiao A spokesman for the West Dulwich Action Group (WDAG), made up of residents and businesses who successfully fought the LTN, which was introduced in September last year, said: Other councils, including Southwark and Hackney, have accepted responsibility and refunded motorists when their fines were ruled unlawful. Lambeths failure to do the same is unacceptable. At the very least, those motorists whose details are still on record should have already been repaid. Had Lambeth acted promptly when the judgment was issued, far more people would have had their money back by now. Instead, once again we are forced to hold Lambeth to account. They repeatedly tell residents that schemes are imposed for our own good, but this handling of refunds shows quite the opposite. Residents protested the low-traffic neighbourhood scheme in West Dulwich in May - Belinda Jiao The High Courts of Justice in London had heard that Lambeth council staff were given wellbeing days off after residents became hostile at a public meeting over the LTN plans held in a library in 2023. The meeting became a shambolic fiasco because residents were relentless in their opposition to the scheme, culminating in staff requiring a lunch break to recover their composure, legal papers revealed. The council was found to have ignored WDAGs own consultation which found that 67 per cent of residents objected to the scheme, claiming it would adversely affect air quality, road safety and businesses. The LTN in West Dulwich raised nearly 1.5m in fines - Belinda Jiao Judge Tim Smith concluded the local people had also produced an impressive and highly relevant 53-page document about the LTN. However, he found that document did not form part of the councils considerations, which was both a masterclass in selective partial reporting and a serious failing rendering the decision to make the [traffic legal] orders unlawful. The councillor in charge of the LTN was even found to have ignored five emails and two letters from a person asking to discuss the scheme. A Lambeth council spokesman said: We continue to refund fines, and have set out a clear process that will remain open to anyone affected for the foreseeable future. The council invited those wrongly fined to make a claim on a special page https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/form/west-dulwich-healthy-neighbourho on its website. The spokesman said it was not possible to automatically refund the motorists fined because the data is deleted after six months. Liam Gallagher dedicated Oasis song Stand By Me to his older brother Paul, who is accused of rape, as the band returned to Wembley Stadium for the final UK shows of their reunion tour. Paul Gallagher, 59, denied the charge when he appeared at Harrow Crown Court, which was sitting at Southwark Crown Court, on Friday, He also pleaded not guilty to coercive and controlling behaviour, three counts of sexual assault, three counts of intentional strangulation, two counts of making a threat to kill, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Paul Gallagher leaves Southwark Crown Court in London (Jordan Pettitt/PA) The alleged offences took place between 2022 and 2024, according to the charge sheet. Oasis have returned to the UK for two final shows at Wembley as part of their Live 25 tour before they head to Japan and South Korea, Australia and South America. The brothers arrived on stage on Saturday hand-in-hand, opening with Hello, from their 1995 album (Whats The Story) Morning Glory?, with Liam holding a maraca. He greeted the rapturous crowd, saying: Have you missed us? before launching into anthems that included Some Might Say, Morning Glory and Roll With It. The hits came thick and fast, but Liam paused at one point to say: I want to dedicate this one to Paul Gallagher, before launching into Stand By Me. Oasis announced their reunion tour in August last year, 16 years after their dramatic split in 2009 which saw Noel quit following a backstage brawl at the Rock en Seine festival in Paris. The band also dedicated hit Live Forever to boxer Ricky Hatton, who died earlier this month at the age of 46. A picture of Hatton was projected onto the screen behind the stage at the end of the track from the bands 1994 album Definitely Maybe, to cheers from the crowd. The band concluded the show with a trio of their best loved songs Dont Look Back In Anger, Wonderwall and Champagne Supernova. Ahead of the final song, Liam appeared to hint the band will be back for more in 2026 when he told fans: Thank you for keeping the faith. See you next year. The group has been tipped for a return to Knebworth, the site of their famous 1996 gigs. Oasis will return to Wembley for the final UK show of their Live 25 tour on Sunday. European captain Luke Donald insists making history on day one will count for little if his team do not go on to win the Ryder Cup. Donalds side made a stunning start at Bethpage Black on Friday, winning the first two sessions to open up a 5.5-2.5 lead over the United States. They took the first three points of the day in the foursomes, the first time they have achieved such a feat in an away encounter. Obviously, to create a little bit of history with the three matches and how they were won was great, said Donald. History is nice to accomplish but it doesnt mean anything unless we get 14-and-a-half points on Sunday. Europe raced out of the blocks to quieten an initially raucous home crowd and take the foursomes 3-1. A visit from US President Donald Trump between sessions lifted the atmosphere once again, but Europe again subdued their hosts, carving out another two-and-a-half points. Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy were among the star performers. Rahm won twice, in tandem with Tyrrell Hatton and Sepp Straka, while Fleetwood claimed points alongside McIlroy and Justin Rose. McIlroy earned an additional half-point with Shane Lowry, while there was also a notable foursomes victory for the unexpected pairing of Ludvig Aberg and Matt Fitzpatrick. Donald will be hoping for more of the same from his pairings on Saturday. Aberg and Fitzpatrick will link up again to face Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Young in the opening foursomes match. McIlroy and Fleetwood face a rematch against Harris English and Collin Morikawa, who they thrashed 5&4 on Friday. Rahm and Hatton will take on Xander Schaufelle and Patrick Cantlay, while Robert MacIntyre and Viktor Hovland will play world number one Scottie Scheffler who lost twice on Friday and Russell Henley. Keegan Bradley will be hoping for a more productive second day (David Davies/PA) US captain Keegan Bradley received some criticism after the first day, notably of his decision to pair English and Morikawa, but he had no doubt about sending them out again. Bradley said: We have a plan of what were going to do and were sticking to our plan. Were not going to panic and make mistakes. Were going to stick to what we know. Tesco, Asda and Morrisons axe supplier after secret farm footage shows piglets beaten to death Workers have been filmed violently killing piglets by slamming them against concrete floors at a third farm owned by a major supermarket meat supplier after the firm promised it had banned the practice. Secret cameras captured staff illegally killing young animals by blunt-force trauma at a farm owned by Cranswick, Britains biggest pig producer, which supplies retailers with products including bacon and ham. Some animals were left writhing in agony and slowly dying over 20 minutes, according to activists who investigated Mere Farm, Barton-upon-Humber, Lincolnshire. The video shows workers kicking aside piglets with head injuries that had been thumped this way. Tesco, Asda and Morrisons suspended the farm when The Independent showed them the footage, and Cranswick sacked four staff. The company says it has introduced changes to reduce cruelty since much of the footage was taken, including installing hundreds of cameras on its 45 farms and retraining staff. Workers were caught still slamming piglets after Cranswick banned the practice on its farms (Animal Justice Project) But one worker seen in the latest footage, who was later sacked, had completed his training only around 10 days earlier. Its the third of the companys farms in under five months where staff have been found inflicting painful deaths and suffering on pigs. In May, workers were seen slamming piglets to death at North Moor Farm, Lincolnshire. The company said it launched an investigation, then at its July AGM said it had banned this killing technique. In August, covert filming at Somerby Top Farm, also in Lincolnshire, showed workers hitting pigs with boards, paddles and fists. Supermarkets said they cut ties with Somerby Top, and Cranswick said it was recruiting five new animal-welfare officers and introducing AI surveillance. A worker in wellington boots stood with all his weight on a helpless pig, still alive (Animal Justice Project) However, animal-welfare organisation Animal Justice Project (AJP) has now revealed that in footage shot in July two months after Cranswick said it had banned thumping workers were still killing piglets by grabbing their hind legs and slamming them on concrete. Until the practice was outlawed, piglets deemed too small to be profitable were routinely killed this way on UK farms. The activists said equally horrifying video clips showed a trapped sow being violently abused. Unable to get up after giving birth, the animal was allegedly left without water for over 24 hours and food for more than 54 hours. Workers repeatedly attacked the sow, kicking her with their boots on, pulling her head with ropes, treading on her side and prodding her with a sharp shovel, the footage shows. Workers in boots repeatedly kicked a pig that could not get up (Animal Justice Project) One worker even stood on her side with his full weight. Finally, they pulled her with ropes bound around her legs. The investigators also said they filmed nine piglets being thumped over four days and none were checked for signs of life. They said they filmed: One piglet thrashed in agony for up to nine minutes, ignored by staff, and another showed signs of life for 20 minutes Filthy, overcrowded sheds, with almost 200 sows in farrowing crates, many with wounds, pressure sores, cuts and scratches Dead piglets among the living Animals allegedly suffered infections, diarrhoea, necrosis and open wounds. One with a ruptured eyeball was allegedly ignored. Workers were filmed saying: Bloody hell, Id expect this to be dead and Think shes gonna die anyway, let her f***ing die, innit. AJP said footage in March showed identical practices, suggesting this is not isolated but systemic. The organisation says its planning legal action for Animal Welfare Act breaches. A Cranswick spokesman said: The behaviour depicted is wholly unacceptable and clearly breaches our values, standards and animal-welfare practices. One piglet had an eye that was bleeding and ruptured (Animal Justice Project) Much of the material appears to pre-date the significant reforms we have been implementing, including an update to our welfare standards and the installation of AI-enabled CCTV systems. We will continue to work to improve the culture and practices at our farms. The individuals filmed at Mere Farm were all dismissed as soon as we saw the footage. A Tesco spokesperson said it suspended the farm immediately pending a thorough investigation. Any failure to meet our high welfare standards is unacceptable and we take swift action where necessary, they said. Asda said it immediately suspended supply from finisher farms supplied by Mere Farm. Its estimated that the farm has 200 sows confined to farrowing crates (Animal Justice Project) A Morrisons spokesperson said the company was deeply saddened by the footage and suspended it, adding: We welcome and support Cranswicks immediate investigation. A Sainsburys spokesperson branded the mistreatment appalling and inexcusable, adding: It goes against Sainsburys values and standards in every respect. They said they were in close contact with Cranswick about the fundamental overhaul of its sites, including Mere Farm. Ayrton Cooper, of Animal Justice Project, said consumers were tired of being misled over empty high-welfare claims. An Animal and Plant Health Agency spokesperson said: We will always take appropriate action where non-compliances with welfare regulations are found. Activists said conditions were filthy (Animal Justice Project) North Lincolnshire Trading Standards said it was investigating. Animal Justice Project is calling for an independent public inquiry into pig farming. A woman walks by an election poster in the capital, Chisinau, on Friday. Photograph: NurPhoto/Shutterstock The Moldovan diaspora will hold a critical role in Sundays high-stakes parliamentary elections as the country battles against an unprecedented Russian vote-buying operation to try to unseat the incumbent pro-European party, said the former deputy prime minister. Civilian foreign interference watchdogs say Russia is flooding the overseas voter communities with cash, including one advertising campaign offering people 500 to be election observers in the EU with the lure of bonuses of up to 30,000 for evidence of voter fraud. They are basically incentivising people to report any type of violation in exchange for money. We think that it might be a preparation to say the election was rigged, Victoria Olari, a researcher at the Atlantic Councils Digital Forensic Research Lab in Chisinau, said. Moldova is considered highly vulnerable to any Russian expansion, bordering Ukraine and with a diverse population including pro-Russian voters. It is a huge operation, it is something that has not happened in any other country. They are spending crazy money, said Valeriu Pasa, a senior analyst and founder of WatchDog, another civil society monitor. Earlier this week the president, Maia Sandu, warned that the independence of Moldova, a country of just 2.7 million people, was in danger after police arrested dozens of people accused of being in a Russia-backed plot to cause violence on the streets. She has called it the most consequential election in the small countrys history, as it teeters between its powerful neighbour Russia and the EU, to which it is an accession candidate. Election experts say diaspora voters are being targeted because they played a fundamental role in last Novembers presidential elections, responsible for as much as 19% of the ballot. Nicu Popescu, a candidate for the ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) and former deputy prime minister under Sandu, said disinformation was only part of the battle. Buying votes, he said, was cheaper than missiles. The digital part, the disinformation, is about a third of their operation, but the biggest chunk of it is cash, either cryptocurrency or bank transfers. It is a massive, brutal, direct vote-buying scheme targeting online manipulators, party activists, journalists and influencers. It is also clear that the EU diaspora has always been voting pro-EU, so the Russians have been trying to also derail that, he said. However, he cautioned that the Russian goal was not to swing pro-European voters but to ensure hesitant pro-Russian voters turn out. Related: Why are Moldovas parliamentary elections on Sunday so important? Fears of interference on Sunday were further fuelled on Friday after Serbian police arrested two people accused of running combat tactical training for dozens of protesters before Sundays ballot. Sandu won a second term in office last November after tense elections with 30 to 40 fake bomb alerts across overseas polling stations. The diaspora will be crucial, because they are one of the highest proportions of voters in democratic elections across the world. This diaspora has always voted in a strongly pro-European manner, so it will be fundamental to the outcome, said Popescu. Olari said the aim of the Russians was not necessarily to get pro-Russian parties elected but to shift support away from pro-European parties and sow seeds of doubt. We saw that in Romania over two election cycles they went from pro-industrial west and pro-European to a situation where more are supporting the far right and pro-Russian groups, she said. Pasa, who has also identified attempts to buy election observers overseas, said he did not think the independent observers would be trapped into committing fraud themselves, but they were being asked to take videos and report back every two hours. I think the Russians really believe that they can find frauds, that they can find substantial differences between the numbers reported by the [Moldovan] Central Electoral Commission and by their observers. They do not believe in democracy. They cannot trust that hundreds of thousands of people will spend hours waiting to vote or travel hundreds of kilometres to take part in a democratic process. Mike Lindell, CEO of MyPillow and staunch ally of President Donald Trump, says he is toying with the idea of running for Governor of Minnesota. Were about 99 percent there, Lindell toldThe Minnesota Star Tribune, when asked about a possible run. I love the state, I love the country and if Im the only one that can win, that would be a shame if that opportunity slipped by. The businessman is one of the most vocal and zealous supporters of the president, who has pushed baseless conspiracy theories that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. Such fervor has cost him having once been worth roughly $60 million, he is now roughly $10 million in debt, The Associated Press reported in June. Lindells potential gubernatorial run in Minnesota comes despite the businessman having been living, up until recently, in Texas, as well as having been a registered voter there since 2023. Mike Lindell, CEO of MyPillow and ally of Donald Trump, says he is toying with the idea of running for Governor of Minnesota (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Candidates running for state governor must have lived in the state for more than a year to enter the race and Lindell acknowledged he would need to reestablish his residency before launching his campaign officially. If he were to run for the position in 2026, Lindell would be vying for the Republican nomination against multiple candidates who are looking to take on current Governor and former vice presidential nominee, Tim Walz who recently announced his intention to seek a third term. Reacting to news of Lindells potential run, Walz wrote on X: Donald Trumps pick for Governor of Minnesota? Mike Lindell. Join our campaign and make sure Trump and Lindell never get their hands on Minnesota. Despite his zealous support of Trump in the past, and encouragement from the president to run for governor previously in 2022, Lindell said that he has not yet discussed a potential run with him this time around. If he were to run for the position in 2026, Lindell would be vying for the Republican nomination against multiple candidates who are looking to take on current Governor and former vice presidential nominee, Tim Walz who recently announced his intention to seek a third term (AP) What I discuss with the president all the time is getting rid of the electronic voting machines, securing our elections, he told The Star Tribune. Lindell said that he would be committed to running on a platform of secure elections and common sense, should he launch a campaign. Along with other acolytes of the president, he made false claims against Dominion Voting Systems, alleging that the companies' voting machines rigged the 2020 election in former President Joe Bidens favor. This included the defamation of Eric Coomer, a former security and product strategy director for Dominion, to which Lindell was ultimately forced to pay $2.3 million. Despite his zealous support of Trump in the past, and encouragement from the president to run for governor previously in 2022, Lindell said that he has not yet discussed a potential run with him this time around (AFP via Getty Images) Like Trump, the businessman has previously criticized Walz for his response to the 2020 riots in Minneapolis and has claimed Minnesotas education system has worsened under his tenure. But he acknowledged he must figure out how campaign finance rules and other promotions could affect his business. Because I have Lindell TV, I have my own network, because Im the face of MyPillow, what I can and cant do, he told The Star Tribune. Can I still be the face of MyPillow on the commercials? We dont know. If you see this guy every day in a commercial is that unfair advertising? I dont know that. Paris and Tyson Furys daughter Venezuela gets engaged at 16th birthday party Paris and Tyson Fury's daughter Venezuela got engaged at her 16th birthday party, with her boyfriend Noah Price proposing on the dance floor. In a video uploaded to Paris's Instagram page on Saturday, 27 September, footage showed the teenage couple dancing together before Price, 15, gets down on one knee. Molly-Mae Hague, who shares daughter Bambi with Tyson's half-brother Tommy Fury, wrote "Congratulations special girl" in the post comments. Paris said she was "in shock" but "very happy" for the pair, adding that she and Tyson "couldn't be prouder." The Duke of Sussex hit out at categorically false claims that he was surprised his recent reunion with the King had been distinctly formal. Reports in The Sun claim Prince Harry, 41, even joked that he was made to feel more like an official visitor rather than a family member in his meeting with his father earlier this month. But his spokesman told the Standard: Recent reporting of The Dukes view of the tone of the meeting, is categorically false. The quotes attributed to him are pure invention fed, one can only assume, by sources intent on sabotaging any reconciliation between father and son. Presumably, those same sources have also chosen to disclose that gifts were exchanged. While we would have preferred such details to remain private, for the sake of clarity we can confirm that a framed photograph was handed over, however the image did not contain the Duke and Duchess. In September, Harry had tea at Clarence House, Charless London residence, before emerging relaxed, smiling and upbeat. King Charles and Prince Harry (Supplied) The pair spent time together face to face after 19 months apart. Their long-awaited meeting, which lasted just 54 minutes, came after Harry publicly expressed hopes of a reconciliation with his family in May. But the newspaper said it understands there are no moves for father and son to be seen together in public. He and brother William have not spoken since the late Queens funeral. The duke, who stepped down from the working monarchy in 2020, has levelled a barrage of accusations at the King, stepmother the Queen, brother Prince of Wales and sister-in-law the Princess of Wales in his Oprah interview, Netflix documentary, interviews and his autobiography Spare since moving to Montecito, California. The Sun said the duke had been contacted and later confirmed aspects of its reporting. A spokesman added: In his statement, Prince Harry confirms the exchange of gifts, including a family photograph. The office of the Duke of Sussex was given full right of reply yesterday in advance of publication and opted not to give a response to The Suns carefully sourced account of the meeting. Lynsey Robertson found out she had a deadly form of melanoma after trying out new technology at her office (Supplied) When 46-year-old Lynsey Robertson helped launch a new AI skin cancer screening tool at the GP surgery where she worked, she knew she would be among the first to try it out but she never expected to become one of its first patients. Just hours after Lynsey used the technology, the system flagged a mole on her skin as high risk, which was soon revealed to be a deadly melanoma. Lynsey, an office manager at Buckshaw Village Surgery in Preston, Lancashire, had been overseeing the rollout of its artificial intelligence skin cancer screening service. Curious, she decided to scan a patch of skin that she had largely ignored but that had slowly changed colour. The system flagged the lesion for urgent review under the NHSs two-week suspected cancer pathway. That same day, Lynseys referral was sent off to Chorley Hospital. I couldnt believe it, she said. I just kept thinking, what if I hadnt said anything? Lynsey Robertson ignored her mole for years (Supplied) The mole didnt hurt and although friends had occasionally asked about it, she had always dismissed it, assuming it wasnt serious enough to bother a doctor with. Id had it for years, she said. It wasnt causing me any trouble. I thought Id be wasting the GPs time. She was quickly booked in for minor surgery to remove the mole, but was diagnosed days later with malignant melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer that can spread rapidly through the body. Lynsey then underwent a second procedure to remove all cancerous cells, which was successful. She is now urging others not to ignore changes in their skin or unusual marks or moles, saying that had she not tested the technology at her office, who knows what could have happened. Developed by Skin Analytics, the cancer detection system uses AI to analyse images of lesions and detect potential signs of skin cancer. The software company claims to have a 99.9 per cent accuracy in ruling out melanoma. Skin Analytics developed the Deep Ensemble for Recognition of Malignancy technology (Skin Analytics) Healthcare workers can take a photo of suspicious patches of skin on a smartphone with a high-quality magnifying lens attached. The images are then assessed by AI, and any lesion that is flagged will then be further reviewed by a dermatologist. The technology, which has been deployed across the country, has been conditionally approved for the next three years and has assessed more than 200,000 NHS patients since 2020. The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence in healthcare has sparked debate in the UK as some voice concerns around data security, data bias, and a lack of human empathy. In its 10-year health plan for England, the government said it would make the NHS the most AI-enabled health system in the world with AI seamlessly integrated into clinical pathways. The NHS employs AI in hospitals and clinics (Kings College London/PA) Earlier this week, health secretary Wes Streeting said: The AI revolution is here, and we are arming staff with the latest ground-breaking technology, so patients get faster and smarter care. This government is reinstating the UKs position as a technology superpower - driving vital investment and economic growth as we build an NHS fit for the 21st century. The skin cancer screening technology is the world's first AI legally authorised to detect cancer without a doctor present, according to Skin Analytics. It says that polling of 2,000 people found that 73 per cent believe the NHS has a duty of care to use technology that has proven benefits for patients. Urgent skin cancer referrals have skyrocketed in the UK in the last decade. According to the NHS, more than 17,000 people are diagnosed with melanoma each year, and around 2,300 people die annually. A report from Cancer Research this month found that just half of the UKs cancer patients were being diagnosed within NHS Englands target of 28 days. According to Skin Analytics, 71 per cent of people believe regulated AI could help reduce NHS wait times. Mind meld: Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood were imperious as they beat Bryson DeChambeau and Scottie Scheffler in fourballs action (REUTERS) Europe put one hand on the Ryder Cup with a stunning performance on an ill-tempered second day of competition at Bethpage Black. The defending champions won six of the eight points available on Saturday to open up a commanding 11.5-4.5 lead over the United States and move within three points of outright victory. It was a day of high drama and tension, with players arguing and the action being paused at times due to the boorish behaviour of a raucous home crowd. Yet Luke Donald's side rose above the distractions to deliver a near knockout blow to the shellshocked hosts. Europe tightened their grip with a 3-1 victory in the morning foursomes and for some time a fourball clean sweep looked possible until the hosts clawed the second session back to 3-1. Emotions boiled over as Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose thrashed Bryson DeChambeau and Scottie Scheffler, while Rory McIlroy defied taunts to deliver another telling point. World number two McIlroy was heckled throughout the day and shouted at one fan to "shut the f*** up" as he prepared to take a shot during his morning foursomes win. He remained a target in the afternoon and both he and partner Shane Lowry needed to pause on numerous occasions as comments were aimed at them as they addressed the ball in their match against Justin Thomas and Cameron Young. Thomas appealed for calm on their behalf at times and extra police were also needed to keep order. Despite the frenzied atmosphere, the Irishmen pulled through to win a tense, tight encounter by two holes. Ultimately a birdie two by McIlroy on the 14th proved crucial but it took some nerveless putting down the stretch to hang on to the lead before victory was secured on the last. Temperatures were also high as Rose and Fleetwood claimed a 3&2 win over world number one Scheffler - suffering a remarkable fourth defeat from four - and the fiery DeChambeau. Rose was the key figure, winning four holes thanks to some clinical putting, but an argument broke out between Fleetwood and DeChambeau after the 15th was halved. The incident was sparked by Rose asking DeChambeau's caddie to move out of his eyeline as he putted and the pair needed to be separated as they walked to the next tee. Yet there was no way back for the American pair and the match ended - with handshakes all round - after halving the 16th. It was Fleetwood's second win of the day, having successfully combined with McIlroy in the morning, and it looked like Jon Rahm could follow suit. The Spaniard and Sepp Straka led by one after 16 against JJ Spaun and Xander Schauffele but late errors saw them surrender the last two holes to lose by one. Yet while that took some gloss off the day for Europe, it was immediately countered by Tyrrell Hatton and Matt Fitzpatrick snatching victory on the 18th. The final match of the day had been tame by comparison until exploding into life as Fitzpatrick played a brilliant bunker shot to within inches of final hole. Hatton, summoned only at the last minute after Viktor Hovland pulled out with a neck injury, then pitched to a similar distance and the Europeans took a one-hole win. It is understood that Foysol Choudhury was administratively suspended after the allegations. Photograph: Ken Jack/Getty Images A Scottish Labour MSP has been suspended from the party over an allegation of inappropriate conduct. Foysol Choudhury, who has served as an MSP for Lothian since 2021, will sit as an independent while the party carries out an investigation. A Labour spokesperson said the party takes all complaints seriously. They are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate action is taken, they added. It is understood that Choudhury was administratively suspended after the allegation. Last month the Scottish Labour MSP Colin Smyth was suspended, arrested and charged over the possession of indecent images. The week after Smyths suspension was announced, he was also charged over allegations a secret camera was placed in toilets inside the Scottish parliament which he denies. The two MSPs suspensions are not believed to be linked. The Guardian has contacted Choudhury for a comment. After Choudhurys suspension, the SNP MP Kirsty Blackman called on the Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, to urgently come clean on the reasons why yet another Labour party MSP has been suspended. The public deserve full transparency, she said. Whatever the explanation, with yet another scandal on the eve of their party conference, theres no doubt the Labour party is in crisis. The Scottish Conservative deputy leader, Rachael Hamilton, said Choudhurys suspension showed Labour are in complete chaos on the eve of their conference. The Tory MSP said: Confidence in Sir Keir Starmer is gone after a year of broken promises and U-turns, the digital ID scheme has faced instant backlash, Anas Sarwar is engaging in bizarre attacks on independent experts, and now Scottish Labour have had to suspend another MSP. Hamilton added that Labour should be as transparent as possible about what has happened. Choudhury is chair of the Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council. He was also one of the founding directors of the annual multicultural festival Edinburgh Mela, where he serves as vice-chair. The 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa is haunted by a ghost who tidies guests' belongings (Historic Hotels of America) Guests in Americas hotels come and go - but there are some who refuse to leave. And thats not to mention the members of staff who have never clocked off. Welcome to the spookiest hotels in the U.S., six properties where hauntingly good stays are guaranteed. Theres the Tennessee hotel with a room said to be haunted by a murdered guest; the grand property in Pittsburgh with mysterious elevators that refuse to serve particular floors; and a Missouri hotel with a lap pool rumored to be watched over by the spirit of a Prohibition gambler. Our paranormal portfolio also features a Colorado property with a spectral piano player and a ghostly chambermaid who unpacks suitcases. The hotel is so eerie that it inspired Stephen King to write The Shining after he stayed there in 1974. Read on... if you dare. Spookiest hotels in America 1. The Read House Hotel, Chattanooga, Tennessee The living room area in The Read House Hotel's Room 311, which is said to be haunted by the restless spirit of Annalisa Netherly, allegedly murdered in the bathtub by a jealous lover (The Read House Hotel) The Read House Hotel in Chattanooga, which appears on the National Register of Historic Places, opened in 1872 and claims to be the longest continuously operating hotel in the Southeast. Step inside and you enter a world of 1920s-style glamour: dazzling chandeliers sparkle above checkered floors, wood-paneled walls gleam, majestic green chairs beckon guests to linger and there are 241 luxuriously appointed rooms to spend the night in. But one comes with a warning. Room 311 is said to be haunted by the restless spirit of Annalisa Netherly, who, according to local lore, was murdered in the bathtub by a jealous lover in 1927. Guests whove stayed there claim to have experienced all manner of spooky happenings from unexplained noises and lights flickering without cause, to taps turning on by themselves and shadowy figures appearing out of thin air. Room 311 was restored to resemble its original state during the hotels most recent renovation. Many original features evoking Annalisa Netherlys time remain, including a vintage clawfoot tub, AM radio and a manual lock on the door that requires a physical key, just as guests would have used in 1927. If youre not brave enough to spend the night, you can request a quick tour instead. Read more: Forget Paris: Five overlooked French cities you can reach by high-speed train (from just $13) 2. The Hay-Adams, Washington, D.C. The Hay-Adams is said to be haunted by the ghost of American socialite Marian "Clover" Hooper (The Hay-Adams) Known as the closest you can get to the White House without an invite, The Hay-Adams is an iconic Washington, D.C. hotel, located just 1,000 feet from the most famous house in the United States. And it's a luxurious property befitting of its location, dripping in opulence with five-star service to match. But beneath the glamour lurk a dark history and tales of ghostly goings on. The hotel opened in 1928, built on the site where the homes of John Hay and Henry Adams once stood. Novelist Henry Adams was married to an American socialite named Marian "Clover" Hooper, and legend has it that following the death of her father, Clover suffered a dark depression, ultimately resulting in her suicide in their home in 1885. The cause of suicide was deemed to be the chemical potassium cyanide, known for its distinctive almond fragrance. It is said her residual energies never left the site where the Hay-Adams hotel now stands, and over the years, staff and guests alike have continued to encounter Clover's presence within the hotel. Some witnesses claim to have seen a full-body apparition, whilst others report bizarre noises, chandeliers mysteriously swaying, a woman crying, and strange sensations in rooms. The most common clue of Clover's haunting is an unexplained faint scent of almonds, reminiscent of the potassium cyanide that ended Clover's life. For those hoping to encounter Clover first-hand, it is rumored she is most active during the first two weeks of December. Read more: Where to find the best foliage for your fall leaf peeping treks 3. 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa, Eureka Springs, Arkansas Guests have reported seeing a shady entrepreneur in the hotel lobby sporting the same purple shirt and white linen suit he wears in surviving photographs. (Historic Hotels of America) The 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa in Eureka Springs is home to so many spirits that it even hosts ghost tours. One of the most frequently reported spectral figures is that of con man "Dr." Norman Baker. In the 1930s, when the hotel operated as a cancer hospital, he posed as a licensed physician and swindled patients out of their savings, falsely claiming he'd be able to cure them. Guests have reported seeing the shady entrepreneur in the hotel lobby sporting the same purple shirt and white linen suit he wears in surviving photographs. Another phantom presence is Theodora, one of Baker's patients who died on-site. Theodora is said to reveal her presence by folding guests' clothes and tidying up scattered belongings in their rooms. One couple even claimed that they deliberately left loose change in their room before dinner and returned to find it all neatly stacked. The 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa serves a cocktail named Theodora's Surprise in honor of its most famous eternal guest and was inducted into Historic Hotels of America in 2000. Read more: 72-hour escapes to Europe: Six itineraries to see the best sights 4. The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado Horror writer Stephen King was inspired to write The Shining after a stay at The Stanley Hotel in 1974, just before it shut for the winter (Nollie Moore) The Stanley Hotel, built in 1909 by inventor Freelan Oscar Stanley as a luxury mountain retreat, is practically haunted hotel royalty personally endorsed by horror writer Stephen King, who was inspired to write The Shining after a chilling stay in Room 217 in 1974, just before the property closed for the winter. Several ghosts are said to roam the hotel, but this room is considered one of the most active spots for spectral events. It's whispered to be haunted by the spirit of former chambermaid, Elizabeth Wilson, who was injured in a gas explosion there in 1911. Guests claim she still "helps" by unpacking suitcases and tidying rooms. But she also prudishly places a cold presence between unmarried couples. Other paranormal hotspots include Room 407, where the spirit of previous landowner Lord Dunraven is said to linger; the Concert Hall, where the ghost of Stanley's wife, Flora, plays the piano; and the Concert Hall basement, where the spirit of former caretaker Paul enforces an 11 pm curfew. Shadow figures, ghostly children, disembodied voices and footsteps are also commonly reported, particularly on the eerie fourth floor, the former servants' quarters. Book now. Read more: These hotels have very specific concierge services, from sandcastle building to a bourbon butler 5. Omni William Penn Hotel, Pittsburgh The Omni William Penn is stalked by the ghost of an author, her panda and a traveling salesman. There are spooky elevators, too (The Omni William Penn) The Omni William Penn, which opened in 1916, offers daring guests a spine-chilling range of occurrences, including a ghostly animal. This takes the form of a panda brought into the U.S. by author and socialite Ruth Harkness in the 1940s after a visit to Shanghai, an event she wrote about in a book titled The Lady and the Panda. Harkness died at the Omni William Penn in 1947, and there have been accounts from staff members and guests of a panda bear apparition inside the hotel, as well as sightings of Harkness herself. The grand property is also stalked by the ghost of a traveling salesman, a whiskey bootlegger and a former guest who died by suicide in his room in 1922 after becoming distraught about threats being made on his life. His spirit is said to take the form of a shadowy figure, with encounters involving feelings of despair and fear. The Omni William Penns elevators have also been giving guests goosebumps the doors sometimes mysteriously refuse to open at certain floors, including 16 and 17. Read more: European towns and villages that look like a Disney movie 6. The Elms Hotel & Spa, a Destination by Hyatt Hotel, Excelsior Springs, Missouri The pool at The Elms Hotel & Spa is rumoured to be haunted by the ghost of a Prohibition-era gambler (The Elms Hotel & Spa, a Destination by Hyatt Hotel) The Elms Hotel & Spa has hosted notorious gangsters Al Capone and Bugsy Moran, as well as President Harry S. Truman. But while they long ago checked out, another past guest refuses to leave, with a gambler from Prohibition days known to haunt the lap pool. The hotel is also fabled to be watched over by a ghostly housekeeper in a 1920s uniform. Guests agree that the spirits are friendly, often seen as guides to new adventures at the hotel, which fully embraces its reputation for inexplicable escapades with a Paranormal Experience Package. This includes one nights stay plus two tickets to the 9 pm Paranormal Tour, reserved at check-in. Guests can explore hidden passageways, historic halls, and tucked-away spaces throughout the property while hearing legendary ghost stories. Read more: Forget Disney: 24 real-life fairytale castles in the UK and Europe you can stay in When British entrepreneur Deborah Mitchell flew to Taiwan with her daughter on the back of another global hit with one of her beauty products 15 years ago, they were greeted by brand hysteria, starry-eyed fans wearing Heaven Skincare t-shirts and a raft of TV crews. The business meeting also seemed unconventional at least to the Taiwanese contingent. Mitchells daughter, Ella Cox, was 14 at the time and sitting in on her iPad. They thought I was drawing but I was calculating the sales thinking gosh, this is a lot of money, smiles Cox. I was giving mum notes not to sell for such and such a percentage. Thirty years after Mitchell launched her skincare brand, the Shropshire-based business is co-run by mother and daughter, as the royal warrant company looks towards a future which has been made possible thanks to the 30m company success of the founder's bee venom creations and anti-ageing creams. Read More: 'It took years for Nails.INC to become a 30m business' Visualising my future has played a really big part, says Mitchell as she approaches her 60th birthday. I planned what I wanted to do; to be a mobile beauty therapist, make my skincare and sell it all over the world. Her beautician goals have netted her a fortune in what is a remarkable British success story. Mitchell is known as the 'Queens facialist, with Camilla having first made contact from Clarence House 20 years ago quite the accolade for someone who is self-trained. Suffering from acne, she used to go home on the bus red-faced, but was able to quell the exposure by adding a chamomile desensitising product used for leg waxing to her face mask. I thought I would pop that in and wouldnt go home with a red face, she says. As the CEO of Heaven Skincare, Deborah Mitchell is famed for her bee sting facials loved by A-listers and the Queen. Mitchell later worked at a health club where she was asked if she wanted to lease a room, a former disabled toilet. She was soon doing 13,000 per month in sales, building a loyal client base and checking her homemade natural preservatives from her "lab", the boot of her car. It is a secret formula which has proved a business winner. My 'preservative' is that you dont over-preserve the product so the bacteria believes it has time to grow so it doesnt bother growing, she reveals. People dont have allergic reactions to my products as there are no horrible preservatives in them. She did hit a major snag early on when she took her skincare concoctions to a production company. They stole all my formulas and I cried for four days. After that I said I will make them better, she admits. Read more: I turned my mum's 1980s homemade Dryrobe into a 22m British success Mitchell adds that her favourite first product, the Age Defiance moisturising cream, wouldnt be the global success it is today without that experience. Cox looks at her mother as she smiles, Its my favourite too. In 2005, another best-seller loomed when Mitchell wanted to stop wrinkles appearing on her face without the use of botox. Mitchells natural "facelift in a jar" was born courtesy of a visit to her bee-keeping sister. A patented bee venom mask concept which uses venom from the worker bee to 'trick' the facial muscles into contracting for an anti-ageing effect was conceived by the following morning. The skin looks younger with a responsive action and if you put things in danger, Mitchell says of the bee sting mask. A lot of it is putting it under pressure, that isnt danger, but creating a fight within the skin, which then releases collagen and elastin. Ella Cox, right, is now Heaven Skincare's creative director and the future face of the company. (Nigel Gooding) After Buckingham Palace confirmed that the Royal Family was using her products following a newspaper article, Heaven Skincare saw overnight sales success for self-funded, mother-of-two Mitchell. She also now has a "guardian of bees" certificate after highlighting the problems the creatures face, such as climate change, habitat loss and pesticide threats. Word of mouth among celebrities helped boost her brand, from Victoria Beckham and Tess Daly to treating Duran Duran and flying across the globe. Mitchell also turned down equity from Unilever and opportunities during growth periods. If we had investment our success would have been quicker, she admits. But we are a brand which has stayed and has been even more successful in markets which might have been a flash in the pan. We now have strength and power. Cox, who is Heaven Skincares creative director, hails her mother as a trendsetter, sometimes years in advance, thanks to her product formulations and a clinical understanding of ingredients. Heaven Skincare's collagen drops contain anti-ageing ingredients. Was she always destined to work in the company alongside her mother? Perhaps not when she was sent off to school one day in a Heaven t-shirt. However, a decade ago she launched a line of cleansing wipes which were sold nationwide and Cox now plays a role in designing the skincare brand's packaging. You dont switch off and your relationship completely changes, she says of the mother-daughter role. It is a stronger one with my mother because of Heaven. She has been phenomenal to work with." But its difficult coming into a business where people might go "you're just working for your mum", so you have to earn your place. Cox, 28, has been working full-time for six years and is now a director alongside Mitchell. Heaven employs 14 full-time staff and also helps train beauty therapists from the outset. Read more: 'I started my cookie dough idea aged 50 if people believe in your passion, go for it' In June, the company officially celebrated adding the royal warrant to its Shropshire headquarters, before marking 30 years in business in August. Royal recognition was massive, says Cox. The amazing thing about having a royal warrant is before when my bee venom went global, people copied me, adds Mitchell. I couldnt do anything about it with costs and litigation, but the wonderful thing is that now we have the best product and people cant copy them. That's exciting. And what's next for Heaven? Firstly, a new digital marketing strategy led to its best August in the companys history for e-commerce sales alone. There are certain products that need to be cut as you do need to make way for new ones to come in, adds Cox. We will probably have a battle on that, muses her mother. One senses it will be a cordial one. Heaven Skincare's tips from the top Deborah Mitchell on growth Im always a person who feels they havent succeeded enough yet, which is why growth is important for me. I can say that things were easy, theyve only become more difficult as Ive got the pressure of making sure everything is successful for Ella. This gives me a burning desire to succeed even more. Deborah Mitchell has turned Shropshire-based company Heaven Skincare into a global success. Ella Cox on role models I didnt understand cash flow before I met our general manager Karen Perkins but now I have an understanding. There is a good balance working with Karen, who is tight with the purse strings, and listening to how she conducts herself on the phone. Its good to understand all areas of the business first and not tell people what you think, as you need to know your surroundings beforehand. Read more: Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android. Representative. A massive blaze the National Information Resources Service data centre in Daejeon temporarily shut down 647 government IT systems (AFP via Getty Images) South Korean authorities are racing to restore government online systems after a major fire broke out late on Friday at a central state data centre in Daejeon, crippling scores of public services. The blaze began at about 8.20pm local time on Friday inside the National Information Resources Service (NIRS) facility, after what officials believe was an explosion in a lithium-ion uninterruptible power supply battery that had been disconnected for relocation to the basement. According to Reuters, the battery was reportedly produced by LG Energy Solution. The battery explosion triggered a thermal runaway, sending extreme heat through the server room and making it unsafe for firefighters to adopt more aggressive extinguishing tactics. Around 170 to 200 firefighters, supported by more than 60 fire trucks, were deployed to the scene and worked through the night. The blaze was declared largely extinguished by 6.30am on Saturday, though officials said it partly reignited later in the morning, forcing crews to continue ventilation work. Efforts were complicated by concerns that using large volumes of water could worsen battery damage or spread fire among server units, forcing reliance on suppression systems like carbon dioxide and careful ventilation, according to The Korea Herald. Because of the damage to cooling, humidity control and power systems, officials ordered the shutdown of more than 600 servers to protect data integrity. In all, 647 government systems housed in the Daejeon centre were suspended, which officials said amounted to nearly one-third of the governments total online information systems. Firefighters also worked to extract nearly 400 destroyed lithium-ion battery packs from the building as a safety measure. One worker working on the relocation of the batteries suffered first-degree burns to the face and arms, according to Yonhap news agency. No deaths have been reported. By Saturday morning, many vital services remained offline. Among those suspended were the mobile identification system, online postal operations, the national legal database, and the central government complaints and petitions platform. Several ministries also lost access to internal email systems. The disruptions paralysed the location-tracking function of the 119 emergency rescue service and the pan-government intranet, leaving officials in Daejeon and the nearby administrative city of Sejong unable to access online systems. Citizens also reported everyday inconveniences: a 53-year-old man in Uijeongbu was unable to make a payment with a Korea Post debit card, while others found transfers from postal bank accounts suspended. Officials have warned that those relying solely on mobile ID for travel or identification might face additional disruption. In a televised emergency meeting, prime minister Kim Min Seok expressed regret over the disruptions and pledged swift action. There were difficulties in containing the fire because of the nature of critical government systems being concentrated at one site, he said. He announced that tax payment deadlines would be extended to help alleviate public inconvenience, and directed priority be given to restoring services that affect daily life. Interior minister Yun Ho Jung separately raised the crisis management level for government information systems from alert to serious and said all available resources would be mobilised to minimise disruption. The restoration timeline remains uncertain; the head of the data centre, Lee Jae Yong, said that no estimate could yet safely be given. Vice interior minister Kim Min Jae said stabilising the environmental and cooling systems is the immediate priority, after which servers would be gradually brought back online. The temperature and humidity control equipment is currently being repaired. Once this is complete, the government plans to bring the servers back online to restore the services, he told reporters. Officials emphasised that critical services postal, financial and legal systems would be restored first. Internal networks in government agencies in Daejeon and the nearby administrative city of Sejong were also paralysed, Kim said. Emergency alerts were also sent out to citizens, urging them to use alternative websites or offline offices where possible. In a public notice, the interior ministry warned: We ask for your understanding that delays or restrictions may occur on-site and pledged to extend deadlines while services remained down. Public agencies have shifted to manual processing where possible, and notices have been posted urging citizens to confirm the availability of services before visiting offices in person. The National Data Service serves as the cloud server backbone for government ministries and databases across South Korea, with additional centres in Gwangju and Daegu. However, this outage has highlighted the risks of centralisation. This is not the first time Korea has suffered from a concentrated data centre failure. In 2022, a fire in a private data centre in Pangyo knocked Kakao services offline, affecting tens of millions of users. Campaigners against Heathrow expansion. Rachel Reeves has complained that the protection of bats and newts has interfered with the UKs ability to complete major infrastructure projects. Photograph: Niklas Hallen/AFP/Getty Images Keir Starmer has tasked a Conservative peer with writing a new planning bill to remove the ability for environmental groups to delay projects such as Heathrows third runway with judicial reviews. The Guardian understands that leaving the Aarhus convention is being discussed as an option. This is an international treaty signed up to by the EU and other countries in Europe, which protects the right for campaigners to bring legal claims against large infrastructure projects such as waste plants, nuclear power stations and motorways. Related: Environmentalists rely on the Aarhus convention Britain mustnt ditch it Doing this would destabilise Britains constitution and silence legitimate objections, leading planning lawyers have warned. The chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has put Heathrow expansion at the heart of her push for economic growth, claiming it would make the UK the worlds best-connected place to do business. The Treasury sees the new bill including blocking what one source close to Reeves called stupid judicial review cases for nationally significant infrastructure projects as essential to ensuring work can start on a new runway before the next general election. Reeves has repeatedly complained that the protection of bats and newts has interfered with the UKs ability to complete major infrastructure projects. She has also insisted that pursuing economic growth must trump Labours net zero commitments, saying growth underpins everything else. Starmer and Reeves earlier this year introduced a planning bill to parliament that would override EU-derived environmental protections and put important wildlife sites at risk of development. After campaigns by activists and MPs, the government added amendments that gave some extra protections for nature. But ministers still believe deregulation has not gone far enough. Charles Banner KC has been asked by the prime minister to find a way to remove the cap on costs for groups bringing a judicial review. He has previously worked on human rights cases with Starmer, and is considered an expert on judicial reviews. He has worked on cases involving Heathrow and Stansted airports, as well as Thames Waters Abingdon reservoir. The Aarhus convention, signed in 1998, enshrines the right for citizens to challenge environmental decisions and defend their right to a healthy environment, including by capping the legal costs a losing claimant can be forced to pay. Individual claimants only have to pay 5,000, while groups such as Friends of the Earth have to pay 10,000. Lord Banner, who was made a peer by the then prime minister, Rishi Sunak, last year, has said it would be impossible to remove these cost caps without leaving Aarhus. He wrote in a review that: For so long as the UK remains a member of the Aarhus convention, there is no case for amending the rules in relation to cost caps in order to reduce the number of challenges to nationally significant infrastructure projects. The provisions ministers want to include in the bill would make leaving Aarhus a requirement, as they would contravene the convention. The new bill aims to speed up large projects, particularly Heathrow. The airport has submitted a timeline to the government claiming it could begin building the controversial third runway by the next general election if there are no judicial reviews. Thinktanks and lobbyists have also put pressure on the government to stop these decisions being subject to the convention. Britain Remade, a pro-growth thinktank that is close to No 10, has been campaigning for the convention to be looked at again. Sam Dumitriu, its head of policy, recently wrote on his blog that the government could scrap the [cost] caps altogether and treat environmental lawsuits like any other. The centre-right thinktank Onward this week published a paper including a recommendation to bring primary legislation to remove the cost caps under the Aarhus convention. Banner confirmed to the Guardian that he is working on the planning changes, but declined to comment further. Alexa Culver, a leading planning lawyer, warned against weakening rights to bring legal cases against projects such as Heathrow. She said: Judicial review is an essential protection against government overreach. It ensures that authorities decisions are made rationally, within legal powers and with fairness and proper procedure. Dismantling these protections to usher in unlawful and harmful development, for example, or to silence particular sections of the public, will distort the constitutional balance of power and fundamentally undermine public trust. An alternative to destabilising our constitution would be delivering lawful infrastructure projects which demonstrate an obvious, clear, engaging vision, purpose and use case. Any judicial review claims brought that are totally without merit should be thrown out, as they currently are. Niall Toru, a senior lawyer at Friends of the Earth, said: The government is trying to have it both ways promising that airport runways will only be approved if they meet strict legal obligations on climate and air quality, while simultaneously working behind closed doors to gag those who could hold them accountable to those promises. Instead of silencing opposition by leaving a vital treaty that enables judicial scrutiny, the government should focus on developing infrastructure that communities actually want and need. A Heathrow spokesperson said: We have submitted a proposal that will deliver the UKs gateway to growth in line with the governments timing if the right policy framework, including on planning reform, is put in place by ministers. A government spokesperson said: We are legislating in the planning and infrastructure bill to prevent meritless claims against nationally significant infrastructure projects from being dragged through numerous appeals in the court, ensuring there can only be one attempt at legal challenge if the court considers a case to be totally without merit. We are also working with the judiciary to ensure challenges against these major infrastructure projects are dealt with more quickly and efficiently, and will keep the process under review. The best public interest journalism relies on first-hand accounts from people in the know. If you have something to share on this subject, you can contact us confidentially using the following methods. Secure Messaging in the Guardian app The Guardian app has a tool to send tips about stories. Messages are end to end encrypted and concealed within the routine activity that every Guardian mobile app performs. This prevents an observer from knowing that you are communicating with us at all, let alone what is being said. If you don't already have the Guardian app, download it (iOS/Android) and go to the menu. Select Secure Messaging. SecureDrop, instant messengers, email, telephone and post If you can safely use the Tor network without being observed or monitored, you can send messages and documents to the Guardian via our SecureDrop platform. Finally, our guide at theguardian.com/tips lists several ways to contact us securely, and discusses the pros and cons of each. Mohammed Zaher Ibrahim. Photograph: Obtained by the Guardian The US state department is appointing a dedicated official to handle the case of Mohammed Ibrahim, a 16-year-old dual American-Palestinian citizen who has been held in an Israeli military prison for more than seven months, the Guardian has learned. Ibrahim is scheduled to meet with the new state department point person next week, according to people familiar with the case. The appointment marks an escalation in diplomatic efforts surrounding the Florida teenagers imprisonment at the Ofer military prison in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The development comes as Ibrahims family has intensified its campaign for the boys release. Last week, relatives joined other families of Americans killed or detained by Israeli forces or settlers in a series of high-profile meetings with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. That trip included sit-downs with more than a dozen members of Congress, as well as a press conference with the representative Pramila Jayapal of Washington state and the families of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, Sayfollah Musallet and Tawfiq Ajaq, all of whom were killed by in the West Bank in the last two years. They were accompanied by the parents of Rachel Corrie, the American activist killed by an Israeli bulldozer in the Gaza Strip in 2003. The US government has not independently investigated any of these deaths, deferring instead to Israels own inquiries. Related: One year after Aysenur Ezgi Eygi was killed, the US has not investigated. Her family wants answers The Guardian first reported that Ibrahim was arrested in February at age 15 from his familys home in the West Bank over allegations of rock throwing. The Guardian first mentioned Ibrahims imprisonment after reporting on Musallet, his cousin, who was allegedly beaten to death by Israeli settlers on the familys farm in July. The teenager has lost significant weight during his detention and at one point had contracted scabies. His family said they have been unable to maintain regular contact with him. The Guardian has reached out to Israels prison service, foreign ministry and military for comment. Military court documents reviewed by the Guardian show Israeli authorities accuse Ibrahim of throwing rocks at Israeli vehicles in at least two separate incidents. The state department said in a statement that it provides appropriate consular assistance to all citizens detained abroad, but that it would not comment further given privacy and other considerations. The case has drawn attention from Florida lawmakers, including Kathy Castor, who has publicly called for his release. More than 100 civil rights and faith-based organizations in the US also signed a letter demanding his release and US government intervention. Ozden Bennett, the sister of 26-year-old Eygi, who was killed by an Israeli sniper last year while attending a protest against settlement expansion in the West Bank, grew emotional when speaking of Ibrahim while in Washington. He feels like my little brother, she said in a meeting with the Massachusetts representative Jim McGovern. I cant do anything for my sister but we can help him. In a meeting with senators Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, she called on them to travel to the Ofer prison to demand his release, invoking Van Hollens visit to El Salvador to meet with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man who was sent there by the Trump administration despite an immigration court order preventing his deportation. Van Hollen and Merkley met with Ibrahims father during their Middle East delegation trip earlier this month, their offices confirmed. Merkley said in a statement to the Guardian that he was heartbroken to hear about Ibrahims imprisonment. He deserves humane treatment and a fair trial, he added. My colleagues and I call on Secretary of State Rubio and the Netanyahu government to uphold Ibrahims basic human rights and dignity. This article was amended on 16 October 2025. Jim McGovern represents Massachusetts, not Virginia as an earlier version said. A 10-foot statue of Tina Turner has been unveiled in the rural Tennessee community where she grew up before becoming a Grammy-winning singer, an electrifying stage performer, and one the worlds most recognisable entertainers. The statue was revealed during a ceremony at a park in Brownsville, located about an hour drive east of Memphis. The city of about 9,000 people is near Nutbush, the community where Turner went to school as a child. As a teenager, she attended high school just steps from where the statue now stands. The statue shows Turner with her signature wild hairdo and holding a microphone, as if she was singing on stage. It was designed by sculptor Fred Ajanogha, who said he tried to capture her flexibility of movement on stage, how she held the microphone with her index finger extended, and her hair style, which he compared to the mane of a lion. Fans of Tina Turner listen to guest speakers at the unveiling of a statue (Adrian Sainz/AP) Turner died on May 24, 2023 at age 83 after a long illness in her home in Kusnacht near Zurich. Her Grammy-winning singing career included the hit songs Nutbush City Limits, Proud Mary, Private Dancer, and We Dont Need Another Hero, from the film Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. Her movie credits also include Tommy and Last Action Hero. Turner teamed with husband Ike Turner for hit records and live shows in the 1960s and 70s. She survived her troubled marriage to succeed in middle age with the chart-topping Whats Love Got To Do With It, released in 1984. The unveiling was part of the 10th-annual Tina Turner Heritage Day, a celebration of her life growing up in rural Tennessee, before she moved away as a teenager. The statue was sculpted in clay and cast in bronze, and it took about a year to complete. Karen Cook said she travelled from Georgia to attend the event with her friend, a cousin of Turners, to honour the performer. Shes a great artist, I love her music, said the 59-year-old. My mom listened to her a lot. Its a big deal and a great thing for the community to have Tina Turner in her small town. About 50 donors gave money for the statue, including Ford Motor Company, which donated 150,000 dollars. Ford is building an electric truck factory in nearby Stanton. The statue stands near a museum honouring Turner at the the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Centre in Brownsville. The museum opened in 2014 inside the renovated Flagg Grove School, a one-room building where Turner attended classes in Nutbush. The school closed in the 1960s and was used as a barn before the dilapidated building was moved by truck from Nutbush to Brownsville. Steve Coogan among celebrities urging Starmer to say Israel committing genocide Steve Coogan is among a number of celebrities urging Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to say that Israel is committing a genocide in Gaza. Appearing in a video released by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) ahead of the Labour Party conference, the comedian and actor said: Keir Starmer says its not genocide, it is genocide. The two-minute clip also features musician Paul Weller, actress Maxine Peake, singer Paloma Faith, The Crown star Khalid Abdalla, Alien: Earth actor Alex Lawther, singer Nadine Shah, Extraordinary star Bilal Hasna, musician Brian Eno and Holocaust survivor Stephen Kapos. The video, calling for sanctions now, intersperses footage of war with clips of the public figures saying Its a genocide. They also list the organisations and people who have recognised Israels actions as a genocide, including charity Oxfam and the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry. The PSC will lead a national demonstration at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool on Saturday. Ben Jamal, director of the PSC, said: Almost two years into Israels genocide in Gaza, it is a mark of enduring shame that Keir Starmers Labour Party still refuses to call it what it is a genocide and take meaningful action to end Britains complicity. It is no surprise that an unprecedented influx of motions on Palestine have been sent to Labours annual conference, demanding the Government stands up for the rights of the Palestinian people. The Prime Minister must listen to this growing public outrage and acknowledge the genocide, sanction Israel and end all arms sales. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer with Israeli President Isaac Herzog earlier in the month (Alberto Pezzali/PA) Actor Abdalla said: Gaza is Keir Starmers Iraq. The refusal of his Government to use the word genocide is a craven way of evading Britains legal obligations under the Genocide Convention. It is both a moral and political failure that is eroding our democracy and which will stain the Labour Party, and Britain, for decades. We must do everything in our power to end British complicity in the crime of crimes, and stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine. Our collective future depends on it. Earlier in the month, Sir Keir confirmed the UK will recognise a Palestinian state in a move that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu branded absurd. The Cabinet Office has been approached for comment. A 14-year-old student, who survived a shooting at Evergreen High School in Colorado earlier this month, confronted the gunman and allowed his peers to flee, his family has revealed. It was around noon on Wednesday September 10 when Desmond Holly, 16, fired about 20 rounds at his classmates at the Jefferson County school, police said. Within minutes, Holly shot two students with a handgun, one inside and one outside the school, according to authorities. When police confronted the gunman, he took his own life. The two survivors, one of whom has been identified as 18-year-old Matthew Silverstone, and the other a 14-year-old boy who hasnt been publicly named, suffered critical injuries. Its been a little over two weeks since the shooting, with the community still reeling from the traumatic event. The family of the 14-year-old has decided to speak about the moments their son was face-to-face with a violent school shooter filled with anger and hatred. A 14-year-old student, who survived a shooting at Evergreen High School in Colorado earlier this month, confronted the gunman and allowed his peers to flee, his family has revealed (Jefferson County Sheriff's Office) It was around noon on September 10 when Desmond Holly, 16, fired about 20 rounds at his classmates at the Jefferson County school, police said (Jefferson County Sheriff's Office) In a statement provided by the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office Thursday, the family said their son and his friend confronted the gunman, which undoubtedly allowed time for more students to flee and the school to lock down. Our son was shot at close range. Yet, he was able to run from the school to save his own life, the statement continued. As the boy and his friend ran through the school to escape the shooter, they alerted their fellow classmates, the family said, adding that their son was able to get critical first aid once outside the school. The boy remains hospitalized after undergoing multiple surgeries. In those terrifying moments, our son showed a level of bravery, strength, and will to survive that no child should ever be asked to display, the family said. Once the boy was able to communicate with his family, he gave them a clear message: The adults responsible for protecting children must take real, meaningful action so that no child or family endures this kind of horror in school or anywhere, the statement read. Two students were critically injured in the shooting and Holly died from self-inflicted injures (Jeffco Sheriff) Silverstones family has also spoken out in the wake of the shooting. His uncle, Kris Koehler, described his nephew as kind and gentle in a video shared by the sheriffs office last week. Koehler said Silverstones mom hasnt left his hospital bedside since the shooting for fear that if something were to happen, she wants to be right there. He doesnt have a mean bone in his body, Koehler said of his nephew. He would go out of his way to help anybody. Koehler read a card a fellow student gave to Matthew, describing how he helped his classmates during the shooting. Ive heard from many different people about what you did, and all I can say is: Thank youI had heard from many about how you were telling people to get away when they were coming back from lunch. I knew many of these people, and I can not thank you enough for getting them out of there, the card read. Another card read, Thank you for your quick thinking and action during an emergency. So many of us owe our safety to you. It is truly an honor to be your classmate. Koehler said the family is coming to grips with what could potentially be a life-long recovery. Both shooting victims helped their peers during the shooting, according to family members and classmates (AP Photo/Colleen Slevin) Holly was radicalized by some extremist network, police say (Getty Images) A GoFundMe page created to help pay for Silverstones medical care said he is facing multiple surgeries. It has raised more than $484,000. The family of the 14-year-old victim has asked people to direct their donations to Silverstones fundraiser. Public Information Officer Jacki Kelley previously shared some grim details about the shooting, saying that the gunman kept reloading his revolver. He would fire and reload. Fire and reload. Fire and reload, Kelley said at a press conference a day after the shooting. And as he did that, he tried to find new targets. Kelley said Holly was radicalized by some extremist network. The FBI, which is conducting its own investigation into the shooting, told Fox News Digital the agency was tipped off about Hollys online activity in July but did not know his identity at the time. Jefferson County is also where the Columbine school shooting occurred in 1999, which saw 12 students and one teacher killed. Another student, who was paralyzed from the waist down in the shooting, died in February, and the coroner ruled her death a homicide, per The New York Times. It really sucks that were here again. Weve had our fair share of school shootings, Kelley said. Former Apprentice star Thomas Skinner has said he does not regret making the right decision to join Strictly Come Dancing. Shortly after joining the show, the 34-year-old admitted to cheating on his wife just weeks after their wedding in an interview with The Sun, having previously apologised for picking up a journalists phone and walking out of a press event for the BBC dancing show midway through. Asked if he would have changed his mind about Strictly had he known what would happen, Skinner told the Daily Mail: Not really, though if I could change my wife being upset, then I would. Skinner admitted to cheating on his wife shortly after joining Strictly (Isabel Infantes/PA) But she hasnt stopped smiling since I started Strictly, and thats why I know I made the right decision to do it. The social media star, who is known for his bosh catchphrase, went on to say that his wife was so invested in my Strictly journey, and said she was cracking up at the thought of him dancing. In the Sun interview, Skinner admitted to cheating on his wife Sinead in 2022, who he has three children with, with an attractive single mum who gave him a free cosmetic treatment after they met in a pub, named by the newspaper as Amy-Lucy ORourke, 35. In the Mail interview, Skinner added: It wasnt difficult for me because I know the mistakes Ive made in my life, but it was awful for my poor wife to read it all, and thats why I feel bad. We had already moved on from this. Im doing Strictly and Im in the public eye now. My whole life has been dug up and regurgitated and my poor wife has to read something that she has moved on from. It took a long, long time for her to forgive me and we have worked at it. I will never say Im perfect but it was hard seeing my wife relive all of this. But she said that it wouldnt break us, it wouldnt ruin us. She told me that she loves me to pieces and I love her. Skinner has been partnered with Welsh professional dancer Amy Dowden for the current series of Strictly, saying he was over the moon with the pairing on last weeks show. He has previously drawn strong criticism for X posts saying it is not far-right to be flying your flag and loving your country, and complaining it aint safe out there any more in London, saying the city is hostile and tense. Skinner met US vice president JD Vance for a barbecue and drinks earlier this year, with the star who befriended US president Donald Trumps number two on social media platform X describing the event as once in a lifetime. The Romford-born star will feature with Dowden as Strictly returns for its first live show of the current series at 6.55pm on Saturday on BBC One. Four people are confirmed dead and more remain missing after devastating flash floods hit Arizona. A state of emergency was declared in the city of Globe, around 90 miles east of Phoenix, and officials said their primary objective was search and rescue in the waterways following severe rain on Friday that continued into the weekend. Officials are particularly concerned with hundreds of propane tanks, which may have been washed downstream, causing a major hazmat issue. Carl Melford, emergency manager in Gila County told KPHO that two of the deceased were found in a vehicle, and another in the floodwaters, though were not immediately identified by authorities. A fourth was found Saturday morning by Scottsdale Fire Department near to a vehicle caught in floodwaters in suburban Phoenix. Officers said the vehicle had appeared empty after it was spotted Friday evening submerged in eight feet of water. Three people are dead and many more remain missing after devastating flash floods hit Globe, Arizona (AZFamily) However, after water levels dropped overnight crews found a person pinned underneath a walkway bridge, the department told CBS. Historic Downtown Globe is currently unsafe, with compromised buildings as well as hazardous chemicals and debris, including propane tanks. For your safety, please stay out of the area until further notice, a post from the city read Saturday. We do not need additional people in the flood zone. Extra traffic puts lives at risk and makes it harder for first responders to do their jobs. We understand the deep desire to help right now, our community always steps up. But the best way to help at this time is to have patience and allow trained professionals the space to do what is needed. Carl Melford, the emergency manager at Gila County Division of Emergency Management, asked community members to help each other out, but also urged caution. For those that are able to check on your neighbors, help out your neighbors, he said, per KTVK, though added: If volunteers self-deploy into these flooded areas, it could throw off the cadaver dogs. It could cause more issues. So we know that people would love to help, but theres, theres other ways to help, such as, you know, helping out with providing drinks or food for the shelters or anything else like that, could be a tremendous help. A state of emergency was declared in the city of Globe, around 90 miles east of Phoenix, and officials said their primary objective was search and rescue in the waterways following severe rain on Friday that continued into the weekend (AZFamily) Parts of the town and nearby roads including Highway 60 have been re-opened, though others including Broad Street remain closed to the public until all hazards have been cleared. Red Cross shelters have been opened at High Desert and Lee Kornegay. Globes Mayor, Al Gameros, thanked emergency crews for their diligent and ongoing work. Gameros said that the city had been in touch with Arizona Governor Katie Hobb's Office, as well as Senator Mark Kelly and Congressman Eli Crane. I urge everyone to be patient with the process as we continue operations. The construction of three new towns will begin before the next election, the Housing Secretary will pledge at Labours party conference. Steve Reed is expected to tell Labour members on the opening day of the partys annual gathering in Liverpool that the government will do whatever it takes to get Britain building. The priority for construction in the current Parliament will likely be Tempsford the most promising sites in Bedfordshire, Leeds South Bank, and Crews Hill, north London. While the work on 12 new towns will also be taken forward, as recommended by a report from the Governments New Towns Taskforce, published on Sunday morning. Each of the dozen new towns will have at least 10,000 homes, and could collectively result in 300,000 houses being built across England. Mr Reed is expected to welcome a recommendation by the New Towns Taskforce that at least 40 per cent of these new homes should be affordable. In its manifesto, Labour pledged to begin work on 1.5 million new homes over the course of the Parliament, to expand homeownership to more Britons. Work on 12 new towns will be taken forward, the Housing Secretary is expected to announce (PA) In his speech at Labour conference, Housing Secretary Steve Reed is expected to say: We will fight for hard-working people, locked out of a secure home for too long by the Conservative government of blockers. This Labour Government wont sit back and let this happen. I will do whatever it takes to get Britain building. Weve got to build baby build. In a nod to the new towns programme established by Clement Attlees post-war Labour government, Mr Reed will add: This party built new towns after the war to meet our promise of homes fit for heroes. Now, with the worst economic inheritance since that war, we will once again build cutting-edge communities to provide homes fit for families of all shapes and sizes. I am launching the next generation of new towns taking the lessons from the post-war Labour government housing boom mobilising the full power of the state to build a new generation of new towns and restore the dream of home ownership to thousands of families across the country. Ahead of the speech, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: For so many families, homeownership is a distant dream. My Labour Government will sweep aside the blockers to get homes built, building the next generation of new towns. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (PA) Among the steps Labour plans to take to speed up housing development is a New Towns Unit, aimed at pumping both private and public cash into transport links, GP surgeries, schools and open green spaces in its new settlements. The Unit will work with leading architects to ensure the new towns have their own unique character and identity, intended to reflect their local area. Ministers also plan to model the construction and planning effort behind each town on the regeneration of Stratford, east London, before and after the 2012 Olympic games. The Olympic park and the surrounding housing, was overseen by a development corporation, a body with sweeping powers which allowed it to compulsorily purchase land and grant planning permission. While some of the new towns Labour plans to build will be standalone settlements, others will be expansions of existing towns, or new areas within cities. Among the dozen locations are sites in Cheshire, Manchester, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Plymouth and London. They include: A standalone settlement in Adlington, Cheshire East, which would serve growing industries in the county and Greater Manchester. Connected developments across South Gloucestershire, near a cluster of advanced engineering and technology businesses. Crews Hill, near Enfield, north London. Redeveloping a former airbase at Heyford Park, Cherwell, Oxfordshire. The Leeds South Bank development, aimed at building new homes for the city, where ministers have invested millions in new transport funding. New homes in Victoria North, inner Manchester. A standalone settlement in Marlcombe, East Devon. Renewal of Milton Keynes city centre and expanding its periphery, alongside a new mass transit system. New, dense development in Plymouth. The new town in Tempsford, Bedfordshire, which lies at the crossroads of the East-West rail line and the East Coast Mainline railway. A new riverside settlement in Thamesmead, Greenwich. More development at Worcestershire Parkway, Wychavon. Environmental assessments need to be carried out before planning and building work for each location can begin in earnest. Just last week, Mr Reed laid out what he described as a building acceleration package in light of the slow growth in housebuilding figures. Some 80,400 applications were received in the period between April and June 2025, down 5 per cent from the previous year. Planning authorities across the nation decided on 80,800 applications, down 1 per cent from the same period the previous year. Mr Reed described the numbers as unacceptable. Donald Trump speaks outside the White House on Friday. Photograph: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP As the Watergate scandal unfolded, new editions of the Washington Post newspaper were rushed over to the White House at night so Richard Nixon, the president, could brace for each devastating revelation. Half a century later, Donald Trump does not seem to fear explosive front page headlines or shocking disclosures of malfeasance. Usually because he has written them himself. The US presidents determination to break from his predecessors includes a willingness to shout from the rooftops of misconduct past presidents would have strained every sinew to conceal. And the consequence, observers say, is that Trumps brazen approach earns him perverse credit for authenticity and takes the sting out of scandals that used to be career-ending when uncovered by muckraking journalists. Related: Dangerous abuse of power: lawmakers sound alarm over Comey indictment This is a dangerous notion that, just because a president chooses to be corrupt in public openly, its OK, said Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia. People say, well, if it were really corrupt, it would be hidden. Its a false assumption, but many people have it. Its a new theory of scandal. Trump delivered one of his most blatant examples last weekend. In a social media post addressed directly to Pam Bondi, the attorney general, the president fumed over the lack of legal action against James Comey, the former FBI director, Adam Schiff, the California senator, and Letitia James, the New York attorney general. We cant delay any longer, its killing our reputation and credibility. They impeached me twice, and indicted me (5 times!), OVER NOTHING. JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW, he wrote, before deleting the message and posting another supportive of Bondi. It was a glaringly obvious effort to order the justice department to take action against his political opponents. On Thursday the agency followed through by charging Comey with false statements and obstruction over congressional testimony about the investigation into contacts between Trumps 2016 campaign and Russia. Democrats described it as a disgraceful attack on the rule of law, the latest in a series of moves that have threatened the justice departments traditional independence. But Republicans, who five decades ago forced Nixon to resign over the Watergate burglary and ensuing cover-up, were mostly silent. There was no hint of impeaching Trump over what many saw as an impeachable offence. Richard Painter, a former chief White House ethics lawyer, said: Its what prosecutors do in dictatorships. They want to run up this Comey thing that has no merit to it. Thats what they do in Russia. You piss off Putin and end up in some gulag somewhere. Thats not, I thought, how we want to run our country. Its what prosecutors do in dictatorships. They want to run up this Comey thing that has no merit to it. Thats what they do in Russia. Richard Painter If Trumps shamelessness is one superpower, his ability to flood the zone is another. He has spent the past decade proving the thesis that while one crisis can topple a politician, a hundred crises are subject to the law of diminishing returns. Its Watergate, Every Day, read a headline on the Bulwark website this week. In a 2005 conversation captured on an Access Hollywood tape released in 2016, he described his approach to women: I just start kissing them ... And when youre a star, they let you do it. You can do anything ... Grab em by the pussy. He has urged foreign governments to investigate political opponents. During a 2016 campaign rally, Trump said, Russia, if youre listening, I hope youre able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing, referring to rival Hillary Clintons deleted emails. In 2019 he publicly called on China to target Joe Biden, saying: China should start an investigation into the Bidens. In a 2017 NBC News interview, Trump openly stated that he fired Comey because of this Russia thing, referring to an investigation into Russian election interference. This admission was cited in special counsel Robert Muellers report as potential evidence of obstruction of justice, yet Trump framed it as a decisive action rather than wrongdoing. Trump expressed no contrition over the deadly insurrection at the US Capitol on 6 January 2021 but rather persisted with his false claim of a stolen election, hailed the rioters as patriots and issued a blanket pardon of them on his first day back in office. In May this year, the president said he will accept a $400m luxury plane from Qatar and use it as Air Force One, defending the arrangement as a gesture of good faith despite concerns that it could violate the US constitutions emoluments clause. The Trump Organization, run by the presidents two oldest sons, struck a series of lucrative deals in the Middle East. It becomes background noise ... Whats Trump done today? Then you shrug your shoulders and have your third cup of coffee Larry Sabato The breaches have come so thick and fast that they have become unremarkable to a numbed, desensitised audience. Sabato commented: It becomes background noise. If theres bad news about a particular person or category of public policy then its less significant because you expect it. Whats Trump done today? Then you shrug your shoulders and have your third cup of coffee. Kurt Bardella, a political commentator, agrees that Trump being Trump no longer has shock value, especially since he previewed many of his actions during the election campaign. Its normalised versus when someone acts completely out of character: Whoa, where did that come from? I never would have expected that person to act this way. The lightning-paced news cycle makes it easy for Trump to move on from the scandal du jour, Bardella adds. Watergate was so powerful, [Monica] Lewinsky was so powerful because it was a singular focus for an extended period of time. Now we consider a long news cycle something that lasts actually an entire week, whereas before a week was a blip on the radar. Even so, Trump has faced a barrage of lawsuits, ethical complaints and demands for investigations. But Republicans control both chambers of Congress and have shown little appetite for imposing accountability. He has spent a decade purging critics from the party and reshaping it in his own image. Wendy Schiller, a political science professor at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, said: The institutional structures that should be countervailing, that should be pushing up against this and saying: Oh, this is terrible, hes breaking the law, are completely absent. Theyve been co-opted or taken over by the Republican party or the conservative supreme court. There isnt a counter voice to say to the American people this is not acceptable behaviour. I dont think Trump gets credit for flooding the zone or that his strategy is particularly remarkable. Its that he has neutered the Congress and bought off the supreme court. There isnt anybody, literally, who can stop him. Trumps boasting about conduct that others would hide also strikes a particular chord with his Make America great again (Maga) support base. In an October 2016 presidential debate, when Hillary Clinton accused him of avoiding taxes for years, Trump responded defiantly: That makes me smart. In a subsequent episode of Saturday Night Live, the comedian Dave Chappelle argued that such moments humanised Trump: his blunt admission of gaming a rigged system made him relatable, not elitist. Chappelle said: The reason hes loved is because people in Ohio have never seen somebody like him. Hes what I call an honest liar. Years later, that still holds with the Maga faithful. John Zogby, an author and pollster, observed: For voters who want to rage against the machine, instead of being elected president and head of the machine, hes the guy who feels hes been put in place to both enforce and live the rage against the machine. The very fact that he breaks all the rules so brazenly takes foreign trips and makes personal business deals adds to the appeal. Hes the baddest cowboy in town. He does and says what a lot of people wish that they could do and say and he gets away with it. With Donald Trump, the one piece of authenticity is he is exactly what he says he is. Earhart vanished in 1937, during an attempt to become the first female pilot to circumnavigate the globe - Getty Images Donald Trump has promised to declassify secret government records relating to the disappearance of aviatrix Amelia Earhart. The Americans light aircraft vanished over the Pacific Ocean in 1937 during her attempt to become the first woman to fly around the world. Conspiracy theories have abounded since her disappearance, as her body and the wreckage were never found by accident investigators. These include unconfirmed speculation that her plane may have landed on a small island in the central Pacific or that she had been captured by Japanese forces. Mr Trump, in a statement on his Truth Social platform, announced that he had ordered his administration to declassify and release all Government [sic] records relating to Amelia Earhart, her final trip and everything else about her. The US president said that her disappearance almost 90 years ago had captivated millions and that he had been repeatedly asked to declassify the details of her last flight. No wreckage was ever found of Earharts Lockheed Electra L-10E plane - AP Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, had been expected to land at Howland Island in July 1937 to refuel during her quest to become the first female pilot to circumnavigate the globe. But the pair failed to arrive and were declared dead two years later, with US accident investigators concluding that the plane had crashed somewhere in the Pacific. No remains were ever found. Kimberlyn King-Hinds, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands delegate to the House of Representatives, had asked Mr Trump to have the files declassified in July, according to the news website Politico. In a letter to the president, Ms King-Hinds wrote that Earharts story carries particular weight in her district and that elderly residents had shared credible, first-hand accounts of having seen her on the island of Saipan. In pursuing clarity for my constituents, I have become aware that the US government may still hold documents or records related to Earharts journey and final whereabouts that have not yet been made public, Ms King-Hinds, a Republican, wrote in the letter. Should such records exist, their release would contribute meaningfully to our understanding of one of Americas most revered aviators and could finally shed light on the final chapter of her remarkable life. Last year Tony Romeo, a former US Air Force intelligence officer who sold his property business to fund an $11 million deep-sea search for the missing plane, claimed to have taken a sonar image revealing its location. His company, Deep Sea Vision, used an unmanned submersible to scan 5,200 sq miles of ocean floor with sonar technology in the suspected area of Earharts crash. Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, disappeared on a flight over the Pacific - AP After reviewing data from the research voyage, the team discovered an image of a blurry, plane-like shape 5,000 metres down at the bottom of the Pacific. Mr Romeo, who posted the picture on Instagram, believes it shows Earharts twin-engine Lockheed 10-E Electra. The sonar image was taken about 100 miles from Howland Island, halfway between Australia and Hawaii. Mr Romeos mission follows previous attempts to solve the mystery. In 1999, Dana Timmer, an Americas Cup sailor, led a deep-water search near Howland Island. Although a promising shadow was spotted on sonar, Mr Timmer was unable to raise the cash to go back and verify his find. Ten years later, a team put together by Ted Waitt, founder of the Gateway computer company, conducted a new Pacific search but to no avail. Were confident we know where Earhart isnt, the team announced afterwards. The White House says the protester managed to evade multiple layers of security - David Dee Delgado/Bloomberg A Trump administration staff member was allegedly assaulted by a deranged Leftist as she was chased around the United Nations General Assembly. A senior adviser to Robert F Kennedy Jr, the US health secretary, was forced to flee when a protester yelling Free Palestine shone a bright light in her face and chased her around the lobby on Thursday. The alleged confrontation is the latest in a string of incidents at the summit that have enraged Donald Trump and his administration, who claim UN staff intentionally tried to sabotage his appearance on Tuesday. The staffer ran into the bathroom to avoid Patricia Schuh, 62, who allegedly scratched her right eye and evaded all security, law enforcement sources told the New York Post. The adviser was treated by paramedics while Mrs Schuh was later arrested by police and charged with assault and harassment. Trump has claimed he and his wife could have been injured when a UN escalator came to a screeching halt - Stefan Jeremiah/AP We are outraged that a member of the US delegation was physically assaulted inside of UN Headquarters the afternoon of Sept 25, a UN spokesperson told Fox News Digital. This attack must be addressed swiftly, and consequences must be felt. White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said the protester was a deranged leftist who had managed to evade multiple layers of security. She added: Thankfully, the official is safe, and the lunatic was arrested, but this is part of a disturbing and dangerous set of failures by the UN after their sabotage of President Trump ahead of and during his speech. Trump demanded the arrest of UN staffers he suspected of orchestrating the triple sabotage of his appearance at the organisations annual world summit in New York. A broken escalator, a malfunctioning teleprompter and a speaker system failure enraged the president, who argued it was proof that the UN was an anti-US organisation and in urgent need of reform. This wasnt a coincidence, this was triple sabotage at the UN, Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday. They ought to be ashamed of themselves. Credit: UNTV / REUTERS The president said that he and his wife, Melania, could have been seriously hurt when an escalator came to a screeching halt at the precise moment they attempted to step on. Its amazing that Melania and I didnt fall forward onto the sharp edges of these steel steps, face first, Mr Trump said. It was only that we were each holding the handrail tightly or, it would have been a disaster. The UN suggested that a videographer on Mr Trumps team may have accidentally triggered the emergency stop on the escalator. Trump rants on Truth Social and falsely blames the FBI for participating in the Jan 6 riots Donald Trump is blaming the FBI for inciting the Capitol riot, which saw his supporters storm the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to stop the peaceful transfer of power after the 2020 election. Trump ranted on Truth Social, without evidence, that the FBI "secretly placed" 274 agents into the "Stop the Steal" crowd gathered in Washington, D.C., on the day of the riot. Right-wing media reported on Friday that FBI agents were involved in the riot. But those reports conflate the FBI's response to the riot with conservative conspiracy theories hefting blame for the attack onto FBI undercover agents. Last year, the Department of Justice confirmed that the FBI had sent "hundreds" of agents to the Capitol to assist in pushing back against Trump loyalists and to investigate pipe bombs placed outside the national headquarters of both the Democratic and Republican parties. The report also found that 26 FBI confidential informants individuals not employed by the FBI but who have at times provided information were in the crowd. But almost all of them were there without informing the bureau ahead of time, and none were found to have been instructed to instigate or participate in violence. President Donald Trump has falsely accused the FBI of using undercover agents to incite violence at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 (AFP/Getty) The IG ultimately found "no evidence" that the agency had placed undercover employees "in the various protest crowds, or at the Capitol, on January 6." Two outlets Just The News and The Blaze reported that the FBI "had a total of 274 agents deployed to the Capitol in plainclothes and with guns," but the document Just The News posted doesn't substantiate that claim. The Blaze cited an unnamed source, according to Politico. Regardless of the veracity of the claims, Trump pounced on the chance to shift blame for the riot off of him, claiming without any evidence that the alleged agents "probably" were acting as "Agitators and Insurrectionists." I want to know who each and every one of these so-called Agents are, and what they were up to on that now Historic Day, Trump wrote. Many Great American Patriots were made to pay a very big price only for the love their Country. Former FBI Director Christopher Wray, who President Donald Trump claimed, without evidence, misled Congress about the Capitol riot (2020 CQ-Roll Call, Inc.) Trump also wrapped former FBI Director Chris Wray into his claims, suggesting Wray misled Congress during the investigation into the Capitol riot. He made the accusation just days after he directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to prosecute former FBI Director James Comey, who investigated his 2016 presidential campaign for connections to Russia. Thats two in a row, Comey and Wray, who got caught LYING, with our Great Country at stake, Trump said. President Trump said sending troops into Portland was necessary to protect ICE agents - Jenny Kane/AP Donald Trump will send troops to war-ravaged Portland amid a wave of anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protests. The US president announced on Saturday that he had authorised soldiers to use full forceagainst domestic terrorists demonstrating against an immigration detention centre in the Oregon city. At the request of secretary of homeland security Kristi Noem, I am directing secretary of war Pete Hegseth to provide all necessary troops to protect war-ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists, Mr Trump declared on Truth Social. I am also authorising full force, if necessary. Mr Trump authorised soldiers to use full force against domestic terrorists demonstrating at a detention centre - Jenny Kane/AP Mr Trump said the decision was necessary to protect ICE agents. The announcement comes on the heels of multiple high-profile attacks against ICE officers. Joshua Jahn, 29, opened fire from a rooftop close to an ICE field office in Dallas, Texas, on Wednesday, killing one detainee and wounding two others who were inside a van. On the same day he carried out the attack, which is thought to have been motivated by anti-ICE sentiment, the killer searched online for Charlie Kirk shot video. He also used an app that tracked the presence of ICE agents, Kash Patel, director of the FBI, said in a statement. Bullets found at the scene were scrawled with the phrase anti-ICE, authorities said. On Monday, the president signed an order designating Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization. The executive order says Antifa uses illegal means to organize and execute a campaign of violence and terrorism nationwide to accomplish its goal of overthrowing the US government. The order calls on relevant government departments and agencies to use every authority to investigate, disrupt and dismantle any and all illegal operations. Since the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the Republican president has escalated his efforts to confront what he calls the radical Left, which he blames for the countrys problems with political violence. Like living in hell Earlier in September, Trump had described living in Portland as like living in hell and said he was considering sending in federal troops, as he has recently threatened to do to combat crime in other cities, including Chicago and Baltimore. He deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles over the summer and as part of his law enforcement takeover in the District of Columbia. In Tennessee, Memphis has been bracing for an influx of National Guard troops, and Bill Lee, the Republican Governor, said on Friday that they will be part of a surge of resources to fight crime in the city. Venezuela was stunned as Noah got down on one knee at her birthday party (Instagram / Venezuela Fury) Tyson Furys daughter Venezuela has announced her engagement to boxer boyfriend Noah Price after he proposed at her 16th birthday party. The teenager shared the moment on Instagram on Friday night, posting a video of Noah getting down on one knee during the celebrations. The news was confirmed by her mother Paris, who wrote on the platform: "Congratulations to @venezuelafuryofficial and @7noahprice on getting engaged. "Both only young but when you know you know! Still in shock but very happy for you both. Me and your Dad couldn't be prouder xxx." (Courtesy of Netflix) Venezuela Furys whirlwind engagement has drawn comparisons to her parents early relationship, as Tyson and Paris also got together as teenagers. Before the party, Noah shared a video on Instagram wishing his girlfriend happy birthday, calling her his best friend. Venezuela first spoke about the relationship in Instagram posts earlier this year. The couple were later seen together at Ascot in June, while Noah also posted pictures of them dressed up for the York races during the summer. At Ascot, Venezuela wore a floral blue mini-dress paired with Louboutin heels, a fascinator and a yellow Chanel bag. Noah opted for a fitted navy suit with a red tie, handkerchief and brown leather brogues. According to The Sun, he is a boxer and an East Midlands belt holder. Venezuela has become well-known to fans of her father after featuring in the hit Netflix documentary At Home With The Furys. The series shows Tyson opening up about his struggles to accept his daughter reaching adulthood. At one point he says: I cant believe Venezuela is a teenager. This has come around very quick. It only seems like yesterday she was a little two-year-old. Now shes a beautiful, springing young butterfly. Born in 2009, Venezuela is the eldest Fury child. Tyson chose her name for its uniqueness, deliberately avoiding run-of-the-mill options. Tyson has explained, "My wife is called Paris. I'm Tyson, and he's called Prince John James. If the girl had a normal name it wouldn't fit in, would it?" Venezuela has signed up to the The Can Group, a talent agency specialising in brand partnerships, which also represents Peter Andre and Katie Price's daughter Princess. A street in Horwich, on the outskirts of Bolton. Photograph: Gary Calton/The Guardian Stuart had no idea the house next door to his had been converted from a three-bedroom family home to a six-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO) until he spotted workers installing locks on the living room door. After contacting the council, Stuart (who did not want to give his last name) and his wife quickly realised there was nothing they could to object to the change, despite sharing an adjoining wall with the property. Six male asylum seekers moved in soon afterwards. He said: We feel a little bit compromised because were very much not against the guys that are in there. I dont blame anybody for trying to get a better life. I think its horrific the way theyve got to do it. But these are family houses and families should be in them. Even if it was six students from Bolton, its still not suitable for individual living quarters. There needs to be a grown-up, mature debate about the whole situation and the government needs to get a grip of it. This isnt the correct way to do it. Related: Scrap policy that gives refugees with leave to remain 28 days to find housing, say UK groups In Horwich, a town on the outskirts of Bolton, frustration over the rise of HMOs has been brewing for some time. The number of HMOs in the north-west city has risen to more than 700 or 0.56% of housing stock eight times higher than the national average, according to Bolton council. Last year a group of local residents formed a Say no to HMOs campaign group, which successfully lobbied Bolton council to introduce tighter restrictions. This meant properties converted to small HMOs with six or fewer tenants, like the one next door to Stuart, would no longer be exempt from the planning application process. Stuart said a family had been living next door but had been evicted, before it was sold for about 150,000 cheaper than the average house price on the street and converted into a HMO with three extra bedrooms. An estate agent told him his own property would now be worth 30,000-40,000 less due to having an adjoining HMO, he said. Further down the street two other properties have also been converted, ready to be turned into HMOs. A couple of doors away, Reg Parkinson said that after some initial noise issues, he had no problem with the HMO currently housing asylum seekers but he worried about the impact of HMOs on the local housing market. He said: Landlords know they can get more income with a HMO, so they get rid of local families and bring people in. It pushes rent prices up but house values down. Paul Williamson, a retired street cleaner, was visiting from another part of Bolton, where he said there were similar concerns around HMOs housing asylum seekers. He said: Theyve got to go somewhere, havent they? Theyre in a position where they cant do anything else. So what other options have they got? But there are issues. The people next to us wont speak to us, they dont want to mix. One resident around the corner, who asked not be named, said she was worried about the rise of HMOs and their occupants in the area, saying people had felt scared, ignored and alienated by the process. But she was more worried about the potential for the street to be targeted by far-right protesters. There is a concern that somebody will discover that we do have asylum seekers living here, and some idiot whos exceedingly racist will come and put a brick through the window, she said. I think there will be more pushback with HMOs than there were with the hotels, because if you put these HMOs in the community unannounced, people are going to be like, what? Hang on. Theyve gone from the hotels to next door to me. Stuart agreed that the looming threat of potential far-right protests was a concern. He said: Ive seen people online saying, weve sorted out the hotels, now we need to target the HMOs. Some have even said, lets get some addresses. Theres a danger to us all then. Man seen at Moorgate Tube Station (British Transport Police ) A manhunt is under way after a woman was upskirted at a London Underground station. British Transport Police said the victim had been standing on an escalator when a suspect took a photo beneath her clothing without consent. The incident happened at Moorgate Tube in central London at around 5.49pm on September 9. Detectives investigating the crime released a CCTV image of a bearded male in a white T-shirt, grey jogging bottom and wearing glasses. A force spokesman said: Officers believe the man in the image may have information which could assist their investigation. Detectives investigating the crime released a CCTV image (British Transport Police) Anyone who recognises him is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 693 of 9 September. Alternatively, they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Christopher Jenkin, a Wiltshire Countryside Alliance member, is dealing with ragwort on his land - Russell Sach Labour has been accused of abandoning farmers after saying it would no longer help to clear deadly plants that can devastate livestock. Natural England has said it is no longer dealing with new disputes between farmers and landowners over ragwort, a poisonous plant that can be fatal to horses, cows, pigs and sheep. The government body, controlled by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is responsible for enforcing the Weeds Act 1959. For years, farmers have been protected by the act, which is used in scenarios where weed disputes with neighbours cannot be solved directly. It has allowed the owners of land which is at risk from the weeds spread from neighbouring fields to insist that it be controlled at source, but only after an enforcement action by Natural England. When consumed dried ragwort can be poisonous to animals - iStockphoto Defra has now closed the complaints process while it reviews a way to deal with weed problems in a swifter and more cost-effective way. Natural England, which usually accepts complaints whilst the plant blooms from April 1 to Sept 30, stopped dealing with new complaints on July 25 and no alternative measure has since been put in place. Farmers have criticised the decision, which comes after the Government imposition of inheritance taxes on farms worth more than 1.3 million. It has refused to back down over the divisive tax changes in the face of widespread protests from farmers. Highly poisonous Christopher Jenkin, a Wiltshire Countryside Alliance member dealing with ragwort on his land from neighbouring farmers fields, accused Labour of having a total disregard for the rural communities. He said: To say theyre reviewing it without any date of when they are going to be back taking complaints and closing down the complaints procedure in the summer shows a total disregard for the rural communities. Ragwort is highly poisonous. Weve got horses and theyre grazing all the time. And sometimes weve got sheep on it, the sheep are equally poisoned. The Countryside Alliance, which supported Mr Jenkin, said the closure leaves no further avenues for complaint, with landowners forced to rely on the goodwill of their neighbours. The National Farmers Union said it is vital that the government continues to enforce a complaints process. The union also raised the prospect that biodiversity could play a role in the closure, highlighting how common ragwort provides flowers for pollinating insects and food for caterpillars. Defras Code of Practice warns that ingestion of ragwort can cause serious liver damage - Kevin Sawford Insects including bees, caterpillars love the plant but ragwort contains a range of toxins, which cause liver damage and be fatal to animals. Mr Jenkin said: You could argue that ragwort is good for certain insects, but if its good for certain insects but poisonous for livestock, weigh it up how you like. Defras own Code of Practice warns that ingestion of ragwort can cause serious liver damage, which can have tragic consequences for both animals and owners. A spokesman for Natural England said: Natural England is committed to working with farmers to help manage the spread of certain weeds that might affect farming practices. We are reviewing our approach with Defra to ensure that complainants and land managers have the appropriate knowledge and tools to address issues in a swifter and more cost-effective way. Dylan Thomass personal artefacts were audited as part of Welsh Labours anti-racism project - Francis Reiss/Picture Post Dylan Thomass personal artefacts were audited for links to slavery as part of the Welsh Governments anti-racism plans, The Telegraph can reveal. The items held at the Dylan Thomas Centre by Swanseas Labour-run city council were reviewed in 2023 as part of the partys commitment to create an anti-racist Wales by 2030, it has emerged. The policy mandated that all museums audit their collections for problematic links to set the right historical narrative. There is a permanent display dedicated to Thomas, the author of works such as Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night and Under Milk Wood, in his hometown of Swansea. His death mask, the doors to his writing shed, and the suit he wore in the days before his death at the age of 39 are part of the collection. The Conservatives have branded the audit of the Dylan Thomas Centre a waste of public funds - Roger Donovan/Alamy Stock Photo The Museums, Collections and Cynefin project, which aimed to redesign the historical narrative, was given 2.8m in public funding by the Welsh Government. This work was overseen by Dr Marian Gwyn, the project lead and an expert in Welsh black history who aided a nationwide audit of statues in Wales that could have problematic links to slavery and empire. Experts examining the legacy of Thomas who died in 1953, 120 years after slavery was abolished in the UK did not find any evidence of links to racism or the slave trade as part of the taxpayer-funded project. The exercise has been decried as a waste of public funds by the Conservatives. Dylan Thomas died in 1953, 120 years after slavery was abolished in the UK - D Legakis/Alamy Stock Photo Claire Coutinho, the shadow minister for women and equalities, said: Dylan Thomas was born almost 100 years after we abolished slavery and well after we Brits spent billions on the Royal Navy patrolling the seas to intercept and free slaves. Im afraid this is the height of absurdity from a self-loathing Welsh Labour Government. Why cant they let people enjoy one of the 20th centurys finest poets in peace rather than wasting taxpayers money on this claptrap? Thomas published his first collection aged just 20, and soon entered the bohemian world of London literary society. He produced poetry throughout the 1930s and the Second World War. His reputation as a lyrical writer was established after the war, and led to invitations to read his poetry on tours of the United States, particularly with his play for voices, Under Milk Wood. It was during one of these tours in 1953 when Thomas died after a period of severe ill health, often misattributed to heavy drinking. Dylan Thomass death mask and the suit he wore in the days before his death are held in the museum - D Legakis/Alamy Stock Photo The revelation of the audit comes following a shift in Welsh government policy following Black Lives Matter protests in 2020. Cultural institutions in Wales were compelled to take steps to become anti-racist and address subjects such as slavery, while creating a more diverse presentation of the history of Wales. The Big Pit National Coal Museum was founded to tell the story of one of Waless historic industries and was among the attractions told to offer a decolonised view of the past recognising historical injustices. The museum was also compelled, along with other museums and galleries, to tell stories through the lens of black, Asian and minority ethnic peoples experiences, in line with government education plans. The childhood cottage of David Lloyd George, the former prime minister, was also included in plans to be decolonised, with the help of funding from the Welsh Government, to set the right historic narrative. This top-down push for anti-racism also affected libraries, and a preliminary report in the future training of librarians suggested that they should challenge the paradigm of whiteness. These librarians were also advised in official documentation to avoid meeting in racist buildings during their training. A Welsh Conservatives spokesman said: Dylan Thomas should be celebrated for his genius, not subjected to this sort of politically-motivated witch-hunt. He would be ashamed to see Wales today where the national poet is treated with suspicion and public money is frittered away on woke causes instead of being spent on improving public services. Lord Carey censured Bishop Welby for spending millions on reparations rather than parishes - David Levenson/Getty The next archbishop of Canterbury should keep silent on migration, Lord Carey has said in an apparent attack on Justin Welby. Lord Carey, a former archbishop, criticised Bishop Welby, the former archbishop of Canterbury, for spending millions on reparations rather than parishes during his tenure, and said the Church risked losing its authority by commenting on divisive issues such as migration. When asked about what advice he would give the incoming 106th archbishop of Canterbury, he said they should remember that we squander our influence when we offer easy platitudes and you are not alone and are not expected to be the saviour of the Church of England. In an interview with The Telegraph, Lord Carey said that the incoming archbishop should maintain a judicious silence on specific policies, because the Church had no more expertise than anyone when it comes to the ins and outs of how we handle migration, for example. His comments will be seen as a criticism of Bishop Welbys specific intervention on the subject. The new archbishop is expected to be announced next week. The post has remained empty since Bishop Welby resigned in November following a damning report into his handling of the worst abuse scandal in the history of the Church of England. Bishop Welby stepped down as archbishop of Canterbury in November last year - Reuters During his tenure, Bishop Welby faced repeated criticism for interfering in matters of state, particularly on the subject of migration and his attacks on the previous governments Rwanda policy. Lord Carey, a cross-bench peer, was the 103rd archbishop of Canterbury from 1991 to 2002. He was succeeded by Lord Williams of Oystermouth, who stayed in post until 2012. Regarding his advice for the next archbishop, Lord Carey said: I hesitate to give the next archbishop any advice at all except for this. You are not alone and are not expected to be the saviour of the Church of England. Only the good Lord can do that. You are here to lead a team of bishops, clergy and laity to encourage them, empower them and back them to the hilt. I hesitate to comment on the balance struck on commenting on politics because Im sure that I did not always get it right. But there needs to be a judicious silence from the Church on specific policies. The Church has no more expertise than anyone when it comes to the ins and outs of how we handle migration, for example. We squander our influence when we offer easy platitudes. He added: Yet interventions can have considerable authority when Church leaders comment from clear Christian moral principles in more general terms. If there is one thing that the Church of England needs now from all of its leaders is a renewed focus on putting its mission to the nation first. That starts in every parish. The Church is not about the hierarchy, it is about the people. We have been without an archbishop of Canterbury since January and the Church has survived no one is indispensable. That is a salutary and reassuring message for the next archbishop to hear. The difference they can make is to lead the church forward in unity and in mission. That will do. He said that the next appointment will be critical because the last year or so has not been kind to the Church of England. The task before the next archbishop of Canterbury will be very demanding he/she must unite the House of Bishops and focus on their common task to serve the nation and lead the Church. The true glory of the Church of England is the parish ministry with our wonderful cathedrals and parish churches. For too long, they and the faithful priests who serve there have been neglected. The last archbishop of Canterbury gave millions towards historic reparations, money that should have gone to support parish ministry. Our clergy are woefully and disgracefully underpaid. In recent years, the Churchs concept of mission has been lost and must be rediscovered, rethought and embraced, he said. Issues facing Church The Church of England is currently facing a series of controversies and internal divisions, with the incoming archbishop having to deal with how the institution navigates its response to same-sex couples and sexuality, safeguarding, political intervention and the role of the Church in an increasingly secular world. Bishop Welbys resignation marked an unprecedented moment in the Church of Englands history. He left his post over the institutions handling of the sadistic abuser, John Smyth, an evangelical Christian. A damning independent review found he had perpetrated brutal sexual, physical and mental abuse against more than 120 boys and young men since the late 1970s, many of whom he met at Christian summer camps. The review also found that Smyths abhorrent abuse could have been exposed four years earlier if Bishop Welby had contacted the authorities. Prior to his resignation, he drew repeated criticism for speaking out on political and social issues. He was particularly vocal in his opposition to the previous Conservative governments Rwanda deportation scheme, later cancelled. In his 2022 Easter sermon, Bishop Welby criticised the plan for going against Christian values, adding that it raised serious ethical questions which cannot stand the judgment of God. Last year, when the policy was scrapped, he described it as a welcome decision. MPs had accused him of misguided moralising after leading the attack on the Rwanda deal. At the time, then prime minister Boris Johnson is reported to have accused Mr Welby of being less vociferous in his criticism of Vladimir Putin than of the governments proposal. Former home secretary Suella Braverman inspects a potential site in Kigali, Rwanda, for deported migrants. Mr Welby was caught up in a row over the Tories scheme - Stefan Rousseau/PA Bishop Welby hit back at claims that the Church should not interfere in matters of state, after the former prime minister said he had misconstrued the governments plan to send migrants to Rwanda if they arrive in the UK illegally. In his rebuttal, the former archbishop insisted that the Church was not a passive observer of migration policy. However, this was not his first intervention. In September 2020, Bishop Welby used a Telegraph article to denounce the prime minister for determining the daily details of our lives by imposing a rule of six on household mixing. In December 2021, he also waded into the partygate scandal and said political leaders must put their hands up and acknowledge where things have gone wrong, as he spoke of his disappointment over gatherings in Downing Street during lockdown. He also criticised the two-child benefit cap, and said in May last year that the cap was neither moral nor necessary and falls short of our values as a society. Migrants on a French beach await the arrival of a dinghy to take them across the Channel. A quarter of respondents to a poll said it was unacceptable for the next archbishop of Canterbury to talk about immigration and asylum - Sameer Al-Doumy/AFP via Getty According to the results of a poll last week, the public believes that the next archbishop of Canterbury should talk less about politics. Ipsos polling suggested that 28 per cent of respondents want the next archbishop to talk less about political topics, with a quarter adding that it is unacceptable for them to talk about immigration and asylum. Bishop Welby was also repeatedly accused of neglecting parishes. Many smaller parishes claim they are struggling to survive and will be forced to close their churches amid dwindling finances and congregations, which, in some cases, have no vicar at the helm. This comes after a leaked Church paper in 2022 on the future of ministry warned that God was calling the Church to embrace significant change which included a reduction in the number of dioceses. Money better spent on ministry Last year, under Bishop Welby, the Church announced its plans to create a 1bn fund, from the 100m already pledged, to address its historic involvement in the transatlantic slave trade, in order to reflect the scale of moral sin. Lord Carey warned that some of the millions of pounds spent addressing reparations should have instead been spent on supporting struggling parish ministry. He added that when he received the phone call from the prime ministers appointment secretary in 1991 informing him that he had been chosen as the archbishop, he was shocked to the extent that I was unsure whether to accept it. There was a feeling of impostor syndrome, he added. Being archbishop is not an isolated job of leadership though it can feel lonely at times you are the leader of the team and your job is much more about empowering your clergy colleagues than it is about presiding over everyone. Mr Welby declined to comment. A medical tribunal ruled that NHS doctor Rahmeh Aladwan could keep her job despite her social media posts - Jake Lindley for The Telegraph Wes Streeting must challenge a medical tribunals ruling which allowed an NHS doctor who allegedly denied the Holocaust to keep her job, a former attorney general has said. A former attorney general has urged the Health Secretary to launch a judicial review into the tribunals decision to allow Rahmeh Aladwan to continue practising despite claims that Jewish patients would not feel safe in her care. The trauma and orthopaedics doctor has allegedly refused to condemn the Oct 7 attacks, called Israelis worse than Nazis, and described two Palestinian gunmen who carried out a fatal bus shooting as martyrs. The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) ruled this week that she would remain free to practise while the General Medical Council (GMC), the doctors watchdog, carries out an investigation into her social media posts. Sir Michael Ellis, the former attorney general, said it was imperative for Mr Streeting, who has previously vowed to root out anti-Semitism in the NHS, to launch a judicial review. Sir Michael Ellis, the former attorney general, said it was imperative that the Health Secretary launches a judicial review - James Manning/PA Such a process would involve asking a judge to rule on the lawfulness of the tribunals ruling, and, if successful, could result in the decision being quashed and the MPTS asked to rule again on Dr Aladwans case. Sir Michael told The Telegraph: Wes Streeting has said that he has no faith in the medical regulator. That now makes this issue a critical matter of public and patient safety. After this extraordinary ruling there are many people who would agree with the Health Secretary, but it is incumbent on him now to do something about it. In the circumstances it is imperative that the Health Secretary launches a judicial review of this ruling. The future of this public body rests on the general public having confidence in it. A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care would not comment on whether Mr Streeting was planning to launch a judicial review. However, he pointed to the Health Secretarys comments on Friday night in which he criticised the tribunals ruling and said he has no faith in the medical regulator. Mr Streeting criticised the tribunals ruling and said he has no faith in the medical regulator - Eddie Mulholland for The Telegraph Mr Streeting wrote on X: The racist language of Jewish supremacy reflects the values of Nazis, not the NHS. I fail to see how medics using such language with impunity doesnt undermine confidence in the medical profession. I have no confidence in our regulation system. The Campaign Against Antisemitism said it was preparing to apply for a judicial review into the ruling but would step aside if Mr Streeting chose to lead the legal challenge. The Telegraph has uncovered posts on a Twitter account thought to be operated by Dr Aladwan, which has 35,000 followers. Posts on the account have described anti-Semitism and the Holocaust as concepts used by Jewish people to promote a narrative of victimhood. Other posts say: I will never condemn the 7th of October, while denying that any rapes took place during the Hamas-led massacre in 2023. I will never condemn the 7th of October. Dr Rahmeh Aladwan (@doctor_rahmeh) April 29, 2025 During Dr Aladwans tribunal hearing on Thursday, the GMC said that Dr Aladwans posts appear to demonise Israelis and Jews and claimed she had embraced the label of anti-Semitism and described the Holocaust as a fabricated victim narrative. However, the tribunal ruled her posts did not amount to bullying or harassment and said there was not sufficient evidence to establish Dr Aladwan posed a real risk to patients. The number of proven rapes on October 7 is ZERO. What has been proven, however, is the systematic sexual violence against Palestinian men, women, & childrenincluding rape and sodomy to the point of literal deathcommitted by 'israeli' Jews. Your atrocity propaganda has failed. https://t.co/gWSqHmhrY8 Dr Rahmeh Aladwan (@doctor_rahmeh) July 8, 2025 At the hearing, Dr Aladwan, who is of British-Palestinian heritage, told the hearing that all the social media posts were legitimate and can be defended and reasoned. She spoke through tears as she said that more than 50 of her friends had died during the conflict in Gaza which she described as a genocide and a holocaust. Following the verdict, Dr Aladwan, who has the words Free Palestine tattooed on her left bicep, celebrated with her activist supporters outside the tribunal building in Manchester. Dr Aladwan and the MPTS were approached for comment. The Royal Navy has carried out a successful test of a new missile capable of taking out enemy warships from a range of more than 100 miles. Frigate HMS Somerset launched the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) at the Norwegian Arctic rocket range in Andya, during an exercise codenamed Aegir 25. The drill, conducted alongside Nato allies from Norway and Poland, included the debut of the new weapon as it was launched from a British ship. The 400kg missile represented a significant upgrade from the ageing Harpoon missile system, which is currently carried by the Royal Navys Type 23 frigates and Type 45 destroyers. With a greater range, and modern targeting equipment, the NSM can strike both warships, and land targets. Luke Pollard, the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, said: The Naval Strike Missile is one of the most advanced missiles in our naval arsenal. It will give the Royal Navy and our allies an edge against our enemies. This milestone, achieved through our exemplary international partnership with Norway, significantly enhances our maritime deterrent and underscores the Governments dedication to investing in the technologies that will maintain Britains security. The missile flies close to the sea to evade radar detection The new weapon travels at near-supersonic speeds, flying low over the sea level to evade radar detection before it strikes its target. It is already in service in the Norwegian, United States and Polish navies, and will now be rolled out across the Royal Navy. HMS Somerset, which was recently deployed to monitor the Russian undersea reconnaissance ship, Yantar, is the first British warship to fire the weapon. HMS Richmond and HMS Portland also have the new missile system fitted. Commander Matt Millyard, the commanding officer of the Somerset, praised his crew, saying: I am very proud of the team following the successful first-of-class firing of the Naval Strike Missile. This is not something that comes together easily and has involved an incredible amount of work by the crew and staff from across the defence enterprise. The professionalism and teamwork demonstrated by all throughout the planning and execution has been exemplary. The test took months of preparation, with engineers from the Norwegian defence company Kongsberg, which makes the missile, supporting the launch. Commander Matthew Cox, the UKs NSM programme director, said: This programme showcases the strong UK-Norwegian strategic partnership, enabling the UK to achieve its first ship installation within 12 months of business case approval an unprecedented pace for a complex weapons programme. The UKs first NSM firing, hosted by Norway at Andya, further highlights this enduring collaboration. The NSM will complement the Royal Navys future cruise and anti-ship weapon, a heavier missile that is set to be fitted to next-generation warships such as the Type 26 and Type 31 frigates. It is understood that the two systems are meant to restore long-range strike power to the Fleet. The Wuthering Heights adaptation, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, is set to be released in cinemas on Feb 14 Wuthering Heights is full of sado-masochism, the director of the latest adaptation has claimed. Emerald Fennell, 39, said there was a reason Emily Brontes novel shocked people when it was published in 1847. She added that she wanted her adaptation of the classic to recreate the primal and sexual feeling she had when she first read it as a teenager. An erotic trailer for the film, which stars Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, raised eyebrows after its release earlier this month. It led some commentators to claim the British filmmaker had turned the literary classic into a sex-obsessed romp, reminiscent of her previous work, Saltburn. Despite winning an Oscar for Promising Young Woman in 2021, Fennell is best known for Saltburn, which gained cult status as an erotic psychological thriller and class satire. Emerald Fennell has said the novel Wuthering Heights cracked me open - Jamie Lorriman Speaking at the Bronte Womens Writing Festival, about her latest film, she said she felt a profound connection with the book she first read when she was 14 years old. She said: It cracked me open. I wanted to make something that made me feel like I felt when I first read it, which means that its an emotional response to something. Its, like, primal, sexual. Theres an enormous amount of sado-masochism in this book. Theres a reason people were deeply shocked by it [when it was published]. Its completely singular. Its so sexy. Its so horrible. Its so devastating. The novel follows the romance between Catherine Earnshaw and the orphan Heathcliff and their tumultuous relationship. However, Fennells casting was questioned when she chose Barbie star Robbie and Elordi, who featured in Saltburn, to play the leading roles. There is a growing belief among literary experts that Heathcliff, described in the novel as a dark-skinned gypsy, is either black or mixed-race. Some fans vented their frustration online at the casting, with one user commenting: Heathcliff is described as a dark-skinned brown man in the book and a major plot point is that he was subjected to racist abuse by his adopted family. But yeah sure Jacob Elordi is perfect! Another added claimed the decision was bizarre, writing on X: Why not Sydney Sweeney as Jane Eyre. Fans of Wuthering Heights have questioned the casting of Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw - Landmark Media/Alamy Stock However, on Elordis casting, Fennell said he looked exactly like the illustration of Heathcliff in the first book that I read. On Robbie, she added she was not like anyone Ive ever met ever and I think thats what I felt like with Cathy. Despite the castings, she insisted she had kept much of Brontes original dialogue. Fennell added: I was really determined to preserve as much of her dialogue [as possible] because her dialogue is the best dialogue ever. I couldnt better it, and who could? Wuthering Heights is set to be released in the cinema on Feb 14. NBC 10 WJAR/Youtube Jack Monterecy and Anne Marie Torregrossa NEED TO KNOW Anne Marie Torregrossa, a school bus driver in Rhode Island, is helping a second grader through a family tragedy in a special way Each day, the students grandfather would faithfully wave to him rain or shine as the school bus passed his house After the grandfathers unexpected death, Anne devised a plan to help the boy through the difficult transition A school bus driver in Rhode Island is making a big difference in one boys life after an unexpected family tragedy. Anne Marie Torregrossa of Cranston, a suburb of Providence, has been a bus driver for 46 years, according to local news outlet WJAR. While she has routes all over the city, one of them includes a second grader named Jack Monterecy, whom she first met three years ago on his first day at Oak Lawn Elementary School, per the outlet. According to Torregrossa, Jack stuck out to her for a special reason: His grandfather, Peter Magnan, stood outside his home every single morning to wave to his grandson as the school bus drove by his house. [Id] look up in the mirror. I'd say, 'What a special bond he has with his grandfather, to see that every day,' " she told the outlet. Getty School bus (stock image) Jacks mother, Caroline Monterecy, told the outlet that her father Jacks grandfather would wave to Jack rain or shine, sometimes with signs on special days, adding that it became a cultural component of all of the kids, not just Jack. The kids even sang to Peter on his 75th birthday, per the outlet. However, when Peter died suddenly this past summer, Caroline said that she and her husband were unsure how to navigate the difficult transition. The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! It was our nightmare. They [her father and son] were so close, it was unexpected, she recalled, adding, We had the funeral the day before the first day of school. Thats when she said that Torregrossa stepped up to help fill an important void in her sons life. She attended Peters wake and asked the family if it would be all right to hang a photo of Peter at the front of the bus. 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. I asked Jack and the family if I could put a picture of Papa with us on the bus so Papa is always with us every day and hes looking over us," Torregrossa explained to WJAR. She added, I [told Jack], 'When youre ready to come back to school, you can be my special helper.' So, I had a name tag made for him when he came back." She stepped in and filled a gap, and I dont think we ever expected a bus driver to play that role," Jack's dad, Jonathan Monterecy, told the outlet, his eyes filling with tears. Getty Children running toward a school bus (stock image) He continued, "Shes not only played a significant role in Jack's life but in our lives. When you expect the bus to come to pick up your child, youre not expecting a support system, and so when Anne gave him this new role and responsibility, not only did it show that she cared about Jack but she wanted the experience he was going to have moving forward to be special. While speaking to the outlet, Jack shared that its been hard not seeing his grandfather, but said that Torregrossa is helping make him feel better. The elementary schooler even sometimes visits Torregrossa during school breaks and says that he, too, would like to grow up to be a bus driver. I feel like I can be the best bus driver like Anne," he told the outlet. PEOPLE reached out to Oak Lawn Elementary School for comment, but did not receive an immediate response. Read the original article on People TLC/YouTube The 'Meet the Putmans' family. Three members of the Putman family, who starred in TLC's Meet The Putmans, have died, and several others are injured, after a car crash. In an Instagram post shared on the family's account on Saturday, Sept. 27, family member Isabelle revealed that "Papa" Bill Putman, Neenee and Aunt Megan died in a "tragic car accident." She added that "Uncle Blake, Lulu, Alena, Noah and Gia" were injured and remain in the hospital. "We are asking for complete healing and strength for each of them," the Putman family member wrote. "My entire family Papa, Neenee, Billy, Jen, Brandon, Kacie, Blake, Megan, Jamie, Blair, myself (Isabelle), Abby, Emma, Addison, Bella, Mercy, Gabby, Noah, Mya, Nova, Lulu, Alena, Gia, Jonah, Eli, Solomon, Uriah, Samson, Luke, and Anna all proclaim that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. He is our hope, our peace, and our salvation. Even in this time of heartbreak, we rest in knowing that God is in control," Isabella continued. "We ask for your continued prayers for Uncle Blake, Lulu, Alena, Noah and Gia as they recover, and for our whole family as we walk through this deep loss," she added. "Thank you for every prayer, message and act of love. Your support means more than words can express." 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. TLC/YouTube The 'Meet the Putmans' family. Meet the Putmans aired for six episodes on TLC from September to October 2017. The reality television series followed the lives of Bill and Barb and their 4 children, as well as their extended families, all living together in one massive home. Meet the Putmans was later revived in 2021 as the YouTube series Growing Up Putman. The family's last upload was in January. Other details surrounding the car crash that killed the three Putman family members and injured the five others are not immediately clear. The Putman family and representatives for TLC did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Sept. 27. Read the original article on People Catching peak color at just the right moment can turn a fall getaway into a forever memory. A road trip through blazing yellows, oranges, redsand even purplesfeels downright magical. To find the best of it, we tapped Emmy-winning TV host and travel expert Darley Newman. Having explored more than 40 countries for her PBS and streaming series Travels with Darleyand crisscrossed the U.S.shes practically honed a leaf-peeping playbook. The number-one rule? "Book early, plan ahead, and consider state parks and national foreststhey can be just as stunning without the gridlock, Newman says. That means reserving lodging, park road entries and popular tours well in advance. You may also want to swap marquee parks for national forests, state parks and adjacent small towns. Timing matters, too: My favorite hack? Pack your picnic the night before and be on the trail by sunrise. If a spot doesnt take reservations, she adds, show up at opening (often 4 p.m.) to beat the dinner rush. As for destinations, shes seen many an autumn displaybut these are the ones that truly stand out. Related: 20 Most Stunning Leaf-Peeping Destinations to Visit This Fall Quebec, Canada (Eastern Townships + Chemin du Roy) Why go: "Quebec is amazing. I've been there twice in the fall," says Newman. The "King's Highway" between Quebec City and Montreal is lesser-known to many U.S. travelers, but it's a historic, scenic tourist destination along the north bank of the St. Lawrence River in Canada. Drive past picture-postcard lakes, farms and small resortsor try Newman's recommendationtake the Hydravion seaplane for incredible aerial views of fall foliage. What to do: Drive the historic Chemin du Roy (Quebec City to Montreal); stop for farm stands and stay at small resorts. Stand-up paddleboard on quiet lakes for peak-color views. Hydravion Aventure Seaplane sightseeing over nearby La Mauricie National Park for stunning foliage views from above. Where to stay: Station touristique Duchesnay nature center on a lake; find onsite stand-up paddleboards and trails. Le Baluchon eco-resort (Baluchon great resort," says Newman.) Book a glamping village with yurts/cabins by a lake. Darleys pro tip: You have to book popular access roads and national park entries well in advance now. Acadia National Park, Maine Acadia National ParkPhoto by Douglas Rissing on Getty Images Why go:Acadia National Park is an almost 50,000-acre recreation area along the Atlantic Coast, primarily on Maine's Mount Desert Island and parts of the Schoodic Peninsula and Isle au Haut. It's known for its classic New England granite coasts and blazing color in the fall, but bewarecrowds tend to spike to catch a glimpse. Hikes will take you past woodland areas, rocky beaches and glacier-traced peaks and you may even see a moose or a bear. The bayside town of Bar Harbor, Maine, is a popular access point. What to do: Make sure you're up at Sunrise to drive Summit Road in the morningreserve a timed entry ahead of time. Pack a pre-dawn picnic and head out before the rush. Darleys pro tip: It can be incredibly busy this time of year and most hotels and restaurants book up way ahead of time. If a restaurant doesnt take reservations, arrive at opening (4 p.m.) to skip lines. (You may just be ready after that sunrise hike!) Related: 7 Biggest Fall Travel Trends of 2025, According to Experts Michigans Upper Peninsula Photo by Dale Boettcher on Getty Images Why go: This forest region in Michigan borders three Great Lakes, extending outward from Wisconsin and above Mackinac Island. Here, you'll find a remote, wildnessness with lakes, waterfalls and deep forestsand in the fall, its color is under-sung. "Michigan's Upper Peninsula is absolutely gorgeous during the summer, spring and fall, but especially during the changing leaves. Michigan is not a place that everybody always equates with the changing leaves, but the UP is very natural and very beautiful," says Newman. What to do: Scenic drives and waterfall stops; mix hiking with lake overlooks. Aim for late Septmid Oct windows. Darleys pro tip: Consider state parks and national forests like thesetheyr'e often less crowded than marquee national parks. West Virginia (Monongahela NF + New River Gorge area) The 17,371 acre Dolly Sods Wilderness in the Monongahela National Forest is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. It is located in West Virginia. Photo by Douglas Rissing on Getty Images Why go: This Southern West Virginia state park is perfect for fall foliage and features rugged, scenic landscapes, historic sites and a former coal town. "I've been to West Virginia for the changing leaves and really loved it," says Newman. "I've gone rafting on the New River Gorge, which is now a national park, which is pretty awesome. There's a waterfall trail that you can drive and hike to waterfalls. You can go fishing, you can go hiking, even rock climbing." What to do: Waterfall-drive trail with short hikes. Rock-climb Via Ferrata with NROCKS outdoor adventuresyou're attached to a cablegreat for adventurous, not crazy adventurous," says Newman. Raft the New River Gorge National Park. Ride the Durbin Rocket vintage train. "It takes you out into the woods, where you're seeing changing leaves," says Newman. Where to stay: Caboose camping via the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad or glamping cabins nearby. Darleys pro tip: Expect limited cell service and be prepared to go a bit off-grid. Related: 7 Travel Mistakes People Make in the FallAnd How to Avoid Them Shenandoah National Park, Virginia Photo by John Baggaley on Getty Images Why go: Extending along the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia (part of the Appalachian Trail), you'll find wetlands, waterfalls and rocky peaks among its vast network of hiking trails. Don't miss big-sky overlooks along Skyline Drive. "It's super popular, but it's a large park, so you could find some places that might be a bit less visited there, too," says Newman. What to do: Pick lesser-trafficked overlooks and trails away from the most famous stops. Nearby state forests are also great so you avoid peak congestion. Darleys pro tip: Start early (or late afternoon) to enjoy the views with fewer people. Finger Lakes, New York (Keuka Lake) USA, New York, Finger Lakes Region, Hammondsport, Keuka Lake, autumnPhoto by Walter Bibikow on Getty Images Why go: This chain of 11 lakes in Central New York is some of the prettiest landscape in the state. Here you'll find rolling vineyards, lakes and meandering trailsand it's gorgeous with color in the fall. Darley recommends SUPing Keuka Lake, nicknamed Crooked Lake, for its Y-Shape with two north points and one south point, for mirrored foliage views. What to do: Winery/harvest stopsit's a fun, low-key wine region with plenty offering tastings. And if you have time, take a side trip to Saratoga Springs, New York, to stroll downtown streets, and go apple-picking. Stay at the woman-owned Saratoga Arms. Darleys pro tip Build a flex day to chase best-color micro-pockets lake-to-lake. Jeju Island, South Korea on the Gwaneumsa hiking trail to Hallasan on Jeju IslandPhoto by Henn Photography on Getty Images Why go: A UNESCO World Heritage site and Biosphere reserve, The Hawaii of Asia has volcanic coastlines and fall color galore. "Another one that people don't think about is in South Korea. I went to Jeju Island to see the changing leaves. It's known as the Hawaii of Asia, but they actually have great fall foliage," says Newman. You'll also find an array of otherworldly natural beauty, including Mount Hallasan, volcanic craters like Seongsan Ilchulbong and lava tubes. You can hike the highest peak in South Korea, see epic waterfalls and taste local delicasies like black pork. What to do: Sunrise hike of Seongsan Ilchulbong , a volcanic tuff cone that's super popular for engagements and photo shoots. Coastal walks with cliff views. Darleys pro tip: Go for sunrise; its busy but unforgettable. To find out how to watch Travels With Darley, visit her website. Related: These 6 Quiet New England Towns Are Fall Hidden GemsSay Travel Pros This story was originally reported by Parade on Sep 27, 2025, where it first appeared in the Travel section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here. BLACKSBURG, Virginia Chloe Bolin, 25, stood in line for more than an hour to get a good seat at Turning Point USAs Virginia Tech rally. A few weeks ago, it might not have occurred to her to attend. Like many students waiting outside, Bolin, 25, first discovered Charlie Kirk, the organizations cofounder, a few years ago when his videos began popping up on her TikTok "For You" page. A devout Christian, Bolin became enamored by Kirks messages. She rarely listened to Kirks podcast and didnt consider herself an active follower of his. But when she found out he was murdered while speaking on a college campus in Utah Sept. 10, Bolin said she began to cry. She attended the preplanned Turning Point tour stop at Virginia Tech to show her support for Kirks faith-based politics. Charlie Kirk remembered in memorial service at State Farm Stadium A man wearing a MAGA hat holds his phone as people arrive to attend the public memorial service of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk outside State Farm stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on September 21, 2025. Since Charlie's passing, I've felt more inclined to be brave and say what I think and stand up for what I believe in, Bolin said. As Gen-Z conservatives like Bolin mourn Kirks death, many say theyve become politically galvanized because of it and Republican leaders are seeing an opportunity to capture that energy at the ballot box. More: Trump vs. the midterm blues: Can he get MAGA voters excited (and voting) in 2026? President Donald Trump and the GOP have tied the 31-year-old's killing into broader messages casting Democrats as radical, hate-filled and violent. Some candidates running in the 2026 midterm have already invoked Kirks assassination in campaign ads and fundraising materials. This years Virginia governors race, between Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and Democrat Abigail Spanberger, could be among the first tests of whether that strategy will work to drive youth voter turnout. Signs for the Virginia governor's race showing Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger and Republican candidate Winsome Earle-Sears are visible in Fredericksburg, Va., on Sept. 18, 2025. Tipping the scales Bob Holsworth, a longtime political analyst in Virginia, described the Turning Point USA rally at Virginia Tech as an effort to do something that the Republicans have been unsuccessful at in most previous elections in the state. Thats mobilizing young people on college campuses, he said. Exit polls from the 2020 presidential election showed then-Democratic candidate Joe Biden leading Trump among voters aged 18 to 29 by 30% in Virginia. A poll conducted by the company Atlas Intel two days before the 2024 presidential election showed Harris winning that same group of people in the state by a mere 3%. Kirk played a pivotal role in helping Republicans close the gap among young voters in 2024. Turning Point led get-out-the-vote efforts and Trump, in December 2024, credited the organization and Kirk with helping achieve his win. Adam Pennings, executive director of Run Gen Z, a nonprofit supporting young conservative candidates, said he expects to see higher voter turnout, greater political engagement, and more young conservatives running for office in the wake of Kirks death. Lieutenant Governor of Virginia Winsome Earle-Sears speaks on the day Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump hosts a campaign rally at Salem Civic Center in Salem, Virginia, U.S. November 2, 2024. Students still unlikely to vote, except for president But so far, Kirks death hasnt shaken up this year's race for Virginia's governor. Going back to 1977, Virginia has elected a governor in the opposite party as the president, every election cycle except 2013. Democrats are favored to win this year's race. Polls from early and mid-September showed Spanberger, a former CIA operative, about 10 points ahead of her Republican opponent. Among voters ages 18 to 29, Spanberger registered 20% more support than Earle-Sears, according to a Sept. 18 survey by Christopher Newport University conducted days after Kirks death. Close to 40,000 students attend Virginia Tech. Fewer than 3,000 filled the maroon seats in the auditorium where Turning Point hosted its event. Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) during the House Select Committee on Intelligence at its 2024 Annual Threat Assessment in Washington, Mar 12, 2024. As they waited to enter the building, some of Kirks most ardent supporters appeared apathetic about upcoming off-year elections, as Turning Point Action volunteers asked them if they were registered to vote. Most of the students, clad in Make America Great Again hats and T-shirts emblazoned with Kirks face, ignored the registration queries and continued chatting with friends. Many of the students USA TODAY spoke with said they were excited to vote in the 2028 presidential election but werent yet sure whether theyd cast a ballot this year or in the 2026 midterms. Bolin, who is studying for her doctorate in veterinary medicine, said she has never considered herself politically engaged and has only ever voted in presidential elections in the past. Kirks death galvanized her to more actively speak up about her beliefs. But Bolin, who is originally from Ohio, said shes still not sure if shell vote in future local and state elections. She opted not to register in Virginia, saying she doesn't know much about the candidates. I don't want to just vote for the Republican, she said, adding that there are some policy areas where she's more on the Democratic side, including environmental issues. Even among students who said they planned to vote in Virginias gubernatorial election, few knew the name of the candidates. I'm going to probably vote for the Republican. What's her name? said Landon Pond, a 20-year-old from Front Royal, Virginia, who added that he would support any candidate backed by current Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Looking toward the future Leaves crunching underneath his feet, Kobie Dalton, 18, said he was going to vote for Earle-Sears, because he aligned with her on most issues, including his moral opposition to abortion. But Dalton, from Radford, Virginia, was more concerned about Kirks legacy. Kobie Dalton, 18, and Zac Mcglothlin, 18, attended Turning Point Action's Sept. 24 event at Virginia Tech to honor conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Everybody, when it comes to politics is so divided, he said. While Kirk often embraced divisive rhetoric, Dalton said he admired that the activist was very civil. For Youngkin, one of two speakers at the Turning Point USA event, the short-term impact of Kirks death on GOP politics appeared far from the point. Youngkin didnt mention the upcoming Virginia election in his close-to-hour-long speech. He stood next to a hat and shirt of Kirk's and encouraged attendees to openly discuss their politics and faith just as the 31-year-old activist had. Its easy for moments to be flashes in the pan. The hard part is to endure, Youngkin told the crowd. Set your sights on the long term, to do the work that doesnt have immediate satisfaction but impacts one year, five years, 10 years, he added. That is the magic. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Virginia governors race to test GOP youth outreach after Kirk death The Danish defense ministry said Saturday that "drones have been observed at several of Danish defense facilities" overnight Friday into Saturday. The renewed drone sightings come after there were several drone sightings in the Nordic country earlier this week, with some of them temporarily shutting down Danish airports. The Danish defense ministry said in a statement that drone activity was noticed at Skrydstrup Air Base and the Jutland Dragoon Regiment. Several local media reported that one or more drones were also seen near or above the military Karup Air Base, which is Denmark's biggest military base. The Defense ministry refused to confirm the sighting at Karup and said later that "for reasons of operational security and the ongoing investigation, the Defense Command Denmark does not wish to elaborate further on drone sightings." Danish public broadcaster DR reported that in Karup, there were drones in the air both inside and outside the fence of the air base at around 8 p.m. local time, quoting Simon Skelkjr, the duty manager at the Central and West Jutland Police. DR said that for a period of time the airspace was closed to civil air traffic, but that did not have much practical significance as there is currently no civil aviation in Karup. The repeated unexplained drone activity, including over four Danish airports overnight Wednesday into Thursday and a similar incident at Copenhagen Airport has raised concerns about security in northern Europe. Flights resumed early Tuesday at Copenhagen airport after being suspended or diverted overnight because of drone sightings. Police reported two to three large, unidentified drones were seen Monday night, forcing outgoing flights at Scandinavia's largest airport to be grounded and others diverted to airports nearby. Jens Jespersen of the Copenhagen Police said the those responsible seemed to be showing off their skills, adding that the number, large size and flight patterns of the unidentified drones combined indicated "that it is a capable actor. Which capable actor, I do not know." Police in neighboring Norway said they had seized a drone near Oslo's airport, the AFP news agency reported. A public prosecutor in Norway said Thursday that there was nothing to immediately suggest any link between the Oslo incident and the drones seen in Denmark, according to AFP. Neither Danish nor Norwegian officials have accused anyone of responsibility. But the incidents come with many European nations on alert following Russian drone and fighter jet incursions into Poland, Romania and Estonia. General view of Aalborg Airport in Denmark, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, after drones were observed on the airport on Wednesday evening and the night to Thursday, and the airspace over the airport was closed. (Bo Amstrup/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) / Credit: Bo Amstrup / AP The goal of the flyovers is to sow fear and division, Danish Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard said Thursday, adding that the country will seek additional ways to neutralize drones, including proposing legislation to allow infrastructure owners to shoot them down. For the upcoming European Union summit next week, the Danish defense ministry confirmed on X that the country's government had accepted an offer from Sweden to "lend Denmark a military anti-drone capability," without giving further details. In neighboring Germany, several drones were reported in the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein, which borders Denmark, from Thursday into Friday night. The state's interior minister, Sabine Sutterlin-Waack, said that "the state police are currently significantly stepping up their drone defense measures, also in coordination with other northern German states," German news agency dpa reported. She did not provide any further details, citing the ongoing investigations. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that in regard to frequent attacks on infrastructure and data networks, "we are not at war, but we are no longer living in peace either." He did not allude to a certain country as the actor behind those attacks. "Drone flights, espionage, the Tiergarten murder, massive threats to individual public figures, not only in Germany but also in many other European countries. Acts of sabotage on a daily basis. Attempts to paralyze data centers. Cyberattacks," he added during a speech at the Schwarz Ecosystem Summit in Berlin on Friday, dpa reported. What became known as the "Tiergarten murder" in Germany refers to the case of Vadim Krasikov, who was convicted of the Aug. 23, 2019, killing of Zelimkhan "Tornike" Khangoshvili, a 40-year-old Georgian citizen who had fought Russian troops in Chechnya and later claimed asylum in Germany. Krasikov was returned to Russia as part of a massive prisoner swap between the U.S. and Russia in 2024. One of the six runways at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport was closed for about 45 minutes early Saturday afternoon after reports of a drone sighting around noon local time, military police spokesman Doron Wallin told The Associated Press. Aircraft were redirected to another runway. Wallin said no drone or drone pilot was found and the runway was reopened. He said that such reported sightings are a regular occurence, with 22 so far this year. NATO on airspace violations Later on Saturday, Adm. Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, the chair of NATO's Military Committee, said at a NATO meeting in Riga, Latvia, that "Russian aircraft and drones, on top of the already existing measures will now find the resolute response of the newly established and already operational Eastern Sentry activity, which further strengthen NATO's ability to react quickly and decisively against this kind of reckless behavior." "Russia bears full responsibility for these actions," Dragone said. "Today, I express full and unequivocal solidarity with all allies whose airspace has been breached. The alliance's response has been robust and will only continue to strengthen," he said. Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics said that "the immediate priority today is clearly air defense." "Russia continues a pattern of provocations, most recently recklessly violating the airspace of Poland and Estonia," Rinkevics said. Dr. Oz breaks down the federal government's stance on Tylenol and pregnancy; health care fraud ClimateWatch: Extreme flooding in the U.S. Saturday Sessions: Couch performs "Jessie" Michael Shirley, a Florida native and Austin, Texas-based political consultant, remains in prison for a crime he says he didn't commit and was swept up in what he and his attorney says was a Biden DOJ "weaponization" of Trump supporters. Andy Hogue reprint with permission (The Center Square) After former FBI Director James Comey was indicted on Thursday and as Congress continues to investigate the weaponization of the Biden Department of Justice, one weaponization victim is calling on President Donald Trump for help. Comey was indicted on charges of making false statements to Congress and obstruction of justice related to him denying that he leaked classified documents to a news outlet over the Trump-Russia election interference hoax investigation, The Center Square reported. The Russia hoax was also used to target other Republicans including Florida native and Texas-based Republican political consultant Michael Shirley, his attorney and supporters argue. Shirley is currently incarcerated at a minimum-security prison camp in Miami and is calling on Trump for a full pardon. In his first week in office, President Donald Trump pardoned more than 1,500 people, including Biden DOJ "weaponization victims. "What happened to me is not just wrong, it was evil, Shirley told The Center Square in an email in an exclusive interview. My liberty was stripped because I wouldn't play my part in the Biden DOJ's grand scheme to prevent a second Trump presidency and a Republican takeover of Congress. The Left always screams of tyranny if Trump was elected, but I witnessed true tyranny first-hand under Biden. The ultimatum given to me: prison or parrot their lies. They needed my help smearing their opponents, no matter how far-fetched the source material was. Biden DOJ officials attempted to pressure Shirley to revive the discredited Russia hoax against Donald Trump; falsely claim the 2018 Florida recounts which elected Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sen. Rick Scott were stolen; falsely confess to the existence of an illegal GOP fundraising operations to impede the 2024 elections, Austin based Republican political consultant Andy Hogue told The Center Square in an exclusive interview. Hogue previously ran for mayor of Leander, Texas, and Shirley was his consultant at the time. I stood my ground against their lies when Democrats controlled everything. No one came to save me, Shirley said. Now, I sit here as a forgotten political prisoner because I refused to lie. Biden DOJ prosecutors initially accused Shirley of bribing former Seminole County, Fla., Tax Collector Joel Greenberg but ultimately charged him with conspiracy to commit honest services fraud. They argued that Shirley adding billing rates to his invoices caused the tax collectors office to enter into a lucrative consulting contract with Shirleys newly formed company, Praetorian Integrated Services LLC. They also argued Shirley acted as a de facto public employee even though he was not a government employee. Former Austin City Councilmember Mackenzie Kelly argues Shirleys billing practice was entirely legal and routine in professional services. His defense team questioned why he was tried in federal court, not county or state court. They also questioned why federal prosecutors refused to call their star witness, Greenberg, whose statements in previous legal proceedings were used to obtain the indictment. The appellate court has agreed to hear oral testimony. His defense points to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in which justices warned that prosecutors might abuse the honest services statute, especially through erroneous jury instructions. This is what happened in Shirleys case, his attorney argues: jury instructions were changed, and one juror was replaced. The judge refused to declare a mistrial. Shirley was indicted in 2022 and convicted in July 2023. He was sentenced to seven years in prison. Shirley told The Center Square that during his trial, Biden DOJ prosecutors bogus claims fell apart, and they were forced to twist the law and jury instructions to create a conviction. If the DOJ can change the boundaries of the law on a whim during trial to convict someone they politically oppose, no American is safe, Shirley said. "The DOJs case against Mr. Shirley was so tenuous that it abandoned its initial allegations and pivoted to an unfounded claim that Mr. Shirleys invoicing practices were illegal, falsely categorizing him as a public official, his attorney, Dr. Gavin Clarkson of Katy, Texas, said. The regimes desperation became evident during the trial. The truth is clear: the accusations against Mr. Shirley were based on lies and political malfeasance. Mr. Shirleys appeal is ongoing, but he should not have to endure prolonged incarceration while awaiting an uncertain resolution. Immediate relief whether through a pardon, commutation, or overturning of his conviction is necessary. In 2021, Greenberg pleaded guilty to six felonies and was sentenced to 11 years in prison. He was linked to former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-FL, who was accused of paying for sex with an underage girl. Gaetz denied the allegations and no charges were brought against him. The prolife prisoners had a foundation working to free them, Hogue told The Center Square. The J6ers had the benefit of mass media coverage. But who does Mike Shirley have? Friends and family. Its surprising to me no matter how many clients hes had at any level no one has stood up for him. Hogue sent letters on behalf of Shirley to a field office of every member of Texas congressional delegation. Only Republicans Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn replied, he said. Hes hoping the Trump administration will pardon Shirley because there is no sense in having him sit in jail while his appeal is ongoing. He is no danger to anybody. WLKY/YouTube Laken Snelling NEED TO KNOW Laken Snelling appeared in court on Friday, Sept. 26, when she waived her right to a preliminary hearing after her newborn baby was discovered dead in her bedroom closet The former University of Kentucky student, 21, left the courtroom surrounded by multiple supporters after her minute-long appearance Snelling's case will now go to a grand jury Laken Snelling, the former University of Kentucky STUNT team member whose dead newborn was discovered in a trash bag in her bedroom closet, was supported by multiple people during a recent court appearance. The 21-year-old appeared in front of a judge for less than a minute on Friday, Sept. 26. About 10 women were present to support Snelling, per WLKY. According to WLWT, the women were her former classmates. During her brief appearance, Snelling waived her right to a preliminary hearing. Now, a grand jury will be presented with evidence and will decide whether or not to indict Snelling. The young woman's hearing took place weeks after her first court appearance on Sept. 2, when she was charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant. Snelling entered a not guilty plea to the charges. When reached by PEOPLE, Snelling's attorney declined to comment. Lexington Police Department Laken Snelling Officers with the Lexington Police Department (LPD) initially responded to an off-campus home, just a few blocks from the university, on Aug. 27, after getting a call about a baby that was found dead in a closet, according to a copy of an arrest report previously obtained by PEOPLE. The call did not come from Snelling, according to the report. She was not home when officers arrived at the scene. The dead newborn was found wrapped in a towel inside a trash bag, along with cleaning supplies, according to the arrest report. Officers were able to track Snelling down a short while later, and they took her into custody. Once in custody, Snelling allegedly admitted to giving birth and putting the baby in the trash, and said she needed medical assistance, per the report. 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. An autopsy to determine the newborn's cause of death proved inconclusive, and the medical examiner's report said that more testing would be required. After her initial arrest, Snelling was held at the Fayette County Detention Center until Sept. 2, when the judge allowed Snelling to be placed on house arrest at her family home in Tennessee after posting a $100,000 surety bond. At that same time, Snelling elected to withdraw from the University of Kentucky, a school spokesperson told PEOPLE. Prior to that, she had been a member of the school's STUNT team, which finished as runners-up at last year's NCAA competition. Read the original article on People Official Miss Universe Jamaica/YouTube Tyra Spaulding NEED TO KNOW Tyra Spaulding was found dead at her home of an apparent suicide on Tuesday, Sept. 23 The former Miss Universe Jamaica contestant, 26, had been documenting struggles with her mental health on YouTube "Her light, grace, beauty and kind spirit touched every life she encountered," the Miss Universe Jamaica organization said in a tribute Tyra Spaulding, a former Miss Universe Jamaica contestant, has died after documenting struggles with her mental health on YouTube. She was 26. On the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 23, Spaulding was found dead at her apartment of a suspected suicide, The Gleaner reported, citing the Jamaica Constabulary Force's Corporate Communications Unit (CCU). The 2023 Miss Universe contestant was allegedly discovered hanging in her bedroom by her relatives. The Miss Universe Jamaica organization shared a tribute on Instagram as they confirmed Spaulding's death. Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of the beautiful Tyra Spaulding. She was a radiant soul and an amazing human being," the organization captioned a photo of Spaulding. "Her light, grace, beauty and kind spirit touched every life she encountered. ...We at the Miss Universe Jamaica Organization keep Tyras family, friends, and loved ones in our heartfelt prayers as we celebrate the beautiful life she shared with us, the organization added. Tyra Spaulding/YouTube Spaulding was found dead at her home on Sept. 23 Spaulding's death came after she posted several videos on YouTube speaking about struggling with her mental health. I resigned from my 9 to 5 job, but it was a terrible decision because my mental health just took up plummeted, she said in a video posted on Aug. 31. And guys, I was at the point where I made a plan to kill myself, so anybody on air, considering [leaving your job] just don't don't do it. Spaulding revealed in the video that she had previously attempted suicide and was currently receiving therapy with help from her former boss. 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. Tyra Spaulding/YouTube Spaulding shared on social media that she was struggling with her mental health In another video posted on Sept. 5, she said, I'm fighting for my life over here. I feel like I need to go out and do something because my mind is trying to kill me. And if I do nothing, I am going to die I am fighting for my life Im definitely in a battle right now. Spaulding added that she was having suicidal thoughts every day and spoke of feeling overwhelmed. She also shared her concerns of struggling to build a sustainable future while working alongside managing being an entrepreneur. PEOPLE has contacted the CCU for comment. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org. Read the original article on People Derrick Woo Groves Image by Department of Justice, FBIreward release It has now been more than four months since convicted killer Derrick Woo Groves slipped out of a New Orleans jail with other inmates, and despite a nationwide search that has nabbed the other escapees, the 28-year-old remains at large. Groves was one of ten inmates who crawled through a hole hidden behind a toilet and bolted from the New Orleans jail on May 16. The breakout, which relied on the help of a maintenance worker, has now led to one of the longest periods of freedom for an escapee in modern American history. The nine escapees who have since been captured are now facing charges for felony escape on top of their original crimes, ranging from burglary to homicide, as previously reported by The Dallas Express. Groves, who was convicted last year for gunning down two men with an assault rifle at a block party, continues to elude the police. Federal officials have upped the pressure to find the escapee. The FBI, U.S. Marshals, Homeland Security, and Louisiana State Police are all reportedly pursuing leads, and a reward of up to $20,000 remains available for any information that leads to his arrest. Groves ability to stay off the radar this long puts him in some rare company. More than 90% of fugitives are recaptured within a year, per AP News. Most escapees, like Curtis Ray Watson in Tennessee or Antoine Massey, Groves fellow escapee who flaunted his run on social media, are caught within days. Jerry Lee Cooper, an inmate who escaped from the Brown County Detention Center in Ohio earlier this month, went viral for making it a week before getting re-arrested. History shows that only a few escapees have managed to vanish for more than a few days, let alone months or years. Still, the infamous Alcatraz escapees of 1962 were never officially found. And there are others, like Glen Stewart Godwin, who escaped from Folsom State Prison in 1987 and another Mexican prison a few years later, who still remain on FBI wanted lists decades later. However, there does not seem to be a recorded American escapee from jail or prison within the last 25 years or more who has had a run as long as Groves. The New Orleans jailbreak has already claimed careers and sparked some political fallout in Louisiana. Sheriff Susan Hutson suspended her reelection campaign after the debacle, only to restart it weeks later, while Gov. Jeff Landry ordered an extensive review of Louisianas corrections system. Hutson, an outspoken proponent of DEI programs, did a public interview with WGNO News last week about her campaign for reelection as Sheriff, claiming she is one of the most transparent sheriffs in the country. However, her most current post on X, dated May 20, is still her campaign suspension letter. Youre not gonna have any sheriff in the state that has not had an escape, Hutson said, almost downplaying the severity of the situation while not mentioning that Groves was still on the lam. Hutson has not responded to an inquiry for comment from The Dallas Express as of the time of publication. At least 16 people, including jail employees and family members, have been arrested for helping the inmates escape, per WWNO News. For the families of Groves victims, however, none of that matters as long as Groves remains free. Convicted of two murders and accused of several more, Groves was sentenced to life without parole. There have been no new confirmed sightings of Groves in months. Law enforcement has previously suggested that he may still be hiding in New Orleans, but no evidence rules out the possibility that he could have left the state or country entirely. Retired Lt. Col. George E. Hardy, a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, stands next to his former P-51D Mustang at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, on Oct. 4, 2016. (Malcolm Mayfield / U.S. Air Force file) Lt. Col. George Hardy, one of the original Tuskegee Airmen and the last of the groups World War II combat pilots, died Tuesday night, according to Tuskegee Airmen Inc. He was 100 years old. His legacy is one of courage, resilience, tremendous skill and dogged perseverance against racism, prejudice and other evils, said Leon Butler, national president of Tuskegee Airmen Inc. We are forever grateful for his sacrifice and will hold dear to his memory. At 19, Hardy became the youngest Tuskegee fighter pilot when he completed the Army Air Corps pilot training program in 1942, earning his wings and a commission as a second lieutenant. He was among the first Black military pilots in the nation. Hardy flew 21 missions over Germany during World War II and also served in the Korean War and Vietnam War. The U.S. military was segregated during World War II and created what was then called the Tuskegee Experiment to test whether Black Americans could command and maintain complex aircraft in battle. Nearly 1,000 Black pilots completed training and earned their commissions. More than 300 served overseas during the war. Thousands of support personnel, including women, who were also part of the so-called experiment, also earned the right to call themselves Tuskegee Airmen, serving with distinction and ultimately helping to integrate the military. There are 13 Documented Original Tuskegee Airmen still alive, according to the Tuskegee Airmen Inc., an organization started in 1975 to preserve legacy of the airmen. Lt. Col. George Hardy, one of the original Tuskegee Airmen who flew in World War II, has died at 100, the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. National Office announced on Friday. Hardy was 19 when he flew his first combat sortie over Europe, the office said. He was the youngest Red Tail fighter pilot to do so. He was stationed in Italy during World War II and completed 21 missions. The Tuskegee Airmen were the first Black servicemembers to serve as pilots in the U.S. military. They served in the 99th Fighter Squadron and the 332nd Fighter Group, as well as in support roles. Only 13 documented original Tuskegee Airmen are still alive today, the office said. "His legacy is one of courage, resilience, tremendous skill and dogged perseverance against racism, prejudice and other evils," the office said. "We are forever grateful for his sacrifice and will hold dear to his memory." Hardy was born in Philadelphia in 1925, the National WWII Museum said in a news release. His older brother was a member of the U.S. Navy. Hardy wanted to enlist, but his father refused to sign the necessary paperwork because of the racial barriers he feared Hardy would face, the museum said. Hardy joined the U.S. Army Air Forces in 1944 and was deployed to Europe in early 1945. During missions, he often escorted heavy bombers, the museum said. In a 2014 interview with the museum, he recalled an incident where his plane was strafed by enemy fire. Hardy also served in the Korean War and the Vietnam War, the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. National Office said. The museum said he flew 45 combat missions in the Korean War and 70 during the Vietnam War. When not overseas, Hardy earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and a master's degree in systems engineering at the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology, the National WWII Museum said. He worked with the Department of Defense on creating the first worldwide military telephone system. Hardy retired from the Air Force in 1971. In his retirement, he became "a champion of the legacy" of the Tuskegee Airmen, the museum said. In 2007, the regiment received the Congressional Gold Medal. In 2024, Hardy accepted the National WWII Museum's American Spirit Award on behalf of the group. The award is the institution's highest honor and celebrated the airmen's "accomplishments and patriotism in the face of discrimination." "When I think about the fellas who flew before me and with me at Tuskegee, and the fact that we did prove that we could do anything that anyone else could do and it's paid off today," Hardy said, when accepting the award. "It's hard to believe that I'm here receiving this awardwith them." After Charlie Kirk assassination, Utah Gov. Cox urges U.S. away from division, violence Government shutdown likely, CBS News' Robert Costa says after conversation with Trump Why crickets are as good as a thermometer An ICE agent monitors hundreds of asylum seekers being processed upon entering the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building on June 6, 2023 in New York City. Credit - David Dee DelgadoGetty Images To those who know him, Superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts is an integral part of the school community and a former principal of the year. But to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), he is a criminal alien and a threat to public safety. Those competing descriptions of Roberts, 54, emerged following his dramatic arrest by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency on Friday morning, in a case that has stunned the Des Moines, Iowa, community in which he has worked for years. Roberts, an educator with decades of experience who became Superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools in 2023, was detained by ICE in a targeted enforcement operation last week. Read more: Even With Tons of Money, ICE Finds Obstacles in Hiring 10,000 New Agents Immigration officials say Roberts is a citizen of Guyana whose work permit expired in 2020. A statement by ICE said an immigration judge gave him a final order of removal in May 2024. Authorities acted upon that removal order on Friday morning. ICE said Roberts sped away in his vehicle when officers approached him, abandoning his vehicle near a wooded area. He was later arrested in possession a loaded handgun in his car, ICE said, a violation of federal law for those in the U.S. without legal status. Protests and confusion Robertss arrest has roiled the Des Moines community where he oversaw some 30,000 students and had worked for years. The detention comes amid a deepening immigration crackdown across the country by the Trump Administration, as it aims to meet its target of carrying out the largest mass deportation campaign in U.S. history. President Donald Trump campaigned on a promise to target the worst of the worst in his deportation efforts, but the governments own data shows that around 70% of people detained by ICE have no criminal record. According to recent polling, approval of Trumps handling of immigration has dropped from around 50% in March to 43% this month. Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the federal courthouse in Des Moines following the arrest, calling for Robertss release. Some carried signs that read Free Dr Roberts. Teachers from neighboring school districts joined students and parents at the protest, according to CNN. This photo provided by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shows Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts on Feb. 26, 2025. ICE via AP The case appeared to have caught the local school district by surprise. School Board Chair Jackie Norris said Friday that the district was still working to learn more about what happened, and called for the community to practice radical empathy while the investigation was ongoing. "We do not have all the facts. There is much we do not know," she said. "However, what we do know is Dr. Roberts has been an integral part of our school community since he joined two years ago." But in a closed meeting on Saturday evening, the Des Moines Public School Board voted to place Roberts on administrative leave. While there is still much that we dont know, what we do know is that Dr. Roberts is currently unavailable to perform his duties as superintendent, board member Kimberly Martorano said. The district said it was unaware of a removal order issued against him in 2024. Norris, the board president, told the local ABC affiliate: "Everything the district has on file affirms that Dr. Roberts is a citizen. A biography on the Des Moines Public Schools website says Roberts was "born to immigrant parents from Guyana, and spent most of his formative years in Brooklyn, NY." It describes him as an educator with two decades of experience as a classroom teacher, school administrator and executive leader. Before becoming a teacher, Roberts competed in track and field at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. He went on to earn masters degrees from St. Johns University and Georgetown University, and a doctorate in urban educational leadership from Trident University. His career has included posts in Baltimore, Washington, D.C., the South Bronx, and Millcreek Township, Pennsylvania. He was named George Washington Universitys Washington, D.C., Principal of the Year in 2013. ICE said in its release after his arrest that Roberts had existing weapon possession charges from 2020. But Roberts had disclosed that arrest during his hiring process, according to the school district, and had spoken about that arrest publicly No Iowan is safe Mazie Stilwell, the executive director of Progress Iowa and a parent of a child in the Des Moines Public Schools system, called the arrest an attack on our freedoms. No Iowan is safe. It is time for them to finally stand up for us and stop these attacks on our freedoms and our communities, Stilwell said in a statement. Every Iowan should call their legislators and ask why Iowans are being detained, and what they are doing to protect us. Iowa State Education Association President Joshua Brown and Des Moines Education Association Anne Cross said in a joint statement that they were shocked to hear of Robertss detention. Since being hired as superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, we have known Dr. Roberts to be a tremendous advocate for students, families, staff, and the community. His leadership and compassion for all students, regardless of background, identity, or family origin, are a beacon of light in one of the states most diverse school districts, they said. It is a dark and unsettling time in our country. This incident has created tremendous fear for DMPS students, families, and staff. We call on the community to come together and support each other," they added. Republicans and immigration officials, meanwhile, criticized the school board for allowing a person they characterized as a public safety threat to work for the school system for so long. This should be a wake-up call for our communities to the great work that our officers are doing every day to remove public safety threats, said ICE St. Paul Field Office Director Sam Olson. How this illegal alien was hired without work authorization, a final order of removal, and a prior weapons charge is beyond comprehension and should alarm the parents of that school district, he added. Iowa Republican Congresswoman and Senate candidate Ashley Hinson called for Roberts to be "deported immediately". "He should have never been anywhere around Iowa kids in the first place!" she wrote. Democratic Des Moines Rep. Larry McBurney called the arrest a "disgrace." "Our schools should never be treated as political battlegrounds for federal overreach," he added. The Des Moines school board is due to hold a special closed session to discuss the situation on Sept. 27. Contact us at letters@time.com. Best selling author Jillian Shriner, who is married to longtime Weezer bassist Scott Shriner, will avoid jail time after being arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in Los Angeles earlier this year. Jillian was shot by police during an altercation outside the couple's LA home on April 8 when a hit-and-run incident led to a manhunt for three suspects in northeast Los Angeles County. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, officers tracked one of the suspects to a house backyard neighboring the Shiner's home and found Jillian armed with a handgun before an officer shot her. Jillian, who police say had no involvement in the hit-and-run and was standing in her own yard, was later taken into custody and treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. Officers shot Shriner after she allegedly refused to drop the nine-millimeter handgun that she then pointed at them, according to Los Angeles police. She was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder before later being charged with assault and negligent discharge of a firearm. Instead of facing jailtime, a judge ruled that Jillian would undergo a two-year mental health diversion program, her attorney, Hilary Potashner, confirmed. "We appreciate the DA carefully reviewing this matter and believe this resolution is fair," Potashner told USA TODAY in a statement Friday, Sept. 26. The county district attorneys office will dismiss the charges upon completion of the program, the Los Angeles Times reported. Scott Shriner, who joined the famous rock band in 2001, spoke out about the altercation on April 10 telling The New York Post: "She's alright, thank you for asking." See George Clooney, Bradley Cooper, more stars at New York Film Festival The biggest movie stars are back at New York Film Festival, which kicked off Sept. 26, 2025. Scroll through for all the best moments, starting with George Clooney and Amal Clooney on the red carpet for the premiere of "Jay Kelly." Who is Jillian Shriner? Shriner, also known as Jillian Lauren, is the author of several books across multiple genres including her 2010 memoir "Some Girls: My Life in a Harem," which recounted her experience staying in the harem of Prince Jefri Bolkiah, brother of the Sultan of Brunei. "At eighteen, Jillian Lauren was an NYU theater school dropout with a tip about an upcoming audition," the book's synopsis explains. "The 'casting director' told her that a rich businessman in Singapore would pay pretty American girls $20,000 if they stayed for two weeks to spice up his parties. Soon, Jillian found herself on a plane to Borneo, where she would spend the next eighteen months in the harem of Prince Jefri Bolkiah, youngest brother of the Sultan of Brunei." Scott and Jillian Shriner arrive at the PEN America LitFest Gala at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on Nov. 2, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. In 2011, she published a novel titled "Pretty," about a woman left scarred by a car accident, before later publishing another memoir "Everything You Ever Wanted" in 2015 chronicling her experierience adopting an Ethiopian child with special needs alongside her husband. She and Scott Shriner got married in 2005 and have spent more than two decades together. Contributing: Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Weezer bassist's wife to avoid jail time after police shooting U.S. Magistrate Judge Lindsey Vaala expressed confusion and surprise at some points during the seven-minute court session when a federal grand jury impaneled in Alexandria, Virginia, returned the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey Thursday night. According to a transcript of the proceedings obtained by CBS News, Judge Vaala asked the newly named interim U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan a former Trump personal lawyer why there were two versions of the indictment. A majority of the grand jury that reviewed the Comey matter voted not to charge him with one of the three counts presented by prosecutors, according to a form that was signed by the grand jury's foreperson and filed in court. He was indicted on two other counts making false statements to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding after 14 of 23 jurors voted in favor of them, the foreperson told the judge. But two versions of the indictment were published on the case docket: one with the dropped third count, and one without. The transcript reveals why this occurred. "So this has never happened before. I've been handed two documents that are in the Mr. Comey case that are inconsistent with one another," Vaala said to Halligan. "There seems to be a discrepancy. They're both signed by the (grand jury) foreperson." And she noted that one document did not clearly indicate what the grand jury had decided. "The one that says it's a failure to concur in an indictment, it doesn't say with respect to one count," Vaala said. "It looks like they failed to concur across all three counts, so I'm a little confused as to why I was handed two things with the same case number that are inconsistent." Halligan initially responded that she hadn't seen that version of the indictment. "So I only reviewed the one with the two counts that our office redrafted when we found out about the two two counts that were true billed, and I signed that one. I did not see the other one. I don't know where that came from," Halligan told the judge. Vaala responded, "You didn't see it?" And Halligan again told her, "I did not see that one." Vaala seemed surprised: "So your office didn't prepare the indictment that they " Halligan then replied, "No, no, no I no, I prepared three counts. I only signed the one the two-count (indictment). I don't know which one with three counts you have in your hands." "Okay. It has your signature on it," Vaala told Halligan, who responded, "Okay. Well." Vaala also noted that the court session began unusually late, at 6:47 p.m. Thursday evening, telling the grand jurors "I don't think we've ever met this late" as she thanked them for their service. The charges against Comey which accuse him of lying in testimony he gave to the Senate in 2020 mark an unprecedented step for the Justice Department, after President Trump publicly urged prosecutors to look into the ex-FBI leader that he fired in 2017 and sparred with for years. In an unusual move, Comey's indictment was personally signed by Halligan, not a rank-and-file federal prosecutor. Halligan was sworn in on Monday, after days of upheaval in the U.S. attorney's office in Alexandria. The former head of the office, Erik Siebert, announced his resignation on Friday following worries among his staff that he could be fired for failing to criminally charge another Trump adversary, New York Attorney General Letitia James. A day later, Mr. Trump announced Siebert had been fired, and posted a message suggesting Attorney General Pam Bondi should look into Comey, James and a third longtime Trump foil, Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff of California. Before Comey was indicted, staff at the U.S. attorney's office circulated a memo that argued charges should not be brought against the former FBI director, a Justice Department source familiar with the matter told CBS News. Attorney General Pam Bondi praised Halligan in a post on X Friday, writing that she "did an outstanding job." Dr. Oz breaks down the federal government's stance on Tylenol and pregnancy; health care fraud Escalator expert reacts to Trump's U.N. mishap, as Trump claims sabotage Man who killed four at New York office building had low-stage CTE, medical examiner says Representative Greg Casar, the chair of the Progressive Congressional Caucus, speaks during a news conference at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on Sept. 18, 2025. Credit - Kent NishimuraBloomberg via Getty Images With federal funding set to expire on Wednesday, Democrats are facing one of their biggest tests of the Trump era: whether to risk a government shutdown to secure major health care concessions, or accept a Republican stopgap bill. Few are pushing Democrats to hold the line more than Rep. Greg Casar, the 36-year-old Texas Democrat who chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus, an influential bloc of nearly 100 House Democrats who represent the more liberal wing of the party. In an interview with TIME on Friday, just four days ahead of the shutdown deadline, Casar argued that Democrats cant settle for crumbs and must fight harder than they did in March, when Senate Democrats helped Republicans avoid a shutdown without extracting any concessions, a decision that infuriated the Democratic base. With midterm elections one year away, Casar sees this moment as an opportunity for Democrats to show voters they are the party representing working people. "I think that everyday people increasingly know that Donald Trump is horrible, but they question what Democrats are willing to stand up and fight for," Casar says. "And I hope that we're about to answer that question." While Casar, like the rest of the House Democrats, is limited in how much he can control over what his party does next, his voice represents a powerful barometer of how much pressure the progressive wing is putting on leadership to take a tougher stand. Any resolution of this standoff will ultimately fall to Senate Democrats, who must decide whether to provide the votes Republicans need to clear that chambers 60-vote threshold. Progressive polling shows Democratic voters overwhelmingly want lawmakers to put up a fight on health care, even if it means risking a prolonged shutdown. But the fight grew more volatile this week, after the White House budget office ordered agencies to prepare mass layoffs in the event of a funding lapse, a sharp break from past practice. Trump has leaned into the threat, while also seeking to pin the blame for any closure on Democrats. This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity. TIME: Were a few days from a possible government shutdown. What is the mood like in the Congressional Progressive Caucus at this moment? Casar: Progressives and Democrats in Congress know that our country feels like it's on the brink and our constituents are looking for a Democratic Party that is willing to stand and fight for themfor their health care, for their rights, for their wages and for the Constitution. And this shutdown showdown is a moment where Democrats have to choose whether we're going to stand and fight or whether we are going to roll over and play dead. And you know, there have been Democratic consultants that have suggested that the path forward for the Democratic Party is to roll over and play dead and win upcoming elections just based on Donald Trump being bad. But I think that everyday people increasingly know that Donald Trump is horrible, but they question what Democrats are willing to stand up and fight for. And I hope that we're about to answer that question, which is that Democrats will stand and fight for you to be able to afford to see a doctor. And Democrats should be willing to stand and fight for the basic economic well being of everyday people. TIME: What has the reaction been in your caucus to President Trumps threats to lay off federal workers en masse if theres a shutdown? Are you hearing anyone have second thoughts about the strategy? Casar: First, let me say what Trump is talking about here is dangerous. Trump is basically threatening a needless, massive cut to programs people rely on. Second, I think Trump really sold out congressional Republicans here. Republicans in Congress wanted to lie and ask people to blame a shutdown on the Democrats, but Trump really gave away his entire plan here. He yelled the quiet part into a microphone, claiming, essentially, that Republicans are the ones that want to shut down the government, want to shut down programs intentionally, and want shutdowns to be even more painful than they otherwise would be. So I think Democrats should take Trump at his word and make sure people understand the contrast here: that Republicans want to shut down the government and Democrats want to keep programs running, and want to make sure you can keep your health care, too. TIME: But does it make you more or less willing to risk a shutdown? Casar: I think the answer to your question is that Donald Trump has made it clear that he is already shutting down the government and is trying to shut down programs even further, and the question is whether or not Democrats are going to stand up against him, and the way to stand up to that to the shutting down that's been happening over the last nine months, and the shutting down that Trump is threatening here over the next month is for Democrats to not continue to rubber stamp Trump's budgets and Trump's bills and at some point say, no, there is a clear line here that we're not willing to cross. TIME: Why health care? Democrats could have chosen any number of priorities to attach to this fight from tariffs to corruption to ICE raids instead your party has drawn a line around permanently extending Affordable Care Act tax credits and reversing Medicaid cuts. Why do you think health care was chosen as the hill to fight on? And do you think that focus is bold enough to energize voters whove been asking Democrats to fight harder? Casar: Let's start with the facts here. We're hurdling towards a health care crisis because Trump wanted tax cuts for billionaires. Fifteen million people are about to lose their health care. That's a life-or-death issue for some people. Twenty million more Americans could see their health care premiums nearly double. That could bankrupt people. And then everyone else beyond those 35 million people also get screwed, because when all of that money gets pulled out of the health care system, prices go up for everyone, hospitals close. There's already news of rural clinics shutting down. So in Washington, some people treat this health care fight as some kind of normal back and forth of politicsI think that's totally wrong. If we had a functioning democracy, this would be treated as a real life-and-death health care crisis. So I think Democrats need to be willing to stand up and fight against millions of people losing their health care. We are not just picking a political issue. We are picking an issue that makes a real difference in the life of everyday people, whether they are engaged in the daily news or not. TIME: Youve argued that Democrats need to lean into economic populism to win voters back. Do you see this shutdown fight as a chance to make that case and if so, how does the health care fight fit into that broader message? Casar: Sixty years ago, everyone knew Democrats were the party that stood for working people against the rich and powerful. And today there's confusion about who the Democrats are and what we stand for. We need to fix that problem, and so taking on big fights, both against Trump, but also for working class people, like fighting for health care for everybody, is the right thing to do is how we show everyday people which party is really fighting for them. We have a chance this coming week to unite as congressional Democrats for working people, and I think our constituents are with us. TIME: President Trump is trying to frame this as Democrats demanding Medicaid for undocumented immigrants. How do you respond to that charge? Casar: Look, Trump is trying to hide the fact that virtually every single Republican in Congress just voted for his bill to kick 15 million U.S. citizens off of their health care. Its the oldest trick in the book, where, when Trump gets in trouble, he starts mentioning an immigrant somewhere, but it wasn't an immigrant that signed a bill into law to cause a health care crisis for everyday families. It wasn't an immigrant who signed a bill into law that will close hospitals and clinics all across America. It was Donald Trump, and eventually people are going to get sick and tired of his B.S. strategy of trying to blame an immigrant for something that Donald Trump himself did. TIME: Republicans are offering a clean, 7-week extension to keep the government open. Why not vote for that to avoid a shutdown and then negotiate with Republicans on ACA subsidies later? Thune and Johnson have already indicated they would be open to it. Casar: The dirty bill that Thune and Johnson have called clean would walk us in on the path to 15 million Americans losing their health care. And I think that Democrats have a responsibility to our constituents and to our constituents health care. We don't have a responsibility to vote for whatever bill that Donald Trump and the Republicans write entirely on their own. Only people in Washington, D.C. would call a plan to kick 15 million people off of their health care quote unquote clean. So, you know, Donald Trump said the other day that he would meet with Democratic leaders and then pulled the meeting at the last minute. I think it's pretty clear that Donald Trump does not want a high-profile meeting covered in the news where Trump has to argue why he's kicking people off of their health care to give billionaires a tax break while leaders of the Democratic Party argue that we want to fund the government and fund people's health care. He just doesn't want to have that conversation on television. TIME: One historical parallel here is that in 2018, Democrats ended a shutdown after Mitch McConnell promised them a vote on Dreamers a promise that failed to ever pass. Many progressives at the time saw that as surrendering leverage for nothing concrete. If Republicans now offered Democrats a similar off-ramp say, a future vote on the ACA tax credits instead of putting it into the funding law would you urge Senate Democrats to reject it? Casar: We need to put up a real fight here, not a fake fight. So, you know, I think that it is really important for us to continue to press Trump and the Republicans to negotiate on this health care crisis. But Democrats can't settle for crumbs here. And I think what you just described sounds much more like folding to me than fighting. TIME: Who do you think will be held accountable if the government shuts down? Are you worried that it'll be the Democrats? Casar: Donald Trump, and people like Elon Musk waving a chainsaw around on stage, have made it very clear that they are the party of shutting down the government and taking people's basic government services away from them. Traditionally, people in Washington do their best to make sure the other party gets blamed for a shutdown, but Donald Trump seems to be grabbing every microphone he can scream into to say it was us, the Republicans shut it down. House Republicans keep trying to blame this on the Democrats, but Trump turns to the camera and says, no, it's me, blame me, Donald Trump. He called this meeting with Democratic leaders. He wouldn't even sit down to talk. We have the opportunity to vote to restore people's health care and keep government funding open on Monday and Tuesday, Speaker Johnson is refusing to even bring the Republicans into Washington, D.C. And then Trump had [Director of the Office of Management and Budget] Russ Vought put into his OMB memo that they want to fire workers and cut services themselves, without the Democrats. So at the end of the day, I think Donald Trump is in some ways, doing things in a very strange and unhinged way that we haven't seen in prior shutdown showdowns, where Donald Trump seems to be wanting to take the blame himself for shutting down government programs and laying off government workers. Write to Nik Popli at nik.popli@time.com. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Its hard to believe its already been a year since Lana Del Rey made headlines with her low-key wedding to alligator tour guide Jeremy Dufrene. But yesterday evening, the artist herself celebrated their anniversary by sharing previously unseen photos from their Louisiana ceremony. Mostly black-and-white, the images looked vintage and timelessmuch like her Victorian wedding gown. Designed by Macye Wysner of Cinq, the gown was adapted from one of the bridal labels Collection IV pieces, the River, but given the Lana Del Rey treatment. Made of ivory cotton lace with a scalloped ruffle neckline, the dress was romantic and feminine, with small lace ribbons holding up layers of lightly pleated silk tulle to create a textured and layered silhouette. She paired it with a floral brooch, delicate silver jewelry, and a softly curled blowout decorated with different colored hair bows. The philosophy of the Los Angeles-based brand, to dress brides in garments that exist as odes to the past poised for the future, felt perfectly in line with Del Reys nostalgic-yet-fresh wedding celebration, attended by Jack Antonoff and Margaret Qualley (also photographed). Elsewhere, the artist shared a look at her wedding cake, a two-tiered design that balanced simplicity with personality. Decorated with a framed illustration from Louisiana childrens book Cajun Night Before Christmas, and a few buttercream flower decorations, it felt as personal and sweet as a wedding cake should. The couple were captured sharing slices (and kisses) on the big day, looking all loved up. You Might Also Like Comey implicitly trusts Pat Fitzgerald. Theyve been best friends, or really good friends, for years, said Robert Grant, former FBI special agent in charge of the Chicago office at the time Fitzgerald served as U.S. attorney. (Brian Kersey / Getty Images file) CHICAGO In the run-up to former FBI Director James Comeys indictment, there was no question who would step up to represent him. Friend and former colleague Patrick Fitzgerald, who served as U.S. attorney in Chicago for over a decade, would spring from retirement to be his man. Nationally, Fitzgerald is best known for his role as special prosecutor in the investigation into a CIA leak that brought charges against I. Lewis Scooter Libby. But to Chicago, Fitzgerald is something of a legend. The George W. Bush appointee left an indelible legacy as a scrupulous, hard-charging prosecutor who disrupted the kinds of crooked backroom deals that were long a trademark of Illinois politics. Over his nearly 12-year tenure as U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, his prosecutions took down the Chicago mob, put two consecutive governors one Republican, one Democratic behind bars and won a conviction against a top donor to Barack Obama just as Obama was running for the White House. He jailed longtime untouchables in Chicago and Springfield political circles while prosecuting international cases, including a Hamas funding scheme and major terrorism cases. Still in the Chicago area, Fitzgerald retired as a top partner at the law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom two years ago and was enjoying spending more time with his family while doing some teaching. Hes entering the national spotlight to be Comeys attorney out of longtime loyalty to a dear friend, those close to him say. But hes potentially embarking on what could become a political firestorm. President Donald Trump made clear in his own social media post that he wanted his attorney general to bring charges against Comey. Comey implicitly trusts Pat Fitzgerald. Theyve been best friends, or really good friends, for years, said Robert Grant, former FBI special agent in charge of the Chicago office at the time Fitzgerald served as U.S. attorney. Theyre that close, and he also has a tremendous amount of respect for Pat. When Fitzgerald landed in Chicago in 2001, he was dubbed Eliot Ness with a Harvard Law degree. But before that, he was the first to bring a case against Osama bin Laden in 1996 years before bin Laden masterminded the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. It was one-term Illinois Republican Sen. Peter Fitzgerald (no relation) who recommended Patrick Fitzgerald for the post, at the time saying he wanted someone to lead the office who was unassailable and unafraid to root out public corruption. Pat was out of central casting to be the incorruptible guy that was in aggressive pursuit of the facts and dispensing justice and vindicating the publics right for honest government, said Patrick Collins, a former federal prosecutor who led the case against former Gov. George Ryan, a Republican. As a line assistant who was intensely involved in a prosecution and worked in an office that had a reputation for prosecuting without fear or favor, having Pat Fitzgerald as your boss he had your back, he added. We always knew that cases would rise or fall on the facts. Fitzgeralds and Comeys personal styles couldnt be more different. For years, Comey has publicly clashed with Trump, who fired him during his first White House term. Most controversially, Comey held a news conference days before the 2016 presidential election to disclose new findings of an investigation into Hillary Clintons emails. Comey also frequently posts on social media including a video on the day of his indictment vowing to take on Trump. For his part, Fitzgerald is unassuming and does not relish being in the limelight, those close to him say. Fitzgerald, an Amherst College and Harvard Law graduate, had a steel-trap mind when they worked together, Grant said, describing a photographic memory that would allow him to rattle off cellphone numbers of defendants years after prosecuting a case. But his demeanor was shaped by humble beginnings in Brooklyn, where he grew up the son of a hotel doorman. Theres a little bit of hubris you see in Comey that you dont see in Pat, Grant said. When you first meet Pat, hes so down-to-earth that you dont realize what a brilliant mind there is behind that genial exterior. Whoever that prosecutor is, shes up against a damn good lawyer. Lindsey Halligan, the new interim U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, presented the case to secure Comeys indictment on her own, according to a source familiar with the grand jury proceedings in Alexandria, Virginia, on Thursday. A senior Justice Department official told NBC News that career prosecutors in Halligans office sent her a memo saying they believed probable cause did not exist to secure the indictment. Trump tapped Halligan who has no prosecutorial experience but was on his defense team in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case after the previous acting U.S. attorney left the position under pressure from the president to prosecute Comey. When he gained national exposure for prosecuting Libby, Fitzgerald became something of a media darling. He was sometimes referred to jokingly as prosecutie, according to one of his friends, and in 2005, much to his dismay at the time, he was named in People magazines sexiest men alive issue. The straight-laced prosecutor appeared visibly uncomfortable when reporters asked him about the designation at a news conference. I almost enjoy going back to the leak questions I cant answer, he said at the time. I played a lot of practical jokes on people for a lot of years, and they all got even at once. OK, new topic. Fitzgeralds investigations during his time in Chicago broke open a seminal case against the criminal organization known as the Chicago Outfit. Dubbed Operation Family Secrets, his office brought sweeping charges against more than a dozen mobsters and exposed evidence of 18 previously unsolved murders dating back decades. He also dug into Chicago City Hall, then under the longtime grip of Mayor Richard M. Daley. A massive investigation into an illicit trucking operation sent dozens to prison and exposed the underbelly of city corruption. Fitzgerald had plenty of detractors. Many of their criticisms stemmed from one of the highest-profile cases to come of his office: the prosecution of then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich. The yearslong investigation culminated in the stunning 2008 arrest of a sitting governor. Though several of his aides were already convicted of related crimes, Blagojevich, a Democrat, spoke openly on the phone with the FBI listening about how he could extract a personal benefit in exchange for naming the successor to what was then Obamas vacant Senate seat. In one of the best-known lines of the case, Blagojevich was recorded relishing a potential payout from using his power as governor to name the next U.S. senator: Ive got this thing, and its f-----g golden. Blagojevich was also later convicted of trying to shake down a childrens hospital executive for a $25,000 campaign contribution in exchange for an increase to pediatric reimbursement rates, as well as holding up action on a horse-racing bill while he illegally sought a $100,000 campaign contribution. In laying out the charges on the day of the governors arrest, Fitzgerald declared Blagojevich was on a public corruption spree that would make Lincoln roll over in his grave. Fitzgerald faced criticism for making extrajudicial remarks and potentially prejudicing a jury. For years, Blagojevich assailed Fitzgerald for bringing the weight of the office against him. Trump first commuted Blagojevichs sentence, then pardoned him earlier this year. Then there was the Libby case, which involved extensive travel to Washington, D.C., while managing the Chicago office and its myriad blockbuster cases. According to law enforcement officials who worked under him, he never dropped the ball back home. At the same time, Fitzgerald drew national attention as he handled the investigation, which sought to uncover who leaked the identity of Valerie Plame Wilson, a covert CIA agent. At one point in the case, New York Times reporter Judith Miller was jailed for refusing to disclose her sources. Fitzgerald took heat from conservatives who called him overzealous in attempting to notch a conviction against Libby, who had served as then-Vice President Dick Cheneys chief of staff. Bush commuted Libbys 30-month sentence, and in 2017, Trump pardoned him, saying he had heard Libby was treated unfairly. In a statement at the time, Fitzgerald defended the prosecution, saying Libby lied repeatedly and blatantly about matters at the heart of a criminal investigation concerning the disclosure of a covert intelligence officers identity. Those who worked with Fitzgerald in Chicago defended him as zealously apolitical, noting he served under presidents of both parties. They held up his body of work as evidence he was no friend to those on either side of the aisle. I worked with him for nine years. I have no idea if hes a Republican or a Democrat, and it quite frankly never came up. Hes entirely about justice and doing the right thing, said Eric Sussman, a defense attorney who worked as an assistant U.S. attorney under Fitzgerald. Sussman prosecuted a corruption case against onetime media baron Conrad Black, another high-profile defendant sent to prison in that era after he was convicted of diverting proceeds from his newspaper sales for his personal use. Like with Blagojevich, Trump would eventually pardon Black. Pat really professionalized the office and made sure that everyone underneath him operated with the same professionalism, integrity and commitment to doing the right thing in Justice, Sussman added. That carried over not just to the attorneys in the office, but to how people in Chicago perceived him and perceived the office that he ran. GoogleMaps The skull was found near a plumbing business in San Antonio on Sept. 15, 2025 NEED TO KNOW A worker at a San Antonio plumbing business found a decomposing skull while cutting the grass on Sept. 15 Other small possible body parts were found at the scene The skull and other remains were later identified as belonging to 30-year-old Austin Thomas Wyrosdick An employee was cutting the grass at a San Antonio plumbing business when he stumbled upon a skull. I saw what looked like a dried cantaloupe or something, Walter Stephens told ABC affiliate KSAT about the gruesome discovery he made on Monday, Sept. 15, on the lawn near Harrell Commercial Plumbing. He continued, I picked it up, and the bottom part of the jaw stayed on the ground. When I turned it over and saw the teeth, I was like, Oh my God. Stephens told the outlet that he alerted his boss, Brad Harrell, the vice president of the company, about what hed found. Harrell immediately called the police, the outlet reported. The San Antonio Police Department said in a release shared with PEOPLE that officers responded to reports of a found skull at 1300 Block of N San Jacinto Street on that Monday at around 1:34 p.m. local time. When officials arrived at the scene, they discovered a possible human skull that was decomposing. The men were processing what theyd found when talking to local media. You dont think youre going to see a human skull, ever really, Harrell told KSAT. There was no skin or anything on it. It had been decomposed for a while. Harrell said that detectives informed him that other remains were found near the creek thats located behind the business, including multiple bones and a detached mandible, the outlet reported. In their statement, authorities said they located other small possible body parts" after securing the scene. The remains were later identified by the local coroner as belonging to Austin Thomas Wyrosdick, 30, KSAT and CBS affiliate KENS reported. The police described the incident as an apparent sudden death. The Bexar County Medical Examiners Office confirmed to PEOPLE that the cause and manner of Wyrosdicks death are still pending. As the investigation continues, Stephens and Harrell have their own theories about what occurred. They often frequent the area and dont think the remains were there long, the men told KSAT. 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. Either someone picked it up and dropped it off there, or some type of animal moved it, Harrell told the outlet. It wasnt knee-high grass where youre cutting the grass and are like, Whoa, hey there it is. In an interview with KENS, Stephens said the skull was found near bowls to feed stray dogs. Its sad, Stephens told the outlet, but it was good I found him. Read the original article on People (Refiles to fix link to earlier story in paragraph 8) By Lizbeth Diaz IRIMBO, Michoacan, Mexico (Reuters) -Family and friends gathered in a small Mexican town on Friday to mourn and demand justice for a 38-year-old father of two who was killed by an immigration agent during an arrest attempt in a Chicago suburb earlier this month. Silverio Villegas Gonzalez left Irimbo, in Mexico's Michoacan state, for the United States 18 years ago. He returned on Thursday in a coffin after he was shot dead by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent on September 12. On Friday afternoon, a somber procession followed his coffin to a funeral mass. "We are in a lot of pain," Villegas' older brother Jorge Villegas told Reuters through tears. "At least my brother is here now. We can finally give him a Christian burial." Villegas' killing, just after dropping off his two children at a nearby elementary school and daycare, has inflamed tensions over U.S. President Donald Trump's aggressive immigration crackdown and highlighted the increasingly violent tactics of immigration agents. "He was a good father. He didn't deserve what happened to him," brother Jorge said. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said an agent fired his weapon at Villegas in self-defense after the man drove his vehicle toward agents. Bodycam footage and documents reviewed by Reuters showed a more complex version of events. Both Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum have called for further investigations into the ICE agents' tactics. "I truly hope that justice will be served. The way he was killed, the way things happened, cannot go unpunished," Jorge said. Blanca Avila, who went to school with Villegas, said she remembers him as a humble man and a good classmate, and that his death has stirred fears for her siblings living in the U.S. "They go out to work with the fear that immigration will arrive and do something to them, just like what happened to our classmate," Avila said. "We are humble and very hardworking people, just like Silverio was." (Reporting by Ivan Arias in Irimbo and Lizbeth Diaz in Mexico City; Writing by Brendan O'Boyle in Mexico City; Editing by Kim Coghill) Gofundme Jessica Gilbert NEED TO KNOW Jessica Gilbert, 42, assumed her fever and "stuffy head" were signs of a sinus infection When tests came back negative for COVID-19, the flu and RSV, she asked the doctor if it was a sinus infection or low iron Instead, her ER physician diagnosed her with stage 3 ovarian cancer An Ohio mother of two mistook her ovarian cancer symptoms for those of a sinus infection. Jessica Gilbert, a 42-year-old wife and mom, felt "off" before a family trip to Walt Disney World in January. "I woke up with a fever, and I thought it was a sinus infection because I had a stuffy head all week," Gilbert told ABC News. "I decided to go to my [primary care] doctor to get COVID, flu, [and] RSV tests, and they all came back negative." After the negative test results, Gilbert presumed her symptoms reflected a potential sinus infection or low iron levels. However, once she explained the symptoms, an ER doctor suggested they run tests for ovarian cancer. "The whole world just stood still," Gilbert told the outlet. "I was just totally shocked. [I had] no family history. I didn't know any of the signs for ovarian cancer. I just didn't know anything about it at all." Gofundme Jessica Gilbert Doctors at UC Medical Center went on to diagnose her with stage 3 ovarian cancer, local NBC affiliate WLWT 5 reports. "I didn't really know the symptoms for ovarian cancer. And since I don't have family history, I just really didn't think anything of it," Gilbert told WLWT. She has since had a full hysterectomy and started chemotherapy. Gilbert cited her longtime support for the Cincinnati Bengals as one of her comforts as she undergoes treatment. "I feel like the Bengals are always like kind of considered the underdog. And Joe Burrow, he said, 'Why not us?' And that really stuck with me," Gilbert told the local news station. Gilbert's brother, Shawn Gilbert, started a GoFundMe to support the financial and emotional costs of his sister's cancer treatment journey. 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. "My dear sister, Jessica Gilbert, a loving mother to 6-year-old Harry and 10-year-old Mia, is facing a tough and unexpected fight," Shawn wrote in the description. "We are reaching out to you, our community to rally together and provide Jessica with the financial support she needs to get the best possible care and to ease the burden on her family during this challenging time," Shawn continued. As of publication, the fundraiser has raised $25,200 of their $40,000 goal. Read the original article on People CBS Colorado/YouTube Suspect caught on news crew's camera NEED TO KNOW A burglary suspect was arrested after being spotted by news crews reporting on his alleged crimes in Colorado on Sept. 26 CBS anchor Justin Adams said he received a description of the suspect from the Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office moments before noticing the man The suspect, identified as Richard Applequist, was arrested around 10 minutes after news crews alerted police A man accused of multiple burglaries is in custody after being caught on camera by news crews that were reporting on his alleged crimes. On Friday, Sept. 26, several local Colorado outlets were reporting on an individual suspected of committing multiple trespasses and burglaries in neighborhoods along CO Hwy 103 in Idaho Springs" when they spotted someone matching the man's description, the Clear Creek County Sheriffs Office said in a news release shared on Facebook. The suspect, who has since been identified as Richard Applequist, walked directly by news cameras before going through a parking lot. According to the sheriffs office, two news crews immediately called 911. Deputies and Idaho Springs Police quickly responded to the area and were able to locate and arrest Applequist," the news release said. Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office Burglary suspect An extensive search was initially launched for Applequist following a series of incidents that took place between Sept. 23 and Sept. 25. Before the man's arrest, police had reason to believe that he was still in the area and armed. In a video released by the Clear Creek County Sheriffs Office, the suspect could be seen carrying a gun. He allegedly caused over $4,000 in damages while trespassing at two properties, before later trespassing at another, per CBS News. 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 night before he was caught on news crews cameras, police had located Applequist using a drone. However, authorities said he crashed his vehicle and rolled into [a] ditch" before fleeing on foot ahead of deputies' arrival. After the ground search concluded, law enforcement continued to patrol the area throughout the night until this mornings arrest, the police release said. CBS news anchor Justin Adams was among the news crew members who were shocked to spot Applequist while reporting on his alleged crime spree in Idaho Springs. Recalling the situation to news anchors in the CBS Colorado studio, Adams said he asked authorities for the suspects description moments before catching him on camera. After the 6:55 hit, [photographer] El Dee was kind of pointing out, theres somebody who looks exactly like I was saying, Adams said. "I was kind of more in a sense of disbelief that wait a minute, this is the guy who Im literally just talking about and described on live TV. Hes right now crossing the street, so I said, Hey, put your camera on him,' " he continued. We dont know what its going to be, but if nothing else, we make sure that we have that footage, and it turned out that was the individual as well, Adams added. Police arrived around 10 minutes after the journalist reported the sighting. Jenny Fulton, a spokesperson for the Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office, described the situation as amazing in a statement to CBS News, highlighting how police never get suspects while the media is on the scene. "This is how we got our suspect. We had media partners at CBS and other media partners report by calling 911 and saying, 'Hey, I think we just found your suspect.' And you were spot-on, and he's in custody, Fulton said. Applequist is being held in the Clear Creek County jail pending charges including two counts of first-degree burglary, possession of a weapon by a previous offender, eluding, impersonating a peace officer, theft, criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest and third-degree burglary, according to the Clear Creek County Sheriffs Office. Applequist is now a person of interest in other burglaries that have occurred in the same general area in the past several weeks, polcie said in their news release. "This is an ongoing investigation; if anyone has any information or has surveillance footage of this suspect or a suspicious person on their property, please email crime_tips@clearcreeksheriff.us or call our non-emergency number 303-980-7300." CBS news anchor Adams did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for further information on Saturday, Sept. 27. Read the original article on People Record producer Metro Boomin was found not liable for sexual assault and battery after a lawsuit filed last year accused him of impregnating a woman nearly a decade ago. After a three-day civil trial, a Los Angeles jury cleared the hip-hop artist, whose real name is Leland Tyler Wayne. Criminal charges were not filed against him. In a statement shared on Instagram, the 32-year-old St. Louis native thanked God that he could "finally put all of this nonsense behind me." "Based off of how I treat others and represent myself, never in a million years would I have thought I could be accused of such a disgusting and heinous act," Wayne wrote. Metro Boomin at Lionsgate's "Hurry Up Tomorrow" World Premiere on May 13, 2025 in New York City. Wayne said the allegations not only damaged his "family friendly brand" but added trauma for him and his family including his young siblings in school. Vanessa LeMaistre alleged Wayne raped her in 2016 after giving her a single shot of alcohol during a studio session when she already took half of a Xanax pill, according to the lawsuit obtained by USA TODAY. Demi Moore at Gucci, Hilary Duff at Fendi, more top moments from Milan Fashion Week 2025 Milan Fashion Week is heating things up in Italy, and the most talked-about Italian fashion houses are bringing in A-listers to witness their over-the-top spring/summer 2026 collections. See the runway looks and celebrities stepping out for the September 2025 fashion shows, starting with Demi Moore at Gucci's exclusive screening of "The Tiger," a short film directed by Spike Jonze and Halina Reijn, on Sept. 23, 2025. USA TODAY has reached out to LeMaistre's attorney for comment. Contributing: Anika Reed and Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Metro Boomin found not liable in sexual assault trial United Archives via Getty Grace Kelly in the 1950s. NEED TO KNOW In 1982, Grace Kelly sat down for an interview with PEOPLE five months before her tragic death The iconic actress died at age 52 after suffering a stroke while driving Prior to her death, Kelly talked to PEOPLE about whether or not she missed the big screen and what she hoped for in the future On Sept. 13, 1982, actress Grace Kelly, later known as Princess Grace of Monaco, was driving home when she suffered a stroke, plunging her car off a mountainside near Monte Carlo. The following day, the Country Girl actress died from her injuries at the age of 52. The daughter of a former model and a wealthy industrialist, Kelly was a child actor and the epitome of glamour in the early 1950s, often modeling and appearing in TV commercials. Then, just as her career began to crest, the Oscar-winning actress took a step back from acting at the age of 26 and married Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956. The couple had three children: Princess Caroline, 68, Prince Albert, 67, whos had a 20-year reign over Monaco, and Princess Stephanie, 60. Stephanie was in the car with her mother the evening of the fatal crash, but she refused to speak about the accident for several years. While Kelly often feuded with the media, she granted PEOPLE a rare interview at the reigning family's Paris residence in April 1982, five months before her death. In the chat, the Rear Window star made it clear she had no regrets about fleeing the United States for love. People Grace Kelly on the cover of PEOPLE on April 5, 1982. I don't look back. I haven't had the time. I haven't retired, you know, she said, adding that a return to the big screen was unlikely. She continued, I think no matter what we do in life we have the same problems to faceproblems of our own personality, our own limitations, our own shortcomings. People's lives are going to be pretty much the same because of the people they are. We can cite environment, or parents or society only up to a certain point. After you're 25, you do it to yourself. Kelly eschewed the idea that she would return to film, despite speculation at the time, noting that she didn't feel like her life was lacking in any way. "Well, there it is againthe media trying to pigeonhole me. To act, to have a career, and do it well, you have to do it completely, and I don't have the time for this. I did enjoy and take pride in my work as an actress, yet I'm bemused by suppositions that my life since has somehow been less fulfilling. That certainly is not the case, she said in the April 5, 1982, cover story. Rather the reverse. For me as a woman, it was an easy decision to make and has remained easy to keep. In the last 26 years, I have been more of a producer in the artistic and cultural fields than anything else. But the press doesn't seem to be interested in that side of my life. Bettmann/Getty Grace Kelly holds her Oscar for "The Country Girl" at the 27th Academy Awards in 1954 Elsewhere in the interview, the princess reflected on her parenting, but refused to delve into her childrens personal lives, particularly her daughter Carolines 1980 divorce from Philippe Junot. At the time, ABC was producing a TV movie about Kelly, which she bristled at, calling the storyline rather icky and revolting. I think that no one has the right to exploit what I have donemy name and my life and my careerwithout permission. All you have is your name and your reputation. When people try to take that away, you are naturally going to resist, she said, adding that shed written letters to dissuade the project from happening. She continued, I certainly don't think of my life as a fairy tale. I think of myself as a modern, contemporary woman who has had to deal with all kinds of problems that many women today have to deal with. I am still coping trying to cope." Bettmann Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier exit their wedding at the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in 1956. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. While a return to the screen wasnt on the royals radar, grandchildren were, although she had none when she died. No one likes the idea of getting older. It's a question of facing the inevitable and not getting upset about it. One doesn't feel older until you start getting aches and pains and have to curtail or adjust your activities. That hasn't happened to me yet, she said at the time. I'm lucky, and am just looking forward to what comes next. Being a grandmother would be an exciting experience. Between the three of them, Kelly's children went on to have 11 kids of their own. Although they never got to meet their grandmother, they affectionately call the late princess "Meme des anges," which translates to "Grandma of the Angels." Read the original article on People By Tom Balmforth and Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told the West on Saturday that any aggression against Moscow would face a "decisive response," warning against attempts to down aircraft in Russian airspace and accusing Germany of militaristic rhetoric. As Russia's war rages in Ukraine, tensions have mounted along NATO's eastern flank in recent weeks as Estonia said Moscow sent three fighter jets into its airspace and NATO warplanes shot down Russian drones over Poland. "Any aggression against my country will be met with a decisive response. There should be no doubt about this among those in NATO and the EU who ... are telling their voters that war with Russia is inevitable," he told the United Nations General Assembly. The spate of airspace incursions linked to Russia has unnerved countries in eastern Europe where Russia is seen as the biggest threat since the end of the Cold War. Hopes have dimmed of any imminent end to Moscow's war in Ukraine. U.S. President Donald Trump said this week that he endorsed the idea of shooting down Russian jets that violate NATO airspace, part of a rhetorical shift that saw him mock Russia's military performance in Ukraine and call it a paper tiger. Lavrov brushed off Trump's most recent remarks during a press conference that followed his General Assembly speech, but issued a warning about any moves against aircraft inside Russia. "If there are attempts to down any flying object, any object... in our airspace, then I think people will very much regret undertaking such an egregious violation of our territorial integrity and sovereignty," he said. He told the U.N. General Assembly that Russia had never targeted EU or NATO countries with drones or missiles, and that it had no plans to do so in the future. He said that only the "politically blind" would expect Ukraine to one day return to the borders it had before Russia invaded in February 2022, an indirect response to Trump's assertion that Kyiv could retake all its occupied land from Russia. Lavrov also singled out German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, referring to what he said was "militaristic rhetoric" and said Moscow was alarmed by remarks by politicians in EU and NATO capitals of a looming World War Three as a "likely scenario." RUSSIA HOPES FOR 'FRANK DIALOGUE' Despite taking aim at NATO and the European Union, Lavrov made clear Moscow remained hopeful of "frank dialogue" with the United States under Trump despite the U.S. president's recent shifting stance. The U.S. and Russia, he said, will hold a third round of talks in the coming months aimed at improving each other's embassy operations, which have been severely curtailed by a decade of tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions and other curbs. Lavrov met U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday on the sidelines of the annual gathering of world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly. Lavrov said he did not see economic relations between Russia and India as under threat, as Trump has placed tariffs on products from India, calling on it - and China - to stop purchasing Russian oil. RUSSIA CONCERNED OVER US BUILDUP NEAR VENEZUELA Despite his cautious tone on Trump, Lavrov voiced alarm over a U.S. naval build-up and military action in international waters around Venezuela to combat drug cartels, describing the situation as "very serious." Without naming the U.S., Lavrov questioned whether "certain creative actors" could try to use a proposed draft U.N. Security Council resolution to create a larger international force to fight gangs in Haiti to justify an attack within Venezuela. The draft text being considered by the 15-member body has been put forward by the U.S. and Panama. It needs at least nine votes and no vetoes by Russia, China, the U.S., France or Britain to pass. "I cannot rule out that certain creative actors could think of getting a mandate at the Security Council and later say that there are gangs from Haiti harbored in Venezuela. I cannot rule that out," said Lavrov. (Reporting by Tom Balmforth and Michelle NicholsEditing by Nick Zieminski and Deepa Babington) Leila Register / Courtesy Dateline; AP Earlier this year, Daniel Krug was convicted of killing his wife in an insidious murder plot: He stalked her for months, sending increasingly terrifying messages and posing as someone she hadnt seen in decades an ex-boyfriend whod struggled to get over their breakup. A cousin of Kristil Krugs now believes she might still be alive if communications companies had responded faster to search warrants that eventually provided key evidence to authorities investigating the case. That evidence, which helped identify Krugs husband as the stalker, didnt come for weeks, until after Kristil, 43, was fatally struck in the head and stabbed on Dec. 14, 2023, in their suburban Colorado home. In an interview with Dateline, the cousin, Rebecca Ivanoff, called on state and federal lawmakers to require companies to respond to stalking-related search warrants within 48 hours. Im looking at a system here that has a fundamental flaw that we can fix easily, said Ivanoff, a former prosecutor who specialized in domestic violence cases. Ivanoff pointed to the link between stalking and homicide researchers have found that victims are significantly more likely to die at the hands of an intimate partner if theyve been stalked and called her proposal homicide prevention. She described the numerous steps her cousin took to protect herself, including installing security cameras, maintaining a detailed stalker log that she provided to law enforcement, and eventually carrying a handgun. Kristil Krug. (Courtesy Dateline ) Kristil did everything right, she said. The system operated as its currently designed, and she still got killed. Emily Tofte Nestaval, executive director of a Colorado-based legal service nonprofit that assisted Kristils family, called Ivanoffs 48-hour response window more than reasonable. She said her organization has encountered far too many cases where a more timely and diligent response from communication providers could have or would have been lifesaving, as we believe was true in Ms. Krugs situation. The district attorney whose office prosecuted Daniel said its critical for companies to respond quickly because criminals can turn from stalking a victim to killing that victim at any time. Brian Mason, district attorney for Colorados 17th Judicial District, noted that many stalkers leave a digital trail of evidence that can be used to identify suspects and save lives evidence that can be uncovered through forensic searches of phones and online accounts. When law enforcement sends subpoenas to tech companies for this evidence, it is imperative that these companies respond in a timely and thorough manner, he said. Lives are literally on the line. In response to questions about how search warrants were processed in Kristils case, officials with two of the companies Verizon and Google pointed to the many requests they said they receive from law enforcement annually. For Verizon, that number is 325,000, with 75,000 emergency requests, a spokesperson said. The spokesperson said the company typically responds to those requests in the order received and that it generally doesnt know the nature of the investigations. They prioritize requests that law enforcement considers emergent, the spokesperson said. Data from Google shows the company received tens of thousands of warrants just in the second half of 2023. In a statement, Google said it prioritizes its responses based on a variety of factors, including whether law enforcement tells them if the matter is an ongoing emergency. At Google, we recognize the critical importance of maintaining flexibility in our processes to effectively triage matters based on the individual circumstances, particularly when assessing the presence of an ongoing emergency, the company said. A third company, TextNow, did not respond to requests for comment. The unnerving messages begin In Kristils case, the stalking began 10 weeks before her death. A police report shows the first message arrived Oct. 2 via text: Hope its OK I looked u up. I go to boulder every few weeks and thought we could hook up. U game? The author of the note identified himself as Anthony an apparent reference to Jack Anthony Holland, a man Kristil began dating the summer before college. They were together for just over a year, according to a timeline Kristil provided to authorities, and he periodically reached out and expressed what Kristil believed was an interest in getting back together. She married Daniel, a financial analyst with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, in 2007. They had three children. Kristil and Daniel Krug. (Courtesy Dateline) Kristil didnt respond to the text, or to a series of increasingly hostile messages the next day, according to the police report. But a few weeks later, the messages continued and escalated dramatically, the police report shows. One from an a.holland email address included a vulgar note and a photo of her husband. Others contained sexually explicit photos and appeared to come from people responding to an ad posted on a classified site with Kristils phone number. Another message informed her that her license plate was expired. On Nov. 9, a message said: saw u at dentist. A few days later, Kristil got a lengthy message that appeared to threaten her husbands life. Ill get rid of him and then we can be together, the text said. So easy. In the police report, the detective noted the toll the messages were taking. Kristil is very fearful for her safety and the safety of her family, Andrew Martinez wrote. There is evidence and admission of repeated following and surveillance of her and her immediate family. The recent communication has caused her anxiety, hyper-vigilance, and paranoia. At the time, authorities still thought of her husband, Daniel, as a possible victim. In a sometimes tearful interview with the detective, Daniel described how the stalking had caused his paranoia and anxiety to surge. Im panicking and Im doing a s--- job of protecting my wife, said Daniel, 44, according to a video of the interview. Kristil an engineer who had what her cousin described as a super-analytical mind did everything she could to face the situation head-on, her family said. She began documenting the messages in a stalker log. She hired a private investigator to track down Hollands last known address, according to her family. She armed herself and went to the Broomfield Police Department, which dispatched undercover officers to keep an eye out for the stalker. (The effort came up empty.) Although the private investigator had found addresses for Holland in Utah and Idaho, Martinez, the police detective, said he wanted digital evidence proving that Holland was actually behind the messages. If the detective confronted him without that proof, he could just close the door in our face and that is the end of our case, Martinez told Dateline. So on Nov. 12, Martinez applied for the warrants for Google, TextNow and Verizon that sought information for the phone numbers and email addresses associated with the messages, police records show. They were submitted to the companies five days later. There was a typo in the warrant to Google, so Martinez resubmitted a corrected version on Dec. 6. But as the weeks passed, neither of the other companies responded. And in the days after the corrected warrant was filed, Google did not respond either. That lag wasnt unusual, Martinez said. When we serve a search warrant to any major company, unfortunately, it takes time, he said. And a lot of times it takes weeks, if not months for some companies. Following the wrong lead all along On Dec. 6, an email arrived in Kristils inbox. Hey gorgeous i cant visit u no more, it said, according to a police report. No more colorado time. My girlfriend dosnt want us talking witout her. She says u will let cops get me aftr u off him but she dont kno u likei do. Eight days later, Daniel Krug summoned police to the familys house for a welfare check after he said hed been unable to reach his wife. An officer found her body in the garage, body camera video shows. An April 1 image of the home in which Kristi Krug was found stabbed and beaten to death in Broomfield, Colo. (David Zalubowski / AP) She had a substantial head wound and appeared to have been stabbed in the chest. Authorities raced to track Holland down and with a warrant for his arrest for stalking they found him at home in Utah on Dec. 14. With help from a Utah sheriffs office, they quickly concluded that it would have been physically impossible for Holland to have been in Colorado at the time of the killing, according to a prosecutor in the case, Kate Armstrong. Holland told "Dateline" that he didn't think he'd get charged after authorities came to his door because he knew he hadn't done anything wrong. "I was like, 'I didn't do it,'" he recalled telling the officers. "I knew I was OK once the police officers left my house." At roughly the same time, investigators reached back out to Google, Verizon and TextNow, which still hadnt responded to the warrants. This time, with the exigent circumstances of a homicide linked to the request, they responded within an hour, according to police records. That data revealed the stalker used an IP address similar to the government building where Daniel worked, according to police documents. Investigators then confirmed it was linked to a public wi-fi network at Daniels office building, the documents state. To Martinez, the revelation was earth-shattering, he said. It showed that hed been on the wrong path the whole time. To Justin Marshall, the lead homicide detective, that evidence could have allowed them to act sooner. If the information that we learned pursuant to exigency had been made available in mid-November, we would have known that every communication had originated at the same location Dans work address, he said. We wouldnt have been as far behind. When investigators confronted Daniel with the evidence, he said their new "theory" was wrong and suggested the stalker may have accessed his workplace's wi-fi, a video of the interview shows. Daniel and Kristil Krug. (Courtesy Dateline ) Authorities came to believe that Daniel had been stalking Kristil whod wanted to end their marriage in an effort to scare her and push her closer to him. He killed her out of fear of being found out, Armstrong, the prosecutor, said. Daniel was arrested two days after his wifes killing and pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, stalking and criminal impersonation. Earlier this year, after a roughly two-week trial where his lawyers pointed to the lack of physical evidence and what they described as sloppy police work that failed to keep Kristil safe, he was convicted of all charges and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Pushing for change In the months after the conviction, as Ivanoff processed the evidence presented at her cousins murder trial, she said one thing became clear: We have a system failure that needs to be addressed. She pointed to how quickly the emergency requests for data associated with the stalkers devices and email addresses were returned and said its clear that the companies can move fast when they want to. Had they moved as quickly as they did after Kristil was killed, she said, perhaps the outcome would have been different. They couldve arrested him weeks before shes killed, and she couldve safety planned in a way that couldve saved her life, she said. Asked about Ivanoffs claim that Kristil might be alive if the companies had acted faster, Google and TextNow did not respond, while Verizon said in a statement that it was highly unlikely that any of its data would have identified the source of the stalking messages. The statement added that the stalking warrant had not been designated as an emergency by law enforcement. Ivanoff said she is in the beginning stages of reaching out to lawmakers, victims rights groups and others in her push for swifter response times to search warrants. But she hopes federal lawmakers enact model legislation that states can adopt. The benefit is clear for law enforcement and victims, Ivanoff said, but defense attorneys should also support the change. She recalled that there was an arrest warrant for Holland, who she said couldve been jailed while authorities awaited the digital evidence. Think about the innocent person thats accused having to wait and incur all of the attendant impacts of the full weight of the states system being brought to bear on them, losing their liberty, losing their job, losing connections with family, friends, she said. Ivanoffs proposal, which shes calling Kristils Law, is a fight worth taking on, she said. If Kristil could, I think, say anything right now, it would be: Get that done. If you or someone you know is facing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence hotline for help at (800) 799-SAFE (7233), or go to www.thehotline.org for more. States often have domestic violence hotlines as well. For the autumn lovers who cannot wait for their yearly rewatch of Gilmore Girls, imagine that Stars Hollow came with ocean breezes, palm trees, and sunsets that fade into the skyline. If this is you, Waikoloa Village on the Big Island of Hawai'i is going to be your dream destination. Equal parts small town charm and tropical escape, here friendly locals greet you at the markets, and daily life flows with a beat that seems familiar. The Gilmore Girls Parallel Waikoloa Village has that "everybody knows everybody" vibe, far away from the bustling resort strip. This is a community where you'll see the same barista at the cafe, auntie at the farmers market, and neighbors waving hello as you walk through the streets. Just as Lorelai and Rory could never get through town without bumping into Kirk or Taylor, you'll quickly learn that life in Waikoloa is a string of friendly encounters wrapped in Aloha spirit. A quirky blend of old and new, modern condos and golf courses are alongside historic cultural sites and lava fields. Like Stars Hollow's town square with its gazebo and festivals, Waikoloa centers around gathering places; the local market, community events, and, of course, the beaches. A Hidden Gem: Beach 69 Waikoloa boasts easy access to big-name beaches; one of its most beloved is affectionately' called Beach 69, named after the old utility pole marking its turnoff. Dotted with shady trees and small coves, this is a more intimate and secluded feeling that remains a perfect spot to spread out on a blanket or dip into turquoise water. It's a secret swimming hole that Rory might have stumbled upon-quiet, enchanting, distinctly local, and perfect for curling up with a good book. Lava Lava Beach Club: Emily and Richards Second Favorite Club A short drive from Waikola Village is Lava Lava Beach Club, ideally situated on the Anaehoomalu Bay. Here, you'll find casual island dining that will impress your old-money parents and a toes-in-the-sand vibe for your mildly rebellious younger self. Enjoy fish tacos, poke nachos, and tropical cocktails that are both satisfying and fresh. The atmosphere is worth the price of the trip itself. Locals and visitors alike meet for sunsets to see the sky paint itself in fiery hues of pink and orange. Float away in Hawaiian bliss as live music drifts in and out of your ears, and you'll start to feel as if you're a permanent part of the community, even if it is your first night in town. Stepping Back in Time: Puako Petroglyph Park Stars Hollow had its history with quirky town lore. Still, Waikoloa has something infinitely more profound: the Puako Petroglyph Archaeological Preserve, a short self-guided tour through kiawe trees that leads you to one of the largest collections of ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs in the state. Depicting human figures, animals, and various symbols, these carvings were etched into lava rock centuries ago and offer a glimpse into the stories and spirituality of the early people who lived on the Big Island. Surrounded by echoes of the past, you're sure to feel the sense of rooted cultural heritage of those who came before. Why Waikoloa Feels Like Home Waikoloa Village is a blend of everyday living and extraordinary beauty. There is a practical side: schools, local grocery stores, and neighbors swapping mangos over fences. Then, there is the magical side, embracing sunsets at Lava Lava Beach Club, early morning swims at Beach 69, and an evening under the stars as you trace history at Puako Petroglyph Park. Waikoloa isn't about flashy in-your-face attractions. It's about the connection to people, culture, and the natural world. Here, time slows down, conversations stretch long, and memories are woven into every moment. If you're looking for more to explore on the Big Island of Hawai'i, be sure to use the Only In Your State AI-powered itinerary planner to receive customized local restaurant, activity, and event suggestions. And if you've ever dreamed of living in a real-life version of Gilmore Girls, but with a mai tai in hand and waves lapping at your feet, Waikoloa Village is waiting. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios Scrambled eggs are often one of the first dishes we learn to cook, perhaps as kids standing beside a parent or grandparent as they whip up our favorite breakfast. It's a simple, quick, and delicious way to start a busy day. But, as is often the case in the culinary world, the simplest recipes are often the trickiest. Scroll around the internet for scrambled egg recipes, and you'll find that almost every chef has a version they claim is the creamiest, lightest, or fluffiest. Whether it's Gordon Ramsey's more elaborate method with a creme fraiche finish or Ina Garten's inclusion of half-and-half, you don't have to look far to find many different ways to make your morning eggs. But if you ever made scrambled eggs that tasted a bit lackluster, watery, or even rubbery, chances are there's an ingredient you're adding that's causing some problems. Perhaps you've been adding a splash of milk out because someone once said you should always add milk to your scrambleand while dairy can certainly enhance the flavor of eggs, you're probably adding too much. The Science Behind Making the Best Scrambled Eggs When it comes to cooking scrambled eggs, it makes sense that adding milk would produce creamier, lighter, and fluffier eggs. Milk is creamy, so why wouldnt a splash yield creamier eggs? To answer this question, its important to understand the science behind scrambled eggs. Egg whites are mostly made of protein and water, while yolks are largely fat and water. Whisking the eggs brings the fat and proteins together into a near-perfect balance. As the mixture cooks, water from the eggs evaporates and creates steam, leading to the denaturing or coagulation of the egg proteins into solid curds. Some of the water will stay trapped in the curds, resulting in moist and tender scrambled eggs. Does Milk Really Improve Scrambled Eggs? Dotdash Meredith Food Studios As an experienced recipe developer, former line cook, and culinary school graduate, I'm in the camp that almost never adds liquid to scrambled eggs (maybe a very small amount of water, but never milk). But I wanted to get some scientific perspective on the subject, so I reached out to a food scientist for some, well, food science. Jessica Gavin, a certified food scientist and culinary scientist, explained how a small amount of liquid can actually make softer, moister scrambled egg curds. She said, "It's advisable to add only a small amount of liquid. This dilutes the egg, delaying the coagulation of proteins and preventing the curd from becoming too tightly packed." She recommends no more than 2 teaspoons of liquid per egg. Milk may slightly enhance the flavor of scrambled eggs; "however, the extra protein in milk may result in a slightly firmer texture compared to using water." What Should I Use in Scrambled Eggs Instead of Milk? Of course, milk isn't the only dairy you can add to scrambled eggs. Everything from half-and-half, cream cheese, and creme fraiche can make them tastier, but can also throw off that delicate balance of fat, protein, and water. I asked my former chef instructor at the Culinary Institute of America, Associate Professor Chef Lynne Gigliotti, how she makes her scrambled eggs. "I use heavy cream in my scrambled eggs because I actually like the texture and flavor, and I think it makes the eggs creamier," said Gigliotti. But like Gavin, she cautioned against adding too much cream. "I don't really think heavy cream dilutes the flavor, I think it enhances the flavor." Instead of reaching for milkor any other liquid for that matterI personally turn to butter for perfect scrambled eggs. Butter has a much higher fat content and can coat the protein to make creamier, more tender curds. But the most crucial element of perfect scrambled eggs (whether you're an eggs-only purist or in the splash-of-milk camp) is heat management. Cook scrambled eggs over low to medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent curds from forming too quickly. Keep stirring as the eggs gently cook to form light, uniform, and silky-smooth curds. Remove from the stove just before the eggs are cooked through, as they'll continue cooking from residual heat. And if you must add milk, be sure to use a very, very small amount. Read the original article on Allrecipes "48 Hours" correspondent Erin Moriarty has learned a suspect has been identified in the 1991 murders of four teenage girls in an Austin, Texas, yogurt shop. This is according to one of the original investigators who worked the case. That suspect is Robert Eugene Brashers, who is deceased, says retired Austin detective John Jones. Brashers is a serial killer and rapist who committed at least three murders between 1990 and 1998 in the states of South Carolina and Missouri. He died in January 1999 by suicide during a standoff with police. The gun he used to shoot himself is believed to be consistent with a bullet casing found in a drain inside the yogurt shop, says Jones. The connection between Brashers and the case was made through DNA, Jones told Moriarty. Moriarty has reported on the yogurt shop case since the very beginning. Inside the yogurt shop were the charred bodies of four teenage girls ranging from 13 to 17 years old. The victims, clockwise from top left: Amy Ayers, Eliza Thomas, Sarah Harbison and Jennifer Harbison. On Dec. 6, 1991, 17-year-old Eliza Thomas, 13-year-old Amy Ayers, and two sisters, 17-year-old Jennifer Harbison and 15-year-old Sarah Harbison, were found gagged, tied up with their own clothing, and shot in the head in an I Can't Believe It's Yogurt! shop in Austin. The person responsible had also set the shop on fire, compromising much of the evidence. Eliza and Jennifer had been working at the yogurt shop that night. They were getting ready to close when Jennifer's sister, Sarah, and their friend, Amy, met them there to head home. Robert Eugene Brashers / Credit: Missouri State Highway Patrol via AP Following the crime, the Austin Police Department developed a task force dedicated solely to solving the case. Government agencies, including the FBI, were called in to assist, but the case ultimately went cold until 1999, when four men, Robert Springsteen, Michael Scott, Maurice Pierce and Forrest Welborn, were arrested and charged with the murders.' The men were only teenagers at the time of the crime. They were first questioned just days after the murders when one of them, Maurice Pierce, was arrested at a mall not far from the yogurt shop with a .22 caliber gun one of the same types of weapons believed to have been used in the killings. All four were released back then for lack of evidence, but in 1999, when a new team of investigators were tasked with taking a fresh look at the old case, they obtained confessions from two of the four men, Robert Springsteen and Michael Scott. Those confessions would later be called into question after the two recanted, saying they were coerced. Charges were ultimately dropped against Maurice Pierce and Forrest Welborn due to lack of evidence, and Robert Springsteen and Michael Scott were the only two to go on trial. The sole evidence against them were their own words. They were both convicted, but a few years later, their convictions were overturned on constitutional grounds. The Sixth Amendment gives defendants the right to confront accusers and in Scott and Springsteen's trials, their confessions were used against one another, but they weren't allowed to question each other in court. Rosemary Lehmberg, the Travis County, Texas, district attorney at the time, was intent on retrying Springsteen and Scott. But before doing so, her office decided to take advantage of what was then a fairly new type of DNA testing called Y-STR testing. It was a way of searching for and extracting male DNA only. Y-STR testing was ordered on vaginal swabs taken from the victims at the time of the murders. By this point, investigators had come to believe that at least one of the victims had been sexually assaulted. As a result of the Y-STR testing, a partial male DNA profile was obtained from one of the girls, but to the surprise of the district attorney's office, the DNA sample did not match any of the four men who were arrested. Still, prosecutors were determined to retry Springsteen and Scott. But before doing so, they wanted to figure out who that mystery DNA belonged to. In 2009, with no matches, the charges against Springsteen and Scott were dropped. After nearly 10 years behind bars, they were released. For years, officials kept trying to track down the source of the mystery DNA and finally there was a match this month, according to original investigator John Jones. After Charlie Kirk assassination, Utah Gov. Cox urges U.S. away from division, violence Government shutdown likely, CBS News' Robert Costa says after conversation with Trump Arguments to begin in lawsuits over ICE arrests of Rumeysa Ozturk, Mohsen Mahdawi Members of the Supreme Court in Washington on Oct. 7, 2022. (Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post via Getty Images file) WASHINGTON The Trump administration on Friday asked the Supreme Court to definitively rule on whether the presidents executive order purporting to end automatic birthright citizenship is constitutional. The two appeals, arising from cases in Washington state and New Hampshire, will likely determine once and for all whether the contentious proposal can move forward. It has long been assumed that anyone born on U.S. soil becomes a citizen, with the exception of children of diplomats, as laid out in the Constitutions 14th Amendment. The Trump administrations novel position is that the guarantee does not apply to either temporary visitors who legally entered the country or people who entered the country illegally. The long-accepted interpretation of a broad right to citizenship that has held sway for more than a century is a mistaken view of the 14th Amendment that became pervasive, with destructive consequences, Solicitor General D. John Sauer said in court papers. The new appeals at the Supreme Court differ from cases the Supreme Court decided earlier this year in favor of the administration, which concerned only the technical question of whether federal judges had the authority to block the policy nationwide while litigation continued. Unlike the earlier cases, the latest filings are not emergency requests that the court will act on quickly. They are regular appeals that could take months for the court to resolve, most likely after agreeing to hear the cases and then hearing oral arguments. Sauer suggested the court decide the cases in its new term, which starts in October and ends in June of next year. As of Friday evening, the cases had not yet been officially docketed at the court. NBC News obtained them from the Washington state Attorney Generals Office, which filed one of the underlying lawsuits, and the American Civil Liberties Union, which represents individual plaintiffs in the New Hampshire case. The Justice Department could not be reached for comment. Cody Wofsy, deputy director of the ACLU's Immigrants' Rights Project, said Friday evening that the executive order is illegal and "no amount of maneuvering from the administration is going to change that." Secretary of State David M. Scanlan, shown here on Oct. 29, 2024, said New Hampshire state law does not allow the voter registration list to be shared with a federal department. (File photo by Claire Sullivan/New Hampshire Bulletin) The Trump administrations Department of Justice is suing New Hampshire Secretary of State Dave Scanlan, arguing he is illegally withholding the states voter file from federal officials. In a complaint filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court of New Hampshire, federal attorneys say Scanlan is violating the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) and the Civil Rights Act of 1960 by not turning the voter file over to the federal government. The department argues it needs the file to ensure that New Hampshire is carrying out necessary maintenance of the list to prevent voter fraud. The department is also suing California, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, and Pennsylvania over the same request for the voter file. Scanlan has refused to hand over the states voter registration list. In a letter to the federal Department of Justice in June, Scanlan said New Hampshire state law does not allow the list to be shared with a federal department. New Hampshire law authorizes the Secretary of State to release the statewide voter registration list in limited circumstances not applicable here, Scanlan wrote in the June letter. He referred to RSA 654:31, the state law that allows the list to be given out to political parties, political committees, or candidates for elected office, upon request. That said, Scanlan continued, each municipalitys public checklist can be obtained from their respective supervisors or clerks. After federal officials again asked for the list, Scanlan sent a second letter on Aug. 28 that reiterated the arguments of the first. In the lawsuit, Trump administration lawyers note that HAVA requires each state to have provisions in its election system to ensure that voter registration records in the State are accurate and are updated regularly. The Department of Justice is empowered to enforce that, which can include requesting the voter file, they argue. They also point to an unusually low percentage of duplicate registrations in New Hampshire, according to the Election Administration and Voting Survey 2024 Comprehensive Report. New Hampshire identified 0.1% of registrations as duplicates, and the national average was 12.7%, the lawsuit notes. The lawsuit asks the federal court to declare that any state law that prohibits Secretary Scanlan from providing the requested statewide voter registration list is preempted by federal law, and to order Scanlan to comply. The Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice is tasked with ensuring that states conduct voter registration list maintenance to prevent the inclusion of ineligible voters on any states voter registration list for federal elections, the lawsuit states. This action seeks to remedy the State of New Hampshires violations of federal voting laws. Neither Scanlan nor the New Hampshire Department of Justice commented on the lawsuit Friday. A spokeswoman for the Secretary of States Office, Anna Sventek, confirmed that the office had received the lawsuit but said Scanlan would not comment further. Michael Garrity, director of communications for the Department of Justice, had a similar message. We have received the complaint and are reviewing it, he said Friday. Members of Russia's business elite are flying in Canadian-made luxury planes that were imported after sanctions targeting the country's aviation sector came into place, CBC's visual investigations unit has found. Russian import records obtained by CBC News show 34 business jets and commercial aircraft built in Canada and sold on the secondary market have ended up in Russia since it invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Those records, as well as flight data, aviation industry documents and leaked border-crossing information, reveal that sanctioned oligarch Igor Kesaev imported a Bombardier business jet in July 2023. Another jet arrived in March 2024 via a company majority-owned by another oligarch, Sergey Shishkarev, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other jets were imported by Russian airlines that cater to charter flights. Many Western observers say these aircraft end up there through loopholes that allow importers to evade sanctions by shipping the planes through countries friendly to Russia, such as Oman and Kyrgyzstan. Russian billionaire Igor Kesaev delivers a speech in Moscow on Nov. 1, 2012. (Sergei Karpukhin/Reuters) "It's quite clear that Russia has been able to work around some of these sanctions in the classic black market model, but with 21st-century sophistication," said Fen Hampson, a professor of international affairs at Carleton University in Ottawa. "They are buying parts, even entire aircraft jets, through middlemen in countries that don't honour Western sanctions." Hampson described it as "big business," adding that "not a whole lot" has been done to slow down or stop these transactions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kesaev's lawyer, Roeland Moeyersons from the Belgium-based EU-Sanctions law firm, wrote in an email: "Mr. Kesaev declines to comment on press articles. I trust you understand." CBC reached out to Shishkarev's Delo Group but did not receive a response. Russian billionaire Sergey Shishkarev is a majority-owner of Delo another company that imported a Canadian-made jet after sanctions. (Shishkarev.ru) Bombardier declined to comment on specific aircraft because they were sold on the secondary market without the company's involvement and said it complied with sanctions. Immediately after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, international sanctions were placed on the export of aircraft and parts into the country by the EU , U.S . and Canada . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia's air industry, a majority of which is made up of Western aircraft , has been severely affected by sanctions, but more than $1 billion worth of aircraft and parts have still reportedly been imported into the country. In February, the U.S. Department of Justice arrested three people for allegedly operating a scheme to illegally export aircraft parts and components from the U.S. to Russia. Two months earlier, a dual U.S.-Russian citizen was indicted for allegedly attempting to export aircraft through Armenia to Russia. Australia to Moscow, via Oman According to records shared with CBC News by U.S. trade data company Import Genius, a Bombardier Global Express business jet was imported into Russia by Delo Group, a major Russian trade and logistics company that is majority-owned by Shishkarev, a former politician and billionaire who has been praised by Putin . A screenshot from a video shows a conversation between, among others, Shishkarev, lower left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking about subsidizing the railway industry during in 2020. (Delo Group/YouTube) On Feb. 8, 2024, according to flight records, the plane flew from Perth, Australia, to Oman before switching to Russian registration and flying to Moscow. The plane was imported on March 30, 2024, from Oman by Delo Group. A Bombardier Global 6000 jet flew from Australia to Oman to Moscow in early 2024. (Flightway Aviation) Oman has in recent years become a hot spot for ship-to-ship transfers of Russian oil heading for India, and part of a network of transhipping countries including Turkey, Belarus and Armenia that re-export goods to Russia after importation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have to be honest and acknowledge that the Russian government has found a number of willing partners in Western countries as well as in other countries in the same region as Russia that have helped them to evade sanctions," said Matthew Light, an associate professor of criminology at the University of Toronto. According to Swiss-based CH-Aviation, an aviation industry intelligence platform, the Delo plane was owned by the Bank of Utah in a trustee arrangement. The bank deregistered the plane from the U.S. on Feb. 9, 2024, and said it was being exported to Oman. The Bank of Utah did not respond to a request for comment, but says in its FAQ for aircraft owner trusts that it "does not do business with sanctioned entities." Oligarch who supplied Putin's army flies Canadian The records reviewed by CBC's visual investigations unit showed that some aircraft imported into Russia were by companies that focus on luxury private charters for the country's elite. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of the dozens of trade records reviewed by CBC, only one import to Russia had an individual's name directly attached: Igor Albertovich Kesaev for a black Bombardier business jet. Kesaev is a Russian oligarch who is worth $4.5 billion US, according to Forbes. He is the owner and chairman of Mercury Group, which owns Megapolis Group, the leading tobacco distributor in Russia. He was also the main shareholder of a company invested in the Degtyarev weapons factory, which supplies the Russian armed forces. He also has links to Russia's security forces via his Monolith Foundation, which provides financial assistance to retired personnel and is staffed by former security officers. A jet imported by Kesaev was last seen flying from Italy to Moscow days before sanctions took place. (n94504/Planespotters) Kesaev was sanctioned by the European Union in 2022 because his business activities provided "a substantial source of revenue for the government of the Russian Federation, which is responsible for the annexation of Crimea and the destabilization of Ukraine," according to the EU . He's also been sanctioned by the U.S. and Canada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The jet was imported on July 10, 2023, according to records. Records from Import Genius show Canadian planes imported to Russia from 2022 to April 2024. (Import Genius) "Russian elites are still travelling on their private jets," said Hampson. "Sanctions at the best of times in a world of nation states are a bit like a sieve. And the Russian oligarchs obviously, as long as they're in favour with Vladimir Putin and his regime, they can act with impunity." Shadowy network Aviation records provided by CH-Aviation, along with plane registration records obtained by CBC News, show that the plane imported by Kesaev was manufactured by Bombardier in Toronto in 2009 before being sold to Global Air Services Limited in 2010 for export to Bermuda. Registration information shows origin information for a Bombardier plane before it was exported to Bermuda in 2010. (King Aircraft Title, Inc.) According to documents provided to CBC by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), one of Bermuda-based Global Air Services Limited's directors at the time was Christodoulos G. Vassiliades, a Cypriot lawyer under sanctions for being a " prolific enabler " of Russian oligarchs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vassiliades is also listed as the president of Kesaev's Bermuda company G IV-SP Air Service Ltd. in the ICIJ documents. A leaked record shows Cypriot lawyer Christodoulos G. Vassiliades's position as president for G IV-SP Air Service Ltd., which was connected to Kesaev. (International Consortium of Investigative Journalists) When reached for comment, Vassiliades responded that he had resigned from directorship of "all companies as of [April 4, 2023], including Global Air Services Limited," and did not address questions around Kesaev's jet. The plane was operated by U.K.-based Gamma Aviation with a Bermuda registration VQ-BKI until 2020, at which point it switched registration again and was operated by Austria-based Avcon Jet, at its local office Avcon Jet San Marino, as T7-KIA. San Marino, a microstate surrounded by Italy, isn't part of the EU and has historically been friendly to Russia even buying Russia's Sputnik COVID-19 vaccine although it joined Western countries in sanctioning Russia in March 2022. An RA-73565 jet was imported by Delo Group on Feb. 17, 2022. (Luba Ostrovskaya/JetPhotos) According to flight records, the last time the plane was in Europe was on Feb. 19, 2022. Russia's invasion of Ukraine was imminent, and the West had been threatening sanctions for weeks. On that day, the jet flew from Milan, Italy, to Moscow under Avcon's operation. Flight record data shows Bombardier jet T7-KIA's journey from Milan to Moscow. (OpenSky Network) It's unclear who was operating the plane after that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Documents from CH-Aviation state that until Feb. 27, 2022, two days after European aviation sanctions were announced, Avcon was listed as the operator of the plane as it travelled between Moscow and the Maldives on Feb. 25 and 27. Data from flight tracking company ADS-B Exchange also lists the plane's operator code during those flights as starting with "VAJ," which according to Eurocontrol belongs to Avcon Jet San Marino. These codes may be stored on the plane's onboard computers even after an operator change. An ADS-B Exchange record shows the Bombardier jet T7-KIA's path from the Maldives to Moscow in February 2022. (ADS-B Exchange) Avcon Jet San Marino disputed that it was operating the plane after European sanctions came into force and said that it had been "the service provider for the aircraft T7-KIA in the past, however all services were terminated immediately following the publications of sanctions." "No flights have been performed under our service agreement since Feb. 22 [2022]." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plane appears to go dark until June 2023, when it re-emerges with Russian registration just before being imported on July 10, 2023, by Kesaev, more than a year after sanctions came into force. The shipper, according to import records, was Global Air Services Limited. Oligarch connected to jet for years CBC found evidence linking Kesaev to the jet years before he imported it into Russia in 2023. A leaked database of the Russian border service provided to CBC by iStories , an independent Russian investigative journalism website, showed that on Aug. 13, 2021, Kesaev travelled from Russia to Genoa, Italy, on board a flight with the tail T7-KIA. A portion of a Russian border service database shows a flight from Moscow to Genoa on Aug. 13, 2021. (iStories) According to data from ADS-B Exchange flight logs, a plane with the same tail T7-KIA flew from Moscow to Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport in Italy on the same day. ADS-B Exchange data in a spreadsheet shows a flight from Moscow to Genoa, Italy. (ADS-B Exchange) Russian internet users have long connected Kesaev to the plane. A 2017 Instagram post from a Russian plane spotter featuring a photo of a black Bombardier jet with the tail VQ-BKI the plane's tail before switching to T7-KIA reads "bombardier Igor Kesaev." A commenter wrote: "Kesaeva is global." In another Instagram post of the plane from 2018, the caption reads "Kesaevsky Black Beauty." An Instagram post by user yaablin shows the plane registered as VQ-BKI in 2018. The caption says 'Kesaevsky Black Beauty,' which Russian internet users have long connected to Kesaev, years before he imported it into Russia. (yaablin/Instagram) Last year, Kesaev applied to be removed from the EU sanctions list, claiming he had divested from his investment in the Degtyarev plant, which an EU court rejected . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christina McCraw, a spokesperson for Bombardier, said: "Bombardier conducts its business in strict compliance with applicable laws and government-published sanctions." "The company has processes in place to ensure that aircraft, parts and services are not sold to sanctioned parties." WATCH | Unravelling a global network getting planes into Russia: De Havilland Canada, which also had planes on the Russian import list, said that its aircraft were sold on the secondary market and were in Russia before the start of the war, after which they were effectively seized and re-registered in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neil Sweeney, vice-president of corporate affairs for De Havilland Canada, said: "De Havilland Canada is aware of and abides by the international sanctions placed by Canada. Since sanctions were introduced, we have sold neither parts nor aircraft to Russia." Both Bombardier and De Havilland said they comply with government-issued sanctions. Do you have any tips on this story? Please contact Eric Szeto: eric.szeto@cbc.ca An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Roger Waters addressing pro-Palestinian demonstrators with a megaphone, next to Colombian President Gustavo Petro, Image 2 shows Colombian President Gustavo Petro, wearing sunglasses, a hat, and a red and white keffiyeh, addresses a crowd through a megaphone, Image 3 shows Close-up of Donald Trump speaking, wearing a blue suit, white shirt, red tie, and American flag lapel pin They wish you werent here. The State Department announced Friday that it will revoke the visa of Colombian President Gustavo Petro after he called on US troops to disobey President Trump during a New York City protest with controversial Pink Floyd founder Roger Waters. Earlier today, Colombian president [Gustavo Petro] stood on a NYC street and urged US soldiers to disobey orders and incite violence, the State Department posted on X. Colombian President Gustavo Petro addressed anti-Israel activists outside the UN headquarters on Friday. REUTERS We will revoke Petros visa due to his reckless and incendiary actions. Petro, who was in town for the United Nations General Assembly, got on a bullhorn outside the UNs headquarters and called for soldiers of the army of the United States not to point their guns at people. Disobey the orders of Trump, he told a crowd of anti-Israel activists. Obey the orders of humanity! Waters, the British co-founder of Pink Floyd, was standing by Petros side as the Colombian leader called for the uprising. The pair later posed for photos next to a large Palestinian flag. Musician Roger Waters talked to activists alongside Petro on Friday. REUTERS Petro Urrego spoke at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday. AP With Roger Waters. Free Palestine, Petro posted on X, sharing a video of himself and Waters. If Gaza falls, humanity dies. Trump clashed with Petro earlier this year over migrant deportations, threatening visa sanctions, enhanced inspections for travelers and emergency tariffs of up to 50% on Colombia over Petros initial refusal to accept deported Colombian nationals. Roger Waters speaks into a megaphone during an anti-Israel protest outside the UN on Sept. 26, 2025. REUTERS Trump clashed with Petro earlier this year over migrant deportations. REUTERS Petro, a former leftist guerrilla, quickly reversed course after Trumps threat and even offered the US use of his presidential plane to transfer the migrants back to Colombia. Waters is a staunch critic of Israel and an outspoken supporter of the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement. He has become notorious for making anti-Israel remarks, including comparing the Jewish State to Nazi Germany. Waters sparked outrage in 2023 when he dressed up like a Nazi officer for a performance in Berlin, while a screen shaped like a crucifix displayed the names of deceased figures, including Anne Frank, the Jewish teenager killed during the Holocaust, and Abu Akleh, an Al Jazeera journalist who was fatally shot in 2022 while covering a raid by the Israel Defense Forces on a Palestinian refugee camp. Good morning to every one but Roger Waters who spent the evening in Berlin (Yes Berlin) desecrating the memory of Anne Frank and the 6 million Jews murdered in the Holocaust, the Israeli Foreign Ministry tweeted after the concert. In a 2017 interview with Rolling Stone, Waters was asked if he is a US citizen. No, the rock star responded, adding, I have a visa. I pay tax a lot of tax. The U.S. government revoked Colombian President Gustavo Petros visa over comments he made at a pro-Palestine protest on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City on Friday. Earlier today, Colombian president @petrogustavo stood on a NYC street and urged U.S. soldiers to disobey orders and incite violence, the State Department announced on Friday. We will revoke Petros visa due to his reckless and incendiary actions. Petro called for the liberation of Palestinians during his address to the pro-Palestine protesters outside the UNs headquarters. Thats why from here, from New York, I ask all the soldiers of the army of the United States not to point their guns at people, Petro said in Spanish, according to Reuters. Disobey the orders of [President] Trump. Obey the orders of humanity. The South American president stood alongside Roger Waters, the founding member of the rock band Pink Floyd, at the Friday protest. On Saturday, Petro said that he arrived back in Bogota, the capital of Colombia, to find out that he no longer had a visa. He slammed the decision by the State Department, saying it breaks all the immunity rules on which the United Nations and the General Assembly are based. He argued that his visa was revoked over his assertion that Israels war in Gaza is a genocide, which he said shows the U.S. is not complying with international law. Petro also noted the U.S.s barring of the Palestinian Authority from attending this weeks events in New York. In late August, the State Department said it would revoke U.S. visas for some members of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority, a decision made ahead of the UN General Assembly. Colombias Minister of Interior, Armando Benedetti, rebuked the U.S. Friday night over Petros visa revocation, saying the Colombian president is one of the leaders who dared to denounce the genocide against Palestine at the UN. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Talia Chetrit / Loewe / Oliver Hadlee Pearch / Jacquemus x Nike "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Welcome to the Week in Fashion, Bazaars at-a-glance guide to what the industry is talking about. Loewe Teases New Direction Under Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez With Spring/Summer 2026 Campaign Are you ready for a new era of Loewe? This season, during Paris Fashion Week, newly-appointed creative directors Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez will make their debut at the Spanish fashion house, taking over the helm from Jonathan Anderson, who was at Loewe for 11 years before transitioning to Dior. But before the pairs highly-anticipated show on October 3, fashion fans got a taste of what to expect with a new campaign for the Spring/Summer 2026 womens collection. The images were shot by Talia Chetrit and they star Eva Victor, Erin Kellyman, Lewis Gribben, Isla Johnston, Megan Northam, Orlando Norman, and Theodore Pellerin. Ahead of our first LOEWE collection, this teaser stands as an opening gesture, the outset of a new dialogue, Hernandez and McCollough said in a statement. The campaign begins to define a tone, a spirit, and the beginnings of an intent. In it lies a vibrancy and tactility rooted in craft that feels fundamental to the house, a sunniness and sensuality that feels inherent to its Spanish roots, and ultimately an optimism and spirit that we recognize as deeply personal to us as individuals. Together with Talia Chetrit we worked on images that begin to define this spirit and cast individuals whose fresh and nascent quality spoke to the idea of new beginnings, something hopeful and unfolding. Stussy & Wales Bonner Team Up for a Surf-Inspired Capsule Collection Summers not over according to Stussy and Wales Bonner. The two brands teamed up for a surf-inspired capsule collection, released just this morning, which combines the streetwear sensibilities of Stussy with the sharp tailoring of Wales Bonner. A press release noted: The collection imagines surf culture through a kaleidoscopic lens, with inspiration traveling beach-side from Labadi and Bull Bay to Tokyo and Santa Ana, as referenced in an update of the iconic Stussy World Tour graphic printed on co-branded tee shirts and cotton poplin oxfords. Fringed-hem shorts, studded stonewash denim and leopard-printed jumpers accompany a double-breasted blazer crafted from navy Loro Piana doeskin wool. Wales Bonner codes are reflected in a bark brown leather varsity blouson and silk polo, printed with an image from Accra-based photographer Nana Yaw Oduro. The classic surf wardrobe is refined in a double-zip neoprene hoodie, logo-embroidered board shorts, and a beach sarong designed in collaboration with Peter Miles. Shop the new collection here. Louis Vuitton Is Crafting the Most Whimsical Travel Essentials With Grace Coddington Its time to give your travel essentials an upgrade. In the latest iteration of the Louis Vuitton Travels With series, the French fashion house teamed up with model and frequent collaborator Grace Coddington, who brings her strong sense of whimsy to a new capsule collection for the house, designed with Artistic Director Nicolas Ghesquiere. The collection includes a custom line of bags and apparel, which are decorated with the houses signature monogram print, while featuring playful touches that speak to Coddingtons nature, like colorful patches or cat-shaped charms. You can shop the collection here. Nicholas Alexander Chavez Models the Jacquemus x Nike Moon Shoe in a Steamy Shoot Is it hot in here, or is it just the new campaign from Jacquemus x Nike? This week, the two brands teased the launch of the Moon Shoe, a collaborative release that honors the roots of Nike. As it goes, the Moon Shoe was the first shoe designed for Nike, back in 1971. However, these styles never actually hit stores. Now, Jacquemus is helping to bring this iconic silhouette to buyers for the first time, after offering up a preview of the Moon Shoe on the Spring 2025 runway last year. And the house recruited some steamy star power to do it. For the campaign, Jacquemus and Nike tapped Monsters and Grotesquerie star Nicholas Alexander Chavez, who stretches, dances, and sweats across a gymnasium while sporting the footwear in a variety of colorways. Now thats some good marketing. You can buy the Moon Shoe here beginning September 29. Stetson Celebrates Its 160th Anniversary With a New Coffee Table Book Courtesy of Rizzoli Happy birthday, Stetson! This year, the longstanding Western-wear brand celebrates its 160th anniversary, and to commemorate the occasion, Stetson teamed up with Rizzoli to craft a new coffee table book, titled Stetson: American Icon. Out September 30, the book charts the history of Stetson cowboy hats and more, cataloguing the numerous celebrities, film characters, and works of art that have featured pieces from the brand. This book celebrates the profound impact and influence of Stetson, and the cowboy aesthetic, on American culture, the official summary reads. In sections including Stetson in Song and Stetson on Screen, stunning photographs show a diverse range of musicians who lay claim to the Stetson as part of their image, from Gene Autry and Loretta Lynn to Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson to Beyonceand a whos who of American movie stars from Robert Redford and Clint Eastwood to Jane Fonda and John Travolta up through Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in Barbie showing the many different ways to look good in a Stetson. You can purchase the book here. John Hardy Launches Eco-Friendly Partnership With Billie Eilish and Finneas From music to jewelry. Turns out, Billie Eilish and Finneas are teaming up with John Hardy to launch a sustainable, lab-grown collection for JH Lovestruck. I love that Lovestruck uses lab-grown diamonds, reclaimed precious metals, and each piece was crafted using renewable energy, Eilish said in a statement. What you eat, say, and wear matters, and jewelry is no different. It all impacts our planet. Theres an honesty to these pieces, Finneas added. They feel intentional yet imperfectdiamonds with form and feeling, and without pretension. In addition to the partnership, John Hardy has committed to support a series of philanthropies that are important to the OConnell siblings, including Support+Feed, a non-profit dedicated to promoting food security and offering more plant-based options that are eco-friendly. The Lovestruck capsule will include pebble-inspired shapes used across pieces like ring stacks, pendants, and an ear cuff. You can shop the new pieces here, beginning September 29. You Might Also Like Broomfield Police Department Daniel Krug ; Kristil Krug. NEED TO KNOW Kristil Krug was found dead from blunt-force trauma and stab wounds in December 2023 Two months before her murder, the mom of three began receiving harassing texts and emails that targeted her husband, Daniel Krug Days after Kristil's death, police arrested Daniel for being both his wife's murderer and her stalker When Kristil Krug was found dead in her Broomfield, Colo., home, police had an immediate suspect. For weeks, they had been investigating her ex-boyfriend, who she claimed had been harassing her and threatening her husband, Daniel Krug. The mom of three received vulgar emails and texts, including one that promised to "get rid" of Daniel so they could "be together." "U dont want him i know u want me, another message read, per CBS News. Daniel called the police on Dec. 14, 2023, to request a welfare check after Kristil failed to respond to his calls and texts. When they arrived, they found her unconscious in the garage with a stab wound to the chest and severe head trauma. She was later pronounced dead. According to the 17th Judicial District Attorneys Office, the evidence didn't point to Kristil's alleged stalker, but her own husband. "This was a brutal, calculated murder, preceded by months of manipulation, emotional abuse, and deception," said District Attorney Brian Mason in a press release. "In planning and executing this horrific crime, Daniel Krug terrorized his wife, his children, and an innocent manall in order to control and then murder a woman who no longer wanted to be with him." Daniel was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, stalking and criminal impersonation in his wife's death. In April 2025, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Here's everything to know about Kristil Krug's case and where her killer, Daniel Krug, is now. Kristil was stalked for two months before her murder NBC News Kristil Krug on 'Dateline.' In October 2023, Kristil contacted the Broomfield Police Department to report that a man she had dated 20 years ago had been harassing her. Some emails included vulgar statements like "i know how to satisfy u" and others asked her for help getting "rid" of Daniel. The alleged stalker also sent the Colorado mom photos of her car in front of her dentist's office and of Daniel getting out of his car at work, per CBS News. As a result of the messages, Kristil started carrying a concealed weapon, took firearm safety classes and installed security cameras, per the District Attorney's press release. A September 2025 Dateline episode revealed that she had even created a "stalker log" to track the days and times she was being harassed. Kristil was found stabbed to death in her home AP Photo/David Zalubowski Kristil Krug's home in 2025. Two months after Kristil first reported her stalker, she was found unconscious in her garage with two blunt-force trauma wounds to her back and a stab wound to her chest, according to the District Attorney's office. She was pronounced dead at 12:43 p.m. on Dec. 14, 2023. According to Kristil's obituary, the mother of three was a dancer and biochemical engineer who "was known for her kindness, generosity, and infectious laughter." "She accomplished so much in her short life, and had so much left to contribute before being so savagely removed," it continued. "The world will miss what she had yet to give us." Daniel was charged with her murder days later Horan&McConaty Kristil Krug After Kristil's death, police located the ex-boyfriend who had allegedly been stalking her for months. However, they learned he lived over eight hours away in Utah and had a verifiable alibi for the time of her murder, per the District Attorney's press release. While no evidence pointed to the ex-boyfriend as the killer, digital forensics instead linked the fake email accounts the stalker used to Daniel's workplace as well as burner phones purchased with a gift card registered to his name. According to the District Attorneys office, Daniels devices contained Google searches about how long someone could be unconscious without brain damage and the force needed to knock a person out. On Dec. 16, 2023 two days after his wife was murdered police arrested Daniel in connection with her death. Prosecutors alleged that Daniel invented the stalker to win his wife back NBC News Daniel Krug on 'Dateline.' Upon his arrest, Daniel was charged with first-degree murder, two counts of stalking and one count of criminal impersonation in connection with Kristil's death. At his trial in April 2025, prosecutors argued that the Colorado father decided to play "puppet master" by scaring his wife with a fake stalker so that he could win her back by protecting her. They claimed that once Daniel realized he would face criminal charges for stalking her and that she no longer wanted to be with him he plotted to kill her. A relative also told police that the couple had been planning to divorce, per The Denver Post. She was putting the pieces together, and he was running out of time, senior deputy district attorney Kate Armstrong said in court, per the Associated Press. Where is Daniel Krug now? Colorado Department of Corrections Daniel Krug. In April 2025, Daniel was convicted on all charges. He was later sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. I am extremely pleased with the verdict, and proud of everyone who came together to make this trial a success," said Broomfield Chief of Police Enea Hempelmann in a press release. She continued, "Jurors agreed the evidence and testimony against Daniel Krug was both conclusive and damning. While we know it wont bring Kristil back to her family and friends, we hope it closes a painful chapter in their lives. Daniel has been held at the Sterling Correctional Facility in Sterling, Colo., since his sentencing. Read the original article on People Ashley Benefield during the beginning of her trial for the fatal 2020 shooting of her estranged husband, Doug Benefield. NEED TO KNOW Ashley Benefield was a former ballet dancer who was convicted of killing her husband, Doug Benefield Ashley, who was given the nickname of the "Black Swan," fatally shot her husband five years ago on Sept. 27, 2020 Ashley was sentenced to 20 years in prison in December 2024 Ashley Benefield is a former ballerina who killed her estranged husband, Doug Benefield, five years ago on Sept. 27, 2020. Ashley's case made national headlines, and she was quickly given the nickname "Black Swan" because of the 2010 ballerina thriller film by the same name. When Ashley was tried for the murder in 2024, her case took over the headlines and became known as "The Black Swan Case." Shortly after Ashley fatally shot Doug at her mother's house in Florida, she admitted to shooting her estranged husband, but vehemently claimed that she did so in self-defense after years of alleged abuse. Ashley and Doug married less than two weeks after meeting in 2016, but their relationship allegedly took a turn after she got pregnant with their first daughter. During her trial, Ashley claimed that she had endured years of abuse from Doug and that he even tried to poison her at one point. However, prosecutors argued that there was no evidence of abuse and that the murder was a premeditated effort to keep Doug from seeing their child. In July 2024, Ashley was convicted of manslaughter and was later sentenced to 20 years in prison and 10 years of probation in December 2024. Here is everything to know about Ashley Benefield and the so-called Black Swan murder. Who is Ashley Benefield? Florida Department Of Corrections Ashley Benefield's mugshot. Ashley was born Ashley Byers and grew up in Maryland. She started studying dance when she was 8 years old, even dropping out of high school to work with the Maryland Youth Ballet. However, by the time she turned 21, her ballet career stalled, leading her to teach dance to children and design costumes. Ashley also tried her hand at modeling, and though she made a portfolio, she never made a career from it, per Vanity Fair. She was a 24-year-old divorcee when she met Doug. Who was Ashley Benefield's husband, Doug Benefield? Doug Benefield and Ashley Benefield. Doug was born in Palo Alto, Calif., on Oct. 2, 1961, and raised in Huntsville, Ala. He majored in biology at Texas A&M University and enlisted in the Navy after graduating. Doug served as a naval flight officer in San Diego, Calif., for three years before transferring to Charleston, S.C., where he was a mine warfare instructor, later working for the Office of Naval Intelligence before retiring as a lieutenant commander. Following his military career, Doug became a consultant for government security, defense and communication. He also owned a restaurant in Charleston. Doug was married twice before tying the knot with Ashley: He welcomed a daughter, Eva, in 2001 with his second wife, Renee Cousar Benefield, who died in late 2015. How did Ashley and Doug Benefield meet? Ashley met Doug on Aug. 25, 2016, at a Republican campaign event at Dr. Ben Carson's home in Palm Beach, Fla. At the time, she was 24 and he was 30 years her senior. Ashley recalled that Doug was "funny" and that they "clicked right away." "He was very loving and attentive, we laughed a lot and he made me feel very special and loved," she said. Starting the day after they met, Vanity Fair reported, they were in constant communication, and within six days, they exchanged "I love yous." Doug and Ashley married on Sept. 6, 2016, at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., after knowing each other for just 13 days. There were no guests or witnesses except for Doug's friend Trip Cormeny, who officiated the ceremony. Cormeny said in an interview on 48 Hours: The Case of the Black Swan that he wasn't thrilled with Doug's whirlwind wedding, but explained, "I was being loyal to my friend." Friends of the couple also speculated that Doug and Ashley eloped so that they could have sex without breaking their faith-based belief in abstinence before marriage. Why did Ashley and Doug Benefield break up? Tiffany Tompkins/The Bradenton Herald via AP The state shows a photo array of Ashley Benefield during closing arguments in Benefield's trial, Monday, July 29, 2024, at the Manatee County Judicial Center in Bradenton, Fla. Cracks began to show less than a year into Ashley and Doug's relationship. According to Vanity Fair, in June 2017, Ashley read Eva's diary and discovered that her stepdaughter who was only nine years younger than her didn't like her. Doug and Ashley argued over it, and he allegedly threw a gun at a wall. During other arguments, he allegedly punched a hole in a wall and fired a gun into the ceiling of the family home. Doug also punched their dog Sully (which he later admitted to). Days later, the pair hosted a wedding reception for family and friends. Doug then reversed a vasectomy he'd undergone previously so he and Ashley could start a family together. In August 2017, Ashley learned that she was pregnant. Suffering from severe nausea, she and Doug agreed that she'd stay with her mother in Florida while he focused on their fledgling ballet company. They remained in communication regularly until Sept. 18, 2017, when Ashley drove to their Charleston home, according to 48 Hours. While Doug was at work, Ashley packed up her belongings from their house and left Doug a letter saying that she was "completely heartbroken" and that she was leaving him. In the note, she listed 21 reasons for ending their relationship, including incidents of alleged abuse, like when Doug once held a gun to his own head, as well as the incidents of hurting their dog, throwing a gun at the wall and firing a gun at the ceiling. Ashley also specified in the letter that he should not contact her or her mother. Doug texted her later that day, per Vanity Fair, saying, I just read the note. I dont even know how to start responding ... I will never act the way you talk about again." Doug continued texting Ashley, saying he was going to therapy and begging her to reconcile. Ashley became suspicious of how Doug's ex-wife Renee died and, as 48 Hours reported, told Doug's brother that she believed Doug was poisoning her tea while she was pregnant with their daughter. (Renee died of a heart condition.) Ashley visited several doctors and even went on medications for what she said were sharp pains in her abdomen, but nothing helped. When Doug sent her a tea set as a gift for her birthday in November 2017, she brought it to the local police, who deemed it not hazardous or poisonous. Ashley, however, still believed her ex was poisoning her, sending a hair sample for testing to a Colorado company, which alleged she had elevated levels of heavy metals in her hair. When did Ashley and Doug Benefield have their baby? In March 2018, Ashley checked into a Florida hospital and alleged that Doug was abusive and poisoned her. The hospital let her check in under her middle name to protect her safety, and doctors delivered Ashley and Doug's daughter, Emerson, via C-section three weeks before Ashley's due date. The new mom didn't put Doug's name on Emerson's birth certificate, nor was he informed of the birth until she filed a restraining order against him. Ashley's court documents also included efforts to retain sole custody of Emerson and keep Doug from seeing her. In court, Ashley denied that her pregnancy was "uncomplicated" and insisted she believed Doug poisoned her. Judge Diana Moreland said there was "not a single scintilla of credible evidence" that Ashley had ever been poisoned, per audio obtained by 48 Hours. After this, Doug was allowed to see Emerson and hoped he and Ashley were on their way to a romantic reconciliation. The pair even began going to couples therapy together in November 2018, per Vanity Fair. However, Doug eventually became suspicious of Ashley when he continuously had trouble getting a hold of her. Vanity Fair reported that he hired a private investigator to look into the matter, who told Doug that Ashley was seeing another man. They continued couples counseling until that November when their therapist realized Doug had been recording their sessions, at which point she refused to treat them together but still counseled Ashley individually. In May 2020, Ashley agreed to meet with Doug, and they began going on dates. By the summer, the pair made plans to move together to Maryland, where Ashley grew up, and raise Emerson as a family. Though emails obtained by Vanity Fair indicated that Doug still distrusted Ashley, he rented a moving truck in mid-September to prepare for their move. When did Ashley Benefield kill Doug Benefield? State Attorney's office The home where Doug Benefield was killed. On the evening of Sept. 27, 2020, Doug came with his rented moving truck to Ashley's mother's house in Florida, where she'd been staying with Emerson, to prepare for their move to Maryland. Around 7 p.m., a neighbor called 911: Ashley had shot Doug, then gone to the neighbor's home, gun still in hand, saying Doug attacked her and she was defending herself. When police arrived, Doug was lying on the floor of Ashley's bedroom in her mother's home. He had been shot in the leg and arm the second bullet also entered his chest. In an affidavit obtained by PEOPLE, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office wrote, "Based on entry wounds on Douglas it does not appear that he was facing Ashley when she began shooting. It also does not appear that Douglas had taken any kind of defensive or combative stance. Douglas was not found to have any weapons on his person or near him." Doug was taken to a local hospital, where he died of his injuries. He was 58 years old. Why did Ashley Benefield kill her husband? Manatee County Sheriff's Office Mug shot of Ashley Benefield arrested and charged with the murder of her ex husband Douglas Benefield. Ashley and her attorneys maintain that Doug was abusive and controlling throughout their marriage, leading her to live in fear for herself and their daughter. In footage obtained by 48 Hours, Ashley said on the stand, "He would throw things or break things or smash things. He would come at me like he was gonna hit me. He told me I was lucky that he punched walls instead of me." She also accused him of screaming at her and driving erratically when he was angry. Ashley also alleged that Doug had hit her in the face just before she shot him, claiming during questioning that was the first time he'd been physically violent against her. In court, Ashley's attorneys also presented a text message to Doug from his late wife Renee, who accused him of kicking her "so hard" on their honeymoon and holding a gun to his own head on at least two occasions, as 48 Hours reported. Prosecutors, however, alleged that Ashley fabricated stories of abuse, including her poisoning claims, because she wanted to keep Emerson away from Doug. Police and witnesses, including the neighbor who called 911, said Ashley did not have any visible injuries other than a small scratch that appeared to have occurred days before the slaying. Doug's cousin, Tommie, claimed her motive was financial. "She found him at his most vulnerable," he told PEOPLE. "He was her mark. She took his money, his peace, and eventually she took his life. And he loved her until the end." What was the verdict in Ashley Benefield's murder trial? Ashley was charged with manslaughter and second-degree murder for shooting and killing Doug. On July 30, 2024, a jury convicted Ashley of manslaughter and found her not guilty of second degree murder. Ashley's $100,000 bond was revoked and she was placed in custody of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office while awaiting sentencing, NBC News reported. Tommie told WFLA after the verdict, "Even though her story was not corroborated by evidence, its still confusing to get to that second-degree homicide level. But we were always comfortable that it would at least be manslaughter with a firearm [charge] and were happy and comfortable with that." What is Ashley Benefield's sentence? Ashley was sentenced on Dec. 3, 2024, to 20 years in prison with 10 years of parole after her legal team attempted to overturn the conviction, alleging juror misconduct. On Nov. 27, the judge denied Ashley's request for a new trial, ending a one-month delay in her sentencing, per the Bradenton Herald. In February 2025, she was denied bond, per FOX13. As of September 2025, Ashley is serving her sentence at Homestead Correctional Institute. If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. Read the original article on People (Editor's note: This story was published on Sept. 27. Miguel Angel Garcia Medina died of his injuries on Sept. 30, according to LULAC, which represents the family.) DALLAS The last time Stephany Gauffeny spoke to her husband, she was encouraged by the excitement in his voice. He was coming home. Miguel Angel Garcia Medina, 31, was expected to be remanded to Immigration and Customs Enforcement from Tarrant County Jail in Arlington, Texas, over a DUI. But the couple hatched a plan that would keep them together even as the Trump administration stepped up deportation sweeps. Garcia started a visa process to stay in the United States permanently, had married Gauffeny and together they would raise four kids with a fifth baby on the way. He was feeling happy," Gauffeny said in an interview with USA TODAY of the Sept. 23 phone call. "He knew he would end up with ICE but we had a plan to keep him in the U.S. That plan imploded the following day. On Sept. 24, Garcia had just been transported from Arlington to the Dallas ICE field office when a gunman opened fire on the building and the van with an 8 mm bolt-action rifle, killing one detainee and seriously injuring Garcia. Texas ICE field office shooting: Dallas ICE gunman wanted to cause 'terror'; victims still not ID'd Multiple people shot at Dallas ICE facility. See the response in Texas Law enforcement personnel respond at the scene of a shooting at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office in Dallas, Texas, September 24, 2025. Garcia, 31, was one of three detainees injured or killed that day. The next time Gauffeny saw him, on Sept. 24, Garcia was in a hospital bed at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas. His face was swollen. Tubes snaked down his throat. Staples closed a scar across his head. Dried blood dappled his face, neck and bedsheets. His arms were restrained to the bed and his feet were shackled together at the ankles. He was unconscious. It was just awful to see him like that, she said. 'Black hole of information': Victims shot by sniper at Dallas ICE facility identified Who are the victims in Dallas ICE field office shooting? A senior Department of Homeland Security official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, identified the other two victims as Jose Andres Bordones-Molina, of Venezuela; and Norlan Guzman-Fuentes, of El Salvador. Dallas County Medical Examiner's records indicate Guzman-Fuentes, 37, died; officials ruled his death a homicide. All three men did not have proper documentation to be in the country and had criminal histories ranging from traffic offenses to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Garcia was arrested for driving under the influence on Aug. 8 and had spent six weeks in Tarrant County Jail in Arlington, Texas. Local advocates have decried the lack of information on the migrant victims. An attendee arranges flowers and candles during a vigil, for the detainee that was killed and two others that were critically injured from a shooting on Wednesday at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office, outside the Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas, U.S., Sept. 25, 2025. Federal authorities said the suspect, Joshua Jahn, 29, was seen driving around the neighborhood near the facility at around 3 a.m. on Sept. 24 with a ladder perched on his truck. He then used the ladder to climb onto the roof a two-story building behind the facility, they said. At around 6:30 a.m., Jahn allegedly began firing at the facility, hitting the building and sending rounds into a transport van filled with at least 10 detainees. Surveillance video obtained by local TV media shows detainees, their hands and feet shackled together, scrambling out of the van and into the facility during the barrage of gunfire. At a press conference on Sept. 25, federal officials said that evidence found linked to the gunman showed that Jahn was targeting ICE agents not the detainees before fatally shooting himself. Several ICE and ATF agents ran into the van under fire to retrieve the injured detainees, they said. They were willing to put their lives on the line to pull detainees out of the transport van to get them to safety, said Marcos Charles, ICEs acting executive associate director of Enforcement and Removal Operations. They are heroes. Miguel Angel Garcia Medina, 31, was one of the three detainees killed or wounded in the Sept. 24 attack at Dallas Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office shooting. Garcia, who is now in critical condition, is expecting his fifth child with his wife, Stephany Gauffeny. Garcia sought legal status with family in US Garcia was one of the struck detainees in the van, his hands and feet shackled together. Around eight bullets tore into him, hitting his shoulder, stomach, tailbone and neck, causing him to have a massive stroke. He was ultimately pulled from the van and rushed to Parkland Memorial Hospital. Eric Cedillo, national legal advisor at the League of United Latin American Citizens, said, despite the DUI infraction, Garcia had been trying to get permanent residence the "right" way through immigration proceedings and was brought to the USA as a teen. Gauffeny, who is a U.S. citizen, had sponsored him for an I-130 visa, which was initially approved, he said. He had been here for 20 years doing all the right things, said Cedillo, who is advising the family. Suspect in shooting: What we know about Joshua Jahn, suspect in Dallas ICE attack He added: In any demographic, theres good and bad: He wasnt one of the bad ones. Its unfortunate what happened to him and the other victims in this incredibly tragic event. Garcia was born in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and was brought to the U.S. when he was 13, along with three brothers, settling in Arlington, Texas, Gauffeny said. The two met while freshmen at Sam Houston High School and began dating a few years after high school. They got married in 2016. Garcia helped raise two daughters Gauffeny was already raising and the pair had two more of their own in total: three girls, ages 8 to 14, and one 3-year-old boy, Miguel Angel Garcia Jr. Garcia was a stellar dad, Gauffeny said, spoiling the girls, attending daddy-daughter dances, helping with the 8-year-old daughter who is autistic and doting on Miguel, Jr. Hes a painter and contractor and the familys sole breadwinner. In May, they bought their first home: a modest three-bedroom, one-bathroom house. Garcia was elated that Gauffeny was pregnant with another boy, due in September, she said. He wanted that second boy, she said. Miguel Angel Garcia Medina, 31, was critically wounded in the Sept. 24 attack at Dallas Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office shooting that left another detainee dead. A Mexican national, Garcia has lived most of his life in the United States. The DUI was his first offense and other charges of evading arrest were later dropped, Gauffeny said. They were hopeful that his ties to the community and growing family would keep him from being deported. Our expectation was that he was going to be allowed to stay here with us, she said. Shackled in hospital On the morning of Sept. 24, Gauffeny woke up to news of a shooting at the Dallas ICE field office. She knew he was scheduled to be transferred to ICE that morning but thought it too much of a coincidence for Garcia to be involved. When he didnt call, she grew worried. Then, at around 2 p.m., an ICE official called to inform her that Garcia had been shot at the facility and had been taken to Parkland. She rushed to the hospital with her sister and mother. Gauffeny said she thought maybe her husband had just been shot in the arm and would be awake and recovering. She was shocked by the grisly scene that greeted her when she walked into the hospital room. She started to cry. Since then, Gauffeny said shes received scant details on what happened that day. Hospital staff filled her in on his injuries. Hes had at least one surgery and will likely need more. But the person lying in bed with the swollen face and the tubes and the arms and feet shackled to the bed didnt at all resemble the husband who, just recently, helped put their children to bed each night, she said. The family has started a GoFundMe page to help offset some of the medical costs. But its the image of his arms and feet shackled that has been hardest to shake, Gauffeny said. Theyre not respecting him as a human being, she said. He cant even move. It really feels unfair the way hes being treated when hes been [the victim] of a hate crime. Follow Jervis on X: @MrRJervis. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dallas ICE shooting: Wife says victim was shackled in hospital bed Sydney Lima/TikTok Sydney Lima NEED TO KNOW A woman on TikTok is sharing her fashion finds after moving into a house that was previously owned by a hoarder I bought a house from a man whos a hoarder, totally sight unseen, and became responsible for everything inside, Sydney Lima said in a now-viral TikTok video Lima tells PEOPLE in an exclusive interview that she had a few conflicting feelings when moving into her new home, but the excitement always outweighed it" A woman on TikTok is sharing her fashion finds after moving into a house that was previously owned by a hoarder. I bought a house from a man whos a hoarder, totally sight unseen, and became responsible for everything inside, Sydney Lima, 30, of Jersey City, N.J., said in a TikTok video uploaded on Aug. 5. Luckily for me, though, everything inside ended up being some really, really incredible vintage treasures, which included tons of vintage clothing. So today I'm starting a series where every day I style one piece from our house until I get through it all, she continued, before showing off her look: a colorful plaid dress that she had altered by her seamstress. Lima paired the look with a lacy white slip and black kitten heels, along with a black purse and a chunky necklace. The video has since garnered over 194K views. The content creator has stayed true to her word and continues to share posts about her vintage finds, with her latest one marking the 38th installment in the fun series. Lima tells PEOPLE in an exclusive interview that she had a few conflicting feelings when moving into her new home, but the excitement always outweighed it. Sydney Lima/TikTok Sydney Lima "The buying process was probably the hardest part for me because it all happened so fast, and there were so many unknowns about the house. But even then, we had such great support around us, and the excitement of beginning the journey completely overshadowed any nerves or uncertainty, she shares. When asked about her favorite finds, Lima says, Every piece we found felt like such an incredible treasure in its own way, and as someone who loves fashion and vintage, its so hard to choose. If I had to pick, though, the vintage slip skirts and dresses would be at the top of my list. The TikToker notes that she has always loved finding slip dresses at the thrift stores because theyre some of the most elegant and feminine pieces you can have in your closet, so discovering these was truly special. Many of the slip dresses, she says, were still in their original packaging. "Opening each box felt like peeking into a time capsule from the mid-1900s, and the fact that almost all of them fit me like a glove was the best surprise, she gushes. Before purchasing the house, Lima knew it was owned by a man who was a hoarder. So, our expectations were pretty low we thought wed find mostly junk, she says. To our surprise though, as soon as we stepped inside, we realized he was more of a passionate collector. While Limas TikTok posts are focused on the fashion items she has uncovered, she shares that the house was filled with vintage and antique items, including a vinyl record collection, Disney memorabilia and iconic Playboy magazines. The home also has a ton of personal items belonging to the man we bought the house from, like family photos, yearbooks, documents and more. Lima has discovered that the mans parents owned the house before him, so hes lived there for his entire life. We feel truly honored to have all of his belongings and are doing our best to give them a new life. Were so grateful to know his familys story and to have this special, personal connection to it, she says. Related: https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf When it comes to filming outfit videos for her followers, Lima says, Every day that I put an outfit together, I think about how the pile of clothing hasn't gotten any smaller. Realistically, I think I'll still be doing this series this time next year and Im not mad about it! Other finds include an extensive collection of vintage T-shirts. The fashionista notes that she still owns about 100 of them after going through and selling the ones she wasnt interested in. "We also have tons of blazers and jackets tucked away in storage, which will be perfect for putting together outfits for colder days," she says. The video series has been a fun experience for Lima as it has helped her connect with people like her and explore her own personal style. The series has also left an impression on her followers, especially those who "feel a bit intimidated by vintage styles or arent sure how to style them." Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "The response has been far beyond what I ever could have imagined and in so many ways! Ive reached an audience of people who share my love for vintage clothing, and many have taken pieces off my hands to give them a new life," Lima says, adding that she doesn't plan on ending the series anytime soon. "One of my favorite things that has come from the views is when a post sparks a conversation between strangers whether someone recognizes a logo on a T-shirt and reconnects with an old memory, or offers suggestions on how to style certain items differently," the content creator says. Read the original article on People New York Yankees' Aaron Judge hits a two-run single during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) NEW YORK (AP) Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Ryan McMahon hit early home runs off Tomoyuki Sugano, and the New York Yankees beat the Baltimore Orioles 6-1 on Saturday to maintain a share of the AL East lead heading into the regular season's final day. New York (93-68) has won seven straight and 10 of 11, and is assured of at least a wild card. The Yankees are tied with Toronto, which holds the tiebreaker. Cam Schlittler (4-3) struck out a career-high nine in seven scoreless innings of two-hit ball. The 24-year-old rookie right-hander had a 2.96 ERA in 14 starts. New York's Jazz Chisholm Jr. left after he was hit on the left arm by a 96.8 mph pitch from Grant Wolfram in the fifth. The Yankees said X-rays were negative and he will have a CT scan. Judge put the Yankees ahead with his big league record 20th first-inning home run this season, his 53rd long ball this year. Judge hit the Yankees' 49th first-inning homer, two more than the previous mark set by Atlanta in 2023. Stanton and McMahon went deep in the second for a 3-0 lead. Stanton has 453 career homers, moving past Carl Yastrzemski for sole possession of 40th place. Judge and Stanton have homered in the same game 59 times, with the Yankees winning 52. A 35-year-old right-hander signed to a $13 million, one-year contract, Sugano (10-10) had a 4.64 ERA in 30 starts. He allowed 33 homers, behind only Jake Irvin and Zack Littell, who entered Saturday with 36 each. Yankees manager Aaron Boone was ejected for the seventh time this season, most among big league managers, and the 46th time in his managing career. He was tossed for arguing called strikes to Judge. Key moment Judges homer was his 51st in 119 games against the Orioles. Key stat New York improved to 26-25 against the AL East. Up next Yankees RHP Luis Gil (4-1, 3.29 ERA) and Orioles RHP Kyle Bradish (1-1, 2.25 ERA) start Sunday's regular-season finale. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb Kate Middleton's new unbreakable bond with King Charles may shake the monarchy up.MEGA Kate Middleton's relationship with King Charles is stronger than ever but insiders tell RadarOnline.com their closeness may be unsettling others within the royal household. The Princess of Wales, 43, has been widely praised for her composure during a year of personal and institutional turbulence, and palace aides say she has become one of the king's most trusted allies. Yet with tensions already running high between Charles, 76, and his eldest son Prince William, 43, as well as long-standing unease with Queen Camilla, 78, the dynamic risks creating further fault lines. King Charles Sees Kate Middleton As The Daughter He Never Had Insiders said Charles spoke of Middleton as the daughter he never had.MEGA One courtier claimed: "Charles depends on Catherine more than most realize. He values her composure, her sense of discretion, and her steadiness. He has even spoken of her as the daughter he never had. But such closeness isn't coming without consequences it stirs unease in other quarters." The strain comes amid a delicate period for the monarchy. Earlier this year, Charles met his younger son, Prince Harry, 41, in London for the first time in 19 months. Harry's estranged older brother William was said to be deeply unhappy about the encounter, which took place against his wishes, and relations between the brothers remain at rock bottom. Uneasy Ties with Camilla Camilla once dismissed Middleton as not worthy of the royal family.MEGA At the same time, William and Middleton's relationship with Camilla has long been described as "complicated." Royal biographer Christopher Andersen previously said Camilla once dismissed Middleton as "not worthy" for the royal family due to her upper-middle-class background and questioned her suitability to become Queen. Another insider claimed Camilla was uneasy about the prospect of eventually handing ceremonial responsibilities to her step-daughter-in-law. A royal source said: "The reality is that Camilla never pictured Catherine as the one carrying the crown forward." Public Signs of Affection Middleton greeted Charles warmly with kisses and a curtsey at a royal funeral.MEGA Charles, however, has consistently signaled his admiration for the princess. In a 2023 state banquet speech in Kenya, he recalled William's proposal to her in the country more than a decade earlier, saying, "It was here, in sight of Mount Kenya, that my son, the Prince of Wales, proposed to his wife, now my beloved daughter-in-law." Observers noted Middleton has reciprocated that affection in public gestures. At the recent funeral of Duchess Katharine of Kent, she greeted Charles warmly with kisses on both cheeks before curtseying a moment seen as emblematic of their rapport. A senior aide said: "Charles clearly draws strength from Catherine. The way she has handled the demands of royal duty has won his lasting admiration. But her growing influence inside the palace is obvious and that makes some people uneasy." Growing Influence Sparks Unease Charles praised Middleton in a state banquet speech in Kenya.MEGA The dynamic is not lost on courtiers, who note William and Camilla's frosty relations remain unresolved. William has reportedly struggled to reconcile his loyalty to his late mother, Princess Diana, with his father's marriage. Middleton's closeness to Charles only sharpens the feeling, sources claimed. One added: "Catherine now sits at the heart of three key relationships with William, with the King, and with the Queen. Two of those are thriving, one clearly is not. That imbalance is bound to shape the monarchy's future." Sally Bedell Smith, a royal biographer, previously remarked: "Charles shares with William an impulse to protect Catherine. They are in this together, Kate and the King." But another palace insider suggested the bond may create simmering new sensitivities, as they noted, "Alongside the respect Kate commands, there's also jealousy and unease. When one figure becomes so close to the king, it doesn't go unnoticed." Nexstar joined Sinclair on Friday in calling off its Jimmy Kimmel boycott just days after ABC returned the comedian to late-night television. Beginning Friday night, Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return to air on the ABC affiliates, which had preempted the show last week over remarks he made about Charlie Kirks assassination. As a local broadcaster, Nexstar remains committed to protecting the First Amendment while producing and airing local and national news that is fact-based and unbiased and, above all, broadcasting content that is in the best interest of the communities we serve, a Nexstar statement said. We stand apart from cable television, monolithic streaming services, and national networks in our commitmentand obligationto be stewards of the public airwaves. Similarly, Sinclair issued a statement earlier on Friday reversing its decision to keep the comedian off its airwaves. It cited feedback from viewers, advertisers, and community leaders representing a wide range of perspectives. Sinclair had previously vowed not to put Kimmel back on air unless meetings were held with ABC to discuss the networks commitmentment to professionalism and accountability. Those discussions are still ongoing, though ABC and Disney have not yet accepted any measures proposed by Sinclair, which included a network-wide independent ombudsman, per the companys Friday release. The stand-down comes days after Kimmels first episode back on air had the highest ratings for a regularly scheduled episode in over a decade. His monologue at the top of the show ranged from the First Amendment and the Trump administration to Erica Kirks speech at her late husbands memorial, garnering over 21 million views on YouTube in just a couple daysthe most for a monologue in his shows history. Kimmels comeback on Tuesday drew 6.3 million TV viewers, about four times the shows average, despite nearly a quarter of ABCs national reach blacking out his return episode. Sixty-six local stations owned by the ABC affiliates did not broadcast Jimmy Kimmel Live!, but this cost them a natural influx of viewership, and possibly some of their market, according to media experts. Blackouts like this often highlight the strength of digital platforms, Natalie Andreas, a communications professor at the University of Texas, told Fortune. Instead of limiting reach, blackouts push viewers toward spaces like YouTube where content spreads faster, lingers longer, and attracts new audiences who may not have tuned in live, she said. Susan Keith, a professor in the Rutgers School of Communication and Information, told Fortune the blackouts can push viewers to seekand easily findKimmel on their digital cable packages or YouTube if local stations didnt air the show. Theres this idea of public interest, necessity and convenience that over-the-air broadcast media were supposed to fulfill, she said. So if we all move to streaming services for content because (of) incidents like this one, it trains viewers to seek media this way. Earlier this year, streaming overtook cable and broadcast as Americas most-watched form of TV, according to Nielsen data. The FCC does not license TV or radio networks such as CBS, NBC, ABC or Fox, but rather individual stations that may air programming from these networks. But the shift to streaming has raised questions about what its continued role might be as viewers lean away from individual broadcast stations. I think this is an open question, Keith said. I think we dont really know what to think about the ultimate usefulness of the FCC. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com by Sumon Corraya On the eve of the largest Hindu festival, the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council reported at least nine incidents of vandalism and arson between 2 and 23 September. Despite government reassurances and police promises to ensure maximum security, fear is growing among Hindus. This year, more than 33,000 mandaps (temporary pavilions housing idols during the festival) are expected to be set up across the country, nearly 2,000 more than in 2023. Dhaka (AsiaNews) On the eve of the Sharadiya Durga Puja celebrations, Bangladeshs largest Hindu festival, fears are growing among believers. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council has reported a series of attacks on temples and idols in various parts of the country, casting doubt on the possibility of celebrating the holiday in a peaceful atmosphere. Despite reassurances from government leaders, hopes for a peaceful celebration are fading, this according to the Unity Council. In a statement released on yesterday, its acting secretary general, Manindra Kumar Nath, lamented the growing fear and anxiety among devotees. Between 2 and 23 September, at least nine acts of vandalism and arson were reported against mandaps (temporary pavilions hosting idols during the festival) and Hindu temples. Some of the most serious incidents include the burning of an idol in Gaibandha, the destruction of temple statues in Panchagarh, Kushtia, Netrokona, and Gazipur, and seven idols damaged in Jamalpur last Sunday, a case in which CCTV footage led to the arrest of a 35-year-old man. On the same day, other temples were targeted in Munshiganj over a land dispute. On Wednesday, six idols were vandalised in Jhenaidah, and more incidents were reported in Satkhira. Tensions related to the celebrations were reported in Chittagong, Kurigram, and Chapainawabganj. The Unity Council warned that these incidents have created a climate of fear, with the prospect of further violence during the Durga Puja period. It has therefore called on the government and law enforcement to take immediate and strict measures to ensure public order. Meanwhile, despite the growing alarm, preparations continue across the country. According to the Universal Puja Committee, 33,355 mandaps will be set up this year, nearly 2,000 more than in 2023. Dhaka alone has 259. During a visit to a mandap in the capital, Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam said that Durga Puja is a universal festival. Noting that police are on the highest alert to ensure people can worship without fear, he stressed that swift action has already been taken, including arrests and legal proceedings whenever an attack occurs. by Joseph Masilamany The Kelantan State police chief has suggested amending the law so that minors who "consent" to sex are also prosecuted along with their adult partners. Malaysias federal government and NGOs have reacted harshly to the proposal, which would criminalise victims and reinforce the culture of blaming women. Instead, some groups want the law to protect consensual relationships between peers. Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews) Criticism is mounting in Malaysia over a proposal put forward by Kelantan Police Chief Yusoff Mamat to amend the law so that minors who consent to sex are also punished along with their adult partners. This idea, which the police chief wants to bring to the attention of the Attorney General's Office, has sparked strong reactions from politicians, Malaysias federal government, and children's rights advocates, who denounce the risk of criminalising victims and reinforcing a culture of blame. For Lim Guan Eng, MP for Bagan and a former finance minister, the proposal is "ethically wrong", and clearly forsakes the fundamental duty of law enforcement to protect the most vulnerable. How can society be protected when the rape victim is also penalised together with the culprit? he asked. For him, the proposal is not just misguided but [showing] a complete lack of sympathy, empathy and compassion for girls who are minors and victims of statutory rape. In Malaysia, the age of consent is set at 16. Any sexual intercourse with a minor is considered rape, even if the minor appears to have consented. According to Lim, the law is meant to to protect young girls from sexual exploitation due to their tender age as they are not mature and knowledgeable enough to be able to decide on their own to consent to sex. The lawmaker urged Yusoff to withdraw the proposal and apologise "for his insensitivity towards women and girls," when in fact the focus should be on the rising cases of sexual violence in the state. The federal government also reacted to the police chiefs proposal. Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Nancy Shukri reiterated that minors must be guided, rehabilitated, and protected, not punished. She noted that current laws already provide for support and educational and community programmes for minors in conflict with the law, emphasising that adults bear the primary responsibility for protecting children and that repression must target the perpetrators, not the victims. The Child Rights Innovation and Betterment (CRIB) Foundation, a child rights advocacy group, also slammed the proposal, calling it regressive and contrary to the spirit of the law. According to the organisation, Charging girls under 16 would dangerously reinforce victim-blaming narratives. This is not protection; it is punishment disguised as morality. The group instead suggested introducing a "sweetheart defence" clause, already in place in countries such as Canada, South Africa, and several Australian states, which excludes criminal liability for consensual relationships between adolescents with an age difference of no more than three years and without a power imbalance. This recommendation also reflects the recommendations of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, which Malaysia signed in 2011. Today's news: At least 11 people have died in the Philippines due to tropical storm Bualoi. A fire at a data centre paralysed South Korean government online services. A 73-year-old woman who had lived in the United States for 30 years has been deported to India. Bangladeshi leader Muhammad Yunus addresses the Rohingya situation at the UN. THAILAND CAMBODIA Thailand's prime minister yesterday said that his government will propose a referendum to decide whether to scrap two agreements on the boundary demarcation with Cambodia, an issue that led to fighting in July, with dozens killed and thousands displaced. The current border demarcation is governed by agreements signed in 2000 and 2001. PHILIPPINES VIETNAM In the Philippines, the death toll from severe tropical storm Bualoi has risen to 11; meanwhile, the cyclone is now heading towards Vietnam, local authorities report. Yesterday, Bualoi swept across small islands in the central Philippines, downing trees and power lines. Roofs were torn off, forcing 400,000 people to evacuate. Bualoi arrived immediately after super typhoon Ragasa, which killed 14 people in the northern Philippines. SOUTH KOREA A serious fire at South Korea's National Information Resource Service (NIRS), the country central state data centre, has paralysed online government services and networks, forcing the authorities to rely on social media for communications. The NIRS centrally runs government data and information systems. The fire, which broke out last night, was extinguished this morning, but more than 600 government services and systems remained in a forced shutdown mode to protect data while firefighters worked to remove nearly 400 lithium-ion battery packs from the building as a safety precaution. BANGLADESH Bangladesh's interim head of government, Muhammad Yunus, told the United Nations General Assembly yesterday that the Rohingya refugee crisis is on the brink of becoming a catastrophe due to cuts in humanitarian aid. Bangladesh is now home to approximately 1.3 million Rohingya, most of whom fled Myanmar's brutal military crackdown in 2017. Eight years into the crisis, Yunus said that persecution in Rakhine State continues unabated. UNITED STATES INDIA Harjit Kaur, a 73-year-old Indian woman, is among the people deported after she was seized by agents of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. After she arrived from Punjab with her two children in 1991 to escape the political turmoil of that time, she applied for asylum on several occasions, but was unsuccessful. She never returned to India because she lacked travel documents. Kaur, who has no criminal record, was moved to a detention centre in Georgia on 19 September and deported to India on 22 September, without being able to visit her home or say goodbye to her family. ISRAEL GAZA UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed stressed the urgent need to end the war in Gaza during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. This was their first meeting since Israel's 9 September attack on Hamas leaders in Qatar, which the UAE condemned. Meanwhile, President Trump said that intense talks on Gaza are underway with several Arab countries in the region and that Israel and Hamas are aware of the 21-point peace plan under discussion. 27 September 2025 14:25 (UTC+04:00) On September 26, 2025, an open-air photo exhibition dedicated to mine victims in Azerbaijan was opened in Karlsplatz square, in the center of Munich, Germany. The event took place within the framework of the project CulMINATION Point of Danger, implemented by the Gilavar Photo Club Public Union with the support of the State Support Agency for NGOs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Azernews reports. The NGOs German partner in the project was the Munich Azerbaijanis Cultural Center. The exhibition featured more than 20 photographs, personal stories, and statistical data highlighting the tragedies caused by landmines in Azerbaijan. Each photo captured not only an individual incident but also reflected the broader humanitarian catastrophe faced by the nation. Munich residents were able to access additional information about the victims through QR codes placed alongside the exhibits. Emotional messages such as I lost my leg, but not my hope!, I was a doctor, I was saving those who fell into mines. I fell into a mine myself, The mine that I thought was a toy and played with at the age of 11 took away my childhood, and I fell into an anti-tank mine. Although I do not know what youthful enthusiasm is, I understand the feelings of a young man who lost both legs conveyed the experiences of mine victims in moving words. Visitors also left their heartfelt messages to victims on a dedicated board. Speaking at the opening, Rashad Mehdiyev, Chairman of the Gilavar Photo Club Public Union, recalled that in 2021, while on duty in the Kalbajar regions Susuz village, he himself narrowly survived an anti-tank mine explosion planted by Armenia. However, three of his colleagues Siraj Abishov (telephone operator), Maharram Ibrahimov (journalist), and Arif Aliyev (local executive authority employee) were killed, while four others sustained injuries. The exhibition also presented stark figures: as a result of Armenias mine warfare, more than 3,400 Azerbaijanis have become mine victims to date. Between 20202025, 409 people were injured, and 71 Azerbaijanis lost their lives. Although Armenia provided some mine maps under political pressure, only about 25 percent proved accurate, leaving large areas still unsafe. The Gilavar Photo Club therefore urged Armenia to hand over reliable maps. The exhibition emphasized that the mine problem is a global humanitarian challenge. Azerbaijan has already declared humanitarian mine action as its 18th National Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), and the country continues to advocate for the inclusion of mine action as the 18th UN Sustainable Development Goal. This first-of-its-kind Azerbaijani NGO photo exhibition on mines in Germany called on the international community to mobilize against the global landmine problem and the tragedies it causes. The Gilavar Photo Club announced plans to continue this initiative in other European cities. 27 September 2025 20:35 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more In the crowded sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this September, Azerbaijan made two quiet but significant moves that underscore its growing place in global capital markets. President Ilham Aliyev met separately with Jenny Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of Franklin Templeton, and Adebayo Ogunlesi, Founding Partner and Chief Executive of Global Infrastructure Partners. Both firms are heavyweights in international finance, managing trillions of dollars between them. For Azerbaijan, these conversations are more than courtesy calls. They are markers of a deliberate strategy: to embed itself more firmly into the global financial ecosystem and to leverage international expertise for long-term development. Access to paid information is limited Find the plan that suits you best. 27 September 2025 14:40 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Five years ago today, the Second Garabagh War begana conflict that would shape the course of Azerbaijans modern history. What started as a military confrontation evolved into a profound demonstration of diplomatic and strategic capability. The war led to the deoccupation of Azerbaijani territories, the end of an ethnic Armenian separatist regime in those areas, and the reincorporation of these lands into the Azerbaijan Republic. Coupled with the precise September 2023 special operation, which ended the occupation without civilian casualties, Azerbaijan achieved what many consider its greatest military and diplomatic victory in decades. The Patriotic War was not only a military campaign but also a manifestation of Azerbaijans unity, resilience, and determination to restore its territorial integrity. Under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces crushed the enemy using modern military tactics and technologies. The unity of the people, symbolized by the slogan "He died, he returned, he did not return!", became the backbone of this victory. Speaking to Azernews, former US ambassador to Azerbaijan Matthew Bryza emphasized the scale and significance of this success: The Second Garabagh War, which began five years ago today, probably marks the greatest diplomatic and military achievement in Azerbaijan's history. It has resulted in the deoccupation of Azerbaijani lands and their reincorporation into the Azerbaijan Republic and coupled with the September 2023 special operation, which was precise and resulted in not only in no civilian deaths, but not even civilian injuries, ended the occupation of any Azerbaijani territory, any end of a separatist regime, ethnic Armenian regime, on Azerbaijani's territory. So this would be for any country, the recovery of its territories and full control over them, a tremendous achievement. Bryza highlighted the ambitious plans that have followed this military success, notably the Great Return initiative led by the Government of Azerbaijan and President Ilham Aliyev: The Government of Azerbaijan and President Aliyev have outlined an ambitious plan, the Great Return, for the return of Azerbaijani people to their previous homes, to their villages and towns and cities in what was called Garabagh and then the seven surrounding regions of Azerbaijan, as well as providing the conditions for people who hadn't lived there to come to those territories and build businesses and families and lives and create a whole new future for all of Azerbaijan. And that's fantastic. Bryza also underscored the strategic potential of the new regional corridor connecting the main part of Azerbaijan with Garabagh across Armenian territory: As is outlined in the ninth point of the November 10, 2020 ceasefire trilateral statement, there will be a corridor connecting the main part of Azerbaijan with Garabagh across Armenian territory. And that corridor, whether we call it the Zangazur Corridor or now the Trump Road for International Peace and Prosperity, provides a mechanism to attract investment, to create jobs, therefore, and wealth, and to connect and even integrate the countries along its route into a regional economy. And those countries, of course, begin with Azerbaijan and Armenia, but include Turkiye and can include, I mean, Georgia in an extended way And of course, can include the countries on the other side of the Caspian Sea Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and beyond, Kyrgyzstan. He emphasized the promising role of international investment and cooperation in cementing regional stability: Now, as we see from the August Washington agreements, U.S. President Trump foresees the United States re-engaging in a profound way, like we did when I was involved in the late Bill Clinton administration and in the George W. Bush administration, when we were actively pursuing major infrastructure investments in oil and gas, trying to help the countries and companies work out the legal frameworks to enable what became the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and the oil and the South Caucasus gas pipelines So there is great promise for a new round of this sort of large-scale investments, this time involving, again, the United States, politically and now financially, to bring together and reintegrate the economies of the region. Bryza also outlined the critical need for a finalized peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia: However, to get there, there needs to be a peace treaty. The peace treaty's text is finalized, as we know. It was finalized in March. The text was initialed by the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Washington in the presence of President Trump. But for those treaties to be finalized and signed by the national leaders, Ilham Aliyev and Nikol Pashinyan, Azerbaijan understandably insists that the constitution of Armenia be amended to make absolutely clear and unambiguous that Armenia has no territorial designs on Azerbaijan To pass the amendment needs a supermajority in the Armenian parliament and then needs to be approved by a national referendum. And there are many, many Armenians who are not in favor of amending their constitution under duress. And I think Russia will encourage the disagreement and the hostility in Armenia to signing of this peace treaty that opens the way for the new corridor in which the United States will play a role. Reflecting on the bravery of Azerbaijani forces and the strategic leadership of President Aliyev, Bryza added: Those amazing Azerbaijani soldiers, who together with strategic advice from Turkiye and from Pakistan and others, were able to win a lightning victory, and then relying on unbelievable courage and strength, physical strength and clever tactics, were able to recapture Shusha in November of 2020, and thereby effectively ending the military phase of the war. These are eternal heroes who will go down in Azerbaijani history as among the greatest. And finally, I would commend, for whatever that's worth, President Ilham Aliyev for stopping Azerbaijan's offensive, military offensive, once Azerbaijan recaptured Shusha by not continuing the military operation into Khankendi, President Aliyev was able to save many thousands of human lives and military lives. So congratulations to Azerbaijan. And congratulations to the whole region if there's a peace treaty. British political scientist Neil Watson echoed the sentiment, highlighting both the sacrifices and the historic significance of the victory: This is the saddest, yet most victorious day in the history of Azerbaijan. The sacrifices of around 3000 brave servicemen must never be forgotten and their souls will rest in the eternal memory of all Azerbaijanis and those who believe in international law and territorial integrity. But this day also marked the turning point; the moment when President Aliyev, as Commander-in-Chief, decided the time was right to end the illegal Armenian aggression and occupation to steer his country quickly and efficiently to victory, using the latest armaments and with the support of Turkiye and Israel. Now we are on the brink of a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia, with the prospect of a homogenous and integrated South Caucasus, where Russian dominance is negligible, being a reality. The future is indeed brighter than ever before for Azerbaijan and all countries of the now completely independent South Caucasus. 27 September 2025 10:29 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsman) Sabina Aliyeva has issued a statement on the 5th anniversary of the Patriotic War. Azernews presents the statement: "Five years have passed since the Armenian armed forces launched large-scale military operations on September 27, 2020, in violation of the generally recognized norms and principles of international law, intensively and heavily shelling settlements densely populated with Azerbaijani civilians, resulting in the loss of numerous civilians. During that period, Azerbaijan, exercising its right to self-defense in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, launched counter-offensive operations to ensure the right to life of the civilian population and liberate our lands that had been under occupation for nearly thirty years. As a result, the implementation of decisions and resolutions of authoritative international organizations that had remained on paper for many years was ensured, and the violated rights of more than one million refugees and internally displaced persons were restored. During the 44-day Patriotic War, the Armenian armed forces grossly violated the norms of international law and international humanitarian law and targeted territories densely populated with Azerbaijani civilians far from the combat zone. They shelled one of the countrys largest cities, regional centers, and other settlements with long-range operational-tactical and ballistic missile systems. As a result of war crimes deliberately committed by Armenia in violation of international humanitarian law, including the requirements of the Geneva Conventions of 1949 Relating to the Protection of War Victims and their Additional Protocols, about 100 civilians, including 12 children, were killed and more than 450 civilians were injured. In addition, 12,000 civilian infrastructure facilities in Azerbaijan, including more than 3,410 houses, 120 apartment buildings, and numerous schools, hospitals, and kindergartens, were destroyed or severely damaged due to heavy artillery fire. In order to prevent the provocative actions of separatist forces that posed a threat to peace and security in the region in the post-war period, and to protect human rights and freedoms, local anti-terrorist measures were implemented in September 2023. As a result of the Patriotic War and anti-terrorist measures, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our state were fully ensured, and new opportunities for the protection of human rights in the region were opened. Some time ago, during the meeting of the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia in the United States of America, the Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia was initialed. With this historic event, significant progress was made in ensuring lasting peace and stability not only between the two countries, but also in the region as a whole. As the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, I would like to emphasize once again that it is extremely important to restore human rights and freedoms violated during the occupation and war, clarify the fate of missing persons, provide accurate mine maps in order to accelerate the process of clearing our liberated territories from mines, and ensure the safe and dignified return of former internally displaced persons to their native lands. In this regard, it is of particular importance for international organizations, world states, ombudsmen, and national human rights institutions of foreign countries to take joint initiatives to ensure the norms of international law and international humanitarian law, punish those who committed war crimes, restore violated human rights, and establish sustainable development and lasting peace. I respectfully commemorate the dear memory of our martyrs who lost their lives for the full protection of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, the protection of the right to life of the civilian population, and the restoration of the rights and freedoms of former internally displaced persons, which had been grossly violated for many years, and I wish peace for our country, the region, and the world." The statement was sent to the UN Secretary-General, the UN Security Council, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the UN Human Rights Council, the heads of UNICEF, UNESCO, the European Union, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, the International and European Ombudsman Institutions, the Asian Ombudsman Association, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Association of Ombudsmen of its Member States, the Association of Ombudsmen and National Human Rights Institutions of Turkic States, the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the European Network of Ombudsmen for the Rights of the Child, the International Peace Bureau, the Universal Peace Federation, ombudsmen and national human rights institutions of various countries, embassies of the Republic of Azerbaijan abroad, and Azerbaijani diaspora organizations. 27 September 2025 09:59 (UTC+04:00) The officials laid flowers in front of the memorial stone and honored the cherished memory of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. September 27 On the occasion of Memorial Day, Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov, Head of the Presidential Administration Samir Nuriyev, deputies of the Milli Majlis, and other state and government officials visited the Victory Park, which is currently under construction in Baku, Azernews Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 27 September 2025 11:11 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev completed his working visit to the United States, Azernews reports. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 27 September 2025 12:15 (UTC+04:00) On September 27, on the occasion of Remembrance Day, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev honored the memory of the martyrs of the Second Garabagh War with a minute of silence at the Ganja Memorial Complex at 12:00, Azernews reports. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 27 September 2025 12:49 (UTC+04:00) On September 27, leaders of religious confessions and community members in Azerbaijan gathered at the residence of Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board (CMB), to honor the memory of the martyrs of the Patriotic War, Azernews reports. The dear memory of our heroes who died for the Motherland will always live in our hearts. May God have mercy on all our martyrs, the religious leaders said, commemorating the fallen with prayers according to their respective traditions. A banquet was also organized in their honor. In his address, Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade highlighted the significance of September 27 as a day of national pride: Five years have passed since the beginning of the Patriotic War that ended the 30-year Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani lands. The history of September 27 Memorial Day as the peak of our national revival, state power, and love for the Motherland is very special in the memory of the people. He emphasized that under the leadership of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the Azerbaijani Army restored the countrys territorial integrity, stressing that religious figures stood by the people, soldiers, and martyrs families throughout the 44-day war. He also reaffirmed the support of religious leaders and believers for President Ilham Aliyevs leadership. Today, under the leadership of Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board, Muslim religious figures and representatives of other religious confessions operating in the country visited Victory Park in Baku on the occasion of Memorial Day of the Martyrs of the Motherland. The dear memory of martyrs who lost their lives in the path of restoring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan was commemorated with respect, and prayers were offered for their souls. Today, under the leadership of Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board, Muslim religious figures and representatives of other religious confessions operating in the country visited Victory Park in Baku on the occasion of Memorial Day of the Martyrs of the Motherland. The dear memory of martyrs who lost their lives in the path of restoring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan was commemorated with respect, and prayers were offered for their souls. In accordance with the plan of events prepared by the Advisory Council of Religious Confessions in Azerbaijan, the memories of the heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the Patriotic War were commemorated and prayers were offered in mosques, churches, and synagogues across the country on the occasion of Memorial Day. Religious figures have also recently visited the families of martyrs in Baku and regions, and visited veterans who were injured in the 44-day war and the anti-terrorist operation. 27 September 2025 14:05 (UTC+04:00) On September 27 - Remembrance Day, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the inauguration of the Ganja Memorial Complex, Azernews reports. The head of state first laid a wreath at the memorial plaque. President Ilham Aliyev then observed a minute of silence at 12:00 at the Ganja Memorial Complex to honor the memory of the martyrs of the Patriotic War. Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture, provided the President with detailed information about the complex. The foundation of the complex, laid by President Ilham Aliyev in January 2022, was built to perpetuate the memory of innocent victims of Armenias missile attacks during the Second Karabakh War and to convey the tragic realities of the war to future generations. In March of this year, First Vice-President and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva, together with her daughters Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva, reviewed the project. In August, President Ilham Aliyev and the First Lady inspected the construction progress. It should be recalled that Ganja, located 80 kilometers from the frontline, was repeatedly targeted by the Armenian armed forces with Tochka-U, Smerch, SCUD, and other missile systems on October 4, 5, 8, 11, and 17 during the Patriotic War. As a result of these attacks, 26 civilians, including six children, were killed, and 142 civilians were wounded. The Memorial, constructed on the site of one of the missile strikes in a residential area, spans 4 hectares. The monument, distinguished by its spiral architectural design, symbolizes a rocket crater. Preserved remnants of destroyed buildings form part of the open plaza installation. The crescent-shaped, two-story building covers a total area of 2,400 square meters. The first floor houses a museum exhibition, while the second floor features a multifunctional hall for seminars, training sessions, and events. The museum comprises sections on The Early 20th Century, Deportation and Forced Displacement, Genocide and Massacres, Ceasefire and the Patriotic War Period, Missing Persons, Mass Graves, and Mine Terror, and Toward a Bright Future. Exhibits introduce visitors to tragedies of the early 20th century, including the March 1918 genocide, and reflect the deportation of Azerbaijanis from Western Azerbaijan between 1948 and 1953. An interactive section allows exploration of archival materials, historical documents, and examples of destroyed cultural heritage. Other sections highlight crimes of ethnic cleansing from 1987 to 1994, as well as genocides and systematic massacres against civilians. A separate section documents the deliberate targeting of civilians during the ceasefire years, the Patriotic War, and the post-war period. The final part of the exhibition celebrates the resilience and triumph of the Azerbaijani people, who, despite decades of injustice, preserved their determination and achieved victory. Following the inauguration, President Ilham Aliyev met with Nilay Aliyeva, who lost both parents in the Armenian missile attack, and her grandfather Zahid Babazade. 27 September 2025 15:30 (UTC+04:00) On the occasion of Memorial Day, marking the fifth anniversary of the start of the Patriotic War, the staff of the Ministry of Economy paid tribute to the martyrs who gave their lives for the liberation of Azerbaijani lands, Azernews reports. The delegation visited Victory Park, where they laid wreaths and bouquets of flowers in front of the Victory Monument. The visit was a gesture of deep respect and remembrance for the heroic martyrs of the Patriotic War, which ended with Azerbaijans historic victory under the leadership of Supreme Commander-in-Chief, President Ilham Aliyev. September 27 is commemorated nationwide as Memorial Day, symbolizing the enduring gratitude of the Azerbaijani people to those who sacrificed for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. 27 September 2025 17:00 (UTC+04:00) The work to clear Azerbaijans liberated territories from mines and unexploded ordnance is continuing with expanded cooperation, Azernews reports. The Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA) has signed agreements with several local and foreign companies to accelerate demining operations. Contracts were concluded with Safe Point CJSC, Azerbaijan Demining Company LLC, and Alphademining LLC to carry out mine and UXO clearance in the liberated areas. According to official information, the total cost of the work amounts to 9.4 million manats (approx. 5.5 million USD). All three companies involved were registered in 2021. Safe Point CJSC, with an authorized capital of 2,000 manats, is represented by Vahid Jabir oglu Omarov. Azerbaijan Demining Company LLC, registered with 100 manats in capital, is legally represented by Mammadov Kamran Nadir oglu, while Alphademining LLC, also with 100 manats in capital, is represented by Jafarov Huseyn Isa oglu. These agreements mark another step in Azerbaijans ongoing efforts to ensure the safe return of people to the formerly occupied lands by speeding up demining activities. 27 September 2025 17:19 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Elnur Mammadov has appealed to the international community regarding the fate of nearly 4,000 Azerbaijanis missing as a result of Armenias aggression, Azernews reports. Speaking at the High-Level Meeting on Missing Persons in Armed Conflict: Advancing the Search for Answers held within the framework of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, Mammadov highlighted the urgent humanitarian dimension of the issue. He stressed that the fate of thousands of missing Azerbaijanis remains unresolved and called on the international community to strengthen joint efforts to uncover the truth and ensure justice for the victims and their families. The Deputy Ministers appeal underscored Azerbaijans consistent demand for accountability and greater global action in addressing the humanitarian consequences of the conflict. 27 September 2025 18:18 (UTC+04:00) by Mazahir Afandiyev, Member of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan September 27, 2020, began as a proud and long-awaited day for the entire Azerbaijani nation. It once again demonstrated the strength and valor of the victorious Azerbaijani Army, and became a significant milestone in the history of Azerbaijani statehood, showing the world our nation's military might. On that day, the armed forces of Armenia grossly violated the ceasefire regime, launching intense attacks along the frontline on Azerbaijani positions. In addition, they deliberately shelled civilian settlements in the regions of Tartar, Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Jabrayil. This marked the beginning of a new wave of aggression against Azerbaijan. As a result, alongside military personnel, 11 Azerbaijani civilians, including 2 children, lost their lives. In response, and guided by international law, includiang four long-ignored UN Security Council resolutions, the Commander-in-Chief, the Great Leader, President Ilham Aliyev, gave the order for a counter-offensive along the entire frontline, aiming to repel the enemy's provocations, end the aggression, and liberate the territories that had been under occupation for over 30 years. Thus began the operation known as "Iron Fist" on September 27 a campaign that turned into the 44-day Second Garabagh Patriotic War, culminating in the liberation of Shusha, the cultural heart of Garabagh. As a result of successful combat operations, by November 9, 5 cities, 4 towns, and 286 villages were liberated. The victorious Azerbaijani Army destroyed both the Armenian armed forces and terrorist groups formed in Garabagh. On November 10, following Armenias official appeal to the Russian Federation and the agreement between the leaders of all three countries, the war was halted. A tripartite declaration consisting of 9 articles was signed, marking Armenias official capitulation. As Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan himself stated, Armenia had no choice but to accept defeat in the face of Azerbaijans glorious army. As a result of translating military victory into political gains, within 20 days after the 44-day war, three regions were returned to Azerbaijan without fighting: Aghdam on November 20, Kalbajar on November 25, and Lachin on December 1. Later, on August 26, 2022, the city of Lachin and the villages of Zabukh and Sus were brought under full control. Thus, the peaceful return of the Aghdam, Kalbajar, and Lachin districts in accordance with the trilateral agreement was completed. The war, which lasted only 44 days, turned the centuries-old dream of our people into reality through the bravery of our heroic officers and soldiers. Our lands were liberated, and historical justice was restored. From the first days of the war, hundreds of patriotic Azerbaijani youth voluntarily went to the front with great enthusiasm and patriotism, fighting heroically against the enemy. Naturally, war brings losses. Unfortunately, this war was no exception. 2,908 Azerbaijani soldiers gave their lives for our land, 6 went missing, and thousands became war veterans. As President Ilham Aliyev stated: "I bow my head once more before the souls of the martyrs of the First and Second Garabagh Wars and pray for God's mercy on them. We avenged their blood! The heroic soldiers and officers who brought us this victory are our source of pride." It is no coincidence that September 27, which symbolizes national will, spirit, and dignity, was officially declared Remembrance Day in the Republic of Azerbaijan by a presidential decree dated December 2, 2020, to honor the soldiers and officers who fought heroically in the Second Garabagh War and sacrificed their lives for our countrys territorial integrity. The Azerbaijani state always pays the highest tribute to the memory of our martyrs and keeps their legacy alive. It also places great emphasis on the treatment and rehabilitation of our war veterans. To immortalize the names of our martyrs and heroic children, the Victory Park was established. As a symbol of the 44-day Patriotic War, the Victory Arch was constructed 44 meters high, 22 meters wide, with 44 columns. The Memorial Complex of the Patriotic War and the Victory Museum, currently under construction, will forever preserve the epic of our people's heroism. In conclusion, September 27 Remembrance Day will forever remain in the memory of the Azerbaijani people. Today, we once again affirm that our martyrs' blood was not in vain, and their dreams have come true. We bow before the souls of our martyrs and highly value the heroism of our veterans. By building new lives on the liberated sovereign lands, we both honor their memory and leave a glorious legacy for future generations. 27 September 2025 18:40 (UTC+04:00) A delegation of the Senate of the National Congress of the Republic of Chile visited Shusha and Khankendi on September 27 as part of its official trip to Azerbaijan, Azernews reports. According to the Press and Public Relations Department of the Milli Majlis, the senators observed a minute of silence in Khankendi at 12:00 in memory of Azerbaijani martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the Motherland. In Shusha, the delegation was welcomed at City Square by employees of the Shusha City State Reserve Department. The guests were briefed on the destruction of the statues of prominent Azerbaijani cultural figures Khurshidbanu Natavan, Bulbul, and Uzeyir Hajibeyli during the years of occupation. The Chilean senators also visited the Yukhari Govhar Aga Mosque, the Shusha Fortress walls, the Isa Spring, and climbed the Jidir Plain. At the Jidir Plain, they were informed about its historical significance and the heroism of Azerbaijani soldiers during the 44-day Patriotic War that led to the liberation of Shusha. It was emphasized that the site has once again become a venue for major cultural events. Following their visit to Shusha, the delegation continued to Khankendi, where they were met by representatives of the Khankendi City Restoration-Construction-Administration Service. The senators toured Victory Square and viewed the large-scale reconstruction works being carried out in the city. It was noted that life is steadily returning to the liberated territories, with the resettlement of former internally displaced persons already underway. To date, more than 50,000 Azerbaijanis have returned to their restored homelands. The delegation also met with mothers of martyrs and later gave interviews to media representatives covering the visit. 27 September 2025 17:50 (UTC+04:00) On the occasion of Memorial Day, the leadership and personnel of the Ministry of Defense visited the graves of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev and Azerbaijans martyrs to honor their memory, Azernews reports. Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, Minister of Defense, and other senior officials first laid a wreath at the monument to Heydar Aliyev in the Alley of Honor, demonstrating deep respect for the National Leader. The delegation then visited the grave of prominent ophthalmologist and academician Zarifa Aliyeva, laying fresh roses and paying tribute to her soul. The officials proceeded to the Alley of Martyrs, laying wreaths at the graves of soldiers who sacrificed their lives for Azerbaijans independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty, as well as at the monuments of the Turkish Martyrdom and Eternal Torch. They also visited the Victory Monument in Victory Park and laid a wreath in honor of the martyrs. Following the instructions of President Ilham Aliyev, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the delegation visited the Second Alley of Martyrs, where reconstruction works have been carried out. At the Military Memorial Cemetery, they laid a wreath at the monumental monument commemorating the 44-day Patriotic War, paying tribute to the memory of fallen soldiers. During the visit, Minister Hasanov and senior officials met with families of the martyrs, listening to their concerns. The families expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev, First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva, and the Ministry of Defense for their ongoing attention and for keeping the memory of the martyrs alive. At 12:00, a minute of silence was observed by the Ministrys leadership, military personnel, and martyrs families at the Military Memorial Cemetery in honor of the fallen. 27 September 2025 08:00 (UTC+04:00) The UK government on Friday announced plans to make digital ID mandatory for anyone seeking to work in the country, as part of efforts to tackle illegal migration, Azernews reports. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the new scheme would make it harder to work illegally in the UK. I know working people are worried about the level of illegal migration into this country, he said in a statement. A secure border and controlled migration are reasonable demands, and this government is listening and delivering. He added: Digital ID is an enormous opportunity for the UK. It will make it tougher to work illegally in this country, making our borders more secure. And it will also offer ordinary citizens countless benefits, like being able to prove your identity to access key services swiftly - rather than hunting around for an old utility bill. The government said the digital ID system will combat criminal gangs who exploit people with false promises of access to the UK labor market and will streamline right-to-work checks. Officials hope the scheme will simplify processes, increase compliance, reduce forged documents, and create intelligence data on businesses that hire illegally. Building on the digital wallet already underway, the digital ID will sit on peoples phones alongside the digital driving license, which the government has also announced plans to introduce. A public consultation will be launched later this year, engaging with groups less familiar with digital services, including the homeless and older people. Officials said lessons will be drawn from countries that have implemented similar systems successfully. Citizens will not be required to carry their ID or produce it in day-to-day life, but it will be mandatory for proving the right to work in the UK by the end of the current Parliament, expected by 2029 at the latest. The digital ID is expected to include a persons name, date of birth, nationality or residency status, and a photo, with a consultation considering whether addresses should also be included. Opposition parties have criticized the plan. Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately said it would make law-abiding people jump through more hoops and employers have more red tape. The scheme comes amid continued political pressure to address illegal migration, with more than 50,000 migrants arriving on small boats since Labour came to power. 27 September 2025 09:00 (UTC+04:00) Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was convicted by Paris judges and handed a five-year jail term for criminal conspiracy at a trial over allegations his 2007 winning campaign was covertly funded by millions of euros from the late Moammar Qaddafis regime, Azernews reports via the Spokesman-Review. The judges decided that any appeal by Sarkozy wouldnt lift the execution of the sentence. Agence France-Presse said that he is due to be summoned within a month to learn the start of his jail term. The court nevertheless cleared him of more serious charges of embezzlement of Libyan funds, corruption and illegal campaign financing. Paris judge Nathalie Gavarino said Sarkozy had let people in his entourage reach out to Libyan authorities in order to obtain or attempt to obtain financial support in Libya for his 2007 presidential campaign, according to AFP. Some of his aides at the time were also convicted on Thursday. Sarkozy has consistently denied wrongdoing. Christophe Ingrain, one of his lawyers, didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Prosecutors had requested a seven-year prison term for Frances 2007-2012 leader. After scaling the heights of French politics to win the presidency in 2007, Sarkozy has battled a variety of accusations since his failed 2012 re-election bid. This latest trial is the third separate criminal case that has brought him to court and comes after the 70-year-old lost a final appeal in December to overturn a historic corruption conviction. 27 September 2025 21:38 (UTC+04:00) US Congressional Democrats on Friday released daily schedules and flight records belonging to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, showing his planned meetings with high-profile figures including Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, Steve Bannon, Bill Gates, and Britains Prince Andrew, Azernews reports via the Telegraph. The documents turned over by Epsteins estate to the House Oversight Committee under subpoena cover the years 2014 to 2019 and include itineraries, passenger manifests, ledgers, and notes. They show, among other entries, a reminder reading: Elon Musk to island Dec. 6 (is this still happening?) and a planned breakfast with Bannon in February 2019. A separate manifest shows Prince Andrew flew with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell from New Jersey to Florida in May 2000. There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by Musk, Thiel, Bannon, Gates, or Andrew, and the documents do not confirm whether the meetings actually took place. Musk denied the reports, writing on X: This is false. A spokesperson for Thiel, and lawyers for Bannon and Andrew, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Democrats said the files highlight Epsteins links to some of the worlds most powerful men and renewed calls for the Justice Department to release all records from its investigation. Oversight Democrats will not stop until we identify everyone complicit in Epstein's heinous crimes, said committee spokesperson Sara Guerrero. Republicans on the panel accused Democrats of politicizing the disclosures, promising to release the full set of documents. Epstein died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges, to which he had pleaded not guilty. His longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, was convicted in 2021 of recruiting and grooming underage girls for him and is serving a 20-year prison sentence. FBI Director Kash Patel testified earlier this month that investigators found no credible information that Epstein trafficked women and underage girls to anyone but himself. 27 September 2025 22:10 (UTC+04:00) The United States said it would revoke Colombian President Gustavo Petro's visa after he took to New York's streets on Friday in a pro-Palestinian demonstration and urged US soldiers to disobey President Donald Trump's orders, Azernews reports via France 24. "We will revoke Petros visa due to his reckless and incendiary actions," the State Department posted on X. Petro, addressing a crowd of pro-Palestinian protesters outside the UN headquarters in Manhattan, called for a global armed force with the priority to liberate Palestinians, adding, "This force has to be bigger than that of the United States." "That's why from here, from New York, I ask all the soldiers of the army of the United States not to point their guns at people. Disobey the orders of Trump. Obey the orders of humanity," Petro said in Spanish. Following the exchange, it was not possible confirm whether Petro was still in New York. His office and Colombia's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Trump administration has been cracking down on pro-Palestinian voices while countries including France, Britain, Australia and Canada have recognised a Palestinian state moves that have angered Israel and its ally the US. Petro, Colombia's first leftist president and a vocal opponent of Israel's war in Gaza, hit out at Trump in his speech to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, saying the US leader was "complicit in genocide" in Gaza and calling for "criminal proceedings" over US missile attacks on suspected drug-running boats in Caribbean waters. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addressing the assembly on Friday, denounced Western countries for embracing Palestinian statehood, accusing them of sending the message that "murdering Jews pays off". Israel began its assault on Gaza after an attack led by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7, 2023, killed about 1,200 people, with 251 taken hostage. Since then, Israel's military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 65,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, and displaced the entire population of the narrow enclave. Multiple rights experts say this amounts to genocide, a charge angrily denied by Israel, which says the war is in self-defence. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the UN by video on Thursday after the Trump administration said it would not give him a visa to travel to New York. Abbas' office said at the time that his visa ban violated the 1947 UN headquarters agreement, under which the US is generally required to allow access for foreign diplomats to the UN. However, Washington has said it can deny visas for security, extremism and foreign policy reasons. The United States is Colombia's main trading partner and its greatest ally in the fight against drug trafficking, but US-Colombia relations got off to a bad start shortly after Trump returned to office in January, when Petro refused to accept military flights carrying deportees in Trump's immigration crackdown. Petro said his country's citizens were being treated like criminals. But he quickly reversed course, agreeing to accept the migrants, after both countries threatened tariffs on each other and after the US cancelled visa appointments for Colombians. Trump this month put Colombia on a list of countries that Washington says have failed to uphold their counter-narcotics agreements, blaming Colombia's political leadership. Petro came to office in 2022 promising agreements with armed groups but pivoted last year, pledging to tame coca-growing regions with massive social and military intervention. The strategy has brought little success. 27 September 2025 23:30 (UTC+04:00) Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Friday that the United States "betrayed" diplomacy, but that the E3 countries (Germany, the United Kingdom, and France) "buried" it, following the United Nations Security Council's decision to reinstate sanctions against Tehran, Azernews reports. "By ignoring facts, spreading false claims misrepresenting Iran's peaceful program and blocking diplomacy, they have actively and intently paved the way for dangerous escalation," Araghchi warned during his UN address and added that the US and E3 will "bear full responsibility" for the consequences of this decision. Moreover, the Iranian diplomat expressed gratitude to China and Russia for their efforts to extend sanctions relief, adding that the draft resolution was a "sincere effort to advance diplomacy," and calling the reinstatement a "fatal blow" to diplomatic efforts. Working in cinema seemed remote growing up: NI director on Day of the Jackal, new Emma Thompson film, and how local talent is thriving Armagh director Brian Kirk talks about working with Emma Thompson in his new film, his previous work on Day of the Jackal, and being in America after the murder of Charlie Kirk Director Brian Kirk (Credit: Trae Patton/Peacock via Getty Images) Gillian Halliday Sat 27 Sep 2025 at 14:30 When Review is chatting to Armagh-born director Brian Kirk in New York via Zoom, its the day after the memorial service for Charlie Kirk (no relation), who was assassinated during one of his college campus debates in Utah. Not only is the United States still reeling from the murder of one of its most prominent conservative and controversial figures, its also grappling with its divided reaction to Kirks killing. Liam Gallagher has dedicated a song to his brother accused of rape at Oasiss Wembley Stadium show (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Liam Gallagher dedicated Oasis song Stand By Me to his older brother Paul, who is accused of rape, as the band returned to Wembley Stadium for the final UK shows of their reunion tour. There have been a few surreal moments: Meet the celebrity psychic who helped catch a serial killer June Field is returning to hugely receptive audiences in Belfast. She chats with Aine Toner about working with Eamonn Holmes and other famous faces, dealing with criticism and just doing her job June Field Aine Toner Sat 27 Sep 2025 at 15:00 Shes the medium whos worked with a host of famous faces and is making a long-awaited return to Belfast. June Field, who Uri Geller described as the most specific psychic hed ever seen, will be performing in November, and describes audiences in Northern Ireland as hugely receptive. Patrick Crossan previously admitted affray and possessing a knife after 2007 killing One of the men jailed over the death of west Belfast greengrocer Harry Holland was back in court today to admit having cannabis. Patrick Crossan was due to appear in Lisburn Magistrates Court yesterday, but when the 34-year-old failed to attend, a warrant was issued for his arrest. Student tells her story to encourage others to speak out and pursue justice Violence against Women and Girls survivor 'Sophie' - "It really changed me as a person" A sexual assault survivor has said she is completely changed as a person following her ordeal, as she advocated for other women to come forward and report attacks. Sophie, not her real name, was 24 when she was assaulted on March 14, 2021. She was assaulted while a student at Queens University after she had met another student from a different university on the popular dating app Tinder. She initially engaged in consensual sex, before the defendant, Fearghall Mulgrew, bit her on her face and body and began committing sexual acts on her without consent. Sophie suffered multiple bruises and injuries during the encounter and later self-referred herself to The Rowan Sexual Assault Referral Centre before going to the police. On February 5, 2024, at Laganside Court, Mulgrew was found guilty of sexual assault by penetration and five counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was sentenced to 22 months, eight months in custody, and will remain on the sex offenders register for 10 years. Sophie was sexually assaulted in Belfast. (Stock image) Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph and looking back on the ordeal, Sophie said the experience fundamentally reshaped her life and robbed her of what should be a typical university experience. Its completely, completely changed me as a person, she said. It made me change how I viewed sex. It changed me how I viewed the relationships that I have. I didnt really see myself as a person for a long time. She described how the assault had long-lasting repercussions on her social life and studies. I feel like I became a recluse. I just withdrew. Id still do things with my friends and we would go out, but it was like being hyper aware of whos around you, who youre speaking to. Even when she began dating again, Sophie said she felt haunted by the betrayal of trust. The main takeaway is that you can know someone and you can feel like you can trust them and that isnt always the case, she added, speaking from London where she now attends university. You have every right to feel safe in a position. No one needs to do something they dont want to do. Its completely, completely changed me as a person When the case eventually went to court, Sophie praised the support she received from police and victim support staff. The victim support unit at the court was amazing. They made me feel really safe. I feel like I did get justice - I got an outcome and obviously hes recorded as a sex offender. Sophie added that she chose to speak publicly to encourage other women to report their experiences. Nothings going to change the fact that it happened to me, but young women and girls need to know they can come forward, theyre going to be believed, and they dont have to take it on on their own. It doesnt matter who you are. It doesnt matter who they are. If youve said no and you didnt want it to happen, then that is assault. Come forward and share your story because its not right and its not OK that we normalise this behaviour. For Sophie, reporting was not straightforward. At first, she considered staying silent, but she credits her mother and close friends with helping her see that she needed support. She is also sharing her story on the third anniversary of the PSNI launching the first Tackling Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) Action Plan using the then national framework for delivery. The plan lays out actions police are committed to take to build trust and confidence, relentlessly pursue perpetrators and create safer spaces. The revised framework for years three to seven, placed an even greater policing focus on outcomes that make a real difference to tackling the epidemic of VAWG. Sophie added she was unaware that specialist centres like The Rowan (Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)) existed until she was referred by hospital staff. I actually didnt know that those kinds of centres existed. I was recommended to go by the hospital. If I hadnt gone to the hospital, I wouldnt have gone to Rowan. She said that greater awareness of such services is urgently needed. I dont think theyre as easily accessible in terms of how theyre promoted and how far of an outreach they have to tell people that theyre there. Thats something that needs to change, she said. Sophie also stressed that her case was only able to proceed because of the strong response from detectives and support staff. I feel like the response I got from the police and from the detectives involved in my case was amazing. They were really supportive and made me feel like I had a space to say what happened. Although the conviction has brought some sense of closure, Sophie said the trauma will never fully go away. But she remains determined to use her voice to encourage others to speak out. The more we report it, the more we hold them accountable, the more that the chances are that they wont do it. Pro-Palestinian protesters gather outside the BBC Northern Ireland office on Bedford Street in Belfast city centre. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th September 2025 Pro Palestinian protesters gather outside the BBC Northern Ireland office on Bedford Street in Belfast City Centre. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Pro-Palestinian protesters gather outside the BBC Northern Ireland office on Bedford Street in Belfast city centre. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Pro-Palestinian protesters gather outside the BBC Northern Ireland office on Bedford Street in Belfast city centre. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Pro-Palestinian protesters gather outside the BBC Northern Ireland office on Bedford Street in Belfast city centre. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Pro-Palestinian protesters gather outside the BBC Northern Ireland office on Bedford Street in Belfast city centre. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th September 2025 Pro Palestinian protesters gather outside the BBC Northern Ireland office on Bedford Street in Belfast City Centre. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Pro-Palestinian protesters gather outside the BBC Northern Ireland office on Bedford Street in Belfast city centre. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Pro-Palestinian protesters gather outside the BBC Northern Ireland office on Bedford Street in Belfast city centre. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye A crowd gathered outside the BBCs Broadcasting House in Belfast today, in solidarity with Palestine. It comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he strongly condemned the idea of recognizing a Palestinian state. Pro-Palestinian protesters gather outside the BBC Northern Ireland office on Bedford Street in Belfast city centre. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Pro-Palestinian protesters gather outside the BBC Northern Ireland office on Bedford Street in Belfast city centre. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye He called such recognition utter madness and insanity, and criticized countries that have acknowledged Palestinian statehood, describing their actions as shameful. As Netanyahu began his address, dozens of delegates exited the hall in protest, although some attendees responded with applause. He mentioned that his speech was being broadcast via loudspeakers into Gaza and took a moment to speak directly to the hostages held by Hamas, assuring them: You are not forgotten, not for a moment. All of Israel stands with you. Pro-Palestinian protesters gather outside the BBC Northern Ireland office on Bedford Street in Belfast city centre. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Pro-Palestinian protesters gather outside the BBC Northern Ireland office on Bedford Street in Belfast city centre. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye His appearance at the UN comes amid reports that former U.S. President Donald Trump has opposed any move by Israel to annex the West Bank, ahead of a scheduled meeting with Netanyahu on Monday. Meanwhile, international calls for Israel to end its military occupation of the West Bank continue to grow. Pro-Palestinian protesters gather outside the BBC Northern Ireland office on Bedford Street in Belfast city centre. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Pro-Palestinian protesters gather outside the BBC Northern Ireland office on Bedford Street in Belfast city centre. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Pro-Palestinian protesters gather outside the BBC Northern Ireland office on Bedford Street in Belfast city centre. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Belfast History Explained: The Story of the River Farset Favourite cartoon character is helping Phoebe (11) through wait for transplant Thousands of pounds have been raised to send a Northern Ireland child with a rare blood disorder to America to meet the real-life Minnie Mouse. Phoebe Loughrey (11) from Greysteel in Londonderry has been diagnosed with aplastic anaemia after initially being told she had leukaemia. Phoebes mum Katherine explained they knew something was wrong when she started bruising more easily. When she started school her shirt was bruising her neck so we knew there was something seriously wrong", she said. Phoebe and mum Katherine Phoebes bone marrow has almost completely failed, leaving her with dangerously low blood counts, and she now needs twice-weekly transfusions while waiting for a bone marrow transplant. Her brother Reuben is being tested as a possible donor. It has been very hard, she is in a lot of pain, even when theyre doing ultrasounds and things, Katherine said. Throughout this distressing time, Phoebe has found comfort with her favourite cartoon, Minnie Mouse. She just loves Minnie Mouse. Minnie Mouse is really helping her through this. That Minnie teddy she has, she has had it since she was two or three-months-old, Im surprised theres still any stuffing left in it but its so special to her. Phoebe gets a hug from her mum Katherine Katherine battled cancer herself two years ago and she promised Phoebe she would take her to Florida to meet Minnie Mouse. My sister, her aunt had taken her to EuroDisney before and she just loved it but with all of this Ive told her I would take her to Florida to see the real Minnie Mouse, she said. Katherine set up a GoFundMe to raise the funds to take Phoebe to Florida. It wouldnt be in my nature to do this but I was just up all night and I couldnt sleep and I knew we couldnt afford to go to Florida. We have been on one income since I had cancer, it just wouldnt have been possible so I decided to start the fundraiser and since then we have been blown away with all the support, Katherine said. Peoples generosity has been phenomenal, its nothing we wouldve expected or believed. Phoebe with her Minnie Mouse News Catch Up - Friday 26th September So far the GoFundMe has raised more than 10,000 for Phoebes trip. Initially, I just thought well try and get the flights covered and then I can just put the hotel on the credit card so we set the goal at a few thousand but then we hit that and it just kept growing, Katherine said. The whole family have been blown away with the support from their local community. Everyone has done so much, its unbelievable, people are hosting coffee mornings and different funds of their own. Its a bit surprising because we are quite quiet people but I remember when I got cancer saying how great everyone was, how nice everyone was - all the local people. But this is just the next level, everyone is doing so much I think its because Phoebe is a quiet wee girl, such a lovely soul and its just awful to think about this happening to her, Katherine said. Phoebe in hospital Phoebe is currently in a lot of pain and has been put on the waiting list for a bone marrow transplant but she is eager to maintain the relationships she has developed since starting secondary school. She was only there for two weeks so she was a bit scared that she was going to lose those relationships she built. Because she found a really nice bunch of wee girls but through her social media and everything shes been able to stay in contact with them and shes doing school virtually, Katherine said. The family arent sure when they will be able to make the trip to Florida to meet Minnie Mouse but the idea of going away is really helping Phoebe get through the long days in hospital. Phoebes first day at school I think quite naively we thought we would be able to go away for the summer, Katherine said. But we recently spoke with the doctor and we realised that wasnt the case. Phoebe has a long road ahead of her, a long and difficult road so we dont really know when we will be able to go but the thought of it really keeps her going, Katherine said. Phoebe regularly reads the positive comments left on the GoFundMe page and watches the donations rise. She knows the names of everyone that has donated; she just sits and reads it all. Minnie is what is getting her through all this but when its hard, we just sit and talk about going on holiday and getting to meet Minnie. It has helped her so much, not even a little bit, a lot, it has really given us all that sort of drive and thing to look forward to like a bit of a light at the end of this all, Katherine said. A yellow weather warning for heavy rain has been issued for Northern Ireland this weekend, with a chance of flooding expected in some areas. Heavy rainfall is to be expected today, mainly affecting counties Down, Antrim and Armagh. The yellow weather warning will be in force from 7am until 7pm. The forecaster has warned that there will be a risk of flooding of some homes and businesses and travel disruption. Weather warning issued for NI. Pic: Ben Birchall/PA Wire News Catch Up - Thursday 25th September "Outbreaks of rain will move eastwards across Northern Ireland on Saturday morning, likely becoming persistent and heavy across eastern counties during the afternoon before slowly clearing eastwards during the early evening, a Met Office spokesperson said. 20 to 30 mm rain is likely widely, with 40 to 50 mm possible on hills. This may lead to some flooding and travel disruption in places. The forecaster added: Check if your property could be at risk of flooding. If so, consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit. Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary. People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. Its easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items. Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area. The King and Queen Camilla view items on display during a visit to the Royal Collection exhibition (Aaron Chown/PA) The King and Queen will have a first meeting with the Pope during a state visit to Vatican City next month. Buckingham Palace said the couple will join Leo XIV, elected earlier this year following the death of Pope Francis, in late October to celebrate the 2025 jubilee year. Charles and Camilla had a meeting with Francis just 12 days before his death. The King and Queen during a private meeting with Pope Francis in Rome (The Vatican/PA) The couples historic state visit to the Vatican in early April was cancelled because of the Popes poor health, but they managed to visit the head of the Roman Catholic Church privately during their trip to Italy. Charles and Camillas meeting with the Pope in what would be his final weeks was arranged at the last minute and took place on their 20th wedding anniversary on April 9, with the pontiff wanting to personally wish them a happy anniversary. The King, in an official message released following the news of Franciss death on April 21, said he and Camilla were most deeply saddened. In May, Buckingham Palace said the King sent a private message to Pope Leo XIV, congratulating him on his election. Pope Leo, the first ever pontiff from the US, marked the start of his papacy by calling for unity within the church and for it to act as a leaven of harmony for humanity. Pope Leo XIV (Alessandra Tarantino/AP) Formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost from Chicago, Pope Leo was elected on May 8 after a conclave meeting of 133 cardinals from 70 countries in just over 24 hours. In the days after his election, the 70-year-old outlined some of his key priorities as Pope, saying the Holy Sees three pillars of diplomacy are peace, justice and truth during his first foreign policy address. During his first Sunday blessing, Leo called for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Leo has also identified artificial intelligence as one of the most critical issues facing humanity, saying it poses challenges to defending human dignity, justice and labour. The then Prince of Wales during an audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican in 2017 (Tim Rooke/PA) He is a dual citizen of the United States and Peru, where he first served as a missionary and then as archbishop, meaning he is the first Pope from each country. A papal jubilee is traditionally marked every 25 years in the Catholic Church. The King and Queens visit is also expected to celebrate the ecumenical work by the Church of England and the Catholic Church, reflecting the Jubilee years theme of walking together as Pilgrims of Hope. The King is Supreme Governor of the Church of England. The role dates back to Henry VIII, who named himself Supreme Head of the Church of England after he was excommunicated by the pope, Pope Paul III, and broke from the Catholic Church in the 16th century to marry Anne Boleyn. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his wife, Lady Starmer, arriving ahead of the Labour Party Conference (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Sir Keir Starmer has said he believes Labour can pull this round as a poll suggested Nigel Farage could be on course for a landslide win in the next general election. The Prime Minister hopes to use his party conference to unveil a series of eye-catching policies, including promises for the construction of new towns, with the aim of turning the tide for both Labour and his premiership. But the scale of the challenge facing Sir Keir, who was swept to power with a massive majority just last year, was underlined by a poll indicating Mr Farage could be on course for Downing Street. Labours conference in Liverpool begins on Sunday and Sir Keir said the battle against Reform UK and its toxic politics were the fight of our times. The Prime Minister told The Sunday Times: I think we can pull this round. But in a plea for party unity, after speculation Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham could seek a return to Westminster to oust him, Sir Keir said: It is the fight of our times and weve all got to be in it together. We dont have time for introspection, we dont have time for navel-gazing. Youll always get a bit of that at a Labour Party conference, but that is not going to solve the problems that face this country. A poll of nearly 20,000 people and modelling by More In Common suggested Mr Farage could enter No 10 with a majority of 96, with Labour reduced to just 90 seats and the Tories pushed into fourth place at Westminster behind the Liberal Democrats. Multilevel regression and post-stratification (MPR) techniques were used to estimate individual constituency results, suggesting Reform would take 373 seats while Labour would be left clinging on predominantly in urban centres such as London, and university towns. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, travelling by train to the Labour conference in Liverpool (Stefan Rousseau/PA) The MRP model was based on a representative sample of 19,520 people between August 8 and September 15. Separate polling by More In Common on Labours record in Government suggests Sir Keirs decision to focus his attack on Mr Farage was not cutting through with voters. Some 62% of voters believe Labour should concentrate on its own plans for Government, compared with 20% who believe they should scrutinise Reform more. The poll also found Labours failures including the recent exits of Angela Rayner and Lord Mandelson have had more cut-through with the public than the partys successes in Government. A total of 2,055 people were surveyed on Labours record between September 19 and 22. Sir Keir hopes that demonstrating his Government can deliver on its promises, such as unleashing a wave of housebuilding, will stem the flow of voters to Reform. The construction of three new towns will begin before the next election, the Housing Secretary Steve Reed will pledge.Housing Secretary Steve Reed (Yui Mok/PA) They are likely to be Tempsford in Bedfordshire, Leeds South Bank, and Crews Hill, north London. Plans for a total of 12 new towns will be taken forward, but those three are the most promising sites for early work. Meanwhile, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood acknowledged that if Labour fails to secure the borders there will be more division in our country. She promised reforms to migration law, with tougher rules for people who are entitled to be in the UK. She told the Sun on Sunday she wanted to tighten rules around claiming indefinite leave to remain, the status which grants legal migrants the ability to settle in the UK without the need to renew a visa every few years. Ms Mahmood added: We need legal migration, it is a good thing. We are a country that has always welcomed people who want to come and work here. But I think in addition to living and working here there is a bigger thing to do as well which is to make sure that people are making a contribution to their wider community and wider society. She went on to say that ministers are looking at how to make sure indefinite leave to remain is linked not just to the job you are doing, but also the wider contribution you are making to our communities. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood (James Manning/PA) The Home Secretary also promised reforms to human rights laws by Christmas to make it easier for her to deport illegal migrants. The European Convention on Human Rights and other treaties have been used in a way that was never intended, Ms Mahmood said Securing the border is fundamental to holding the country together, she said. I know if Im not able to get this mess sorted out, then there will be more division in our country. The far right is on the rise. I think thats a dangerous moment for the country. Russias top diplomat has told world leaders that his nation has no intention of attacking Europe, but any aggression against his country will be met with a decisive response. Foreign minister Sergey Lavrov spoke as unauthorised flights into Natos airspace intrusions blamed on Russia have raised alarm around Europe in recent weeks, particularly after Nato jets downed drones over Poland and Estonia said Russian fighter jets flew into its territory. Russia denied that its planes entered Estonian airspace and said the drones did not target Poland, with Moscows ally Belarus maintaining that Ukrainian signal-jamming sent the devices off course. Mr Lavrov instead maintained that it is Russia that is facing threats. Russia has never had and does not have any such intentions of attacking European or Nato countries, he said. However, any aggression against my country will be met with a decisive response. Mr Lavrov spoke three years into an invasion of Ukraine that the international community has broadly deplored. US president Donald Trump said this week that he believed Ukraine can win back all the territory it has lost to Russia. Volodymyr Zelensky addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (AP) It was a notable tone shift from a US leader who had previously suggested Ukraine would need to make some concessions and could never reclaim all the areas Russia has occupied since seizing the Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and launching a full-scale invasion in 2022. Just three weeks earlier, Russian president Vladimir Putin said his country and the US had a mutual understanding and that Mr Trumps administration is listening to us. Mr Trumps new view came after he met with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of General Assembly on Tuesday seven months after a televised blow-up between the two in the Oval Office. This time, the doors were closed, and the tenor was evidently different a good meeting, as Mr Zelenskyy described it in his assembly speech the next day. For the fourth year in a row, Mr Zelensky appealed to the gathering of presidents, prime ministers and other top officials to get Russia out of his country and warned that inaction would put other countries at risk. Ukraine is only the first, he said. Russia has offered various explanations for the Ukraine war, among them assuring its own security after Nato expanded eastward over the years. At a news conference after his speech, Mr Lavrov said Moscow appreciates Mr Trumps proposal that led to rekindling a dialogue between the two countries. When US and Russian interests do not coincide, he said, the most important thing is not to let it result in confrontation or collision, especially a hot confrontation, and were united in this position, in diplomacy. He said some unnamed European countries have turned diplomacy into kissing up to their friends from Washington, so he believes the US will continue to support Ukraine and substitute diplomacy with sanctions. This is a path without any promise. It wont succeed, Russias top diplomat said. However, frank dialogue on any matters well, well see that the US is prepared for that, and were also prepared to conduct it. Ordinary people in Iran are dealing with soaring food prices and worried about the future ahead of the reimposition of United Nations sanctions over Tehrans nuclear programme. Irans rial currency already sits at a record low, increasing pressure on food prices and making daily life that much more challenging. That includes meat, rice and other staples of the Iranian dinner table. Meanwhile, people worry about a new round of fighting between Iran and Israel as well as potentially the United States after the 12-day war in June. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Tehran has recalled its ambassadors from the UK, France and Germany ahead of the reimposition of sanctions. Activists fear a rising wave of repression within the Islamic Republic, which already has reportedly executed more people this year than over the past three decades. At midnight on Sunday GMT, barring any last-minute diplomatic breakthrough, UN sanctions on Iran will be reimposed through snapback, as the mechanism is called by the diplomats who negotiated it into Irans 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Snapback was designed to be veto-proof at the UN Security Council, meaning China and Russia cannot stop it alone, as they have other proposed actions against Tehran in the past. The measure will again freeze Iranian assets abroad, halt arms deals with Tehran, and penalise any development of Irans ballistic missile programme, among other measures. The Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian spoke to reporters in New York (AP) France, Germany and the United Kingdom triggered snapback over Iran, further restricting monitoring of its nuclear programme and the deadlock over its negotiations with the US. Iran further withdrew from International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) monitoring after Israels war on the country in June, which also saw the US strike nuclear sites in the Islamic Republic. Meanwhile, the country still maintains a stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60% purity a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90% that is largely enough to make several atomic bombs, should Tehran choose to rush towards weaponisation. Iran has long insisted its nuclear programme is peaceful, though the West and IAEA say Tehran had an organised weapons programme up until 2003. Tehran has further argued that the three European nations should not be allowed to implement snapback, pointing in part to Americas unilateral withdrawal from the accord in 2018, during the first term of Donald Trumps US administration. A Hezbollah supporter waves Irans flag during an event commemorating the death of late Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah who killed in Israeli airstrikes nearly a year ago, in Beirut (AP) The Trump administration appears to think it has a stronger hand post-strikes, and it can wait for Iran to come back to the table, said Kelsey Davenport, a nuclear expert at the Washington-based Arms Control Association. Given the knowledge Iran has, given the materials that remain in Iran, thats a very dangerous assumption. Risks also remain for Iran as well, she added: In the short term, kicking out the IAEA increases the risk of miscalculation. The US or Israel could use the lack of inspections as a pretext for further strikes. One ordinary Iranian, the father of a 12-year-old boy, said his country has never faced such a challenging time, even during the deprivations of the 1980s Iran-Iraq war and the decades of sanctions that came later. For as long as I can remember, weve been struggling with economic hardship, and every year its worse than the last, he told The Associated Press. For my generation, its always either too late or too early our dreams are slipping away. Largely unknown parliamentary veto on border poll exists but Government dismisses possibility of a rogue minister An almost unknown section of the law which enacted the Good Friday Agreement gives MPs and peers a veto on calling a border poll and that could be highly significant If Nigel Farage were to become Prime Minister, as projected by YouGov, the issue of when and how a border poll would be held could come into sharp focus Sam McBride Sat 27 Sep 2025 at 08:00 Most people even those with deep knowledge of the subject would say confidently that the legal power to call a border poll rests with the Secretary of State alone. I believed so until two days ago, but its now clear that this isnt quite true. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. PITTSFIELD One local company is growing, while another is planting roots for the first time, both with the help of city funding. On Tuesday, the Pittsfield City Council approved a combined $700,000 in economic development funding to support the expansion of two companies, Jain Americas and Pittsfield-based Elegant Stitches. Jain Americas, a plastics manufacturer based in Chicopee, will receive $500,000 to support its move into a new 155,000-square-foot facility at 10 Conte Drive, off Dan Fox Drive. That site, which has been vacant for more than two years, will triple the companys manufacturing space. The company, which specializes in PVC shingles, siding and trim, expects to invest over $8 million in the project. That includes buying the building, making upgrades, and adding equipment. Jain Americas expects to close on the new property in early October, with renovations and the initial move of materials beginning shortly after closing, once the building is cleared. I know that this is half a million dollars, but youre going to be infusing $8 million for the local economy. So it's good bang for our buck, Councilor Patrick Kavey said in support. It's creating 30 more jobs with potential of 100 more if you move the rest of your operations here. The funding will be released in phases: $250,000 when Jain Americas buys 10 Conte Drive and creates at least seven full-time jobs paying $35,000 or more; $150,000 after four additional jobs are added by the end of 2026; and the final $100,000 when four more jobs are added by the end of 2027. In total, the company must create at least 15 jobs, though its president and CEO, Narinder Gupta, said Jain plans to hire 31 employees over the next three years. Jobs will start at $35,000 annually, with opportunities to advance, Gupta said. There is a need for lower salaries when we don't have people with skills, Councilor Earl Persip III said. This is a company that, to me, sounds like they're willing to give people the skills to make a livable wage where some companies won't even consider you at that point. Jain Americas lnc. is a subsidiary of India-based Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd., one of the world's largest manufacturers of drip irrigation systems. Elegant Stitches, a Pittsfield business specializing in embroidery, screen printing and promotional products, will receive $200,000 to support its expansion into a new 11,500-square-foot facility at 17 Downing III, in Downing Industrial Park. Founded in 1997 by Alfred Enchill, the company has grown from a basement operation to a supplier for local and national clients. The expansion will allow Elegant Stitches to purchase new equipment, increase production capacity and add at least six new full-time jobs, averaging $60,000 in wages, to the current eight-person team. The company plans to keep its 237 First St. location as a retail and display space, while moving all production operations to the new facility. It's planning to have general contractors begin improving the new space next month. We've done a good job of catering to the Berkshires market. We want to double down on that, but then also expand out into Boston [and] Albany, said Auric Enchill, the company's head of business development. Funding will be released in two phases: $100,000 once the property is purchased and three new jobs are documented, and another $100,000 if three more jobs are created by the end of 2027. This is one of those homegrown companies, let's make that investment. This should be a slam dunk, Persip said. Both agreements include safeguards following lawsuits against previous recipients who failed to meet obligations. The funding, provided as 10-year forgivable loans, will be secured by promissory notes and mortgages on the properties. Each year, the companies must submit reports to the city and allow audits of payroll, tax and financial records. If either company shuts down within ten years, lets employment drop below nine workers for more than 18 months or files for bankruptcy, the remaining unforgiven funds must be immediately repaid to the city. 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 city councilors are calling for a comprehensive review of how the Shannon Grant is being used and whether longtime partner 18 Degrees is effectively reaching the youth most at risk of gun violence as the grant approaches renewal. Access this story and all of our stories with 24/7 unlimited access. Dalton Delan can be reached at berkshireeaglereels@gmail.com and @UnspinRoom on X. His Eagle Reels conversations can be found on YouTube. Stewart Edelstein, a Stockbridge resident, is author of several books, including Dubious Doublets: A Delightful Compendium of Unlikely Word Pairs of Common Origin, from Aardvark/Porcelain to Zodiac/Whiskey, The Covid-19 Zeitgeist: Fifty Essays, and An Alphabetical Romp Through the Flora of Berkshire Botanical Garden from Agave to Zinnia. Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. India announces formation of Veterinary Vaccine India Manufacturers Association September 27, 2025 | Saturday | News Veterinary vaccine market in India is estimated at Rs 20 billion (Rs 2,000 crore) In a significant development for Indias animal health sector, veterinary vaccine manufacturers have come together to announce the formation of the Veterinary Vaccine India Manufacturers Association (VVIMA). VVIMA is a non-government, not-for-profit organization that will serve as the collective voice of Indias veterinary vaccine manufacturers. The association will actively collaborate with policymakers, regulators, and stakeholders to shape an enabling ecosystem for innovation, quality manufacturing, and global competitiveness in veterinary vaccines. It envisions positioning India as a global hub for the research, development, and production of animal vaccines. Committed to advancing the One Health concept, VVIMA will play a pivotal role in promoting animal health through effective immunisation strategies, thereby reducing the risk of diseases in animal, the risk of disease transmission between animals and humans as well as towards improving incomes of those involved in animal husbandry in rural India. Meetings were held in Delhi on 25 September between the founding members of VVIMA and the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, with Minister of State Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel; Secretary Naresh Pal Gangwar; Animal Husbandry Commissioner Dr Pravin Malik & Additional Secretary Varsha Joshi to express VVIMAs commitment. Founding Members: 1. Biovet Private Limited 2. Brilliant Bio Pharma Private Limited 3. Globion India Private Limited 4. Hester Biosciences Limited 5. Indian Immunologicals Limited 6. Indovax Private Limited 7. Venkateshwara Hatcheries Private Limited Office Bearers: President: Rajiv Gandhi, CEO & Managing Director of Hester Biosciences Limited Vice President: Dr K. Anand Kumar, Managing Director of Indian Immunologicals Limited Heavy metal band Judas Priest have released a charity single featuring the late Ozzy Osbourne to raise money for Parkinsons disease. Osbourne, former frontman of Black Sabbath, was diagnosed with the degenerative neurological condition in 2019 and died at the age of 76 in July, weeks after a farewell gig at Villa Park, Aston in Birmingham, a stones throw from where he grew up. Judas Priest, who formed in Birmingham in the 1960s, decided to release a charity version of Black Sabbaths War Pigs after they were unable to join the band, and a host of other metal groups, at the show on July 5, due to prior commitments. Band member Glenn Tipton, who has also been diagnosed with Parkinsons disease, features on guitar with Rob Halford and Osbourne taking alternate vocal lines in the song. Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne (Yui Mok/PA) The track was initially conceived as a tribute video for Osbourne and Black Sabbath before the band suggested turning it into a charity single. Osbourne and his fellow original Black Sabbath members, Tony Iommi, Terence Geezer Butler and Bill Ward, were the last to appear on stage as part of a star-studded line-up for the Back To The Beginning concert in July. Advertisement Among the other bands performing were Anthrax, Metallica and Guns NRoses, and there were messages of thanks from other celebrities, including Jack Black, Ricky Gervais and Dolly Parton. Osbournes widow Sharon and children Aimee, Jack and Kelly visited floral tributes laid at Black Sabbath bridge following his death on July 22 in a cortege that weaved through the streets of his home city. Osbourne, who also had a successful solo career, found a new legion of fans when he appeared in the 2000s reality TV series The Osbournes, starring alongside his wife and two youngest children. Judas Priests rendition of the Black Sabbath classic was released on Friday with all profits donated to the Glenn Tipton Parkinsons Foundation and Cure Parkinsons. Actress Natalie Dormer has said she will not promote The Lady after Sarah Ferguson's apology to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein was revealed. The 43-year-old, who plays Ferguson in the ITV series, said she would be donating her salary from the show to charities focused on child abuse after it was revealed Ferguson sent a message in April 2011 describing Epstein as a supreme friend having publicly disowned him in the media. The apology email came after he threatened to destroy her family in a chilling call, the Telegraph has reported. In a statement to US outlet Variety, Dormer said: When I agreed to take the role in The Lady, I knew portraying the scripts Sarah Ferguson would require nuance. People are layered, their journeys are full of highs and lows, and as an actor my job is to lean into those elements and bring them to life with honesty and empathy. Dormer made the decision over revelations about Ferguson's links to Jeffrey Epstein (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Since completing the project, new information has come to light that makes it impossible for me to reconcile my values with Sarah Fergusons behaviour, which I believe is inexcusable. For that reason, I will not be taking part in the promotion of the project. In keeping with my commitment to the wellbeing of children, I have donated my entire salary from this project to the National Association for People Abused in Childhood and the Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse (hosted by Barnardos). Advertisement The four-part drama follows the story of former royal dresser Jane Andrews, who was convicted of murder in 2001, played by Mia McKenna-Bruce. Several charities severed ties with the duchess, who is the ex-wife of Britain's Prince Andrew, on Monday following the emergence of the correspondence. Dormer said her decision was not a reflection of her experience working with production company Left Bank. She added: They are an extraordinary company to collaborate with and Im grateful for the time we spent together. Epstein was found dead in his cell at a federal jail in Manhattan in the US in August 2019 while he awaited trial on sex-trafficking charges. The death was ruled a suicide. ITV has been contacted for comment. An extensive search coordinated by the Irish Coast Guard for a missing fisherman in Donegal Bay has ended with the recovery of a body off Teelin on the Donegal Coast. A local fishing vessel involved in the search made the discovery just before 6pm on Saturday. The search concluded after three days of intensive searching coordinated by the Coast Guard at Malin Head Maritime Rescue Sub Centre. The Coast Guard said it extends its sympathy to the family at this time of sadness and thanked all the search units and local fishing vessels, An Garda Siochana along with the community for their support throughout the search. Presidential candidate Catherine Connolly has expressed the need for a courageous and independent voice as she spoke at a conference promoting Irish unity. The left-wing independent spoke at a Sinn Fein event in Dublin, alongside the partys leader Mary Lou McDonald, about a united Ireland and her wish to stand together to shape a different republic. Ms McDonald, who previously announced the partys backing for Ms Connolly, said the clinical psychologist, from Galway, was a formidable, fearless, brilliant woman. Mary Lou McDonald and presidential candidate Catherine Connolly (PA) Ms Connolly said: I want to say I really treasure that support, because for the first time in the history of Ireland, were coming together to unite for something thats much bigger than ourselves, bigger than me, and bigger than the differences between parties. I stand here before you humbly to say we are at a crucial point in our history where we must decide to stand together. Advertisement She said that she was passionate about improving Irelands public services, including homelessness and the environment. Ms Connolly, who is also backed by other opposition parties, added: Im not going to list out all the things that horrify you, and I know it horrifies you. We have to place it on the record that none of this is inevitable, and so we must stand together against the narrative that tells us over 16,000 people homeless is collateral damage to a successful market strategy. That is completely unacceptable to all. I want to thank all of the parties and all the courageous individuals, TDs and senators that have come in behind me not because they agree with everything I say, or indeed agree with everything you say or believe in, but because we believe in core values that we must express over and over as loudly as we can against that destructive narrative. That narrative has placed the price of everything and the value of nothing one day. She added: We must have housing for all our people as a basic human right, not a market product. We must have a public health system thats accessible to everybody. We must have an integrated public transport system, and we must recognise the existential threat posed by climate change, not by naming the poorest on the ground, but by recognising that the big polluters have never, never been brought no sense of accountability with them. Britain's Prince Andrew has resurfaced in files relating to Jeffrey Epstein as a passenger on the paedophile financiers jet with a reference also made to X owner Elon Musk potentially visiting the sex offenders island. Documents, released by democrats sitting on the House Oversight Committee in the US, show Andrew as a listed passenger on a flight from Teterboro, New Jersey, to Palm Beach in Florida. Andrew is named alongside Epstein, his then-girlfriend and now convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, as well as two names which have been redacted. The flight is documented to have taken place on May 12th, 2000. Jeffrey Epstein (US Department of Justice) Details of Andrew being a passenger on Epsteins private jet have previously been heard in court through Maxwells trial with one of her accusers, who was 14 at the time, recalling she had travelled on a flight with Andrew. Andrew strenuously denies any wrongdoing. Advertisement Musk is listed in the documents as being a potential visitor to Epsteins island, Little St James, on December 6th, 2014 six years after he became a listed sex offender. His name appears on what appears to be Epsteins daily schedule, with the entry saying: Reminder: Elon Musk to island Dec.6 (is this still happening?) In June, Musk indicated president Donald Trump should be impeached and claimed his administration was concealing information about Mr Trumps association with Epstein. He later appeared to have deleted posts about the sex offender. Sarah, Duchess of York (PA) The documents come days after an email from Sarah, Duchess of York, to Epstein, in which she apologised to him for disowning him in the media. Her spokesman said the message, which also saw her label the sex offender as a supreme friend, was written because he had threatened to sue her for defamation. The surfacing of the email led the duchess to be dropped by a number of charities, of which she had been a patron. Epstein was found dead in his cell at a federal jail in Manhattan in August 2019 while he awaited trial on sex-trafficking charges. The death was ruled a suicide. Ordinary people in Iran are dealing with soaring food prices and worried about the future ahead of the reimposition of United Nations sanctions over Tehrans nuclear programme. Irans rial currency already sits at a record low, increasing pressure on food prices and making daily life that much more challenging. That includes meat, rice and other staples of the Iranian dinner table. Meanwhile, people worry about a new round of fighting between Iran and Israel as well as potentially the United States after the 12-day war in June. "No more excuses. No more delays. No more ignoring legal obligations. No more abandoning future generations." -- @antonioguterres calls for nuclear disarmament & the total elimination of nuclear weapons.#UNGAhttps://t.co/zHaftTD6Tz pic.twitter.com/ewUqahnGAr United Nations (@UN) September 26, 2025 Tehran has recalled its ambassadors from the UK, France and Germany ahead of the reimposition of sanctions. Activists fear a rising wave of repression within the Islamic Republic, which already has reportedly executed more people this year than over the past three decades. Advertisement At midnight on Sunday GMT, barring any last-minute diplomatic breakthrough, UN sanctions on Iran will be reimposed through snapback, as the mechanism is called by the diplomats who negotiated it into Irans 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Snapback was designed to be veto-proof at the UN Security Council, meaning China and Russia cannot stop it alone, as they have other proposed actions against Tehran in the past. The measure will again freeze Iranian assets abroad, halt arms deals with Tehran, and penalise any development of Irans ballistic missile programme, among other measures. The Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian spoke to reporters in New York (AP) France, Germany and the United Kingdom triggered snapback over Iran, further restricting monitoring of its nuclear programme and the deadlock over its negotiations with the US. Iran further withdrew from International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) monitoring after Israels war on the country in June, which also saw the US strike nuclear sites in the Islamic Republic. Meanwhile, the country still maintains a stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60% purity a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90% that is largely enough to make several atomic bombs, should Tehran choose to rush towards weaponisation. Iran has long insisted its nuclear programme is peaceful, though the West and IAEA say Tehran had an organised weapons programme up until 2003. Tehran has further argued that the three European nations should not be allowed to implement snapback, pointing in part to Americas unilateral withdrawal from the accord in 2018, during the first term of Donald Trumps US administration. A Hezbollah supporter waves Irans flag during an event commemorating the death of late Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah who killed in Israeli airstrikes nearly a year ago, in Beirut (AP) The Trump administration appears to think it has a stronger hand post-strikes, and it can wait for Iran to come back to the table, said Kelsey Davenport, a nuclear expert at the Washington-based Arms Control Association. Given the knowledge Iran has, given the materials that remain in Iran, thats a very dangerous assumption. Advertisement Risks also remain for Iran as well, she added: In the short term, kicking out the IAEA increases the risk of miscalculation. The US or Israel could use the lack of inspections as a pretext for further strikes. One ordinary Iranian, the father of a 12-year-old boy, said his country has never faced such a challenging time, even during the deprivations of the 1980s Iran-Iraq war and the decades of sanctions that came later. For as long as I can remember, weve been struggling with economic hardship, and every year its worse than the last, he told The Associated Press. For my generation, its always either too late or too early our dreams are slipping away. Israeli strikes have killed at least 57 people across Gaza, health officials said. The onslaught continues despite growing international pressure for a ceasefire, with Israels leader remaining defiant about the ongoing war. Strikes in central and northern Gaza killed people in their homes in the early hours of Saturday morning, including nine from the same family in a house in the Nuseirat refugee camp, according to staff at the Al-Awda hospital where the bodies were brought. Five others were killed when a strike hit a tent for the displaced, Nasser Hospital officials said. The director of Shifa Hospital in Gaza City said medical teams there were concerned about Israeli tanks approaching the vicinity of the hospital, restricting access to the facility where 159 patients are being treated. The attacks came hours after Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu told fellow world leaders at the UN General Assembly that his nation must finish the job against Hamas in Gaza. Advertisement Mr Netanyahus words, aimed as much at his increasingly divided domestic audience as the global one, began after dozens of delegates from multiple nations walked out of the UN General Assembly hall en masse on Friday morning as he began speaking. As desperate, hungry people flee hostilities in Gaza City, securing food has become nearly impossible.@wfp calls for humanitarian access to reach vulnerable families remaining in northern Gaza & an urgent ceasefire to prevent starvation.pic.twitter.com/Cp3FuAilcn United Nations (@UN) September 26, 2025 International pressure on Israel to end the war is increasing, as is Israels isolation, with a growing list of countries deciding recently to recognise Palestinian statehood something Israel rejects. Countries have been lobbying US president Donald Trump to press Israel for a ceasefire. On Friday, Mr Trump told reporters on the White House lawn that he believes the US is close to achieving a deal on easing fighting in Gaza that will get the hostages back and end the war. Mr Trump and Mr Netanyahu are scheduled to meet on Monday, and Mr Trump said on social media on Friday that very inspired and productive discussions and intense negotiations about Gaza are ongoing with countries in the region. However, Israel is pressing ahead with another major ground operation in Gaza City, which experts say is experiencing famine. More than 300,000 people have fled, but up to 700,000 are still there, many because they cannot afford to relocate. More than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed, with many women and children among the dead and injured (Courtesy Andee Vaughan via AP) The strikes on Saturday morning demolished a house in Gaza Citys Tufah area, killing at least 11 people, more than half of them women and children, according to the Al-Ahly Hospital. Four other people were killed when an air strike hit their homes in the Shati refugee camp, according to Shifa hospital. Six other Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire while seeking aid in southern and central Gaza, according to Nasser and Al Awda hospitals where the bodies were brought. Advertisement Hospitals and health clinics in Gaza City are on the brink of collapse. Nearly two weeks into the offensive, two clinics have been destroyed by air strikes, two hospitals shut down after being damaged and others are barely functioning, with medicine, equipment, food and fuel in short supply. Many patients and staff have been forced to flee hospitals, leaving behind only a few doctors and nurses to tend to children in incubators or other patients too ill to move. On Friday, aid group Doctors Without Borders said it was forced to suspend activities in Gaza City amid an intensified Israeli offensive. Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu remained defiant in his address to the UN (AP) The group said Israeli tanks were less than half a mile from its health care facilities and the escalating attacks have created an unacceptable level of risk for its staff. Meanwhile, the food situation in the north has also worsened, as Israel has halted aid deliveries through its crossing into northern Gaza since September 12 and has increasingly rejected UN requests to bring supplies from southern Gaza into the north, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said. Israels campaign in Gaza has killed more than 65,000 people and wounded more than 167,000 others, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. It does not distinguish between civilians and combatants, but says women and children make up around half the fatalities. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government, but UN agencies and many independent experts consider its figures to be the most reliable estimate of wartime casualties. Israels campaign was triggered when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on October 7 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostage. Forty-eight captives remain in Gaza, around 20 of them believed by Israel to be alive, after most of the rest were freed in ceasefires or other deals. President Donald Trump said he will send troops to Portland, Oregon, to handle domestic terrorists as he expands his controversial deployments to more American cities. He made the announcement on social media, writing that he was directing the Department of Defence to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland. I am also authorising Full Force, if necessary, Mr Trump said. Central Portland (Jenny Kane/AP) Oregons Democratic governor Tina Kotek said that President Trump is abusing his authority by ordering troops to Portland, a city she said is doing just fine on its own. Ms Kotek said at a news conference on Saturday afternoon that she directly told Mr Trump earlier in the day that federal troops are not needed and she believes he does not have the authority to deploy the military there. Advertisement We can manage our own local public safety needs. There is no insurrection. There is no threat to national security, Ms Kotek told reporters. Mr Trump said the decision was necessary to protect US Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities, which he described as under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists. Since the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the Republican president has escalated his efforts to confront what he calls the radical left, which he blames for the countrys problems with political violence. Earlier in September, Mr Trump had described living in Portland as like living in hell, and said he was considering sending in federal troops, as he has recently threatened to do to combat crime in other cities, including Chicago and Baltimore. He deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles over the summer, and as part of his law enforcement takeover in the District of Columbia. In Tennessee, Memphis has been bracing for an influx of National Guard troops, and on Friday Governor Bill Lee said they will be part of a surge of resources to fight crime in the city. Advertisement NationalQueenslandLiterature prizes Top state literary award winner calls out silencing of genocide concern Matt Dennien September 27, 2025 2:27pm 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 The news Darumbal and South Sea Islander journalist Amy McQuire has won Queenslands top literary award for her book about the medias failings in Indigenous affairs reporting, using her acceptance speech to criticise child imprisonment and the silencing of those warning of genocide in Gaza. McQuires Black Witness: The Power of Indigenous Media was named winner of the $30,000 Queensland Premiers Award for a Work of State Significance at the Queensland Literary Awards ceremony at the State Library on Friday night. McQuires Black Witness has also been shortlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize, after previously taking out the Indigenous Writing category at the Victorian Premiers Literary Awards. Jacob McQuire Our relationship with the state of Queensland has always been one of violence, and a part of that violence is the silencing of black witnesses, especially in times of genocide, whether its here in Magandjin [Brisbane] or over there in Gaza, the QUT academic and researcher said. Advertisement I want to say that no child belongs in any watch house or child jail. They belong at home with their families and communities. Why it matters The awards were hit by delays after one-third of the original judges resigned following Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroeks intervention in separate First Nations writing fellowship also managed by the state library back in May. Langbroek raised concerns with library leaders on two occasions before intervening to stop the fellowship going to Adelaide-based author K.A. Ren Wyld, whom he accused in parliament of glorifying terrorism. The decision, based on a since deleted social media post praising slain Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, was welcomed by the states peak Jewish body amid national debate about antisemitism and speech relating to Israels alleged genocide in Gaza. Advertisement Langbroek repeatedly defended his decision, vowing to do so again if its deemed necessary and dismissing the resignations of 12 of the 34 judges for the literary awards more than $200,000 in prize money across 11 categories because we will find other judges. What they said Its such an honour to be here accepting the Queensland Literary Award for a work of state significance, McQuire said in footage of her speech posted to social media, and reshared by McQuire herself. But I also cant accept it without mentioning the significance of the state in the lives of blackfellas, not just historically, but in the continuing present. Advertisement Thank you for this recognition. Ill use this to continue fighting state racist and gendered violence in all its forms, for the future of all of our people. From the river to the sea always was, always will be, McQuire added, using a common combined refrain by supporters of First Nations and Palestinian rights across Australia to express solidarity between the groups. Another perspective In a statement announcing the winners on Friday night, judges described McQuires book as a work of outstanding scholarly rigour and moral clarity. Grounded in meticulous evidence, it offers a powerful indictment of systemic injustice and underscores the need for truth-telling, they said. This is a vital contribution to Indigenous scholarship and the national reckoning we so urgently need. Advertisement In comments also included in the media release, Langbroek who was briefed on the winners after judging was finalised congratulated McQuire and the rest of those who took home prizes. Related Article Exclusive Queensland government Literary awards delayed after ministers intervention sparked judge exodus Queenslands literary sector is part of a vibrant statewide arts and cultural scene, which will play a pivotal role in sharing our unique stories with the world in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond, he said. What you need to know The full first half of the combined phrase used by McQuire (from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free) is claimed by some to be antisemitic in nature and a call for the destruction of Israel. Advertisement Others have asserted it is about freedom from the illegal Israeli occupation of Gaza and the West Bank recognised by the vast majority of the world, now including Australia, as the State of Palestine. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement Exclusive PoliticsFederalResearch Billions going unspent from Australias $24b medical research fund Natassia Chrysanthos September 27, 2025 7:30pm 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 Australias medical research fund is sitting on billions of dollars that were intended to be invested in world-leading health innovations, with new costings revealing the government could double its funding to researchers each year without affecting the $24.5 billion base amount. Parliamentary Budget Office costings commissioned by independent MP Monique Ryan show the Medical Research Future Fund could lift its annual disbursements from $650 million to as much as $1.4 billion without depleting its current levels over the next 10 years. Medical research institutes are grappling with cuts to their grants as a result of Trump administration changes. Louie Douvis As the Trump administrations cuts to scientific and medical organisations disrupts research funding around the world, prominent Australian science and medical associations are urging the federal government to make better use of the money. The original plan was for the Medical Research Future Fund, established by the former Coalition government, to disburse about $1 billion annually once it reached maturity at $20 billion. But that has not happened. Advertisement The latest 10-year investment strategy included in the 2024-25 budget stipulated the government would continue spending $650 million a year or $6.5 billion over the decade. The Parliamentary Budget Office costings show the fund will grow from $24.5 billion to $35.4 billion in a decade under that scenario. But these annual disbursements could be lifted to $1 billion each year a $350 million increase and the fund would still grow to $30 billion in a decade. With $750 million released annually, the fund would reach $33.9 billion in that time. To break even, and keep the fund at $24 billion, the government could release as much as $1.4 billion each year, more than double the current amount. Ryan said the figures showed Labor could release significantly more money to Australias researchers whose world-leading innovations include cochlear implants, HPV vaccines and spray-on skin without compromising the funds strength. Advertisement Her push comes as the Trump administration hollows out US research and medical institutions, including the Centre for Disease Control, the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Institutes of Health, which is the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world. Related Article Analysis Science How Donald Trump has made it more dangerous to be pregnant Australian medical research institutes have already been forced to suspend projects on malaria, tuberculosis and womens health as the National Institutes of Health terminates billions of dollars for research organisations outside the United States. We could more than double the amount spent from the MRFF every year, while keeping more money in the fund than it was intended to hold, Ryan told this masthead. Its a win-win for Australians concerned about our healthcare system, for medical researchers, and for our economy. Hundreds of high-quality research proposals have missed out on funding in recent years. Increased investment in medical research wont just secure our research sector and guarantee its growth and longevity it will improve health outcomes for all Australians. Advertisement Burnet Institute director Professor Brendan Crabb who has likened the US cuts to having a bomb thrown into the middle of science said medical researchers were in desperate need of further support. It is rare to have a ready-made answer. Yet, in the MRFF, we have what we need already in the bank, he said. The funds simply need to flow as originally intended. This can happen, while also maintaining this vital fund for future generations. Australian Academy of Science president Professor Chennupati Jagadish said it was time to remove the arbitrary funding cap so the fund could deliver on its purpose of supporting research and innovation. While the fund continues to grow in value, there is no reason to cap disbursements and, in so doing, to cap cures, he said. Advertisement Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes chief executive Dr Saraid Billiards said funding delivered breakthroughs. Related Article Updated Healthcare Trump says hes found the cause of autism. Heres what the research shows Spending this available money would help stabilise our research institutes, and at the same time enable the government to realise the ambitions of its Health and Medical Research Strategy, she said. Medicines Australia chief executive Liz de Somer agreed boosting investment would improve lives, boost economic productivity, and make the health system more sustainable. The government needs to further unlock this ongoing research fund to meet these objectives, she said. Advertisement A Health Department spokesperson said the government was finalising a 10-year national strategy for health and medical research. A key area of focus ... is to ensure that funding for health and medical research is sufficient and strategically co-ordinated across government, industry, not-for-profit and philanthropic sector, they said. Public and stakeholder consultation on the draft strategy is under way, and the final strategy will be delivered by the end of the year. The spokesperson said the $6.5 billion commitment over 10 years was designed to give predictability and a guaranteed level of investment each year. It is on top of $1 billion provided each year through the National Health and Medical Research Council. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter here. Advertisement Exclusive PoliticsFederalTrade wars Mission critical: Australia keen to lock in new US deal before Trump meeting Paul Sakkal and Nick Newling September 27, 2025 4:33am 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 142 View all comments Australia is ramping up its bid to strike a deal with the Trump administration on critical minerals in time for Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses October 20 meeting with US President Donald Trump, who took Australian officials by surprise on Friday with a fresh round of tariffs on medicines. Months after the US rebuffed an initial offer to plug into Australias emerging rare earths sector, Albaneses ministers are negotiating with senior Trump lieutenants to guarantee the Americans access to the elements needed to build everything from smartphones to electric vehicles and fighter jets, as the US moves to cut off its dependence on Chinese supply chains. US President Donald Trump announced 100 per cent tariffs on pharamceuticals via Truth Social. Bloomberg Albanese could get time for only a selfie and a handshake with Trump during his visit to New York this week, but on Wednesday, the prime minister revealed he would fly to Washington, DC, in just over three weeks time for his first formal meeting with the president. Australia is keen to use its rich deposits of minerals such as cobalt and lithium, which are needed for defence, energy and advanced tech, to win favourable deals on tariffs and AUKUS and to pacify the erratic administration. Advertisement They seem very interested in the critical minerals proposal, Trade Minister Don Farrell told this masthead, days after he held two meetings with Trumps trade chief, Jamieson Greer, in Kuala Lumpur, which he described as friendly. We havent sealed the deal yet. Obviously, the prime minister is heading back to the US, so were ramping up our discussions to see if we can resolve something by that time. Labor recently announced more money for a submarine base critical to AUKUS and it wound back rules on US beef imports, but US ambassador Kevin Rudd and cabinet ministers view the minerals pact as a potential ace in negotiations with the transactional US president. Farrell says Australia can swiftly provide what Trump needs as he muscles up against Beijing. Advertisement Why is Donald Trump talking about annexing Greenland? Well, theyve got a supply of critical minerals. Why is he talking to [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelensky about a critical mineral arrangement? Australia is the lucky country. We have either the largest or the second-largest reserves of all the critical minerals in the world. [The US] would get guaranteed access to our critical minerals, and we say that should be of value to them. Farrell said that due to Greenlands extreme climate and Ukraines war with Russia, Australia offered the US the simplest access to critical minerals: Otherwise, where do they get it? The US is in talks to set up a $5 billion fund to invest in critical minerals, Bloomberg reported last week, and Albanese announced at the United Nations this week an Australian summit to help lure US capital to process critical minerals and fund green energy as it scrambles to meet its hard-to-achieve renewables targets. Critical minerals is a catch-all term for the elements that are used to manufacture advanced technologies, including mobile phones, computers, fibre optic cables, semiconductors, banknotes, medical equipment and weapons. Many are used in low-emission technologies such as electric vehicles and solar panels. Advertisement Related Article Medicine A very big threat: Australia defends PBS as Trump flags 250% tariffs on medicines Hayley Channer, a director at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, said rare earths was arguably Australias best bargaining chip with the Trump administration as the US tried to avoid a shortage of minerals such as lithium, germanium, graphite and cobalt, if China withheld supply. China did so after Trumps Liberation Day tariff announcements in April, forcing US manufacturers and defence firms to slow production. The bottom line is that no single government or group of countries can secure all the minerals needed for all their various uses the best they can hope for is to secure a handful, perhaps five, that they can create an end-to-end supply chain ex-China, Channer wrote in a note on September 9. She said each of the Virginia-class nuclear submarines in the US fleet required more than four tonnes of critical minerals. Trump demonstrated his disregard for allies on Friday morning when he used social media to announce 100 per cent tariffs on pharmaceuticals with no notice. Advertisement The tariffs will be imposed on branded or patented medical drugs from October unless a company was already building a manufacturing plant in the US. CSL, Australias largest healthcare manufacturer, initially slumped about 4 per cent on the ASX but recovered to be down 1.5 per cent after it told shareholders it was confident it could avoid the tariffs, as 60 per cent of its workforce is in the US and it has committed to investing $2 billion in production there. Farrell also urged calm, pointing to a briefing he had received weeks ago indicating CSLs plasma products would not fall into the category of drugs subject to new tariffs. Health Minister Mark Butler said the government was working out what impact the new tariffs would have on the Australian industry. Weve been aware of the administrations intention to take action against pharmaceutical imports into America, and weve been engaging with them and making the case why we should continue with the tariff-free trade that has characterised US-Australian relations for more than 20 years, Butler said on Friday at a press conference. Advertisement Opposition leader Sussan Ley described the announcement as a shocking but unsurprising development, pressing Albanese on his relationship with Trump. We remain unsure whether the government made any representations on behalf of Australia and our important pharmaceutical industry. This is yet another issue the prime minister must address in his meeting with the US president in October, but he should not wait until then, she said in a statement. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter. Advertisement Updated WorldEuropeRoyal family Albanese plays down chances of republic referendum after meeting with King David Crowe and Matthew Knott Updated September 28, 2025 12:38pm ,first published September 27, 2025 10:34pm 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: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has dismissed the chances of a referendum on a republic while he holds office, after returning from a private audience with King Charles at Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands. Albanese flew from London on Saturday morning (UK time) with his fiancee, Jodie Haydon, for a meeting with the monarch that was long-planned but kept largely confidential for days. The King greeted Haydon and then shook hands with the prime minister, giving him a warm smile, before they sat for a discussion and shared lunch at the Scottish estate. Loading Albanese posted a photo on social media to confirm the meeting with a brief message: An honour to meet with you today, Your Majesty. Advertisement Later, he noted the Kings awareness of events in Australia. He is someone who is very interested in Australia, interested in the affairs of the world, and its always a pleasure to talk with His Majesty, he told the ABCs Insiders program. King Charles III during an audience with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Balmoral Castle. Getty Images Asked whether he discussed the idea of a referendum on a republic, Albanese played down the prospect of any vote on the contentious change while he was prime minister. I think Ive made it clear that I wanted to hold one referendum while I was prime minister, and we did that, he said, in a reference to the vote on the Indigenous Voice two years ago. When asked to confirm there would be one referendum for the entire time he was prime minister, he said he was concentrating on the cost of living and practical policies. Advertisement The meeting with the King had been on the prime ministers mind in recent days, and he mentioned it to leaders in London on Friday to highlight the importance of the trip. Related Article Updated Foreign relations Albanese gets the thumbs-up from Trump as PMs attention turns to AUKUS, Gaza It will be quite a privilege to go up to Balmoral tomorrow, Im looking forward to it, he told Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch when they met on Friday at Stoke Lodge, the official residence of the Australian high commissioner, Stephen Smith. The formal audience with the head of state marks a departure from days of political and policy debate during Albaneses overseas trip, including his visit to the United Nations in New York and meetings with national leaders in London. Some of those meetings are now clouded in political controversy after Opposition Leader Sussan Ley accused Albanese of swanning around on indulgent gatherings such as a summit of progressive political parties and their leaders in London on Friday. Advertisement Albanese and Haydon dined with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his wife, Victoria, on Friday night at Number 10 Downing Street, where they were joined by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and his wife, Diana. Albanese arrived for dinner with a four-pack of Willie the Boatman Albo Pale Ale, named after him by a brewery in the inner west of Sydney. The next morning, Albanese and Haydon flew to the Royal Air Force base in Lossiemouth in Scotland, where they were given a traditional bagpipe greeting as they descended the stairs to the tarmac. Albanese and fiancee Jodie Haydon are given a traditional Scottish bagpipe greeting on arrival at Lossiemouth RAF Base. Dominic Lorrimer With strong winds sweeping across Scotland, the prime ministers Royal Australian Air Force jet had to abort its first approach and landed on its second attempt. After meeting defence personnel, they travelled through the countryside to arrive at Balmoral for the meeting with the King early in the afternoon (about 10pm AEST on Saturday). Advertisement After their visit to Balmoral Castle, Albanese and Haydon travelled to the nearby church of Crathie Kirk, where they met Reverend Kenneth MacKenzie and signed the guest book. Crathie Kirk is a Church of Scotland church that is often attended by members of the royal family when they are at Balmoral. King Charles has spent this week at Balmoral, a family retreat for the royal family and a favoured home for the late Queen Elizabeth, after a busy period of diplomacy and meetings during US President Donald Trumps state visit this month. He continues to undergo treatment for cancer. Albanese and Haydon tour Crathie Kirk with Reverend Kenneth MacKenzie after meeting with King Charles. Dominic Lorrimer The King hosted Trump and his wife, Melania, at a royal banquet and arranged for them to stay as guests overnight at Windsor Castle. In a carefully crafted message in his address to the banquet, the King reminded Trump of the importance of the AUKUS defence pact between the United States, United Kingdom and Australia at a time when the Pentagon is reviewing the agreement. Advertisement Our AUKUS submarine partnership, with Australia, sets the benchmark for innovative and vital collaboration, the King said. Those remarks were seen as helpful to Starmer as well as Albanese in their joint attempt to keep AUKUS on track, demonstrating the way the King can bring influence to bear in ways few others can match. Albanese signs the visitor book at Crathie Kirk. Dominic Lorrimer In a sign of the importance of Balmoral to the King, he chose the castle grounds as the setting for a formal portrait that hangs in the Scottish parliament. Anne, the Princess Royal, unveiled the portrait on Friday. Albanese held his first audience as prime minister with Charles when he visited London for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth in September 2022. They met again in May 2023, when the prime minister attended the Kings coronation. Advertisement In a more dramatic meeting, the prime minister hosted the King and Queen in the Great Hall of Parliament House last October, when Victorian senator Lidia Thorpe disrupted an official welcome with a protest over Indigenous sovereignty. You are not our king. You are not sovereign, she called out, metres from the monarch. Albanese and Haydon outside Crathie Kirk. Dominic Lorrimer While Albanese has been asked several times about his support for an Australian republic and his loyalty to the monarchy, he went public in 2023 about his decision to swear allegiance to Charles at the coronation despite calls from the republican movement for him to remain silent. He told broadcaster Piers Morgan at the time that he had sworn allegiance to the monarch 10 times as an MP in parliament and would do so again. Australians made a choice in 1999, he said, referring to the referendum result which retained the constitutional monarchy with 54.87 per cent of the vote. One of the things that youve got to do is to accept a democratic outcome. Advertisement Albaneses arrival in Balmoral came as Ley lashed out at the prime ministers travel schedule, which includes a speech at the British Labour conference in Liverpool and a forum on progressive politics in London. Albanese is in the UK as the Australian prime minister, not the leader of the Australian Labor Party he shouldnt be swanning around on the taxpayer dollar at Labour political conferences hanging out with his left-wing mates, Ley said in a statement. Albanese during TV interviews at Crathie Kirk. Dominic Lorrimer What does it say to the people of the UK that the Australian prime minister is deliberately participating in domestic political events that is not diplomacy it is partisanship. Questioning the value of parts of the trip to Australian taxpayers, Ley said: If the prime minister wants to turn an official trip into a personal detour to the UK Labour Party conference, Australians are entitled to know how much it is costing them and whether he intends to make any personal contribution to cover it. Advertisement Related Article Royal family Just weird to kneel in front of another adult: Turns out the notion of royalty is quite funny Albanese made a point of meeting Badenoch, the UK Conservative leader, on his first day in London but steered clear of any meeting with Reform leader Nigel Farage, whose populist and anti-immigrant right-wing party is surging in the polls. While Ley has criticised Albanese for attending a progressive party gathering, other prime ministers have done similar things. John Howard, as prime minister, attended an event in the US in 2002 convened by the International Democratic Union, a global conservative group, and joined leaders such as Republican President George W Bush and UK Conservative MP William Hague, who was then the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter here. Advertisement WorldEuropeRoyal family Prince Harry accuses insiders of sabotaging reconciliation with King Victoria Ward Updated September 28, 2025 6:52am ,first published September 28, 2025 5:45am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share Prince Harry has suggested people are trying to sabotage his reconciliation with the King by casting their recent meeting in a negative light. Father and son met on September 10 for the first time in 19 months. The brief private meeting, over tea at Clarence House, marked a thawing in relations and was widely considered a stepping stone on the path to rapprochement. On Saturday (Sunday AEST) however, it was claimed that Harry, the Duke of Sussex, was surprised by the formalities of their reunion, which a source told The Sun was awkward. The Duke has made plain his desire to reconcile with his father and to reset relations. AP He was said to have described the meeting as very official, like an official visit. Advertisement When the newspaper declined to retract the quotes, Harrys spokesman issued a statement in direct response to the story, claiming that its description of the Dukes view of the tone of the meeting was categorically false. The statement said: The quotes attributed to him are pure invention fed, one can only assume, by sources intent on sabotaging any reconciliation between father and son. Prince Harry attends the inaugural Invictus Horizons reception in London on September 10. Getty Images Harry was said to have given the King a framed photograph of himself with Meghan and their children during the visit, while the monarch gave his younger son an early birthday present, with their meeting falling six days ahead of his 41st birthday. In fact, the photograph is believed to have been of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, and not their parents. Advertisement Harrys spokesman said the same source had presumably chosen to disclose that gifts had been exchanged. Related Video Video icon 9:35 Crown Duels: Prince Harry and Meghan's post-royal lives His statement added: While we would have preferred such details to remain private, for the sake of clarity we can confirm that a framed photograph was handed over, however the image did not contain the Duke and Duchess. The Sun stood by its claims. A spokesman for the newspaper said: In his statement, Prince Harry confirms the exchange of gifts, including a family photograph. The office of the Duke of Sussex was given full right of reply yesterday in advance of publication and opted not to give a response to The Suns carefully sourced account of the meeting. We have today updated the online article to include his new statement. Advertisement The story, and the Dukes subsequent intervention, are significant owing to the fragility of relations between the Sussexes and Buckingham Palace. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan. Getty Trust is now of the essence and some have described the recent reunion as something of a test for Harry whose indiscretion in recent years has caused huge family turmoil. One source was quoted as saying that if any details of the meeting emerged, or there was any commentary from the Dukes camp, it would be back to square one. The Duke has made plain his desire to reconcile with his father and to reset relations after a difficult few years dominated by a raft of intensely personal allegations about his family. Advertisement The hugely damaging allegations made by the Sussexes in their Oprah Winfrey interview of March 2021 have not been forgotten, similarly the revelations and indiscretions peppered throughout their three-part Netflix series, Harry & Meghan, not to mention the Dukes memoir, Spare. Related Article Updated Royal family King Charles meets Prince Harry for first time in more than 18 months The Dukes multiple legal battles with the media, as well as his failed legal challenge against the Home Office over his right to state-backed police protection, have only served to distance him further from the institution. In May, the Duke told the BBC in an interview: I would love a reconciliation with my family. His recent return to the UK, comprising a series of well-received charity visits in both Nottingham and London followed by an unannounced visit to Ukraine, was deemed a success. Advertisement The Duke hopes to return in a similar vein two or three times a year, potentially quarterly, for engagements with his old patronages and the organisations with which he has kept in touch. However, royal sources have insisted that Elizabeth IIs firm decree that there can be no half-in, half-out public role for members of the Royal family will be maintained. In the current stalemate, the Duke is thought to recognise that much in his future rests on his relationship with his father. The Telegraph, London Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter. Advertisement WorldNorth AmericaEpstein fallout Musk, Bannon, Prince Andrew mentioned in latest Epstein records Michael Koziol September 27, 2025 1:32pm 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: Tesla chief executive Elon Musk, MAGA strategist Steve Bannon and venture capitalist Peter Thiel are all named in new Jeffrey Epstein documents released by the US Congress that give a glimpse into the contacts the convicted sex offender maintained in the 2010s. One of the documents, a flight log from the year 2000, named Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, as a passenger on Epsteins jet from New Jersey to Palm Beach, Florida, with Epstein and his close associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Prince Andrew, Elon Musk and Steve Bannon. AP, Getty Images Another document, identified as a ledger of transactions, was entirely redacted except for two entries named massage for Andrew, both from 2000 and in the amount of $200. In total, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released six heavily redacted pages received under subpoena from Epsteins estate. Advertisement One of the diary records said Epstein was due to have breakfast with Bannon in February 2019, after the MAGA influencer had left the White House and returned to media roles, and just a few months before Epstein was arrested and charged with sex-trafficking of minors. Another email said Epstein was due to meet Thiel for lunch in New York in November 2017. Thiel, an investor and entrepreneur, was a co-founder of PayPal and Palantir, and also the first outside investor in Facebook. Epsteins December 2014 schedule included a tentative breakfast with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, while there was a reminder that Musk might be coming to Epsteins private island, Little Saint James. A note with the Musk entry said: Is this still happening? Peter Thiel is one of America's richest men and a prominent Republican donor. AP Epstein was first indicted in 2006 in Florida for solicitation of prostitution. The case was referred to the FBI, which led to a further investigation. Epsteins lawyers negotiated a deal in which he pleaded guilty on two charges including solicitation of prostitution with a minor in 2008. He spent 13 months in jail with work release. Advertisement The few documents released by the Democrats were highly redacted, which the party said was to protect victims while investigators from the committee continued to analyse the documents. There was no information about what the meetings entailed or whether they went ahead. Related Article Epstein fallout Charities ditch Fergie over reported Epstein email All the people involved have already acknowledged their relationships with Epstein. In 2019, Musk told Vanity Fair he had visited Epsteins New York residence for about half an hour many years previously, and did not see anything inappropriate at all, apart from weird art. Musk said that Epstein repeatedly tried to get him to visit Little Saint James, but he declined. On Friday (US time), Musk responded to a news report about his tentatively planned visit to the island. This is false, he posted on his social media site X. Bannon has also acknowledged his encounters with Epstein. He told The New York Times he had recorded 15 hours of interviews with the disgraced businessman. Bannon said the interviews were for a documentary and that he wasnt giving Epstein media training. Advertisement And Thiel told The Wall Street Journal in 2023 of his meetings with the disgraced financier: I was rather naive, and I didnt think enough about what Epsteins agenda might have been. Prince Andrew, meanwhile, has always denied wrongdoing. He settled a civil lawsuit with Australian-American Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre in 2022. She died by suicide earlier this year in Western Australia. Republicans on the House Oversight Committee said the small tranche of documents the Democrats released constituted old news and accused them of conveniently withholding documents containing the names of Democratic officials. Once again, they are putting politics over victims, they said. Thats all [Democratic congressman] Robert Garcia and Oversight Dems know how to do. We are releasing them all soon. We dont care how wealthy you are Advertisement Democrats said the committee had received 8544 documents in the latest batch, which were still being reviewed. We dont care how wealthy or powerful you are or if you are a Democrat or Republican, Garcia said. If you are in the Epstein documents and files, we are going to expose it, and bring justice for the survivors. Related Article Updated Epstein fallout Epstein birthday book reveals alleged joke about selling woman to Trump Epstein died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial. Despite swirling conspiracy theories, the FBI says he killed himself, and there is no evidence to the contrary. The first batch of documents, released earlier this month, contained a copy of the so-called birthday book, a compendium of letters, photographs and other notes compiled by Maxwell for Epsteins 50th birthday in 2003. Advertisement One entry took the form of a cryptic, imaginary conversation between Epstein and Donald Trump, inside the outline of a womans body, with a signature resembling Trumps. Trump has denied signing the document or drawing the picture. The two men were friends in the 1990s, but Trump says they fell out in the 2000s, before Epstein was indicted. Facing a backlash from many of his own MAGA supporters for not releasing more of the investigation files, Trump has repeatedly sought to play down the Epstein saga. He now labels it a Democrat hoax. Epstein died in his prison cell in 2019. AP This week, the Journal, which revealed the birthday books existence, reported Trump was perplexed about the ongoing fascination with the dead financier, and complained to aides that people dont understand that Palm Beach in the 90s was a different time. Trump is suing the Murdoch-owned paper for $US10 billion ($15 billion) over the birthday book story. The papers lawyers this week sought to have the case dismissed, calling it meritless and saying it would have a chilling effect on free speech. 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. THIS YEARS Samhain Festival 25 in Carlow is expanding into spooky new territory, with haunting happenings at five venues across the town: Visual, Delta Centre, The Exchange, the library and Ducketts Grove. From 20 October to 2 November, you can immerse yourself in a world of folklore and fire, where echoes of tradition meet contemporary spectacle, with ghostly tales, haunting performances, fire shows, costumed revelry, eerie art, family fun and music to raise the dead. The festival kicks off with an opportunity to light up your October Bank Holiday weekend and go to the magnificent grounds of Carlow College and Visual for a spectacular night of storytelling through fire displays, movement and haunting vocals. This family-friendly event brings together world-class fire performers ROGU and the magnetic Sexy Tadhg with the team from Rocket Pyro Fireworks. Sparks will fly this is going to be the hottest ticket in town! Launching the festival, leas cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council cllr Daniel Pender said: The Samhain Festival 2025 in Carlow is a testament to how we can honour our past while embracing the future. Its a powerful fusion of ancient Celtic tradition and contemporary artistry, bringing to life the stories, music, and art that define us. From the cinematic chills of a groundbreaking Irish-language film to the haunting beauty of our folk music and the vibrant energy of our local talent, this festival is a true reflection of the creative spirit thriving in Ireland today. It is a celebration for all generations, and a wonderful example of how our cultural heritage can continue to inspire and unite our communities. The Samhain Festival is co-ordinated by a partnership of Carlow County Council and Visual arts centre. For more information, go to https://visualcarlow.ie/whats-on/samhain-festival-25. THE price of an average second-hand three-bed semi in Co Carlow rose by 2.75% to 280,000 in the last three months, according to a national survey by Real Estate Alliance. Across the county, the average time taken to reach sale agreed was three weeks, the REA Average House Price Index shows. The survey also showed that 31% of sales in the county were driven by landlords exiting the market. Prices in Carlow town increased by 5% to 310,000, breaking the 300,000 barrier for the first time, with most homes selling in two weeks. The Carlow property market remains buoyant, with strong activity across all sectors, explained Harry Sothern, REA Sothern, Carlow town. A notable trend continues to be landlords exiting the market, and this is expected to accelerate in advance of new legislation due to come into effect in March 2026. This will likely present further challenges for landlords and could place additional pressure on rental supply in the county. Tullow prices were static this quarter, with landlords accounting for 50% of all three-bed homes on the market. Demand for starter homes remains strong, but stock levels are very low, added Matthew Conry of REA Dawson, Tullow. The REA Average House Price Index concentrates on the sale price of Irelands typical stock home, the three-bed semi, giving an accurate picture of the second-hand property market in towns and cities countrywide. The announcement of a nationwide rent pressure zone has triggered a sharp increase in landlords exiting the housing market, the survey showed. The governments announcement last June was followed by an immediate spike in landlord sales in many areas now included in the legislation. The REA survey also found that properties with a BER rating of A commanded an average 17% premium over C-rated stock, reflecting the rising attractiveness of retrofitted homes. Birding in Big Bend National Park with Marie Landis will be featured at a meeting of the Chattanooga Birding Club on Oct. 9 from 7-8:30 p.m. It will be held at Ascension Lutheran Church, 720 S. Germantown Road. Officials said, "Hear the good, the bad, and the ugly of birding in one of the lower 48s most rugged and remote national parks. Highlights will include daily and once-in-a-lifetime adventures from birding in Big Bend, travel and survival tips, and just enough geology and geography to explain what makes this patch of Chihuahuan Desert such a special place. "Marie is a professional cartographer and recreational birder who recently returned to her hometown of Chattanooga after two decades of chasing seasonal resource management and environmental education gigs out west. She spent 8 years living, working, and birding the expanses of far west Texas within Big Bend National Park. She has a Master of Natural Resources from Oregon State University and a healthy fear of sunstroke." For more information, go to www.chattanoogatos.org Home News China sentences Christian woman hailed as COVID whistleblower to 4 more years in prison A Chinese Christian woman known internationally for documenting the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan has been sentenced to four more years in prison. She was convicted of the same offense for which she previously served a four-year term. Zhang Zhan received her latest sentence last Friday from the Pudong New Area Peoples Court in Shanghai on the charge of picking quarrels and provoking trouble, the U.K.-based group Christian Solidarity Worldwide reported. The 42-year-old Christian and former lawyer had been detained the previous month in Shaanxi Province, where she was reportedly helping a young pro-democracy activist secure legal assistance, and was later transferred to a detention center in Shanghai. Zhang had been released on May 13 after serving her first four-year prison term, which began in 2020 following her arrest for reporting from Wuhan during the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Amnesty International previously said she had been repeatedly summoned by police in the months before her re-arrest in August 2024. She was taken into custody on Aug. 28 and formally arrested in November on the same charge, according to The Guardian. Her indictment cited social media posts that prosecutors claimed seriously damaged the countrys image, and they recommended a sentence of four to five years. Zhangs communications with supporters were limited following her release. Human rights groups said she had been under close surveillance, a common practice in China for individuals who had previously criticized the government. Prosecutors reportedly based the new charges on content Zhang posted to YouTube and X, including commentary on human rights violations. Her initial arrest in May 2020 followed her travel to Wuhan in February that year, where she filmed hospitals, lockdown conditions and government restrictions. She shared 122 videos across several platforms, including X, YouTube and WeChat, documenting the excessive curtailment of peoples freedoms during lockdown. An Editorial Board opinion piece in The Washington Post noted that her footage revealed deserted streets, overwhelmed hospitals and widespread confinement during the countrys strict zero-COVID phase. Zhang began a hunger strike on Jan. 25 to protest her detention. She was reportedly force-fed while held at the Pudong Detention Centre. During her earlier imprisonment, she had staged periodic hunger strikes in opposition to her conviction and conditions in custody. International organizations have condemned her sentencing. The U.N. Human Rights Office said it was deeply disturbing and raised concerns about the lack of transparency in her trial, noting that independent observers were barred from attending. CSW President Mervyn Thomas called the charges completely unfounded and demanded Zhangs release. Reporters Without Borders labelled the case as persecution rather than a prosecution. Chinese Human Rights Defenders argued that unrestricted reporting in the early days of the pandemic could have helped avert global harm. Zhang, a native of Shaanxi Province, converted to Christianity in 2015 and began speaking publicly about human rights soon after. In 2019, she was arrested in Shanghai for staging an anti-government protest. In an interview that year, she said she hoped for a way to resolve the hostility between the people and the government. Chinas Foreign Ministry responded to international criticism by stating that the case pertains to Chinas judicial sovereignty and that no external forces have the right to interfere. A spokesperson added that Zhangs legitimate rights will be fully respected and protected. China holds 124 media workers in prison and ranks 178th out of 180 countries on Reporters Without Borders press freedom index. Home News Revised blasphemy laws to go into effect in Indonesia Indonesias revised criminal code will take effect in three months, expanding its blasphemy laws from one to six articles and introducing new clauses that critics say are vague and open to abuse. The changes will apply to both citizens and foreigners and are part of a penal overhaul enacted under the previous administration. The expanded regulations, which come into force in January 2026, include a clause recognizing any living law, a term that lacks a clear definition, according to the U.S.-based persecution watchdog International Christian Concern. This could allow local officials, especially in areas sympathetic to extremist ideology, to apply informal or traditional interpretations of blasphemy. In practice, enforcement of such laws already varies widely across the countrys 38 provinces. Some provinces have become known for their aggressive posture toward religious minorities. There are several notorious provinces where church closings and attacks happen more frequently, an Indonesian Christian was quoted as saying. He attributed much of the hostility to what he called the fear of Christianity, which he said grew rapidly in Indonesia during the second half of the 20th century. The blasphemy law, first introduced in 1965, has survived repeated repeal attempts, including one by a former president. Though Indonesias constitution protects six officially recognized religions and promotes religious freedom, legal tools such as the blasphemy law have often been used to target religious minorities, particularly Christians, who make up roughly 11% of the population. The revised laws low profile among religious communities has surprised some observers. Fr. Franz Magnis-Suseno, a Jesuit priest based in Jakarta, said he had forgotten about the revisions altogether and had never discussed them with fellow clergy. Most Indonesian Christians only know about famous blasphemy cases, Magnis-Suseno said, referring to the 2017 conviction of Jakartas then-governor, a Christian named Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, commonly known as Ahok, who received a two-year prison sentence under the original law. That case was widely seen as politically motivated. In 2019, a Buddhist woman was sentenced to 18 months in prison for complaining about the volume of mosque loudspeakers. Her conviction was upheld by Indonesias Supreme Court. Although religiously motivated attacks in Indonesia have declined in the past decade, the country has a history of deadly incidents. During the early 2000s, a series of church bombings marked a period of acute tension. Then-president Joko Widodo, who led the country from 2014 to 2024, suppressed some extremist groups such as the Islamic Defenders Front, but the ideology persists, and blasphemy laws continue to give it legal expression. Supporters of the amended law have argued that parts of the code are designed to address the changing digital landscape. Magnis-Suseno said he does not expect the revised law to be wielded in the same way as in Pakistan, where accusations of blasphemy have frequently led to vigilante violence. The situation [here] is very different, he said, noting that people in Indonesia are generally more restrained. He added that Christians in Indonesia maintain excellent relations with major Muslim civil society groups, including Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah, which he credited with helping to resolve conflicts peacefully. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has issued a more critical assessment. In its 2025 annual report, the commission recommended Indonesia for placement on its Special Watch List, citing the states tolerance of severe violations of religious freedom, including enforcement of its blasphemy laws. In July, a Christian youth retreat in West Java became the target of mob violence, Morning Star News reported. About 200 people gathered in Tangkil village, Cidahu District, after Friday mosque prayers and attacked a house being used for the Christian retreat. The group shouted slogans, damaged property, including toilets and a gazebo, and threw a motorbike into a nearby river. Videos from the scene show a man removing a wooden cross from a wall and using it to break a window. Others are seen smashing chairs, damaging a car, and destroying parts of the house. One clip shows frightened children being rushed into cars as the mob yells at them to leave. Police and military personnel on site eventually evacuated 36 participants. Protesters claimed the house was not legally licensed as a place of worship and said their actions were meant to prevent disruption to the local communitys peace. Home News Tenn. AG Skrmetti weighs in on city banning Charlie Kirk prayer vigil Tennessees Republican Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has entered the debate over a citys ordinance restricting religious events in a public space, which gained headlines when a local resident was prohibited from holding a Charlie Kirk prayer vigil. In a letter sent to Morristown Mayor Gary Chesney on Thursday, Skrmetti stated that Tennessee law prohibits denying a person the full and equal enjoyment of a public accommodation on the grounds of religion. At issue was Section 9-204 of the Morristown Code of Ordinances, which bars an outdoor space known as the Farmers Market and Downtown Green from being used for religious purposes. Should Morristown enforce Section 9-204 as written, the City would be treating activities differently on the basis of religion and would therefore be in violation of Tennessees Human Rights Act, wrote Skrmetti. The state attorney general further warned Chesney that if the city enforces the ordinance, we will file suit and fight hard to vindicate Tennesseans religious liberty. I have no doubt that if you are willing to work this out, our respective teams will be able to formalize language quickly that resolves the Tennessee Human Rights Act issue to our mutual satisfaction, Skrmetti added. The First Liberty Institute (FLI), which is helping to represent resident Brad Tumey after he was denied a request to host a prayer vigil at the space, celebrated the Skrmetti letter. We appreciate Attorney General Skrmettis support for religious freedom, said FLI Senior Counsel Nate Kellum in a statement on Friday. We hope that the city will finally see the light and let Mr. Tumey hold a prayer vigil in the downtown space. Last week, Morristown received a complaint letter from Kellum written on behalf of Tumey in response to the vigil event request being denied. The letter was addressed to Chesney, Morristown Assistant City Manager Andrew Ellard and City Attorney Lauren Caroll. The Citys categorical ban on all religious expression is an unconstitutional restriction on Tumeys right to freedom of speech. Speech on religious topics receives full constitutional shielding, wrote Kellum. The City has no legitimate interest in categorically denying all religious activity, including Tumeys planned prayer vigil, in a downtown park, nor is such a ban narrowly tailored. For his part, Ellard released a response soon after, claiming that Tumey had failed to correctly fill out the event application, with his requested date falling at the same time as a farmers market that was already approved for the timeslot. Ellard added that while Section 9-204 banned political or religious activities at the downtown green space, such activities were still allowed at nearby outdoor public areas. The City has ample alternative locations for such a public forum. The City is allowed to regulate how, when, and where certain activities occur to ensure public order and safety, wrote Ellard. The City has more than 15 park facilities, one of which is less than 1,000 feet away from the Downtown Green and includes an amphitheater. There are also 2-3 other parks within a mile that would afford ample space for a gathering such as the one Mr. Tumey has requested. Ellard rejected the claim that Morristown does not permit religious activities or prayer within public places as completely false, citing a couple of examples to the contrary. The City Plaza and City Center rotunda is often used for prayer services. A prayer is said inside the City Council Chambers prior to the start of every City Council meeting, he continued. The National Day of Prayer is held on the courthouse lawn. In fact, a vigil is scheduled for Wednesday, September 24th at the Courthouse to grieve and honor the recent events that have had such an impact on our nation. Home Opinion Erika Kirk and the scandal of the Gospel Her words were just as shocking as the tragic events that took place weeks earlier. As 70,000 people packed into State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, and an additional 20,000 gathered in overflow venues like Desert Diamond Arena, over 100 million onlookers joined the memorial service by streaming it online, while another 20 million tuned in through traditional television means. All were there to honor the remarkable life of Charlie Kirk, and a holy hush fell over the gathering when his widow, Erika Kirk, stood to offer a few words. The fact that she was able to speak at all was just as remarkable to me as whatever she intended to say. Frankly, I am not sure what I expected, but I was unprepared for what came next. On the cross, our Savior said, Father, forgive them, for they not know (sic) what they do. That man, that young man, I forgive him. I forgive him because it's what Christ did. And its what Charlie would do. She continued, The answer to hate is not hate. The answer, we know from the Gospel, is love. Always love. Love for our enemies. Love for those who persecute us. The moment was breathtaking. But may I be painfully transparent for a moment? Initially, those words were just as insulting as they were inspiring to me. I am ashamed to admit it, but in my weakness, forgiveness is the last thing I wanted to hear from Erika Kirk. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit quickly convicted me. Forgiveness, you see, ranks near the top of the things we are most grateful to receive and near the bottom of things that we are most willing to give. Idioms like bury the hatchet and let them off the hook remind us that showing compassion is tough primarily because it seems equal to diminishing the pain others cause us. Yet, for Christians, unforgiveness is not just unbiblical but also irrational due to the sheer magnitude of Gods grace in our lives. The scandal of the Gospel is that God the Father chose to pour His wrath upon His own Son in order to set vile sinners free (Isa. 53:10). Because all of us are like sheep that have gone astray, Jesus was smitten and afflicted by His own Father as our transgression, iniquity, and chastening fell upon Him (Isa. 53:4-6). Granted, some sins are more offensive than others, but all sins leave us guilty and without excuse before a holy God. Thus, the just suffered for the unjust. The righteous died for the unrighteous. Christ pleaded for our forgiveness even as He purchased it on the cross. The moment you feel deserving of grace while assuming that others are not, you only prove that you do not understand grace. Erika Kirk powerfully reminded us that those who receive grace ought to be the most eager to grant it. When Peter asked Jesus how many times we should forgive those who sin against us, He expounded his question with what he thought was a gracious suggestion. Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times? (Mat. 18:21). Though the number seems arbitrary to us, Jewish rabbis taught that believers were only required to forgive the same offense three times. By suggesting amnesty as many as seven times, Peter was more than doubling what common sense seemed to require. Wishing to deepen our understanding of Gods mercy toward us, Jesus intentionally exaggerated, I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven (Matt. 18:22). His point was not that after 490 acts of leniency our benevolence should run out. To the contrary, our Saviors expectation is that we forgive again and again because this is exactly how God treats us. We might be quick to retort, why would anyone repeat the same offense over and over? What kind of fool would be so ridiculous? Indeed. And yet, our continued rebellion against God follows the same predictable and absurd pattern. To forgive others as God has forgiven us, there can be no limit to the grace we are willing to show. Admittedly, practical questions emerge as we try to be faithful to Jesus directive in the real world. Are we obligated to forgive a person who does not want our forgiveness? Or someone who does not repent of their wrongdoing? At this point, there are no indicators that Tyler Robinson has any remorse whatsoever for his sinful transgression against Charlie Kirk. Therefore, understanding the difference between giving and receiving forgiveness is crucial here. Remember, God offers grace to multitudes that refuse to welcome it. We, too, should be willing to give what others are unwilling to receive (Matt. 6:14-15). Aside from the theological consistency of doing so, letting go of our grievances toward others is also good for us. Apart from forgiveness, you will continually think about the offense that caused you harm, keeping you emotionally bound to the person who hurt you. Waiting for an apology that never comes is like repeatedly tearing the scab off a wound. Why should we be willing to give those who scar us so much control over our lives? When a root of bitterness takes hold of your heart, you have allowed your enemy to prevent your continued growth in the Lord (Heb. 12:14-15). But shouldnt there be consequences for sin? Simply put, yes. The fear of diminishing what happened to us creates reasonable longings for justice and even vindication (Amos 5:24). We must realize, however, that granting a person forgiveness is not the same as setting them free from outcomes of their actions. Employees who steal ought to lose their jobs. Students who cheat ought to fail. Those who break the law ought to go to jail. Assassins who murder innocent citizens ought to face the death penalty. Though counterintuitive, consequences can be a blessing that leads us to repentance and life change. Ultimately, we should trust the Lord to decide the repercussions others face for their sins (Rom. 12:19-21). But what if I cannot forget what happened to me? Chances are, you wont. Perhaps no other cliche has done more damage to our understanding of forgiveness than the notion of forgive and forget. Putting painful experiences out of our minds is often impossible. Thankfully, biblical forgiveness does not require us to be gullible or naive. Refusing to dwell on the offenses of our enemies does not mean that we should repeatedly put ourselves in harms way. Even when consequences must remain, we can choose not to be bound by the past wickedness of others and even pray Gods best over their lives. At this point, if you do not believe God is doing something remarkable in our nation, you just arent paying attention. I am thankful for Erika Kirks bold forgiveness and for the scandal of the Gospel. The Lord is using a grieving widow to remind us all just how desperately we need grace. A New York judge ruled Ron Perelman was not entitled to $400 million from insurers over alleged damage to an Andy Warhol and four other paintings from a 2018 fire at his Hamptons home. Justice Joel M. Cohens Friday decision dismissing all of Perelmans claims against affiliates of Lloyds of London Ltd., Chubb Ltd., and American International Group Inc. ends a five-year legal battle that pulled back the curtain on the typically opaque world of art insurance. The insurers challenged Perelmans claims of damage and suggested the 82-year-old former Revlon Inc. chairman was attempting a money grab due to financial difficulties. Cohen agreed with the insurers that the paintings were unharmed. Ultimately I was not persuaded that these paintings suffered physical damage in this fire, the judge said as he ruled from the bench in his Manhattan courtroom. During the three-week non-jury trial in June, Perelman seemed to acknowledge that the damage to the paintings, which also included works by Edward Ruscha and Cy Twombly, was in the eye of the beholder. They were not as vibrant the contrast was not as deep, Perelman testified. They just did not have the same impact as they had before, to my eye. Lawyers for the insurers pointed out that Perelman only made claims on the five paintings two years after the fire, after already receiving more than $100 million in payouts for dozens of other artworks damaged in the blaze. They claimed he only decided to file claims when his financial situation took a turn for the worse. During closing arguments before Cohen on Friday, Charles A. Michael, a lawyer for the insurers, said Perelman had 300 million reasons to make up a claim about damage to the five paintings. Michael also mocked Perelmans fantastical testimony about diminished oomph and all the rest. The five paintings were insured for many times their market value, so they could be replaced by art of a similar quality even in the face of expected appreciation. For instance, the version of Warhols Campbells Soup Can owned by Perelman was insured for $100 million, even though it was appraised at $12.5 million in 2018, according to court filings. Perelmans lawyers insisted throughout the trial that the paintings were legitimately damaged in the fire, pointing out that they were hung on the same floor as other artworks which insurers covered. The insurers countered that two other paintings hanging near the contested artworks at the time of the fire were later sold to Citadel founder Ken Griffin. Cohen pointed to Perelmans sales of some paintings on Friday, saying his failure to disclose them cast doubt on his credibility. The evidence showed that plaintiff sold paintings that were hanging right next to the paintings at issue and for higher amounts than covered by the policy, the judge said. Perelmans lawyers declined to comment Friday on whether they intended to appeal the ruling. Called the richest man in the U.S. in the 1980s, Perelmans wealth has undergone a dramatic drop in recent years due in part to the struggles of Revlon, his most high-profile investment before its 2022 bankruptcy. His wealth was estimated at $19 billion by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index in 2018 but had fallen to $3.3 billion by 2021, the last year he was included in the ranking. Perelman sold art worth nearly $1 billion after margin loans collateralized by Revlon shares were called, the case revealed. It's about more than notebooks and pens. Public schools need full funding, but in Ohio, the money is drying up while the state and federal government put more and more of our tax dollars into private and charter schools. Solon Schools A new federal funding boost for Ohio charter schools is another sign about government notions about public education, with support for private and charter schools growing while money for public school gets slashed. A Today in Ohio podcast discussion Friday centered on a recent announcement of federal funds for charter schools over the next five years, which will support new and expanded charter schools, personnel, and facilities in Ohio. This development comes on top of the approximately one billion dollars of state tax money already directed toward charter and private schools annually. Laura Johnston, one of the podcast hosts, explained the significance. Charter schools are different than private schools. I understand that were talking about publicly funded, tuition free, open-to-all institutions, but come on, this is like, clearly we want to dismantle public education, right? Cleveland.com editor Chris Quinn agreed, placing the charter school push within a broader political context: Thats whats going on in Ohio and thats whats going on nationally. We are trying to crush public education, and the people that will affect the most are people living in poverty in urban areas. Its part of the war on cities by Republicans because cities largely vote Democratic. The timing of the federal funding announcement is notable, as it comes amid what the hosts described as a tax crisis in Ohio, with property tax increases causing significant concern. Ohio voters might abolish property taxes in 2026, crippling the chief funding stream for many public schools. And Quinn noted that solutions to the property tax crisis offered by Republican lawmakers so far would further harm public schools. The podcast hosts expressed alarm about the long-term implications of the educational trajectory: I think ultimately they want to wipe public schools off the face of the state and have everything be private, which will really create a bigger class of haves and have nots, Quinn said. Johnston agreed, pointing out that even with charter schools technically being open to all, access issues remain: Even if this is a charter school and anybody can go to it, its usually the kids who have the most supportive home life and the parents that are most involved. The federal funding announcement was made at the Center for Christian Virtue, which Johnston noted is a conservative public policy organization, suggesting an ideological dimension to the initiative. While Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has expressed support for focusing on high performing charter schools, particularly for underserved children, the podcast hosts remained unconvinced that the expansion of charter schools represents a genuine commitment to educational equity rather than a political agenda. Most Ohioans seem unaware of the eroding foundation for public schools while lawmakers throw money at religious schools. Before they notice, the foundation for education in the state could dissolve. 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. N Five years ago today, the Second Garabagh War begana conflict that would shape the course of Azerbaijans modern history. What started as a military confrontation evolved into a profound demonstration of diplomatic and strategic capability. The war led to the deoccupation of Azerbaijani territories, the end of an ethnic Armenian separatist regime in those areas, and the reincorporation of these lands into the Azerbaijan Republic. Coupled with the precise September 2023 special operation, which ended the occupation without civilian casualties, Azerbaijan achieved what many consider its greatest military and diplomatic victory in decades. The Patriotic War was not only a military campaign but also a manifestation of Azerbaijans unity, resilience, and determination to restore its territorial integrity. Under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces crushed the enemy using modern military tactics and technologies. The unity of the people, symbolized by the slogan "He died, he returned, he did not return!", became the backbone of this victory. Speaking to Azernews, former US ambassador to Azerbaijan Matthew Bryza emphasized the scale and significance of this success: The Second Garabagh War, which began five years ago today, probably marks the greatest diplomatic and military achievement in Azerbaijan's history. It has resulted in the deoccupation of Azerbaijani lands and their reincorporation into the Azerbaijan Republic and coupled with the September 2023 special operation, which was precise and resulted in not only in no civilian deaths, but not even civilian injuries, ended the occupation of any Azerbaijani territory, any end of a separatist regime, ethnic Armenian regime, on Azerbaijani's territory. So this would be for any country, the recovery of its territories and full control over them, a tremendous achievement. Bryza highlighted the ambitious plans that have followed this military success, notably the Great Return initiative led by the Government of Azerbaijan and President Ilham Aliyev: The Government of Azerbaijan and President Aliyev have outlined an ambitious plan, the Great Return, for the return of Azerbaijani people to their previous homes, to their villages and towns and cities in what was called Garabagh and then the seven surrounding regions of Azerbaijan, as well as providing the conditions for people who hadn't lived there to come to those territories and build businesses and families and lives and create a whole new future for all of Azerbaijan. And that's fantastic. Bryza also underscored the strategic potential of the new regional corridor connecting the main part of Azerbaijan with Garabagh across Armenian territory: As is outlined in the ninth point of the November 10, 2020 ceasefire trilateral statement, there will be a corridor connecting the main part of Azerbaijan with Garabagh across Armenian territory. And that corridor, whether we call it the Zangazur Corridor or now the Trump Road for International Peace and Prosperity, provides a mechanism to attract investment, to create jobs, therefore, and wealth, and to connect and even integrate the countries along its route into a regional economy. And those countries, of course, begin with Azerbaijan and Armenia, but include Turkiye and can include, I mean, Georgia in an extended way And of course, can include the countries on the other side of the Caspian Sea Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and beyond, Kyrgyzstan. He emphasized the promising role of international investment and cooperation in cementing regional stability: Now, as we see from the August Washington agreements, U.S. President Trump foresees the United States re-engaging in a profound way, like we did when I was involved in the late Bill Clinton administration and in the George W. Bush administration, when we were actively pursuing major infrastructure investments in oil and gas, trying to help the countries and companies work out the legal frameworks to enable what became the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and the oil and the South Caucasus gas pipelines So there is great promise for a new round of this sort of large-scale investments, this time involving, again, the United States, politically and now financially, to bring together and reintegrate the economies of the region. Bryza also outlined the critical need for a finalized peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia: However, to get there, there needs to be a peace treaty. The peace treaty's text is finalized, as we know. It was finalized in March. The text was initialed by the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Washington in the presence of President Trump. But for those treaties to be finalized and signed by the national leaders, Ilham Aliyev and Nikol Pashinyan, Azerbaijan understandably insists that the constitution of Armenia be amended to make absolutely clear and unambiguous that Armenia has no territorial designs on Azerbaijan To pass the amendment needs a supermajority in the Armenian parliament and then needs to be approved by a national referendum. And there are many, many Armenians who are not in favor of amending their constitution under duress. And I think Russia will encourage the disagreement and the hostility in Armenia to signing of this peace treaty that opens the way for the new corridor in which the United States will play a role. Reflecting on the bravery of Azerbaijani forces and the strategic leadership of President Aliyev, Bryza added: Those amazing Azerbaijani soldiers, who together with strategic advice from Turkiye and from Pakistan and others, were able to win a lightning victory, and then relying on unbelievable courage and strength, physical strength and clever tactics, were able to recapture Shusha in November of 2020, and thereby effectively ending the military phase of the war. These are eternal heroes who will go down in Azerbaijani history as among the greatest. And finally, I would commend, for whatever that's worth, President Ilham Aliyev for stopping Azerbaijan's offensive, military offensive, once Azerbaijan recaptured Shusha by not continuing the military operation into Khankendi, President Aliyev was able to save many thousands of human lives and military lives. So congratulations to Azerbaijan. And congratulations to the whole region if there's a peace treaty. British political scientist Neil Watson echoed the sentiment, highlighting both the sacrifices and the historic significance of the victory: This is the saddest, yet most victorious day in the history of Azerbaijan. The sacrifices of around 3000 brave servicemen must never be forgotten and their souls will rest in the eternal memory of all Azerbaijanis and those who believe in international law and territorial integrity. But this day also marked the turning point; the moment when President Aliyev, as Commander-in-Chief, decided the time was right to end the illegal Armenian aggression and occupation to steer his country quickly and efficiently to victory, using the latest armaments and with the support of Turkiye and Israel. Now we are on the brink of a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia, with the prospect of a homogenous and integrated South Caucasus, where Russian dominance is negligible, being a reality. The future is indeed brighter than ever before for Azerbaijan and all countries of the now completely independent South Caucasus. President Donald Trumps new tariffs on pharmaceutical imports will not apply to countries with negotiated agreements with the US that contain provisions on drugs, according to a White House official, delivering promised relief to economies including the European Union and Japan.Duties on pharmaceuticals from the EU will be capped at 15% per the terms of its framework deal, the official said Friday. Japanese drugs will also be charged the rate spelled out in its pact, the official added. The US-Japan joint statement says American tariff rates on Japanese drugs and semiconductors should not exceed those applied to others, including the EU.The UK, another country that exports pharmaceuticals to the US, would face the 100% tariff, according to a White House official. London also negotiated a trade agreement with Washington that included provisions for similar exemptions, but the two countries have not yet agreed on a rate for pharmaceuticals.Trump said on Thursday that the US would impose a 100% tariff on any branded or patented Pharmaceutical Product, unless a Company IS BUILDING their Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plant in America, defined as breaking ground and/or under construction. No tariff will apply if construction has started, the president posted on social media.The abrupt announcement included no other details, leaving some overseas capitals wondering if their deals with Washington still applied to the new pharmaceutical tariffs. If a company announces they will build a plant in the US, then their products would be exempt while the Commerce Department vets the announcement and conducts an approval process, the official said.The Trump administration has taken other steps recently to implement the EU trade understanding. Earlier this week, the US slashed auto tariffs to 15%, down from 25% on top of existing rates.Reuters reported earlier on the exemptions for pharmaceutical tariffs and the higher rate the UK faces. These days, its hard to imagine anyone but Robin Williams as Mork From Ork on Happy Days and later Mork & Mindy, but at first, it was hard to imagine anyone at all. Wisconsin in the 1950s wasnt exactly the natural setting for a space invasion, but Happy Days creator Garry Marshall was desperate for ideas to keep the show fresh, and everyone seemed to love this Star Wars business. After the writers room cobbled together a script on Marshalls orders, we had one major hurdle left to cast the right alien, Marshall wrote in My Happy Days in Hollywood: A Memoir. His first choice was John Byner, a voice actor and Ed Sullivan Show veteran. He had a wild look in his eyes and the offbeat wit I thought would be good for the alien, Marshall wrote, so we arranged a meeting with Byner and made a tentative deal for him to star in the series. Then an odd thing happened: Close to shooting, Byner decided he didnt want to play an alien on a television series. We can only speculate on Byners motivations, but considering the troubles the production was about to have, the odd thing that happened might have been that Byner read the script, which was admittedly ridiculous. After he left, Dom DeLuise booked it and (then) he backed out," producer Bryan Levant told E! News in 2019. Then we got another guy, the Sheriff of Nottingham from Mel Brooks Robin Hood movie, and he backed out, saying he doesnt want to be Mork. Don't Miss Again, Levant doesnt explain why Roger Rees who played the Sheriff of Rottingham, and you will have some respect declined the role after accepting it, but according to Dave Itzkoffs biography Robin, the Tony Award winner and veteran of the Royal Shakespeare Company complained, I cant do this role. Hes not a real person. At that point, we shoot on Friday, and its Wednesday, Levant recalled. As producers got increasingly frantic, a new agent named Alan Iezman tried to sell us Richard Lewis and Jeff Altman, most famous for his neurotic portrayal of himself on Curb Your Enthusiasm and Hughie Hogg on The Dukes of Hazzard, respectively, but they were not quite right, which is a shame. A maladjusted Mork could have been fun. Different people have been credited for suggesting Robin Williams, but theyd probably agree that all credit goes to Williams himself. The producers would likely have accepted a particularly talented squirrel at that point, but Williams brought his A-game to the audition. For Marshalls part, he knew Williams was his man when he asked him to take a seat and Williams turned around, bent over, and sat on his head with his rear end up in the air. Advertisement Marshall later insisted that, no matter how hed felt about Williams, his hands were tied: Williams was simply the only alien who auditioned. He literally crawls across the room to attack my mouth if Im eating. If thats a behavior you want to encourage too, read on. Advertisement 12 Shut Up Scientology recommends a silent birth, where everyone in the room dare not speak a word or express an emotion lest it infiltrate the babys impressionable brain as it tumbles out of the womb. Advertisement 11 Eat Up Tom Cruise didnt want Katie Holmes to hog all that placenta; he had plans to chow down too: Im gonna eat the placenta. I thought that would be good. Very nutritious. 10 Baby Bird[/subtitle Alicia Silverstone said shed chew up a bunch of gross stuff and spit it into her kids mouth, to save him the trouble: I fed Bear the mochi and a tiny bit of veggies from the soup from my mouth to his. Its his favorite and mine. He literally crawls across the room to attack my mouth if Im eating. 9 Make the Same Mistakes Your Parents Made Cardi B said that her mom never let her go to sleepovers, and in response, she skipped school to explore her wild side: My mom tried to stop me from all of that, but I still did it. I joined a gang. If she had let me out as often as I wanted to, I probably would be dead or got my face cut up. Her plan is to enact the very same no-sleepovers rule. Maybe itll work better this time around! Advertisement Advertisement 8 TV Will Rot Your Brain! Movies Are Chill Though Per Megan Fox, a three-hour movie is good for the brain, while three hours of TV is bad for the brain, because humans are famously born with an innate sense of media literacy: With movies, I feel like theres a beginning, a middle and an end. Its linear. Theres a clear story. I think that its different than just putting a kid in front of the television because its just nonstop. Theyre just being bombarded with all of this sort of live media, and its very overwhelming. 7 Naked Sundays Christina Aguileras approach to normalizing the human body is to make sure her kid knows his mom is sexy and sexual: I think its important that he sees mommy not be ashamed for her sexuality. I mean, hes two. Were art collectors, there are a lot of female nudes around the house. Max will be growing up in a house where its just the norm. Its only weird when you shame it. Shes established what she calls Naked Sundays in her household. Advertisement 6 Cool It With the B-Word Jason Momoa wont let his kids watch his early work, from back before he became family-friendly. When asked about Baywatch, he said, We dont say the B-word at home! We hide all of that, mate! Never happened, mate! Advertisement 5 Wash Your Kids Mouth Out With Capsaicin Actress Lisa Welchel recommends putting a little hot sauce on a kids tongue when theyre bad: It does sting and the memory stays with them so that the next time they may actually have some self-control and stop before they lie or bite or something like that. Advertisement 4 Dont Burden Yourself With Convenience Kourtney Kardashian may be right to worry about microplastics, but the combination of a Kardashian, doing their own research, and then indiscriminately tossing an item that a normal person literally needs to survive motherhood makes this characteristically out-of-touch: When I had Mason, I did a lot of health-related research and decided to get rid of my microwave. 3 Confuse Your Kids Linguistically Gwyneth Paltrow, whos from LA but talks like shes from Hogwarts, wouldnt let her kid watch English-language cartoons: Apple was cross as I only let them watch TV in French or Spanish. When Im in France, I go to Boulevard Beaumarchais and buy all their cartoons. Advertisement 2 Turn Vacation Into a Bachelors Degree Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves took their kids on a trip to Alves native Brazil. In preparation, McConaughey made them cram like they forgot to prepare for finals: The kids are taking Portuguese classes for the last week. They already know a lot of Portuguese, but theyre taking Portuguese classes five hours a day for the last week in preparation for going on this trip. Advertisement Guilt can be good. It is healthy when it alerts us to having wronged someone and prompts us to put things right by apologising and repairing any damage we've done. But false guilt is not the ridiculous sort our society is currently indulging in about slavery and Britain's colonial past. As reparations running into trillions of pounds are demanded for the part Britons played in the slave trade centuries ago, this imaginary guilt is a canker and a tyranny that is misshaping the policies of our governments and cultural institutions. There is no denying that, from about 1650 to the early 1800s, British people were involved in transporting African slaves across the Atlantic. The conditions were horrific, the human cargo tightly packed below decks, shackled, starved of fresh air and sunlight, malnourished, dehydrated and prey to disease for a voyage lasting up to six weeks. One African who survived described 'the stench of the hold; the filth of the tubs [latrine buckets] into which the children often fell; the shrieks of the women, the groans of the dying'. Nearly a quarter could be 'lost in transit'. And once they arrived in the Caribbean or the American colonies, they were sold at auction as chattels, often separated from their families, then put to back-breaking, soul-destroying work in gangs on sugar, tobacco or rice plantations where some were whipped till they bled, castrated, even burned alive. This was a reprehensible moment in our history. But it was the British Parliament that led the way in 1833 by abolishing slavery and soon after banning it throughout the British Empire. Yet more than 200 years later, Britain's role in spearheading the abolition of slavery is ignored and reparations are being demanded from us for the original sin. Calls have been growing in recent years for Britain to pay reparations for its role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade From about 1650 to the early 1800s, British people were involved in transporting African slaves across the Atlantic The demands began in 2013 when the 20 states that make up Caricom, the organisation that represents Caribbean nations, established a commission to press for payback from Britain and other former European colonial rulers for historic 'genocide and slavery'. The outspoken chairman of the commission, Barbados-born academic Sir Hilary Beckles, told the House of Commons that 250 years of slave trading and chattel slavery followed by 100 years of colonial oppression were the result of 'attitudes that were clearly genocidal'. The British state, he added, forcefully extracted wealth from the Caribbean, resulting in its persistent, endemic poverty. A report later calculated, with apparent financial precision, the debt owed by Britain as just short of a staggering 20trillion. Only this month, the stakes were raised when African nations made their own demands for reparations from former colonial powers for exploiting the continent's people, land and resources in the 19th Century. And this week, publicising his forthcoming book on the case for slavery reparations, the actor Lenny Henry talked of 'hundreds of years of being oppressed and downtrodden' and a cost of 'trillions and trillions of pounds'. But, as an academic I am a former regius professor at Oxford, a theologian and an ordained Anglican priest I contend that the case for reparations for historic slavery does not stack up. It is based on assumptions that are wildly distorted and not only historical nonsense but cartoonish in their simplicity, as the champions of reparations peddle their narrative of moral indignation, summarily condemning anyone who had anything to do with slavery as simply evil. Such a fiercely absolute moral judgment lacks any historical awareness. They like to argue that Britain's behaviour was uniquely abhorrent, such a heinous crime against humanity that the British, having perpetrated it, can claim no credit at all for actually stopping it. Unique? I don't think so. Slavery was a universal institution that existed from the dawn of time, though advocates for reparations choose to downplay this context. Across the globe societies employed slave labour in agriculture, mining, public works and even as troops. Keir Starmer and former Deputy PM Angela Rayner taking the knee in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement - which supports reparations Trinidadian historian (and, later, prime minister) Eric Williams, has argued that Britain owes reparations because slavery allowed it to develop more than other nations In the third millennium BC 5,000 years ago all the ancient Mesopotamian civilisations practised it in one form or another, starting with Egypt. Around the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, the ancient Greeks, Carthaginians and Romans followed their example. To the east, slavery could be found among the Chinese from at least the seventh century AD and subsequently among the Japanese and Koreans. In the 1440s, the Portuguese were the first to seek slaves from West Africa, to make up for a labour shortage at home. Africans were busy enslaving other Africans and selling them to the Romans and Arabs centuries before British merchant ships first appeared off that same coast in the mid-1600s. Across the Atlantic, the Incas and the Aztecs extracted forced labour from subject peoples and the Comanches built a slave economy in what is now the south-west of the United States. In the Islamic world, slavery was sanctioned by the Prophet Mohammed and legitimated by the Koran and holy law. The Vikings supplied markets in Arab Spain and Egypt with slaves white slaves from eastern Europe and the British Isles. Pirates from the Barbary Coast of North Africa raided English merchant ships and even villages in Cornwall and west Cork for slaves. One estimate is that raiders from Tunis, Algiers and Tripoli alone enslaved more than a million Europeans between the beginning of the 16th Century and the middle of the 18th Century. The Muslim slave trade as a whole, which endured for 15 centuries, until 1920, transported about 17 million slaves, mostly African, exceeding by a considerable margin the approximately 11 million shipped by Europeans across the Atlantic. Hereditary slavery even continues today in Mali and Mauritania. But the current discussion about reparations still insists that the British enslavement of blacks was something extraordinary and blames it for the white-versus-black racism that infects British and other anglophone societies today. The humiliation and cruelty of British slave-trading and slavery was unique neither in kind nor degree. Many, many other peoples did similarly lamentable things, not least Africans and Arabs, and for a much longer period of time. The racially discriminatory fingering of the British is unfair and politically opportunistic. To acknowledge this long and universal history of slavery is not to condone it. There are good reasons to regard enslavement as morally wrong in principle. But some moral truths that are obvious to us were just not obvious to our ancestors. To us, there is no doubting that slavery is wrong, because it makes one person the disposable property of another. At the height of the Black Lives Matter movement, protesters in Bristol sent a statue of Edward Colston - a prolific slave trader - into the estuary Nigel Biggar argues the debate around reparations is much more complex and Britain's role in ending the slave trade is often overlooked But to most of our ancestors slavery was a fact of life. There could be good or bad forms of it some granted slaves certain rights, others not; some were merciful, others cruel but the institution itself was taken for granted. It's all too easy to condemn past generations for this. But if we suspend judgment for a moment and examine the circumstances in which our ancestors had to operate, this may give rise to a modicum of sympathy. Then, when we judge them, our judgment will be humbled, less puffed up with self-righteous indignation, because we are aware that, had we suffered those same circumstances, we might well have done likewise. No doubt, we will still judge slavery to be immoral, but without the self-inflating bombast and rigid self-righteousness that seems to infect so much of this debate. Regardless, those arguing for reparations insist on ignoring the historical context in their rush to judgment. Moreover, they argue that Britain does indeed bear a singular responsibility because the profits from a century and a half of slave-trading and slavery financed the industrial revolution that gave the UK a head start in the world an argument put forward forcibly back in 1944 by Trinidadian historian (and, later, prime minister) Eric Williams. There is no doubt that the slave trade profited some Britons directly and many others indirectly. But how much it actually contributed to the country's overall wealth is uncertain. Almost no economic historian agrees with Williams that it made an 'enormous' contribution to Britain's industrial development and that Britain's industrial prosperity was 'founded' on it. Economic historian David Richardson estimates that profits from the slave trade added no more than 1 per cent of total domestic investment around 1790. It's likely too that only 1.5 per cent of British ships were ever involved in the trade, the profits from which could have made very little contribution to industrialisation. The same goes for the argument that the Atlantic slave-based economy especially sugar production made a decisive contribution to Britain's industrial development. Its role as an engine of economic growth was marginal compared with other industries such as textiles, coal, iron ore and agriculture. I do accept that slavery generated profits for some individuals and that these profits were invested in technological advances whose benefits have trickled down the centuries as a result of which more of Britain's present prosperity is 'tainted' by slavery than meets the eye. But so too is it by the unjust exploitation of nameless medieval serfs and Victorian industrial workers. The truth is that little of what anyone, anywhere inherits is untainted by some historic wrongdoing or other. We cannot scrub out the stain; all we can do is strive to be better. As for the effects of colonial slavery on Africa, from where most of the slaves were originally taken, some hold that it had devastating consequences, causing widespread depopulation and economic dislocation, undermining the fabric of African societies. This is probably true in that British demand for slaves stimulated African endeavours to supply them and thereby provoking an increase in war and slave-raiding. But while British investors and merchants bear responsibility for that, so do their African suppliers who made large profits from helping to meet the demand for slaves, capturing them in wars and raids, even taking them in lieu of debt. African rulers actively resisted Britain's insistence on abolition. So, if reparations are to be paid, then Africans themselves might rightly be asked to pay up. Anti-slavery sentiment led to the founding of the Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade in London in 1787. In 1791 about 30 per cent of the adult male population of Britain signed anti-slavery petitions. What, then, does the case for reparations amount to? Not a lot in my considered opinion. Given that the jungle of history overgrows and obscures causal pathways, can we even say with certainty who should shoulder the blame? The victims of historic British slavery are, of course, all long dead and lie forever beyond the reach of restitution or compensation. As for their 21st-Century descendants, their present condition, while perhaps owing something to the enslavement of their ancestors, also owes much more to events and choices in the almost 200 years since emancipation. Take the claim that the legacy of slavery wrecked those Caribbean states where it had been practised and that Britain deliberately undermined their economies when they became independent, for which they should now be compensated. But the facts tell a different story. Some islands did well because they were well governed Barbados for example while others, such as Jamaica, languished because their economies were badly managed. It is also argued that the living descendants of enslaved Africans in the Caribbean continue to suffer 'intergenerational trauma' that the experience of enslavement suffered by their ancestors has impressed itself deeply on subsequent generations so that the psychological and social damage done in the 1700s and early 1800s still reverberates today. But there is nobody on earth whose ancestors did not suffer grievous injuries of some sort or other. And surely as time passes, and one generation succeeds another, the trace weakens, the scars become less inflamed, the effects attenuate. Besides, if the intention is to right grave historic wrongs, why should slavery be the sole focus? The plight of medieval serfs or early industrial workers toiling in factories and mines and dwelling in urban slums may have been better than that of slaves toiling in the West Indies, but not by much. The list of all those who suffered at the hands of brutal masters in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries is long and includes women, children, industrial workers, religious minorities, soldiers and sailors. Out of all the eligible candidates for reparations for ancient sins, how can we justify selecting black slaves for special consideration? It does not necessarily follow that we must deploy our inheritance to unravel history and reverse the centuries-old wrongdoing that helped to produce it. We did not do the wrong. Those wronged are all dead. And between then and now, much else may have intervened to enable their descendants to transcend the effects. Moreover, why should British slavery be the focus? If the historic injustice of slavery is to be rectified, then it needs to be done fairly and across the board. If the British are to be presented with a bill for compensation, then so should the descendants of the inland African chiefs who sold other Africans to the slave-traders, as well as the descendants of the Arab slave-traders who sold on the slaves to the Europeans. They all profited too. And it would only be fair if the British themselves sought compensation from the descendants of the pirates who raided Cornwall in the 1600s and carted off whole villages into slavery in North Africa. The fact is that yesterday's oppressors were themselves often the day before yesterday's victims. Some years ago, a British diplomat recounted a conversation he had shortly after Nigeria's independence with one of the country's new rulers. The ruler was pressing the case for Britain to compensate the Nigerians for decades of colonial oppression. 'I entirely agree', the diplomat replied. 'And you shall have your compensation just as soon as we get ours from the Romans.' So the case for the British making reparations for slavery does not add up. But why then is there this lust for self-condemnation by those here in Britain who support it? Take the Church of England, which, in its rush to repentance, has committed itself to making reparations amounting to at least 100million and growing to 1billion for its supposed involvement in transatlantic slavery. They have done so on grounds that are historically, empirically and morally spurious. The Church Commissioners offered only unargued assumptions, most of which are untrue, that some wealthy benefactors who gave money to the Church 'appeared' to have made their fortunes from slave-trading. On the flimsiest of evidence, they put their signatures to documents that assert that 'the transatlantic slave economy played a central role in shaping the Church we have today'. They make no mention at all of Anglican involvement in the campaign to abolish the slave-trade and slavery, and the subsequent work by missionaries, such as David Livingstone, who risked their lives endeavouring to end the slave trade in Africa. The present Church of England occupies cathedrals and churches seized by the state from Rome during the Reformation. Some of its present wealth was almost certainly squeezed out of overworked and under-rewarded medieval serfs and 19th-century industrial workers. The question of which past wrongs to address and how best to address them is a complicated one that needs a careful answer. Yet, nowhere have the Church Commissioners felt it necessary to give one. Instead they surrendered the matter entirely to an 'Oversight Group' whose members all shared the same basic assumptions, which they saw no need to subject to critical testing. In the CofE's desperation to appear 'relevant' in the 21st Century, they have trampled over the truth, a failure of due diligence that is truly shocking. This, though, is but one symptom of a larger malaise infecting English-speaking countries that are former members of the British Empire. Prime ministers, archbishops, academics, editors and public broadcasters are all in the business of exaggerating our colonial sins against noble (not-so-very) savages. An obvious reason is the admirable and well-meaning inclination to correct racial injustices and so to 'heal' race relations. But that does not explain the reckless, dismissive brushing aside of concerns about the truth in the desperate rush to confess imaginary sins and do penance for them. A prime example is Cambridge University theologian Michael Banner, who last year in his book Britain's Slavery Debt makes clear his conviction that the British are systemically racist, and that this racism stems directly from colonialism and its epitome, slavery. But why does Banner presume to project his own personal sense of guilt onto the national stage? Why does he paint the national picture in needlessly dark colours? Why is his reading about his own country's colonial record and involvement in slavery confined to a casual handful of Left-wing sources? I have no insight into his soul, but I observe that his bias is typical of his social class, one that typically considers patriotism to be vulgar at best and at worst 'fascist'. Or to be more exact, it disdains English or British patriotism, but not Irish or Scottish nationalism because they are anti-British. George Orwell identified this trait over 80 years ago in 1941 when he noted: 'England is perhaps the only great country whose intellectuals are ashamed of their own nationality. In Left-wing circles, it is always felt that there is something slightly disgraceful in being an Englishman and that it is a duty to snigger at every English institution. 'It is a strange fact, but unquestionably true that almost any English intellectual would feel more ashamed of standing to attention during 'God save the King' than of stealing from a poor box.' My complaint is that their criticism is entirely unrestrained by any sense of gratitude or loyalty towards the country that enables them to lead their privileged lives. They speak of it as if it had nothing to do with them, and cheerfully bite the national hand that feeds them, carelessly over-egging its sins and trashing its history, because they do not consider it their own. They cover themselves in a cloak of self-righteousness, forgetting that, for Christians, the paradoxical mark of the genuinely righteous person is a profound awareness of their own unrighteousness. The saint stands out as one who knows more deeply than others just what a sinner he really is. This tempers self-righteousness with compassion for fellow sinners, forbidding the righteous to cast the unrighteous beyond the human pale. But in their case, humility is infected by pride and becomes nothing more than public virtue-signalling. It is a narcissistic, self-regarding display in which the self-proclaimed penitents hog the stage and consign the alleged victims they proclaim to be supporting, be they African, Indian, or Arab, to nothing more than extras. Lord Biggar is an Anglican priest and theologian. He was Regius Professor of Moral and Pastoral Theology at Oxford University Adapted from Reparations by Nigel Biggar (Swift Press, 20). Nigel Biggar 2025. To order a copy for 18 (offer valid to 20/09/25; UK P&P free on orders over 25) go to www.mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937 At the opening of the Hollywood thriller Fight Club a film about a sinister, underground organisation that ends up unleashing havoc on an unsuspecting society Brad Pitt famously explains to its members: The first rule of Fight Club is you do not talk about Fight Club. The second rule of Fight Club is you do not talk about Fight Club. If the Prime Ministers most senior adviser Morgan McSweeney had heeded those words, the donations scandal currently engulfing Downing Street may have swirled into the Westminster sewer unnoticed. But he didnt. And as the latest revelations from this paper reveal, Keir Starmer is now drowning beneath a tide of sleaze. The leaked messages from a WhatsApp group of senior Labour MPs and peers with close links to McSweeneys shadowy lobbying group Labour Together are damning and unequivocal. They demonstrate it was open knowledge within the Labour Party that a secret slush fund was being used to propel Keir Starmer to the leadership. They show the vehicle that carried him there was Labour Together. And they prove the claim from Government sources that neither Keir, nor his leadership campaign, accepted monetary or in kind donations from Labour Together during the leadership election is a straightforward lie. But we dont actually need leaked messages to tell us that. Because we have an even better source for the revelation Morgan McSweeney breached the law, and strict parliamentary regulation, as he guided Keir Starmer to No10. Morgan McSweeney himself. When he first took control of Labour Together, McSweeneys imperative was secrecy. His plan was to use the organisation to destroy Jeremy Corbyn and install a suitably moderate and malleable figure as his replacement eventually selecting Keir Starmer as his patsy. But for it to succeed, he had to keep his true intentions hidden. Both from the vengeful Corbynites and the MPs who were nominally in charge of what they thought was a relatively innocent Labour think-tank. Last week, I met with a senior former member of the Labour Together board. It was all smoke and mirrors. They were using us to be the face of the organisation above the line. But below the water they were plotting something else. We were all played for suckers, they admitted. Labour Together was basically the Keir Starmer Shadow campaign vehicle. And then when Corbyn lost, it just became the public campaign vehicle. Leaked messages from a WhatsApp group of senior Labour MPs and peers with close links to Morgan McSweeneys shadowy lobbying group Labour Together are damning and unequivocal McSweeneys covert plan worked spectacularly. 750,000 in donations were successfully hidden. A series of surreptitious dinners were held at the home of former Labour MP Jenny Chapman later appointed his Campaign Chair to map out how to pivot Labour Togethers network of funders and pollsters into direct alignment with his leadership bid. And when Corbyn finally stood down, he and his allies personally took charge of that campaign and ruthlessly crushed their opponents on the Left. At which point McSweeney could have discreetly closed the book on his masterful coup. But he couldnt help himself. Not only did he and his colleagues commit the cardinal sin of talking about Fight Club. They scrambled to the top of Labours Southside HQ and began gleefully bellowing about it from the rooftops. Over the past five years there is not a journalist in Westminster who has not been regaled with a detailed account of how Morgan McSweeney used Labour Together to vanquish the Corbynites and catapult Keir Starmer into power. The story of how current Housing Secretary Steve Reed, then Labour Togethers Chair, met Keir Starmer in the basement restaurant of the Royal Court Theatre, and asked him if he would run for the leadership and accept Labour Togethers help. Yes and Yes, Starmer replied. The moment current Home Secretary and then Labour Together board member Shabana Mahmood told McSweeney he could thank her later for the data he had transported across to Starmers leadership campaign. When he first took control of Labour Together, McSweeneys imperative was secrecy. His plan was to use the organisation to destroy Jeremy Corbyn and install a suitably moderate and malleable figure as his replacement eventually selecting Keir Starmer (pictured with his top advisor) as his patsy The infamous quote from a McSweeney ally who claimed Keirs not driving the train. He thinks hes driving the train, but weve sat him at the front of the DLR. Left Out. Get In. Keir Starmer: The Biography. The shelves of Westminster are positively groaning under the weight of tomes chronicling the McSweeney/Labour Together putsch. Yet suddenly we are being told we must reclassify them as works of fiction, rather than current affairs. Yesterday I spoke to a senior government adviser who worked closely with McSweeney, and was supportive of his efforts to rid Labour of the scourge of Corbynism. But even he conceded: Its the lying that gets you. They literally boasted about what they did. And now theyre trying to hide it. Yet theyre not simply trying to hide their actions. In a desperate attempt to keep the Electoral Commission and Parliamentary Standards Commissioner at bay, Downing Street is now actively attempting an almost Stalinist revision of history. One in which the image of Morgan McSweeney hunched over his laptop beneath a red campaign poster hubristically stating: Keir Starmer: Another Future Is Possible is quietly airbrushed out. But its too late for that. The Labour Together scandal is now breaking open from within. As one minister told me: No10 have been ordering people to go out on broadcast and say no rules have been broken. And everyones refusing. Because they know whats coming. Whats coming, one way or another, is the truth. Because the questions are not going to go away. Why McSweeney asked for staff to be seconded to the Starmer campaign, rather than directly employed, in a bid to keep salary costs down. Then claimed to be taking a direct salary himself. Why Labour Togethers published accounts seem to show no record of the large sums that constituted the secret slush fund. Even though they purportedly had a turnover of 750,000 in just 36 months. Why did McSweeneys successor as director of Labour Together, Hannah ORourke, claim the failure to declare the slush fund had been entirely unintentional? When leaked internal emails have proven them to be anything but. This weekend there is mounting speculation within Government that Morgan McSweeney is shortly going to be asked by Keir Starmer to take on a less high-profile role. The position of Labour Party general secretary has apparently been proposed.But wherever McSweeney runs to, he is not going to able to hide. Because the first rule of Sleaze Club is: Dont talk about Sleaze Club. And the Prime Ministers most senior adviser has broken it. The other day I saw my boyfriends blood pressure monitor on his desk. I didnt feel remotely unwell and was relatively relaxed, but I have had blood pressure issues during the past year, so I thought I might as well check mine. How lucky I did. It was so high that I was at risk of an immediate stroke or heart attack. I rang my NHS surgery who immediately called me in. My GP prescribed a higher dose of medication and, after a couple of days, it came right down. But I am left with a nagging worry as to why it shot up like that? I had no symptoms, no physical warning signs. I wasnt suffering from a headache or breathlessness. I wasnt feeling dizzy and I didnt have chest pains. I was already on a medium dose of the medication that seemingly stabilised things. So how do I work out when and why this spike occurred? And why, as someone who has lived most of my life in relatively good health, do I now at 67 seem to be dealing with one thing after another? Im not good at being sanguine about this state of affairs. While I have no problem with how my body looks, I am now constantly worried about how it functions. I view excessively high blood pressure as a betrayal of the faith I had in my body to take care of itself. Ive always sneered at hypochondriacal behaviour and those who worry about their health all the time, constantly checking this and that. But experience is showing me that its not neurotic, its whats keeping me alive. AIexandra Shulman was never ill when she was editor of Vogue (pictured in 2011) Sometimes I wonder whether, if I was still working full-time as a magazine editor, none of this would have happened. After all, I was never ill as editor of Vogue. And when it came to stress during those years, I could have written a book on it. Is it because I had to psychologically hold back any illness when I was working and now Im not, the dam has broken and its payback time? Probably a stupid idea, but its a thought... Why King must keep entitled Yorks close Pity King Charles. He must feel that as soon as hes survived one family drama, another missile whizzes in and knocks him for six. He has only just managed a tentative rapprochement with his son Harry and now hes hit by Fergiegate. And not just some daft mistake of the kind the Duchess has always found unavoidable, but an unforgivable leaked email detailing her affection for paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The Yorks are clearly the nightmare couple of the family. Andrew has always been a charmless, entitled dullard and, while I have a certain fondness for Sarah, nobody could say she was the brightest bulb in the ceiling. Its unfortunate that, thanks to her marriage, her dim Sloane decisions are made in the full glare of the public. But despite all that, Andrew is the Kings brother and family is family. While there are many who think the King should ostracise Andrew and Sarah, I cant see how that would improve anything for anyone. Many families include personalities that are far from ideal. Im not some Pollyanna who sees family life as an idealised Norman Rockwell illustration, but close relations are better off if they stick together and dont fracture. Can anyone see a single upside to the rift between Princes William and Harry? There isnt one. It would be far better for all concerned if they were able to at least reach some kind of accommodation, if not real closeness. The King is no doubt absolutely infuriated by his younger brother. He would probably love Andrew to offer to evacuate the expensive 30-room Royal Lodge in Windsor. He would no doubt be delighted if he disappeared to a remote Scottish island and took up sheep farming. But Charles is also very fond of his nieces Eugenie and Beatrice who have triumphed over their parents misguided behaviour to be charming and well balanced young women and he will want to support them. The Windsors arent known as a particularly touchy-feely family the late Queen set the standard for formality and correctness. Even so, families at war ultimately self-destruct and in the name of holding things together, the King is right to keep the relationship going with all the members of his family including his unappealing younger brother. Dutch courage of the colourful Guinnesses Speaking of families, hats off to the Guinness clan who turned up en masse for the premiere of The House Of Guinness, Netflixs highly fictionalised tale of their ancestors skulduggery. The Guinness family has certainly had its fair share of controversial characters and high drama both ancient and modern enough to rival The Crown. Carrs laughing all way to Saudi bank Those beleaguered US late night talk show hosts, who refuse to kowtow to Trump despite his efforts to shut them down, are no doubt rolling their eyes at our own comedians who high-tailed it to the Riyadh Comedy Festival this weekend. Saudi Arabia is hardly a bastion of free speech, but comics such as Jack Whitehall and Jimmy Carr have decided not to bother about that small quibble in return for a lucrative appearance fee. I doubt there will be many jokes about human rights. Let us eat cake, like scrumptious Mescal Actor Paul Mescals favourite bakery not only sells scrumptious bakes, but a limited-edition Jolene cake T-shirt We are a nation in the grip of a pastry obsession. Each week, on every London corner, a new bakery pops up offering wildly appealing and off-the-chart-calorific treats. Chocolate brownies, caramel mousse tarts, artisan doughnuts the counters are stuffed with colourful temptations and the queues for them snake into the street. We have a new local Dont Tell Dad which offers an irresistible brown butter and hazelnut croissant. While Jolene, the original upmarket trendy bakery and actor Paul Mescals favourite joint, not only sells scrumptious bakes, but a limited-edition Jolene cake T-shirt. How this fits in with our simultaneous obsession with weight loss medication beats me. If you need to speak to someone, contact the A victim of female genital mutilation has revealed how she was brutally 'cut' when she was just 12. Peninah, who lives in Kenya, says the thought of another child suffering the 'horrific' pain she went through spurred her own to become a campaigner against the dangerous cultural practice. Female genital mutilation, or FGM as it is commonly known, involves cutting away external female genitalia for non-medical reasons - it commonly performed on girls up to around 15. Illegal in the UK and most countries around the world but still commonly practised in parts of Africa, the Middle East and Asia. FGM, also known as female circumcision, has no health benefits for girls and women and is not supported by any religious text, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The procedure can cause severe bleeding, problems urinating, infections and cysts, as well as complications later in life with childbirth. It's associated with an increased risk of newborn deaths and can affect sexual function and pleasure. In August, a one-month-old baby's death in The Gambia was linked to female genital mutilation. The Gambia has one of the highest rates of FGM in the world, with 73 percent of women and girls aged 15 to 49 having undergone the procedure, according to 2024 figures from UNICEF. Peninah said that being 'cut' was something that 'all girls' in her community 'were required to go through'. Above: A young Peninah holding a book The baby girl was pronounced dead upon arrival at a hospital in the capital Banjul after being 'allegedly subjected to circumcision' and developing severe bleeding, The Gambia Police Force said in a statement following the baby's death. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Peninah, who lives in Kenya, about her own experiences of the barbaric ritual, she describes how an ordinary day turned into a living nightmare after she was taken under duress for the female circumcision ceremony. The campaigner describes how she was woken up early in the morning with no warning of how her life would be changed forever hours later, and at the hands of the people she trusted the most. Peninah, now 44, was taken to a secluded place for a 'ceremony' that she was told by members of her community would help her 'become a woman' aged 12. 'It was not a choice but an expectation - something that all girls in my community were required to go through,' she tells the Daily Mail. 'There was no room for fear or hesitation. I was surrounded by older women who assured me that this was an important step in life.' She describes the physical cutting of her genitalia as 'extremely painful,' both physically and mentally. '[It] was unbearable, and there was no form of medical attention or anaesthesia to ease it.' 'I remember the feeling of helplessness, but since everyone expected me to endure it, I had no choice but to stay silent.' ''Immediately after the 'cut', I was told to stand up because I was now a woman.' Peninah says she was persuaded that undergoing the 'ceremony', which she described as 'extremely painful', would give her status in the community Four years after the barbaric procedure, the campaigner was told she would marry at 16. She now helps raise awareness of FGM and estimates she's helped at least nine girls avoid the practice, which has no medical benefit Peninah says she felt sick - but also furious - when she realised how her own health might be affected by the FGM procedure. Above: Peninah in her younger years She says that the aftermath of such brutal pseudo surgery, usually performed as part of a community's deep-rooted traditions, saw her grappling with a 'strange mix of emotions'. Like many girls who are forced into FGM, Peninah says she was falsely led into believing that she had achieved something 'important' and had gained more status by undergoing the procedure. FGM: THREE MAJOR MISCONCEPTIONS NOT BEING ABLE TO MARRY: Peninah says that people believe that a girl who has not undergone FGM will not find a husband, especially within the community. However, she notes that times are changing, and more men are now open to marrying women who have not undergone the procedure. COMMUNITY REJECTION: Peninah said another belief is that a girl who refuses FGM will be rejected by her friends and will never be fully accepted in the community. She says: 'This is used as a scare tactic to pressure young girls into undergoing the practice.' CLEANLINESS: The third misconception about FGM is that it is necessary for a girl's cleanliness or morality. 'But in reality, it only causes harm and suffering,' Peninah said. Advertisement She adds: 'However, I was also confused because, despite being called a woman, I was still just a child. I didn't understand what that meant beyond the pain I was feeling.' According to the charity Unicef, 230 million girls and women alive today have been cut around the world, with Africa accounting for the largest share of this total, with over 144 million. Female genital mutilation has been a specific offence in the UK since the Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act 1985. Peninah says the moment of incision 'changed my life completely' - because she was no longer considered a child and many more responsibilities were laid on her. 'My freedom to play with my friends was taken away because I was now expected to behave like a mature woman,' she says. 'I felt isolated from my peers who had not undergone FGM because our lives suddenly became very different. 'It also affected my ability to form close friendships and relationships because I was always conscious of what had happened to me.' Four years after being mutilated, the campaigner was forced to marry at just 16 - because FGM meant she was considered a 'woman'. 'I was not ready,' Peninah says. 'I was still a child, but in the eyes of my community, I was already a woman and was expected to take on the responsibilities of marriage. 'It was not something I had planned for myself - it was something that was imposed on me.' Explaining why so many mothers and fathers allow their daughters to be cut, she says having a female child who hasn't been 'circumcised' is still taboo in some parts of the world. Peninah says: 'Many people believe that a girl who has not undergone FGM is not ready for marriage and will bring shame to her family. 'There is also a strong fear of rejection from the community, which makes it difficult for people to challenge the practice.' She has four children, two girls aged two and 17 and two boys aged 11 and 21. Educator: Peninah now teaches girls about the risks associated with the procedure and what it can mean for their futures, including a raft of potential health issues Research by The WHO says immediate complications of FGM are common and can lead to infections such as tetanus, a haemorrhage and in some cases, even death. It's also a life sentence for many, with painful periods, an increased risk of childbirth complications, sexual problems and psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and low self-esteem all reported. Peninah says she felt sick - but also furious - when she realised how her own health might be affected: 'When I first learned about the dangers of FGM, I felt devastated. 'I was angry and heartbroken because I had gone through something so painful without truly understanding what it meant. 'That realisation gave me the passion to become an advocate, to speak out against FGM, and to educate other girls so that they don't have to go through what I did.' Her ensuing rage has fuelled Peninah's mission to prevent as many women and girls from going through FGM - she has been trained in child protection and child rights by the charity World Vision. Speaking out against FGM has come at a price though. The campaigner has faced a backlash - and widespread rejection - in her community, with some chastising Peninah for 'going against the culture'. 'Some elders and even women in the community believe that I am corrupting the younger generation by discouraging them from undergoing FGM,' she says. 'However, I remain strong in my mission because I know that what I am doing is right and is saving lives.' There have been rich rewards for her efforts too. Peninah says she's helped at least nine girls escape FGM by informing them about the risks associated with the procedure and what it can mean for their future health and wellbeing - something she wishes she had been told about before she underwent FGM. What is female genital mutilation (FGM)? Female genital mutilation (FGM) involves the partial or total removal of external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. The practice has no health benefits for girls and women and is not supported by any religious text. FGM can cause severe bleeding and problems urinating, and later cysts, infections, as well as complications in childbirth and increased risk of newborn deaths. More than 200 million girls and women alive today have been cut in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia where FGM is concentrated. The practice also takes place in some Latin American countries and among immigrant communities worldwide. FGM is mostly carried out on young girls between infancy and the age of 15. Girls are commonly taken out of school after being subjected to the practice and forced into early marriage. FGM is a violation of the human rights of girls and women. The World Health Organization is opposed to all forms of FGM, and is opposed to health care providers performing FGM. Despite being illegal in most countries, the practice persists as implementation and enforcement of laws are complicated by practical and cultural factors. Treatment of health complications of FGM in 27 high prevalence countries costs $1.4 billion per year. Source: World Health Organization (WHO) Advertisement Anti Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) protesters hold placards outside the National Assembly in Banjul in The Gambia in March 2024; according to the charity Unicef, 230 million girls and women alive today have been cut around the world 'When I talk to them about the pain, trauma, and risks associated with it, many of them are shocked,' she says. 'They had always been told that FGM was a good thing, something necessary for their future. But once they understand the truth, they are grateful and determined to stand against it.' One of the girls she has helped escape was 12-year-old aspiring court judge, Lente. 'It frightens me. I am so afraid of FGM and early marriage as it would not benefit me at all,' Lente said. 'It frustrates me at times. We have been taught that FGM should stop since [it] affects girls and can lead to deaths... Also, FGM leads to child marriage, which is so unfair.' Peninah says that helping Lente was 'of the most fulfilling moments in my journey' and that seeing her go through counselling and mentorship has helped give her more motivation to continue her mission. 'It reassures me that what I am doing is making a difference and that more girls can be saved from this harmful practice,' she says. 'FGM is not just a personal issue, it is a human rights issue. We need to continue educating both girls and their families so that they can make informed decisions. 'I believe that with more awareness, support, and community engagement, we can end FGM for good.' The UK has seen several high profile cases of conspiracy to commit female genital mutilation (FGM), including that of former PhD student and Nottingham University Professor Emad Kady. Earlier this year, Kady had a four-and-half-year sentence, handed out in November 2024, increased to seven years after his initial term was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Scheme. Former PHD student and Nottingham University Professor Emad Kady (pictured) arriving at Nottingham Crown Court in August 2024 ahead of his trial for conspiracy to commit female genital mutilation - his sentence was increased from four-and-a-half to seven years in February The UK's laws on FGM Female genital mutilation has been a specific offence in the UK since the Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act 1985. The 1985 Act was replaced by the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003. The 2003 Act includes assisting and taking children abroad to be cut. Carrying out FGM currently carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. In 2019, the mother of a three-year-old girl became the first person to be found guilty of FGM in the UK. The woman was jailed for 11 years for mutilating a little girl, aged 3, at her flat in Walthamstow, London, in the landmark case. However, until now, no one had been convicted for taking a girl abroad for the FGM. Advertisement The 48-year-old had made 'barbaric' arrangements for an unaware young girl to travel from the United Kingdom to Iraq before being reported by a witness. Police seized his phone, where they found evidence that Kady 'clearly' intended to subject the young girl to FGM, the Crown Prosecution Service previously argued. Kady, who had been living in Swansea prior to his jail sentence, had also planned to have his victim forced into marriage. He denied any wrongdoing, and it was heard during a trial at Nottingham Crown Court he referred to his actions as 'normal,' saying '(she) is not going to die, a lot of people are practising it. Speaking in February following the decision to increase his sentence, solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP said: 'FGM is a sickening crime and this government is determined to stamp out the practice as part of our mission to halve violence against women and girls. 'This offender intended to inflict grotesque physical and mental suffering upon a child. The court has rightly decided to increase his sentence to reflect the severity of his crime.' The former professor, who has no previous convictions, has been sentenced to seven years in jail and placed on the sex offender register for life. And in a landmark case in 2023, Amina Noor, then 39, was convicted by jurors at the Old Bailey of aiding the female genital mutilation of a three-year-old British girl during a trip to Kenya in 2006, making her the first person to be convicted in England of committing the crime overseas. In the first conviction of its kind in 2023, Amina Noor, then 39, was been found guilty at the Old Bailey of assisting a non-UK person to carry out female genital mutilation on a three-year-old British girl during a trip to Kenya in 2006 The court heard that Noor had taken the three-year-old girl to a 'clinic' via tuk-tuk where she was asked to wait outside a private house as the child was mutilated. Her crime only came to light years later in November 2018 when the victim, then 16, told her English teacher what had happened. When Noor, from Harrow, London, was confronted by police she acted shocked and claimed she had not been 'told the truth' about what would happen to the victim. She instead argued that she thought the little girl would have been injected or pierced in a procedure known as 'Gudniin' - the Arabic word for circumcision. But medical experts who examined the child found she had not been simply injected but had suffered severe mutilation of her genitals, which most likely would have caused significant bleeding and extreme pain. Giving evidence throughout her trial, Noor claimed she was threatened with being 'cursed' and 'disowned' from her community if she did not take part. The case saw the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) working alongside the police and National Crime Agency to prove that during her visit to Kenya, Noor knew some form of FGM was being committed against the victim. Investigators were able to find that she intentionally assisted with the commission of the offence. Noor was jailed for seven years in February 2024. If you need to speak to someone, contact the NSPCC FGM helpline on: 0800 028 3550 Princess Eugenie took to Instagram on Friday to share her first public statement since an email from her mother Sarah Ferguson to Jeffrey Epstein was made public. The Duchess of York, 65, hit the headlines after it was revealed she wrote to the late paedophile financier in 2011 to apologise for disavowing him in a public statement following his conviction for child sexual abuse offences. Following the publication of the email, in which she described him as a 'supreme' friend, Sarah has been dropped by seven charities. As pressure mounted on the duchess, she was forced to come out and claim she was being threatened and was trying to appease him out of fear over what he might do to her family. Amid the wave of headlines about the scandal, Eugenie, 35, posted a statement on social media about a recent event she hosted in New York in collaboration with the Anti Slavery Collective - a charity the royal co-founded. She shared a number of pictures from the do, accompanying them with a caption which said: 'The Anti-Slavery Collective have been working on a project showing the connection between fake fashion & forced labour. 'I was very proud to host an event to coincide with UNGA and NYC Climate Week to launch this exciting new project, and shine a light on this underreported human rights scandal. 'The Anti-Slavery Collective launched a new short film and hosted a roundtable for fashion insiders, re-seller platforms, designers, brands, behavioural scientists, fashion press, and illicit trade experts. Princess Eugenie (pictured) took to Instagram on Friday to share her first public statement since an email sent by her mother to Jeffrey Epstein was leaked last weekend 'This is only the beginning and I cant wait to see this project unfold!' Her statement came days after the Duchess of York's spokesman said that Epstein had threatened to destroy the York's family in a 'chilling' phone call after she gave an interview publicly disowning him. Speaking on Tuesday, James Henderson, claimed that Sarah's fawning email came after a 'chilling call' in which a 'menacing and nasty' Epstein threatened to 'destroy the York family' in 'a Hannibal Lecter-type voice'. 'The pressure she was put under to protect her family must have been huge,' he said. 'And this was long before the Duke's life had been ruined by his association with Epstein. Her family and her children will always come first.' Epstein was apparently raging when she called him a paedophile in public and cited accepting 15,000 from him to settle her debts as a 'terrible, terrible error of judgment'. In the emails, the duchess 'humbly apologised' and told the sex trafficker she was aware that he would 'feel hellaciously let down by me'. Prince Andrew has already been forced to relinquish all his public duties and offices as a result of his association with Epstein and is barred from attending official royal events. In her statement (pictured) on Instagram, the princess discussed the new project her charity has embarked on Now a royal expert has claimed that as a result of the scandal, a question mark hangs over the future of the public lives of Eugenie and her sister Beatrice, 37. The sisters, despite not being working royals, have HRH titles and are ninth and 12th in line to the throne respectively. They have public patronages and projects they are passionate about: for Beatrice, this includes dyslexia, while Eugenie is committed to ending modern slavery. Speaking to the Daily Mail, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams affirmed that while their 'current projects' are unlikely to be affected by their parents' now 'toxic' brand, the princesses' public future is much more unclear. Richard explained that Beatrice and Eugenie's personal 'closeness' to their parents may mean they are not involved 'at least for a period, probably a considerable period, in new charitable projects'. He said: 'When a brand becomes toxic, its effect obviously spreads to public figures who are attached to it. 'They are well established as a duo with constructive reach and for this reason I doubt that any of their current projects will be affected by the toxicity which has affected the York brand. I am, of course, assuming that no embarrassing information comes to light which involves them personally. 'The Duchess of York's disgrace is huge news, however, and likely to cause them both enormous personal hurt. Eugenie (pictured, left) is photographed with her sister Princess Beatrice (pictured, right) during the Anti Slavery Collective event 'The Yorks have always been a close-knit family. However, their closeness to their parents is likely to mean that they are not involved, at least for a period, probably a considerable period, in new charitable projects. 'This will be a deeply painful period for the sisters as their parents are both likely to languish in public disgrace and foreseeably so.' Meanwhile, royal author Phil Dampier suggested that any hope of the princesses one day playing a greater role in King Charles's slimmed-down monarchy could now be called into question. He said: 'I [...] believe they would do more for the royal family if the King asked them, but that is probably a non-starter now that both the Duke and Duchess of York are in the doghouse.' However, he said that the sisters' good reputation - with their own careers and families - will stand them in good stead to avoid the consequences of their parents' actions. 'Bea and Eugenie will obviously be devastated by what has happened to their parents but they are old enough and now wise enough to know the truth,' Phil told the Daily Mail. 'The late Queen always said that whatever her faults, Sarah Ferguson was a "good mother" and her daughters are a testament to that. 'They are both now happily married mothers and they do good work for their own charities. 'Bea and Eugenie have carved out their own careers and come across as popular and well-balanced individuals.' Royal watchers may have been surprised to learn of Prince Harry's meeting with King Charles at Clarence House earlier this month. Harry, 41, saw his father, 76, in person for the first time in around 18 months for a 53-minute meeting, during which they are believed to have swapped gifts and had tea. The appointment was seen as a significant but tentative step towards repairing the troubled relationship between Charles and Harry. However, it has been reported that there are currently no plans for the pair to be seen in public together or for Harry to return for a 'half-in, half-out' hybrid royal role. It is understood that the King is steadfast in upholding the Sandringham Agreement, made in January 2020, which rejected Harry's bid for a hybrid role. But it's said he still remains open for another private meeting next time Harry is in London. When the royal father and son reunited, they are said to have greeted each other warmly with kisses on the cheek. They then had tea privately, and swapped gifts, with Harry believed to have given his father a pictured of his children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Harry recently had a 53-minute meeting with his father - the first time the pair met face-to-face in around 18 months (pictured in London in April 2019) With regards to the gifts, a spokesperson for the Duke told the Sun: 'While we would have preferred that elements of the meeting such as the exchange of gifts was not revealed, for clarification purposes gifts were exchanged and a photo from the Duke to his father was given but it was not of him and his wife.' There have been reports that Harry felt the meeting was very formal. However, a spokesperson has dismissed this claim, saying: 'Recent reporting of The Duke's view of the tone of the meeting, is categorically false.' As the visit took place several days before the prince turned 41, it is reported that the king gave his son an early birthday present. It has been reported that Harry arrived for the visit at 5:21pm, before leaving at 6.14pm to go to an Invictus Games reception. The King, who had a number of engagements on the day - the shortest of which was the meeting with his youngest son - had flown down earlier from Balmoral. Until this meeting, Harry and Charles had not seen each other face-to-face since February 2024. That meeting took place when the Duke made a transatlantic dash to the UK following the King's cancer diagnosis. When the royal father and son reunited, they are said to have greeted each other warmly with kisses on the cheek (pictured in London in February 2018) Charles has not seen his grandchildren since the Platinum Jubilee in June 2022, with Harry claiming it is not safe for them to fly back to the UK. It's been reported that Prince William and Harry did not see each other during the four-day trip amid an ongoing row between the estranged brothers, which shows no sign of healing. It has since been suggested that Harry's meeting with Charles was an attempt to cause a split between the King and William. A spokesperson for Harry 'categorically' denied the claims and insisted that Harry is 'not trying to drive a wedge' between William and Charles. Father-of-two Harry has previously expressed his hopes of reconciliation with his family amid his belief that they may never forgive him after his public accusations. Harry, who stepped down from the working monarchy in 2020, levelled a barrage of accusations at Kate, William, Charles and his stepmother Queen Camilla in his Oprah Winfrey interview, Netflix documentary, interviews and his autobiography Spare. Harry previously claimed Charles was jealous of his wife Meghan Markle and the King did not hug him when he told him his mother Princess Diana had died. Harry said he believed the King was 'never made' for single parenthood, but 'to be fair, he tried'. Charles, according to Harry, pleaded with his sons during a tense meeting after Prince Philip's funeral: 'Please, boys. Don't make my final years a misery.' Prince Harry has previously voiced his hopes for a reconciliation with his family (pictured with King Charles at the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth on September 19, 2022) Relations between William and Harry have long been strained despite their former close bond with the shared trauma of their mother's death in a car crash when they were 15 and 12. The fallout is said to have begun before Harry's wedding to former Suits star Meghan, with the Duke accusing William of being snobbish to his bride. In the interview with Oprah, Meghan described how Kate made her cry ahead of her wedding after reports had initially said Meghan had left Kate in tears at Princess Charlotte's bridesmaid dress fitting. Another account in Harry's candid autobiography Spare caused friction between the siblings, when he accused William of physically attacking him and pushing him into a dog bowl in a row over Meghan, and teasing him about his panic attacks. He also alleged it was William and Kate who encouraged him to wear a Nazi uniform to a fancy dress party in 2005 and 'howled' with laughter when they saw it. The young woman had no symptoms except for a pea-sized lump A young Aussie PT thought she was perfectly healthy - then she found a lump in her breast while watching Netflix. That lump, she soon learned, was the one and only sign of her stage three breast cancer. Now four years on, she has endured surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation and IVF - and is now urging women of all ages to have those 'uncomfortable' conversations that could save a life. For Karley Spicer, it was an ordinary Sunday night. The disability support worker and fitness instructor from Bateau Bay, NSW, had just curled up in bed after a long day. 'I was just laying around watching Netflix,' the now 38-year-old told the Daily Mail. 'It had probably been six months since my last self-examination, which was unusual for me. Normally I'd check every three to four months, but I thought, why not now?' Within seconds, her life changed. 'I found a lump. I didn't panic straight away - I'd had cysts before, and a scare when I was 22, but they always turned out to be nothing. But this felt different. It was hard, pea-shaped.' Karley booked an appointment with her GP immediately. The doctor sent her for an ultrasound 'just to be sure' - but what was meant to be a routine scan quickly became her worst nightmare She discovered the lump in her breast just four months after her wedding The doctor sent her for an ultrasound 'just to be sure' - but what was meant to be a routine scan quickly became her worst nightmare. 'They found another lump. Then the biopsy confirmed it was stage three breast cancer,' she said. 'I went from being a healthy 34-year-old, newly married and planning a family, to someone facing the fight of her life. It was a whirlwind.' The diagnosis brought a rush of fear and disbelief. 'My first thought was, this can't be real. I had no family history of breast cancer. I was so healthy - I was a fitness instructor, I'd done bodybuilding competitions, Muay Thai, I'd never even stayed in a hospital before.' Karley's world quickly turned upside down when doctors discovered that the two lumps had already grown into 11 satellite tumours. 'It just showed how quickly cancer can spread,' she said. But the hardest blow wasn't about her own body - it was about the future she had pictured with her husband. 'My first thought was, this can't be real. I had no family history of breast cancer. I was so healthy - I was a fitness instructor, I'd done bodybuilding competitions, Muay Thai, I'd never even stayed in a hospital before,' Karley said Karley's world quickly turned upside down when doctors discovered that the two lumps had already grown into 11 satellite tumours 'I'd only just been married for four months,' she said. 'We were trying for a baby. And suddenly I was told I couldn't even think about having children for at least five years. That absolutely broke me.' Almost immediately, Karley was connected with the 'Pink Ladies' breast care team, who helped her explore fertility preservation options before starting chemotherapy. 'They were amazing. They sat me down and said, look, this isn't the end for your dream of becoming a mum. Within weeks I had started IVF. I had two rounds of egg retrieval and we froze embryos before my treatment began.' In October 2021, Karley had a mastectomy to remove the breast that contained cancer. Once she had healed, she faced six gruelling months of chemotherapy. The side effects were relentless. 'The nausea was the worst,' she admitted. 'I describe it as a 24/7 hangover - the worst one you've ever had in your life, but it just doesn't go away. 'I lost my hair, which was confronting, but I tried to turn it into something positive. I donated it to Wigs for Kids and raised $21,500 for children with cancer. That gave me strength - it made the loss feel worthwhile.' She also endured exhaustion, body aches, and burns from six weeks of radiation. 'People think once treatment is over, you bounce back. But the truth is, it takes a long time. You're not the same person afterwards - not physically, not emotionally. Your whole world shifts.' In October 2021, Karley had a mastectomy to remove the breast that contained cancer. Once she had healed, she faced six gruelling months of chemotherapy Karley's hope now is simple: that her story inspires others to check themselves, talk openly, and never put off that self-exam Just as she was starting to heal and regain some normality, another lump appeared. 'In November 2022, I felt something in my left breast. My heart just sank,' Karley said. But this time, the lump was benign. However the scare was enough for her to make a life-changing decision. 'I decided to have a double mastectomy, just to be safe,' she explained. Karley says one of the most surprising things was discovering that treatment doesn't end when chemo and radiation are over. 'I think that's something nobody talks about,' she said. 'I was put on hormone blockers for five years, and monthly injections to shut down my ovaries. The idea is to stop oestrogen, because my cancer was oestrogen positive. It was like being put into chemical menopause.' That came with hot flushes, aches, pains - and more delays to her dream of motherhood. 'But I made a deal with my oncologist. Because I'm doing so well now, she's letting me come off the medication early so I can try for a baby. After that, I'll go back on the hormone blockers.' For Karley, one of the toughest parts wasn't the surgery or even the chemo - it was telling people about her diagnosis She told her close family and work colleagues first, then slowly began to share the news with friends For Karley, one of the toughest parts wasn't the surgery or even the chemo - it was telling people. 'Having that first conversation with my family and friends was the hardest thing I've ever done,' she admitted. 'I didn't want to make them upset. Saying it out loud made it real.' She told her close family and work colleagues first, then slowly began to share the news with friends. 'I was so lucky. They rallied around me - bringing meals during COVID, sending flowers, checking in. 'My husband was my rock. He let me cry and be vulnerable when I was trying so hard to be strong in front of everyone else. My parents were incredible too, they took care of me throughout. Having that support made all the difference.' She now urges people not to shy away from reaching out to loved ones going through treatment. 'Even if someone looks strong on the outside, they still need someone to talk to,' she said. 'Sometimes it's just having a cup of tea, sitting with them, and letting them be real. That can mean more than you'll ever know.' Karley has partnered with the Uncomfortable Cup campaign, run by Tetley and Breast Cancer Network Australia, to encourage people to break the silence Today, Karley is off medication, undergoing yearly checkups, and preparing to restart IVF with her husband. 'I'm feeling good, I'm feeling healthy, and we're finally ready to try again for a family,' she said. Karley has partnered with the Uncomfortable Cup campaign, run by Tetley and Breast Cancer Network Australia, to encourage people to break the silence. Every day in Australia, 58 people are diagnosed with breast cancer. It remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women, with more than 21,000 new cases expected in 2025. Heartbreakingly, nine Australians die from the disease every single day. Despite these confronting numbers, conversations about breast cancer are often avoided, leaving many women to face their fears in silence. 'As uncomfortable as it is, having that conversation could save your life - or someone else's,' Karley said. Karley's hope now is simple: that her story inspires others to check themselves, talk openly, and never put off that self-exam. Breast Cancer Network Australia helps ensure that all Australians who are affected by breast cancer receive the very best care, treatment and support. Together with Tetley, BCNA has launched a new national initiative called The Uncomfortable Cup to encourage Australians to have difficult but necessary conversations about breast cancer. Tetley is raising funds to support the BCNA through a limited-edition pink pack of Tetley Tea Cup 100s. Five cents for every pack sold will be donated to BCNA. Learn more and donate at www.tetley.com.au/theuncomfortablecup/ For more information go to bcna.org.au or call the free and confidential hotline on 1800 500 258. A smoker who traded cigarettes for vapes to be 'healthier' revealed how she nearly died after the devices triggered a rare lung disease. Zoe Shackleford, 29, from Strasburg, Virginia, first started smoking cigarettes at 18, but after four years, she switched to e-cigarettes in the belief they would be a healthier alternative to tobacco. The devices are often touted as being less toxic than traditional cigarettes and are promoted as a smoking cessation aid. For nearly eight years, she used refillable vape devices. But last month, looking for more convenience, she made the switch to disposable vapes - a decision that would nearly end her life. While refillable vapes and disposable vapes may appear similar, there is a big difference. With refillable vapes, e-liquids tend to be more regulated and sold by specialty shops or online, while the disposable equivalents often contain unlisted or unknown chemicals; some use synthetic nicotine or high concentrations of sweeteners, artificial flavors, or heavy metals. Meanwhile, the heating elements in refillable vapes are usually made of stainless steel or ceramic coils, while the disposable offerings often use cheaper metals (nickel, chromium, tin, lead), which can leach into the vapor being inhaled. After finishing three disposable vapes (one vape can be equivalent to hundreds of puffs or even multiple packs of cigarettes, depending on the device) Shackleford said she saw her health quickly deteriorate and began experiencing what she initially thought was a mild cold. Zoe Shackleford first started smoking cigarettes at 18 but after around four years, switched to e-cigarettes in the belief they would be a 'healthier' alternative Your browser does not support iframes. 'I thought it was from swimming,' she said. 'I had a sore throat. I didn't think much of it.' But within 48 hours, she found herself struggling to breathe, even during basic activities like changing clothes or using the bathroom. Shackleford then became completely breathless while speaking, and realized something was seriously wrong. On August 17, she was rushed to the hospital, where doctors found her airways were functioning at just 50 percent. 'When I was first admitted to the hospital, I had only 50 percent of my airway open. It was completely closing off,' she said. '[Doctors] said if I hadn't come that night, I probably wouldn't have made it to the hospital.' At the hospital, Shackleford was tested for pneumonia, bronchitis, and sepsis - but all results came back negative. Her condition worsened despite initial treatments. 'They didn't know how to treat me. Everything they were trying wasn't working, so they kept going with the breathing treatments.' She was kept in the hospital for nine days, receiving supplemental oxygen to help her breathe, steroids to open her airways, and antibiotics to combat any possible infection. Upon discharge, she was referred to a lung specialist for further evaluation. Following a detailed consultation, the specialist diagnosed her with hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) - a rare inflammatory lung condition triggered by an immune response to inhaled substances. On August 17, she went to the hospital where doctors reportedly said her airways were at 50 percent capacity and she could have died if she hadn't sought urgent medical attention 'He said that I have something called hypersensitivity pneumonitis. He said he hasn't seen this in two years,' Shackleford recalled. 'The vape that I was using had a chemical that was reacting negatively with my lungs - basically closing off my airway.' HP is caused by inhaling substances like mold, bird droppings, or chemical vapors, and it leads to severe inflammation in the tiny air sacs and airways of the lungs. Without prompt treatment, it can lead to permanent lung scarring. While rare - affecting just one to three people per 100,000 annually - HP is well-documented in people exposed to environmental irritants. It is sometimes referred to as 'farmer's lung' because it plagues one percent of farmers, who are repeatedly exposed to mold grown on hay, straw and grain. It has also been dubbed 'bird fancier's lung' because it can be caused by breathing in particles from feathers or bird droppings. Many other substances can trigger similar disease patterns. In many cases it can be very difficult to find the exact cause. The symptoms include cough, shortness of breath and sometimes fever and joint pains. In Shackleford's case, doctors traced the cause back to a chemical used in her disposable vape. Now home and recovering, Shackleford is on asthma medication once a day and uses an inhaler twice daily. 'I'm feeling a lot better, I'm not losing my breath as much,' she said. 'When I first came out of the hospital, even taking a shower exhausted me. I have trouble catching my breath sometimes but it's not as bad.' She has since quit vaping and smoking altogether, a decision she admits hasn't been easy. 'It's a little bit of a challenge because I do miss it, but I think I miss the motion more,' she said. 'I feel like I snack more now.' But she's clear that no craving is worth risking her life again. 'If you can get to a point of stopping, I would - that was one of the scariest experiences of my life. 'Honestly, it's not worth it. You only get one life. Something so simple as stopping vaping can help save it.' Stopping her vaping habit has also saved Shackleford money, as she would go through a $25 disposable vape every 10 days. Zoe at first dismissed her symptoms as catching a sore throat from swimming late at night - however soon she couldn't speak without losing her breath and rushed to the hospital And study published in June by University of California that tested seven flavored e-cigarettes from three of the most popular brands (ELF Bar, Flum Pebble and Esco) found the disposable vapes release more cancer-causing toxic metals than cigarettes. The above graphic shows the heavy metals in different parts of the tested disposable vapes Vapes and e-cigarettes have long been marketed as a safer alternative to tobacco and a tool for quitting smoking - and in many cases, they may carry fewer immediate toxins than cigarettes. But recent studies are raising alarm bells, particularly around disposable vapes. A 2024 University of California study analyzed seven popular flavored disposable vapes - including ELF Bar, Flum Pebble, and Esco - and found they released more toxic heavy metals than cigarettes. One of the vapes tested released more lead in a single day than 20 packs of cigarettes. These metals - including lead, nickel, and chromium - come from the heating coils inside the devices, which leach into the liquid and are inhaled. They have been linked to serious health risks including cancer, asthma, and lung scarring. Despite concerns about the health consequences, vaping continues to grow in popularity, especially among young people. In 2024, 3.5 percent of US middle schoolers and 7.8 percent of high schoolers reported vaping in the past 30 days. That translates to approximately 410,000 middle school and 1.21 million high school students. Meanwhile, adult use of e-cigarettes increased from 4.5 percent in 2019 to 6.5 percent in 2023. Shackleford's message to others is simple: don't assume vaping is harmless. 'I was surprised it was the vaping because you hear stories of everybody else until it actually happens to you,' she said. 'That was one of the scariest experiences of my life. It's not worth it.' READ MORE: Experts raise alarm over rise of marijuana addiction A healthy woman in Georgia is believed to have suffered a cardiac arrest from smoking marijuana. The 26-year-old arrived at her local emergency department immediately after her fiance found her unconscious on their bathroom floor, forcing emergency medical workers to resuscitate her. Upon arriving at the hospital, doctors found she had undergone cardiac arrest, meaning her heart suddenly stopped beating. She had no underlying health issues, and the only drug she tested positive for was tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component in marijuana that gives users a euphoria or 'high.' She was also negative for heart conditions like an arrhythmia that would have made her prone to cardiac arrest. Doctors treating the unnamed woman diagnosed her with ventricular fibrillation, a life-threatening type of heart rhythm caused by the heart's lower chambers contracting rapidly. This prevents the heart from pumping blood and oxygen to the body. This led to a 'cannabis-induced cardiac arrest,' the team said. The case comes as a mountain of recent studies have suggested cannabis use raises the risk of heart attack, stroke and coronary artery syndrome. An unidentified woman in Georgia suffered a 'cannabis-induced cardiac arrest,' despite having no underlying heart conditions (stock image) Your browser does not support iframes. And cardiovascular disease, which includes cardiac arrest, is America's biggest killer, taking nearly 1million lives every year. The findings also come amid a 66 percent increase in heart attacks among young people between 2019 and 2023. Experts are racing to find the cause of the mysterious heart attacks, but early research suggests obesity, sedentary lifestyle and Covid could be to blame, along with use of drugs like marijuana. Doctors treating the woman, from WellStar Spalding Health System in Georgia, wrote in a medical journal: 'This case highlights a rare but critical presentation of cannabis-induced cardiac arrest in a young, previously healthy woman. 'Unlike most published reports that focus on older adults or those with underlying cardiac abnormalities, our patient had no structural heart disease, genetic predisposition, or metabolic derangement.' It's unclear exactly how much cannabis the woman consumed or how often she engaged in the habit, but doctors noted she was a 'chronic' user, which could mean several times a week. About 18million Americans report using marijuana daily or nearly every day. Cannabis use is also on the rise, largely due to recent decriminalization across the US. From 1992 to 2022, daily and near-daily use has seen a 15-fold increase. Your browser does not support iframes. The woman's doctors are unsure why exactly cannabis led to a cardiac arrest, but they noted THC can cause an increase in heart rate, which forced the heart's muscles to work harder to pump blood and deliver oxygen to the rest of the body. A May 2025 study published in JAMA Cardiology also found that marijuana smokers had a 52 percent reduction in blood vessel function compared to those who never used the drug. Endothelial cells, which line the blood vessels and regulate blood flow, released less nitric oxide in people who regularly smoked marijuana or took edibles. Nitric oxide helps blood vessels dilate and deliver vital oxygen throughout the body. This impaired function affects the blood vessels' ability to dilate, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes. In the United States, marijuana is fully legal - for recreational and medicinal use - in 29 states. It is fully illegal in four states. Laws in the remaining states are mixed, meaning the drug may be permitted for medicinal use, allowed only in the form of CBD oil, be decriminalized or be a combination of these. Data shows that heart attack cases are on the rise in young Americans. The new study suggests marijuana could partly be to blame The woman's medical team noted that as legalization increases, doctors need to closely evaluate chronic cannabis users for potential heart issues. They wrote: 'Recreational cannabis use is steadily increasing among both adults and youth due to expanding legalization and easy accessibility, underscoring the urgent need for greater public and clinical awareness of its potential health risks. 'This case highlights the serious cardiovascular consequences of THC.' The woman's heart rhythm returned to normal within a week, and she was discharged from the hospital to a nursing facility with a wearable cardioverter-defibrillator. The device is a vest that contains a defibrillator, which detects abnormal heart rhythms and sends an electric shock to return them back to normal. Scientists say they are on the brink of creating a breakthrough treatment for multiple sclerosis which could repair nerve damage caused by the condition. MS causes the body to attack myelin, the protective membrane around nerve cells, causing debilitating symptoms such as fatigue, pain, spasms and problems with walking. But medics have found a combination of the diabetes drug metformin and clemastine, an antihistamine, can help repair myelin. Researchers believe repairing the membrane can also prevent further degeneration of damaged nerves. Studies on animals had found metformin enhanced the effect of clemastine, but until now the two drugs have not been tested together in people. Dr Nick Cunniffe, academic neurologist at Cambridge University, who led the trial, said: 'We still need to research the long-term benefits and side-effects before people with MS consider taking these drugs. 'But my instinct is that we are on the brink of a new class of treatments to stop MS progression, and within the next decade we could see the first licensed treatment that repairs myelin and improves the lives of people living with MS.' More than 150,000 people in the UK live with multiple sclerosis. Scientists say they are on the brink of creating a breakthrough treatment for multiple sclerosis which could repair nerve damage caused by the condition (Stock photo) Dr Emma Gray, director of research at the MS Society, which funded the trial, said: 'These results could represent a turning point. This research gives us real hope that myelin repair drugs will be part of the armoury of MS treatments in the future.' Some 70 people with relapsing MS took part in the six-month Cambridge Centre for Myelin Repair trial Two, with half given the drug combination and the other half given a placebo. Experts then measured how quickly signals travelled between the eyes and the brain. The results suggested that, while the speed of signals slowed down in the placebo group over the course of six months, they remained constant in the drug group, suggesting a degree of boost to nerve function. The research is expected to be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Olivia Attwood opens up on divorce rumours as she admits she and Bradley Dack 'really weren't getting on very well' as she reflects on using partying to cope Britain is a manufacturing powerhouse, with everything from niche engineering to technology and pharma products made here by high-margin, highly-skilled businesses. We sold an impressive 452billion of British-made items last year, with notable growth in sales of beer and aeroplane parts. But figures last week revealed the sector is struggling. So its more essential than ever to look for that Made in Britain logo and support firms manufacturing on home turf. Plus, many companies that manufacture in Britain could give your portfolio a financial and patriotic boost. Here are three businesses that fly the flag with pride. G&H Changing the oddly named Gooch & Housego to the snappier G&H hasnt made prospective investors any wiser about what this company does. Ever since it was set up in Somerset by two evacuated optical scientists (Leslie Housego and Archie Gooch) in the late 1940s, G&H has made lenses and crystals its business and, as its website points out, its expertise is in making very difficult things very well. Nowadays, that means producing imaging systems for submarines and tanks as well as components for tattoo removal equipment, portable ultrasound systems and subsea telecoms cables. In the UK, G&H operates in Ashford, Ilminster, Torquay, St Asaph and Plymouth, and also has manufacturing bases in the US following a recent Stateside acquisition. Its expertise puts G&H squarely into many of the worlds current growth markets, including defence, communications and life sciences. Brokers believe the company will benefit particularly strongly from increases in UK military spending in the coming years. Robin Byde, at Zeus, says the military spending reviews focus on drones and autonomous vehicles is good news for G&H and points out that aerospace and defence is now 35 per cent of the companys revenues. Valuation-wise, G&H looks cheap against international peers. Thats partly because it had two profits warnings in 2024 and is still recovering. Junes half-year figures were in line with expectations, though, and analysts were comforted by strong order books and a sustainable margin growth. There are some clouds fogging G&Hs viewfinders, such as US trade tariff uncertainty, but these are offset by robust spending on defence and the ability of companies like G&H with very high technical specifications to pass on their increased costs to their customers. The company also pays a dividend, yielding around 2.4 per cent. The shares hit nearly 15 in 2021, far higher than their current 5.74. Theyre also traded on AIM, which means that if you hold them outside your pension, they may have a lighter inheritance tax burden when you pass them on. Buy. Traded on: Aim Ticker: GHH Contact: gandh.com HALMA Halma is one of those FTSE 100 businesses that its notoriously hard to get a handle on, partly because its nearly 50 businesses at once. The firm acquires companies with technology solutions that solve niche problems, from elevator safety to cervical cancer screening sample collection. Each company has its own board and is managed separately, but the idea is that Halmas financial firepower and business specialists can help them to grow. Many Halma companies make products in Britain, from water analysis firm Palintest in Gateshead, in Tyne and Wear, to Apollo Fire Detectors in Havant, Hampshire. It also has a large US presence. As Russ Mould, from DIY investment group AJ Bell, points out, when regulations are tightened for factories or residences, its good news for Halmas hazard detection businesses. Companies must invest in things such as safety equipment, whatever the state of the economy, so the non-discretionary nature of many of Halmas products works in its favour. Investing in Halma is not risk free, though. Its not easy to see the impact of US tariffs yet, and the companys excellent track record comes at a price for investors the shares are now at 33.56, up nearly 25 per cent this year. For those who are long-term investors this may be worth a buy on share price weakness, such as this week when the shares fell 0.7 per cent. Traded on: Main market Ticker: HLMA Contact: halma.com NICHOLS AIM-listed Nichols makes the iconic fruit-flavoured drink Vimto in Ross-on-Wye and claims its the eighth most chosen beverage in the UK. The company now also produces a range of Levi Roots branded carbonated soft drinks as well as post-mix syrups for pubs and caterers. Vimto began in 1908 as Vimtonic, an energy drink, and the company boasts that only a handful of people know the secret blend of fruit and herbs. Among them are likely to be the members of the Nichols family who are still on the board and hold over a third of the companys shares. Family ownership gives the company ballast, and it is conservatively managed, but Vimto also has growth prospects in the pipeline. Nicholas Hyett, from AIMs Wealth Club, says that although the UK accounts for around 75 per cent of sales, the Middle East and Africa are long term growth opportunities. Vimto had about 50million in net cash at the end of the 2024 financial year and looks to pay out around half of profits as a dividend. The shares are down around 7 per cent this year and might be worth a look at this level. Traded on Aim Ticker: NICL Contact: nicholsplc.co.uk Tony Hetherington is Financial Mail on Sunday's ace investigator, fighting readers corners, revealing the truth that lies behind closed doors and winning victories for those who have been left out-of-pocket. Find out how to contact him below. F.P. writes: I printed out a mini-statement of my Halifax account, now operated by Lloyds Bank, and to my horror it showed that, on September 10, Philips Domestic took 4,399. I have had no dealings with any company of this name. Can you help me, please? Tony Hetherington replies: I have been doing this job for a long time, but even I was shocked by this. You are an 85-year-old pensioner, living alone, and the missing money was about half the total amount in your Halifax account. You were upset, worried and scared that whoever took your cash would come back for more. You even began to blame yourself, thinking you must have given your card details to a scammer. But with your permission I rang the Lloyds Bank debit card fraud line, and was told this was not a one-off debit card transaction. The 4,399 had been taken from your account under a direct debit, suggesting it was a regular bill payment and that Philips Domestic would be back for more. Worrying: Finding fraudulent bank withdrawals can be upsetting Lloyds said it was up to us to contact Philips Domestic. Yet according to Companies House, there is no such British company. You might wonder how your bank could allow any payment when you had never signed a direct debit authorising it. Well, under a scheme called the Automated Direct Debit Instruction Service (AUDDIS), companies simply tell your bank that they have your approval, and the bank hands over your cash. What could possibly go wrong?! I asked Lloyds to say exactly where your money had gone, but it told me: 'We wouldn't be able to share that information.' However, to give Lloyds its due, it refunded your 4,399 within a day or so so well done for that. The Philips electrical giant is based in the Netherlands. And when I contacted it, I was told it had licensed a company called Versuni to use its name so this was my next stop, again in the Netherlands. And this is where your bad dream has turned into what could be a nightmare for many more people. Worryingly, Versuni told me that someone ordered high-end products, and provided your bank details for payment, but with a delivery address that was not your home. The company explained: 'We are aware of recent third-party fraud associated with some direct debits and have launched an investigation.' You are not the only victim, and Versuni has notified the police. But should it be this easy to fool AUDDIS into dipping into anyone's bank account, no questions asked? Pay UK, the banking body which oversees AUDDIS, commented: 'If there is an error in the set up or collection of a direct debit, customers are fully protected by the direct debit guarantee.' Fine words, now that we know how AUDDIS can be used fraudulently. On the other hand, just how reliable is it when something simply goes wrong, without any fraud, and how easy is it for the ordinary customer to go up against big banks and businesses? I'll give the answers next week, and again, they will not make for easy reading. Months without a pension thanks to an IT 'update' S.L. writes: I was resources director at a housing association, and last year the chairman gave me notice on the grounds that my age, 67, did not fit with his succession plan. I left in January and have been trying to access my pension. The scheme is run by TPT Retirement Solutions, and it closed access to the fund for four months on 'administrative grounds'. I tried again in June, but still find it difficult to get any information. Waiting game: The pension scheme is run by TPT Retirement Solutions, and it closed access to the fund for four months on 'administrative grounds' You worked for the Cottsway Housing Association, which told me: 'TPT have been carrying out work on a new online portal since December 2024. They contacted our staff in advance with information about the changes, including steps to take and deadlines to meet if they wanted to access their pension fund before the work was due to complete in May.' Cottsway washed its hands of any responsibility to you. TPT confirmed it warned it would not process any new pensions before the end of April. It added: 'Unfortunately, it seems that Mr L was made redundant in January during this transition period.' And then, of course, the work overran. Even after you resubmitted your application, TPT delayed paying you. It told me this was 'because of a reconciliation of post transitional annual management charges that needed to be undertaken'. I am sure you were happy to accept this gobbledegook as a reason for living without your pension for months! But miraculously, two days after I contacted TPT, it sent you all of your outstanding pension. If you believe you are the victim of financial wrongdoing, write to Tony Hetherington at Financial Mail, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY or email tony.hetherington@mailonsunday.co.uk. Because of the high volume of enquiries, personal replies cannot be given. Please send only copies of original documents, which we regret cannot be returned. I live in a first floor flat and there are no floors above me. All the flats are leasehold and built in 1978. My downstairs neighbour recently renovated their living room, with my living room immediately above, and replaced their ceiling. The neighbour downstairs told me sand had come down during the works, which another neighbour has since told me was the soundproofing. They have put up plasterboard which they state is insulated, though this isn't the same as being soundproofed. I can now hear every conversation and the bass of the male voice. I never heard this before the works. I even hear it above my TV. I have spoken to my neighbour many times but he has refused to do any further work. Unfortunately after the last exchange we no longer speak. Noisy issue: A Daily Mail reader's downstairs neighbour replaced their ceiling and now there's no soundproofing I contacted Citizens Advice who told me this matter would be an issue if I chose to sell up. The local council environmental heath department said they could not help. I got a local contractor at my expense to check under my floor and there is the old, original glass wool insulation immediately under my floor and then a large gap down to their plasterboard. I have no way of knowing what quality and properties this plasterboard has except that I know it does not help with soundproofing. I have been told I could bring a private prosecution against the neighbours, but I cannot afford to do this. I also can't afford to move. I could soundproof my floor but that would be expensive and logistically difficult. This is this is causing me great stress. I am at my wits' end with nowhere to turn. I realise living in flats there will always be some noise, but this is unbearable and at my age I just want to live in peace and quiet. Jane Denton, of This is Money, replies: Check the terms of the 1978 lease to see if your neighbour downstairs has breached any specific clauses, rules or obligations. If relevant, check the contract with the management firm involved to see if they can assist. You may have recourse via a private statutory nuisance claim, but this can be difficult to prove and end up being a costly option to pursue. Do also check your insurance policies to see if legal expenses could be covered if required. While I know you have affordability constraints, if you do end up moving with the problem still unresolved, you would have to disclose the issue and make prospective buyers aware of it. Unexpected and unwelcome noise like you are experiencing is distressing. I asked two legal experts to respond in more detail to your question. Joanne Ellis, a partner and specialist in dispute resolution at Stephensons, says: The starting point for resolving this should be the 1978 lease, as leases for flats typically contain a variety of protections and obligations in respect of neighbours. Its important to carefully review the lease to see if your neighbour may be in breach of a specific termsuch as those relating to quiet enjoyment, obligations to maintain and repair, or restrictions on alterations that could impact other flats. The starting point for resolving this should be the 1978 lease, Joanne Ellis says If a relevant clause can be identified, pointing this out to your neighbour may encourage them to take action to remedy the issue. There may be a management company involved with the flats. Their contract, agreement, or arrangement should also be reviewed to establish their role and whether they can be required to assist further. At the very least, the provisions in the lease and the management companys responsibilities should mean that you are entitled to know what materials were used in the ceiling works, as data protection should not prevent disclosure of non-personal information that directly affects your property. It is possible that the level of noise you are now experiencing could amount to a legal nuisance. To pursue this, you would need expert evidence, such as sound recordings, to establish the extent of the problem, which could then support a private nuisance claim seeking an injunction to stop the ongoing disruption. The noise would need to be significant and confirmed by an independent expert. The local council also has powers to assist in cases of statutory nuisance, and most local authorities can provide noise recording equipment to assess whether the noise meets the threshold for action. While councils are often under-resourced and their involvement is discretionary, making a formal complaint after an initial refusal may prompt further consideration. However, local authorities cannot be compelled to act. It is unfortunate that direct discussions with your neighbour have not helped. It may be worth considering whether another neighbour or someone from the management company could help mediate and explain the impact of the noise, as sometimes an independent perspective can encourage a more constructive response. Given that you have mentioned you cannot afford to soundproof your flat or take legal action, and that legal fees can escalate quickly, it is sensible to consider any other practical solutions, such as changing room layouts or introducing rugs to help reduce noise. Finally, it is relatively common for legal expenses insurance to be included with home, contents, or professional insurance policies, so it is worth checking all your policies to see if you have cover that could assist with legal fees. James Naylor, a partner at Naylor Solicitors, says: Noise transmission is a frequent concern for leaseholders, particularly where original soundproofing has been removed or replaced with inferior materials. This issue is especially prevalent in older buildings, where construction standards differ from current expectations and lease terms are often relied upon to maintain acceptable living conditions. Noise transmission is a frequent concern for leaseholders, James Naylor says Answers to issue such as these, are likely to be found in the specific terms of the relevant leases, as the rights and obligations regarding noise, alterations, and enforcement are primarily governed by the lease provisions. Most residential leases contain covenants regarding noise and alterations. These typically require leaseholders to maintain adequate floor coverings, such as carpets and underlay, to reduce noise, and to obtain the landlords written consent before undertaking structural alterations, including changes to floors or ceilings. The specific obligations depend on the lease wording, but unauthorised works or the use of substandard materials may constitute a breach, prompting enforcement action by the landlord or management company. Leases also usually prohibit nuisance or annoyance between neighbours. The use of substandard materials in renovations, leading to increased noise, may breach these covenants and could also give rise to you having a private nuisance claim against your neighbour. However, where a leaseholder cannot afford to bring a claim directly against a neighbour, one optiondepending on the leasemay be to require the landlord to take enforcement action. Landlords are generally under a lease obligation to enforce the covenants contained within leases, particularly where a leaseholder requests enforcement against another leaseholder who is in breach. However, these clauses often require the requesting leaseholder to indemnify the landlord for legal costs before enforcement action is taken. Where legal remedies are unaffordable, the following steps may be considered: In relation to building control, works affecting ceilings and sound insulation must comply with building regulations, which set minimum standards for sound insulation. However, building controls remit is limited to regulatory compliance and does not extend to enforcing lease terms or resolving all noise disputes. Where building control will not intervene, leaseholders must rely on their lease and the landlords obligations. Leaseholders selling their property must disclose ongoing noise disputes or complaints on the property information TA6 form, and this could deter buyers or affect the sale price. Failure to disclose may have legal consequences, including potential claims for misrepresentation. Noise issues arising from alterations can be distressing and difficult to resolve, especially where original soundproofing has been compromised. Leaseholders should review lease terms, document issues, and consider all available remedies, including alternative dispute resolution. Where enforcement is not feasible, maintaining a clear record may assist in future dealings with the landlord. In the shadowy woods of northwestern Connecticut, the ruins of a once-thriving community sit quietly beneath the trees. Stone foundations and cellar holes, overtaken by moss and undergrowth, are all that remain of Dudleytown - a settlement long abandoned but never forgotten. Today, Dudleytown lives on not in census records, but in whispered tales of curses, grisly deaths, and spirits that refuse to rest. Its reputation as the 'Village of the Damned' has endured for more than a century - a legend built as much on storytelling and folklore as on fact. A community lost to time Though often called a 'town,' Dudleytown was never more than a small hamlet within Cornwall, Connecticut. It took its name from brothers Gideon, Barzillai, and Abiel Dudley, who arrived in the mid-1700s. The first landowner, however, was Thomas Griffis in the early 1740s. The hamlet lay in a dark, wooded hollow known as Dark Entry, where rocky soil and short growing seasons made farming nearly impossible. Residents survived on timber, charcoal production, and jobs in nearby iron furnaces, but by the mid-19th century its fate was sealed. As richer farmland opened in the Midwest and local industry declined, families drifted away. By the early 1900s, the forest had swallowed what remained. Mossy cellar holes and stone foundations are all that remain of Dudleytown, a once-bustling hamlet swallowed by forest in northwestern Connecticut Left to right: Richard Empsen (d. 1510); Henry VII of England (1457-1509) and Edmund Dudley (1462-1510) But Dudleytown's reputation would long outlast its ruins. 'It truly has staying power,' author and folklorist Joseph Citro told Daily Mail. 'The story of Dudleytown is horror fiction that writes itself. Paranormal fans love it, so do podcasters, YouTubers, even newspapers and magazines especially around Halloween.' Citro, who chronicled the legend in his 2004 book Cursed in New England, said the village's eerie setting helped transform it into what he bluntly calls a 'Demonic Disneyland' - a magnet for ghost hunters and thrill-seekers. The blood curse of the Dudleys The legend, as retold by the New England Historical Society, claims Dudleytown's fate was doomed long before its settlers arrived. It begins in 1510, when English nobleman Edmund Dudley was executed for treason against Henry VIII and a curse was said to fall on his bloodline, condemning descendants to lives of ruin and madness. His son John Dudley plotted to place Lady Jane Grey on the throne by marrying her to his son Guildford - a scheme that ended with Jane's beheading after her nine-day reign, and with both John and Guildford losing their heads. Another Dudley son allegedly returned from France carrying the plague. When Gideon, Barzillai and Abiel Dudley crossed the Atlantic and settled in Cornwall in the mid-1700s, locals whispered that the curse had followed them. Map shows where Dudleytown is located in northwestern Connecticut - a long-abandoned settlement near Cornwall that became infamous as the 'Village of the Damned' Locals long whispered the Dudleys carried a centuries-old curse, said to have followed them from England to the shadowy hollow known as Dark Entry. Pictured: Cornwall cemetery, Cornwall, Connecticut. Dudleytown was never more than a small hamlet in Cornwall In Dudleytown, it was blamed for Gershon Hollister's fatal fall during a barn raising in 1792; Revolutionary War hero General Heman Swift's descent into madness after lightning killed his wife in 1804; and Irish laborer John Brophy, who lost his wife, his children and his home before vanishing into the woods around 1901. The lore cast Abiel Dudley himself as a victim, said to have lost his property and his mind. It also told of the Nathaniel Carter family, who left Dudleytown only to be massacred in New York - their home torched, children captured, and Carter himself slain. Even prominent names were drawn in. Legend has it that Horace Greeley's wife hanged herself in Dudleytown in 1872, just a week before he lost the presidency. And in 1924, physician Dr. William Clarke bought land in the area, according to the New England Historical Society. He was said to have later returned from a trip to find his wife suddenly insane, confined to an asylum for the rest of her life. What might have been remembered as just another failed farming hamlet instead became infamous as the 'Village of the Damned'. Paranormal believers say the valley is a 'negative power spot', a place where demonic forces slip into our world. Some visitors have reported overwhelming dread, phantom footsteps, ghostly lights - even scratches and shoves from unseen hands. Ed and Lorraine Warren are pictured in March 1981. The couple declared Dudleytown to be 'demonically possessed' One of the Warrens' most famous investigations, not related to Dudleytown, was into the controversial Annabelle Doll (pictured) Skeptics push back Dudleytown's reputation as a cursed, haunted place is more a product of storytelling than reality. Its notoriety grew from a 1926 history book that first described it as doomed, a narrative later amplified by writers and ghost hunters. The hamlet's place in paranormal lore was cemented in the 1970s when famed paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren declared it to be 'demonically possessed'. The Warrens claimed to have investigated more than 10,000 cases during their career with the controversial Annabelle Doll being one of their most famous. The Raggedy Ann doll that is believed to be haunted and demonically possessed was placed in a locked display case at their Occult Museum. However when it comes to Dudleytown, the truth, according to historians, is far less sinister. Research from the New England Historical Society debunks several key aspects of the legend. The story of a curse brought from England is genealogical fiction, as the Dudley family in Connecticut was not related to the cursed English family of the same name. Dudleytown was never a true town; it was a struggling settlement that failed due to poor soil, short growing seasons, and dwindling opportunities at the time. By the mid-1800s, Cornwall's population had dropped by half, and many families simply moved west for better farmland. The hills of litchfield county in autumn in the town of West Cornwall, Connecticut, on a sunny blue sky day. Dudleytown was never more than a small hamlet in Cornwall Many of the tragedies linked to the 'curse' collapse under scrutiny. Gershon Hollister's 1792 death was a construction accident, not a supernatural murder. General Heman Swift never lived in Dudleytown, and while his wife was killed by lightning, he lived to be 81. John Brophy didn't vanish; his wife died of tuberculosis, his sons moved away, and his house burned down. Other oft-repeated tales are equally shaky. The story of the Nathaniel Carter family massacre happened hundreds of miles away in New York, and the family's surviving children went on to prosper. Other supposed deaths, including those of Horace Greeley's wife and Dr. William Clarke's wife, happened in New York City, not in Dudleytown. The 'madman' Abiel Dudley actually lived into his 90s, and the eerie silence that spooked visitors had a practical cause: the area was heavily sprayed with DDT in the 1960s, wiping out insects and the birds that fed on them. Reverend Gary P. Dudley, a descendant of the family, published a book in 1999, concluding there was 'no curse, no ghosts, and no spirits, only folklore spun from coincidence.' As Citro told the Daily Mail, this blending of fact and fiction is what fuels the legend. 'In the case of Dudleytown, there is documented history... It's the supernatural folklore that stitches those events together,' Citro explained. 'In a sense, the folklore of Dudleytown is a crowd-sourced work of fiction - but, as the opening title of a movie might say, 'based on a true story.'' Paranormal believers insist the valley is a 'negative power spot,' haunted by ghostly lights, phantom footsteps, and unseen hands. Pictured a street in neighboring West Cornwall, Connecticut Modern mystery Since 1924, Dudleytown has been managed by the Dark Entry Forest, Inc, which reforested the area and kept it as private property. The only official way in is via an old carriage trail known as Dark Entry. Dark Entry Forest, Inc. told Daily Mail: 'Any reports of the folklore/legends are patently untrue.' Nearby Bald and Coltsfoot mountains and the Housatonic River attract hikers and boaters - but the same cannot be said for the visitors who come chasing ghosts. Thrill-seeking paranormal hunters, spurred on by tales from self-styled demonologists, sneak onto the property to litter, trespass and film podcasts or documentaries - to the vast irritation of Cornwall residents. As paranormal hype grew in the 1980s and 1990s, vandalism, litter, and late-night rituals forced the association to close the land. Police now patrol the area, and trespassers are prosecuted. For Citro, that is the true curse. 'New England is full of abandoned towns,' he said. 'But Dudleytown's reputation makes it a 'Marked Spot,' a place people feel compelled to visit. Today, the only demons are the crowds who won't let it rest.' A paedophile father convicted of abusing his five-year-old daughter is being held in a female prison because he subsequently identified as a woman. Autumn Tulip Harper, 25, who was born a man but now identifies as a woman, was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison after he was snared by cops in a global bust of a paedophile ring in July last year. Australian police, who were acting on a tip from law enforcement in the United States, raided Harper's home in Clayton South in Melbourne's south-east on September 15, 2023, and seized his Samsung phone. They discovered the father had been subjecting his five-year-old daughter to 'persistent sexual abuse' between May and June of that year and had sent 77 child abuse files over Discord to a paedophile friend in the United States. The details of Harper's offending are too harrowing to publish. Harper was originally referred to in court proceedings under his male-born name, which the Daily Mail has chosen to withhold to protect the identity of the victim. It is unclear whether they officially changed their name to Autumn Tulip Harper. However, they were listed in court documents under their male birth name as late as November last year. Now a source within the Victorian criminal justice system has revealed that Harper is housed in Dame Phyllis Frost Centre - one of two women's prisons in the state. Autumn Tulip Harper (pictured), 25, who was born a man but now identifies as a woman, was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison after she was snared by cops in a cross-border bust of a paedophile ring in July last year. 'I've just lost so much faith in the justice system,' the source said. 'How can a man commit a crime and then be treated like a woman because he claims he is one? 'Throughout the whole court case he saw himself as the victim and took no responsibility or showed any remorse for his actions.' The shocking case, which was first reported by feminist news and opinion website Reduxx, has gone largely unreported in mainstream media. Jasmine Sussex, who founded Womens Voices Australia, said this was the grim consequence of the state allowing gender self-identification. 'This is an obscene human rights violation by the Victorian government against the most vulnerable group of women in the state - those incarcerated,' she said. 'All decent minded Victorians are sickened by this craven government policy. 'It forces the County Court to lie to a five-year-old girl surviving her fathers evil sexual assault and aggravate his offence with state-sanctioned abuse - claiming the paedophile rapist is a woman.' Harper (pictured) was originally referred to in court proceedings under his male-born name, which the Daily Mail has chosen to withhold to protect the identity of the victim Master/slave dynamic Harper was only caught because US authorities had arrested a paedophile who was given the pseudonym Samuel Booth in court documents. After raiding Harper's house and seizing his devices, detectives discovered that Harper had been in a 'master/slave' relationship with Booth where he would order them to perform daily tasks and film them. 'These directions included brushing your teeth or showering, but also included instructions for the sexual abuse of your daughter,' Judge Nola Karapanagiotidis stated. Harper would initially express 'hesitance and concern', once telling Booth that 'she is my daughter and I shouldn't be doing it' but then still carrying out the abuse. 'Booth encourages and instructs you to engage in a variety of sexual and perverse acts with your daughter,' the judge noted. 'He occasionally offers you affirmations that you made him "so hard and proud" and that he is "impressed by you" and that "you did so good" and are "such a good girl".' The details are too graphic to be published, but in one of the videos, the father asks their daughter if she likes it and she can be heard saying 'no'. When Booth learned that he was going to be arrested, he told Harper to delete their messages which they did. However, police officers were able to recover their chat log. They found 19 files of Harper sexually abusing their daughter. They told police they 'felt terrible and horrible' about the offending. 'You felt tied to Booth because you were not in a good mental state,' Judge Karapanagiotidis told Harper. 'Booth seemed to care, which is not something you had much of. You feel your life had gone terribly and everything got worse.' A source within Victorian criminal justice system has revealed Harper is housed in Dame Phyllis Frost Centre - one of two women's prisons in the state. Vulnerable female Harper's lawyers argued that at the time of the offending they were 'completely lacking connection in life' and were experiencing pervasive feelings of rejection and lack of self-worth. Harper, who was given the pseudonym Hilary Moloney by the courts, was presented as a victim who was exploited by Booth. 'At first, he was attentive and caring and someone with whom you could share every aspect of your daily life,' the judge noted. Dr Rajan Darjee, a forensic psychiatrist, said that at the time of the offending, Harper 'identified as a female, living as a female and hormonally female' and exhibited a common 'pattern of sexual abuse seen in females'. 'This pattern of sexual abuse is one which a more dominant male pressurises, manipulates and/or coerces a female who has access to a child, usually her own, to sexually abuse that child and/or to make that child available to him to sexually abuse,' Dr Darjee wrote in his report. 'The person who drives this offending is the dominant male who is able to use a vulnerable female to do what he is sexually motivated to achieve.' Dr Darjee thought the risk of Harper reoffending was low. 'She is highly unlikely to commit a further sexual offence, unless she finds herself in a similar situation, being pressured or coerced by a man,' he stated. Shortly after they pleaded guilty, an unnamed individual hijacked Harper's Facebook page, changing her cover picture to the words: 'I'm a pedo'. '(Name redacted) pleaded guilty to creating and distributing child abuse material. Will be sentenced very soon,' a post read. The Facebook page was later deleted. Shortly after Harper pleaded guilty, an unnamed individual hijacked Harper's Facebook page, changing his cover picture to the words: 'I'm a pedo' Sentence Harper's crimes could have received a maximum sentence of 25 years in jail, but they were given a discount because of the guilty pleas. The court heard the father had suffered a tough childhood with a mother who was 'physically and mentally abusive and... would often express homophobic and hateful views'. 'Growing up, you knew you were different and at the age of nine, you knew that you were "not in the right body" but did not know who to speak to about it,' the judge noted. 'When you expressed an interest in womens clothing, you were berated.' The court also heard Harper became more isolated when his childhood friends died in a 'suicide pact' and his mother's boyfriend was abusive. At the age of 17, he first met the woman who would become the mother of his child, but by 2019 he started to explore his transgender identity. 'You have been on gender-affirming treatment for three years, including oestrogen gel and a testosterone blocker,' the judge recorded. His lawyers argued the case needed to be understood in the context of 'the harm associated with being a trans child growing up in an isolated and transphobic environment'. Booth was also partly to blame for the offending, the court heard. '(Harper) felt the man she connected with cared for and was nice to her, and due to her low self-esteem, lack of assertiveness, loneliness, submissiveness and desperation to be noticed and cared for, it was easy for him to pick up on her vulnerability and manipulate her into the master/slave relationship where he took control of her life,' the judge noted. 'He then involved her in sexual exchanges and then coerced her to sexually abuse her daughter and take videos and photos to share with him. 'She was not inherently motivated by deviant sexual interests or any other motive, except doing what he told her and keeping him happy, to sexually abuse her daughter.' Harper was supported by Beyond Bricks and Bars, an organisation that helps trans people in prison. One of the employees told the court that 'as a young trans woman (Harper) would be particularly at risk in prison'. The court also heard that Harper was 'suffering from major depression of moderate severity with anxious distress' and would be a suicide risk in prison. The judge handed Harper a sentence of four years and nine months imprisonment. They will be eligible for parole after serving a minimum of two years and six months. Harper's Facebook account was hijacked shortly before she was sentenced A mother's pain Harper's partner and the mother of their child was shattered by the offending. She told the court she was struggling to cope and her work and sleep had suffered terribly as a result. 'I've been through a lot in my life but this is the worst thing that's ever happened to me,' she said in her victim impact statement. 'To have a child with someone and have your trust in them, even after breaking up and co-parenting, and then find out they've done these things. I am just constantly in fear, thinking if her own father could do this to her, what stops a stranger from doing the same? This has completely ruined my trust in others.' She said their daughter, while too young to understand the gravity of her father's crimes, had suffered behavioural issues but was doing a lot better since they were imprisoned. The Daily Mail approached the Victorian court system to seek clarification regarding Harper's current status The Department of Justice and Community Safety refused to comment on Harper's location. 'When considering placements, Corrections Victoria considers the safety of the individual prisoner and the safety of other prisoners and staff, as well as the security of the prison and relevant legal requirements,' a spokesman said. Emmanuel Macron was humbled this week after New York City cops stopped him crossing the street because of US President Donald Trump's motorcade. The bemused French president was seen speaking to police officers on the pavement, a video clip circulating on social media showed. 'I'm really sorry, Mr President, everything is frozen', a policeman told Macron. Forced to wait at the barricade, the French president then proceeded to take matters into his own hands, and was shown in a separate video calling his American counterpart on the phone. 'Guess what, I'm waiting in the street right now because everything is frozen for you,' he appeared to tell Trump. But after several minutes of waiting around, the French president was forced to walk down the street with his body guards after the roads opened, but only for pedestrians. The video quickly went viral on social media, but this is not the first time that the French president was brought back down to earth. Emmanuel Macron was stopped by New York cops this week and forced him to wait on the streed to make way for Donald Trump's motorcade Forced to wait at the barricade, the French president then proceeded to take matters into his own hands, and was shown in a separate video calling his American counterpart on the phone Footage shows the perplexed French president stranded on a road moments after he left the UN headquarters in the Big Apple on Monday The French president was then seen walking down the street with his bodyguards 'Down with Macronia' Back in 2021, Macron was slapped across the face and told to f*** off' as he greeted voters during a walkabout in France. The assailant took the French President by the arm, appearing to stop him for a chat, before shouting: 'Down with Macronia' as he struck his face. Bodyguards quickly seized upon the man and bundled him to the ground before dragging him away, as a member of Macron's security detail pulled the president to safety. A few seconds later Macron returned to the barriers to get a word in, although it was unclear what he was saying. He then continued to shake people's hands while a bodyguard stood between him and the crowd. A man was later arrested following the incident outside a culinary school in the village of Tain-l'Hermitage in the Drome region where Macron had been meeting students to discuss how life is returning to normal after the Covid restrictions were eased. He was sentenced to four months behind bars after he admitted to slapping Macron. French President Emmanuel Macron was slapped across the face by a man during a trip to southeast France Brawl with Brigitte Earlier this year, Macron and his wife Brigitte made headlines after the First Lady hit her husband during a row before they disembarked a plane in Vietnam. Shocking video of the incident shows the French President's plane door opening to reveal him. His wife Brigitte's arms then emerge from the left of the open doorway as she places both hands on her husband's face and gives it a shove. The president appears startled but quickly recovers and turns to wave through the open door. She remains concealed by the aircraft body, making it impossible to see her facial expression or body language. The couple then proceed down the staircase for the official welcome by Vietnamese officials, though Brigitte Macron does not take her husband's offered arm. Macron's office initially denied the authenticity of the images, before they were confirmed as genuine. Macron and his wife Brigitte made headlines after the First Lady hit her husband during a row before they disembarked a plane in Vietnam His wife Brigitte's arms emerge from the left of the open doorway, she places both hands on her husband's face and gives it a shove The president appears startled but quickly recovers and turns to wave through the open door The couple then proceed down the staircase for the official welcome by Vietnamese officials, though Brigitte Macron does not take her husband's offered arm A close associate of the president later described the incident as a couple's harmless 'squabble'. The video clip circulated rapidly online, promoted particularly by accounts that are habitually hostile to the French leader. 'Vive la Revolution' Macron was egged by a protester shouting, 'Vive la revolution,' during a visit to Lyon to promote French gastronomy in September 2021. The president was greeting supporters when the egg struck him on the left shoulder and bounced onto his cheek, remaining intact. Macron flinched as a bodyguard quickly pulled him back and another placed a hand in front of the president's face to prevent any further incoming fire. 'If he has something to tell me, let him come,' the head of state said after the culprit was dragged away by the secret service. 'I'll talk to him after. Go get him,' Macron told his bodyguards. Macron was egged by a protester shouting, 'Vive la revolution,' during a visit to Lyon to promote French gastronomy in September 2021 The egg bounced off his shoulder and onto his cheek, remaining intact, before it fell to the ground The culprit was swiftly taken to the side with his hands behind his back by secret service members Although the egg did not break on impact it was not hard-boiled, with further images showing it broken on the ground. Macron had been chatting to supporters while attending the International Catering and Hospitality Fair (Sirha) where he received an otherwise a fond reception. Tomato Attack The French president was pelted with tomatoes in April 2022, forcing body guards to use umbrellas to shield him. The attack on the president happened during a surprise visit to a food market in a working-class area north of Paris. Macron was strolling around a food market in the town of Cergy, north-west of Paris, shaking hands and posing for selfies when a bag of tomatoes was suddenly thrown towards him, as bodyguards shouted: 'Projectile! Projectile!' while coming to his rescue. Bodyguards had to protect Macron with umbrellas in 2022 after a man pelted him with tomatoes Macron was strolling around a food market in the town of Cergy, north-west of Paris, shaking hands and posing for selfies when a bag of tomatoes was suddenly thrown towards him Snubbed by Zelensky Macron was given the cold shoulder by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenksy during a visit to Kyiv in 2022. Joined by his German, Italian and Romanian counterparts, the French president was taken to see firsthand the devastation caused by Russian troops. Macron denounced the 'barbarism' of the attacks and praised the courage of Ukrainians. But his attempt to pull Ukraine's President into a PR-friendly embrace at a joint press conference following the tour was not warmly received as Zelensky appeared unbothered as Macron wrapped his arm around his torso. Images of the pair shaking hands earlier in the event looked just as one-sided. Macron flashed a smile at the press as he clasped Zelensky's hand and posed for their lenses, but Ukraine's leader simply scowled at the floor. But that was not the only time Macron was snubbed by the Ukrainian president. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky looks awkward as he is embraced by French President Emmanuel Macron after giving a press conference in Kyiv, on June 16, 2022 Zelensky looked as though he'd rather be fighting in the trenches of Severodonetsk when the French leader's crisply-suited arm wrapped around his torso Macron, dressed impeccably in his trademark dark suit, flashed a smile as he posed for cameras and clasped Zelensky's hand. But the Ukraine's Churchillian leader simply scowled at the floor, evidently displeased with the posturing Volodymyr Zelensky was holding a press conference in Kyiv when he was interrupted by a phone call from none other than his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron Earlier this year, Zelensky told the president he would phone him later after receiving a call from the French president. Zelensky had been holding a press conference in Kyiv on March 19 when he was interrupted by a phone call from Macron. Pausing the conference to answer his phone, the Ukrainian President quipped: 'Sorry Emmanuel... I just have a conversation with some journalists. 'Can I ring you back in some minutes, 15-20 minutes? Please, thank you, Emmanuel. Booed on Bastille Day Macron was roundly booed while waving to the crowds during Bastille Day celebrations back two years ago. The French president received a hostile reception as he was driven down the Champs-Elysees in a military car on July 14, 2023. Macron stood up in the back of the military car followed by a motorcade, soldiers and horses, he was greeted with resounding boos, highlighting how his popularity ratings had been damaged. President Emmanuel Macron was roundly booed while waving to the crowds during 2023's Bastille Day celebrations The French President waved to crowds despite the poor reception he received as he went down the Champs-Elysees In further footage taken from within the crowd, whistling from French gendarmes on high alert was not enough to drown out a chorus of jeers aimed at the French president. Macron's TikTok disaster Macron's attempt to look cool online backfired after he was spotted chatting to an influencer who previously called him a dwarf who is married to his teacher. In a clip that made its rounds on social media earlier this year, the French President is seen chatting to a content creator known as S4iintt on TikTok. In the video, the man can be heard complaining that he had been fined 75 at a motorway toll booth for using his phone to pay at the terminal. Facing his camera, he recounted his experience a few days earlier near Tours where he had three points taken off his driving licence because he had violated highway code which forbids holding your phone in your hand at toll booths or red lights. The video, viewed hundreds of thousands of times, gained so much attention that it eventually reached the ears of Macron, who took the time to respond to it on TikTok, in a short video taken in selfie mode. 'I think that by 2025, you should be able to pay tolls using your phone,' Macron said coolly. In a clip that is making its rounds on social media, the French President is seen chatting to a content creator known as S4iintt (pictured) on TikTok President Macron took the time to respond to the content creator's message on TikTok, in a short video taken in selfie mode 'I've passed the file on to the interior minister and we're going to sort it out collectively. Thank you for the alert.' But little did Macron know, the social media personality also once dubbed him a 'dwarf married to his French teacher' at the helm of a 'country the size of a potato crisp', among other insults. The spectacle drew sharp criticism from commentators. One radio host quipped: 'By offering a presidential platform to the first imbecile who comes along, Macron undermines the credibility of France.' Others accused him of prioritising social media stunts over pressing economic and political challenges. President Macron's decision to collaborate with the content creator was intended to bridge the gap between the political elite and the younger generation. However, the choice of platform and influencer has been met with skepticism and ridicule, and the initiative, aimed at connecting with younger voters, has spectacularly backfired, leading to a significant decline in his approval ratings. Putin's power play The French president was forced to sit several feet away from Vladimir Putin after he refused to take a Russian Covid-19 test Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, listens during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron after their talks Monday, Feb. 7, 2022 in Moscow The French president was forced to sit several feet away from Vladimir Putin after he refused to take a Russian Covid-19 test when he arrived for a state visit in 2022. The two leaders were photographed at opposite ends of a table so long that it provoked satirical comment on social media and speculation, including by diplomats, that Putin might be using it to send a message. But two sources who have knowledge of the French president's health protocol told Reuters Macron had been given a choice: either accept a PCR test done by the Russian authorities and be allowed to get close to Putin, or refuse and have to abide by more stringent social distancing. 'We knew very well that meant no handshake and that long table. But we could not accept that they get their hands on the president's DNA,' one of the sources told Reuters, referring to security concerns if the French leader was tested by Russian doctors. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Macron had declined the test and said Russia had no problem with this, but it meant that a 6-metre (20 feet) distance from Putin was required in order to protect the Kremlin leader's health. Mocked by a teenager Macron came under fire in 2018 for dressing down a teenager who called him 'Manu'. The youngster received a public dressing down from the French President after using shouting 'You all right, Manu?' as Macron was meeting crowds at Mont Valerien fort near Paris. Footage of the incident, in which Macron called the teenager an 'idiot' and said he should address him as 'Sir' or 'Mr President', soon went viral after the head of state posted it on his Twitter account. Emmanuel Macron came under fire for dressing down a teenager who called him 'Manu' The encounter took place as the head of state took part in a solemn ceremony commemorating his country's call to arms during the Second World War. Macron was shaking hands with a group of youngsters across a metal barrier when the teenager used the relaxed greeting, shortening Emmanuel to 'Manu'. 'No, you can't do that, no, no, no, no,' Macron told the youngster who was waiting with a group of schoolfriends to meet him during his visit to the Mont Valerien fort near Paris, where hundreds of French Resistance members were executed during World War II. 'Sorry, Mr President,' the teenager said. But Macron was not about to let matters rest there. Admonishing the junior high school student, he said: 'You're here, at an official ceremony and you should behave. You can play the fool but today it's the Marseillaise, the Chant des Partisans (French Resistance song), so you call me 'Mister President' or 'Sir'. Ok? There you go.' Delivering his coup de grace, Macron told the teen, who had begun by singing a few lines from the Socialist anthem The Internationale - a dig at the president's pro-business reforms - to 'do things in the right order'. 'The day you want to start a revolution you study first in order to obtain a degree and feed yourself, ok? And then you can lecture others,' he said. The exchange, which was captured on camera, was widely shared on social media. Heckled in The Hague In 2023, Macron was interrupted and heckled by protesters as he delivered a keynote speech about European sovereignty during a state visit to the Netherlands. French President Emmanuel Macron, right, looks at demonstrators unfolding a banner reading 'President of Violence and Hypocrisy' as he explains his vision on the future of Europe during a lecture in a theatre in The Hague, Netherlands, Tuesday, April 11, 2023 Macron arrived in the Netherlands earlier today to give his hotly-anticipated speech on Europe as he battled a furore over his controversial remarks on Europe and China, but was interrupted almost immediately as he began his speech 'Where is French democracy? When did we lose it?' shouted the demonstrators, who dangled a banner that read 'President of violence and hypocrisy' from the balcony of the theatre amid Macron's speech at the Nexus institute. 'I can answer this question if you give me some time,' Macron responded, before security guards bundled the demonstrators out of the hall. A group of around two dozen protesters also chanted slogans outside the theatre before Macron's speech. The French president fielded the heckling well, recognising that it was 'very important to have social debate' and that 'I can answer all the questions you have on what we are discussing in France'. The mother of a British man found dead at his home in Spain with head injuries and signs of a struggle has hit out at local authorities after the case was closed without anyone being charged with a crime. Father-of-one Brett Dryden, 35, was discovered at his home in Mojacar on the Costa de Almeria on July 21, 2024, after failing to return from an afternoon siesta. Spanish authorities initially ruled he died of a pulmonary embolism and closed the case, before a judge ruled it should be reopened as a homicide investigation four days later. The former Nissan factory worker had a large four-centimetre-long gash above his right eye, and the house showed signs of a struggle including bloody handprints on the walls and furniture. His home had also been burgled, with his phone, wallet, designer Gucci sunglasses and car keys all missing. Two men were caught on CCTV running from his property holding a bag. But after more than a year Mr Dryden's mother Sandra Adams, 56, was this week informed by her lawyer that the Spanish judge in charge of the case has 'provisionally' closed it, despite no arrests being made. 'I feel like they had no intention on trying to solve Brett's murder,' Mrs Adams, from Chester-le-Street in County Durham, told the Mail. 'The phone number connected to the case is no longer in use.' Father-of-one Brett Dryden, 35, was found dead at his home in Mojacar on the Costa de Almeria, Spain on July 21, 2024 Mr Dryden's mother Sandra Adams, 56, and stepfather Rob Adams, 53, believe their son may have been murdered Mr Dryden managed a cannabis bar in Mojacar, where he had lived for five-and-a-half years, having originally moved there with his then-girlfriend when his daughter Charley was three months old. He FaceTimed his mother just hours before he was found dead, and had seen her two days before during a trip to Disneyland Paris - a birthday gift for Charley, now six. After his body was discovered, Spanish police allowed Mr Dryden's friends to traipse through the alleged crime scene twice to retrieve his beloved dog. Initial Spanish media reports stated the Brit had been struck in the head by an axe - but authorities then backtracked and claimed his death was the result of a pulmonary embolism triggered by drug use. A post-mortem carried out by Spanish authorities stated that Mr Dryden was found with a number of injuries after his death, including to his legs, arms, head and neck. Some of these were found to be fingernail marks to his face, suggesting he had attempted to fight off an attacker. Mrs Adams told the Mail how authorities were reluctant to share the results of the post-mortem with her, stating they 'were trying everything possible to delay handing off the results'. They also claimed Mr Dryden's injuries were not causally related to his death. She added: 'It's just proved that they probably were going to try and brush it under the carpet.' Mr Dryden FaceTimed his mother just hours before he was found dead, and had seen her two days before during a trip to Disneyland Paris - a birthday gift for Charley, now six When she did receive a copy after hiring a lawyer, the report showed Mr Dryden's injuries included abrasions to both knees, and abrasions and bruising to his right arm. He had a contusion to the left side of his face, an abrasion to the right cheekbone, nail wounds to his lips and neck, and further abrasions to his chin and lips. There was also a four-centimetre wound with irregular edges above his right eye, and bruising to his ear, eye and skull on his left side. During their internal examination, pathologists also found internal bleeding to the right side of his head and 'intense encephalic congestion' - an injury resulting in the brain's blood vessels becoming swollen and congested. When police eventually allowed Mrs Adams' husband Rob, 53, access to Mr Dryden's home, where he was able to take photographs of blood smeared around the apartment and on furniture, including the back of the sofa. He also managed to attain CCTV footage of the street outside his house, which was sent direct to the local police. The family say the video showed two men running away from the property with a bag. It was the same bag that Mr Dryden was earlier seen leaving his bar with - leaving Mrs Adams to believe it contained the bar's previous night's takings, worth around 6,000. A case report noted that the faces of the men on the CCTV were visible. It is not believed they have ever been traced by police. Mr Dryden's family maintain their belief he was murdered and have accused Spanish authorities of prioritising the country's tourism industry over his death. They have repatriated his body to obtain a second post-mortem report at their own expense, and are still waiting on the results. Spanish authorities initially shut the case a day after Mr Dryden's death, despite his apartment being streaked with blood A bloody handprint was visible on the sofa downstairs in Mr Dryden's apartment, after he was found with a wound to the head and nail marks on his face consistent with defensive injuries Back in the UK, Mr Dryden's family have vowed to continue their quest for answers. 'I think they [Spanish Police] are biding their time in the hope that we will go away,' Mrs Adams told the Mail. 'But I'm not going to go away. I'm not going to stop. I have lived this over every day for the past year. 'It's terrible not having any closure.' She continued: 'If I can highlight the issues out in Spain it will save another family from having to go through this. 'You're trying to navigate the system through grief. I know I will not get justice for Brett, but will make sure authorities are held accountable. 'I will go out to Spain every year, and if I have to go out more frequently I will do it.' Relatives and friends flew to Mojacar to mark the one-year anniversary of Mr Dryden's death in July. 'We laid flowers and sat on the beach with all his friends and family were Brett's ashes were scattered,' Mrs Adams said. Speaking to the Mail previously, she added: 'All I know is somebody hurt my boy and if it's the last thing I do in my life I will get justice. 'It's terrible to not have any answers all this time later. I try not to imagine what happened because I would just crumble. 'I just want to know what's happened to my boy and then maybe I can move on with my life.' In April, Mr Dryden's mother and step-father returned to Spain planning to hold a protest outside the local town hall to coincide with what would have been his 36th birthday. However, they had to cancel the event after police told them it would be illegal without applying for a licence 40 days prior. They instead intend to stage the protest at a later date. A three-mile long Japanese knotweed jungle feared to be the biggest in Britain could leave nearby homes unsellable, locals have been warned. For years the invasive species has been exploding along The River Roding, Barking intertwining with native reeds and causing ecological havoc. The infestation has been overtaking acres of scrubland on both side of the riverbank in east London and it now poses a serious threat to riverside properties if left untreated. Volunteers at a charity tasked with preserving the river believe the knotweed jungle has spread all along the three-mile stretch of water. Just yards from the river is a series of newbuild estates, yet residents said they had no idea about the danger lurking on their doorstep. Paul Powlesland, river guardian at the River Roding Trust told the DailyMail: 'It's [the knotweed] been spreading for years and it's now taking over an entire bank. 'There are acres that should be full of reed beds, rich nettle and plants but the only thing alive is knotweed.' He added: 'The knotweed is right next to properties and if they spread any more it's going to cost millions of pound of remediation and make all the flats unmortgageable.' Pictured: A combination of reed beds and Japanese knotweed encroaching on nearby homes Pictured: Jungle-like enclaves that have formed along the riverbed of the River Roding Your browser does not support iframes. Japanese knotweed - described by the Environment Agency as 'indisputably the UK's most aggressive, destructive and invasive plant' spreads via underground rhizomes. The rhizomes form a crown at the centre of the plant and are able to extend up to seven metres. They can grow through tiny cracks, walls and even concrete, affecting close to a million homes across the UK and costing homeowners thousands in damages and removal costs. But removing the plant is a serious challenge as it can only be killed in the 'spraying window', which is the time in between the plant flowering and the first frost. Those working to destroy the knotweed on the River Roding are working against the clock but without the help of Government agencies such as DEFRA and the Environment Agency it seems time is running out. 'We're doing as much as we can but we have to stop whenever it rains and we only have two weeks left,' explained Phil Sturgeon, a volunteer from Protect Earth, the charity helping the River Roding. 'We're spraying it with glyphosate which is controversial but it's the only thing that works. 'In September, the saps and sugars are going down into the plants roots and when we spray them the glyphosate hops on and goes down into the rhizomes. 'This then kills the whole plant rather than just the stem, but it has to happen two or three weeks before frost.' Mr Sturegon is helping kill the plant because his priority is combatting the climate crisis. Pictured: Japanese knotweed growing along the River Roding - a nearby development is being built opposite Pictured: Mr Powlesland a barrister at Lawyers for Nature and river guardian at the River Riding Trust But he estimated that the entire affected area would cost hundreds of thousands of pounds to clear. The river is surrounded by tidal reed, which absorb carbon, naturally filters sewage and is a fantastic habitat for birds and insects. But the three-mile tidal section of the river is being overtaken by knotweed creating 'dead space'. 'We don't know how the knotweed got there but you only need a tiny fragment to float in, lodge itself and then grow rapidly,' Mr Powlesland a barrister at Lawyers for Nature told The Daily Mail. 'When the tide comes up the knotweed breaks falls in and then grows elsewhere the whole river is affected and it will keep spreading. 'Knotweed doesn't support the area's biodiversity so you might as well cover acres of the river in concrete. 'It's spreading all over network rail infrastructure and there will be an economic impact.' Mr Powlesland added that Government intervention is the only way to rectify the dire situation. He said: 'The government needs to have a plan, map where the knotweed is and contain and remove it. 'Across the country their plan is to let it grow out of control making it harder and more expensive to fix with every year that goes by. 'In 10 years time there will be hundreds of knotweed patches it's like watching a slow motion train crash and the government are just standing by and looking at it.' Pictured: An aerial image of the River Roding surrounded by knotweed and reed beds near newbuild homes Parts of the land the knotweed is growing on is owned by Transport for London and Network Rail and it is surrounded by the North Circular and multiple homes. Mr Powlesland has already noticed the weed growing on railway tracks and has suggested it is only a matter of time before all of the surrounding infrastructure will be damaged. However, local residents told The Daily Mail they had never even heard of Japanese knotweed. 'I speak to people who live here everyday and they have no idea this is going on,' Asif Noaman, the local postman said. 'There are around 400 people that live on this estate and they need to be made aware of this, it's absolutely terrifying.' Resident Javed Iqbal added: 'We moved here because we love the river, my twin girls play around here. 'It's ridiculous, we can't afford to move anywhere else. 'But I don't see how a plant could do that.' Pictured: A Japanese knotweed plant growing by the side of the River Roding Japanese knotweed was introduced to the UK as an ornamental plant in the 19th century, it is identifiable by its hard, bamboo-like canes and distinctive shield-shaped bright green leaves which grow in a zigzag pattern along the stem. It can devalue properties by around 10 per cent, but can totally destroy a property's value in the worst cases where the plant is closer to buildings and more entrenched. Emily Grant director of operations at Environet said the river edge is a good location for Japanese knotweed to spread. Ms Grant has suggested the damage from miles of knotweed if treated professionally would cost hundreds of thousands of pounds. 'The reality is a lot of areas are already too far gone, it would take a huge investment in order to bring it back around,' she said. 'If it does start encroaching onto private property then those property owners would be able to write to the land owner and if they failed to do anything they could bring a claim against them. 'The thing with river systems is the rhizome system of the knotweed is broken off and carried along the watercourse and is deposited on the ground and starts growing in a new section. 'In this location there is a huge threat to our nature and ecology because the knotweed is outcompeting all the natural plants that should be there, it has a huge environmental impact.' A TfL spokesperson said: 'We are aware that some of our land situated by the River Roding in East London has been affected by Japanese Knotweed and we are already undertaking measures to treat and control it.' A Network Rail spokesperson said: 'While were not currently aware of any specific issues raised, wed be happy to investigate further if a specific location or concern is identified. We encourage anyone with information to get in touch so we can respond appropriately.' The Daily Mail has contacted DEFRA and the Environment Agency for comment. The CIA has continually denied connections to President John F. Kennedy's 1963 assassination, or conspiracies that the gunman had help, but a newly revealed account from an operative could change everything. Ricardo Morales Jr., the son of Cuban exile turned CIA operative Ricardo Morales Navarrete, also known as The Monkey, recalled a shocking moment as a teen where his dad revealed why he didn't believe the official narrative that Lee Harvey Oswald was the assassin who fired the fatal bullet. Morales was 18 years old on a shooting trip with his father and brother in 1982, when his dad revealed that he knew Oswald from a CIA training camp in Florida. His father said there was 'no way' Oswald could've pulled off that shot after seeing him shoot at the camp. 'Every time they needed somebody trained, they would bring [my father] in to train them,' Morales told Daily Mail. 'And he, from his shooting ability as a sniper, he didn't think [Oswald] had the qualifications or the ability to pull it off by himself'. Morales explained that his father believed Oswald was at the assassination and took the first shot at Kennedy, but didn't fire the bullet that killed the president. The Warren Commission, which President Lyndon B. Johnson established to investigate the assassination, concluded that Oswald fired three shots at Kennedy. Ricardo Morales Jr., is opening up about his father's harrowing life story as a Cuban exile and CIA operative Ricardo Morales Navarrete, also known as The Monkey, became a CIA agent after he was exiled from Cuba for opposing Fidel Castro Morales Navarrete told his son that he saw Lee Harvey Oswald (pictured) shoot at a CIA training camp in Florida Kennedy was shot three times, but the first bullet missed. Morales said his father thought that there were other assassins who fired the second and third shots. Kennedy is seen shortly before the shooting on November 22, 1963 The first shot missed the president, while the second two bullets struck him, according to the Commission. The second bullet hit Kennedy near his neck to the right of his spine, and exited from the front of his neck, while the last bullet hit the back of the president's head. Due to the nature of how Kennedy was shot, skepticism has grown that there was more than one assassin. The Commission's decision to forego X-rays and photographs to respect Kennedy's privacy also contributed to doubts that Oswald worked alone. A video of the assassination revealed Kennedy's head was seemingly thrown backward as the front side appears to explode, suggesting that the one bullet came from behind, while the other came from in front. Morales said his father also believed that Oswald didn't act alone and was used as the 'fall guy' for the operation. 'He believes that Oswald took that first shot and missed, which makes all the sense in the world to him,' Morales continued. 'But he never believed that Oswald took the kill shot'. Morales said his father told him that he doesn't believe that Oswald took the shot that killed Kennedy Ricardo Morales Navarrete served in the CIA's Operation 40, which consisted of anti-Castro Cuban exiles Oswald joined the Marines as a teenager in 1956 and was considered a skilled marksman. However, Morales noted that marksman training in the Marines differs from what is taught at the CIA training camp. 'He didn't consider him a great shot at moving targets,' Morales added. Morales said that his father never speculated over who took the kill shot or whether the CIA was responsible for Kennedy's death, but he did reveal the mysterious orders he was given when the president was killed. During their shooting trip, his father revealed that he was in Dallas with other CIA operatives the day Kennedy was killed. The agents were given orders to wait at a hotel armed for further instructions, which never came. His father said they were sent as a 'cleaning team', but never disclosed what the cleanup operation was. Morales said that his father didn't consider Oswald to be a great shot when he met him at training camp (Pictured: Morales Navarrete pictured around the world) When asked if he believed the CIA was involved in Kennedy's assassination, Morales told Daily Mail: 'It could have been.' 'It's not like the CIA got together, took a vote, and everybody agreed,' he explained. 'You could have three or four agents that work for the CIA who control a group of, let's say, seven or eight Cubans who are assassins,' Morales continued. 'And the CIA operatives are getting pressure from rich, powerful forces in the United States government and the military industrial complex that they want somebody killed. It doesn't necessarily take approval from the head of the CIA to get that done,' he added, citing accounts his father relayed about how the CIA operated. Morales noted that his father took orders seriously, as did most agents. He confessed that he believes his father would've killed Kennedy if he was told to. 'He would've done it in a heartbeat because that was his job. That was his mission. He followed orders. He was a military guy, and he did what his handlers told him to do'. The CIA has long denied any involvement in Kennedy's assassination or any connection between the agency and Oswald. However, recently unveiled classified documents revealed that the CIA had more knowledge of Oswald than they had initially claimed. An investigation concluded that Oswald acted alone and the CIA had no knowledge of the assassins before Kennedy was killed, but conspiracy theorists have long casted doubt on that conclusion Morales said that his father was in Dallas with other operatives waiting for further instructions when Kennedy was killed (Pictured: Morales Navarrete getting arrested) The newly released documents showed that a CIA officer named George Joannides, who oversaw a group of Cuban students, had come in contact with Oswald in Miami the same year that Kennedy was assassinated. Oswald had frequently advocated for Fidel Castro and the Communist regime in the US, an issue that defined Kennedy's presidency with his involvement in the Bay of Pigs Invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Morales and his co-author, Sean Oliver, researched this theory in their recent book, Monkey Morales: The True Story of a Mythic Cuban Exile, Assassin, CIA Operative, FBI Informant, Smuggler, and Dad. When asked about his theory on the Kennedy assassination, Morales told Daily Mail: 'Some part of the industrial military complex wanted Kennedy out of the way because they were going to Vietnam. Vietnam was the key. 'They wanted to increase war, not decrease war, because that's where the money was being made'. 'And they had a bunch of angry Cubans who were mad about the Bay of Pigs failure, the lack of American support in the Bay of Pigs, and they were mad at JFK because he was president'. Morales theorized that a plan was devised to assassinate Kennedy, and speculated that operatives like his father could've been involved. 'My dad could have been lying to me and he could have been one of the ones that was involved. Maybe the cleaning crew was a killing crew. I don't know,' he confessed. 'But if he was given the job, he would've done the job'. Morales said that multiple members of his father's 'cleaning crew' in Dallas were later killed (Pictured: Morales Navarrete heading to court in 1978) Morales said that his father told him that the CIA operated in small groups and believed that the agency could've been involved in Kennedy's assassination (Pictured: Morales Navarrete hugging a woman in court) Morales Navarrete was killed in 1982 in a bar fight, but his son believes it was a setup. (Pictured: From left to right, Rafael Villaverde, Monkey, Carlene Quesada, and Raul Villaverde) Morales didn't have many opportunities to ask follow-up questions about his father's shocking story, as he was murdered later that year. Morales Navarrete was killed at the end of 1982 after leaving the witness protection program and starting his autobiography. He died in a bar fight, which Morales believes was staged. He added that at some point that year, another member of his father's 'cleaning crew' also died. 'A lot of people died in that year that my dad died when he started talking,' Morales told Daily Mail. 'They were all out of work for the CIA, and all they were doing was dealing, selling drugs. They had all been caught, they were all snitching on each other, and they were all killing each other off so that nobody would tell on each other,' he added. Morales explained that his father was working on a book about his life as a Cuban exile turned CIA agent when he was killed. He had no idea what type of secrets were divulged in the book because his uncle decided to burn it after his father's death. Years later, his uncle confessed on his deathbed that he had killed the man who he believed orchestrated Morales Navarrete's slaying. Morales revealed that his uncle killed the man he believed set his father's murder up, but was never prosecuted for the crime (Pictured: Morales Navarrete sitting with his arresting officers) 'My uncle decided not to go after the shooter because we didn't know the shooter, he was just a one-time guy,' Morales explained. 'But the other one was a long life enemy. So, two years later, he just took him and killed him and dumped him'. Morales said his uncle died of natural causes and was never prosecuted for the killing. He revisited his tumultuous family history and the complicated relationship he had with his father in his new book Monkey Morales. The book is dedicated to his brother, Roberto, who was killed in a mass shooting on Florida State University's campus earlier this year. Roberto Morales was among the victims of 20-year-old student Phoenix Ikner who opened fire on the Tallahassee campus in April. He was a dining coordinator at the campus and had worked there for nine years. Ikner is the son of a sheriff's deputy and had used her gun in his rampage, which killed two and injured six others. Monkey Morales: The True Story of a Mythic Cuban Exile, Assassin, CIA Operative, FBI Informant, Smuggler, and Dad by Sean Oliver and Ricardo Morales JR is out now published by Post Hill Press A war widow has accused the government of pushing her to the brink as she fights for compensation after her army veteran husband committed suicide. Alison Whitfield's husband Dave died in February last year after a decades-long battle with depression. He had served for eight years as a medic in the Australian Defence Force, including time in Timor-Leste, until he was discharged in 2004. The pair, who met in 2015, appeared on Q+A two years ago where Dave spoke about the physical and mental pain he had suffered since leaving the army. 'I tried to commit suicide more times than I can count - 30 plus times,' he told the ABC show. A year later he was dead. But Alison, 55, claims the treatment she has received from the Department for Veterans' Affairs (DVA) since Dave died has been just as traumatic. 'All he ever wanted was a letter that he could hang on the wall to say he wasn't insane,' she told the Daily Mail. Alison Whitfield's husband Dave died in February last year after a decades-long battle with depression. He had served for eight years as a medic in the Australian Defence Force, including time in Timor-Leste, until he was discharged in 2004 (the couple are pictured together) 'It's too late for him to hear it but I want them to apologise to Dave. He deserved better. I just want the wrongs to be righted. 'Why do I have to live the rest of my life being treated like s***? Because I speak out about what they're doing wrong and how they're treating veterans and their families?' Just days after Dave's death, the DVA wrote to Alison to inform her that his incapacity payments were being cut off three months early. 'This left me with absolutely no money coming in. I couldnt pay my rent and had to give up the unit Dave and I shared, effectively making me homeless,' Alison said. Alison attempted suicide four months later. 'They pushed me that far that I hopped in my car and I drove it into a barrier at 100km/h, so I would end up with Dave,' she said. 'I didn't have a house as I couldn't pay the rent because they didn't give me what I was entitled to.' Three months ago, Alison finally secured accommodation in a war widow's unit in New Farm, Brisbane. The couple, who met in 2015, appeared on Q+A two years ago where Dave spoke movingly about the physical and mental pain he had suffered since leaving the army (pictured: Dave during his service) Alison and Dave had numerous issues with the DVA over the years. They both gave evidence at the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide in 2022. Alison was also banned from contacting the DVA after sending an email accusing them of being a 'bunch of useless idiots'. But the central point of contention Alison has run into recently .is the conflicting advice regarding which compensation act Dave's death was accepted under. In a letter dated March 25, 2024 - just a month after he died - Alison was informed that 'liability for Mr Whitfields death has been accepted under the MRCA (the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act)'. If a veteran's death is accepted under the MRCA, then the dependent partner is entitled to a tax-free additional payment of around $185,000. But Alison's attempts to claim this additional payment have been thwarted by a vortex of red tape and impenetrable bureaucratic language. In an email last October, she was told 'there is no accepted condition under MRCA from which David passed away from and therefore no entitlement to the Additional Death Benefit'. The statement appears to directly contradict the earlier advice in the aftermath of Dave's death. 'They pushed me that far that I hopped in my car and I drove it into a barrier at 100km/h, so I would end up with Dave,' Alison said (pictured: her car in the aftermath) 'They just talk backwards in Chinese so that I can't understand it,' Alison said. 'They killed my husband. And now I have to navigate life on my own and try to keep my promise: that I'd get justice in some form for him.' Adam Glezer, from Consumer Champion, who is representing Alison, said the DVA's bureaucratic language and reams of red tape ensured that most veterans and their families gave up before receiving what they were entitled to. 'You'd need to be a MENSA-level genius to decipher the endless subsections and convoluted clauses in their policies. I believe it's intentional - designed to wear people down so they simply give up,' he said. 'The DVA has blood on its hands. The torment they inflict through their bureaucratic maze has contributed to countless suicides. In Alison's case, it cost her husband his life - and drove her to attempt to take her own.' Mr Glezer said the fact she had received any entitlements was 'a testament to her extraordinary resilience'. 'Alison's case left me horrified and disgusted - though, sadly, not surprised,' he said. 'There's a public perception that the Department of Veterans' Affairs supports our veterans. 'But in reality, they often push the very people they're meant to protect - and their families - to the brink, and sometimes beyond, in their fight for entitlements.' Mr Glezer said it felt like the department 'exploited the vulnerability' of military veterans. 'As appalling as that sounds, it's hard to see it any other way,' he added. Adam Glezer (pictured), from Consumer Champion , who is representing Alison, said the DVA's bureaucratic language and reams of red tape ensured that most veterans and their families gave up before they were given what they were entitled to 'The department acknowledged - in writing - that her husband's death was service-related. Yet they've subjected his widow to a cruel and punishing process just to access the compensation she is entitled to. 'It's not just unconscionable - it's inhumane.' Mr Glezer called on the DVA to improve the way it dealt with veterans. 'Empathy should be the number one requirement for anyone working at the DVA, given the vulnerability of the people they serve,' he said. 'While there are empathetic individuals within the department, they're rarely the ones making decisions. 'Too many appear cold and detached - and when that's combined with the complexity of the system, it becomes a dangerous mix.' In a statement to the ABC last year, the DVA acknowledged Dave's service and said it had given him support 'over a number of years'. 'The death of any veteran is a tragedy and the loss of a current or former Australian Defence Force member is deeply felt by the entire Defence and veteran community,' the spokesperson added. However, when asked to explain the apparently conflicting advice given to Alison, the DVA said it did 'not comment on individual cases to protect client privacy'. 'For complex cases, DVA provides additional support through the complex case assistance model to support veterans and families,' a department spokesperson added. 'Veterans and families are encouraged to engage with the Department through that support mechanism.' Actress Sarah Hadland has urged Brits to protect their communities from Labour's housing blitz as she joins an army of celebrities in fighting against an 'incongruous' development in her own charming village. The Miranda star, 54, has accused her Labour-run council of destroying Blackheath - London's first conservation area - amid developer's plans to build 45 'ugly' new homes in the heart of the community. Acorn, the north London developer, has submitted plans to build 20 terraced houses and 25 flats as part of two towering blocks in the Blackheath Station car park, where the thriving farmer's market is held every Sunday. Ms Hadland, who has lived in the south-east London village for more than 20 years, is one of 638 locals to formally submit objections to Lewisham Council - making up some 97 per cent of the 660 public comments. Such is the opposition against the plans, an open letter has been submitted by a host of A-list celebrities including Hollywood heartthrob Jude Law, fashion legend Jeff Banks and renowned author and humanitarian Sir Terry Waite. Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, Ms Hadland said: 'This is a good landmark to say 'no this has to stop, you cannot destroy areas to make money for private developers'. 'They are the ones that are going to come out this the best. How does that work? They don't have to live here.' Ms Hadland, who was a Strictly Come Dancing finalist last year, added: 'It's very wrong and has to be stopped. If it doesn't, this will become routine everywhere across this country. People will just be going, 'We'll build where we like because we want to make money'.' Under the plans in Blackheath, the 162-space car park would be reduced to just 17 - something locals fear will create 'fighting for spaces'. Sarah Hadland (centre) and an army of Blackheath locals campaign against the development The Miranda actress (pictured) has urged Brits to protect their communities from Labour 's housing blitz Acorn, the north London developer, has submitted plans to build 20 terraced homes and 25 flats as part of two towering blocks in the Blackheath Station car park, where the thriving farmer's market is held every Sunday. Pictured: Concept images of the development Campaigners also say the scale and design of the buildings is out of character for the area, will 'dwarf' the existing Victorian-style terraces on Collins Street and looks over a primary school. 'I appreciate all different types of architecture but if you put something as sympathetic as that, it just looks extraordinary,' Ms Handland said. The mother-of-one has accused the council of hypocrisy, enforcing strict planning laws on residents while pushing through developer's projects. She explained: 'I live right in the heart of the village and I've had work done on my property and the rules have been incredibly strictly and rightly so. I understand and I've abided by those rules. 'So to suddenly see the council themselves are going to let this north London building company Acorn build these flats is mystifying. 'You think hang on a minute. We're the one's paying the council tax and we have to abide by these rules but why are you allowed to do this? 'I just think it's very indicative of what's going to be going up and down the country when it would appear that council's are bending the rules to make money. 'But the people paying the consequences and the council tax and abiding by the rules are going to be traders and families and children. 'And it's taking amenities from the community - the car park and the farmer's market which is a huge part of the Blackheath community.' She added: 'They're going to have these ugly blocks of very modern flats which are completely incongruous. 'The car park spaces will go down to 17, there won't be parking. It's a small village, it already gets congested. Where are people going to park? Where are people buying the flats going to park? 'You are suddenly introducing a lot of traffic and fighting for parking spaces. I've already seen a few near misses with children with people trying to quickly reverse into a spot. 'My two biggest concerns are the pollution and the safety of kids, you've got several schools and primary schools and nurseries in the village. Kids crossing roads, it's going to be a nightmare. 'It's a little village. It's not designed for lorries to be thundering through.' Ms Hadland described Blackheath, which became London's first conservation area jointly with Greenwich in 1968, as a 'beautiful' area. But she added: 'It's not just the fact of whether it's a beautiful area or not... I think it's something that seems to be happening up and down the country where residents in an area are being set to one set of standards.' In a rallying call to Brits, she said: 'If you have the means to oppose something like this, you absolutely must. This village has really galvanised to go 'no you can't do this'. Sarah Hadland is best known for her role as Stevie in Miranda. She was also a finalist on Strictly last year Pictured is an aerial view of the car park next to the train station where the development is planned Acorn, the north London developer, has submitted plans to build 20 terraced houses and 25 flats as part of two towering blocks in the Blackheath Station (pictured) car park Locals say the development is not in keeping with the character of their charming village 'If people aren't able to do this, if they don't have the time or the resources to complain, they will be running roughshod over various parts of the country just to make money. 'The people that pay the real price are the residents who have built the communities over time. 'You are applying a very different set of rules to law abiding residents than you are to developers. The only difference is developers have got cash in their pockets because they know they are going to make even more cash. Does that money come back to the community? No, it doesn't. 'There are not that many villages in London left. You always come back to another key point, which is safety. That has to be the fundamental element of anything. A tiny village is not the right place to build newbuilds, we don't have the infrastructure, it's not safe.' Ms Hadland is one of hundreds of locals who have strongly objected to the development. Also fighting it is Jude Law who penned: 'I grew up in Blackheath. My junior school was across from the site where this proposed development will take place. 'This plan does not answer housing needs. Instead this plan will enforce a strain on a wonderful old village that deserves our protection.' Musician Chris Difford from the band Squeeze, which was formed locally, said: 'This is heartbreaking Blackheath has a skyline that is already suffocated by the horizon of Canary Wharf and the buildings in neighbouring Lewisham. 'We must respect the beauty and freedom that the sky provides around Blackheath Village and say no to this new development.' Hundreds of residents of Blackheath in south-east London are up in arms over the proposals, which they think are too large and 'out of keeping' for the area. Pictured: An architect's design for the redevelopment Jude Law penned: 'I grew up in Blackheath. My junior school was across from the site where this proposed development will take place.' Dire Straits musician Mark Knopfler said: 'Blackheath has always been a treasured area and one of London's last intact villages. Let's please leave it alone.' Sir Terry Waite added: 'My wife and I have had a house in Blackheath for over forty five years. It is a unique London Village where residents have both a strong sense of community and a respect for the distinctive features of Blackheath. 'The proposed development would severely impact the Farmers Market and place further strain on our overcrowded roadways. Furthermore it is totally out of sympathy with local buildings. I stand strongly opposed to this proposed project.' And Jeff Banks, who opened his first shop in Blackheath called Clobber, wrote: 'To imagine Blackheath succumbing to ill-conceived and mindless planning that would significantly change the historical value and heritage of one of London's jewels in the crown does not bear thinking about. Sense must prevail over greed.' A spokesman for Acorn said: 'The pre-application process was accompanied and informed by engagement [via in-person events, as well as online] with local residents, businesses and stakeholders including the Blackheath Society and the team continue to welcome comments and enquiries from interested residents and businesses throughout the planning process. 'The proposed development will deliver 45 high-quality sustainable homes, including much needed, entirely social-rented, family sized affordable housing, re-provision and enhancement of the farmers market and a substantial number of public benefits prioritising a socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable development that supports both residents and the natural environment.' Murders doubled in a Washington city - despite overall crime being down by 25 percent. New statistics released by the Federal Way mayors office show a 100 percent increase in homicides with eight murders so far in 2025, compared to four through August of last year. Federal Way is about 23 miles away from Seattle and has 101,030 residents, according to the US Census Bureau. Half of this years deaths were related to domestic violence, Federal Way police commander Kyle Buchanan said. He told the Federal Way Mirror: We want to reassure residents that none of the homicides this year were random acts of violence. 'In each case, the victim and suspect were known to one another. While even a single homicide is tragic, the likelihood of random victimization remains very low in Federal Way. Buchanan noted that domestic violence incidents are difficult to prevent. Your browser does not support iframes. Half of this years deaths were related to domestic violence, police said Federal Way is about 23 miles away from Seattle with a population of 101,030 The other homicides included a 13-year-old girl who was shot and killed on May 3 allegedly by Javier Garcia, 20, who was trying to rob her and had threatened to 'blow her head off. At the end of that same month, police arrested and charged Woo Jin Hahn, 29, with the second-degree murder of his own daughter. According to court documents seen by the Federal Way Mirror, Hahn said he abused his five-year-old after his child was suffering from food poisoning. He allegedly hit her with objects and tied her to a toilet for hours. On August 18, Matthew David Krutenat, 45, was arrested and later charged with murdering Rashawn Lucas. Lucas was pronounced dead at the scene of the crime after seemingly being shot in the left shoulder. Charges have been filed in four of Federal Ways eight homicide cases. Homicides doubled in Federal Way but overall crime is down by 25 percent in the city, the Federal Way Police Department said. Rashawn Lucas was shot and killed in Federal Way on August 18 Homicides doubled in Federal Way but crime is down by 25 percent in the city New statistics released by the Federal Way mayors office show a 100 percent increase in homicides Federal Way cops are seen above during a local school visit Total robberies are down 49 percent with aggravated assaults down 33 percent, commercial burglaries 68 percent and residential burglaries 32 percent. Motor vehicle thefts dipped by 55 percent, from 789 cases last year to just 352 until now in 2025. Police also reported that 46 shots had been fired so far this year, as opposed to 85 shots from January through August of 2024. Federal Way police say they are focused on proactive enforcement' which includes drug crackdowns and traffic stops. Federal Way mayor Jim Ferrell said: 'Those involved in illegal drug use and distribution are significantly more likely to commit other crimes. Property crimes, in particular, can be driven by 'drug-seeking behavior', he added. Officers have issued more than 7,200 traffic infractions this year, marking an 82 percent increase from 2024. Ferrell said: Statistics are cold comfort for those whove been personally affected by crime. 'I want our residents to know that our police officers and city government are fully committed to their safety and work tirelessly to protect them every day. In the early evening of July 30th, David and Susan Jeffcock set out together from their flat overlooking Whitby Harbour to make what they knew would be their final journey in life together. The couple had prepared for this day meticulously, cleaning their apartment and leaving a letter for their solicitor, explaining the drastic step they were about to take. They walked together over the bridge across the harbour and slowly negotiated the 199 steps up to Whitby Abbey, pausing to smile and nod at someone walking in the opposite direction. David, 80, and Susan, 74, walked behind the abbey, slipped through a fence and stood briefly at the top of East Cliff before joining hands and leaping 180ft to their deaths. Their family have told their heartbreaking story to the Daily Mail, revealing that David had been battling bone cancer, becoming worn down by the constant pain it brought - and his wife of 52 years was simply unable to live without him. In the courteous note they left for their solicitor, David apologised for any shock their deaths may cause, but added: 'Susan wants to come with me.' David's nephew Kevin Shepherd, 66, told of their 'complete devotion to each other' and believes they had been planning their suicide carefully for some time. He had seen his uncle, a retired taxi and bus driver, reduced from the cheerful and outgoing man he had once been to someone who was withdrawn and struggling with daily life. David, 80, and Susan, 74, (pictured) were 'completely devoted to each other', according to David's nephew, Kevin The couple had no children so his daily care fell entirely to Susan who could only watch in despair as his condition worsened as the months went by. Eventually the pain was too much for David to bear and the couple made a suicide pact, with Susan insisting that she did not want to carry on without him. Kevin, a funeral celebrant from Rotherham, South Yorks, said: 'It is extremely sad to think of them in that position, where they both wanted to take their own lives and to go together. 'But a friend of mine reminded me that they had made up their own minds and they did what they wanted to do, which brings some comfort, it was their own decision. 'They were a very loving and devoted couple but they were also full of fun and outgoing, you'd always find them in the pubs around Whitby enjoying live music, which was one of their great interests. 'The last time I saw them, my Uncle David really wasn't himself. He was withdrawn and clearly struggling with the pain brought about by the bone cancer. 'He told me that the Gabapentin he was taking wasn't having very much effect and that he was really struggling with the pain. It looks as though in the end it was just too much. 'We think it's possible he may have learnt he didn't have much longer to live and rather than live out that time in pain he had chosen to end it. David and Susan were not a religious couple but felt they would 'be together again in some way'. The pair are pictured on their wedding day 'Between them they had come to the decision that Susan wanted to go with him, I suppose she just didn't see what her life would be without him.' David wrote a letter to his solicitor and at some point during their final day he hand delivered it to the Whitby practice, pushing it through the letterbox. The letter apologised profusely that they had not had time to properly clean their rented apartment. However when Mr Shepherd and his family went to tidy away their belongings they found it immaculate. He said: 'They had emptied and cleaned the fridge, leaving the door open so there was no smell, all their laundry had been done and the place was cleaned and tidied. 'They knew they were not coming back from their walk and they did what they had always done in life, they thought about other people and were considerate right to the last. 'There was no immediate family to call but I was mentioned in uncle David's will and their solicitor contacted me to say 'I'm sorry but Mr and Mrs Jeffcocks have both passed away. A member of the public spotted a man and a woman on the rocks. With the tide coming in fast, the coastguard arranged for them to be recovered by helicopter (file image) 'It was a shock to lose them both together and at first I thought perhaps it had been a car accident, but the solicitor said it was clear from the letter that they had taken their own lives. 'David explained that both of them intended to end their lives and he wrote: "Susan wants to come with me". 'They weren't a religious couple but through my work as a celebrant I know that often people, whether they have a faith or not, feel they will be together again in some way in a place where they're at peace.' David was born and bred in Sheffield, where he lived until his retirement, save from a three year stint in Australia. He became one of the UK's '10 poms' who emigrated down under through the Australian government's Assisted Passage Scheme. He worked as a postman before returning to Sheffield where he found work as a taxi driver and then with the city council as a bus driver, where he served 21 years ferrying the elderly to and fro - and children to special schools. He met Susan after his return to Sheffield in around 1970 after she moved to the city from her native Hemsworth, West Yorks. Susan's cousin Margaret Atherton, 70, from Barnsley, South Yorks, said the couple fell for each other quickly. Susan's cousin Margaret Atherton, from Barnsley, South Yorks, said the pair fell for each other quickly. The couple are pictured here She said: 'As soon as Susan met David that was it, he was always going to be the man for her and they had a long and happy marriage. 'It had been a long time since I had seen her - it was 40 years ago, when she and David attended my father's funeral. 'As a girl and young woman she was a really jolly, fun person who loved music and enjoyed playing the accordion. 'When something like this happens you wish you had stayed in touch more, it was such a sad thing to hear but it looks as though their minds were made up.' David and Susan left Sheffield after David retired and decided on a move to the coast, which both loved, finding a home first in Skegness, Lincs. However they later saw that a holiday apartment which they had stayed in whilst visiting Whitby had become available for rent and they snapped it up around 10 years ago. Kevin Shepherd said: 'They loved the place. It had a fantastic view across the harbour and out to sea and they said that they really felt happy there. The couple saw a holiday apartment which they had stayed in whilst visiting Whitby had become available for rent and they snapped it up around 10 years ago. Whitby rooftops are pictured by the sea 'They had a real sense that Whitby was home. I remember my Uncle David saying you could go into an empty pub and sit down with a drink and minutes later it would be full of people dressed as pirates. 'They loved the liveliness and friendly nature of the place. They weren't big drinkers but they loved to go to the pub and watch the turns, live music was something they both enjoyed. 'I don't know how it came to be that they didn't have a family, but I know that Susan was a career woman, she had a good job as the PA to a director of Stanley Tools, so it may have been their choice.' An inquest will be resumed at a date to be fixed into David and Susan's death by the North Yorkshire coroner. The inquest opening at Northallerton on Monday heard that their cause of death was 'multi-trauma', according to a pathologist. In July, North Yorkshire Police described how emergency services teams were alerted at about 19:15 BST after a member of the public had spotted a man and a woman on the rocks. With the tide coming in fast, the coastguard arranged for them to be recovered by helicopter. Opening and adjourning the inquests into their deaths on Monday, senior North Yorkshire coroner Jon Heath gave no further details about the case. Iryna Zhdanova, founder of the Churyumov Science Lyceum/Boarding School, PhD in History Sciences and mathematics can be studied in depth starting from the first grade. Online as well. This has been proven in practice. At the Churyumov Science Lyceum/Boarding School, astronomy and physics are taught as separate subjects from the first grade. What can I say? It sounds obvious. Much depends on the "clients" - parents and the state. The first month of the academic year is now behind us. So I will share my first reflections on the 2025/2026 school year, and also on the recent statement by Oksen Lisovyi regarding the responsibility of schools for engineering education. This year, we welcomed motivated and active children who truly enjoy learning. Since I mostly communicate with the teaching team, I can confidently say that the teachers are thrilled. Because this is about teacher motivation: going into the classroom and feeling heard. Feeling needed not as a scapegoat burdened with blame, but as a teacher. Now, more specifically, about the "ifs." The first "if." Sciences and mathematics (as well as other subjects) can be studied in depth when there is a demand from clients - parents and the state. They are the clients of educational services. Such parents exist. And such children, too. Does the state currently demand these services? My personal answer is - NO. The Minister stated that schools are responsible for motivating students toward engineering majors. That is true, but it is also a kind of post-truth. The first link in this chain is the client. The second "if." If business processes are properly structured. Yes, I mean it. Whether and what kind of teachers, children, and parents come to your school also depends on business processes. They must be innovative and transparent, with a human-centered approach. If parents constantly troll the vice-principal or teachers in chat groups, it is nearly impossible to build effective learning. In fact - impossible. Children hear what their parents say. Distrust is transmitted to them. Over my seven years of running the school, we have seen all kinds of situations. Even those who at first expected us to inflate grades and entertain children eventually left for another school with gratitude. I realized that from the very first day after signing the contract, it is necessary to speak openly and honestly with parents. To provide a clear plan, detailed answers to questions, and explain our approaches. Abandoning the traditional class-lesson system, teaching based on Barbara Oakleys methodology - these are not easy for everyone to accept. The same applies, separately, to teachers. Especially newcomers. How difficult it is for them after the "New Ukrainian School" (NUS) and the state school system! It is easier with tutors. What is needed? From the outset - transparently discuss and clearly set KPIs. Monitor daily work. Teachers are a community of very responsible people. Therefore, conversations must not only be about vision and values. Those are important, too. But not only about the "why." What exactly and how it should be done. Short trainings with even shorter and very simple instructions for each process. And constant reflection. With students. With teachers. With parents. Within the administration team. This is what I learned from civic engagement. What I studied in Israel. And what I can apply directly to the school I founded. Where the clients are parents. And, to some extent, the state. The third "if" - the key one. TRUST. If the state, to which I faithfully pay taxes and fulfill my obligations, does not trust me - I can still work, because the law allows it. I was one of the authors of the article on in-depth study of natural sciences and mathematics, along with a team of principals from science-and-math schools and researchers. Therefore, I know well that all the legal tools for organizing such education exist. Does the state currently support this direction? No. The NUS is supported. Specialized science-focused education - no. Even if parents demand in-depth science and mathematics education, and even if business processes are in place - without trust, no school will work effectively. Because without a safe and friendly environment for children, parents, teachers, and the team, the result will be endless tsunamis and earthquakes. Education already has enough of war. Building trust between parents, students, and teachers is, perhaps, the founders primary task. Now, let us place local education authorities or the state itself in the role of "founder." What do we have? A catastrophe in public schools. To my great regret. If the founder is a university (as in the Ukrainian Physics and Mathematics Lyceum, UFML) or a capable local community, that is another story. But how many such state-run science-and-math schools still survive in Ukrainian education thanks to superhuman efforts?!! What is their reach? How do non-Olympiad students study there?! Back to trust. I will share one case from our practice. Every week, we play an online game with students called "Candle." We gather and take turns naming three things we liked most during the week. One of them is false. Everyone then cheerfully discusses which one is fake. They learn to constructively critique and analyze each others statements. For the administration, this is an opportunity to receive a kind of technical brief from our students - on what exactly needs improvement. Call it child-centeredness, or "objectivity" when presenting at forums and conferences, if you like. Just not under the spotlights during wartime. Because this is deeply demotivating for those working directly with students and parents. Without honest dialogue and response, there can be no expectation of trust. [Something the Ministry of Education and Science still does not seem to grasp.] I am convinced: without these three factors, there will be no natural science and mathematics education. Everything else - classrooms, equipment, textbooks - is extremely important. But not sufficient, in my opinion. They will remain lifeless without a living client, structured business processes, and trust. Brits Abroad has long been shorthand for chaos, from nightclub beatdowns and brawls over sun loungers to rape and murder charges at tourist hotspots around the world. The Foreign Office says around 6,000 UK nationals are arrested overseas every year. Ministers no longer publish country-by-country breakdowns, but the charity Prisoners Abroad confirms it is currently supporting nearly 1,126 Britons in foreign jails. These figures only cover those who ask for help, yet they remain the clearest snapshot of where our nationals are ending up behind bars. And the behaviour spans the full scale: low-level drunken bust-ups, public disorder and petty fights on the strip, through to serious crimes including drug smuggling, armed robbery and kidnap plots. Drug offences account for 40 per cent of cases handled by the organisation, while sexual crimes make up nearly 14 per cent of crimes its clients are accused of. Others include murder, property theft, fraud, and smuggling. The neon strips of Phuket, the beaches of Brazil, and the resorts of the Caribbean have all seen Britons hauled before the courts. Australia, the United States and parts of South America also rank among the hotspots, with drunken assaults, drug busts and violent clashes making headlines year after year. From a crypto broker thrown from a Costa del Sol balcony to armed robbers hunted down in Koh Samui, Britain's reputation abroad is once again being dragged through the mud. According to figures, around 16 to 18 million Brits visit Spain each year. Back when the Foreign Office still published arrest tables, Spain constantly topped the charts with more UK nationals arrested there than anywhere else. The government stopped releasing the breakdowns in 2014, but the trend has persisted. Prisoners Abroad confirms it is currently supporting 92 Britons in Spanish jails, the highest figure in Europe. Recent cases of Brits getting into trouble underscore why it remains one of the hotspots for unruly tourists. Your browser does not support iframes. Two British women were filmed in a brutal brawl in Spain in June. Brits abroad have developed a reputation for bad behaviour In June, footage from Tenerife showed two British women clawing at each other outside the Las Veronicas nightclub strip. One tackled the other to the ground before raining down punches as bystanders whooped and filmed on their phones. After the footage was shared on social media, many raised concerns over the behaviour of Brits abroad. One person said: 'What a disgrace, and it's only getting worse,' while others said the trend was becoming 'unbearable'. And in Ibiza, a so-called sunset boat party ended in carnage when dozens of Brits erupted into a mass brawl on deck. Chairs flew, punches were thrown, and a man was plunged into the sea as other tourists and locals looked on in horror. The chaos is not just confined to fist fights and petty disturbances. Last month, a British national was put behind bars for their alleged involvement in a UK crime syndicate that stole a car and took it on holiday in Ibiza to commit further crimes. Police began to probe a group of Brits after determining they had flown into the island with criminal intentions. The car was caught on CCTV speeding off after stealing 100,000 worth of goods and recklessly bumping into road barriers as it escaped. The car was later burned and left abandoned to conceal any evidence. That was not enough to prevent cops from sniffing out their hiding spot and recovering the goods. In July 2025, Civil Guard officers at Ceuta's ferry terminal arrested a 69-year-old British man after discovering 62 kilos of cannabis resin hidden in a secret compartment in the roof of his UK-registered car. The haul, branded with names like 'Dream Gelato' and 'Cereal Milk,' was bound for a ferry to Algeciras. Authorities were only alerted when w sniffer dog caught wind of the packages. He now faces charges under Spain's tough drug trafficking laws. In February, a cryptocurrency broker leapt 30 feet from a Costa del Sol balcony in a desperate bid to escape kidnappers. Cops arrested three Brits and recovered several weapons after another cryptocurrency broker escaped his kidnappers in Spain The 34-year-old Briton broke both ankles in the fall, but the gamble saved his life. He had been lured to an apartment in Estepona, tied up, threatened with torture and forced to transfer 30,000 in crypto. Police later raided the flat and arrested three British suspects, seizing guns, knives, cash and pink cocaine. Officers later released dramatic footage of the swoop. A woman who locals said was the party organiser also ended up in the sea. The party is said to have been cancelled due to the violence. For years, Brits abroad have been known for clashing over sun loungers. Dubbed the sun lounger wars, many have been filmed in heated arguments over them, while others have been seen sneaking out to the poolside at early hours of the morning just to secure one. One hotel in Spain was even forced to hire a bouncer to help break up potential fights between Brits and other tourists. Many say these incidents and more have contributed to the growing anti-tourism sentiments in many Spanish holiday destinations. In May, a woman who lives in Ibiza shared a video of rowdy Brits on an easyJet flight from Luton to the island and pleaded with authorities to stop letting in 'wild animals With over a million British visitors each year, Thailand has long carried one of the highest arrest rates for tourists from the country, and the cases keep coming. Holidaymakers in Phuket were stunned when four British tourists allegedly carried out a gangster-style robbery earlier this month. Hussain Meer, 26, Mir Wayne Carew, 25, Yanne Sarkawt, 25, and Malique Kai Walters, 27 are said to have knocked American lawyer Ibrahim Iyun off his motorbike before holding him at gunpoint and stealing his $75,000 Audemars Piguet watch. Police say the men had targeted him after spotting him with the watch at the popular holiday destination. Police say the Brits held the American lawyer down and stole his watch The suspects now face armed robbery and firearms charges that could bring decades behind bars. Months before that, in May, Thai cops arrested Ben Ashton, 37, who had been permitted to stay in the kingdom as a tourist. Authorities allege they discovered he was posing as an influential businessman in the Chaweng Beach tourist area of Koh Samui. Further investigations revealed he had a previous fraud conviction in the UK, but had fled to live in Thailand before serving his sentence. His Thai visa was later revoked, and plans were made to send him back to the UK. And in June, Thai police dramatically dismantled a scam centre in Samut Prakan province, arresting 13 foreigners, including six Britons. The group had been running a boiler-room investment fraud targeting Australians, tricking victims into pouring nearly A$2 million into fake high-yield bonds. Footage of the raid, obtained by Daily Mail, showed how cops uncovered phones, laptops, scripts and world clocks used to manage calls across time zones. In July, a horrific video showed how a British national was beaten after allegedly racking up a 460 bill at a bar in Chiang Mai and refusing to pay. The footage shows him being dragged out of the venue before multiple staff members attacked him. Greece, where an estimated 4.5million Brits visit each year, has been another flashpoint for bad behaviour, from seedy nightclub antics to outright violence. In Rhodes earlier this year, three Brits were convicted of attacking a nightclub owner in a brutal late-night assault. Aged 17 to 27, they were also accused of causing major damage to the venue. The victim, 43, was beaten with chairs and a table after he attempted to break up a fight. One of the suspects is alleged to have threatened him with a knife. In the melee, a 42-year-old man is said to have lost four of his teeth, while a woman was punched in the eye. The men were handed suspended sentences, while the 17-year-old was released on bail under court conditions. One of the most notorious incidents this summer came from Corfu, where five British pole dancers were detained after filming themselves gyrating semi-naked at a historic landmark. Five British women were filmed gyrating half naked on a pole at a historic landmark. The footage sparked outrage on social media Some of the women, dressed in leotards and lingerie, were seen balancing on a pole outside the Old Palace of St. Michael and St. George. The shocking footage, shared widely on social media, sparked outrage among locals who accused the women of desecrating cultural heritage. Police detained the group and charged them with violating archaeological law and degrading the surrounding area. The women were said not to have understood the gravity of their actions before the video went viral. It was hardly the first raunchy scandal - back in 2008, in Zakynthos, nine British women were charged after staging an oral sex competition in a nightclub. The stunt, which was filmed and was set to be uploaded on social media, drew condemnation from Greek authorities who accused the women of humiliating themselves and tarnishing the island's tourist image. Six British men were also charged for the incident, which happened at Laganas Beach. The women were said to have been paid to participate and faced prostitution charges, while the men were accused of encouraging the act. Even pensioners have been caught - in one case, an elderly British tourist was arrested on suspicion of secretly taking photographs of children on a beach, sparking fury among locals. With 4million people visiting each year, Turkey has seen some of the ugliest flare-ups of British tourist behaviour in recent years, with violent clashes making global headlines. Earlier this month, British tourists further dragged the nation's reputation through the mud when six of them were seen in a mass brawl with shopkeepers in Alanya. What started as a heated exchange of words quickly escalated into a mass brawl between six Brit tourists and Turkish shopkeepers According to local media, the row began outside a boutique on Ataturk Street when the holidaymakers got into a heated exchange with a local shopkeeper who had been sitting at the entrance of his store. The shopkeeper was headbutted and punched to the floor, and other traders rushed to his aid. What ensued was full-on carnage as sticks, loose objects, and a paving stone were all hurled at each other. The Brits retreated to a nearby hotel after they were outnumbered. According to cops, several people suffered injuries. In another brawl that involved two British women in June, 'jealousy' was said to be the catalyst of the mayhem. The pair were seen exchanging words before they clashed, and one was thrown to the ground with kicks and punches being thrown. Although the fight appeared to have de-escalated at one point when the women entered a shop, they emerged moments later and began tussling on the ground. The fight made headlines in Turkey with speculation running rampant about what may have caused the chaos. In June, two women were pictured in a brawl in Turkey. Luckily for them, authorities did not bring legal charges against them Authorities said the women were ultimately separated and calmed down. They also said there was no need to bring legal charges against any of them. Disorderly conduct is not a rare occurrence - in June, a 34-year-old mother, Georgia Harrison, was arrested in Antalya after a drunken rampage left a hotel room shower damaged while she celebrated her boyfriend's 'Turkey teeth' makeover. She had initially attempted to flee the hotel but was arrested by police before they could get on a plane back home and forced to spend a day in jail. Harrison was ordered to pay 15,000 to the hotel and set up a GoFundMe page to solicit donations. She said: 'All I know is I've done it. I'm sorry I was scared and I just tried to get away from it by trying to leave. 'Yes, it was the wrong thing to do but I was scared and not thinking straight maybe if I didn't I [wouldn't] be in this mess. 'I know only I am to blame and my actions are the reason I cannot see my daughter.' Georgia Harrison was celebrating her boyfriend's Turkish teeth when she smashed up the bathroom of a hotel The pair tried to flee after the bathroom was destroyed but authorities caught up with them Even thousands of miles from home, British tourists have managed to turn paradise into pandemonium. Despite its strict rules and hardline approach to justice, nearly 400,000 Brits flock to the destination. While there, many have landed themselves in hot water. In July, three Britons narrowly escaped Indonesia's death row after being convicted of attempting to move cocaine disguised as dessert mix. Lisa Stocker, 39, and her husband Jon Collyer, 38, were stopped at Bali airport in February with nearly a kilo of cocaine concealed in 17 packets, worth an estimated 300,000. Authorities later detained 31-year-old Phineas Float, accused of arranging to receive the consignment, a few days after the initial arrests. A Balinese court sentenced the trio from Hastings and St Leonards, East Sussex, to 12 months behind bars. Given the time they have already served, they could walk free as early as the beginning of 2026. Under Indonesian law, the three might have faced capital punishment for their role in a narcotics deal. The trio were spared the death penalty and could now be released from prison early next year Executions for drug crimes have been paused since 2017, although severe sentences remain common, and previous presidents have signed off on foreign death penalties. Ordinary civilians are not the only ones who get accused of wrongdoing while on holiday. In October 2024, British rapper and YouTuber Yung Filly, whose real name is Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos, was arrested in Brisbane, Australia. He was extradited to Perth, where he faces charges including four counts of sexual penetration without consent, three counts of assault occasioning bodily harm, and one count of strangulation. The alleged incident occurred on September 28, 2024, in a hotel room in Hillarys, Perth, following a nightclub performance. Barrientos has pleaded not guilty to all charges. In addition to the Australian charges, Barrientos is reportedly under investigation in Spain for a separate sexual assault case involving a British tourist in Magaluf, which allegedly took place in the summer of 2024. As of September 2025, Barrientos has been granted permission to return to the UK temporarily under strict bail conditions. He is required to return to Western Australia by January 7, 2026, and must surrender his passport upon his return. Yung Filly seen leaving a court in Perth after a brief appearance. He was arrested on rape charges while in Australia in October 2024 Also in Australia, a British traveller pled guilty to fatally striking a man while riding an e-scooter drunk in Perth. Alicia Kemp, 25, from Redditch, Worcestershire, had been drinking heavily on a Saturday in May before she and a friend were removed from a bar. Later that evening, they rented an electric scooter, with Kemp at the controls. She was travelling at about 20 to 25 km/h when she collided with 51-year-old Thanh Phan from behind as he walked along a city pavement. Phan, a father of two, hit his head and died in a hospital two days later from a brain bleed. Kemp's passenger also suffered serious head injuries but survived. She is set to appear in court again on October 31 and could face up to 20 years in prison. Although Dubai sells itself as a glittering playground for holidaymakers, it can quickly turn into a nightmare for Britons who ignore its strict laws, with even minor slip-ups leading to prison time. The United Arab Emirates attracts up to 1.5million Brits each year. Out of those, many have found themselves in hot water. In 2020, a number of partying Brits were seen on video as multiple brawls broke out at the luxurious Five Palm Jumeirah hotel. Visitors filmed the men brawling in the lobby, a lounge area, and outside the entrance of the hotel. Despite the hotel's owner insisting some of the brawls were staged, the videos went viral on social media, with people hitting out at those involved. More recently, the mother of a 23-year-old Brit revealed that her daughter had been sentenced to life in Dubai. Mia O'Brien was locked up after police caught her with 50g of cocaine worth 2,500. Her mother, Danielle, later set up a GoFundMe page to help raise funds so she could visit her daughter. Mia O'Brien's mother says her daughter has been sentenced to life in a Dubai prison after cops found her with 50g of cocaine In other parts of the world, young Britons are also facing grave allegations that could see them spend decades in prison. Nineteen-year-old Bella May Culley from Billingham, Teesside, was detained at Tbilisi airport in May after arriving from Thailand. Georgian authorities allege she was carrying 12 kilograms of cannabis and 2 kilograms of hashish hidden in her luggage. Culley insists she was coerced, claiming she was threatened, 'branded with a hot iron' and unaware of what she was transporting. And in Sri Lanka, former flight attendant Charlotte May Lee, 21, from Coulsdon, south London, was arrested on May 12 after customs officers claimed her bags contained 46 kilograms of 'kush' worth more than 1 million. Lee denies knowing anything about the drugs. Both women remain in custody as investigations continue. British tourists have built a reputation for turning dream holidays into nightmares. Charity groups and lawyers have pointed to alcohol as being at the centre of many of the troubles, with cheap drinks and all-inclusive packages fuelling violence and disorder in resorts from Ibiza to Zante. Away from the bars, some Britons are being drawn into serious crime, from trafficking drugs across borders to joining international scam networks. These stories reinforce the 'Brits Abroad' label that has become shorthand for drunken antics, street fights and criminal trials. A former Israeli Defense Force company commander admits Israel made 'mistakes' in the response to the October 7th Hamas attack and reveals his entire unit operated without orders as they scrambled to evacuate citizens and fight terrorists. Govrin says he had to step-up when the unexpected happened. 'We never expected what happened that day to happen,' Amit Govrin told Daily Mail, describing the horror of the attack as his forces acted independently during the surprise assault. Govrin says his unit was on leave when the offensive first happened. 'Despite the lack of information we immediately deployed without clear orders to defend out country, rescue civilians and repel terrorist incursion.' The ex-company commander laid out his vision for ending the war, calling for international pressure on Hamasnot Israelto release hostages, followed by collective efforts to disarm the terror group. 'They need to start by making all the countries create significant public pressure, not through Israel, but through Hamas, to release the hostages,' he explained. Govrin said any lasting peace would require 'signing a regional security agreement with all relevant diplomatic forces' and addressing threats from Iran. 'It's two years later, and Israel needs to have structure and they need to have order and strategy,' he said, calling October 7th a 'valuable lesson' that exposed gaps in IDF preparedness. Govrin says his entire unit was acting without orders on October 7th as they evacuated citizens and fought terrorists The ex-company commander noted that any long-term resolution would also involve addressing regional actors like Iran When asked what he thought President Trump's approach should be with Iran, he called for a more aggressive approach Govrin warns that Tehran could still have hidden nuclear sites and active bomb-making ambitions. 'I am not sure that all the nuclear programs have been dismantled,' Govrin told Daily Mail. The administration still asserts that the U.S. strikes destroyed Iran's nuclear capabilities. The ex-company commander said Iranian officials moving 'chillers'machines that cool uranium used to make bombsfrom their sites would prove Iran retains nuclear weapons ambitions. 'When you have the means to do something, that means you probably will do it,' he warned, citing Iranian leaders' threats to 'eliminate Israel' while calling the U.S. 'the big devil.' Govrin called for President Trump to take a 'very restrictive' and more aggressive approach toward Iran, saying 'I think there are more sites and there could be future plans.' His assessment directly challenges the Trump administration's public stance that earlier U.S. strikes successfully dismantled Iran's nuclear infrastructure, though verification of the damage remains limited. When asked why Netanyahu is not taking any responsibility for the events surrounding October 7th, Govrin responded by saying that many are just keeping their heads down and hoping the storm will be over soon A U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency assessment found American strikes on Iraniannuclear facilities only delayed the program by 'a few months' rather than eliminating itbacking Govrin's warnings about Iran's continued capabilities. When asked who's winning the war, Govrin delivered a blunt assessment: 'Until Israel gets the hostages back we haven't won.' The ex-company commander suggested Israel is running out of time and criticized the country's diplomatic strategy, saying 'Israel didn't do the best job at keeping our allies closer.' Govrin ruled out a two-state solution, citing Hamas's continued control of Gaza and Palestinian support for the terror group. When pressed on Netanyahu's refusal to take responsibility for October 7th failures, Govrin hinted at widespread dissatisfaction with current leadership, saying next year's election 'will be telling' and that 'Israel is ready for new leadership.' Former Israeli Defense official Amit Govrin, was a company commander in the Givati Brigade, a frontline infantry brigade. Govrin was extensively involved in military operations in the Gaza Strip, including on the October 7'th surprise attack. Govrin led his combat operations in Gaza where he was severely wounded, losing his sight in his right eye When asked if Netanyahu would survive if President Trump turned his back on him, Govrit gave a telling response Govrin elaborates that he cannot say for sure that all of Iran's nuclear sites have actually been destroyed Govrin says that if Iranian officials were seen moving out 'chillers' from their sites - machines that cool the uranium used to make bombs, then that is all the proof they need that Iran still has the same ambitions 'Until Israel gets the hostages back we haven't won,' Govrin said bluntly When asked if Netanyahu would survive if President Trump turned against him, Govrin suggested the two leaders maintain a closeness even throughout the turbulence around the ongoing war in Gaza. "The president and the prime minister are much closer than people think. I don't think everybody knows or needs to know the level of their cooperation," he said. Govrin, a former company commander in the Givati Brigade who was severely wounded and lost sight in his right eye during Gaza operations following October 7th, said Israel's democracy would ultimately decide Netanyahu's fate through next year's election. The crowd gathered at dawn in Beyram, a dusty town of roughly 8,000 residents that serves as capital to the remote Fars Province of southern Iran. Men were allowed to stand at the front, surrounding a shoulder-high platform where the action would take place. Towards the back were their wives, clad in jet black robes, alongside dozens of small children. As the sun rose over the nearby mountains, a man named Sajad Molayi Hakani was frogmarched on to the makeshift stage, wearing a blindfold, with both hands tied behind his back. Then a noose was put around his neck. A video of proceedings shows the other end of the rope being attached to a yellow crane. Seconds later, it was pulled tight, lifting Hakani several metres in the air. Several minutes passed before he stopped kicking. Throughout the grisly process, onlookers offer occasional applause, along with isolated cheers. Hakani, who died on August 19, is one of at least 1,000 people who have been executed in Iran so far this year during what opposition activists have dubbed a 'mass killing campaign' orchestrated by the Islamic theocracy's mullahs. Astonishing details of the blood-letting were laid bare this week by the Iran Human Rights Organisation, an independent lobby group based in Norway. It believes the country's government has chosen to dramatically increase its use of the death penalty to crush dissent, having been rocked by three popular uprisings in the past eight years. The IHRO's detailed report describes this show of ruthlessness unprecedented even by the standards of a country which has for years put more of its citizens to death, per capita, than anywhere else in the world as a 'crime against humanity the dimensions of which, in the absence of any serious international reactions, are expanding every day'. At least 1,000 people who have been executed in Iran so far this year during what opposition activists have dubbed a 'mass killing campaign' orchestrated by the Islamic theocracy's mullahs Unlike other methods of execution, hanging involves a slow and drawn-out death which can take up to 45 minutes Things have lately escalated to the point where 64 people were executed in the past week alone, it says, 'a rate of more than nine hangings per day'. Cranes, which are used in the vast majority of Iran's public hangings, contribute to the horrifying spectacles, say campaigners Amnesty International. Unlike old-fashioned methods of execution which involve weighing a prisoner to determine the length of drop necessary to ensure a quick death by snapping the neck they result in a victim being lifted off the ground so that they slowly perish via suffocation. It's a process which the pressure group says 'can take 45 minutes'. A few years back, the fate of a convicted drug smuggler named Alireza M sparked international attention. He was hanged from a noose attached to a crane for 12 minutes, before being pronounced dead by a watching doctor. The following day, workers in the mortuary at Bojnurd prison noticed steam inside Alireza M's body bag, and realised that he was still breathing. State news outlets reported that he was transferred to hospital and survived, before having his sentence reduced to life imprisonment by Ayatollahs, who decided that it was 'Allah's will' that he survived. More recent victims tend to fall into one of three categories. Some are political dissidents, who are usually convicted of 'mofsed-e-filarz,' which broadly translates as 'corruption on earth' and generally involves doing something that might undermine the regime. Protesters in the Netherlands voicing their support for Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi, who had his death sentence overturned last year Among those recently sentenced to death for this crime is Toomaj Salehi, a rap musician known as 'the Tupac of Iran' whose songs poke fun at the country's ruling class. He'd been arrested after voicing support for anti-government protests in 2022. In April last year, a court decided that his 'propaganda against the state' was so severe that he ought to hang. Global outrage ensued, resulting in a U-turn by the mullahs, who agreed to release Salehi from prison in December. Most executions are either for drug offences (Iran has more opioid addicts than any other country) or murder. To blame for most of those death sentences is a system of Sharia law named Qisas, under which relatives of murder victims are allowed to demand blood-money payments from their killers. If insufficient cash is forthcoming, they can insist that the perpetrator of the crime is hanged. This can lead to bizarre and often dramatic public spectacles, with about 350 hangings cancelled at the last minute after families dropped their demands. In one case a woman slapped her son's killer as he was standing on a chair on the gallows with the noose around his neck. She then announced that she'd decided to pardon him after all. The condemned man, called Balal, had killed a former friend, Abdolah Hosseinzadeh in a street fight with a knife. His execution was scheduled for April 15, 2014, in the northern city of Noor. But as prison guards fixed the noose around his neck Abdolah's mother slapped his face and then had a change of heart. 'After that, I felt as if rage vanished within my heart,' she said. 'I felt as if the blood in my veins began to flow again. 'I burst into tears and I called my husband and asked him to come up and remove the noose.' Within seconds of her husband Abdolghani unhooking the rope from Balal's neck, he was declared pardoned by local officials. Several police officers were seen to cry. In another, last year, a man named Ahmad Alizadeh was hanged for 28 seconds, only to be brought down and resuscitated at the request of his victim's family. He was returned to prison, only to be hanged again weeks later, after the family changed their mind. Sajad Molayi Hakani is among those who were executed after Qisas negotiations failed. He was found guilty of murdering a mother and three of her children during a botched robbery last October. Also convicted of the crime was his wife Masha Akbari. She is apparently due to be executed in private. 'The Qisas sentence of the second defendant in this case, the wife of the first defendant, will be carried out in prison in the presence of the victims' next of kin,' read a statement by Sadrallah Rajaei, head of the Fars judiciary. There are, of course, those who would argue that in a case of brutal murder the death penalty fits the crime. The problem is Iran has no justice system to speak of. The concept of a jury trial does not exist. Criminal investigations are instead overseen by a single judge, who then presides over the trial of whatever suspect ends up being arrested. He (and it is always a 'he') also decides whether the defendant is guilty or innocent and chooses what sentence to impose. Little wonder that upwards of 95 per cent of trials result in a conviction. Or that in 45 per cent of cases where someone is sentenced to death, the accused is not even allowed to present their case, the IHRO reports. Meanwhile, in about half of the court cases that result in someone being sent to the gallows, the entire trial takes less than 45 minutes. A significant number then revolve around forced confessions obtained via torture. And if witnesses are called, Iranian law dictates that a man's testimony is twice as reliable as a woman's. This particular policy, derived from a rigid interpretation of the Koran, has led to several high-profile miscarriages of justice, including the execution of Reyhaneh Jabbari, a 26-year-old interior designer convicted of killing a man who was trying to rape her. Ms Jabbari insisted that the man, a former intelligence official named Morteza Abdolali Sarbandi, had lured her to his house on the pretext of wanting help redecorating an office, before launching the attack. She claimed to have then stabbed him in the back with a penknife. But a male friend of Sarbandi disputed her version of events, and was taken at his word by the judge. Another notorious case, which made headlines in 2021, centred on a 27-year-old married man who was sentenced to death after his wife discovered messages on his phone suggesting he'd had an affair with an unmarried 33-year-old woman. The wife later sought to withdraw the complaint against her husband, and asked the court to spare his life. Unfortunately, this placed her at odds with the 33-year-old woman's father, who still wanted him to hang. Because the father was male, his demand took precedence. 'It is beyond sad that in the 21st-century, ISIS is still in power in my beautiful country,' was how Masih Alinejad, an Iranian-American women's campaigner, responded to the ensuing execution. 'Under Iran's penal code, adultery is a crime against God for both men and women. It is punishable by 100 lashes for unmarried men and women, but married offenders are sentenced to death.' Iran's medieval-style penal code offers a hair-raising insight into life under the ayatollahs, listing at least 80 offences which can carry the death penalty. They include adultery, homosexuality, apostasy and blasphemy. Plus something called 'tafkhiz,' which refers to 'inter-cultural' sex. In these cases, perpetrators are only executed when the 'active party' is non-muslim and the 'passive party' is muslim. If a muslim man sleeps with a non-muslim woman, he is merely imprisoned. The standard punishment for adultery is 'stoning' according to Article 225 of the Penal Code. However, it can be upgraded to hanging if a court rules it 'not possible to perform stoning.' A hundred lashes are also standard punishment for having a lesbian affair. However, Article 238 of the Penal code states that if someone is convicted four times of that offence, they must be put to death. Elsewhere, a two-tier approach to justice applies in cases of 'sodomy'. They only result in the 'active party' getting a death sentence if he is married or committing rape. However the 'passive party' gets a death penalty regardless. As does any non-muslim who has sex with a muslim in any circumstances. The Qisas system also values life differently depending on a victim's gender. The starting rate for buying your way out of a hanging is about 12,000 if you have murdered a muslim man, but half that if you kill a muslim woman. There are also some handy exemptions. A man who kills his wife because he thinks she's having an affair gets immunity from execution. As do people who kill someone who isn't muslim. Children can also be sentenced to death, if they have reached the age of criminal responsibility: 15 for boys but just nine for girls. Nine is also the age at which Iranian girls can be subjected to arranged marriages, usually to much older men, though most wait until they are at least 13. The IHRO report says that a total of 8,800 people have been executed in Iran since 2010, but the number has been steadily rising. It hit 834 in 2023 and 975 last year, when victims included 31 women and one child, along with five people who were handicapped (in the first six months of this year, 29 women were executed). The document's foreword, by Javaid Rehman, the former UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, tells how during the years he monitored the country: 'Executions included those of women, some of them reportedly raped before their executions, and a very large number of children.' The most recent victims include Babak Shahbazi, a 44-year-old father of two who was hanged last week after being convicted of spying for Israel while working as an industrial refrigeration installer. He allegedly used his job to gather information from sensitive locations, which was then passed on to Israel. Evidence against him included the fact that he knew how to use Microsoft Word, which the court decided represented proof he was spying for Mossad. In July, two high-profile prominent opposition activists Behrouz Ehsani, 69, and Mehdi Hassani, 68 were killed in Ghezel Hesar prison, near Tehran. A letter passed to democracy activists by cellmates said that plain-clothes officers had entered the prison early one Saturday morning on the pretext of 'checking the water outage' before being joined by 50 colleagues who began attacking prisoners with batons. 'Several agents tied prisoners' hands behind their backs, dragged them out, and slammed them against the main corridor wall. Outside the hall, masked agents lined the way to the Unit 4 exit,' read the letter 'In the special ward of Unit 1, Mehdi Hassani and Behrouz Ehsani were executed without delay. We learned of it five days later.' In the face of this ongoing slaughter, the international community remains conspicuously silent. On Wednesday, Iran's President, Masoud Pezeshkian was allowed to address the UN, describing his country as 'a steadfast partner and a trustworthy companion for all peace-seeking countries of friendship.' As he stood at the lectern, at least eight political prisoners were being executed, bringing the total for the last month to a record-breaking 200. Immigration has pushed the UK population to a record 69.3million with numbers rising by more than threequarters of a million over 12 months. New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed the UK's population in mid2024 was up 755,254 (1.1 per cent) from 68.5 million in mid2023. This was the second largest annual numerical increase since the late 1940s and only behind the 890,049 estimated for the previous 12 months, from mid2022 to mid2023. The jump was driven almost entirely by international migration, with natural change more births than deaths responsible for only a tiny proportion. The latest figures mean the UK population is estimated to have grown by 1.6million between June 2022 and June 2024: the largest twoyear jump since current records began. But the rate of growth in the most recent 12month period has not been consistent across the UK. There was faster rate in England in the year to June 2024 (1.2 per cent) than in Scotland (0.7 per cent), Wales (0.6 per cent) or Northern Ireland (0.4 per cent). Both Wales and Scotland saw negative natural change more deaths than births in this period. Use our interactive tool below to discover how your local population has changed: Your browser does not support iframes. Net international migration the difference between people moving to the country and leaving contributed most to population growth in all four nations of the UK, the ONS said. Some 1,235,254 people were estimated to have immigrated to the UK in the 12 months to June 2024 while 496,536 were likely to have emigrated, meaning net migration was 738,718. This accounted for 98 per cent of the UK's overall increase in population across this period. In England, the local authorities with the largest percentage increase and decrease in population, City of London (11.1 per cent) and Isles of Scilly (down 2.8 per cent), have very small populations which means they have outlying results. The next largest increases in England were for Oadby & Wigston in Leicestershire (3.1 per cent), followed by Preston in Lancashire (2.9 per cent) and Barking & Dagenham in London (2.8 per cent). Kensington & Chelsea in London had the next largest decrease in England (down 1.4 per cent), followed by the London boroughs of Lambeth (down 0.6 per cent) and Westminster (down 0.3 per cent). Glasgow saw the largest percentage increase in population in Scotland in the year to mid2024 (1.8 per cent), Newport had the largest rise in Wales (1.7 per cent) and Derry City & Strabane had the largest jump in Northern Ireland (1 per cent). The biggest drops in these three nations were Argyll & Bute (down 0.3 per cent), Isle of Anglesey (down 0.2 per cent) and Newry, Mourne & Down (down 0.2 per cent) respectively. Nigel Henretty of the ONS said: 'The UK population has increased each year since mid1982. 'Net international migration continues to be the main driver of this growth, continuing the longterm trend seen since the turn of the century. 'The rate of population increase has been higher in recent years, and the rise seen in the year to mid2024 represents the second largest annual increase in numerical terms in over 75 years.' Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Along with new population figures for 2024, the ONS has revised its estimates for 2011 to 2023 in line with the latest available migration data. They show the UK population grew by 4.7million in the decade from mid2014 to mid2024, a rise of 7.2 per cent. This is a slightly slower rate of growth than in the preceding 10 years from 2004 to 2014, which was 7.8 per cent. Growth has been notably higher in the 21st century than during the second half of the 20th century, however. The UK population stood at 50.3million in 1949 and took 19 years to reach 55million (in 1968) and a further 37 years to hit 60million (2005). It then took only 10 years to increase from 60 million to 65 million (2015). He might have been dead for 75 years, but it's been a hell of a month for George Orwell, the author of Nineteen Eighty-Four and its vision of the ultimate authoritarian state under the all-seeing eye of Big Brother. Just yesterday, the Government announced the first peacetime identity card in UK history, nicknamed the Brit Card, thus cleverly rendering all criticism inherently unpatriotic. That follows the announcement by the Home Secretary of an exciting new scheme to extend roving facial recognition technology. Britain has been covered in CCTV cameras for years but this software maps everyone's unique physiognomy against a police database. Previously enjoyed by three police forces, it will now be extended to a further seven chief constables from Manchester to Hampshire whose officers will be able to take what is essentially our facial fingerprints and then run us through the system without consent. But perhaps most Orwellian of all is the news from one part of the capital where this festival of intrusion is going a step further. For here, just a mile from Orwell's first London digs in Portobello Road, the very latest facial recognition and artificial intelligence surveillance tools will soon be deployed not by the state or by the police. Rather, they are being installed by the local council. While the latest Home Office statement insists that police should use this stuff only 'to go after the most dangerous criminals', the west London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham is promising to use the tools to pursue not only robbery and knife crime but also drug dealers, and multiple forms of 'anti-social behaviour'. On top of all that, it is rolling out a fleet of AI-equipped drones to combat 'fly-tipping'. Given that this borough already has more than 2,500 CCTV cameras, more per person than anywhere else in the country, why is it determined to install even more? It is certainly keeping Hammersmith & Fulham in the news. It was just a fortnight ago that this paper was reporting on the very same council's failure to reopen its famous bridge over the Thames to motorists. Now it is making fresh headlines after announcing it will spend 3.2million on this dramatic new layer of surveillance. Not only will it be the first local authority to use live facial recognition cameras to spot villains on the prowl but Hammersmith & Fulham will also be converting 500 existing cameras to perform retrospective facial monitoring too. That way, known troublemakers can be mapped against stored footage to see what they have been up to previously, and where. The borough of Hammersmith & Fulham already has more than 2,500 CCTV cameras and wants to install even more Robert Hardman, left, eating lunch with investigator Jake Hurfurt in the Westfield shopping centre, when police officers approach Furthermore, many of these cameras will be armed with speakers so that a disembodied voice can shout at errant members of the public, too. 'Ahoy, lady in the purple coat outside Tesco: pickpocket at nine o'clock...' To WHICH we might expect all 195,000 residents of the borough to be lustily offering three cheers. If you've nothing to hide, you've nothing to fear and so on. Except that I find many have their doubts. I cannot blame them. For just a few hours after I start to investigate this story, I find myself being interrogated and filmed by two police officers plus a security guard while attempting to eat my lunch. More of which later. It seems that we no longer have just Big Brother watching over us. Little Brother is muscling in on the act and, in some ways, he could be even more of a menace. For this is the council that, just this summer, slapped a 1,000 fine on a man for putting out his rubbish a few hours early before going on holiday. Council jobsworths baldly asserted that he was 'fly-tipping' and had no formal right of appeal (they eventually relented, not through judicial process but out of sheer embarrassment when the pesky national Press got involved). This is the council repeatedly given awards for the most punitive traffic cameras in Britain, including last year's record haul of 851 fines from a single camera in one day. More breathtaking still was the fact it was a Sunday. Meanwhile, its imposition of an LTN (low traffic neighbourhood) around the once-prosperous Wandsworth Bridge Road might have seen passing trade fall off a cliff but the cameras have been raking in up to 1million a month in penalties. So, while the locals are all in favour of seeing knife-wielding maniacs, drug dealers and genuine fly-tippers being nabbed around the clock, there are plenty who wonder just who is going to be hardest hit by all this new surveillance infrastructure. Two things occur to me right away. First, the real baddies might have the bright idea of investing in a balaclava. Second, we are now wearily used to brazen anti-social behaviour in plain sight anyway, without any need of cameras. For example, the council's report on its new CCTV technology makes no mention of two of the most irksome forms of daylight yobbery high-speed e-scooters on pavements and aggressive shoplifting, which seem to occur with impunity. It seems that we no longer have just Big Brother watching over us. Little Brother is muscling in on the act and, in some ways, he could be even more of a menace, writes Robert Hardman The Labour-run council tells me that all of its live facial recognition data will be held only by the police and the technology will lead to arrests that would not otherwise happen. 'This investment is about giving families peace of mind, helping victims see justice done, and ensuring criminals know there's nowhere to hide in H&F,' says council leader Stephen Cowan, adding that his existing cameras have played a part in 634 arrests this year alone. That is to be applauded. But how much of the new infrastructure will end up, gradually over time, simply targeting the low-hanging fruit? The council is less clear about what happens to 'retrospective' data. Given the readiness of the police to send teams to nab someone for a historic tweet while refusing, say, to investigate the latest burglary next door, we are entitled to wonder where this might end. I have come to one of ten locations selected by the council, on the basis of footfall and the number of recent criminal incidents, to be initial priority zones for permanent facial recognition cameras. It is a big step. Until now, the Metropolitan Police has deployed these cameras in vans on a temporary basis, accompanied by back-up teams. Here at the junction of Shepherd's Bush Market and the Uxbridge Road, however, the council is going to be installing fixed cameras to scan the faces of all and sundry. 'We do see a lot of crime but I do find the idea of these cameras quite scary,' says Joshua George, 32, who runs a stall selling perfumes. 'It's the sort of thing they do in China, saying it's to protect the public and then they round up people they don't like.' He points to recent arrests of protesters following the official ban on Palestine Action and asks what happens when a face caught at one of those protests suddenly matches a face walking into the market. Robert Williams, 75, who has lived here since the Seventies, says he does not object to targeted surveillance by the police but has 'mixed feelings' about cameras registering everyone's faces all the time. 'And I certainly don't like the idea of council drones following us.' We need only think back to Covid-era spotter drones driving prosecutions for coffee on a park bench to imagine the fun that the jobsworths could have tracking a rogue dog mess from on high. I am joined by a man for whom Orwell's vision is a job description. Jake Hurfurt is head of investigations for the civil rights group Big Brother Watch. He accepts that this technology has a legitimate national security use. But fly-tipping? 'There are already enough questions about the way the police should be allowed to use these cameras,' he says. 'As for a council, that's clearly a step too far. This stuff should never be used for petty crime.' He points to a number of problems, including the fact that these cameras have a racial bias. This is not disputed by Hammersmith & Fulham, which acknowledges that 'facial recognition systems have been shown to have higher error rates for darker-skinned individuals, particularly black men and women'. This, however, does not worry passing health worker, Natalie, who is much more concerned about her children's safety than the fact that, as a woman of colour, she might be misidentified. 'Racial bias is everywhere but so are drugs and thieves,' she says. 'If these cameras help protect my teenage son, I've got no problem with them.' The council has also said it wants to use the technology to identify objects such as knives and guns, a perfectly noble aim except, once again, this software makes mistakes. Mr Hurfurt points to the case of a lorry driver being punished after his company's own in-cab CCTV camera caught him picking up his phone from the dashboard, except that it turned out to be his glasses case. Such glitches, in an ideal world, would be swiftly sorted out by a wise official. But we all know that hell will freeze over sooner than some branches of local government manage to answer a phone. I move on to another of the council's priority locations, on Wood Lane, between the old BBC headquarters at Television Centre and Westfield Shopping Centre, one of Britain's largest. Daily Mail photographer Murray Sanders and I are working out where the cameras are likely to be erected when a security guard orders us to stop taking snaps and to seek authorisation from the Westfield management. I report to reception, send a message to head office and then head off to find some lunch. Half an hour later, midway through a box of sushi, I am suddenly accosted by two plain-clothes police officers plus a security guard. They inform me calmly and politely that I am being filmed on body cameras and demand to know why I am here and on what authority. I assume their cameras have helped them track me down to this quiet corner of a noodle bar. That should be even easier with facial recognition devices. They ask me to down chopsticks and produce my credentials. 'To clarify, we just want to make sure there is no hostile reconnaissance,' says one of the cops. In one sense, I am rather impressed, even relieved, that there is this level of covert scrutiny around an obvious soft target like Westfield. Installing facial recognition cameras should make it even less likely that terrorists or criminals will set foot in the place. But then they might also have the wit to enter via the doors on the other side which don't have these cameras. In short, we know this stuff can work especially when there is a dedicated police back-up team on standby nearby but who thinks we should let a local council take our fingerprints just because we are walking down the street? For that is what this amounts to. 'This council has already got more cameras than anywhere else in the UK and it still hasn't reduced anti-social behaviour with those. So why will extra cameras change anything?' asks Noor, a local resident, lawyer and leader of a local Fix Uxbridge Road petition to get the council to clear up the drug-dealing and the mess around Shepherd's Bush Market. Big Brother Watch, meanwhile, argues that the time has come for proper Parliamentary scrutiny of facial recognition technology. It points out that, as yet, the technology has been the subject of just one debate last year, and even that was not in the Commons but in the secondary chamber of Westminster Hall. It revealed deep concerns from both Left and Right. Labour MP Dawn Butler warned that the technology threatens the sacred principle of innocence until proven guilty, because a machine can determine guilt and the individual must then prove innocence. Tory MP Sir David Davis, a trustee of Big Brother Watch, warned that such technology is always 'prone to slippage'. Last night, he warned that proper scrutiny is long overdue. 'There's no legal basis for it and Parliament badly needs to come up with some proper rules,' he said, adding that he has serious concerns about municipal overreach in Hammersmith & Fulham. 'It is only likely to make it easier for small-minded bureaucrats to make people's lives even more irritating. Why do councils need facial recognition technology?' I sense the public feels the same. Bin Laden? Of course. Binliners? Now, hang on... What's more, if these things can see us, recognise us and speak to us as we walk down the street, it will presumably not be long before they can listen to us, too. Department of Homeland Security officials are claiming that a U.S. Army veteran 'assaulted' ICE agents during a July immigration raid - an allegation that surfaced only after the veteran condemned the agency for wrongfully arresting him. George Retes Jr., 25, a disabled U.S. Army veteran and U.S. citizen, has filed a legal complaint against the U.S. government after he was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during one of the largest immigration raids in recent history. Retes was on his way to work as a contracted security guard on the morning of July 10 when he was stopped by ICE officers. The veteran has since recounted the event in an op-ed published in the San Francisco Chronicle, claiming that federal agents surrounded him and forced him to the ground before arresting him. He was never charged with a crime. Initially, an unnamed Homeland Security spokesperson confirmed that the 25-year-old was released without charges and said his case was under review 'for potential federal charges related to the execution of the federal search warrant in Camarillo.' George Retes Jr., 25, a disabled U.S. Army veteran and U.S. citizen, has filed a legal complaint against the U.S. government after he was wrongfully detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Pictured: George Retes Jr. seen in 2020 in Baghdad US Customs and Border Protection officers seen arresting Retes after pulling him out of his vehicle during a raid at Glass House Farms in Camarillo, California, on July 10, 2025 Now, DHS officials are claiming that Retes 'assaulted' ICE agents during the raid - an allegation that surfaced only after he publicly condemned the agency for wrongfully arresting him. Pictured: Federal agents block a road leading to Glass House Farms in Camarillo, California on July 10, 2025 But just one day after Retes's op-ed was published, DHS issued a new statement claiming that the Iraq war veteran 'become violent and refused to comply with law enforcement.' The agency alleged that Retes 'challenged agents and blocked their route by refusing to move his vehicle out of the road.' DHS also denied that ICE agents were wrongfully arresting U.S. citizens. Following the allegations, Retes said he was shocked, adding that portions of his arrest were captured on video and that DHS officials 'are lying.' 'I was in shock,' he said. 'The agency had an opportunity to say, "OK, what we did was wrong, we'll take responsibility." 'It's crazy that they're willing to stand 10 toes down and die on a hill of lying and say I assaulted officers,' he said. Retes publicly recounted the event, claiming that federal agents surrounded him and forced him to the ground before arresting him Following the allegations, Retes said he was shocked, adding that portions of his arrest were captured on video and that DHS officials 'are lying' His attorney, Anya Bidwell, said the timing of DHS's new claims is telling. 'When people in this country stand up to this government, this government responds with fury,' Bidwell said. 'They're trying to impose their own version of reality. It's so important for people like George to say, "I know who I am and I know what happened to me. You can't just frame it as something that it's not."' Despite the allegations and controversy, Retes said he remains hopeful that justice will prevail. 'I still believe justice can be restored - that's why I'm standing up and speaking out,' he said. 'I think it's important now more than ever for us to be unified and standing up for our rights together. Especially when they have the audacity to try to lie - especially to the public.' A former special needs teacher who was charged over the murder of his wife in 2023 has died before he could be sentenced. James Anderson was out on a $300,000 bond for the murder his wife Victoria, 34, after she was shot dead in the family's Kingwood home in Texas while their three-year-old son was present. He was in court on Friday where he was to accept a 35-year prison sentence as part of a plea deal when he experienced a 'medical emergency' shortly after arriving. A court bailiff administered naloxone, which quickly reverses opioid overdoses, before he was taken to Ben Taub hospital where he died just after 11am. Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen said the suspect ingested drugs. An autopsy will be conducted during this ongoing investigation. Anderson, who also worked as a clown, was accused of gunning down his wife while she desperately begged a 911 dispatcher for help. James Anderson allegedly gunned down his wife Victoria while she was on a 911 call reporting that he was threatening to kill her The former special needs teacher was accused of fatally shooting his wife in 2023, he died suddenly during a court appearance Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen said the suspect ingested drugs in an X post, along with a video of the dramatic scene outside the courthouse Victoria called the police and told dispatchers her husband was 'threatening to shoot her', according to a statement from the City of Houston. They reported hearing a gunshot while she was on heard on the phone. Anderson was arrested after a five-hour standoff with police and a SWAT team, during which he allowed his son to leave the house. The toddler was unharmed but covered in his mother's blood, according to ABC 13. Police then entered the home and found Victoria unresponsive with a gunshot wound. Victoria was confirmed dead at the scene by paramedics shortly after. The police were unsure what led to fatal shooting but domestic disputes were previously reported at the home. Anderson being escorted in 2023 after he allegedly gunned down his wife Victoria while their three-year-old son was present Police were unsure what led to fatal shooting but domestic disputes were previously reported at the home Anderson was the Special Education Department Chair for Santa Fe Middle School, where he started working in 2022 The alleged shooter was a clown and balloon artist, calling himself 'Mister Jazzz' for performances at children's parties and public libraries A man accused of killing his wife died during a court appearance today. Authorities said James Anderson was going to be sentenced to 35 years in prison as part of a deal. @AnayeliNews will have more on the story on KHOU 11 News later today. What we know: https://t.co/43Yve9FYaL pic.twitter.com/gQgn0QLwpw KHOU 11 News Houston (@KHOU) September 26, 2025 They added the couple might have been going through a divorce. Anderson was the Special Education Department Chair for Santa Fe Middle School, where he started working in 2022. Prior to teaching, the alleged shooter was a clown and balloon artist, calling himself 'Mister Jazzz' for performances at children's parties and public libraries. He also owned a clown business under his pseudonym 'Mister Jazzz' and Mr. Jazzz the Clown', according to business records obtained by the US Sun. On his past online biography for the school district's website, Anderson presented himself as a family man. He wrote: 'When I'm not busy working, I love hanging out with my family. I also like doing stuff in my yard, but not when it's insanely hot outside! Another thing I'm really into is reading.' The field behind Jan Michalak's farmhouse hosts a magnificent stand of giant sunflowers, and every weekend he cuts some of them down to decorate the grave of his wife, Danuta, who died four years ago. Last Saturday, however, the 66-year-old wheat grower noticed that a large patch of the flower bed had been flattened. When he went to investigate, he found the wreckage of a strange object entangled with the crushed stalks and petals. With its sharply angled 3ft wings, it looked to Mr Michalak as though 'a miniature rocket had crashed' on his land, just a dozen miles from Poland's border with the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad: one of the world's most heavily militarised regions. But the chilling reality dawned when he fetched his daughter-in-law, Patrycja, who had been following the news more assiduously than him. From television pictures, she recognised the mangled object as one of the Russian drones sent into Polish airspace a few days earlier, with the evident intention of testing the country's preparedness for an attack. Her assertion was confirmed by the serial number etched in its grey fuselage. Poland uses the Roman alphabet, but the letters it contained were Cyrillic. Mr Michalak raised the alarm and scores of military personnel, police and firemen converged on the farm, in the remote hamlet of Studzieniec, 190 miles north of Warsaw, where they found more bits of the shattered drone strewn across the field. The field behind Jan Michalak's farmhouse hosts a magnificent stand of giant sunflower. Last Saturday, however, the 66-year-old wheat grower noticed that a large patch of the flower bed had been flattened - by a Russian drone sent into Polish airspace a few days earlier (pictured) Beyond Poland, this discovery has gone largely unreported, for this drone was assumed to have been another among the barrage of at least 19 that appeared in Poland's night skies on September 10. Yet there is something about this incursion that makes it even more worrying than the others. Mr Michalak's son, Sebastian, 33, who runs the farm, tells me that he and his wife picked sunflowers in this same field, on Sunday, September 14, four days after Vladimir Putin's outrageous violation, but they didn't see the flattened patch or the drone. He has no doubt they would have done so if the crash had occurred before then. This begs a vital question. Did Putin secretly order a second drone foray into Poland, at least four days after the first? Sebastian believes so, and he repeated his story to the Polish authorities during a 90-minute debriefing this week. 'I'm sure that drone wasn't here on September 14. It would have been impossible for me not to have noticed it,' he told me. 'The dogs would also have seen it. They bark even when a plastic bag blows over the field, but there were pieces of drone everywhere. 'I think there must have been a second wave, but the government probably doesn't want to reveal that to the public to avoid causing alarm.' With war creeping ever closer, many parents are eager to enroll their children at a new type of high school that builds military training into the curriculum The Polish prosecutors office told me they couldn't comment on this incident for security reasons. However, if the Warsaw government are intent on playing down the threat of a full-blown invasion, they are sending out decidedly mixed messages. Poland's prime minister Donald Tusk has just declared that his country is 'the closest we have been to open warfare since World War II', and he is rushing through a law that will make military training mandatory for adult males. Conscription will bolster a 200,000-strong army that is already Nato's third biggest (after the US and Turkey) and bristles with the firepower of 1,000 new South Korean tanks and hundreds of howitzers, shortly to be augmented by a 3billion fleet of F-16 fighter jets. Later this month, the government will also send every Polish household an advice pack on how to survive a full-scale Russian invasion. Families will be told what to take with them in 'grab-and-go' evacuation kits, such as medicines, identity documents, a radio, warm clothes, nourishing food, torches and batteries. The ante was further upped this week after US President Donald Trump called on Nato countries to shoot down any Russian aircraft entering their airspace. Poland's foreign minister Radek Sikorski backed this with a defiant two-word tweet: 'Roger that.' Had the lesson been staged in Britain, it would doubtless have brought the teachers' union out on strike. Pictured: Pupils at the school in Warsaw which offers military training as part of its curriculum Yet Putin, who also sent war planes into Estonia's airspace for ten minutes earlier this month, is showing no inclination to back off. On Wednesday, he is suspected to have targeted Denmark by flying drones over its military bases and airports. This provocative sortie has clearly rattled the usually phlegmatic Danes. So, with the whiff of war fever growing ever stronger, what is the mood of the 38million Poles? For these doughty Slavs, of course, the threat of being overrun from the East is nothing new. This is a land that has suffered the ambitions of expansionist Muscovite despots for aeons (witness my grandmother's late 19th-century birth certificate, which says she was born in 'Poland, Russian Empire'). Journeying across the country this week, though, it was difficult to escape the fear that the 'Eastern peril' is about to return with a vengeance. Eager to capitalise on the nation's angst, a Lodz-based company called Schron.pro recently started making bomb shelters supposedly guaranteed to keep a family of four alive for 30 days after a nuclear attack. The owner's daughter, Julia Nowakowska, told me they have already sold 15 at 100,000 each and more inquiries are flooding in every day. Poland's prime minister Donald Tusk has just declared that his country is 'the closest we have been to open warfare since World War II'. Pictured: Parts of a discovered drone in the village of Mniszkow in central Poland 'A lot of new Polish companies are making cheaper shelters but theirs are a sham because they are prefabricated and not safe,' she claimed. Her well-heeled clients insist that their shelters are built discreetly, she added, for they fear they would be commandeered by less wealthy refuge-seekers if war broke out. Keen to learn how to fend for themselves in the wild, should they be forced to flee their homes, Poles are also flocking to join weekend courses run by outdoorsmen such as Piotr Czuryllo, 60, who lives in a 'preppers' commune in northern Poland. He teaches them how to forage for nuts and berries, find fresh water, set fires, use a compass and camp out in the forest, though he stops short of allowing them to join him in hunting wild boar and deer with his Winchester Magnum rifle. 'Because of the position Poland is in, more and more people want to have these skills,' the white-bearded former entrepreneur told me. 'They range from teenagers to people in their 70s, and many are women, I think because it's their instinct to protect their families. 'Preppers know how to survive in the event of war, but it is in the genes of Polish people because we live between two powers, Russia and Germany, and have always faced the threat of invasion.' And yet, as an uncomfortable opinion poll published on Wednesday revealed, among today's population the resolve to defend the motherland is by no means universal. He is rushing through a law that will make military training mandatory for adult males. Pictured: A severely damaged house in the village of Wyryki in eastern Poland, where one of the Russian drones that breached Polish airspace collided with the building Almost half of those surveyed said they would not answer a call to arms in the event of war, with the highest number of refuseniks 69 per cent in the 18 to 29 years-old age group. Evidently these Gen Z Poles are not made of the same stuff as their heroic great-grandparents, some of whom perished in epic battles such as the 1944 Warsaw Uprising against the Nazis, which claimed up to 200,000 Polish lives. In a nation where patriotism traditionally swells with every shot of vodka, their reluctance to serve is perplexing and will doubtless concern the government. It certainly sets them apart from young people in similarly threatened nations, such as Finland. This week, however, when I met Poles who are very much up for the fight, fervour glinted in their eyes. With war creeping ever closer, many parents are eager to enrol their children at a new type of high school that builds military training into the curriculum. But as there only about 150 of these institutions in the country, many of them private, and fees typically cost 3,000 a year, they are affordable only to middle-class Poles, and places are at a premium. Visiting one such school, in central Warsaw, was a strange experience. I sat in a classroom as pupils dressed in combat fatigues learned how to resuscitate a dummy soldier injured in battle and take apart and reassemble a replica AK-47 assault rifle. So, with the whiff of war fever growing ever stronger, what is the mood of the 38million Poles?. Pictured: A roof destroyed at a home in the Polish village of Wyryki after Russian drones violated the country's airspace on September 10, 2025 Had the lesson been staged in Britain, it would doubtless have brought the teachers' union out on strike. According to 15-year-old Zuzia Kuzniak, however, it was just the sort of thing a responsible Polish teenager ought to be practising. 'These drones are making me feel uneasy they [the Russians] wouldn't do it for no reason,' she told me, when I asked her whether she thought war was likely. 'I only came here four weeks ago so I haven't learned to shoot yet, but my grandfather will help me. I love my country, and I'd fight for her.' Smiling coyly, she added: 'I'd shoot a human if necessary but never an animal.' Zuzia's father, Andrzej, an IT manager who served in the Polish tank regiment is delighted with her progress. 'She likes discipline and being in the countryside, she wants a military career, and she is stressed about the international situation and wants to do something useful, so it's great for her,' he says. 'I don't like the fact that 50 per cent of Poles say they would escape to Germany rather than fight the Russians, maybe because they don't respect the government, or whatever. Your browser does not support iframes. Journeying across the country this week, though, it was difficult to escape the fear that the 'Eastern peril' is about to return with a vengeance. Pictured: Explosions in the night sky over Kyiv, Ukraine, where Ukrainian troops fired at Russian drones on September 10, 2025 'But that is Gen Z. It's not just a Polish issue, it's a global thing. Many young people are living their lives through TikTok.' His daughter, he implies loftily, is cut from different cloth. Later that afternoon, on the banks of the River Vistula, I saw a group of slightly older group of teenagers preparing to face Putin's forces Along with 15,000 other fierce patriots in recent years, they have joined the Riflemen's Association, a quasi-military organisation founded in 1910 with the aim of liberating a Poland then partitioned between Russia, Prussia and Austria-Hungary. Wearing masks to hide their identity and giving only nicknames, they told me how they practise drills such as rescuing hostages and storming enemy posts. The Polish army also uses them to play the part of an enemy invasion force in their exercises. During these mock skirmishes the army stops short of calling them Russians, but during the associations own exercises they wear Russian soldiers second-hand uniforms, acquired cheaply on the internet, use fake munition with Russian labels. Those who can speak Russian even bark their orders in their language. Given that Moscow's intelligence is said to watch the activities of organisations such as the Riflemen's Association, I suggested, wasn't this form of role play rather foolhardy? Wouldn't demonising the Russians in this way incite more enmity? Eager to capitalise on the nation's angst, a Lodz-based company called Schron.pro recently started making bomb shelters. Pictured: Soldiers patrolling the street where a drone struck a roof in Poland on September 10, 2025 The commander of the 1863 Unit (a 25-year-old film industry worker dubbed 'Sard') scowled at me. 'I don't care about that!' he snapped. 'We have been offended by the Russians for hundreds of years, so don't ask me about offending them. 'We see the same situation now as in the 1920s, when Russia wanted to rebuild the empire of Catherine the Great. They could attack Poland at any time, but they won't win. 'If they can't defeat Ukraine in three years, they will lose [to Poland] in a year, maybe six months if, of course, they don't use the atom bomb.' If Russia were to invade Poland by land, there are several possible points of attack. One is from Kaliningrad to the north; another could see troops storm through Suwalki Gap, a stretch of land between Poland and Lithuania. Then there is the 256-mile border that separates the east of the country from Belarus, with its Moscow-friendly dictator Alexander Lukashenko. For many years, this line was largely unguarded, and Belarussians and Poles could cross freely. Almost half of those surveyed in a recent poll of the nation's population said they would not answer a call to arms in the event of war. Pictured: Ukrainian air defence fires at Russian drones above Kyiv during strikes on Ukraine on September 10, 2025 But that changed in 2021 when doubtless at Putin's behest Lukashenko began enacting a plot designed to destabilise the West, which continues today. Thousands of African and Middle Eastern migrants are being flown to Belarus on the understanding that they will be helped to reach Britain, Germany and France. It has compelled Poland to erect a 16ft reinforced steel fence topped with razor wire and send hundreds of troops to support the Border Guard. One young soldier was fatally stabbed by a migrant wielding a makeshift spear as he tried to stop him prizing open a gap in the barrier. On Monday, the day before my visit, 13 more would-be interlopers, some from Gambia and Afghanistan, were caught. Now, though, there is a different kind of threat along this lonely border, with its dense pine and spruce forests and boggy terrain. Though the rapid response unit who took me on patrol could not talk about their mission, they have been instructed to look out for low-flying drones and other possible military incursions. 'The wheels of history are always turning and now they have come full circle,' remarked the unit's leader. If Russia were to invade Poland by land, there are several possible points of attack. Pictured: A map of multiple Russian drones moving from Ukrainian airspace into Poland 'We are in the same situation as my grandfather was in World War II, and I will honour his memory.' As we juddered along in an armoured car, this amiable 46-year-old father of three's mood darkened, and he recounted his forebears' memories of Stalin's army. Their animalistic behaviour had made the Nazis seem like gentlemen by comparison, he seethed. They raped Polish women, murdered children, and given the opportunity he had no doubt that they would do the same today. 'You have to remember that the mentality of Russian people is different to ours,' he said. 'The price of life in the East is so much lower than in the West. 'If I had a Russian soldier in my sights and a child was near him, I wouldn't fire. If the situation was reversed, the Russian would kill me, and then the kid.' It was only one man's opinion, but with Putin intent on pushing this proud nation to the brink and beyond, a reminder of the horrors that would unfold should the West fail to meet his threat. Horrors that might transpire to have been preluded by the crushing of sunflowers in a farmer's field. Two Kentucky emergency responders risk losing their licenses for saving a man's life with antivenom after their patient was bitten by a highly poisonous snake. Long-time snake handler James Harrison, the director of the Kentucky Reptile Zoo in Eastern Kentucky, was bit by a Jameson's mamba snake while working in May. First responder Eddie Barnes and another EMS worker were called to the scene to administer medical aid. They injected him with antivenom as they waited for a helicopter to arrive to take him to a University of Kentucky hospital. He spent days in the ICU but was able to recover thanks to Barnes and his team. If a patient doesn't receive the life-saving antidote as soon as possible, they face paralysis, respiratory arrest, followed by cardiac arrest and death. Barnes told Fox19: 'If we would've sat there and let him die then we would've been morally and ethically responsible and we could've been criminally charged for his death.' But after rescuing Harrison from certain death, Barnes learned that they'd violated state policy and are now at risk of losing their licenses. Just two years prior, Kentucky state law made it so that only wilderness medics could administer anti-venom. Powell County Judge-Executive Eddie Barnes and another EMS worker were called to administer anti-venom Anti-venom is an affective treatment for snake bites but must be administered quickly Jameson's mamba snakes are typically shy creatures, making bites rare Barnes and his team contacted the hospital before injecting the anti-venom but could not reach the EMS director who may have deterred them from using the substance. Since Barnes and his team were not wilderness medics, they must argue in front of the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services about why they should be allowed to keep their paramedics licenses. Despite the consequences, the victim and his family were pleased that the EMS present that day broke state law. Harrison's wife Kristen Wiley said: 'Every physician we've talked to about it and about the course of the bite agrees that they were heroes.' A Jameson's mamba snake is a highly venomous green and brown snake originally found in central Africa. Harrison's wife Kristen Wiley said she was glad that the team had gone against protocol and saved her husband's life James Harrison is the director of Kentucky Reptile zoo and was bit by a Jameson's mamba snake on the job in May EMS were called and they quickly administered anti-venom, saving his life The reptile is shy and bites are rare, but if bitten it can affect the nervous system and cause serious symptoms, according to BioDB. Antivenom is usually a successful antidote as long as it is administered quickly. Barnes defended the decision, saying he would choose to break policy in order to save a person's life any day. He said: 'If it came down today I would do the same thing. You can't put a price on a person's life.' Their hearing will take place September 30. An NHS doctor who allegedly denied the Holocaust, calling it a 'fabricated victim narrative', has been allowed to keep her job. Dr Rahmeh Aladwan, a trauma and orthopaedics doctor, sparked outrage after describing the two gunmen involved in a fatal mass shooting in Jerusalem as 'two Palestinian martyrs'. She has also allegedly refused to condemn the October 7 attacks by Hamas in 2023. Following the ruling, Health Secretary Wes Streeting has said he has no faith in the medical regulator. 'The racist language of "Jewish supremacy" reflects the values of Nazis, not the NHS,' he wrote on X. 'I fail to see how medics using such language with impunity doesn't undermine confidence in the medical profession. I have no confidence in our regulation system.' The doctors' watchdog, the General Medical Council (GMC), which is carrying out an investigation into the social media posts, told a medical tribunal this week that Jewish patients would not feel safe under her care. However on Thursday, the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) ruled that Dr Aladwan would be able to continue to practice after concluding the posts did not amount to 'bullying or harassment'. Dr Rahmeh Aladwan leaves a medical tribunal in Manchester City Centre after it was ruled that she would be able to continue to practice after Dr Aladwan sparked outrage after describing the two gunmen involved in a fatal mass shooting in Jerusalem as 'two Palestinian martyrs' Following the ruling, Health Secretary Wes Streeting has said he has no faith in the medical regulator The Campaign Against Antisemitism said the MPTS had 'failed spectacularly in its duty', calling the ruling 'inexplicable and disgraceful'. The GMC had asked the had asked the tribunal to impose an 12-month interim order of conditions on Dr Aladwan while an investigation is carried out. This would have placed restrictions on a doctor's practice, including that they are supervised or requiring them to undergo further training. Counsel for the GMC, Isobel Thomas described these conditions as necessary due the 'nature and seriousness of the allegations'. She told the hearing that Dr Aladwan's posts 'appear to demonise Israelis and Jews' described the Holocaust 'as a fabricated victim narrative'. Dr Aladwan, who has the words Free Palestine tattooed on her left bicep, took to social media just hours after the frenzied attack in Jerusalem earlier this month. Hamas praised the two Palestinian 'resistance fighters' for the attack - which killed six, including a pregnant woman, and injured more than a dozen people - without claiming responsibility. The group called it a 'natural response to the occupation's crimes against our people'. Dr Aladwan then followed suit on her social media, referring to the terrorists as 'martyrs' and the killings as a 'shooting operation'. She wrote: 'This morning, the two Palestinian martyrs Muthanna Amro and Muhammad Taha bypassed the occupation's fortified checkpoints and carried out a shooting operation at a settlers' bus in the 'Ramot' settlement and killed 6 settlers. 'Palestine has never been safe for occupiers. Leave.' Dr Aladwan's post on X to her 33,000 followers has been accused of 'justifying terrorism' Harrowing footage from the bloodbath showed dozens of people fleeing from a bus stop as shots were fired at the Ramot Junction on Yigal Yadin Street in Jerusalem on Monday In other social media posts believed to be written by Dr Aladwan, who is of British-Palestinian heritage, she described anti-Semitism and the Holocaust as 'concepts' used by Jewish people to 'promote a narrative of victimhood'. Another post reads: 'I will never condemn the 7th of October'. The October 7 attacks took the lives of about 1,200 people. She also denies that any rapes took place during the Hamas-led massacre in 2023. Posts also suggested that US right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot dead at a college event in Utah earlier this month, was assassinated by Israel's spy agency, Mossad. Dr Aladwan told the hearing that all posts were 'legitimate and can be defended and reasoned'. Speaking through tears, she told the hearing that more than 50 of her friends had died during the conflict in Gaza which she described as a 'genocide' and a 'holocaust'. Representing Dr Aladwan, Tom Gillien said it was 'astonishing' that the GMC has 'the temerity to ask this panel to tell a Palestinian doctor how she should be allowed to talk about the genocide of her own people'. Mr Gillie said: 'People may think it's vulgar, they may be offended, that's fine, but my client has a right to express things that shocks, or disturbs or offends.' The tribunal ruled there was not sufficient evidence to show that Dr Aladwan posed a real risk to patients. It added that allowing her to remain practicing would not undermine public confidence in the medical profession. In a speech after she left the tribunal building, Dr Aladwan said she hoped the ruling would encourage other medical professionals to 'speak up'. The Campaign Against Antisemitism aid it would consult legal advisors 'with regard to the options open to us'. A spokesperson said: 'This is an inexplicable and disgraceful decision one that marks the UK's continued descent into the abyss, as institutions that carry the responsibility for protecting people are seemingly bending over backwards to appease and turn a blind eye to them. 'The MPTS has failed spectacularly in its duty. 'We will be closely following the GMC's investigation, which must now proceed apace. 'In the meantime, we are in discussion with our legal advisors with regard to the options open to us.' Drone detected flying twice at different altitudes over Zakarpattia on Sept 26 In Zakarpattia region, a drone was recorded flying twice at different altitudes on Friday morning, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) has said. In the morning of September 26, 2025, radar equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the airspace of Ukraine over the territory of Zakarpattia region twice recorded the flying of an aerial object of the drone type at different altitudes, the General Staff said. The specified object violated the state border of Ukraine from the Hungarian side twice. In order to eliminate the potential threat, the Defense Forces of Ukraine conducted airspace patrols over Uzhhorod district with a crew of a Chaklun-KM type UAV of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the General Staff said. To illustrate the facts of the violation of the state border, the General Staff published several visual examples of the capture of the drone in question. Travis Decker's manner and time of death may never been known due to the condition of the skeletal remains found, a coroner has revealed. Decker was at the center of a nationwide manhunt after investigators said he murdered his three daughters - Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5 - during a court-ordered custody visit on May 30. The girls' bodies were discovered on June 2 near Decker's abandoned truck in a remote area outside Leavenworth, Washington, but Decker himself was nowhere to be found. After months of searching, human remains were discovered on September 18 in a remote wooded area south of Leavenworth. The US Marshals Service declared Decker dead in a court filing on September 24, citing DNA results from clothing found near the skeletal remains. However, Chelan County Coroner Wayne Harris' latest findings cast a shadow over the case's resolution. Harris revealed that due to the condition of the skeletal remains discovered investigators are unable to determine how or when the 32-year-old father died. Key parts of Decker's body, including his torso and cranium, remain missing, eliminating any possibility of identifying injuries, confirming a fall, or conducting toxicology testing. 'There were a few leg bones, a couple of arm bones, some vertebrae, some ribs, and a foot, and they were scattered in about five different locations, at an elevation of about 4,200 feet,' Harris told KIRO Newsradio, MyNorthwest.com reported. Chelan County Coroner Wayne Harris revealed that due to the condition of the skeletal remains discovered earlier this month - believed to be Travis Decker's - investigators are unable to determine how or when the 32-year-old father died. Pictured: Travis Decker Decker was at the center of a nationwide manhunt after investigators said he murdered his three daughters - Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5 (pictured) - during a court- ordered custody visit on May 30 Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison (pictured) previously said that Decker succumbed to injuries obtained after allegedly killing his daughters at the Rock Island Campsite Harris continued: 'Unless another hiker finds a cranium and the forensic anthropologist can examine it and determine that he may have fallen, or if there is a bullet hole in his skull.' When asked if Decker had suffered any injuries, Harris said: 'Without any further bone parts that we can look at, no, we have no idea.' Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison had previously said that Decker succumbed to injuries obtained after allegedly killing his daughters at the Rock Island Campsite. But Harris's report now confirms there is no way to determine if Decker suffered any injuries at all. Further speculation has also swirled around the possibility of an animal attack, potentially by Decker's dog, which was rescued from the area and taken to a local humane shelter. However Harris said that conclusion is unlikely. The 32-year-old's remains were discovered earlier this month deep in the Washington wilderness Further speculation has also swirled around the possibility of an animal attack, potentially by Decker's dog, which was rescued from the area and taken to a local humane shelter. Pictured: A tent pitched near where the young girls bodies were found But Harris's report now confirms there is no way to determine if Decker suffered any injuries at all. Pictured: Chelan County Sheriff's Office surveillance grabs of Travis Decker 'The anthropologist did look at the few bones he had, and he could not see any fractures in them, didn't see any animal activity, like any teeth marks in the bones,' he said. Despite the inconclusive cause of death, Morrison said investigators believe Decker likely died within hours or days of the girls' murders. 'Based off the information we have, it appears that the potential of him going directly up Grindstone Mountain shortly after the event or within that day would be pretty consistent,' he said. His remains were found on Grindstone Mountain, just 0.74 miles from the Rock Island Campground crime scene. As of now, Decker's remains will be released to his family at a later date, MyNorthwest.com reported. Morrison said the hope is that this development brings some peace to the victims' mother, Whitney. 'If anything, we hope she will sleep better at night, she wouldn't be looking over her shoulder,' Morrison said. 'But we understand nothing we do is going to reverse this travesty and bring her daughters back.' Are we nearly there yet? British parents have named the worst road trips in the UK to attempt with kids, according to a new poll. As many as 72 per cent of parents will be embarking on a car journey with their kids in the October half term or at Christmas. And a new study has revealed the UK roads best avoided for families with kids aged under ten - with bottlenecks, tailbacks and motorway misery all the way. Topping the list - pulled together by car firm Hyundai, from a study of 2,000 Brits - is the M25, commonly dubbed 'Britain's biggest car park'. Almost a third of mums and dads (29 per cent) said the London ring road is the number one nightmare route, thanks to seemingly endless traffic jams. Hot on its bumper comes the M5 from Birmingham to Devon/Cornwall and the A30 into Cornwall (both 19 per cent). Both routes are infamous for summer holiday tailbacks that can turn a two-hour trip into an all-day drive. Other motorways unpopular with families include the M1 around Milton Keynes and Luton (17 per cent), the M6 to the Lake District (17 per cent) and the M62 across the Pennines (15 per cent). As many as 72 per cent of parents will be embarking on a car journey with their kids in the October half term or at Christmas. Pictured: File photo of summer holiday traffic heading to Dover, Kent, in July this year Your browser does not support iframes. Parents taking to these roads faced all manner of challenges, including roadworks, high winds and adverse weather. And one in six (15 per cent) said they have waited not-so-patiently going past the iconic Stonehenge on the A303, wondering when the queues will end. It is not just motorways driving families round the bend though. The A1/A1(M) through Cambridgeshire and North Yorkshire (13 per cent), the A2/M2 to Dover (13 per cent) and the M20 to Folkestone/Eurotunnel (12 per cent) also all featured on the list. Even Scotland and Wales were not spared, with several stunning but slow single carriageways through the countries' beautiful scenery named and shamed. These included the A82 to Loch Lomond (10 per cent), the A9 through the Cairngorms (nine per cent) and the A470 through Wales to Snowdonia (eight per cent). And it is not just difficult drives keeping parents firmly behind the wheel, according to the same poll. Mums and dads across the country are clocking up nine hours a month driving simply to rock their children to sleep. A new study has revealed the UK roads best avoided for families with kids aged under ten - with bottlenecks, tailbacks and motorway misery all the way. Pictured: File photo of summer holiday traffic heading to Dover, Kent, in July this year Some 73 per cent admitted they regularly do laps of their neighbourhood for nap time. But it is not plain driving for all, with traffic jams (42 per cent), engine noise (41 per cent) and frequent petrol stops (36 per cent) all named as obstacles to getting children to nod off en route. There were also the dilemmas of whether to wake a sleeping child just to pay for fuel (28 per cent) and the guilt of wasting petrol while idling (26 per cent). And many parents (21 per cent) also commented on the sheer exhaustion that comes from spending hours behind the wheel. No wonder one in ten parents (11 per cent) admitted the only truly peaceful journeys are those when the kids are asleep. More than one in five (21 per cent) confessed car journeys with kids under ten can be stressful. Meanwhile, some 15 per cent said they do not know how their parents coped in the days before tech. But despite their many challenges, some 43 per cent of parents still said road trips are fun - and 36 per cent treasure memories of their own childhood family road trips. When asked about hacks to make journeys more peaceful, 24 per cent of parents said they head off at the crack of dawn to 'beat the traffic'. More than half (53 per cent), meanwhile, insisted plenty of snacks are essential for a successful trip. Hyundai commissioned the research to highlight the sleep-inducing qualities of its KONA Electric. The brand is launching Rest Drives extended test drives designed to help families discover a calmer way to travel. A year ago today, Sir Keir Starmer was putting the finishing touches to his first speech to the Labour conference since leading the party to an election landslide. In those heady days, there was nothing our new Prime Minister wouldn't achieve in his mission to renew Britain. This miracle worker would build a new Jerusalem from the rubble of our 'broken' society. There would be thriving town centres, safe streets, more money in your pocket, secure borders, more affordable homes, a clean-energy revolution, strong public services and a revivified NHS. 'Mark my words we will deliver,' he told his party faithful. How hollow those hubristic promises seem today. And how the political landscape has changed in 12 short months. From dreaming of sunlit uplands, Sir Keir is now wallowing in the slough of despond. At minus 47, he has the lowest personal approval ratings of any incoming PM on record. The latest 'mega-poll' suggests that if an election were held tomorrow, Labour would lose 267 seats and Reform UK would sweep to power. It's hard to know where to start in listing Sir Keir's failings over the past year, but the two which have caused most despair are the lunacy of his tax, borrow and spend economic policies and his abject failure to tackle migration. In opposition, he and former Home Secretary Yvette Cooper pretended they had a strategy to stop the boats, smash the gangs, end the need for asylum hotels and secure the UK's borders. Not only has that turned out to be a pack of lies but they have made a bad situation infinitely worse, allowing unprecedented numbers of illegal migrants to flood in. A year ago today, Sir Keir Starmer was putting the finishing touches to his first speech to the Labour conference since leading the party to an election landslide Public anger is close to boiling point over the way communities are being changed without consent and at how thousands of young migrant men are being dumped on towns and villages which are ill-equipped to cope. A human rights lawyer who has previously represented asylum seekers against the UK government, Sir Keir has never really understood the fear and concern of ordinary families over mass migration. It is not, as he likes to make out, because they are being seduced by the 'far Right'. It's because they believe neither of the main parties is listening to them. And who can blame them. Last year alone migration fuelled a UK population rise of 750,000, equivalent to a city the size of Leeds. It is simply unsustainable, and the public know it. Yet instead of grasping the nettle, Sir Keir resorts to gimmicks and distractions. His latest sinister scheme is to introduce digital ID 'cards' for the entire working population. He spuriously claims it will stop illegal migrants working in the black economy, but they and those who employ them are already outside the law, so it's hard to see how. It is, however, a deeply un-British assault on the civil liberties of everyone else in this country which should be resisted. The polls clearly show voters have no confidence that Sir Keir can solve migration or any of the other problems facing Britain. They are angry, they are gloomy, and they are deeply worried about the social and economic future of this country. In common with large swathes of his own party, they feel he has betrayed them. His landslide was always loveless, with just 20 per cent of the eligible electorate voting him in. This time last year, the country and his party were still prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt. Not any more Shameless thieves have been caught stuffing bottles of alcohol from Waitrose into Deliveroo bags - as staff say they are helpless to stop them. Shocking footage shows a pair of young men in hoods and balaclavas stealing at least 13 bottles in 45 seconds. They brazenly walk out through the shop and past checkout with the stolen items as staff and customers watch on in disbelief. Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick shared the clip online and criticised Labour by saying it had lost control of Britain's streets. He said: 'This is the reality of Sadiq Khan's London. It's a complete and utter disgrace. 'And Labour are about to make this even worse by scrapping prison sentences for shoplifters.' In the UK anything stolen under the value of 200 carries a maximum sentence of six-months in jail, or a fine. The video shows horrified shoppers and a security guard standing beside them simply watching at the Clerkenwell, London store. Shameless thieves have been caught stuffing bottles of alcohol from Waitrose into Deliveroo bags - as staff say they are helpless to stop them Shocking footage shows a pair of young men in hoods and balaclavas stealing at least 13 bottles in 45 seconds The video shows horrified shoppers and a security guard standing beside them simply watching at the Clerkenwell, London store Store security guard Craig Wincarr said employees are instructed not to stop them. He told The Sun: 'They basically come in most evenings and go for the alcohol and it boils my blood. 'We can't do anything about it as we're told not to tackle them. We're basically here as a deterrent for middle-class chancers, not professionals. I feel like a lemon these days.' Shopper Alison Wigmore, 73, said she yelled at two teenagers to stop them stealing alcohol. She said: 'I get that the justice system is on its knees, but how are businesses supposed to survive if the police they pay for with taxes won't keep law and order at a minimum?' While other customers said the incidents occur almost everyday and just have to hope he thieves aren't armed. However tens of thousands of shoplifters, thugs and even sex offenders will be spared jail as Labour plans to scrap prison sentences under reforms to sentencing laws. It will also extend the maximum length of suspended terms from two to three years. They brazenly walk out through the shop and past checkout with the stolen items as staff and customers watch on in disbelief Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: 'Shoplifters, sex offenders and drug dealers will now avoid prison under Labour's soft justice plans. 'Shoplifting has already soared under Labour and this will make it even worse. It's madness. 'Prison works. Serial and serious offenders belong in one place: inside.' A Waitrose spokesperson said: 'We take all incidents of retail crime very seriously, and report them to the police. 'Our guards make appropriate interventions and we also have individuals trained to detain shoplifters when safe to do so. 'We also use body worn cameras to record footage of shoplifters, which is submitted to the police to help drive prosecutions, as we have done in this case, and will continue to support the police with their investigation.' The Metropolitan Police have been contacted for comment. A highly paid Iowa school superintendent with previous weapons charges has been busted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after being in the United States illegally. Ian Andre Roberts, former head of Des Moines Public Schools, was detained Friday on a 'fugitive warrant' after he attempted to flee from ICE agents. Roberts, 54, was identified as 'an illegal alien from Guyana' who holds an active deportation order since May 2024 with an existing weapons possession charge, according to ICE. Roberts, who raked in a staggering $305,000 salary, allegedly sped away and abandoned his car after federal agents approached him. Iowa State Patrol later found him hiding in a brush south of the abandoned car. A loaded gun, a fixed blade hunting knife, and $3,000 cash were found inside the vehicle. 'This suspect was arrested in possession of a loaded weapon in a vehicle provided by Des Moines Public Schools after fleeing federal law enforcement,' said ICE Enforcement Removal Operations St. Paul Field Office Director Sam Olson. 'How this illegal alien was hired without work authorization, a final order of removal, and a prior weapons charge is beyond comprehension and should alarm the parents of that school district.' Ian Andre Roberts, former head of Des Moines Public Schools,was hired as superintendent in July 2023. A statement by DMS schools said he was a qualified candidate with 'educational experience, academic excellence and a passion for innovation and inspiration' He was detained on a 'fugitive warrant' after he attempted to flee from ICE agents A loaded gun, a fixed blade hunting knife, and $3,000 cash were found in the 54-year-old's vehicle Olson added this detainment is a testimony 'to the great work that our officers are doing every day to remove public safety threats.' Roberts last entered the US in 1999 on a student visa and was arrested for weapons possessions charges in February 2020 that are still pending, according to ICE. He was hired as the superintendent in Des Moines in July 2023, but he has had a long career in education prior to that. Starting in September 2000, he had a brief stint as a teacher in the New York City public school system. He then spent the next nine years in Baltimore public schools, where he eventually became a principal. Since 2015, he has worked in schools in St. Louis, Missouri; Oakland, California; Erie, Pennsylvania; Kansas City, Missouri; and of course Des Moines. Three gender discrimination lawsuits were filed against the Millcreek Township School District during Roberts' tenure there as superintendent, a position he held from 2020 to 2023. The school district has paid out hundreds of thousands of dollars over these claims, with one male employee arguing that Roberts had a preference for females in higher positions. A judge ordered the former superintendent's deportation in May 2024, which were held in absentia or without the defendant present. A request was made to reopen the case in April 2025 but a Dallas immigration judge decided against it. DMS schools said in a statement that he was a qualified candidate with 'educational experience, academic excellence and a passion for innovation and inspiration.' 'Dr. Roberts proudly shares that he was born to immigrant parents from Guyana, and spent most of his formative years in Brooklyn, NY.' Over 200 Des Moines residents swarmed the downtown Iowa area to protest the 54-year-old's arrest. Roberts is an undocumented school superintendent with previous weapons charges, he was arrested after a chaotic police chase Rallying protestors chanted 'free Dr. Roberts' and 'no justice no peace' while holding signs that read 'release our superintendent,' KCCI reported Fellow teachers and students were among the crowds expressing their 'shock' and anger for Roberts detainment. Des Moines School Board Chair Jackie Norris said Associate Superintendent Matt Smith will serve as interim superintendent until further notice. 'This action follows Dr. Ian Roberts being detained by Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents this morning,' the school board said. 'We have no confirmed information as to why Dr. Roberts is being detained or the next potential steps.' King Charles played a key role in Donald Trumps recent change of mind on the Ukraine war, it has emerged. Charless talks with the US President during his state visit last week were very important in the policy reversal, Volodymyr Zelenskys top adviser has said. Mr Trump claimed this week that Ukraine could take back all its territory won by the Russians in their invasion in stark contrast to his earlier position. The dramatic change of heart comes just over a month after Trump agreed with Russian President Vladimir Putin on a potential peace plan involving Ukraine ceding its land to the invading Russian forces. The Presidents new thinking was evident in comments online made after he met the Ukrainian president at the United Nations in New York. 'After seeing the economic trouble it is causing Russia, I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form,' the president wrote on Truth Social Tuesday afternoon after meetings at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. 'With time, patience, and the financial support of Europe and, in particular, NATO, the original Borders from where this War started, is very much an option.' Trump noted in his lengthy statement that Russia looks like 'a paper tiger' that may not be able to support its lofty military ambitions with a depleted force. He claimed a 'real military power' would have been able to win the war in less than a week. King Charless talks with the US President during his state visit last week were very important in changing his thinking about Russia, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky's top adviser has said U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy during the 80th United Nations General Assembly, in New York City on September 23, 2025 Following the UN meeting, Donald Trump took to Truth Social to claim that Ukraine, 'with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form' - a huge u-turn from his previous position that Ukraine would need to cede territory to Russia if it was to achieve a lasting peace The Republican leader also committed to giving NATO additional weapons so they can continue supplying Ukraine with munitions, vehicles and more in its war effort. It comes right after Trump insisted that NATO nations should feel emboldened to shoot down Russian planes if they enter their countries' airspace. The development in the US President's thinking comes after Russian drones crossed into Polish airspace this week amid the ongoing war with Ukraine. Russian jets also provoked the U.S.'s European allies in recent days after flying fighter jets into NATO airspace. Asked if the Ukrainians had changed Mr Trumps stance, Mr Zelenskys chief of staff Andriy Yermak instead highlighted the role of the King and prime minister Sir Keir Starmer. Id like to mention that it was a great visit of President Trump to the United Kingdom, and I know the position of His Majesty, the position of Prime Minister Starmer and the people whom President Trump met... it was very important, he said. Charles hosted the Trumps at Windsor Castle, and he spoke about Ukraine in his speech at the State Banquet, telling the President: In two world wars, we fought together to defeat the forces of tyranny. 'Today, as tyranny once again threatens Europe, we and our allies stand together in support of Ukraine, to deter aggression and secure peace. The King, a staunch supporter of Ukrainian resistance against the Russian invasion, is also believed to have discussed the situation in private during the state visit. The US president clearly relished the ceremonial welcome during his state visit - with Ukrainian aides crediting Charles' shrewd diplomacy with helping to shift Mr Trump's position Mr Trump was treated to a state banquet in St George's Hall, Windsor Castle. Pictured: the banquet table set out for guests ahead of Mr Trump's arrival 'This is truly one of the highest honours of my life,' Donald Trump said in a speech rich in praise for both the King and Britain at the state banquet Thanking him for his hospitality, Mr Trump described Charles as a very, very special man during his dinner speech. On Wednesday, the Kremlin hit back at the US President's U-turn, saying that Russia's economy fully satisfied the needs of its army and it was a big mistake to believe Ukraine could reclaim any lost territory. Trump's position marks a major shift from his previous assertions that Ukraine would have to concede land. It has sparked debate over whether Kyiv has the military muscle and resources to achieve such a goal. Colonel Philip Ingram, a former British Army officer and intelligence expert, told Daily Mail that although Ukraine faces 'a mammoth task' in trying to reclaim its occupied territory, there is still a path forward. 'From a pure military perspective, it would be very difficult for the Ukrainians to use their military to push the Russians out,' he said. 'But from a wider operational perspective, where you bring in the geopolitical aspect of it, there is a realistic possibility, but it will take a long time. 'It will rely on the Russian ability to continue to support its tactical operations, collapsing. The Ukrainians are having a lot of success in destroying Russia's oil and gas industries, which is helping to fund its war. 'The more the Ukrainians destroy, the less ability Russia has to manufacture the arms and ammunition they need to support the tactical fighting in the east. They could be put into a position where they are in danger of parts of their front collapsing.' Russia and Ukraine are still locked in a brutal conflict more than three years after Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion. Behind the headlines of daily battles lies a much bigger story, one of manpower, machines, and money. Russia still occupies about 19 per cent of Ukraine, with about 3.5million Ukrainians living under occupation. Putin currently controls Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk, and Donetsk. His forces seized and annexed Crimea in March 2014. Russia has fortified much of the territory it holds with vast trench networks, anti-tank ditches, 'dragon's teeth' barriers and minefields described by the UK Ministry of Defence as among the densest in the world. The FBI has fired agents who were photographed kneeling during a racial justice protest in Washington that followed the 2020 death of George Floyd, three people familiar with the matter said Friday. The bureau had reassigned the agents last spring but has since fired them, said the sources who insisted on anonymity to discuss personnel matters. The number of FBI employees fired was not immediately clear, but two people said it was roughly 20. The photographs at issue showed a group of agents taking a knee during one of the demonstrations following the May 2020 killing of Floyd, a death that sparked widespread anger after millions of people saw video of his arrest. It led to a national reckoning over policing and racial injustice. But the change comes amid a broader effort by President Donald Trump's new FBI Director Kash Patel to root out what the president has called 'woke' and politicized elements within the bureau. Five agents and top-level executives were known to have been summarily fired last month in a wave of ousters that current and former officials say has contributed to declining morale. One of those, Steve Jensen, helped oversee investigations into the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol. Another, Brian Driscoll, served as acting director in the early days of the Trump administration and resisted Justice Department demands to supply the names of agents who investigated Jan. 6. The FBI has fired agents who were photographed kneeling during a racial justice protest in Washington that followed the 2020 death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers, three people familiar with the matter said Friday The firings of the agents who knelt come amid a broader personnel purge at the bureau under Director Kash Patel A third, Chris Meyer, was incorrectly rumored on social media to have participated in the investigation into Trumps retention of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. A lawsuit filed last week by three of the fired agents alleged that Patel understood that the firings were 'likely illegal' but had to carry them out because he was ordered to do so from the White House. Patel has denied taking orders from the White House on whom to fire and has said anyone who has been fired failed to meet the FBI's standards. Some who worked on criminal cases against Trump and led field offices across the country have reportedly also been removed from their positions, often without any reason, according to the Washington Post. When reached by The Daily Mail, a spokesperson for the FBI declined comment. Yet some former FBI officials told CNN they worry that the recent staff changes are a sign that the bureau is bypassing its regular disciplinary process - as the agents have previously been found to have done nothing wrong. 'This notion that the bureau would go after these people, it's just disgusting,' a former official told CNN. Five agents and top-level executives were known to have been summarily fired last month in a wave of ousters that current and former officials say has contributed to declining morale. One of those, Steve Jensen (pictured), helped oversee investigations into the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol Another, Brian Driscoll (pictured), served as acting director in the early days of the Trump administration and resisted Justice Department demands to supply the names of agents who investigated Jan. 6 The agents in question had been based in DC when former police officer Derek Chauvin was filmed kneeling on George Floyd's neck for more than nine minutes as he cried out that he couldn't breathe. The viral incident sparked mass protests across the country that at times turned violent and left cities vandalized. As the protests continued, Trump - who was in his first term in office - urged then-Attorney General Bill Barr to regain control of the streets. Barr, in turn, ordered the FBI and other agencies to help with crowd control and to protect federal monuments. But FBI agents are not generally trained to do crowd control, and deploying them to face off against the demonstrators raised concerns about a possible deadly confrontation. On the day of the kneeling photo, some of the agents recalled a recent incident in which National Guard soldiers handled a similar confrontation and decided to take a knee in an effort to de-escalate tensions. The plan worked, and the protesters moved on. But when the picture was published, some of the agents were ostracized and personally attacked by their peers, according to CNN. Some senior officials at the agency even believed the women involved put themselves and their team at a tactical disadvantage. Top officials then reviewed the incident, and ultimately found that no disciplinary action was necessary 'because there was no violation of policy that they could point to.' 'What the bureau asked those agents to do is go out on foot patrol, something they were never trained to do. They were asked to be police officers,' a former official told CNN. 'In no way were they making a political statement.' A 2024 report from the Department of Justice's inspector general also found that the FBI deployments to protect the monuments 'lacked adequate planning' and 'failed to provide sufficient guidance to personnel regarding their mission and legal authorities.' It also said that 'by sending armed agents to respond to civil unrest for which they lacked the proper training or equipment, created safety and security risks for the agents and the public.' A Sydney real estate agent has been suspended for 12 months and fined $11,000 after she bought the home of an elderly man with Alzheimer's for half its value. Rachelle Nohra is the director of Eser Property, where she is described as knowing 'what it takes to go that extra mile for her clients'. Ms Nohra has denied she took advantage of a 82-year-old man with alcohol problems and a form of dementia when she purchased his home in April, 2023. The agent bought the property for $600,000, one month after the neighbouring home sold for $1.1million, meaning she paid at least $500,000 under market value. The Civil and Administrative Tribunal was told Ms Nohra had power of attorney over the man, who relied on her to manage his personal finances. He agreed to sell the home on the condition that he could remain there for as long as he required, but the agent failed to secure his tenure. This put the elderly man at risk of a 90-day eviction, which means he would only have three months to find alternative accommodation. Civil and Administrative Tribunal Senior Member Lachlan Bryant said the man had been isolated and vulnerable when he was approached by Ms Nohra. Rachelle Nohra (pictured) is the director of Eser Property, where she is described as knowing 'what it takes to go that extra mile for her clients' Ms Nohra has denied she took advantage of a 82-year-old man with alcohol problems and a form of dementia when she purchased his home in April, 2023 (stock) He said the pensioner didn't have the mental capacity to sell his home. '(Ms Nohra's) belief that purchasing (the man's) property in the circumstances was the right thing to do is of serious concern,' he said. '(Her) conduct may put the real estate industry into disrepute and falls short of the community's expectations of a licence holder.' He upheld a decision by the Commissioner of Fair Trading to suspend Ms Nohra's licence for 12 months and fine her $11,000. Mr Bryant said the agent took advantage of the elderly man for her own financial benefit, and that her actions were 'deliberate' and of major harm and severity. Daily Mail has contacted Ms Nohra for further comment. On the Eser Property website, she is described as a passionate, energetic and experienced real estate agent who has worked in the industry for a decade. 'Her strengths include persistence, patience and working tirelessly to get the best possible result,' her agent bio reads. A Trump official was allegedly assaulted by a 'deranged lunatic' at the United Nation General Assembly in New York City. According to reports from Fox News, an international relations official for the Department of Health and Human Services was walking down the hallway at UN headquarters when she was confronted by an angry protestor. Deputy White House Press secretary Anna Kelly said: 'An HHS official was followed into a bathroom, recorded, physically assaulted and verbally accosted by a deranged leftist at the UN who somehow entered the venue past multiple layers of security. 'Thankfully, the official is safe, and the lunatic was arrested, but this is part of a disturbing and dangerous set of failures by the UN after their sabotage of President Trump ahead of and during his speech.' The anonymous official who was at the assembly to assist Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., detailed being yelled at and recorded as she walked down the hall on September 25. She said: 'Once I took a step back and regained my footing, it didnt stop. I realized what was happening. I realized I was being yelled at and that the light was also a recording device.' The woman reportedly called the official a 'Nazi' and a 'fascist.' She also reportedly screamed pro-Palestinian comments at her. As the US representative tried to escape into the women's restroom, the assailant followed her and continued to yell, even recording over the closed stall door. A Trump administration was attacked in the hallway of the UN headquarters in New York while representing the US at the General Assembly This comes after a series of malfunctions before and during Trump's address to the UN The official was walking down the hallway at the UN when the attacker began recording her and insulting her The official waited until she thought her attacker had gone to leave the restroom, but the woman was waiting by the door and resumed yelling with 'hyper-aggressive' insults until her victim could get away. The official claimed the confrontation lasted 10 minutes, adding: 'It felt very political in nature. 'Secretary Kennedy gets a tremendous number of bows and arrows and threats that he deals with, but it seems that its not enough, and it is trickling down.' The attacker was arrested by the NYPD and charged with assault, aggravated harassment, attempted assault and criminal possession of a weapon. She was later released from custody on September 26. Secretary Kelly said that US Secret Service plans to investigate how the protestor was able to enter a 'major national security event.' Deputy White House Secretary Anna Kelly questioned how the attacker was able to get past security at a 'major national security event' The official was at the UN to assist Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. She also encouraged the UN to look into the 'highly concerning' incidents that keep afflicting US Government Staff members. A UN Spokesperson responded to the incident and said: 'We are outraged that a member of the US delegation was physically assaulted inside of UN Headquarters the afternoon of September 25. 'This attack must be addressed swiftly, and consequences must be felt.' This comes after the president's escalator was stalled before his speech and a malfunctioning teleprompter during Trump's address to the UN on September 23. Additionally, people have protested outside of the Assembly all week. The spokesperson admitted that their security operations require a 'thorough review,' adding 'enough is enough.' The UN will work closely with the Secret Service to investigate the attack. The assailant is expected in court on November 13. Four wigs made for children with cancer have been allegedly stolen in what detectives have branded a 'heartless' theft in broad daylight. Victoria Police have released CCTV images of a woman they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries. The woman was seen entering the business on Lennox Street in Richmond, just east of Melbourne's CBD, about 3.30pm on Monday. Police allege she picked up four wigs and placed them in her jacket and bag while employees were out the back of the store. Staff had put the wigs in the reception area as they were due to be taken to a hospital where they would be given to children with cancer. The woman then left the store to where a man was allegedly waiting for her. He has been described as Caucasian and wearing a white or grey beanie, black hoodie, black pants and white runners. The woman has been described as Caucasian, with long dark-coloured hair with blonde ends and wearing all-black clothing. Anyone with information or footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online. It is necessary to increase the share of contract soldiers in the army, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Rustem Umerov said following a meeting of the Commander-in-Chiefs Staff. We heard a report on the results of the recruitment under the 18-24 contract service model. We must increase the share of contract soldiers in the army. We also discussed expanding opportunities for contract service for the military and new incentives for attracting trained personnel, he said in Telegram on Friday evening. Umerov also said the Ministry of Defense reported on the production and contracting of drones, in particular interceptor drones, and that their output is increasing. We have requests from some partners for joint solutions to counter enemy drones. The President instructed to work out specific concepts of interaction and prepare a separate technological headquarters for scaling Ukrainian drone programs next week, Umerov said. The NSDC Secretary added that the Foreign Intelligence Service and the Main Intelligence Agency of the Ministry of Defense provided analytics on Russian weapons production, industrial and fuel complexes. According to him, based on this data, new tasks have been set to strengten pressure on the Russian military economy. Meanwhile, the president also issued relevant instructions following his meetings in New York at the UN General Assembly. In particular, regarding joint weapons production, expansion of military assistance programs, and deepening international cooperation in the defense sector. An Manhattan financier and his long-time personal assistant have been charged over claims he tortured dozens of women for sexual gratification. Howard Rubin, 70, and his alleged accomplice Jennifer Powers, 45, are accused of trafficking dozens of women who he sexually and physically assaulted in a penthouse sex dungeon located on Billionaires' Row. The 13-page indictment claims Rubin recruited and forced ex-Playboy models and other women to have paid sex with him. He allegedly trafficked women from 2009 to 2019, routinely deceiving them about what the encounters entailed. Rubin, a former top manager at Soros Fund Management, is charged with 10 criminal counts including sex-trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution and bank fraud. He pleaded not guilty in court on Friday. He allegedly paid victims between $2,000 and $5,000 per session, depending on his 'satisfaction', the Wall Street Journal reported. The 70-year-old allegedly tied up his victims, drugged and beat them without their consent. Prosecutors allege some victims lost consciousness from his brutal beatings, and they were forced to sign non-disclosure agreements afterwards. Howard Rubin, former Manhattan financier, was charged in a decade-long sex trafficking scheme of torturing dozens of women for his own deranged BDSM fantasies Jennifer Powers, 45, is also accused of trafficking dozens of women Rubin allegedly sexually and physically assaulted in a Central Park penthouse sex dungeon His former personal assistant is accused of playing a role in arranging the meetings and silencing the victims. Prosecutors said the co-conspirator helped to 'furnish the dungeon' and described in an email to Rubin how she put chains on a cross and a bed in the room. One of the many vile text message exchanges between Rubin and Powers was revealed, the New York Post reported. Rubin allegedly texted Powers about his graphic sexual encounter with a victim tied to a cross. The dedicated accomplice, who worked for Rubin for almost 15 years, sent a revolting response, the feds charged. 'I can only imagine what you did to her on that cross!!! Did you shock her p***y??' Powers allegedly wrote. The financier replied that he had and complained that his electrocution device was losing strength, according to court papers. Many sex sessions occurred in lavish New York hotels but he later rented a penthouse apartment and turned one of the rooms into a sex dungeon. Powers (pictured with husband Steve) was regularly kept in the loop about her boss' escapades, prosecutors claim The soundproofed room was painted red and covered in BDSM equipment, according to prosecutors. Another sadistic text message, released by prosecutors, detailed Rubin's alleged plans to engage in a threesome, telling one of the women he wanted to 'abuse' the other for hours, according to the NY Post. Rubin allegedly wrote 'I dont care if she screams,' with a laughing face emoji. 'This is going to be fun!' The woman told Rubin she was ready and he allegedly replied a mistype response that read "Ur not, bbut ur desperate and thts good.' Prosecutors added the 70-year-old gave his victims a 'safe word' to stop the sex if it became too aggressive, but claimed Rubin would continue even if they said it. Rubin was arrested Friday at his Connecticut home and is set to appear in Brooklyn court on Sept 26. Powers was taken into custody in Texas. She will face court on Monday, Sept 29. The Colombian President Gustavo Petro's visa is to be revoked because he 'urged U.S. soldiers to disobey orders and incite violence' in New York on Friday, the State Department said. Petro, in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, told a crowd outside the U.N. headquarters: 'I ask all the soldiers of the army of the United States not to point their guns at people. Disobey the orders of Trump. Obey the orders of humanity!' The State Department announced on X Friday evening that Petro would lose his visa, though Petro had already left the country for Bogota following the protest, the BBC reported. 'Earlier today, Colombian president @petrogustavo stood on a NYC street and urged U.S. soldiers to disobey orders and incite violence. We will revoke Petro's visa due to his reckless and incendiary actions,' they said. Petro's social media profile on Friday showed he had reposted several video clips of himself speaking at a gathering of pro-Palestinian protesters and former Pink Floyd guitarist Roger Waters in New York. His office and Colombia's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In his speech to the global gathering on Tuesday, Petro also hit out at Trump, condemning three attacks this month, which the White House has defended as operations against drug traffickers. He accused the former president of criminalizing poverty and migration. The United States will revoke Colombian President Gustavo Petro's (pictured center) visa because he 'urged U.S. soldiers to disobey orders and incite violence' in New York on Friday, the State Department said. Pictured: Petro (center) with former Pink Floyd guitarist Roger Waters (right) In his speech to the global gathering on Tuesday, Petro also hit out at Trump , condemning three attacks this month Petro said: 'Criminal proceedings must be opened against those officials, who are from the U.S., even if it includes the highest-ranking official who gave the order: President Trump.' He added that passengers killed in the strikes were not members of Venezuela's Tren de Aragua gang, as claimed by the Trump administration after the first attack. Petro said the passengers 'were simply poor young people from Latin America who had no other option.' Later in an interview with the BBC, he called the strikes an 'act of tyranny' and questioned the US' methods. 'Why launch a missile if you could simply stop the boat and arrest the crew?' he asked. That's what one would call murder.' He added: 'We have a long history of collaborating with American agencies and other agencies of carrying out maritime seizures of cocaine,' he said. 'No one has ever died before. There is no need to kill anyone.' Petro also claimed the United States was responsible for 'genocide' in Gaza. 'Free Palestine. If Gaza falls, humanity dies,' Petro said in a post on X. In his speech to the global gathering on Tuesday, Petro also hit out at Trump , condemning three attacks this month, which the White House has defended as operations against drug traffickers The Colombian leader, a vocal opponent of Israel's war in Gaza, has suspended exports of coal to Israel. Petro's remarks at the UN came just after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced his government is preparing constitutional decrees to defend the country in the event of an 'attack' from US forces. Few details of the strikes have been made public. The first, on September 2, killed 11 people according to Washington. Officials said that the vessel and another targeted on September 16 had departed from Venezuela. Three people died in the second strike, while a third boat was hit on Friday, leaving another three dead. The Trump administration has defended the escalation as vital to combat drug smuggling into the US but has not explained how the boats' cargo was assessed or how passengers were linked to criminal groups. National security officials later told Congress the first vessel was fired on after it changed course and appeared to head back to shore. 'They said that the missiles in the Caribbean were used to stop drug trafficking. That is a lie stated here in this very rostrum,' Petro declared, in what appeared to be a direct response to Trump's earlier speech. In his speech to the global gathering on Tuesday, Petro also hit out at Trump , condemning three attacks this month, which the White House has defended as operations against drug traffickers Musician Roger Waters, addresses pro-Palestinian demonstrators alongside Colombian President Gustavo Petro outside UN headquarters 'Was it really necessary to bomb unarmed, poor young people in the Caribbean?' Maduro has accused Washington of using drug allegations as cover for a military operation designed to topple his government. Meanwhile, members of the Democratic Party have questioned the Trump administration over the legality of the strikes, which have been described as extrajudicial executions by the UN. In the interview, Petro claimed that the US leader was humiliating his people and insisted that countries like his will not 'bow down to the king.' Trump and Petro have traded barbs in recent months. In a presidential memorandum, where Washington decertified Colombia for what it says was a failure to meet its anti-drug commitments, Trump said: 'The failure of Colombia to meet its drug control obligations over the past year rests solely with its political leadership.' Petro hit out at the US decision saying: 'This is a deep insult to a society that has spilled the most blood so that the United States and Europe consume less cocaine, and obviously an insult to my own life The strained relationship between the two leaders has been seen as a threat to the prospect of their countries remaining allies. Colombia has received billions of dollars in aid from the US since the Clinton presidency. After his return to the White House earlier this year, Trump toughened his stance on illegal migration from Latin America and said he would clamp down on drugs coming to the US from the region. He also designated several drug-trafficking syndicates as terrorist organizations. In recent weeks, Washington has strengthened its presence in the southern Caribbean, deploying additional warships to the region alongside thousands of Marines and sailors. Petro, Colombia's first left-wing president, restored diplomatic ties with Venezuela after taking office in 2022. A woman has died and a group of Chinese tourists have been rescued after setting out on a hike 'unprepared' for Australia's extreme weather. The group were suffering from the cold and experiencing other difficulties when another group of hikers found them at Cradle Mountain on Friday afternoon, Tasmania Police said. The second group contacted emergency services but extreme weather prevented authorities from deploying a helicopter to the area. Rescuers went in to find them on foot and camped with the group overnight until they could make their way back out on Saturday morning. One woman was confirmed dead. The others were not physically injured. The hikers did not have the appropriate equipment or a personal locator beacon, so they could not raise the alarm, Tasmania Police Inspector Steve Jones said. 'Unfortunately, they were not prepared for bushwalking and found themselves overwhelmed by the extreme weather conditions,' he said. 'Tasmania's weather can change very quickly, particularly in the alpine areas. A woman is dead and others have been rescued from remote wilderness after a group of Chinese tourists set out for a hike unprepared for extreme weather (rescuers are pictured) The hikers did not have the appropriate equipment or a personal locator beacon, so they could not raise the alarm (pictured, rescue crews are seen at Cradle Mountain) It comes after a woman's body wad found in a popular lake in the Hobart hinterland 'This means there are times such as this when we can't deploy the helicopter and it takes time for a ground search and rescue team to walk into remote areas.' Bushwalkers in the Tasmanian wilderness are urged to carry warm clothing, food, water, a charged phone, a map, emergency communication devices and other equipment at all times. It comes after a woman's body wad found in a popular lake in the Hobart hinterland. Tasmanian Police have cordoned off a section of the Hobart Rivulet. Police were called to the scene at about 4.30pm on Friday after a hiker, who was walking along the rivulet track, made the grim discovery. It is understood the woman, believed to be in her early 30s, is yet to be identified. The circumstances surrounding her death remain unclear. An investigation is now underway. Three women have been indicted after they followed an ICE agent home and then posted his address to Instagram. Cynthia Raygoza, 37, Ashleigh Brown, 38, and Sandra Carmona Samane, 25, all caught the agent at the Civic Center in Downtown Los Angeles on August 28, according to the Justice Department. They began livestreaming on various Instagram accounts, including 'ice_out_of_la,' 'defendmesoamericanculture,' and 'corn_maiden_design.' As the agent drove home, the protesters followed him in a black sedan driven by Raygoza, CBS Los Angeles reported. Once they got to the agent's home, the three women started shouting both at bystanders and to their audiences on social media that 'your neighbor is ICE,' 'la migra (slang for US immigration officers) lives here' and 'ICE lives on your street and you should know. The protesters, all wearing masks, ended by saying where the agent lived and invited anyone watching to his home: 'Come on down.' The Instagram accounts have all since scrubbed the footage from their pages. A federal grand jury charged the women on one count of conspiracy and one count of publicly disclosing the personal information of a federal agent, which could land them up to ten years in federal prison if found guilty. Three women have been indicted after they followed an ICE agent home and then posted his address to Instagram. As the agent drove home, the trio followed him in a black sedan driven by Raygoza (pictured), who remains at large Several dozen protesters seen during a demonstration on the Sixth Street Bridge between downtown Los Angeles and Boyle Heights protesting ICE deportation operations in LA in July Browne and Samane were already arrested on federal criminal complaints, with Browne being held without bond, as she is charged in a separate case for assault on a federal officer. Samane was freed on $5,000 bond. Law enforcement has yet to find Raygoza. 'Our brave federal agents put their lives on the line every day to keep our nation safe,' said Acting United States Attorney Bill Essayli. 'The conduct of these defendants are deeply offensive to law enforcement officers and their families. If you threaten, dox, or harm in any manner one of our agents or employees, you will face prosecution and prison time.' Anti-ICE agitators disrupted the proceedings in court Thursday, The New York Post reported. It's yet another case of anti-ICE violence, revealed just days after a shooter killed two people at an immigration facility in Texas. Despite the danger ICE agents find themselves in, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill banning law enforcement officers from wearing masks while on the job earlier this week. The state's ban is the first of its kind in the US and was introduced in response to ICE officers using face coverings during Los Angeles' immigration raids. California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill banning law enforcement officers from wearing masks while on the job earlier this week (US Border Patrol agents pictured on August 1 before the ruling) The move has been slammed by police and security experts alike, who say it places agents at risk of retaliation for doing their jobs. Tricia McLaughlin, Homeland Security assistant secretary for public affairs, told the AP that the bill was 'despicable and a flagrant attempt to endanger our officers'. She said that federal law enforcement officers are 'being assaulted by rioters,' and has claimed that Newsom's rhetoric led to an 1,000 percent increase in attacks on federal agents. She called Newsom a 'sanctuary politician' who is trying to stop agents protecting themselves from being 'doxxed and targeted by known and suspected terrorist sympathizers.' She also noted that federal agents are already required to identify themselves and wear clothing that designates they are with ICE or Homeland Security while conducting their operations. Bill Essayli, acting U.S. attorney for Southern California, also criticized California's mask ban on X, saying the state has no jurisdiction over federal government agents. 'If Newsom wants to regulate our agents, he must go through Congress,' he said. The California State Sheriff's Association called the ban reckless and dangerous to agents and their families. The Peace Officers Research Association of California, which represents more than 80,000 public safety members, and the California Police Chiefs Association were also against the mask ban. Opponents said agents have faced increased harassment online and in public and that keeping their identities secret is essential to their safety and the safety of their families. Anti-ICE agitators disrupted the proceedings in court Thursday Donald Trump has demanded that Democrats turn down the rhetoric against ICE agents after the Dallas shooting. 'The Brave Men and Women of ICE are just trying to do their jobs, and remove the 'WORST of the WORST' Criminals out of our Country, but they are facing an unprecedented increase in threats, violence, and attacks by Deranged Radical Leftists,' he said on Truth Social. 'This violence is the result of the Radical Left Democrats constantly demonizing Law Enforcement, calling for ICE to be demolished, and comparing ICE Officers to 'Nazis.'' 'I AM CALLING ON ALL DEMOCRATS TO STOP THIS RHETORIC AGAINST ICE AND AMERICAS LAW ENFORCEMENT, RIGHT NOW!' He added that his administration remained committed to its day one promise of strong borders. A British expat has praised Australia's railway system after he calculated his fare was 25 times cheaper than the cost of a similar ticket in the UK. Josh McCallion moved from the UK to Sydney in November 2024 and since then has been travelling around the area to take in the sights. Until last week, however, he had no idea just how cheap train tickets were in NSW. In a video shared to social media, Mr McCallion filmed himself inside Central Station after he had bought a ticket from Sydney to Newcastle. The trip takes roughly two-and-a-half hours and costs $10.66 during peak hours or $7.46 off-peak. The price astonished Mr McCallion, who made a quick comparison of how much the ticket would cost a person in the UK who wanted to travel a similar distance by train. Mr McCallion explained a similar trip in the UK from Newcastle to Derby - where he is originally from - costs a staggering $190 for the cheapest ticket. For the quickest morning trip between these destinations, the price sits at an 'obscene' $269.70 - or 25-times the cost of a similar trip in Sydney. Josh McCallion caught his first train in Sydney and could not believe how much cheaper it was than those in the UK A trip from Sydney to Newcastle only cost Mr McCallion a little over $7 Many social media users who watched the video blamed the UK's privatised train network, while others warned Mr McCallion that not all trips are so cheap in Australia. Mr McCallion said he was still new to Australia and just 'needed an excuse' to travel when he was left gobsmacked by the ticket prices. 'We needed an excuse to get up there because we've heard it was nice, but when I looked at the train prices, I was just blown away, to be quite honest,' he told Yahoo. 'In the UK, we just use the train because it's just obscene. 'We don't have a car yet, but the public transport is making us think whether we actually need one, which is quite a nice place to be, because in the UK, that would never have been an option.' Train networks in the UK have been owned and operated by rail companies since the the privatisation in 1993. Because of this, train tickets can fluctuate similar to how airline bookings do based on supply and demand. The cheapest return ticket which can be purchased between Newcastle and Derby is currently $262.55 at the time of writing. An equivalent ticket in the UK, from Newcastle to Derby, costs $190 at least Train tickets are so much more expensive in the UK because the railway network was privatised in 1993, unlike the publicly owned railroads in Australia Brits pay roughly 30 per cent more on railway tickets than their counterparts across Europe, according to the 2011 McNulty report. Social media users squared the blame solely towards National Rail for the excessive cost UK residents have to pay for long-haul public travel. 'Because privatised public transport is about profit extraction not service,' one said. 'What's worse is the UK has eight times the population of NSW in a smaller land area to attract customers to cover costs and make a good profit,' another added. 'I spent 139 (AU$284.46) going to Bristol and back last week,' a third wrote. 'For the same price I could fly to Europe.' But train prices are not universal around Australia as others pointed out. 'But how did I spend $21 for a 10 minute train ride to Sydney airport,' one man complained. 'Sorry, what? It costs me $8.40 to get to work every morning by train in Sydney, a 35 minute ride, and you're telling me the train to Newcastle is less,' another wrote. 'In Queensland we went from the Gold Coast to Ipswich for 50 cents and in Victoria we went from Melbourne to Ballarat on a Sunday for about $7.50,' a third said. Keir Starmer's new digital ID project has been branded 'un-British' by Nigel Farage - who warns it won't stop illegal migrants and will only give the state more control. The Prime Minister announced Labour's plans on Friday to impose the mandatory cards on all adults by the end of this Parliament. Civil liberty campaigners have since railed against the scheme with growing backlash amounting to more than 1.8million signatures on a petition titled 'Do not introduce digital ID cards'. Only five such petitions have passed a million signatures over the last decade and a Daily Mail poll showed only a quarter of people back the cards. Anyone who works in the UK will need the ID as part of the Government's bid to reduce illegal immigration. But Mr Farage told the Daily Express this week the measure - called 'Brit card' - would become a 'means of controlling the population, of telling us what we can do or say, or even tracking where we go and what we spend'. He said: 'During the pandemic, we had to have vaccine ID to travel and to do various things. Did that stop the pandemic spreading? No it did not. 'All it did was to impose costs and inconvenience on the general population. Mr Farage said the 'Brit card' was in reality 'un-British' and would become a 'means of controlling the population, of telling us what we can do or say, or even tracking where we go and what we spend' (file image) Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrives with his wife Victoria to the Labour Party conference at ACC Liverpool today Your browser does not support iframes. 'Why would anybody trust the government to hold massive data banks of information about how we live?' The Reform UK leader compared the situation to 'our European neighbours' like Germany and France, saying ID cards and 'strict checks' had 'made no difference at all to the immigration crisis there, and nor will it here'. He said there were already digital IDs to ensure migrants had the right to work in the UK before referencing a 'serious issue of democracy'. Yesterday Sir Keir said the immigration system needed to be 'fair' as he made the case for digital IDs at a conference of progressive leaders. 'Let me spell it out, you will not be able to work in the United Kingdom if you do not have digital ID,' he said. 'It's as simple as that because decent, pragmatic, fair-minded people, they want us to tackle the issues that they see around them.' Under the plans, all workers would store a digital ID on their smartphones which they could be asked to provide. It would be the authoritative proof of identity and residency status in the UK, and would include name, date of birth, and a photo as well as information on nationality and residency status. Mock-ups of what the new digital ID held on people's phones could look like are shown above Sir Keir Starmer said yesterday plans for a new digital ID will be an 'enormous opportunity' for the UK. He is pictured today in Liverpool Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer meets secondary school students during a visit to the Liverpool Echo During his speech, Sir Keir said progressive politicians have been 'squeamish' about saying things that are 'clearly true'. 'For too many years, it's been too easy for people to come here, slip into the shadow economy and remain here illegally because, frankly, we have been squeamish about saying things that are clearly true.' The PM added: 'It's not compassionate Left-wing politics to rely on labour that exploits foreign workers and undercuts fair wages.' Shadow pensions secretary Helen Whately said the move would not prevent illegal working. 'We're hearing about people working in the grey economy [where jobs are hidden from the state] being paid in cash, being often paid well below the minimum wage,' she told Sky News. 'This is not about law-abiding employees failing to be able to identify whether people's ID is legal or not, they're not even checking ID.' Reform UK previously called the plans a 'cynical ploy' designed to 'fool' voters into thinking something is being done about immigration. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch also dismissed the plans as a 'gimmick that will do nothing to stop the boats'. The Liberal Democrats said they would fight 'tooth and nail' against the 'nonsensical' plans. The move previously rolled out and then halted by Tony Blair was seized on by the former PM's think-tank, who called for ministers to go further. Alexander Iosad, from the Tony Blair Institute, said digital IDs should be the 'gateway' to showing people the state was on their side. He said that while it was important to combat illegal migration and criminal gangs, the scheme should also be used to store information about a person centrally. Mr Iosad added: 'This is the moment of opportunity to deliver it it must not be missed.' The petition to parliament calls on the Government to commit to not introducing digital ID cards. It says: 'We think this would be a step towards mass surveillance and digital control, and that no one should be forced to register with a state-controlled ID system.' It received more than 6,800 signatures in an hour on Saturday morning as it reached more than 1,564,000 entries. Petitions on the UK Government which receive more than 100,00 signatures will be considered for a debate. Ministers had previously said the ID would only be needed as proof someone has the right to work in the UK as part of a bid to cut illegal immigration. But Darren Jones, who is spearheading the policy as chief secretary to the Prime Minister, suggested digital ID could have much wider uses in future. He told the Global Progress Action summit in London: 'If we get this digital ID system working and the public being with us, that will be the bedrock of the modern state and will allow for really quite exciting public service reform in the future.' Migrants have continued to pile into overcrowded boats as they desperately attempt to cross the Channel just hours after two women died trying to reach Britain. The female migrants died while a further 60 were rescued after 100 squeezed into an overcrowded makeshift boat on Saturday morning off the coast near Neufchatel-Hardelot. The pair are feared to have suffocated or drowned while about 60 people 'are currently being taken care of' following the incident, French officials said. Local Mayor Paulette Juilien-Peuvion said: Two women died, and some sixty others were rescued. What could have happened, I dont know. I was called during the night to be told that a boat had left and that people were in the water. Police at the scene said the women both thought to be from the east African country of Somalia either suffocated on the packed boat before it disintegrated, or drowned in the sea. An investigation has been launched the remains of the boat are being examined, said one officer. Neither of the deceased has yet been identified. Plenty of people ended up in the sea, but others were crushed before it went down. Migrants have continued to pile into overcrowded boats as they desperately attempt to cross the Channel just hours after two women died trying to reach Britain One inflatable boat, packed with more than a dozen migrants, was seen setting off across the Channel from a beach in Gravelines Boulogne prosecutors have opened a criminal enquiry as they try to find the people smugglers responsible for launching the boat. A family of three was among the survivors taken to Boulogne Hospital for further examination, while others were treated for hypothermia. Their boat is thought to have got into difficulty at around 5am, soon after launching. Despite the deaths, groups of migrants continued to crowd into boats on Saturday as they looked to reach the UK. One inflatable boat, packed with more than a dozen migrants, was seen setting off across the Channel from a beach in Gravelines. The deaths of the women mean there have been at least 25 fatalities from Channel crossings this year, with children among three who died on the route earlier month after they crushed at the bottom of a boat. A total of 78 migrants died in 2024 while trying to reach England in the same way. French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has said of such tragedies: Our government will intensify the fight against these mafias who are getting rich by organising these crossings of death. In April 2024, a criminal enquiry was launched following the deaths of five migrants including a little girl around Wimereux, near Calais. The worst tragedy of this kind came in November 2021, when 27 migrants died after a dinghy sank while heading to the UK the highest recorded number of deaths from a single incident. A record 32,000 migrants have arrived in Britain by crossing the Channel in small boats since January. Despite the deaths, groups of migrants continued to crowd into boats on Saturday as they looked to reach the UK Since the 'one in, one out' deal came into force on August 6, 6,752 small boat migrants have crossed the Channel and reached Britain Under Labour's 'one in, one out' deal the UK can return migrants after arrival if they are deemed ineligible for asylum, including those who have passed through a 'safe country' to reach UK shores. In return, London will accept an equal number of migrants from France who are likely to have their asylum claims granted. The first migrants from France under Labour's deal arrived in the UK on Thursday. A family of three, including a small child, came to Britain after successfully completing the online application process, the Home Office said. Four migrants have so far been sent back to France under the deal - one Indian national, one Eritrean, one Iranian and one Afghan. Since the treaty came into force on August 6, 6,752 small boat migrants have crossed the Channel and reached Britain. A Home Office spokesman said: 'The UK-France deal is a historic agreement, and these are critical first steps. 'This is a clear message to people-smuggling gangs that illegal entry into the UK will not be tolerated. Your browser does not support iframes. 'We will continue to detain and remove those who arrive by small boat. 'And we will work with France to operate a legal route for an equal number of eligible migrants to come to the UK subject to security checks.' Meanwhile, multitudes of destitute and desperate men originating from across the world are in the French city of Calais. Scores of white charity vans with British and French number plates criss-cross the city from dawn to dusk delivering rice meals and water to the foreigners who live rough in woodlands near suburban streets, in charity tents perched on the quay in front of the Gothic town hall, or in the myriad squalid shanty camps dotted about the city. The Red Cross is running emergency pop-up medical clinics to treat diseases including diphtheria and tuberculosis. The Catholic Church has opened shower blocks in special shelters, and there is no shortage of customers. Plastered on street signs in countless languages are notices from charities giving 'arrival' advice on how migrants can find 'English toilets', get a human rights lawyer, avoid police trouble, or access charity support to survive the winter ahead. Huge white water butts are delivered by volunteers for migrants to wash their laundry in public. So far this year 32,188 migrants have reached Britain by small boat, up 28 per cent on the same point last year. But this year's tally has for the first time dipped slightly below the record levels seen in 2022, which went on to see an all-time high annual figure of more than 45,000. A 'dead man' left mourners in shock as he turned up to his own funeral before exclaiming 'I'm alive!' The 22-year-old, who went missing during a days-long heavy drinking session, had been reported dead to the police by his mother after another young man was run over by a sugarcane truck. Although suicide was suspected, prosecutors classified the case as negligent homicide and ordered an autopsy on the body. His mother claimed to recognise the body by the clothing and some physical features and the authorities released the remains to the family, who organised a wake. However, the son stunned mourners by rocking up at the ceremony alive. He admitted to being on a days-long drinking binge in Alderetes, north of Cordoba, Argentina, and was completely unaware of his alleged death. His arrival left attendees and police questioning who was in the coffin. The man was then taken to the police station to be interviewed while the body was returned to the morgue to establish its true identity. A 'dead man' left mourners in shock as he turned up to his own funeral before exclaiming 'I'm alive!' Mourners at the funeral were left shocked when the 22-year-old turned up and questioned whose body was in the coffin The body was identified as that of Maximiliano Enrique Acosta, 28. But authorities failed to return his body to his family at first The body was later identified as that of Maximiliano Enrique Acosta, 28, from the nearby town of Delfin Gallo. Authorities tried to return his body to his family but allegedly handed back a different one at first. His brother Hernan said: 'Everything was wrong from the beginning. 'First, they handed over the body without proper identification. 'Then they made me go to the morgue twice. 'We shouldn't have to go through this after everything we suffered.' Mr Acosta's body was eventually returned to his family and a funeral was held in his hometown on Tuesday. The Argentine Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an internal investigation to determine how the errors occurred. Devastated parents have revealed their fears that a 1,900-a-month Montessori nursery worker jailed for eight years for sickening attacks on infants in her care could have gone on to kill babies. Cannabis-smoking Roksana Lecka, 22, was yesterday caged for 'sadistic' assaults in which she punched, kicked, threw and pinched 21 children as young as ten months old. Lecka, from Hounslow, west London, was sentenced for attacking the children at two nurseries as custody footage showing her 'bored' reaction to being questioned by police emerged on Friday. In victim impact statements, parents spoke of their 'overwhelming guilt' at sending their infants to the Riverside Nursery in Twickenham, southwest London, and said they feared she would have gone on to seriously injure or even kill. When one father said his wife believed Lecka was capable of killing a child, the previously emotionless defendant finally appeared to crack - as she began sobbing and was granted a break by the judge. The father said: 'As someone who works in safeguarding children, I find the fact that Roksana slipped through the net and was allowed to work with children absolutely criminal. 'My wife believes that if she had not been caught she could have gone on to seriously injure or even kill by dropping babies into cots on their heads and kicking them.' Parents sat through 75 clips amounting to hours of footage of Lecka abusing children during her trial. In a victim impact statement, one mother said: 'Seeing the footage of Roksana Lecka picking out children and then assaulting them again and again was just horrifying.' Roksana Lecka was found guilty of assaulting 21 toddlers in her care at a Montessori nursery Lecka was caught on CCTV footage vaping in the nursery's sleep room The 22-year-old told her trial she was 'addicted' to vaping and would be 'moody' if she wasn't able to puff on the device during work Another added: 'Throughout the entire trial I don't believe she showed any compassion or remorse for what she did. 'I will never be able to feel fully confident leaving my child in a setting like this again and I hate that she has done this. 'I feel even more guilty than the person who did this to my child.' A third mother said: 'The harm she has inflicted on my son and the babies in her care has left us heartbroken. 'When he wakes up screaming at night it's hard to tell if it's because of what she did or just a general feeling of being unsafe. 'I replay it in my mind and now I have seen the footage of him being assaulted and the other babies I struggle to get the faces of these babies screaming out in pain out of my head. 'They replay in my head constantly. Although she has shown no remorse we bear a lot of guilt for what happened. 'As a mum who carried him, nurtured him and will care for him forever I am utterly heartbroken by what she inflicted.' One mother described the moment a police officer rang to tell her that her son had been attacked by a member of nursery staff. 'I remember exactly where I was when I received the call about my son,' she said. 'I was working at my desk and just collapsed when he told me about what had happened to him. 'The officer asked if he every came home with bruises or injuries, and I said yes all the time because he is a toddler. 'I then thought back to the bruises he had on his ear that I had photographed previously. During police interviews, Lecka was seen playing with her hair and repeatedly answered: 'No comment' While she was supposed to be caring for infants she instead vaped inches from them as they slept Lecka appeared calm when she was informed by police that she was to be arrested over the attacks 'In order to have produced those bruises Roksana must have pinched so hard. 'I cannot get over the fact that an adult would want to do this to a child. 'He no longer closes his eyes without me being there. And he will not go to sleep unless he knows I am there. Because of this he now sleeps in my bed. 'He still to this day pinches my face and I wonder if this is because this is what Roksana did to him. I have constant nightmares and wake up thinking they are real.' And one single mother has moved her family away from the area because she could no longer bear to walk past the Riverside Montessori nursery where her son was abused. Shocking police interview footage published on Friday after Lecka was sentenced showed how she appeared 'bored' and showed no emotion when the gravity of her crimes were put to her. One clip showed Lecka appeared to be playing with her hair while she was asked about a baby 'on a mattress, he seems to be crying'. When Lecka did not respond, a female officer paused to say: 'Sorry am I boring you?' Other footage showed how she repeatedly gave no comment answers, including when another officer put to her: 'You've not told us that you've kicked one of the kids in the face. 'What if there were any serious injuries to that baby that could have caused him more harm down the line? And four weeks later we're here again. 'Haven't you got any empathy for any children, or any of the ones you've assaulted?' After another no comment answer, the same officer said: 'You've just sat here and gone no comment, so I'm going to go back to each parent and tell them, we spoke to you, she's just sat here emotionless - nothing, nothing at all for these babies. The 22-year-old denied 17 counts of child cruelty, but admitted seven similar offences, while working at the Riverside Nursery (pictured) between January 31 and June 28 last year Lecka, who is from Poland but moved to the UK with her parents when she was younger, was caught on CCTV kicking a boy in the face and punching a girl in the side 'These are children, you're effectively abusing children, physically abusing children and you have got nothing but no comment to say and I've just never seen anything like it'. Horrified parents began photographing and reporting unexplained injuries on their children's bodies in March last year. But managers at the nursery failed to identify Lecka as the culprit and she continued to care for children under two until staff finally became suspicious on June 28 last year and she was arrested. Lecka was also found to have abused infants at a second nursery, and was only discovered when she was sent home from Riverside for pinching multiple children. Footage released by the Met Police today showed Lecka was caught on CCTV vaping while in a room with sleeping infants. Lecka had tried to justify her behaviour by claiming she was sleep-deprived from smoking cannabis all night with her boyfriend, but she was convicted of child cruelty in June. Lecka, who wore a black suit and had her hair tied behind her head during the hearing, did not show any signs of feeling while parents spoke of their agony. She was supported in court by her mother and by Rosa Hicks, a Just Stop Oil activist who befriended Lecka while on remand at HMP Bronzefield over taking part in a plot to disrupt Heathrow Airport. Lecka tried to justify her behaviour by claiming she was sleep-deprived from smoking cannabis all night with her boyfriend Lecka was seen on CCTV repeatedly kicking a boy in the face Lecka admitted seven counts of child cruelty, including kicking a boy in the face and punching a girl in the side. Lecka denied 17 other similar charges but jurors found her guilty of 14, acquitting her on three counts. The Polish national told the trial: 'I can't remember the things I was doing because I was smoking cannabis that was affecting my memory.' Sentencing Lecka, Judge Sarah Plaschkes KC told Lecka she should be barred from ever working with children or vulnerable people again. She told the defendant: 'You committed multiple acts of gratuitous violence. 'You pinched, slapped, punched, smacked and kicked them. You pulled their ears, hair and their toes. You toppled children headfirst into cots. You caused bruising and lingering red marks. 'When you committed these acts of cruelty you would look at the other members of staff to make sure that they were not watching you. 'Often the child would be quietly and happily minding its own business before you deliberately inflicted pain causing the child to cry, arch, try to get away or writhe around in distress. 'Time after time you calmly watched the pain and suffering you have caused. Your criminal conduct can properly be characterised as sadistic.' Detectives trawled through 300 hours of CCTV footage which laid bare the scale of Lecka's violence against toddlers and babies. Detective Inspector Sian Hutchings, the senior investigating officer in the case, said: '(Lecka has) never given any explanation for her behaviour and what she's done, which... has only added to the upset for the parents, who have been immensely strong throughout the criminal investigation and been very dignified in their response.' Lecka 'was visibly bored' in the police interview, gave no comment answers, 'and didn't appear bothered by the seriousness of the allegations', the detective said. This shocked and frustrated the lead investigating officers, Ms Hutchings added, and 'only added to the upset being caused to the families because we were unable to provide any explanation to them, who were all left wondering why she has done this. 'She's never shown any remorse or any empathy throughout the trial or the investigation.' Asked if psychiatric reports revealed any cause to her offending, Ms Hutchings said: 'We've got no insight. We've got nothing that can give us any sort of explanation, through all of our inquiries that have been completed, that would help us understand why she did what she did.' Lecka did not target specific children, the detective added. Babies sustained 'horrific bruising to their bodies' but none of their injuries were life-changing, Ms Hutchings said. 'It's difficult to imagine how difficult it will have been for those parents to have had contact from the police to tell them that their child had been physically abused by the one person who was supposed to keep them safe,' Ms Hutchings added. The former beauty worker sought to rationalise her behaviour with excuses, including that she would get 'moody' if she could not smoke her vape at work, did not have enough sleep, was feeling the effects of cannabis smoked the night before and had been suffering from period cramps. Arlette Piercy, defending, said Lecka had been attacked twice by other inmates at HMP Bronzefield. Her evidence was damning of the chaotic environment at the now-closed Riverside Nursery, part of a prestigious group of educational institutions run by Dukes Education. Slow Horses star Dame Kristin Scott Thomas has revealed her life is 'fantastic' since remarrying at the age of 64. The BAFTA-winning actress secretly tied the knot with Bloomberg editor-in-chief John Micklethwait during an intimate ceremony with only close family and friends present last September. Before finding her current beau however, Scott Thomas - known for her roles as Fiona in Four Weddings and a Funeral and Katharine in The English Patient - was previously married to French fertility specialist Francois Olivennes. The star and her husband tied the knot in 1987 before basing their lives in Paris and bringing up their three children together. But when the marriage ended after 17 years, Scott Thomas spoke of how she would likely stay single for the rest of her life because 'all the men will run for the hills' due to her peripatetic career. There were brief relationships with The Crown actor Tobias Menzie and French tycoon Arpad Busson, but after nearly 20 years as a divorcee Scott Thomas took the decision to marry again - and it is one the star says she is more than relishing. Speaking to The Times, the actress - now 65 - says her years of life experience have held her in good stead for second time around. She said of her marriage: 'I don't know how to describe it without going mushy, but to have two hearts, two brains, two minds, two energies all striving for the same thing is fantastic. Slow Horses star Dame Kristin Scott Thomas has revealed her life is 'fantastic' since remarrying at the age of 64 to Bloomberg editor-in-chief John Micklethwait The actress - currently starring in Slow Horses - says her years of life experience have held her in good stead for second time around After her divorce, Scott Thomas said she believed she might stay single for years to come. Pictured: The actress in 2006 'What you're looking for when you're in your fifties and sixties is very different from what you're looking for in your twenties, when you want to make babies and you've got the dream of a family thing going on. 'I've worked out what's worth paying attention to and what the really important things in my life are and I've found someone who thinks the same things.' Her joie de vivre and optimism is shades away from Scott Thomas's previous views on finding love again. In 2013, the actress candidly told the Sunday Telegraph that she believed she might stay single for years to come. She said: 'It's incredibly difficult keeping relationships alive when you have a lifestyle like mine. I'm never more than a few weeks in one place.' The actress went on to admit her personal life often suffers because of her career and said she used work as 'an escapism thing' when things got difficult at home. She said: 'If I've signed on to do something, then I have to do it properly. So I have to switch off the personal life. I can just about squeeze in a phone call at lunchtime, but anything else I just can't deal with. 'So it's a bit of an escapism thing, actually. Things complicated at home? Get a job! Go off somewhere else and pretend I'm someone else.' Scott Thomas was previously married to French fertility specialist Francois Olivennes The BAFTA-winning actress is known for her roles as Fiona in Four Weddings and a Funeral and Katharine in The English Patient Scott Thomas has seldom opened up about the 'complicated' moments in her life - but they would surely include the tragic death of her father, Lieutenant Commander Simon Thomas, in a dramatic fighter plane accident in 1966. The actress was aged just five at the time. She previously recalled that 'Mummy was pregnant at the time and I can remember when she told us. In one breath it was, 'Daddy has had an accident and won't be coming home and I'm going to have a baby.' So it sort of took the sting out of it'. A previously declassified air investigation report revealed in 2015 that Lt Com Thomas was flying a Sea Vixen jet when it exploded after crashing into the sea off the Dorset coast as part of a training exercise. In a dark twist of fate, Kristin's widowed mother, Debroah, went on to marry another Fleet Air Arm pilot, Simon Idiens, who similarly died in an air accident in 1972. And between her two husbands, Deborah had a brief relationship with a boyfriend who also tragically died in a flying accident. For Scott Thomas however, life has taken a happier turn, with both her romantic life and career flourishing. The British actress has returned to screens this week with the return of the popular Apple TV+ series Slow Horses. Scott Thomas stars as MI5's Diana Taverner alongside Sir Gary Oldman in series 5 of the BAFTA Award-winning spy drama. Based on Mick Herron's hugely popular book series, it was partly thanks to Scott Thomas' husband that she agreed to take on the role in the first place. The actress said she was intrigued by the role after Micklethwait's friends told her they were huge fans of Herron's books and described the author as a 'genius'. September 27, 2020, remains one of the most important milestones in the history of Azerbaijans national heroism. On that day, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan launched responsive measures against another large-scale military provocation from Armenia, marking the birth of the 44-day Patriotic War. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Armenia took advantage of regional instability and launched military aggression against Azerbaijan. By 1993, Armenia had occupied not only the Garabagh region but also seven adjacent districts. More than 20 percent of Azerbaijani territory remained under occupation for nearly three decades, while four UN Security Council resolutions demanding Armenias withdrawal went ignored. During this time, Armenia carried out ethnic cleansing, committed massacres, and pursued illegal settlement policies in Garabagh. Despite the long ceasefire established in 1994, Armenian provocations never ceased. Years of patience and diplomatic efforts by Azerbaijan to resolve the conflict peacefully reached their limit when Armenia intensified attacks in July and September 2020, directly targeting Azerbaijani civilians and military positions. This left no alternative but to launch a decisive counter-offensive on September 27. The Patriotic War was not only a military campaign but also a manifestation of Azerbaijans unity, resilience, and determination to restore its territorial integrity. Under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces crushed the enemy using modern military tactics and technologies. The unity of the people, symbolized by the slogan "He died, he returned, he did not return!", became the backbone of this victory. While Azerbaijani soldiers advanced on the battlefield, Armenia resorted to war crimes, deliberately shelling civilian areas far beyond the front line. Cities such as Ganja, Mingachevir, Barda, and Tartar came under heavy missile and artillery fire, resulting in the deaths of 93 civilians, including 12 children and 27 women. More than 450 civilians were injured, and thousands of homes, schools, and infrastructure facilities were destroyed. Armenia even used banned white phosphorus munitions against forests and populated areas, violating international law and the Geneva Conventions. Despite these brutalities, the Azerbaijani Army, through the "Iron Fist" operation, liberated its occupied lands in just 44 days. On November 10, 2020, Armenia signed the act of capitulation, and Azerbaijan restored its territorial integrity in accordance with international law. The Patriotic War reshaped the modern history of Azerbaijan. It was not only a military victory but also a political, diplomatic, and moral triumph. President Ilham Aliyev conveyed Azerbaijans just position to the world from platforms such as the UN General Assembly and the Non-Aligned Movement, exposing Armenias aggression and calling for respect for justice and international law. Following the Victory, Azerbaijan launched unprecedented reconstruction efforts in Garabagh and East Zangezur. New airports, roads, railways, "smart villages" and "smart cities" projects, and the declaration of the region as a green energy zone reflect Azerbaijans vision for sustainable development and prosperity. These projects are transforming the liberated lands into one of the most attractive economic and investment hubs in the South Caucasus. The cost of the Victory was high. Azerbaijan lost 2,908 servicemen, with six soldiers still missing. Their sacrifice, alongside the resilience of civilians who endured Armenian terror, is forever remembered. By decree of the President of Azerbaijan, September 27 was declared Memorial Day. On this day, the nation bows with deep respect to the martyrs who gave their lives for independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Their heroism is a lesson in patriotism, statehood, and unity for future generations. The Patriotic War stands as a turning point in Azerbaijans modern history, a testimony to the strength of its statehood, the will of its people, and the decisive leadership that secured Victory and a brighter future for the nation. Right after the Patriotic War, Azerbaijan declared its readiness to open a new page in relations with Armenia based on mutual recognition of territorial integrity and sovereignty. Azerbaijan proposed five basic principles rooted in international law and tabled the proposal for a Peace Treaty. Azerbaijan then initiated a negotiation process on its draft text, which lasted from October 2022 to summer 2025. Despite several attempts to derail the process, the negotiations produced positive results, as they were conducted on a strict bilateral basis, free from any kind of external interference. Now, today, a fantastic opportunity has arisen in the region between the nations of Azerbaijan and Armenia. On August 8 this year, the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia, in Washington, in the White House, in the presence of the leaders of the United States, Azerbaijan, and Armenia, initialed the text of the peace agreement. The same day, the President of Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Armenia signed the Joint Declaration. President of the United States Donald Trump also signed it as a witness. Moreover, Azerbaijan and Armenia jointly appealed for the closure of the OSCE Minsk Group and related structures, as an obsolete mechanism no longer relevant to the peace process. Accordingly, on 1 September, the OSCE adopted a decision to permanently close these structures. This demonstrates that Azerbaijan's decisive policy and historic messages on international platforms were a turning point in its modern history, showcasing the strength of our state and the will of our people to the world. We commemorate with deep respect and esteem the memory of all our Martyrs who died for the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan on September 27, which is celebrated as the Commemoration Day in our country by order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Defense Forces of Ukraine neutralized 97 enemy drones out of 115 that attacked Ukraine last night, there are hits in 6 locations, as well as the fall of debris on two, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) said. On the night of September 27 (from 21:00 on September 26), the enemy attacked with 115 Shahed UAVs, Gerbera type strike UAVs and drones of other types from the directions: Kursk, Millerovo, Primorsko-Akhtarsk Russia, Chauda occupied Crimea, over 70 of them were Shahed UAVs, the AFU said on the Telegram channel on Saturday. It is reported that, according to preliminary data, as of 09:00, air defense shot down/suppressed 97 enemy Shahe, Gerbera type strike UAVs and drones of other types in the north, south, east and center of the country. Some 17 strike UAVs were recorded hitting six locations, as well as the fall of downed fragments at two locations. The air attack was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare and unmanned systems units, and mobile fire groups of the Defense Forces of Ukraine. A British woman being held in an Iranian jail cell on alleged espionage charges has been put on a drip as her family's fears for her health grow ahead of a court hearing today. Lindsay and Craig Foreman, both 52, were arrested in Kerman, southern Iran, on January 3 as they embarked on a motorcycle trip around the world to Australia. The couple, from east Sussex, had intended to travel from Armenia to Pakistan via Iran when they were intercepted by authorities and later charged with espionage, allegations their family strongly denies. They are due to appear in court today in mystery proceedings about which relatives have been told next to no details, as the couple suffer from 'worse than poor' jail conditions which are having a 'harrowing' impact on their health. Separated from her husband, Ms Foreman is being kept in Qarchak women's prison near the Iranian capital Tehran, a hellhole jail criticised for its dire conditions by human rights groups. Her son Joe Bennett, from Folkestone, Kent, has now said she has recently been put on a drip in her cell, which she shares with 70 other women, but the reason for this is not known. He has described how the prison is unbearably hot and has frequent power outages and poor food, with his mother given only a metal bunk with no mattress to sleep on. Meanwhile Mr Foreman has been transferred from Fashafouyeh prison to the notorioous Evin jail, where British-Iranian charity worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was detained for almost six years. Lindsay and Craig Foreman (pictured), both 52, were arrested in Kerman, southern Iran, on January 3, as they embarked on a motorcycle trip around the world to Australia. Now, their devastated family have requested an urgent meeting with the Foreign Secretary The couple, from east Sussex, had intended to travel from Armenia to Pakistan via Iran when they were intercepted by authorities and later charged with espionage According to Mr Bennett, his step-father is suffering from a tooth abscess and stomach problems and is sharing a cell with around 40 men. He told the Times: 'My mum, we've heard most recently, is on a drip. We don't know why. 'There are worries medically they are strong-spirited and they're coping, but I don't want that to be normalised. They are in tough, tough environments. It is taking its toll on their bodies. They're not young. They are resilient. 'Craig's complaining about his stomach and ongoing illnesses and he's got an abscess in his tooth so he's complaining about dental care. It's harrowing.' He told BBC News: 'There are real concerns around my mum and Craig's 'Craig is constantly ill, multiple rounds of stomach bugs, flu, dental problems, without the correct medical care.' The couple last appeared in court at separate hearings three weeks ago, but no details of the events or outcome have been given. Despite the torrid conditions, Mr Bennett is remaining hopeful. 'We're just trying to keep positive,' he said. He added that relatives and friends are trying to take hope from the recent release of a British couple who had been imprisoned by the Taliban for around eight months. Peter, 80, and Barbie Reynolds, 76, returned to the UK last week after being taken into custody by the Taliban while carrying out charity work they said had been approved by the dictatorial regime. The couple's eldest son, Joe Bennett, of Folkestone, Kent, said his mother is now on a drip and his step-father is suffering from a tooth abscess and stomach issues They had lived in the country for almost two decades and said on their return that they were never given an explanation for their detention. Mr Bennett, who has been forefront in campaigning for his mother and step-father's release, has managed to secure a meeting with the new Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper on October 16. Last week the family had a meeting with Iranian ambassador Hugo Shorter, who has visited both Mr and Mrs Foreman in recent weeks and delivered essential supplies. Before that, Mr Foreman had not been seen by anyone in more than three months. The couple face court on Saturday in Iran and the family said it is 'deeply worrying' that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) appear not to have been kept informed. They were 'suddenly whisked' to a courtroom in the country's capital Tehran last month, but relatives said they still have 'no news on what happened'. At the last court hearing, of which the family received no prior notice, it was reportedly ruled that Mr and Mrs Foreman should be allowed to see each other at least once a week. It is understood that while this has not yet happened, they have been able to communicate with one another over the phone. The FCDO warns all British and British-Iranian nationals not to travel to Iran because of a 'significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention'. A spokeswoman said previously: 'We are deeply concerned by reports that two British nationals have been charged with espionage in Iran. 'We continue to raise this case directly with the Iranian authorities. 'We are providing them with consular assistance and remain in close contact with their family members.' A drunken pyromaniac who caused 183,000 worth of damage after turning a rural market town into a 'warzone' by torching 18 cars in one night has been jailed for nearly five years. David Giddins, 45, went on a drug-fuelled rampage when he began setting parked cars in the rural market town of Wimborne, Dorset on fire. Giddins went from street to street in the early hours of the morning randomly setting light to the vehicles. In two incidents the flames spread to neighbouring buildings with one family forced to flee their flat in their pyjamas. Shocking footage from the time showed the night sky 'glowing orange' due to the multiple fires. By daylight, the area resembled a 'war zone' with the blackened burnt-out shells of cars littering the streets. The vehicles that were destroyed included a 5,000 BMW, a 20,000 Volkswagen Passat and a Land Rover that suffered 3,000 damage. In total, it's estimated that the attacks caused more than 183,000 of damage. Giddins went from street to street in the early hours of the morning randomly setting light to the vehicles David Giddins, 45, went on a drug-fuelled rampage when he began setting parked cars in the rural market town of Wimborne, Dorset on fire In June, Giddins pleaded guilty to 20 counts of arson. At his sentencing hearing this week, Judge Robert Pawson told the arsonist he caused 'untold misery' to innocent members of the public because of his 'extremely rare condition of pyromania'. The court heard of the 'profound' impact the fires had on the many victims, with one describing moving in an attempt to feel safer and another taping her letterbox shut at night. Simon Walters, prosecuting, said: 'This was a campaign, spree of arson that night which affected many many people, not just those I have named as the registered keepers and property owners. 'By the sheer number of fires set that night there must have been the intention to cause serious damage. 'The mechanism was he set fire to the front number plate of the vehicles. 'It seems that largely when the number plate was set alight the fire took hold quickly and would then spread to the front of the chassis and into the engine bay. 'Not every fire caused extensive damage but most did. Sometimes there was damage caused to the road surfaces underneath the vehicles.' A psychiatrist described the motive for the arson as a 'maladaptive coping mechanism' and found Giddins suffered from a mixed personality disorder, gambling disorder and pyromania. In two incidents the flames spread to neighbouring buildings with one family forced to flee their flat in their pyjamas Kevin Hill, defending said: 'He has a background of childhood trauma, a history of alcohol and drug abuse from a very early age. 'He has shown genuine remorse, no excuses. His words are he is no longer the man he was at the time but he needs and deserves to be punished for the people he has harmed. 'He has taken steps towards rehabilitation. He has not used alcohol, substances or gambling for two years and four months, since the time of this incident. 'His marriage has broken down following these matters and he is currently living with his parents.' Giddins began his arson spree at about 11pm on May 14, 2023, and went on until about 1.30am the next morning. The fire service received 65 calls that night and emergency services rushed to the scene. On the night, an NHS nurse was hailed a hero for saving a terrified family from their burning flat. Lisa Dodd, 44, was about to go to bed when she noticed a Ford Ka ablaze in a courtyard below the flat where Ruth Thompson and her two teenage daughters live. Ms Dodd rushed outside and banged on a window to wake the family and alert them to the fire. By that stage, the flames had spread to the property and Ms Thompson and her daughters had to squeeze through a six-inch gap between the blazing car and their flat to make their escape. They were made homeless by the arson attack, and all their clothes and belongings have been ruined by water and smoke damage. Ms Dodd said: 'I immediately ran out to wake them up and get them out. 'If the engine had exploded and set the door on fire there would have been no way out. 'I just wanted to get everyone into safety. If I had been a minute later, the fire would have spread. 'I got to them just in time. It doesn't bear thinking about what could have happened.' Darren Trickett, 60, whose Land Rover Discovery was destroyed on Grove Road, said: 'I woke up when I heard a bang. I looked out the window and saw my car in flames. I was worried that the engine might explode. 'I ran out of the house to try to get the fire extinguisher from the boot but the central locking wouldn't work. I just stood and watched. I just can't believe it.' Giddins was sentenced to 4 years and eight months in prison. A Russian submarine capable of carrying nuclear missiles has declared an 'explosion hazard' alert after suffering a fuel leak in the Mediterranean. The Black Sea Fleet submarine Novorossiysk is 'experiencing serious technical problems' and has now put out the urgent warning, Russian Telegram channel VChK-OGPU reported today. The crew of the 242ft Kilo-class craft may have no choice but to pump out the hold directly into the sea, it was alleged by the channel's source. It is unclear exactly where in the Mediterranean the submarine is located. The craft was previously observed by the Royal Navy as it sailed through the English Channel and North Sea in July. In early August it was spotted passing Gibraltar to enter the Mediterranean. The diesel-electric attack submarine is designed to carry nuclear-capable Kalibr missiles, but it is judged unlikely to be doing so during the Mediterranean mission. 'Novorossiysk, currently on combat duty in the Mediterranean Sea, is experiencing serious technical problems,' said the report. The Black Sea Fleet submarine Novorossiysk is 'experiencing serious technical problems' and has now put out the urgent warning, Russian Telegram channel VChK-OGPU reported today The craft was previously observed by the Royal Navy as it sailed through the English Channel and North Sea in July (pictured) 'Due to damage in the fuel system, fuel is leaking directly into the hold. 'There are no spare parts for repairs or qualified specialists on the submarine, and the crew is unable to fix the malfunctions. 'The serious accident has caused other problems as well. The accumulated fuel in the hold is an explosive hazard. 'The source believes the crew has no choice but to start 'pumping out the hold' directly into the sea.' There has been no official statement that the vessel is in trouble. The submarine has a crew of 52 and can stay underwater for up to 45 days at a time. A Royal Navy patrol ship HMS Mersey, a Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron and a specialist submarine hunting Merlin aircraft from 824 Naval Air Squadron monitored the surfaced Novorossiysk submarine as it sailed through the North Sea and English Channel in early July. The sub was detected as it made its way through the North Sea and into the English Channel. The submarine has a crew of 52 and can stay underwater for up to 45 days at a time Patrol ship HMS Mersey, based in Portsmouth, was scrambled to intercept the Russian boat, tracking it west during the voyage. The British warship and helicopters used their powerful sensors to stalk the Novorossiysk and its Goryn-class tug boat, Yakov Grebelski. It marked the sixth time Mersey was scrambled in just three months to track Russian vessels skulking in British waters. In November, a Royal Navy nuclear submarine surfaced next to a Russian counterpart in order to ward it off, Defence Secretary John Healey told Parliament on Thursday. The operation to monitor Putin's warships is part of the government's ongoing mission to safeguard British waters. It comes amid concerns the Russian tyrant could use his so-called 'shadow fleet' of merchant vessels and spy ships to sabotage key underwater power cables. Channel VChK-OGPU specialises in leaks from the Russian security services and law enforcement. The Novorossiysk is a Black Sea Fleet vessel but it is not believed to have been involved in the war against Ukraine. Ukraine claims it sank sister submarine Rostov-on-Don in August 2024. More than 1,000 people have taken part in a paddle-out to commemorate a beloved surfer who was killed in a shark attack at a popular beach in Sydney. Mercury 'Merc' Psillakis, 57, was mauled by a five-metre great white shark at Long Reef Beach near Dee Why, on Sydney's Northern Beaches, just after 10am on September 6. The 57-year-old was surfing with a group of friends when he spotted the adolescent shark and warned others to form a huddle and head for the shore. Mr Psillakis remained at the back of the huddle and was just 100m from the shore when his board was bitten in half and he disappeared underwater. Surfers spotted Mr Psillakis in the water and managed to get him back to shore but he was unresponsive after he sustained severe blood loss as a number of his limbs were missing. Three weeks on, Long Reef Boardriders organised a paddle-out in memory of Mr Psillakis on Saturday at 11am. Organisers anticipated the paddle-out would draw a large crowd, however, the turnout was even larger than expected. More than 1,000 family, friends and surfers from the broader community gathered across Dee Why and Long Reef beaches ready to hit the surf. Mercury Psillakis, 57, (right) was bitten in half by a five-metre shark on September 6 More than a thousand mourners gathered at Dee Why to commemorate him on Saturday A paddle-out is a traditional Hawaiian ceremony to farewell a fellow waterman or waterwoman and involves surfers taking flowers into the water. However, Long Reef Boardriders club asked participants to take a palm frond into the water instead in honour of Mr Psillakis, who was passionate about palms. The surfers paddled out, with palm fronds in hand, and linked hands to form a circle stretching hundreds of metres across the water. Once in the water, Mr Psillakis' twin brother Mike paddled to the middle of the circle. Mike was met with cheers and splashes as he addressed those gathered in honour of his brother. Before heading out to the water, Mike gave a deeply emotional speech to the massive crowd gathered on the sand. Through tears, the heartbroken brother spoke of the deep bond he shared with his twin and their mutual love of surfing. 'When my brother hit the sand, I knew exactly that it was him. I could tell. I could feel him. I'd wave my board and he'd wave it back the same,' he said, reports the Daily Telegraph. A GoFundMe has been established to help support Mr Psillakis' remaining family 'If I jumped up and down, he knew it was pumping and hed start running up the beach. That was our code. 'We had that connection and it was beautiful .... I still feel him with me.' Long Reef Boardriders club president Tash Gee said the event was 'sombre' yet powerful. 'It was a really sombre event, but also full of everyone cheering. Its a celebration, not a mournful event,' she said, reports the Sydney Morning Herald. 'We were expecting about 1,000 people here, but Im sure, as you can see from the aerial footage, that the paddle-out was chockers.' Mr Psillakis had been praised for his bravery after he warned surfers around him about the shark lurking nearby. He was also described as a 'keystone' of the surfing community thanks to his decades of dedication to the local scene. In a tragic twist of fate, his death also came just one day before Father's Day, with the 57-year-old leaving behind his wife Maria and their daughter Freedom. Mr Psillakis was heralded a hero for warning others of the shark threat before he was fatally mauled A GoFundMe has since been started to help Mr Psillakis' family cover funeral costs and support his daughter's future. The day after Mr Psillakis' death, Premier Chris Minns paused a trial to remove shark nets from three Greater Sydney beaches in light of the 'terrible event'. The premier said he would halt the removal of nets at the Northern Beaches, Waverley and Central Coast councils until more information was available about Psillakis' death. 'We believe the right thing to do is to wait for the investigation to come back about how this happened, what happened and the circumstances surrounding it,' Mr Minns said in early September. 'It did happen on a netted beach ... but I want to get the information in front of us, so we can make a decision.' The Department of Primary Industries is still preparing a formal report on the fatal shark attack. A funeral for Mr Psillakis was held at Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church on September 18. Drones have been spotted at Danish military bases in the latest of a series of aerial attacks that some European officals have linked to Russia. Drones were seen at 'defense facilities' including Skrydstrup Air Base and the Jutland Dragoon Regiment overnight Friday into Saturday, the Danish defense ministry confirmed. There were also sightings at the Karup Air Base, Denmark's biggest military base, with local media reporting drones in the air both inside and outside the fence of the base at around 8pm on Friday. Possible sightings were also reported in Germany, Norway and Lithuania. They have raised further concerns that Vladimir Putin is taunting NATO and come just days after airports in the Denmark were temporarily closed following a 'systematic operation' and a 'hybrid attack'. Aalborg and Billund airports were closed overnight on Wednesday into Thursday as drones flew towards them and bases where Danish F-16 and F-35 warplanes are based. And drones in Copenhagen grounded flights in the Danish capital for hours on Monday night. There have also been incursions into Polish, Estonian and Romanian airspace in recent weeks. The goal of the flyovers is to sow fear and division, Danish Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard said, adding that the country will seek additional ways to neutralize drones, including proposing legislation to allow infrastructure owners to shoot them down. Drones were spotted at Danish military bases overnight in the latest of a series of aerial attacks that some European officials have linked to Russia. (Pictured: A mobile radar installation put up to spot drones) Aalborg and Billund airports were closed overnight on Wednesday into Thursday as drones flew towards them and bases where Danish F-16 and F-35 warplanes are based The repeated unexplained drone activity has raised concerns about security in northern Europe amid suspected growing Russian aggression. For the upcoming European Union summit next week, the Danish defense ministry said that the country's government had accepted an offer from Sweden to 'lend Denmark a military anti-drone capability'. In Germany, several drones were reported in the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein, which borders Denmark, from Thursday into Friday night. The country's interior minister, Sabine Sutterlin-Waack, said that 'the state police are currently significantly stepping up their drone defense measures, also in coordination with other northern German states'. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that in regard to frequent attacks on infrastructure and data networks, 'we are not at war, but we are no longer living in peace either.' The Kremlin has been accused of launching a campaign of hybrid attacks across Europe, exposing the vulnerability of the continent's airspace at a time of high tensions between Moscow and NATO. European ministers are now scrambling to draw up plans for a continent-wide 'drone wall' to counter Moscow's alleged aerial incursions, as the Kremlin warns that any strike on its aircraft would result in direct conflict with NATO. Nations including Denmark, Finland, Poland and the Baltic states joined Ukraine at a summit on Friday to thrash out plans for what EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has described as 'the bedrock of credible defence.' Your browser does not support iframes. Police officers previously seen at Copenhagen Airport after all flights were diverted due to drone sightings Poland, which has already brought down Vladimir Putin's drones in recent weeks, has vowed it will down any hostile objects over Ukraine under fast-tracked laws giving the military greater freedom to act. However, in a chilling escalation, Russia's ambassador to France warned that shooting down its planes 'would be war.' On Thursday, the country's foreign minister also accused NATO of waging 'real war' on it and claimed the organisation was directly involved in its conflict with Ukraine. Danish defence minister Troels Lund Poulsen said his country had already been targetted after multiple airports were disrupted by drones on the same night. The incursions forced Aalborg airport, used for commercial and military flights, to shut for three hours, while Billund airport, Denmark's second-largest, was closed for an hour. Drones were also seen near Esbjerg and Sonderborg airports, as well as Skrydstrup airbase, home to Denmark's F-16 and F-35 fighter jets, and over a military facility in Holstebro. Poulsen said: 'There can be no doubt that everything points to this being the work of a professional actor when we are talking about such a systematic operation in so many locations at virtually the same time. 'This is what I would define as a hybrid attack using different types of drones. This is an arms race against time because technology is constantly evolving.' Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen has spoken to NATO secretary general Mark Rutte about 'the serious situation related to drones over Danish airports.' Rutte said: 'NATO allies and Denmark are working together on how we can ensure the safety and security of our critical infrastructure.' Your browser does not support iframes. Britain has also been drawn in - the Royal Navy dispatched HMS Iron Duke and a Wildcat helicopter to shadow the Russian frigate RFN Neustrashimy and the cargo ship Sparta IV through the Channel on Thursday. Defence minister Luke Pollard said: 'Russian warships are increasingly transiting through the English Channel. The Royal Navy protects the UK 24/7 to monitor Russian movements, ensuring the security of our waters and undersea cables. Alongside our commitment to NATO's Eastern Sentry, this is a clear demonstration of how the UK stands firm with our NATO allies to deter Russian aggression.' Across Europe, officials believe the Kremlin is deliberately walking a tightrope, staging incidents that fall short of an outright attack but still force NATO to respond. Actor Charlie Sheen has revealed he still questions the official narrative around the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. The Two And A Half Men actor, 60, joined Tucker Carlson, 56, on his show on Friday to promote his new book, The Book of Sheen. While there, the Hollywood star revealed he didn't believe the official story of 9/11. 'There's something about that that's weird,' Sheen told Tucker. 'We're just going to focus on two things, just two things, and if you can explain those, I will submit to the official story.' Sheen takes issue with the stories behind the Pentagon and Building 7, also known as World Trade Center 7 (WTC 7). The Pentagon was struck by American Airlines Flight 77 after it was hijacked by terrorists and crashed into the fortress, killing 184 people. WTC 7 collapsed hours after the Twin Towers were struck by terrorists. The 47-story building had endured fires on at least 10 floors from the debris of WTC 1's collapse. Floors seven through nine and 11 through 13 burned uncontrollably and eventually led to the building's demise, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) said. 'I've got to believe that the Pentagon is the most protected and documented, you know, surveilled building in the history of the known universe, right?' Sheen questioned. Actor Charlie Sheen has been questioning the narrative about September 11 since a plane crashed into the World Trade Center in 2001, he told Tucker Carlson. 'There's something about that that's weird,' Sheen said Sheen takes issue with the stories behind the Pentagon and Building 7, also known as World Trade Center 7, as he believes the Pentagon is the most surveilled building in the world and questions why WTC 7 collapsed hours after the attack (pictured: Twin Towers) 'Turns out, not,' Carlson replied. 'And then Building 7,' the native New Yorker continued. 'You can't, you just can't, you can't watch that and say that is the result of a fire that burned for five hours on two floors. You can't sell that to me.' NIST explained that the building collapsed due to the thermal expansion of the steel columns, as some portions of the floor reached 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit. The floors' sprinkler systems failed due to a water main break that occurred when WTC 1 and 2 collapsed. This failure caused the heat to continue to rise in WTC 7 and the fire to spread, which led to the floor beams buckling, causing the initial collapse. Despite the explanation, Sheen is still skeptical and is looking for answers, which has been met with some backlash, he said. 'For years, that was always met with that is disrespecting the victims. And I'm like...how is that disrespecting the fallen heroes? How? If you're just looking for the truth behind what is clearly not how it was explained.' Sheen told Tucker (pictured) that if people could answer his questions about those two events, he'd 'submit to the official story' The Pentagon (pictured) was struck by American Airlines Flight 77 after it was hijacked by terrorists and crashed into the fortress, killing 184 people WTC 7 (pictured) collapsed hours after the Twin Towers were struck by terrorists. The building had endured fires on at least 10 floors from the debris of WTC 1's collapse. Floors 7 through 9and 11 through 13 burned uncontrollably and eventually led to the building's demise Islamic jihadists struck the Twin Towers between 8:46am and 9:03am. Roughly 35 minutes later, the Pentagon was struck by Flight 77. A fourth plane was headed for Washington but crashed in Pennsylvania after crew members and passengers tried to storm the cockpit. Osama Bin Laden, who was behind the attack, became a household name afterward. Many things, including airport security, drastically changed following the tragedy. Officially, the casualty count associated with the attacks is numbered at 2,996 - including 2,977 victims and 19 hijackers. A city councilwoman in Oklahoma resigned this week after it was revealed that she told a supporter of President Donald Trump to kill herself. Bree Montoya, who represented Ward 3 in Norman, a city just south of Oklahoma City, got into a spat with a Facebook user in June over the size of the local 'No Kings' protests. These demonstrations occurred all over the United States and largely coincided with the US Army parade in Washington, D.C. celebrating the military branch's 250th anniversary. When arguing about the protest in Norman, Montoya told a woman named Audra Abbott to 'open a vein', screenshots show. She then upped the ante, saying: 'Go on, put a gun in your mouth and pull the trigger (sic).' Abbott spoke to KOKH and told the outlet she was shocked an elected official would carry herself this way. 'I saw that she was a city council member within moments of her posting it and I was like wow, I can't believe an elected official would talk like that online,' she said. Libs of TikTok, an influential conservative social media account, resurfaced Montoya's comments last week. Four days later, Montoya succumbed to the pressure and stepped down from office. Bree Montoya (pictured) resigned this week from the Norman City Council after vile comments of hers resurfaced In this exchange on Facebook from June, Montoya tells a woman named Audra Abbott to kill herself 'In various capacities, I have served this community since 2008, and I am ready to pursue other interests. Effective immediately, I am resigning as council member for Ward 3,' she said during the September 23 city council meeting. Montoya also wrote an apology on her city council Facebook account several days before she resigned. 'I want to apologize for comments I made from my personal Facebook account a few months ago,' she wrote. 'There are no words to express how awful, inappropriate and unacceptable my comments were.' She said the exchange between her and Abbott 'got way out of hand', adding that she was 'completely out of line.' 'I was immediately disgusted with myself and knew I had crossed an unimaginable line. I sent a direct apology soon after,' she said. 'To those I've hurt and are disappointed in me, I am truly sorry. I humbly ask your forgiveness.' Still, Montoya stayed in her position for months after this incident, which led some to believe that the city council had swept this under the rug. 'If it hadn't have went viral with Libs of TikTok picking it up, I don't think anything would have happened at all. I don't think there would have been a public apology and I don't think she would have resigned,' Abbott told KOKH. Chaiya Raichik, the woman who runs the Libs of TikTok account, celebrated Montoya's resignation and gladly took the credit for ousting the liberal elected official. Chaya Raichik, who runs the Libs of Tiktok brand, was the one to first spotlight Montoya's comments. Raichik celebrated the liberal councilwoman's resignation Norman council member Helen Grant, who represents Ward 4, has also experienced backlash over a comment she made on social media about Charlie Kirk Kirk was assassinated on September 10 while doing an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah Norman councilwoman Helen Grant, who represents Ward 4, has also experienced backlash over a comment she made the day after Charlie Kirk was fatally shot on September 10. In a Facebook comment, Grant called Kirk 'a grifting narcissist' and 'a grotesque cheerleader' for the MAGA movement. Kirk, she said, 'spewed whatever kinds of hate would sell.' She added that he 'will be a footnote that gets buried under the next guy who has been growing an audience who then steps up to fill the void'. The Daily Mail has approached Grant for comment. In light of these controversies, citizens present at the September 23 council meeting called for a code of conduct to be implemented for the councilors. Layne Brown, a resident, also flamed Mayor Stephen Holman for not addressing Montoya's comments until it became a media spectacle. 'Sir, you were quiet about this entire situation and I think that just speaks to your integrity,' Brown said. The Royal Navy has launched a new missile that can fly near the speed of sound and take out enemy warships more than 100 miles away. A drill took place with Nato allies from Norway and Poland at a Norwegian Arctic rocket range in Andya, during an exercise codenamed Aegir 25. The event saw the debut of the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) which has greater range and modern targeting equipment meaning it can strike land targets as well as warships. Coming in at 400kg, the weapon is substantial upgrade from the current ageing Harpoon system that is currently carried by the Royal Navy's Type 23 frigates and Type 45 destroyers. Luke Pollard, the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, said: 'The Naval Strike Missile is one of the most advanced missiles in our naval arsenal. It will give the Royal Navy and our allies an edge against our enemies. 'This milestone, achieved through our exemplary international partnership with Norway, significantly enhances our maritime deterrent and underscores the Government's dedication to investing in the technologies that will maintain Britain's secure.' The missile, launched by Frigate HMS Somerset, travels near the sea at supersonic speeds to evade radar detection. It is already in service in the Norwegian, US and Polish navies with HMS Somerset being the first British warship to fire the weapon. The event (pictured) saw the debut of the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) which has greater range and modern targeting equipment meaning it can strike land targets as well as warships Coming in at 400kg, the weapon is substantial upgrade from the current ageing Harpoon system that is currently carried by the Royal Navy's Type 23 frigates and Type 45 destroyers Months of preparation were needed for the test aboard which involved engineers from the Norwegian defence company Kongsberg, manufacturers of the missile The system is also fitted on HMS Richmond and HMS Portland. Commander Matt Millyard, the commanding officer of the Somerset, said he was 'very proud of the team following the successful first-of-class firing of the Naval Strike Missile'. It is understood months of preparation were needed for the test which involved engineers from the Norwegian defence company Kongsberg, manufacturers of the missile. Commander Matthew Cox, the UK's NSM programme director, told the Telegraph: 'This programme showcases the strong UK-Norwegian strategic partnership, enabling the UK to achieve its first ship installation within 12 months of business case approval an unprecedented pace for a complex weapons programme.' The NSM will work in tandem with the Navy's future cruise and anti-ship weapon - a weightier missile earmarked for next-generation warships like the Type 26 and Type 31 Frigates. The two systems will operate with the aim of restoring long-range strike power to the fleet, it is understood. A man has been charged with murder after police found the body of a person who had been missing for a month after being 'beaten to death' in a derelict building. Junior Ryan Coleman was reported missing on August 20 and his body was found by officers in south-east London on September 19, The Metropolitan Police said. Officers were searching the building at around 8.17am in Brockley Road, Lewisham, as a part of a missing person investigation. A post-mortem examination revealed Mr Coleman had died from a blunt force trauma to his head and a day after being found, a murder probe was launched. Daniel Watkis, 39, from Hackney, was arrested on Thursday and charged on Friday before being remanded in custody at Bromley Magistrates' Court. He is due to appear at the Old Bailey on October 24. Mr Coleman's family are currently being supported by specialist officers. Detective Chief Inspector Sam Townsend, leading the investigation, said: 'Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Junior during this difficult time. Junior Ryan Coleman (pictured) was reported missing on August 20 and his body was found by officers in south-east London on September 19, The Metropolitan Police said Officers were searching the building at around 8.17am in Brockley Road (pictured), Lewisham, as a part of a missing person investigation 'My team are working at pace to establish the exact circumstances of Junior's disappearance and his murder. 'We're appealing to anyone who knew Junior to come forward, especially if you had seen him in the summer months. 'If you have any information, no matter how small it may seem, please get in touch. It could be crucial to our investigation.' Police have asked anyone with information to contact them on 101 or online quoting CAD 1574/19SEP, or call the incident room on 020 8721 4961. People can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Georgetown University students have been left fearing for their lives after flyers reading 'Hey fascist! Catch!' appeared across campus, after the assassination of Charlie Kirk. The John Brown Gun Club, a recognized 'far-left' group named after militant abolitionist John Brown, hung dozens of bright red posters across the private Washington, D.C. campus on Wednesday, according to Fox News. One of the posters read: 'We protect us. Do something more than symbolic resistance.' But the second flyer ignited widespread unease, boldly displaying the phrase 'Hey fascist! Catch!' with the statement, 'The only political group that celebrates when Nazis die' beneath it. The phrase appeared to reference the 31-year-old conservative activist who was fatally shot in the neck during a rally at Utah Valley University on September 10. Officials stated that the bullets found inside the .30-06 caliber hunting rifle, allegedly used in the murder, were engraved with transgender and anti-fascist messages - including the exact phrase seen on flyers plastered around Georgetown. A third poster, taped tightly on all four edges, showed a black-and-white photo of Kirk with his eyes blacked out and an explosion crudely drawn over his neck. The chilling phrase Follow your leader was written above the photo, while a brutal caption - Rest in piss, Charlie - was etched below. Georgetown University students are 'fearful' after flyers reading 'Hey fascist! Catch!' appeared across campus (pictured), just weeks after the assassination of Charlie Kirk The John Brown Gun Club, a recognized 'far-left' group named after militant abolitionist John Brown, hung dozens of bright red posters across the private Washington, D.C. campus (pictured) on Wednesday 'My first emotion was fear,' senior Jordan Van Slingerland told Fox. 'What happened to Charlie Kirk hit myself, and, of course, many of my friends on this campus very hard,' he added. 'Seeing the text that was on the bullet of the assassin that had taken his life, certainly, was a bit scary.' Although the flyers were removed within 30 minutes, that brief window was enough for photos and videos to flood social media, quickly amassing thousands of views. Georgetown quickly issued a statement, reaffirming its zero-tolerance policy toward any calls for violence or threats against the campus community. 'The flyers have been removed, and the university is investigating this incident and working to ensure the safety of our community,' the university said, according to Fox. However, some of the colleges more than 20,000 students argue that Georgetown - particularly as a private institution - must do more to confront the latest 'dark celebration' surrounding Kirk's murder. 'I would love to see the university distinguish itself from other elite universities in the United States, which have all completely succumbed to leftism and have rotted from the inside out,' senior Rowan O'Sullivan told the outlet. The phrase appeared to reference the 31-year-old conservative activist (pictured) who was fatally shot in the neck during a rally at Utah Valley University on September 10 Although the flyers (pictured) were removed within 30 minutes, that brief window was enough for photos and videos to flood social media While O'Sullivan defended the right to free speech, he argued that 'if the school had any spine, they would absolutely condemn it and come down hard - not just send us an email.' Nevertheless, the senior said it wasnt surprising - but its 'certainly out of control.' 'I think it's pretty obvious that whatever version of leftism, whatever you want to call this is, I think is, to some degree, window dressing for bloodlust at the end of it, and you saw that with the reactions to Charlie Kirk's death,' O'Sullivan added. Sophomore Cash Moore, member of the College Democrats club, voiced his disappointment upon seeing the flyers, noting that some of his own classmates seem to accept the violence. 'The first thing I thought was a little disappointment that some people, perhaps on this campus, hold that violence is something that is productive in society,' Moore told the outlet. But another concern centers on how Georgetown University will now be perceived - and whether the Trump administration might retaliate by targeting the school, potentially through funding cuts or other measures. In response, White House spokesperson Liz Huston condemned Wednesdays act as nothing short of despicable, telling Fox News Digital. 'This despicable act at Georgetown underscores just how mainstream political violence has become on the left and why Charlie Kirk's work on college campuses was so important,' Huston told the outlet. Officials said the bullets found inside the hunting rifle allegedly used in Kirk's murder were engraved with transgender and anti-fascist messages (pictured) - including the exact phrase seen on flyers plastered around Georgetown Georgetown (pictured) quickly issued a statement, reaffirming its zero-tolerance policy toward any calls for violence or threats against the campus community 'Through debate, Charlie taught students how to think critically and engage across differences,' she added. 'Americans should continue to live by the same principles as Charlie - speaking the truth, fostering real dialogue, and loving your country.' Moore admitted that while he 'hates his opponents,' its still 'valid for the left to be afraid.' The sophomore said he has witnessed the left actively working to address the violence, adding, 'A lot of the escalation is coming from the right - not just a few crazy people putting up posters on the left.' 'We do have a free speech right on this campus, and I think thats something a lot of us value and, obviously, a call to violence isnt something that should take place, but there also is that free speech aspect that's important to acknowledge,' he told Fox. Sophomore Max Wolff-Merovick believes the flyers were put up by 'a small group of students' aiming to spark fury, rather than to promote The John Brown Gun Club. 'Its unequivocally bad to be emulating the rhetoric of a political assassin,' Wolff-Merovick told the outlet. 'Thats not something that anyone should be doing.' 'Certainly I feel for it, but I think, at the same time, we need to be grounded in reality and know that this does not represent the as a whole, much less the left in general,' he added. Another concern is how the university will be perceived - and whether the Trump administration might retaliate by targeting the school, potentially through funding cuts or other measures While the debate over free speech continues across campus, students emphasized that, although it should remain a protected right, political violence should not be glorified' However, he argued that both sides 'could do a better job at universally calling to turn the temperature down.' The political division on Georgetown's campus appeared to surface well before Kirks murder. Slingerland, who is the director of Campus Affairs for Georgetowns College Republicans and a board member, said he has faced threats of political violence since Trumps return to office. 'The climate has certainly been very hostile here for conservative students since then,' he told the outlet. He explained that left-wing groups have identified him on anonymous campus messaging platforms, where students 'have been spreading lies and fabrications about him.' 'This anonymous attacking from people, where you don't know where it's coming from, is very scary,' senior Elizabeth Oliver said. 'So many people are deterred from even sharing their beliefs in classrooms.' Education Secretary Linda McMahon condemned the appalling posters on Wednesday and urged the university to 'determine what it stands for as an institution.' While the debate over free speech continues across campus, student Jonathan Rothschild emphasized that, although it should remain a protected right, political violence should not be glorified. 'If it is not a direct call to violence, I think the Georgetown University administration, to protect free speech, should leave it up, even though I personally find it abhorrent, he told the outlet. 'I think everyone with common sense should be against political violence.' The statements of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the deployment of the latest Russian-made Russian intermediate-range ballistic missiles Oreshnik are a Russian information operation, Head of the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) under the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Andriy Kovalenko. Belarus has deployed a Russian information operation called Oreshnik, the second launch of which was unsuccessful it did not even fly on time. But the Russians did not tell anyone about it, Kovalenko said in Telegram on Friday. Earlier on Friday, Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov said that Belarus was allegedly forced to deploy Oreshnik on its territory to guarantee its security and independence, but this does not mean an arms race or confrontation. The day before, on September 25, Alexander Lukashenko said that Oreshnik was probably already on its way to Belarus. Shocking dashcam footage has shown a collision between two cars which ended with one being flipped onto its roof. The horror crash unfolded on a busy motorway near Point Cook in Melbourne, on September 6. The footage, shared to Dash Cam Owners Australia's Facebook, showed vehicles travelling on the motorway just past midnight. As the traffic flowed down the motorway, one driver was seen driving at speed in the far right lane. However, as the vehicle drew closer to another car in the neighbouring lane, the driver appeared to lose control. Sparks flew as the car swiped the neighbouring vehicle and flipped onto its roof. The vehicle spun as it slid across the road and only stopped after hitting the concrete barrier on the side of the motorway. The collision caused the other car to spin across three lanes and smash into the concrete barrier, miraculously avoiding all other traffic. Social media users were shocked at the footage, with many concerned about the occupants in the car that was hit. The horror crash unfolded on a busy motorway near Point Cook in Melbourne, on September 6 Sparks flew as the car swiped the neighbouring vehicle before flipping onto its roof and sliding across the road before coming to a complete stop 'Holy f***ing s***. Can imagine being the car hit they hit some serious g forces in those spins!,' one person wrote. 'How terrifying for the car they hit!,' a second person commented. 'Scary. Felt sorry for the other driver who would of copped a heart attack not seeing it coming,' a third chimed. A fourth added: 'Feel for the people in the other car who were innocent'. Others speculated on how the accident happened, claiming it appeared the driver tried to overtake from the right lane. 'Did he try and overtake in the emergency lane? It's a bit hard to tell in the dark,' one person commented. 'Car in front probably only had his DRLs (Daytime Running Lamps) on so no tail lights on,' another wrote. 'See it way to often with dark cars that just appear right in front of you. Put you lights on auto, people. A third added: 'Road rule 101 Keep left unless passing'. A Texas homeowner is under attack after debuting an anti-ICE Halloween display showing immigration agents lookalikes hanging by a noose. Mark Rodriguez is celebrating Halloween a little early, having already put up his holiday display outside of his Houston home - but it hasn't been welcomed by all. The display consists of two figures wearing red hats, black shirts and face masks, and khakis with zip ties stuffed in the front pockets. Both are hanging from a noose. Another mannequin wearing a colorful poncho stands nearby and what appears to be another figure wrapped in fabric is at its feet. The display also features two Mexican flags and several coffins lying around. Although Rodriguez did not confirm if the masked figures were supposed to resemble ICE officers, he did say the display was political. 'With everything going on in our community, with all the problems our community is having, it just seems politically right,' he told Fox 26 Houston. 'It aint right whats happening. It aint right that our country is going the wrong way instead of the right way. I dont care if youre Republican or Democrat, its just the point about morally doing things right or morally doing things wrong.' He insisted that 'by no means am I threatening any agents.' The display consists of two figures wearing plain red hats, black shirts and face masks, and khakis with zip ties stuffed in the front pockets. Both are hanging from a noose. Another mannequin wearing a colorful poncho Mark Rodriguez, the homeowner, did not confirm if the masked figures were supposed to resemble ICE officers, he did say the display was political When asked who his mannequins represent, he replied, smiling: "People who wear masks and red hats.' His display comes after a shooter in Dallas shot at an ICE facility earlier this week. Joshua Jahn, 29, used bullets imprinted with anti-ICE messages on them during the shooting. Two migrants were killed before she turned the gun on himself. His display went viral on social media with mixed reviews. 'This is disgusting,' one wrote on Twitter, while another tagged ICE and the FBI. Several called for Rodriguez's deportation, with one saying: 'The family can go back to Mexico.' 'This is a clear hate crime,' another wrote. 'I love it at first glance. Some might say its controversial,' a social media user said. Civil Rights Lawyer, Randall Kallinen, told Fox 26 Houston that Rodriguez has a right to display the grim decoration 'Freedom of speech, freedom of everything. Were in a country thats all about that. Personally, it doesnt affect me,' another wrote. Rodriguez, however, said he hasn't seen 'that many negative' reactions to it yet. 'I was surprised that that many people liked it. The comments that I was reading, there werent that many negative,' he told Fox 26 Houston. Civil Rights Lawyer, Randall Kallinen, told Fox 26 Houston that Rodriguez has a right to display the grim decoration. 'The public is free to comment upon Mr. Rodriguez's decorations just as well as he is allowed to have them up,' he told the outlet. 'It's all freedom of speech.' The man accused of firing three bullets into an ABC TV station in Sacramento broke his silence from behind bars and proclaimed he is 'not a violent man'. Anibal Hernandez Santana faces state and federal charges for the shooting at the KXTV station on September 19. Because no one was hit or injured, some of the most serious charges against him are assault with a firearm, shooting at an inhabited dwelling and the possession and discharge of a firearm within a school zone. In an interview with CBS Sacramento, Santana said: 'I don't know what's going to happen with my life, going forward, but I am not a violent man.' Santana declined to comment about handwritten notes that FBI agents found in his car that appear to show his disgust for Trump administration officials. 'For hiding Epstein & ignoring red flags. Do not support Patel, Bongino, & AG Pam Bondie. They're next. C.K. from above,' the note said, according to a criminal complaint filed in the Eastern District of California. Santana, without his lawyer present, refused to tell CBS whether he is guilty or not and also did not talk about motive. The shooting occurred shortly after ABC stations all over the country took Jimmy Kimmel's late television program off the air following comments the comedian made about Charlie Kirk. Kimmel's show has since returned after a massive backlash. Anibal Hernandez Santana (pictured in jail), the suspect in the shooting on the ABC station in Sacramento, told the local CBS affiliate that he is 'not a violent man' Pictured: Three bullet holes in the station's window (left), which police say were fired by Santana on September 19 Santana added: 'Well, you know, like anybody would imagine, this is a process like nothing that anyone ever experiences or imagines that they will be going through. 'I am steadfast, I still feel strong thanks to the support of my family and relatives and a good network of friends.' Santana also dodged when asked what his response was to workers at the ABC station who may be fearful after the shooting. 'Well, it's again, to the extent that that comes up in open court, I am very eager, very looking forward to explain precisely how I may or may not feel about that,' he said. 'Again, these are alleged accusations. But just today I was thinking about that, about how people may have felt in the community of Sacramento.' Although Santana did not incriminate himself in his CBS interview, the Daily Mail revealed that he had made several anti-Trump social media posts shortly before the shooting, even wishing death on the president. 'Where is a good heart attack when we need it the most?? Please Join in my thoughts and prayers for the physical demise of our fearful leader,' he wrote a day before the shooting, seemingly talking about Trump. Santana further wished death on Trump in another post, seemingly making a tenuous connection between the president and Tyler Robinson, the suspect in Kirk's killing. Santana declined to comment about handwritten notes that FBI agents found in his car that appear to show his disgust for Trump administration officials Pictured: A X profile with Santana's name made negative posts wishing death on President Donald Trump A day after Kirk was assassinated on September 10, Santana posted a less-than-genuine tribute to the 31-year-old father-of-two 'I support the death penalty for Tyler Robinson. Absolutely, as soon as the fed criminal code is amended to add the death penalty for a president who refuses to step down after certified election results and/or incites an insurrection. This has been a PSA for democracy. Thank you,' he wrote. A day after Kirk was assassinated, he posted a less-than-genuine tribute to the 31-year-old father-of-two. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with Charlie Kirk and his family. May the prudence of his cost-benefit analysis for 2A rights vs. school shootings live on forever,' the account wrote. In his interview with CBS, Santana revealed that he was a captain in the army and that he was honorably discharged. 'I'm devoted to this country. I love this country,' he said. 'I want to say, in case that it hasn't been talked about in the press, that I am of Puerto Rican descent.' Santana studied regional and city planning at UC Berkeley and law at UC Law San Francisco, according to a Facebook profile matching the other social media accounts. Santana is also a lawyer who used to be a health policy analyst for the California Rural Indian Health Board. Santana was arrested in connection to the shooting on September 19, the day it happened. He was then released on bail before being rearrested by the FBI the following day at his home. If he is convicted on the state and federal charges, Santana will face decades in prison. Rachel Reeves has revealed the Government wants an 'ambitious' youth migration deal that would be 'good for the economy, good for growth and good for business'. Under plans being outlined by the Chancellor, individuals aged 18 to 30 would be allowed to live and work in Britain for two years, but would not be given the right to remain. Young people from the UK would similarly be able to work, study and live within the European Union for a limited time. Ms Reeves believes such a scheme would help improve the UK's trading relationship with the European Union and reduce the need for tax rises in the forthcoming budget as it would provide a much-needed boost to the economy. She added that the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) should include the idea of such a scheme within it economic forecast for the months ahead. The Chancellor made the comments ahead of Labour's conference in Liverpool this weekend. Speaking to The Times, she said: 'We have agreed as a government that we want to have an ambitious youth experience scheme to allow young people in Britain to be able to go and work, to travel, to volunteer, to gain experience, to learn languages in European countries. 'And we want young people from those European countries to also be able to come to the UK and have the same opportunities that my generation had to travel and work and study in Europe.' Rachel Reeves has revealed the Government wants an 'ambitious' youth migration deal that would be 'good for the economy, good for growth and good for business' Under plans being outlined by the Chancellor, individuals aged 18 to 30 would be allowed to live and work in Britain for two years, but would not be given the right to remain (file pic) She added that the main considerations of such a scheme would be the age of the individuals, the duration they can stay in their host country and the number of people allowed to participate. 'All of those things matter for young people and indeed for businesses,' she explained. Her sentiments echo a similar position expressed in April when the Chancellor sought to address concerns over allowing more migrants into the UK. Speaking to the Times she suggested that a one in, one out arrangement that did not raise immigration figures could be agreed. Ms Reeves told the Times: 'We're going to bring down net migration and we aren't going to return to freedom of movement. 'We do want to see better trading relationships between our countries and we do want to enable young people from Europe and the UK to be able to work and travel overseas. 'But we've got to get the balance right, because I do not want to see net migration increasing. I want to see net migration falling.' Reform leader Neil Farage has previously spoken out about a youth migration deal, explaining it would 'effectively be a back door to free movement'. And analysts say the scheme could cause a new migration headache for the Government, as 50,000 Europeans a year would be eligible to live and work in the UK. On the eve of Labour's annual conference in Liverpool, voters polled this week delivered a withering verdict on Sir Keir Starmer's time in power, with two-thirds of the public claiming that Labour has failed to meet their expectations. Dealing with the cost-of-living crisis was identified as voters' priority, closely followed by tackling immigration. The poll also confirmed that Reform is the main electoral threat to Labour. Overall, the survey reveals that Nigel Farage's party has 29 per cent support, well ahead of Labour on 20, the Conservatives on 15, the Lib Dems on nine and the Greens on eight. NHS services are in desperate need of specialists yet British doctors working abroad are unable to rejoin because of a 'bizarre' red tape rule. Despite almost identical training the UK will not recognise specialist medical qualifications from Australia and New Zealand. As a result, hundreds of British doctors are now stranded in the southern hemisphere, unable to bring their expertise back home. This 'bureaucratic barrier' has led to a one-way brain drain because the same rule does not apply for British doctors looking to move half way around the world. Dozens of doctors have now signed an open letter to the health secretary, Wes Streeting. The letter urges him to legislate so that the General Medical Council automatically recognises Australian and New Zealand specialist qualifications in areas such as paediatrics, oncology, pathology and surgery. Franki and Matt Hart, who left their NHS junior doctor jobs to move to New Zealand are among those who signed the letter. The couple, who met while studying medicine at Oxford University, are both consultants in Sydney, where they specialise in the treatment of seriously ill children. Franki and Matt Hart, who left their NHS junior doctor jobs to move to New Zealand are desperate to return home The couple, who met while studying medicine at Oxford University , are both consultants in Sydney , where they specialise in the treatment of seriously ill children They are desperate to return home but feel they are stranded in New Zealand. 'The UK is where my heart is. It's where my family are, and I still love the NHS,' Franki Hart, 39, told The Times. 'I'd love to come back and do some work there. But it's just not feasible, because we can't get our qualifications recognised.' In order to be considered eligible for an NHS hospital consultant post, they must join the UK specialist register, which typically takes two to four years. It involves submitting 1,000 pages of evidence and logging every procedure they performed abroad to prove it was equivalent to practising in the UK. The process can cost around 100,000 in fees and lost earnings and in some cases doctors have been forced to fly back to Australia to source the correct paperwork. Matt Hart added: 'It's very hard to claim that the standard of medical training in Australia and New Zealand is inferior to the training in the UK. There is a shared culture, a shared language, a shared way of practising medicine.' One of the most confusing parts of the problem is that the UK automatically accepts the medical qualifications of doctors from European countries. Due to more than half of NHS specialist vacancies remaining unfilled, the health service has resorted to importing doctors from countries like India, Pakistan and Nigeria. David Abelson, a respiratory consultant, who organised the open letter, said it was a 'bizarre double standard'. He said: 'Britain specifically recognises European qualifications including countries with very different healthcare systems such as Romania and Bulgaria but doesn't recognise Australian qualifications.' President Donald Trump has ordered troops to be sent to Portland, Oregon, a Democratic-run city he described as 'war ravaged' and besieged by left wing 'domestic terrorists'. He made the announcement Saturday on his Truth Social account and said the move was necessary to protect ICE facilities supposedly under attack by Antifa, a loosely organized far-left movement that is against fascism. 'I am directing Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists,' Trump wrote. Trump also said he is authorizing 'full force, if necessary', but did not further elaborate. There have been numerous protests at the ICE building in South Portland over the last several months. People frustrated with Trump's mass deportation policies began protesting in June, with one of the demonstrations morphing into a riot, according to police. Heavily armed law enforcement officers hit protestors with tear gas and rubber bullets. There have been more protests in July and early September at the same facility, The Oregonian reported. The White House did not immediately respond to the Daily Mail's request for comment on the size and scope of the upcoming military deployment in Portland. There is also no further information on when troops are scheduled to arrive. President Donald Trump ordered troops to Portland, Oregon, a Democratic-run city once known for its lax-on-crime policies Pictured: Trump's official declaration Saturday on Truth Social, his social media platform Trump cited far-left individuals protesting and rioting at an ICE facility in the city as the main reason he is sending the military there (Pictured: Police spray tear gas and shoot rubber bullets at protestors blocking the ICE facility on June 18) Portland is the latest city Trump has sent troops to, with Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. getting boots on the ground over the summer. In June, Trump deployed the National Guard and the Marines to quell rowdy protests in Los Angeles, again over his administration's immigration policies. In August, he federalized Washington D.C.'s local police force while also activating the National Guard, claiming that the nation's capital had been 'overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youth, drugged-out maniacs and homeless people'. Following these actions, Trump has openly mused about sending troops to other cities, including New York City and Chicago. After Trump said earlier in September that he would be sending soldiers to Memphis, the city with the highest crime rate in the United States, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee confirmed Friday that federal agents are scheduled to arrive this coming Monday. Officers from 13 federal agencies will join roughly 150 National Guard troops and state police troopers to support local law enforcement, Lee added. Portland, though not nearly as crime-ridden as Memphis, has had its fair share of problems over the last several years. The city is known for its homeless problem, with many encampments crowding the formerly desirable downtown area. Pictured: Customs and Border Protection agents detain a man protesting outside the ICE building in Portland on June 14 The downtown area of Portland suffered a decline in the last few years, with tent encampments and drug use running rampant Drug use was rampant in these encampments, something exacerbated by Oregon's attempt to decriminalize formerly illicit substances. The new law reduced possession of heroin, fentanyl and meth to the level of a parking ticket. Fatal opioid overdoses surged, from 280 in 2019, to 628 in just the first six months of 2023 as homeless encampments and open-air drug markets spread throughout the city. After intense pressure, state lawmakers reversed the decriminalization with a law that went into effect on September 1, 2024. Another factor in Portland's troubles in recent years, according to critics, was the election of Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt in May 2020. Schmidt was sworn in just before the death of George Floyd and once costly racial justice riots began to spread across the country, including to Portland, he took a soft approach. He vowed not to prosecute rioters unless there was evidence of 'deliberate' property damage, theft, or threat of force. Of 550 cases referred by police, just 47 went to trial. More than 2,600 businesses had fled the city center by September 2022 as shoppers avoided downtown areas and retail theft began to spiral. However, the new district attorney for the county, Nathan Vasquez, has been focused on reducing crime, an effort he believes will help the city's economy can recover. Charlie Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, has bravely appeared on her late husband's podcast to share plans for Turning Point USA's future just two weeks after he was assassinated. The 36-year-old widow and mother of two appeared alongside his close colleagues and friends on 'The Charlie Kirk Show' on Friday. Kirk died at the age of 31 on September 10 after being fatally shot in the neck at a Turning Point USA event at a Utah university. Since then, interest in Turning Point USA and Christianity has soared. 'I gave assurance to people that Turning Point USA was continuing and it is,' Erika said. 'We are so blessed to have more work than we could ever dream of. 'It's beautiful,' she continued. 'Full-steam ahead, so powerful.' Erika vowed to keep her husband's dreams alive and said the show will rotate hosts and casts. 'It is going to be, continually, the north star of the conservative movement, of the voice of the youth, of the voice of the base, and that will not end,' she said on the show. 'My husband's voice will live on.' The 36-year-old widow and mother of two appeared alongside his close colleagues and friends on 'The Charlie Kirk Show' on Friday Kirk died at the age of 31 on September 10 after being fatally shot in the neck at a Turning Point USA event at a Utah university. Since then, interest in Turning Point USA and Christianity has increased She also recalled how her mother had predicted Kirk would be the Rush Limbaugh of his generation. Limbaugh was a conservative radio host who died at the age of 70 in 2021 from lung cancer. Erika and the show's hosts continued to keep an empty chair open for Kirk during the episode. Many fans supported Erika, who was named the CEO of his company in the wake of his death, in keeping her husband's show and legacy alive. 'Erika is beauty, grace, and wisdom: a modern-day Deborah, or Esther. You will lead the charge well,' one X user wrote. 'Thank you, Erika!' another said. 'We love you so much, Erika Kirk,' a third wrote. Last weekend, a memorial service was held for Kirk in Glendale, Arizona, where Erika and President Donald Trump were in attendance. Erika fought back tears as she forgave her late husband's suspected assassin in a heartbreaking moment during the memorial service. 'My husband's voice will live on,' Erika said on the show, while smiling. Erika was appointed as CEO of Kirk's company in the wake of his death Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested as the suspect in Kirk's death and has been charged with capital murder. Prosecutors and the Trump administration are pushing for him to receive the death penalty. The mother of two told the crowd of more than 60,000 mourners at State Farm Stadium that her late husband would have wanted her to forgive his killer. 'He [Charlie] wanted to save young men just like the one who took his life,' Erika said, sparking roars from the crowd and a standing ovation. 'That man, that young man, I forgive him,' Erika said while breaking into tears. Spectators were in tears throughout as she remembered the father of her two children, their marriage and his legacy. Trump, Vice President JD Vance and members of the cabinet joined Erika Kirk to give emotional farewells to Kirk after his assassination on September 10. Trump honored his late friend's role in helping him get elected in 2024 and said: 'The gun was pointed at him, but the bullet was aimed at every one of us.' One of Britain's biggest ever drug smugglers has been jailed for 19 years for his part in running a massive 20million international operation that almost resulted in a 'destructive' haul of substances flooding into the UK. Eddie Burton, 23, from Liverpool, was handed the hefty sentence at Canterbury Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty to four counts of importing Class A and B drugs. He carried out his activities alongside his glamorous 'gangster moll' ex-girlfriend Sian Banks, 25, also from Liverpool, who was jailed for five years in February after pleading guilty to seven charges, including importing Class A drugs and money laundering. The pair were hunted down by the National Crime Agency (NCA) after they attempted to smuggle a massive haul of drugs into the UK in 2022. Their audacious plan - carried out while Burton was living in mainland Europe - was foiled when two lorries containing heroin, cocaine and ketamine were intercepted at Dover Port. The drugs weighed a combined 307 kilos with an estimated street value of 20m. Border Force officers stopped the first lorry on July 3, 2022 and found 90 kilos of ketamine and 50 kilos of cocaine packed into boxes and a Lidl shopping bag. The second lorry was intercepted just six weeks later, on August 12, 2022. Eddie Burton, 23, from Liverpool, has been jailed for 19 years for his part in running a massive 20million international operation that almost resulted in a 'destructive' haul of substances flooding into the UK He carried out his activities alongside his glamorous 'gangster moll' ex-girlfriend Sian Banks, 25, also from Liverpool, who was jailed for five years in February The pair were hunted down by the National Crime Agency (NCA) after they attempted to smuggle a massive haul of drugs into the UK in 2022 Officers discovered 142 kilos of cocaine and 25 kilos of heroin in a fuel tank that had been modified to conceal the drugs. Its driver, 64-year-old Latvian national Maris Fridvalds, was sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment in March 2023 for his role as a courier in the attempted importation. Forensics found Burton's fingerprints and DNA on both drug consignments, and the adapted fuel tank. The discovery of both lorries sparked an NCA manhunt for Burton, who was living between the Netherlands and Spain after relocating from the UK in early 2021. He was finally arrested by Spanish police in August 2023 at Pacha nightclub in Ibiza, for unrelated drug dealing offences. At the time he was using an alias in an attempt to evade detection. After being extradited to Germany and charged with drug offences, he was returned to the UK in March 2024 by specialist National Extradition Unit officers from the NCA's Joint International Crime Centre (JICC). Banks meanwhile had been arrested in December 2023. NCA investigators found that between June 2022 and October 2023 she travelled to the Netherlands and Spain on a monthly basis to visit Burton. Eddie Burton (pictured as a 15-year-old in 2016) had been running a 20 million international drug smuggling operation which he founded while still in his teens After her phone was seized, officers found evidence that on two occasions in August 2022 she smuggled cocaine and ketamine into the UK in her luggage after visiting Burton in Amsterdam. NCA investigators also uncovered messages sent between her and Burton on July 5, 2022 two days after the first lorry carrying drugs was intercepted. The messages indicated that she flew out to the Netherlands in late June and prepared the first shipment of drugs for transportation alongside him. In one message she told Burton that her fingerprints were on the bags of ketamine - but Burton assured her: 'You've never been nicked or had ye prints took anyway so doesn't matter'. She was also found to be operating a scam selling doctored Covid-19 travel documents at the height of the pandemic. NCA Senior Investigating Officer John Turner said: 'Burton, with Banks' help, attempted to smuggle huge quantities of harmful drugs into the UK, believing he could operate with impunity overseas. 'Banks held a crucial role in the criminal enterprise, laundering the illicit profits and acting as the UK-based facilitator for the multi-million pound drug importations. 'The drugs, had they reached their final destination, would have had a destructive impact on our communities, fuelling violence and exploiting vulnerable people throughout the supply chain.' Border Force officers stopped the first lorry on 3 July and found 90 kilos of ketamine and 50 kilos of cocaine packed into boxes and a Lidl shopping bag (above) One of the two lorries intercepted on 12 August, contained 142 kilos of cocaine and 25 kilos of heroin hidden inside a modified fuel tank (above) A Daily Mail investigation earlier this year found that Burton was no stranger to the world of drug running, having started out as a street dealer at the age of just ten. Meanwhile Banks' fondness for luxury holidays and designer goods saw her getting drawn into crime when scarcely older. Those who knew Burton as a child - including his own grandmother - told Daily Mail they were unsurprised that he would end up in organised crime. Family and friends in Liverpool said Burton had been a 'tearaway' from a very young age and was engaged in serious crime before he had even left primary school. One family friend, speaking on condition of anonymity, told MailOnline: 'He got into all sorts when he was a kid. He started selling a few drugs when he was about ten for older drug dealers. 'Eddie was a runner for them. He was a real baby-face so it was ideal for them as he just didn't look old enough to be into drugs. 'He got into trouble quite a bit when he was a young teenager - in fights and things. 'He was just a bit cheeky when he was that young but it gradually got more serious.' Remarkably, Burton's paternal grandmother, Margaret Burton, corroborated this version of events. She told us: ''He was a bit of a young tearaway. I think he was selling drugs. So it's not that surprising what's happened to him. 'Apparently some older men got him to sell things when he was young.' Merseyside Police issued a photo of Burton looking like a fresh-faced choirboy when he was 15, after he had been reported missing. Soon he would be permanently missing and at 19 he would move to Amsterdam. By this time, he is thought to have been dating Banks, who was two years his senior. The pair are thought to have met in their native Liverpool and Banks was soon smitten both with her new boyfriend and the money. Burton subsequently pleaded guilty to four charges of importing Class A and B drugs A review of Banks' phone showed that she had smuggled drugs into the UK in her luggage on two separate occasions in August 2022 after visiting Burton in Amsterdam A woman who knew her growing up told Daily Mail: 'She's a stunning girl and always looked good. 'She took great care over her appearance and was a good time girl who liked men who had money.' Pictures on Banks' social media accounts seem to confirm this glamorous lifestyle. One post showed her posing on a yacht aboard with friends as well as several of her in bikini tops during nights out. Another former associate of Banks told us: 'She liked foreign holidays and she liked a big night out. 'Sian's into nightclubs and I know she's been to a few festivals like Creamfields. 'I know she's been away for quite a few holidays abroad. 'But it was still a big shock when we found out she's been up to this much no good.' The couple are thought to have split up after Burton's arrest. Federal employees have been left feeling 'terrified' and 'disoriented' as a potential government shutdown approaches. Congress remains deadlocked over federal funding, and if no agreement is reached by October 1 - the start of the new fiscal year - the government will face a full-scale shutdown. Democrats have demanded extending health insurance subsidies that help keep costs down, rolling back Medicaid cuts from Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and restoring funding for public media that was cut in an earlier budget package. But the president cancelled talks with Democratic leaders, dismissing their demands as 'unserious' and saying any discussion would be 'unproductive.' The White House instead issued a memo on Wednesday, urging federal agencies to 'use this opportunity' to prepare for fast-tracked mass layoffs. Now, employees nationwide face uncertainty over which programs will lose funding in a shutdown due to misalignment with Trumps priorities - and whether theyll be one of the unlucky ones placed on furlough or ordered to work without pay. 'I'm absolutely terrified about going through the same thing all over again,' an unidentified federal worker, who was recently fired and rehired amid DOGE cuts, told CNN. 'This kind of treatment is inhumane,' they added. 'I don't even know how to prepare for the complete unknown.' Congress remains deadlocked over federal funding, and if no agreement is reached by October 1 - the start of the new fiscal year - the government will face a full-scale shutdown (pictured: The Capitol) Democrats have demanded extending health insurance subsidies that help keep costs down, rolling back Medicaid cuts from Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and restoring funding for public media that was cut in an earlier budget package The looming shutdown has left federal employees across the US feeling 'terrified' and 'disoriented,' uncertain whether their jobs will survive the days ahead Another anonymous employee, identifying as a middle-class American and mother, said she feels disregarded and abandoned by the latest shutdown threats - and uncertain how to prepare for the possibility of not receiving a paycheck. 'I'll go home today and take stock of my budget and pantry and make sure my family can ride out the next month or more, of whatever is coming,' she told the outlet. 'And then tomorrow, I'll get up and come to work and do my best for America, until they tell me I can't come to work anymore.' Alex Berman, an IRS employee and leader of the National Treasury Employees Union, described a constant state of fearful uncertainty, adding that this potential shutdown feels chillingly different from those in previous years. 'The added complication is that this might be used as a pretext to tell people that they don't have a job anymore - and that isn't how the system is supposed to work,' Berman told CNN. 'Federal employees are largely middle class,' he added. 'We're wondering if our families will have a Christmas this year.' An employee at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) shared with the outlet how, with a growing family at home, theyve already started cutting back on non-essential spending this summer in preparation for a possible shutdown this fall. During the governments record-breaking 35-day shutdown in December 2018 - which left nearly 800,000 employees without pay for weeks - the worker said they had to rely on their parents and local community just to get by. The White House (pictured) issued a memo on Wednesday, urging federal agencies to 'use this opportunity' to prepare for fast-tracked mass layoffs An FAA employee shared how, with a growing family at home, theyve already started cutting back on non-essential spending this summer in preparation for a possible shutdown this fall (pictured: stock FAA workers) A correctional officer (stock photo) at the high-security US Penitentiary Canaan said hes considering a personal loan to cover car payments and rent, depending on the shutdowns duration 'This puts a huge strain on me and my family,' they told CNN. 'With a career that already is one of the most stressful jobs, lets just add a huge amount of stress on top of that.' Dave Demas, a correctional officer at the high-security US Penitentiary Canaan in Pennsylvania, said hes considering a personal loan to cover car payments and rent, depending on the shutdowns duration. He explained that he and his wife will do everything they can to prevent the shutdown from disrupting their two daughters afterschool activities. 'Were going to do our best to keep their lives running the same, but mine might change drastically,' the father said. A General Services Administration worker and military veteran of over 20 years admitted to actively searching for private-sector opportunities - seeking stability in the face of relentless uncertainty. 'Its very challenging to stay motivated and on this career path,' the employee told the outlet. 'Its just too much mentally.' At the Department of Education - an agency Trump has sought to shut down entirely - employees said that they feel 'at a loss to understand or predict' what the coming days will bring. 'We are all being kept on our toes,' an employee added. At the Department of Education - an agency Trump has sought to shut down entirely - employees said that they feel 'at a loss to understand or predict' what the coming days will bring On Thursday, Liz Shuler (pictured), president of the AFL-CIO, said government employees have 'already suffered immensely' this year under the Trump administration An employee identifying as a middle-class American and mother, said she feels disregarded and abandoned by the latest shutdown threats - and uncertain how to prepare for the possibility of not receiving a paycheck Bonita Williams, a contractor at State Department headquarters, said that although she kept her job during the last shutdown, 'it was a struggle.' 'My children work for the federal government, so if they are furloughed, Im going to have to give my kids money. Last time around, some of my kids went to food banks,' Williams, who typically doesnt receive backpay as a contractor, told the outlet. 'I can't prepare,' she added. 'I'm living paycheck to paycheck.' Right now, Republicans and Democrats are in a standoff over a short-term funding bill that would keep the government running while they negotiate a longer-term deal. Last week, the Senate rejected competing stopgap proposals to avoid a shutdown, after the Republican-controlled House narrowly passed a bill that nearly all Democrats opposed. Congressional Democrats are now under growing pressure to stand their ground and use their Senate votes to push for key demands, including healthcare protections and public funding. But Republicans aren't budging. Senate majority leader John Thune told CNN that the Democrats' requests - particularly around healthcare - were 'completely unhinged, unreasonable, and unserious.' House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (pictured) reaffirmed the partys resolve at the conference, declaring that Democrats 'will not be intimidated' by the presidents threats If the government does shut down - either partially or fully - essential operations like Social Security, military duties, immigration enforcement and air traffic control will continue, though other services may be delayed or disrupted Trump claimed a shutdown is exactly what the Democratic party wants, stating during a Thursday news conference, 'They never change' On Thursday, Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO, said government employees have 'already suffered immensely' this year under the Trump administration, as reported by The Guardian. She specifically called out the deep cuts to the federal workforce, stressing that employees 'are not pawns for the presidents political games.' While Democrats blame congressional Republicans for the looming shutdown, the Trump administration is pointing the finger back at them. Trump claimed a shutdown is exactly what the Democratic party wants, stating during a Thursday news conference, 'They never change'. A senior official for the administration told the outlet: 'It's unfortunate Democrats have decided to instigate a government shutdown by opposing a clean government funding extension.' 'Their unreasonable and insane demands, like healthcare for illegal aliens and funding for NPR, will be directly responsible for this outcome,' they added. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries reaffirmed the partys resolve at the conference, declaring that Democrats 'will not be intimidated' by the threats. If the government does shut down - either partially or fully - essential operations like Social Security, military duties, immigration enforcement and air traffic control will continue, though other services may be delayed or disrupted. Shutdowns can be broad and long-lasting, with past closures affecting national parks, museums, air travel, food safety inspections and immigration hearings. And while the wider economy may seem untouched at first, experts warn that a prolonged shutdown could trigger a dangerous slowdown, shake markets to their core and ultimately shatter public trust in government. A gangland armourer who advertised machine guns to some of Britain's most terrifying criminals and plotted to 'melt the face' of a rival with acid has been jailed for 26 years and eight months. Philip Waugh, 40, from Warrington, Cheshire, armed organised crime groups across the UK with military grade weapons which he would flog on the now-defunct encrypted messaging platform Encrochat. Using the handle 'AceProspect' on the network, Waugh offered AK47 assault rifles, a Cold War-style Skorpion machine gun, an Uzi machine gun and a host of lethal pistols to Britian's crime bosses. The 40-year-old also offered hundreds of rounds of ammunition for the groups to load their machinery with. Authorities first became aware of the plot Waugh had been orchestrating in 2020, but had initially struggled to crack his identity beyond his alias on the chat site. A series of texts discovered by the National Crime Agency (NCA) found that a British man - who they would later unmask as Waugh - was advertising automatic and semi-automatic weapons which would typically be used on the frontlines of a war. Among those EncroChat messages, which the Daily Mail have produced mock-ups of, showed Waugh plotting his associate, Jonathan Gordon, 37, to blind a Warrington man named Nathan Simpson with acid. Gordon, a hitman member of Liverpool's Deli Mob, replied to say that he would ensure Mr Simpson gets 'the full face wash' in an apparent return for 10,000. Philip Waugh (above) has been jailed for 26 years after arming organised crime groups in Britain with military-grade rifles and plotting to 'melt the face' of a rival with acid Your browser does not support iframes. Pictured are some of the weapons police seized after arresting Waugh However, on the day the 37-year-old was due to carry out the attack, police approached him and seized his car as he fled the scene. The acid plot was prevented as a result. The NCA's investigations into EncroChat - and their subsequent infiltration of the chat platform - was at the heart of a Channel 4 documentary earlier this summer titled 'Operation Dark Phone'. It explored how the NCA's Operation Venetic which would go on to uncover the identify of 'Aceprospect' as Waugh. Recreations of the chats between Waugh and Gordon, who used the alias 'Valuedbridge', showed the scale of the violence the crime boss had instructed on Mr Simpson. In the chats Waugh is seen exhibiting disturbing sadism, urging the hitman to blind the man and stab him in the leg so he is unable to run to a sink to wash his face. Further mock-ups of chats to another associate also show Waugh blithely admitting that a 'pineapple' - slang for a grenade - had been left outside the home of one of his enemies on a residential street in Warrington. After they asked him to remove it because a child lived inside the house, Waugh dismissed the concerns and wrote back: 'It's in god's hands now.' All of these messages, and evidence of the guns being sold by Waugh, saw the NCA to build a case strong enough to snare him. Waugh sought the help of to Jonathan Gordon (above) to blind his rival with acid Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Using the handle 'Aceprospect' on EncroChat, Waugh offered rifles (like the one seen above) to UK crime bosses Working alongside Thai authorities - where the 40-year-old had been living - the agency swooped in on Waugh at his rented villa in Benahavis, Malaga, in September last year. After being notified by Thai enforcement that he had left the country for Spain, the NCA and Spanish National Police descended on the property where they arrested Waugh. He was later extradited and appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on April 11, where he admitted a range of firearms and a count of conspiring to inflict grievous bodily harm in which he instructed an accomplice to throw acid in a victim's faces. His sentence had a third deducted because of his guilty pleas. The NCA also uncovered that Waugh would smuggle guns to the UK where his right-hand man Robert Brazendale, 38, took possession of them and provided them to customers from various organised crime groups. Brazendale was jailed for 11 years and three months (later reduced to 10 years on appeal) in February 2022 for transferring other firearms from the gun list. He admitted new firearms offences committed with Waugh and was jailed for 11 years and four months in addition to the term he is already serving. Brazendale also admitted conspiring to inflict GBH on this victim. Ben Rutter, NCA senior investigating officer, said: 'Waugh's sentencing is extremely welcome and is the result of huge amounts of work by NCA officers who persisted tirelessly for five years to trace, locate and bring him to justice under Operation Venetic. 'Waugh only cared about making a lot of money. He supplied an array of automatic and semi-automatic weaponry to offenders who were planning horrific crimes and had no regard for public safety. He didn't care at all about who might be killed in the process. 'The NCA and policing partners went into overdrive when we discovered Waugh's gun list, doing everything possible to find and seize them. We will continue to do everything we can with partners at home and abroad to prevent organised crime groups trafficking firearms.' British former MEP Nathan Gill has admitted to taking bribes for his pro-Russian stance, the money was passed to him by former Ukrainian MP from the pro-Russian Opposition Platform For Life party Oleh Voloshyn, Reuters reports. A British former member of the European parliament and ex-leader of Reform UK in Wales pleaded guilty on Friday to bribery charges relating to pro-Russian statements he had made, the agency said. Gill pleaded guilty to taking money for pro-Russian statements. The defendant, in particular, agreed in court that he received bribes for speaking in the EU legislative body with questions and statements in support of pro-Russian parties in the context of the war against Ukraine. At the same time, according to court documents, the money was paid to Gill from December 2018 to July 2019. According to state prosecutor Mark Heywood, the bribery charges are related to WhatsApp messages recovered from Gills phone, when it was seized by police in 2021. These messages, as the prosecutor noted, indicate that the defendant agreed to receive money in return for certain activities, such as posing questions for consideration to the European Parliament, establishing contacts with senior officials, organizing events and making statements. Gills contact was Oleh Voloshyn, a former MP of Ukraine from the Opposition Platform - For Life pro-Russian party. According to media reports, Voloshyn has tasked the Briton with making statements for money at least eight times. In particular, Gill has defended the 112 Ukraine and NewsOne television channels headed by former politician Viktor Medvedchuk. He has also invited members of the European Parliament to be interviewed on 112 Ukraine. A petition battling against the government's plans for new digital ID cards has reached 2million signatures. The Prime Minister announced Labour's plans on Friday to impose the mandatory cards on all adults by the end of this Parliament. But civil liberty campaigners have since railed against the scheme with growing backlash amounting to millions of signatures on the petition titled 'Do not introduce digital ID cards'. The petition says 'no one should be forced to register with a state-controlled ID system', which it describes as a 'step towards mass surveillance and digital control'. Only five such petitions have passed 1million signatures over the last decade and a Daily Mail poll showed only a quarter of people back the cards. Sir Keir Starmer has said the controversial cards held on people's phones will be an 'enormous opportunity' for the UK and make working illegally tougher. Digital ID will become mandatory as a means of proving the right to work under the plans, but people will not be required to carry or asked to produce it. Starmer's proposed new scheme has been branded 'un-British' by Nigel Farage - who warns it won't stop illegal migrants and will only give the state more control. A petition battling against the government's plans for new digital ID cards has reached two million signatures Mr Farage said the 'Brit card' was in reality 'un-British' and would become a 'means of controlling the population, of telling us what we can do or say, or even tracking where we go and what we spend' (file image) Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrives with his wife Victoria to the Labour Party conference at ACC Liverpool today Your browser does not support iframes. Mr Farage told the Daily Express this week the measure - dubbed 'Brit card' - would become a 'means of controlling the population, of telling us what we can do or say, or even tracking where we go and what we spend'. He said: 'During the pandemic, we had to have vaccine ID to travel and to do various things. Did that stop the pandemic spreading? No it did not. 'All it did was to impose costs and inconvenience on the general population. 'Why would anybody trust the government to hold massive data banks of information about how we live?' The Reform UK leader compared the situation to 'our European neighbours' like Germany and France, saying ID cards and 'strict checks' had 'made no difference at all to the immigration crisis there, and nor will it here'. He said there were already digital IDs to ensure migrants had the right to work in the UK before referencing a 'serious issue of democracy'. Yesterday Sir Keir said the immigration system needed to be 'fair' as he made the case for digital IDs at a conference of progressive leaders. 'Let me spell it out, you will not be able to work in the United Kingdom if you do not have digital ID,' he said. 'It's as simple as that because decent, pragmatic, fair-minded people, they want us to tackle the issues that they see around them.' Under the plans, all workers would store a digital ID on their smartphones which they could be asked to provide. It would be the authoritative proof of identity and residency status in the UK, and would include name, date of birth, and a photo as well as information on nationality and residency status. Sir Keir Starmer said yesterday plans for a new digital ID will be an 'enormous opportunity' for the UK. He is pictured today in Liverpool Mock-ups of what the new digital ID held on people's phones could look like are shown above During his speech, Sir Keir said progressive politicians have been 'squeamish' about saying things that are 'clearly true'. 'For too many years, it's been too easy for people to come here, slip into the shadow economy and remain here illegally because, frankly, we have been squeamish about saying things that are clearly true.' The PM added: 'It's not compassionate Left-wing politics to rely on labour that exploits foreign workers and undercuts fair wages.' But Shadow Pensions Secretary Helen Whately said the move would not prevent illegal working. 'We're hearing about people working in the grey economy [where jobs are hidden from the state] being paid in cash, being often paid well below the minimum wage,' she told Sky News. 'This is not about law-abiding employees failing to be able to identify whether people's ID is legal or not, they're not even checking ID.' Reform UK previously called the plans a 'cynical ploy' designed to 'fool' voters into thinking something is being done about immigration. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch also dismissed the plans as a 'gimmick that will do nothing to stop the boats'. The Liberal Democrats said they would fight 'tooth and nail' against the 'nonsensical' plans. The move previously rolled out and then halted by Tony Blair was seized on by the former PM's think-tank, who called for ministers to go further. Alexander Iosad, from the Tony Blair Institute, said digital IDs should be the 'gateway' to showing people the state was on their side. He said that while it was important to combat illegal migration and criminal gangs, the scheme should also be used to store information about a person centrally. Mr Iosad added: 'This is the moment of opportunity to deliver it it must not be missed.' The petition to Parliament calls on the Government to commit to not introducing digital ID cards. It says: 'We think this would be a step towards mass surveillance and digital control, and that no one should be forced to register with a state-controlled ID system.' It received more than 6,800 signatures in an hour on Saturday morning as it has reached more than two million entries. Ministers had previously said the ID would only be needed as proof someone has the right to work in the UK as part of a bid to cut illegal immigration. But Darren Jones, who is spearheading the policy as chief secretary to the Prime Minister, suggested digital ID could have much wider uses in future. He told the Global Progress Action summit in London: 'If we get this digital ID system working and the public being with us, that will be the bedrock of the modern state and will allow for really quite exciting public service reform in the future.' Anti-immigration protests in Epping have cost police more than 1.5million with no end to the demonstrations in sight. The Bell Hotel, which homes around 150 asylum seekers, has become the focal point of a series of intense protests and counter-protests since mid-July. Thousands have attended the marches in the Essex town, sparked after an asylum seeker living in the hotel was charged and later convicted of sexually assaulting a teenage girl. There continue to be weekly demonstrations, and ahead of the scheduled 23rd protest, there was an acknowledgement of protest fatigue among the policing team. The cost of policing the protests has surpassed 1.6m, a crime panel meeting was told, with no sign of the protests slowing down. Roger Hirst, the police, fire and crime commissioner for Essex, told the BBC the force would only receive government help if costs hit 4m. He added the force's response had required a 'substantial level' of resources. 'It's a classic public service conundrum,' he said. 'You have the requirement right now, you have to do it. That's the job.' The Bell Hotel in the Essex town, which homes around 150 asylum seekers, has become the focal point of a series intense protests and counter-protests since mid-July Thousands have attended the marches, sparked after an asylum seeker living in the hotel being charged and later convicted of sexually assaulting a teenage girl. Pictured: Police seen gathered outside The Bell Hotel in Epping Essexs Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper has also spoken out this week of the ugly confrontations his officers are regularly receiving while one duty. Ahead of last Sunday's protest one senior officer revealed he had 'personally' been told by protesters that' they hope my children get raped because Im here protecting the Bell Hotel'. Anti-migrant protesters have also accused police placing unfair restrictions on their freedom of speech as well as 'bussing in' counter-demonstrators. Chief constable Hooper told ITV News: 'We're here to police without fear or favour and to make sure that people can go about their democratic right...to peacefully protest. 'And it's that fine line that we're trying to kind of balance on a daily basis and make sure that we can protect everyone in our communities.' The disorder has led to police officers being drafted in from across the UK in a bid to contain the mayhem - which later spread to other parts of the country amid growing calls for asylum hotels to be outlawed. At the end of August, three men were arrested after police officers were injured during a protest outside the hotel that month. The series of protests was sparked by Ethiopian national Hadush Kebatu, 41, who he tried to kiss a schoolgirl before groping a woman who came to her aid. Kebatu was jailed for 12 months after with a judge describing his behaviour as 'disgusting and sickening' and highlighting the 'poor regard [he] must have for women'. Ethiopian national Hadush Kebatu (pictured) who tried to kiss a schoolgirl before groping a woman who came to her aid was jailed for 12 months Chelmsford Magistrates' Court heard he acted 'ignorantly and repulsively' when he sexually assaulted the schoolgirl and another woman just days after arriving in the country on a small boat. Under current law, foreign offenders who receive a prison sentence of 12 months or more can be deported automatically. Deportations only occur for sentences under a year in certain cases, for example if it involves a persistent offender or they have caused serious harm. Last month, the government unveiled plans to immediately kick out rapists, drug dealers and burglars who receive custodial sentences, with a lifelong ban on returning. But the most violent criminals - including murderers, foreign-born terrorists and other serving life - will still need to finish their sentences before being ejected. Kebatu, who was helped by an interpreter in court, showed no reaction as District Judge Christopher Williams delivered the verdicts on September 4. The clashes came as the Government won a court challenge which means asylum seekers can continue to be housed at the Essex hotel. The Court of Appeal overturned a temporary High Court injunction which would have forced the 138 asylum seekers there to leave by September 12. Epping Forest District Council had argued site owner Somani Hotels had breached planning rules by not notifying Epping of its plans for the Bell. However, the authority could still be granted a full injunction should it be successful at a three-day hearing starting on October 15 in London. The decision to rule in favour of the hotel chain and Home Office sparked outrage, with protests spreading to cities across the UK amid accusations the government was 'taking the side of migrants over Britons'. Epping Forest District Council announced it would take its case to shut down the Bell Hotel to the Supreme Court. Pictured: Protesters outside London's High Court last month Protestors march along the streets near the hotel raising red smoke flares aloft as others held signs Several other councils across the UK have since vowed to take legal action to kick asylum seekers out of hotels following the ruling. Labour-run councils, such as Wirral, Stevenage, Tamworth and Rushmoor are among those continuing to storm ahead with plans to launch legal bids against the government. It comes as today hundreds of of anti-immigration protestors on a march have clashed with counter demonstrators in Newcastle. Three people have been arrested for breach of peace during the immigration protests in Newcastle city centre. Northumbria Police has confirmed that t have been brought into custody. UKIP leader Nick Tenconi was at the front of the 500-strong parade, from the Newgate Hotel, which houses asylum seekers, to the quayside. The protestors held a purple banner declaring: 'Mass deportations now.' In a speech, Mr Tenconi said: 'The Unite the Kingdom protest is a great initiative by Tommy Robinson and I obviously I support patriotic movements, but patriotic movements aren't going to take back the country. 'The country is taken back by a political party returning a majority and our system which is a first past the post system. That's how Boris did it in 19, it's how Labour did it last year. 'You must return a majority of candidates. So, movements, pressure groups, lobby groups think tanks, leaning on the government, I am all for that, but we are taking our country back.' The protests has seen three people, two women and one man, all in their 20s, arrested for breach of peace during the protests. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Earlier this week the Crowne Plaza hotel, which is owned by Newcastle City Council, cancelled the launch of a new political party, Advance UK, which is backed by Tommy Robinson and Elon Musk. Instead, the conference is taking place at Aveika, a restaurant and nightclub on the quayside. At the end of June there were just over 32,000 aslyum seekers in taxpayer-funded hotels, up eight per cent in a year. The Home Office has also said an all-time high of 111,084 asylum applications were lodged in the year to June, up 14 per cent on the previous 12 months. Despite increasing numbers, Labour has said it will close all migrant hotels by 2029. In August Epping Forest District Council won a temporary High Court injunction to stop migrants being placed at The Bell hotel, in Epping. But the Home Office successfully challenged the decision at the Court of Appeal, and the hotel remains open pending any further legal action. The amount of taxpayer's money spent on asylum support fell to 4.76billion in 2024-25, down from 5.38billion the previous year. But costs are massively higher than a decade ago, when the figure stood at less than 475million a year. Patients in Scotland were forced to receive electric shock treatment against their will almost 1,100 times last year prompting calls for the NHS to stop using the ethically unacceptable procedure. In each case, people suffering from mental illness were compelled to undergo electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) even though they objected to the treatment or actively struggled to resist it. The World Health Organisation and United Nations recently warned that involuntary or forced ECT risked breaching patients human rights and could be regarded as a form of torture. The procedure, which sees electric currents passed through the brain to induce a brief seizure, has been used since the 1930s but remains deeply controversial. A new report shows that ECT was carried out in the Scottish NHS more than 4,000 times last year. Women in their 60s were most likely to receive the treatment while the most commonly treated condition was severe depression. In around 2,000 cases, ECT was performed on people who, because of their mental state, were deemed incapable of giving consent. In 1,081 cases, treatment was given to patients who said they didnt want it or fought against it but who were over-ruled by doctors. While health chiefs in Scotland acknowledge ECT can produce adverse side-effects, they insist it is safe and effective. First developed in the 1930s, the procedure was infamously portrayed in the 1975 film One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest, in which Jack Nicholson plays a convicted criminal who feigns mental illness. The procedure sees electric currents passed through the brain to induce a brief seizure One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest depicted Jack Nicholson's character undergoing ECT However, some experts last night claimed the NHS should immediately suspend use of ECT. Dr John Read is a professor of clinical psychology at the University of East London and author of several studies into the effects of ECT, which he criticised as unethical and unscientific. He said: No other branch of medicine sees treatment administered when a patient is actively resisting it. However well-intentioned the doctor might be, it is ethically unacceptable. ECT was developed decades before we had proper ethical standards. If it was introduced today as a new treatment, theres no way it would be approved. He added: For a percentage of patients, ECT can produce a temporary lift in mood but theres simply no evidence it has any benefit beyond the end of treatment. The use of ECT should be immediately suspended until proper research is completed to prove whether it actually works. The report by the official Scottish ECT Audit Network stated that 4,135 treatments were carried out on 264 patients during 2024. Half were aged 60 or older, while 60 per cent were women. In 1,081 cases, ECT was authorised under the Mental Health Act even though the patient resisted or objected. The report noted that adverse incidents occurred 31 times including prolonged seizure, dental damage, cardiovascular events and prolonged confusion. Overall 24.9 per cent of patients reported memory problems as a side effect. But the report said 88.8 per cent of patients showed improvement after treatment and concluded: These findings reinforce that ECT is a safe and effective treatment for individuals with severe, treatment-resistant mental health conditions including major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and psychosis. Dr John Read - a professor of clinical psychology at the University of East London and author of several studies into the effects of ECT - says it is unethical and unscientific However, Dr Read warned the report was horribly misleading. He said: All the measures of safety and effectiveness are based only on the opinion of the psychiatrists who gave the ECT. When you ask the patients you get completely different results. Earlier this month, in a survey of 858 ECT patients, 80 per cent said their ability to recall memories had been affected, while 70 per cent said their ability to retain new information had been harmed. For more than two-thirds of those affected, the impact lasted more than three years. Separately, a study of more than 1,000 ECT patients published in the journal Circulation found 58.5 per cent believed it wasnt at all helpful, while 62 per cent said it made their quality of life worse. In 2023, a report by the World Health Organisation and the UN concluded: International human rights standards clarify that ECT without consent violates the right to physical and mental integrity and may constitute torture. The Scottish Government said every ECT prescription is overseen by the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland and Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland. A spokesperson said: Electroconvulsive therapy is a safe and effective treatment for some of the most unwell patients, and in some cases has been lifesaving. Patient safety is paramount, and for patients unable to consent due to the severity of the mental illness that the ECT is treating, appropriate legal safeguards are in place. John Swinney was last night accused of hypocrisy after attacking Labours plans for digital ID cards despite the fact his government is already developing a similar identification system. On Friday the First Minister said he opposed the mandatory ID scheme being introduced across the UK by Sir Keir Starmer. In particular, the Nationalist leader hit out at unconfirmed suggestions the system might be called BritCard. But critics pointed out that the Scottish Government is currently working on a scheme called Scot- Account formerly known as Digital Identity Scotland which has many of the same features. ScotAccount which creates an electronic profile allowing users to prove who they are is being trialled on a voluntary basis for individuals accessing a limited number of public services. However, ministers have pledged to massively expand its use, sparking fears that, as the system is embedded into more areas of public life, it will effectively become mandatory. Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: Even by John Swinneys usual standards of political amnesia and brazen hypocrisy, his digital ID posturing is off the charts. For him to now attack Sir Keir Starmer is arrant hypocrisy, not a principled stand. Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay said Mr Swinney's 'digital ID posturing is off the charts' Critics pointed out that the Scottish Government is currently working on a scheme called Scot- Account formerly known as Digital Identity Scotland which has many of the same features Under Labours plan, digital ID would become the authoritative proof of identity and residency status in the UK. It would include a persons name, date of birth, and a photo, and be compulsory for work. In a post on X, Mr Swinney said: I am opposed to mandatory digital ID people should be able to go about their daily lives without such infringements. That aside, by calling it BritCard, the Prime Minister seems to be attempting to force every Scot to declare ourselves British. I am a Scot. However, as revealed in the Scottish Mail on Sunday in April, the SNP is rolling out its own Scottish form of digital ID. ScotAccount collects information about individuals, including photos and personal details. Its aim is to create a single centralised form of ID to tackle fraud and make it easier for people to prove who they are when accessing services potentially including travel, health and benefits. It has already been piloted for some services including criminal record checks, witness appearances in court, licences to sell tobacco and vapes, funeral registrations and debt management. Earlier this year the government handed a private firm more than 1 million to develop a live service that is set to be rolled out across a much wider range of public services. Details of exactly how the British ID card will look have not been confirmed Users create an account using an email address and password, with security codes sent through text messages or a phone landline. They submit a live picture of themselves as well as scans of their passport, driving licence or biometric residence permit. But campaigners have warned that users could be vulnerable to hacking and identity theft and that the system could quickly become mandatory by default. Civil liberties campaign group Big Brother Watch said: Digital identity systems are a honeypot for hackers. Meanwhile we urgently need a legal right to non-digital ID, otherwise such schemes could become a mandatory ID system in all but name. The Scottish Government confirmed ScotAccount is being rolled out across a wide spectrum of public services but insisted it was not mandatory. A spokesman said: ScotAccount does not provide a centralised searchable database of peoples personal information. The Scottish Government is opposed to the introduction of any card that is compulsory to have or that anyone can demand to see, including that of a digital ID. Villagers are taking ministers to court after being refused permission to buy their local pub. Residents of North Queensferry in Fife tried to use SNP land reform laws to force the sale of the Albert Hotel, in the shadow of the Forth Bridge. But the 2 million plan, backed by Sarah Brown, wife of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, has been blocked by Scottish Government officials who claim locals couldnt make the bar profitable. Now the North Queensferry Community Trust (NQCT), which is behind the campaign, has launched a legal action to overturn the decision. The case called at Dunfermline Sheriff Court last week with a full hearing expected later this year. The Albert, a 200-year-old listed building, closed in 2017. Supporters of the North Queensferry community bid to use the Scottish government's new land reform laws to force the owners of the Albert Hotel to sell the hotel to them The bid by locals to buy the pub has been backed by Sarah Brown, wife of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, describing it as a 'much-loved community asset' With its owners refusing to sell up, locals tried using powers introduced by the SNP to force the transaction. Since 2020, a property sale can be ordered if the community shows it has a sustainable development plan. But in March, officials rejected the NQCT bid, saying: These plans would, if successful, bring a social hub for the community, economic benefits from a hospitality business itself and secondary benefits from increased trade in the village. In ministers view, however...these positive developments would be unlikely to be achieved. The Albert dates back to 1824 and was renamed in 1842 in honour of Queen Victorias husband when the royal couple paid a visit to the village en route to Balmoral. The exterior even featured in the 2022 Steve Coogan film The Lost King, about the amateur historian who discovered the body of Richard III under a car park. The Albert which had nine bedrooms plus a bar and restaurant - is owned by the Festival Inns Limited SSAS pension fund, which is operated by Edinburgh businessman Kenneth Waugh. North Queensferry has a population of 1,100, but the only other pub shut down during the pandemic. A planning bid to turn the Albert into flats was knocked back by Fife Council after locals objected. Among the complainers was Mrs Brown who lives in the village with the former PM. She wrote: The Albert is a much-loved community asset, and many people from the village have missed it as a meeting point and social gathering place as it has been closed and boarded up for some time. The building itself is a landmark with its painted signage and gable. It is a familiar sight in front of the Forth Bridge. I understand that there is a better option for the building and the local community whereby a group of village residents are prepared to turn the building back into a pub and hotel if they can agree a fair purchase price. I hope to see this planning permission for a flat development declined and better option sought. The Trust has a 2m plan for the Albert with funds raised from locals, grants and the National Lottery. Its bid of 240,000 for the property in 2021 was rejected. It would cost a further seven-figure to restore the building and business. Both parties were approached for comment. The Trust has questioned the Scottish Governments conclusions, claiming its business was developed with expert advice from experienced organisations. Mr Waugh has insisted he intends to reopen the Albert as a hotel. An attack dog for Vladimir Putin has threatened a 'decisive response' to any aggression against Russia - as raids into Nato airspace have been linked to the country. Foreign minister Sergey Lavrov spoke at the United Nations General Assembly today as unauthorised flights into Nato's airspace have raised alarm around Europe in recent weeks. It comes as Nato jets downed drones over Poland and Estonia said Russian fighter jets flew into its territory. Russia denied that its planes entered Estonian airspace and said the drones did not target Poland, with Moscow's ally Belarus maintaining that Ukrainian signal-jamming sent the devices off course. Mr Lavrov instead warned that any retaliation against Russia would come with dire consequences. 'Russia has never had and does not have any such intentions' of attacking European or Nato countries, he said. 'However, any aggression against my country will be met with a decisive response.' Several NATO countries say Russian fighter jets and drones have violated their airspace in Europe over recent weeks, accusing Moscow of testing the alliance. Foreign minister Sergey Lavrov spoke at the United Nations General Assembly as unauthorised flights into Nato's airspace - intrusions blamed on Russia - have raised alarm around Europe in recent weeks The US President has voiced frustration with Putin and said that Ukraine should seize back all the territory Russia has taken or even cross the border While US President Donald Trump said he thought NATO states should shoot down any Russian planes that violate its airspace. Trump had once boasted of his warm ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin and invited him last month for talks in Alaska, ending the veteran Russian leader's ostracization by the West since he ordered the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. But the President has voiced frustration with Putin and said that Ukraine should seize back all the territory Russia has taken or even cross the border. In the latest of a series of aerial attacks, drones were spotted at Danish military bases that some European officials have linked to Russia. They were seen at 'defense facilities' including Skrydstrup Air Base and the Jutland Dragoon Regiment overnight Friday into Saturday, the Danish defense ministry confirmed. There were also sightings at the Karup Air Base, Denmark's biggest military base, with local media reporting drones in the air both inside and outside the fence of the base at around 8pm on Friday. Possible sightings were also reported in Germany, Norway and Lithuania. They have raised further concerns that Vladimir Putin is taunting NATO and come just days after airports in the Denmark were temporarily closed following a 'systematic operation' and a 'hybrid attack'. The goal of the flyovers is to sow fear and division, Danish Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard said, adding that the country will seek additional ways to neutralize drones, including proposing legislation to allow infrastructure owners to shoot them down. Drones were spotted at Danish military bases overnight in the latest of a series of aerial attacks that some European officials have linked to Russia. (Pictured: A mobile radar installation put up to spot drones) The repeated unexplained drone activity has raised concerns about security in northern Europe amid suspected growing Russian aggression. For the upcoming European Union summit next week, the Danish defense ministry said that the country's government had accepted an offer from Sweden to 'lend Denmark a military anti-drone capability'. The Kremlin has been accused of launching a campaign of hybrid attacks across Europe, exposing the vulnerability of the continent's airspace at a time of high tensions between Moscow and NATO. European ministers are now scrambling to draw up plans for a continent-wide 'drone wall' to counter Moscow's alleged aerial incursions, as the Kremlin warns that any strike on its aircraft would result in direct conflict with NATO. Poland, which has already brought down Vladimir Putin's drones in recent weeks, has vowed it will down any hostile objects over Ukraine under fast-tracked laws giving the military greater freedom to act. However, in a chilling escalation, Russia's ambassador to France warned that shooting down its planes 'would be war.' On Thursday, the country's foreign minister also accused NATO of waging 'real war' on it and claimed the organisation was directly involved in its conflict with Ukraine. Scottish Labour is reeling from its second high-profile sleaze scandal in successive months after another MSP was suspended over alleged inappropriate conduct. Foysol Choudhury - the list MSP for Lothian - has had the whip withdrawn pending the result of an investigation and is now listed on the Scottish Parliament website as an Independent. However, mystery surrounds the nature of the allegations with Labour refusing to give more details about the complaint against him. The development means Mr Choudhury joins the ranks of fellow MSP Colin Smyth who was suspended from the party last month after he was arrested and charged in connection with possession of indecent images of children. Mr Smyth, 52, also had his parliamentary pass blocked later in August after he was charged over claims a camera was hidden in a Holyrood toilet. The father of two has denied being responsible for any such device. It was reported at least five male MSPs, a journalist and a small number of staff had been contacted by police over alleged secret recordings in a toilet near the main chamber. Given that, the timing of Mr Choudhurys suspension could not be worse for Labours embattled leader, Anas Sarwar. He is due to deliver his keynote speech at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool today (Sun) and is already under pressure over his partys poor showing in the polls ahead of next Mays Holyrood elections. Foysol Choudhury, left, has been suspended over alleged inappropriate conduct. He is pictured with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar The allegations are the latest scandal to grip a politician at the Scottish Parliament In his speech today, Sarwar will brand the SNP tired, knackered and out of touch in an attack on the partys financial mismanagement. But political opponents believe the fresh scandal over Mr Choudhury will overshadow his conference appearance and could spark further vulnerability in the Labour cause. The SNP has demanded he urgently come clean on what lies behind the disciplinary move. Commenting on the suspension, Kirsty Blackman MP said the Scottish Labour Party was now in crisis. She added: Anas Sarwar must urgently come clean on the reasons why yet another Labour Party MSP has been suspended, shortly after Colin Smyth. The public deserve full transparency. Given the long list of scandals that have rocked the Labour Party recently - with Foysol Choudhury, Colin Smyth, Peter Mandelson, Morgan McSweeney, Paul Ovenden and Angela Rayner all caught up in the last month alone - voters deserve answers. Whatever the explanation, with yet another scandal on the eve of their party conference, theres no doubt the Labour Party is in crisis. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Scottish Parliament said: The Labour Party contacted the chief executive on Friday the 26th of September to inform him that Foysol Choudhury MSP should be listed as an Independent MSP until further notice. Mr Choudhury is a successful businessman as well as a politician. Born in East Pakistan in 1969, he became the first Scots Bangladeshi elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2021. Capitalising on the business acumen of his late father, Mr Chaudhury enjoys interests in hospitality, catering, finance and property across the UK and in Bangladesh. Last night, the Scottish Parliament website had been changed to reflect his new political status as Independent. Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton MSP said: Labour are in complete chaos on the eve of their conference. Confidence in Sir Keir Starmer is gone after a year of broken promises and U-turns, the digital ID scheme has faced instant backlash, Anas Sarwar is engaging in bizarre attacks on independent experts, and now Scottish Labour have had to suspend another MSP. Labour should launch an investigation into this latest situation and be as transparent as possible about whats happened. A Labour Party spokesperson said: The Labour Party takes all complaints seriously. They are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate action is taken. It is understood, Mr Choudhury has been administratively suspended, pending the outcome of an investigation. Mr Choudhury has had the whip withdrawn pending the result of an investigation Mr Choudhury faced criticism for the quality of evidence he gave to an Employment Tribunal six years ago, before he became a MSP. He was in a position of authority at the Edinburgh Mela, a celebration of ethnic minority cultures which ran for several years as part of the Edinburgh Festival. An employment tribunal was convened at the request of former director Chris Purnell, who had been sacked from his role. The tribunal said Mr Purnell had given his evidence in a straightforward and measured way and it was entirely credible. It added: In contrast, the manner in which Mr Khan (Mela chairman) and Mr Choudhury gave their evidence was often unsatisfactory. Both showed a reluctance to answer simple questions directly. Mr Purnells claim was upheld and he was awarded 70,000. A suspect has been identified in the execution-style killings of four teenage girls at a frozen yogurt shop more than three decades ago. The bodies of Eliza Thomas, 17, Jennifer Harbinson, 17, Sarah Harbinson, 17, and Amy Ayers, 13, were found charred beyond recognition inside the storage room of the I Can't Believe It's Yogurt shop in Austin on December 6, 1991. Police in Austin, Texas, announced on Friday that Robert Eugene Brashers has been linked to the unsolved murders 'through a wide range of DNA testing.' Brashers died by suicide in January of 1999 during a standoff with law enforcement. He has an extensive criminal history including attempted murder, burglary, impersonating a cop and unlawful possession of a weapon. CBS News reported that investigators managed to link a bullet casing found in a drain inside the yogurt shop to the gun he used to shoot himself. The girls were found naked, gagged, tied up and stacked on top of one another. Each had been shot in the back of the head. At least one of the teenage girls had been raped. The yogurt shop murders stunned Texas capital city and became known as one of the areas most notorious crimes. Austin police investigators and prosecutors had stumbled over the case for years as they waded through thousands of leads, several false confessions and badly damaged evidence from the burned-out crime scene. Robert Eugene Brashers has been linked to the unsolved murders 'through a wide range of DNA testing,' Austin police said Eliza Thomas (left) and Jennifer Harbinson (right), both 17, were working at the I Can't Believe It's Yogurt shop in Austin on December 6, 1991 when they were brutally murdered Jennifer's 15-year-old sister Sarah Harbinson (left) and her best friend Amy Ayers, 13, (right) stopped by with hopes of catching a ride to a slumber party after the store closed at 11pm In November 1986, Brashers was convicted of attempted second degree murder stemming from a 1985 incident in Saint Lucie County, Florida. About two years later, Brashers was arrested in Paragould, Arkansas, for attempting to break into 'a residence of a single female.' On January, 13, 1999, Brashers killed himself in Kennett, Missouri, during a four-hour standoff with police. Austin law enforcement had looked at more than 1,200 possible suspects over the last 34 years and secured dozens of confessions. The case remains an open and ongoing investigation, Austin police said and are set to host a press conference on Monday outlining the latest break through. Their announcement happened about one month after the release of The Yogurt Shop Murders, an HBO documentary series focusing on the killings. Two of the girls - Jennifer Harbison and Thomas - worked at the Austin yogurt shop, while the other two had stopped by to catch a ride to a slumber party after the store's closing at 11pm. Some of them were sexually assaulted before being shot in the back of their heads. The criminals then set fire to the shop, destroying much of the evidence and soot-covered fingerprints The girls were found naked, gagged, tied up and stacked on top of one another, each having been shot in the back of the head. At least one of the teens had been raped. Austin Police Department officers are pictured working the scene at the shop on Dec. 7, 1991 The four bodies were found charred beyond recognition inside the storage room of the Austin yogurt shop. Pictured is an interior view of the restaurant The shop was then set on fire, which destroyed much of the evidence and soot-covered fingerprints. Authorities originally centered their investigation around four teenage boys: Robert Springsteen, Michael Scott, Maurice Pierce and Forrest Welborn. Springsteen and Scott confessed to the murders while in custody. Springsteen was tried, convicted and sentenced to death in 2001. Scott was also sentenced to life in prison after being convicted in 2002. However, the pair's convictions were ultimately dismissed by the Texas Court of Appeals on constitutional grounds. The two were freed in October 2009. Sarah (left) and Jennifer Harbison (right) in an undated photo with their mother Two Mexican nationals were also arrested in connection to the slayings in October 2001, but later ruled out as suspects Separately, two Mexican nationals were also arrested in connection but later ruled out as suspects. Mexican authorities took Porfirio Villa Saavedra and Alberto Jimenez Cortez into custody in October 1992. Saavedra apparently matched the description of a man who was seen in a vehicle outside the yogurt shop on the night of the murders. The Mexican attorney general's office claimed the men confessed to the killings. However, Saavedra - a member of the Mierdas Punks motorcycle gang - recanted two days later and claimed that Mexican police had coerced him into confessing. Rachel Reeves today suggested Andy Burnham should stick to his current job when asked about 'rumours swirling round at the moment' about a possible 'leadership bid'. Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham claims Labour MPs want him to launch a leadership challenge against Sir Keir Starmer, who faces a major bout of party infighting. The Chancellor appeared to take a swipe at the Greater Manchester mayor following his headline-grabbing intervention earlier in the week. Speaking ahead of the Labour conference in Liverpool, Ms Reeves described Mr Burnham as a 'great mayor' who is doing a 'great job in Manchester'. She told broadcasters: 'He committed to serve a full term as mayor of Greater Manchester. 'Keir Starmer won the general election last year, and he will get on and do that job, and I'll get on with my job as well, being Chancellor of the Exchequer.' Sir Keir said Labour had to 'unite and fight', amid speculation that Mr Burnham could mount a leadership challenge. Labour chairwoman Anna Turley acknowledged it had been 'quite a challenging couple of weeks' for the party. Rachel Reeves appeared to take a swipe at the Greater Manchester mayor following his headline-grabbing intervention earlier in the week. Andy Burnham arrives for a Radio programme in Manchester on Thursday as speculation mounts he could be a contender for the Labour leadership A Savanta survey, conducted on behalf of The House magazine, found 28 per cent of voters thought Mr Burnham would be better than Sir Keir as PM But said that many more MPs are 'frustrated' that their colleagues are already trying to topple Sir Keir. Meanwhile, other political parties offer 'the politics of division', Ms Reeves said, adding that the Labour party 'believe that people have more in common than that which divides us'. Sir Keir claimed Reform UK wanted to 'tear our country apart' ahead of the annual Labour conference set to be dominated by questions over how to respond to Nigel Farage's party. The prime minister is under pressure with Labour trailing behind Reform in opinion polls and some within the party uneasy about Labour's direction under his leadership. As he arrived in Liverpool for the conference, Sir Keir said it would be an opportunity to show Labour's alternative to the 'toxic divide and decline' offered by Reform. Sir Keir said Reform's plans to remove indefinite leave to remain for legal migrants as 'one of the most shocking things' Mr Farage's party had come out with. During a visit to the Liverpool Echo's office, he said: 'I think it is a real sign of just how divisive they are and that their politics and their policies will tear this country apart.' Later, arriving at the conference centre in Liverpool with his wife Lady Victoria, he said the gathering, which officially starts on Sunday, was a 'really big opportunity to make our case to the country, make it absolutely clear that patriotic national renewal is the way forward, not the toxic divide and decline that we get with Reform'. The latest polling has placed Nigel Farage as the most likely politician to be the next prime minister, with Reform currently on track to win the most parliamentary seats if an election were held, according to YouGov. In a message aimed at rallying a divided Labour against Reform, Sir Keir told the Guardian: 'History will not forgive us if we do not use every ounce of our energy to fight Reform. There is an enemy. There is a project which is detrimental to our country. 'It actually goes against the grain of our history. It's right there in plain sight in front of us. We have to win this battle.' Your browser does not support iframes. Sir Keir Starmer claimed Reform UK wanted to 'tear our country apart' ahead of the annual Labour conference set to be dominated by questions over how to respond to Nigel Farage's party Ahead of the Labour conference, backbench MPs and unions renewed calls to end the two-child benefit cap. Both candidates for Labour's deputy leadership have signalled their opposition to the cap, while the Prime Minister has not ruled out scrapping it. Seven rebel MPs has the Labour whip suspended in July last year after they back an SNP motion calling for an end to the two-child benefit cap. Ian Byrne, Richard Burgon, Imran Hussein and Rebecca Long-Bailey - had the whip reinstated six months later. While It is understood John McDonnell and Apsana Begum suspensions ended on Friday following discussions with the chief whip, Jonathan Reynolds. The seventh rebel, Zarah Sultana, subsequently resigned her membership to co-found a new left-wing party with former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. Several MPs from Liverpool, the host city of the conference, were among those who wrote to the Prime Minister ahead of the gathering insisting the cap 'is one of the most significant drivers of child poverty in Britain today'. Debate over the future of the cap is among a number of areas of benefits policy where ministers could be challenged by Labour members in Liverpool. Among those who have previously called for it to go is Lucy Powell, the former Commons leader who is the frontrunner in the race to become the next Labour deputy leader. Labour MPs forced a U-turn on Sir Keir's plans to cut the benefits bill earlier this year. But in a hint that ministers are willing to return to the battle, Darren Jones, the PM's chief secretary and a senior Cabinet Office minister, told the Telegraph that the benefits bill is 'unsustainable in the long run'. Sir Keir's plans for a new digital ID system, unveiled at a conference of centre-left leaders in London on Friday, will also likely face scrutiny at the conference. Senior Labour figures are meanwhile expected to set out the details of a fresh tranche of 'New Towns' at the event. The former MP George Galloway and his wife have been detained by counter-terrorism police at Gatwick airport. The 71-year-old was stopped by officers on Saturday after flying in to London from Moscow, via Abu Dhabi, according to reports. Workers Party of Britain, of which Mr Galloway is the leader of, said the move was 'politically motivated intimidation', claiming police have refused to reveal any information. In a statement shared on X, they said: 'At 11am we were informed by police officers in Gatwick that our party leader George Galloway and his wife have been detained at the airport 'The police agreed that they would pass a message to our comrades from us and pass back a reply from them. 'Despite repeated attempts to gather further information, and despite repeated calls to the police, we have no further information on their wellbeing, nor on the observation of their Rights. 'There is no information on charges or alleged offences. Therefore we may conclude this is politically motivated intimidation. 'We call on all supporters and friends to amplify this message and demand the IMMEDIATE RELEASE of our leaders.' The former MP George Galloway and his wife have been detained by counter-terrorism police at Gatwick airport Mr Galloway and his wife Putri Gayatri Pertiwi had been stopped under schedule 3 of the Counter Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019. The couple pictured with their daughter Workers Party of Britain, of which Mr Galloway is the leader of, said the move is 'politically motivated intimidation', claiming police have refused to reveal any information Mr Galloway and his wife Putri Gayatri Pertiwi, 40, had been stopped under schedule 3 of the Counter Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019. The Act gives police, immigration and customs officers the power to stop people to find out if they are 'engaged in hostile activities that threaten national security or the economic wellbeing of the UK'. A Met spokesman said: 'We can confirm that on Saturday, counter-terrorism officers at Gatwick airport stopped a man in his 70s and a woman in her 40s under schedule 3 of the Counter Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019. 'Neither of them were arrested and they were allowed on their way.' The couple were eventually let go without charge. The hard-left Party went on to condemn 'the attempt to intimidate political opponents of the drive towards war with Russia and China'. They insisted 'there was never any chance of an offence' and the Party were obstructed from providing legal support. The Daily Mail have approached the Met for further comment. The politician controversially made an appearance in Moscow as Russia's Vladimir Putin celebrated Victory Day with a huge military parade in May. The politician controversially made an appearance in Moscow as Russia's Vladimir Putin celebrated Victory Day with a huge military parade in May. Mr Galloway posted a series of snaps alongside his wife on Moscow's Red Square Taking to X to share snaps of himself in Moscow, Galloway called the Victory Day Celebrations 'moving, emotional, inspiring, humbling.' Pictures posted by the politician show him and his fourth wife - who is 30 years his junior - posing for the camera on Red Square. Having previously praised the assassinated Hamas leader as a 'martyr,' Galloway said in a speech he was 'honoured' to receive the award, and also bragged about having Haniyeh's passport in his possession. 'I actually hold in my safe the passport because when we arrived with one of our convoys to break the siege on Gaza [in 2009], he had promised me a Palestinian passport but they had run out of Palestinian passports. 'So he gave me his own personal passport and it is one of my most treasured possessions,' the British politician boasted. He went on to thank Iran for 'their steadfastness in support for the Palestinian people.' 'The truth is when Palestine is finally free, Iran will be able to take its place in the panoply of heroes who made it possible.' Scandal has followed Mr Galloway throughout his career, as he lost his Rochdale seat at last year's general election just months after winning the constituency in a shock by-election. It was also revealed that his campaign was funded heavily by Andrew Tate's brother Christian. While in 2019 he was sacked by TalkRADIO after being accused of 'blatant anti-Semitism' in a tweet about Spurs' defeat in the Champions League final. The Workers Party of Britain leader has previously represented seats in Glasgow, east London and Bradford in the Commons, for Labour and later the Respect Party. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has published a report by an independent mission of experts on the treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) by Russia, which states that the conditions of detention of prisoners of war do not meet international standards, and Russia is responsible for large-scale and systematic violations of them. As noted in the Telegram channel of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War on Saturday, the investigation was conducted by international law experts from France, the Czech Republic and Sweden. Their mandate was to study possible violations of international humanitarian law, human rights, as well as war crimes and crimes against humanity. The mission stated that the aggressor country systematically denies Ukrainian soldiers the status of prisoners of war, instead calling them persons detained for countering the special military operation. This creates conditions for illegal criminal prosecution of Ukrainian servicemen solely for participating in hostilities. Such practice grossly contradicts the norms of international humanitarian law, in particular the provisions of the Geneva Conventions. The Coordination Staff said the OSCE report records numerous facts of arbitrary executions and murders of Ukrainian soldiers after capture, as well as ill-treatment and torture. According to experts, torture is a widespread and systematic practice carried out or tolerated by Russian state structures. OSCE experts state the conditions of detention of prisoners of war do not meet international standards: overcrowded premises, lack of proper medical care, nutrition and hygiene. Ukrainian prisoners of war are deprived of the opportunity to communicate with their families, and access by the International Committee of the Red Cross is severely restricted. Such actions may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. The mission concluded that Russia bears responsibility for large-scale and systematic violations of international law in the treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war. The report emphasizes the need for an urgent international investigation and prosecution of those responsible, including by bringing the cases to the International Criminal Court. The Coordination Headquarters calls on the international community to ensure the protection of the rights of Ukrainian military and civilian personnel held in Russian captivity and to continue to exert pressure on the aggressor state to end these crimes and release Ukrainian citizens, the Coordination Headquarters said in the statement. Earlier it was reported that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine stated that it welcomes the OSCE report and noted that this document can be used as evidence of war crimes in the framework of holding the aggressor state accountable. Marjorie Taylor Greene today posted an unsettling warning that she is 'not suicidal' as she doubled down on her demand for the government to release the Epstein files. The Republican representative has emerged as a leading voice for the victims of pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, becoming one of only four Republicans in Congress backing a petition to force a vote on fully releasing the files. But allies of President Donald Trump have continued to block the release, with Trump himself dismissing the files as 'totally irrelevant'. On Saturday, Greene took to X with a lengthy post declaring that 'the Epstein rape and pedophile network must be exposed.' Minutes later, she followed up with a second post warning that if she were ever found dead - like the convicted pedophile was in his jail cell - there must be an investigation into powerful elites potentially trying to silence her. 'I am not suicidal and one of the happiest and healthiest people you will meet,' the sitting member of Congress wrote. 'With that said, if something happens to me, I ask you all to find out which foreign government or powerful people would take heinous actions to stop the information from coming out,' she added. 'Not only about this issue, but because of the truth I have been speaking. The People understand what I'm saying.' Marjorie Taylor Greene (pictured) posted an unsettling warning that she is 'not suicidal' as she doubled down on her demand for the government to release the Epstein files The conservative representative has recently emerged as a leading voice for Jeffrey Epstein s victims, becoming one of only four Republicans in Congress backing a petition to force a vote on fully releasing the files Allies of Donald Trump have continued to block the release, with Trump himself dismissing the files as 'totally irrelevant to the success weve had as a nation since Ive been president' (Pictured: Trump and Epstein, 1997) Once among Trumps most loyal MAGA allies, Greene has now distanced herself and her stance from the president amid the explosive Epstein scandal. Earlier this month, the White House warned Republican House lawmakers that supporting the legislation would be seen by Trump as a 'very hostile act.' But at a recent press conference, Greene pushed back, insisting, 'this isnt a hostile act toward the administration.' She pressed her stance further in her initial post on X Saturday morning, writing that she wanted to set the record straight about her support for the Epstein discharge petition. 'I stand with girls and women who are sexually abused and raped. Period. Every time. At all times,' Greene said. 'For me, it's not about a pissing contest between political parties or political enemies,' she added. 'The Epstein rape and pedophile network must be exposed.' The 51-year-old politician defended that claim by stating that both the women and their attorney have repeatedly confirmed Trump did nothing wrong - and that he was, in fact, 'the only one that helped the women.' Even FBI Director Kash Patel has repeatedly stated in congressional hearings this month that the agency has no evidence showing Epstein trafficked young girls to anyone but himself. Greene (pictured) took to X on Saturday with a lengthy post declaring that 'the Epstein rape and pedophile network must be exposed' Minutes later, Greene followed up with a second post warning that if she were ever found dead - like the convicted pedophile (pictured) was in his jail cell - there must be an investigation into powerful elites potentially trying to silence her But as Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) told Patel at a recent Senate hearing, 'This issue is not going to go away.' In her extensive post, Greene took a swipe at Democrats, accusing them of never doing 'a single thing' or showing they cared about Epsteins victims during their four years in power. 'They could have exposed the entire thing while they had power but never lifted a finger to do so,' the Right-wing representative wrote. 'If anyone is implicated, then they have the right to clear their name,' she added. 'Just as millions of Americans have had to do when falsely accused of a crime. I've had to do that many times and even had to defend myself against lies and pay massive attorney bills to do it.' She once again urged those in power to release the Epstein files by any means necessary - especially so the focus can return to helping Americans. Greene said she hears daily how Americans struggle to afford basics - health insurance, rent, housing and caring for aging parents - exacerbated by the turmoil and distrust stirred nationwide over the Epstein files. 'The obsession over the Epstein files and fighting about it should not be happening and it needs to end. But it's only an issue in the news because it has become a political fight when it should not be one,' Greene wrote. Greene stated that both the victims and their attorney have repeatedly confirmed Trump did nothing wrong - and that he was, in fact, 'the only one that helped the women' (Pictured: Trump and Epstein) Greene (pictured) took a swipe at Democrats, accusing them of never doing 'a single thing' or showing they cared about Epsteins victims during their four years in power Greene said she hears daily how Americans struggle to afford basics - health insurance, rent, housing and caring for aging parents - exacerbated by the turmoil and distrust stirred nationwide over the Epstein files 'My name is staying on the discharge position and I will dive into the Oversight committee investigation just as I do with every investigation,' she added. 'And to be clear once again, I stand with the women, and the women who were raped at 14.' Earlier this month, Greene said she asked the president to host and meet with Epsteins victims in the Oval Office - but claimed Trump never responded. Instead, Trump hosted the president of Poland in the Oval Office, where he shared his views on the Epstein files legislation. He fueled the controversy further by calling the scandal a 'Democrat hoax that never ends.' Nearly a dozen Epstein victims were invited to share their stories at a press conference, where Greene joined to condemn Trumps DOJ for not being more transparent with the files. Trump fueled the controversy further this month by calling the Epstein scandal a 'Democrat hoax that never ends' (pictured: Trump's alleged birthday card to Epstein) Nearly a dozen Epstein victims were invited to the Oval Office to share their stories (scene pictured), where Greene joined to condemn Trumps DOJ for not being more transparent with the files Trump socialized with Epstein in New York City and Florida circles through the 1990s, but claims they fell out of contact before his first arrest in 2006 (pictured: Trump, his then-girlfriend Melania, Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, 2000) Greene has consistently aligned with Trump on nearly every major issue in Congress, making her appearance at the Epstein victims press conference a striking departure - and a rare public break from the presidents stance on the matter. Trump socialized with Epstein in New York City and Florida circles through the 1990s, but claims they fell out of contact before his first arrest in 2006. Sources told The Wall Street Journal that Trump had privately complained to his aides that he doesn't understand the obsession with the dead financier and sex offender. The House Oversight Committee was given 33,295 pages of Epstein files from the Justice Department last month. The president then turned to MAGA influencers in an effort to calm the waters, as vocal dissent over the handling of the Epstein files review began to surge. But the outreach only fell flat, as pressure from both the public and lawmakers for full transparency continued to mount. Dozens have been killed, including children, in a stampede at an actor and politician's rally - as the Indian prime minister offers condolences and an investigation begins. At least 31 people have lost their lives and more than 50 have been injured at the event in the Tamil Nadu state of southern India on Saturday. The dead, including eight children, had all tragically passed away before reaching hospital, Indian health minister Ma Subramanian said. The injured are stable. Crowds had mobilised at the rally in the state's Karur district in support of Vijay, whose real name is Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, as part of his tour of Tamil Nadu. He is one of the most successful Tamil-language actors of all time - but retired in February last year to launch his centre-left political party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The ex-performer soon announced his state-specific organisation's intention to contest the early 2026 state elections and began campaigning this month. Indian media has reported the crush at his event came when a group of supporters and fans tried to move closer to the bus he was addressing them from. It has been estimated more than 30,000 people had assembled in Karur to hear Vijay speak after his earlier rally in the nearby city of Namakkal. Dozens have been killed, including children, in a stampede at an actor and politician's rally (pictured) - as the Indian prime minister offers condolences and an investigation begins At least 31 people have lost their lives and more than 50 have been injured at the event (pictured) in the Tamil Nadu state of southern India on Saturday Crowds had mobilised at the rally in the state's Karur district in support of Vijay (pictured at the event), whose real name is Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, as part of his tour of Tamil Nadu His delayed appearance, more than six hours late, was said to have coincided with mounting crowd pressure which ultimately spiralled out of control. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a statement on social media 'the unfortunate incident' was 'deeply saddening'. 'My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. Wishing strength to them in this difficult time. Praying for a swift recovery to all those injured,' he wrote. Vijay flew to the nearby city of Tiruchirappalli after the crush, avoiding media interaction at the airport. He has not currently issued a public statement. Senior district police official V Selvaraj confirmed: 'Thirty-one people died with more than 50 people now hospitalised.' Meanwhile, state lawmaker Senthil Balaji said to reporters that, specifically, some 58 people had been hospitalised. Tamil Nadu's chief minister MK Stalin will visit the district on Sunday, writing of the 'heartbreaking' news in a post on X: 'The news coming from Karur is worrying.' He added he had directed ministers and officials to provide urgent medical aid at the rally and ordered additional help from Tiruchirappalli. Indian media has reported the crush at his event came when a group of supporters and fans tried to move closer to the bus he was addressing them from. Pictured: The rally It has been estimated more than 30,000 people (pictured) had assembled in Karur to hear Vijay speak after his earlier rally in the nearby city of Namakkal At least 44 doctors from both this city and another nearby, Salem, were sent to assist emergency workers' efforts at the political event. The state leader urged the public to cooperate with police efforts to restore order. He added Tamil Nadu's minister for school education Anbil Mahesh had been tasked with providing urgent support. The tragedy has reignited scrutiny over crowd management at TVK party events. Earlier this month, Vijay's rally in Tiruchirappalli led to a six-hour traffic jam as massive crowds overwhelmed city infrastructure. In response, police imposed 23 safety restrictions on future rallies, including bans on convoys and public receptions. The force also advised vulnerable individuals to follow the events online instead of attending in person. But despite these measures, many of Vijay's supporters reportedly ignored the guidelines, bringing infants and children to the rally. His delayed appearance, more than six hours late, was said to have coincided with mounting crowd pressure which ultimately spiralled out of control. Pictured: The rally Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a statement on social media 'the unfortunate incident' was 'deeply saddening'. Pictured: The rally TVK has accused authorities of unfair treatment which the Madras High Court - which rules on cases in Tamil Nadu and the Puducherry area - has questioned. Justice N Sathish Kumar asked at a recent hearing who would take responsibility if a disaster occurred, emphasising Vijay's role in crowd management as party president. The Karur stampede has called into question both police preparedness and TVK's accountability. Questions have also been raised about whether lessons from previous rallies were adequately applied to prevent such a catastrophe. Stampedes are sadly all too common in India when large crowds gather due to poor management and lapses in safety protocol. At least 30 people were killed and several injured at another crush in January, when tens of thousands of Hindu pilgrims rushed to bathe in the sacred Ganges river. The act of devotion came as part of the religion's Maha Kumbh festival, which is the world's largest religious gathering. And in July last year, some 121 people were killed in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh during another Hindu religious gathering. Tamil Nadu's health ministry and Mr Stalin have been approached for comment. Sir Keir Starmer is facing the growing threat of a Commons sleaze investigation after leaked text messages suggested a secret slush fund used to propel him to the Labour leadership was concealed from Parliament. The WhatsApp messages, which were exchanged between senior Labour MPs and workers on the 2019/20 leadership campaigns, appear to directly contradict the party's denials last week that embattled Chief of Staff, Morgan McSweeney, used his Labour Together think tank to back Sir Keir. One message, from a Starmer campaign aide to Labour MPs, read: 'Labour together [sic] are busy finding funders for Keir's campaign.' Tonight, the leaks to The Mail on Sunday prompted the Tories to demand a full investigation by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner into whether Sir Keir had misled Parliament by failing to declare the help of the think tank in official records. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: 'Starmer is so weak he is ignoring the mounting evidence against his Chief of Staff because he is scared of losing the man who got him into Downing Street.' It comes as the author of a new book on the Labour leadership, which has stoked controversy over the roles played by Mr McSweeney and Labour Together, claimed that the think tank had set private detectives on him. Paul Holden, author of The Fraud, said he had been 'pretty damn scared' after being told that the private agents were 'looking into you and your family and your colleagues' at the request of Labour Together. The row blew up as Sir Keir arrived at Labour's annual conference in Liverpool, with the party slumping in the polls and leadership rivals, including Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, circling. Sir Keir Starmer (right) is facing the growing threat of a Commons sleaze investigation after a series of leaked texts appear to contradict Labour's denials that Morgan McSweeney (left), used his think tank to back the now-Prime Minister This newspaper revealed last week that Mr McSweeney had received private legal advice over the failure to declare more than 700,000 of donations to Labour Together, with a party lawyer advising him to present the episode as an 'admin error'. The Electoral Commission has faced a backlash for throwing out calls for a fresh investigation because a loophole in the law means there is no prospect of bringing criminal charges. No 10 insists that the Labour Together group had no role in Sir Keir's leadership campaign, with a source saying last week: 'Neither Keir, nor his leadership campaign accepted monetary or in kind donations from Labour Together during the leadership election.' Under parliamentary rules, Sir Keir was required to register all support he received including support 'in kind' but there is no mention of Labour Together in his Register Of Members' Interests for the period of the campaign. The leaked WhatsApp messages were exchanged among members of the Tribune group of Labour MPs and Peers just days after the resignation of defeated leader Jeremy Corbyn triggered the contest. Members include current Education Minister Seema Malhotra, Home Office Minister Baron Hanson, Baroness Lyn Brown and former Employment Minister Justin Madders. Although he was not included in the messages, Sir Keir was a member of the caucus. After the Starmer campaign aide states that 'Labour together [sic] are busy finding funds for Keir's campaign' at a time when the group was being funded by secret donations from Labour donors members of the group discuss their concern at being sidelined. After the aide said it was 'weird' that Labour Together was finding funding for Sir Keir's campaign, given that Lisa Nandy now Culture Secretary, but at the time running for the leadership was on the board of the think tank, a Labour MP, who was part of the Tribune group, responds: 'We are the biggest group of Labour MPs. Why wasn't Tribune approached?' A third MP then says: 'Labour Together have money and we don't.' Sources said Labour Together was designed, almost from the moment Mr McSweeney took over, as the vehicle for the leadership campaign for whoever replaced Mr Corbyn. A source added: 'Labour Together was basically a donors' vehicle. It was a way of channelling funds from the donors who backed Labour but didn't want their money going to the party when Corbyn was there. Mr McSweeney is pictured working at Sir Keirs campaign HQ during the Labour leadership contest in 2020 Mr McSweeney was spotted arriving at his hotel in Liverpool ahead of the Labour Party Conference which begins on Sunday 'It was the Keir Starmer shadow campaign vehicle. And then when Corbyn lost it just became the public campaign vehicle. A lot of the MPs were basically being kept in the dark. We had no idea about the donations. No one did. 'I genuinely thought it was an error. But then it started to become clear what the real purpose of Labour Together was. It was all smoke and mirrors. They were using us to be the face of the organisation above the line. But below the water they were plotting something else. We were all played for suckers. 'Lisa Nandy was furious. She was a member of the board. She was standing for the leadership herself. And the whole organisation suddenly moved in behind Starmer.' Tory Party Chairman Kevin Hollinrake said: 'These messages expose Morgan McSweeney's shadowy and law-breaking operation, Labour Together, which was secretly raising a slush fund to install Keir Starmer as Labour leader while stabbing other Labour MPs in the back. 'Throughout this period, not a single penny of donations or support in kind from Labour Together was declared by the Prime Minister to Parliament, as the rules clearly require. 'The evidence is mounting that the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff orchestrated an industrial-scale cover-up of hundreds of thousands of pounds. We will be submitting this new material to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner as a matter of urgency. 'This scandal goes to the very core of Sir Keir Starmer's judgement and integrity. He should grow a backbone, sack his Chief of Staff, come clean with Parliament about the extent of the support he has received and publish the McSweeney files immediately.' Ms Badenoch said: 'Every time one of his appointees is embroiled in scandal, Keir Starmer looks the other way. He did it on Rayner, he did it on Mandelson, and he's doing it with McSweeney. 'Starmer is so weak he is ignoring the mounting evidence against his Chief of Staff, because he's scared of losing the man who got him into Downing Street. Meanwhile we have a Prime Minister distracted from the huge economic challenges the country is facing and with no plan to fix our border crisis.' A Labour spokesman said: 'The Conservatives have zero answers to the challenges faced by working people. In a pathetic and desperate attempt to stay relevant, their only hope is to throw mud at the wall and hope something sticks. 'This Labour government is solely focused on fixing the mess left by the Tories, and renewing Britain to make people right across the country better off.' The journalist at the centre of the unfolding McSweeneygate scandal claims private investigators were hired to undermine his inquiries. Paul Holden alleges Labour Together called in private detectives after learning he was uncovering new information over the think-tank's failure to declare more than 700,000 of donations while Keir Starmer's aide Morgan McSweeney was in charge. Father-of-two Mr Holden, 42, told The Mail on Sunday he had been 'pretty damn scared' to learn that a seasoned investigative journalist like him was being investigated himself. And it was all allegedly at the behest of a think-tank closely associated with the Labour Party and which was seen as crucial to how Sir Keir became Labour leader. Mr Holden also claims that Josh Simons, a former director of Labour Together but now a Cabinet Office Minister, was at least aware of the use of private research into him. 'It was all very worrying,' Mr Holden said. 'I was told these private detectives were looking into me, my family and my colleagues all at the request of Labour Together. 'I could only assume they were digging dirt to discredit me or my research. The investigators were trying to find out how I was getting all my information not challenge its accuracy.' Labour Together and Mr Simons, MP for Makerfield, near Wigan, declined to comment on the claims. Paul Holden (above) told The Mail on Sunday he had been 'pretty damn scared' to learn that a seasoned investigative journalist like him was being investigated himself Mr Holden's detailed allegations are set out in his forthcoming book The Fraud, which has already prompted the resignation of No 10 director of political strategy Paul Ovenden over sexual remarks made about Diane Abbott, the longstanding former Labour MP, now sitting as an independent, who is an ex-girlfriend of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. The book is billed as an exposure of the 'intrigues, stratagems and deceits' that helped to propel Sir Keir into Downing Street, with a particular focus on the 'machinations' made possible by Mr McSweeney's failure to disclose huge donations to the Labour Together group, later credited for helping Sir Keir's leadership bid. After Mr McSweeney left the campaign group to work for Sir Keir he is now the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff Labour Together was fined 14,250 for late declaration of the donations. However, the thrust of Mr Holden's research is that the failure to declare the cash on time was not down to 'human error and administrative oversight' as claimed by the think-tank. Rather, he claims it was potentially a deliberate attempt by Mr McSweeney to hide the donations later used to help propel Sir Keir into a position to restore Labour after Mr Corbyn's Left-wing leadership. And that poses grave questions over not just Mr McSweeney's behaviour but over the integrity and honesty of the Prime Minister. South African-born Mr Holden said that he was no stranger to the often murky world of investigations, describing himself as someone who had been probing 'corruption and serious economic crime' for the last 15 years. That includes investigating deep-seated corruption in his native country when former President Jacob Zuma was in power, inquiries so sensitive that he thought it wise to relocate to the UK. Mr Holden's detailed allegations are set out in his forthcoming book The Fraud (above) which has already prompted the resignation of No 10 director of political strategy Paul Ovenden But even he was shaken to be told after Labour had won the 2024 election that he was a 'significant person of interest' to private investigators. Mr Holden recalls how he was contacted by an old friend and 'formidable researcher' who had been looking into how 'reputation management agencies in the UK (and the private intelligence firms they subcontracted) were used by rich clients and multi-nationals to manage problematic allegations'. He claims that the inquiries began shortly after his research would first have become known to Labour Together in November 2023. Labour Together has insisted it 'proactively raised concerns' with the Electoral Commission over the undeclared donations and has since 'taken measures' to ensure it was 'fully compliant with all Electoral Commission regulations'. The watchdog declined Tory requests last week to reopen its 2021 investigation into the think-tank, saying it had found 'no evidence of any other potential offences'. However, Mr Holden insisted no one who read his book would 'come away with the impression that Morgan McSweeney is a fit and proper person to be in the important position he is in now'. The NHS has been accused of 'taking the knee' to political correctness by advocating the benefits of marriages between cousins despite it carrying an increased risk of birth defects and being used as a way to oppress women. The guidance which incredibly points out that it has been allowed in Britain since Henry VIII passed a law enabling him to marry Anne Boleyn's cousin Catherine Howard says that cousin marriage offers benefits such as 'stronger extended family support systems'. The practice, which is common in the British Pakistani community, has been linked to a greater prevalence of disorders such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell disease. Figures show that up to 20 per cent of the children treated for congenital problems in cities such as Sheffield, Glasgow and Birmingham are of Pakistani descent, compared with 4 per cent or lower in the wider population and treating these problems costs the NHS billions. The guidance, released by NHS England's Genomics Education Programme, argues that 'although first-cousin marriage is linked to an increased likelihood of a child having a genetic condition or a congenital anomaly, there are many other factors that also increase this chance (such as parental age, smoking, alcohol use and assisted reproductive technologies), none of which are banned in the UK'. It claims inter-marriage offers benefits which include 'stronger extended family support systems and economic advantages (resources, property and inheritance can be consolidated rather than diluted across households),' and that as banning the practice would 'stigmatise certain communities and cultural traditions', the authorities should instead offer 'genetic counselling, awareness-raising initiatives and public health campaigns'. The practice, which is common in the British Pakistani community, has been linked to a greater prevalence of disorders such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell disease And it says 'although children of first cousins have an increased chance of being born with a genetic condition, that increase is a small one: in the general population, a child's chance of being born with a genetic condition is around 2-3 per cent; this increases to 4-6 per cent in children of first cousins. Hence, most children of first cousins are healthy'. Responding to the guidance, Tory MP Richard Holden said that the Conservatives would legislate to ban marriage between first cousins on the grounds that it 'destroys integration, women's rights and the health of those involved'. Mr Holden told The Mail on Sunday: 'Our NHS should stop taking the knee to damaging and oppressive cultural practices. The Conservatives want to see an end to cousin marriage as a back door to immigration too, but Labour are deaf to these sensible demands. Sir Keir Starmer should stop running scared of the misogynistic community controllers and their quislings who appear in the form of cultural relativist obsessed sociology professors, and ban a practice the overwhelming majority, from every community in Britain, want to see ended for good.' Dr Patrick Nash, an expert on religious law and director of the Pharos Foundation social science research group in Oxford, said it was 'truly dismaying to see NHS England publishing official 'educational' material that promotes the supposed social benefits of cousin marriage without even mentioning its proven links to honour violence, gender discrimination, multifarious forms of clan corruption, and the immense cost to the taxpayer'. Dr Nash added: 'Cousin marriage is incest, plain and simple, and needs to be banned with the utmost urgency there is no 'balance' to be struck between this cultural lifestyle choice and the severe public health implications it incurs. 'This official article is deeply misleading and should be retracted with an apology so that the public is not misled by omission and half-truths.' This graphic, from NHS material distributed to couples in Bradford, explains some of the genetic risks of having children with a close relative. Two parents with a recessive gene have an increased chance of having a child with an inherited condition Existing legislation states the prohibited degrees of relationship for marriage include those to a sibling, parent or child, but not marriages between first cousins, like Queen Victoria and Prince Albert A YouGov poll earlier this year found that three quarters of Britons support a ban, with only 9 per cent thinking the law should remain as it is. The NHS guidance also argues that 'marriage between first cousins, known as consanguineous marriage, has been practised for centuries across many cultures'. It states that 'UK laws allowing first-cousin marriage date back to the reign of Henry VIII in the 16th century: having broken with Rome in order to marry Anne Boleyn, Henry passed a new law that enabled him to marry her cousin, Catherine Howard'. The NHS Genomics Education Programme did not respond to a request for comment. Sir Keir Starmer was welcomed to the Labour Party conference on Saturday night with the news that arch leadership rival Andy Burnham leads him by a whopping 50 points in the polls. The Prime Minister grinned broadly as he arrived in Liverpool hand-in-hand with wife Victoria. But he will address demoralised party delegates against the backdrop of the most savage collapse in popular support in modern political history, with the polls pointing to a victory for Reform UK and Nigel Farage if a general election was held now. The Opinium survey gave Mr Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, a net positive approval rating of plus 10 but with Sir Keir himself on minus 40. The Prime Minister sought to fend off the increasingly blatant ambitions of Mr Burnham who is not yet even an MP by issuing an eve-of-conference warning to his party that this was not the time for infighting as Labour faced 'a battle for the soul of this country' with Mr Farage. But Labour MPs backing Mr Burnham were quick to dismiss the 'rhetoric', with one senior backbencher saying: 'If it's a fight for the soul of the nation we're in, then Andy Burnham is what Labour needs not Keir Starmer.' The MP added: 'Andy is way more able to take on Nigel Farage than Starmer is. He's much more charismatic and he's the northern mayor of a northern town. 'And it's in huge swathes of our so-called northern 'Red Wall' where traditional, working-class voters are defecting in droves from Labour to Reform. The Prime Minister grinned broadly as he arrived in Liverpool for the annual Labour Party conference hand-in-hand with wife Victoria Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham (pictured) claims Labour MPs want him to launch a leadership challenge against Sir Keir Mayor attacked over bn loans for tycoon By Gabriel Millard-Clothier and Daisy Graham-Brown Andy Burnham was on Saturday night facing questions over claims he gambled with taxpayer money by funnelling hundreds of thousands of pounds of loans to one skyscraper tycoon. The Mail on Sunday can reveal that the Greater Manchester Mayor oversaw nearly 600 million given to bankroll flats in the city centre, despite apparently not knowing who was ultimately behind the project. Documents show Mr Burnham nodded through the loans to Daren Whitaker which ran way above guidelines stating that a single developer should not receive more than 30 per cent of the local authority funding pot. Through several loans, Mr Whitaker received 70 per cent of it. Freedom of Information Act requests show this breach was 'noted' but ignored by the Government because of information provided by Mr Burnham which has not been made public. A total of 575million of the 860million borrowed by Mr Whitaker's Renaker group was from the Government-backed Greater Manchester Housing Investment Fund. Court transcripts and lending agreements seen by the MoS reveal it was not checked who ultimately benefited from the vast sums. Analysis of accounts shows some of Mr Whitaker's companies are funded by loans traced to a separate Isle of Man company, which is controlled by another company based in the British Virgin Islands run by a Bulgarian lawyer. 'It beggars belief Burnham lent this without really knowing who he's got into bed with,' said a Manchester property insider. A Greater Manchester Combined Authority spokesman said: 'A case was brought to the Competition Appeals Tribunal regarding our Housing Investment Loans Fund and we won on every count. 'The judgement debunked the false idea of a cosy relationship with developers.' Advertisement 'Burnham is by no means perfect but if we want someone to appeal to our traditional voters and get them to see Farage for the snake-oil salesman he is, then I think many Labour MPs would rather it was Burnham than Starmer.' However, allies of Sir Keir insisted privately that the Mayor had 'missed his chance' to get back in the Commons and mount a serious challenge to Sir Keir. The conference opens amid internal party divisions over Sir Keir's plan for digital ID cards to tackle the small boats crisis. There are also fears that, despite the Prime Minister's decision to recognise Palestinian statehood, delegates will mount angry protests at Labour for not doing enough to combat Israel's alleged 'genocide' in Gaza. Labour is still reeling from the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister and deputy party leader Angela Rayner, the sacking of Peter Mandelson as the UK's ambassador to the US and the ongoing row over Sir Keir's Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney's use of undeclared donations to fund Starmer-backing think tank Labour Together. In the coming weeks there will also be a fierce battle to replace Ms Rayner as deputy party leader between ex-Commons Leader Lucy Powell, who lost her job in this month's reshuffle, and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, who kept hers. While Ms Phillipson is seen as No 10's preferred candidate, Ms Powell the favourite to win the contest is a key ally of both Mr Burnham and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband. One source told this newspaper that Ms Powell had rushed 'straight to Ed's house' to plot her next move after she was sacked from the Cabinet. Since then, Mr Miliband has bragged about how he has refused Sir Keir's efforts to move him out of his environment brief. To the surprise of many Labour MPs, the Energy Secretary who led Labour to general election defeat in 2015 is said to harbour ambitions that he could yet have another tilt at the top job. Separately, reports emerged yesterday that Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan was also considering a leadership bid himself. But in bad news for Mr Burnham's own ambitions, the Opinium poll reveals that despite his lead over the Prime Minister he trails Mr Farage on who would make the best Prime Minister. The Greater Manchester Mayor was on 24 per cent compared with 31 per cent for the Reform UK leader. Arriving in Liverpool, Sir Keir said the party's conference would be a 'big opportunity to make our case to the country, and make it absolutely clear that patriotic national renewal is the way forwards not the toxic divide and decline that we get with Reform'. During a visit to the offices of the Liverpool Echo newspaper, he said of Reform's plans to deport migrants: 'These are people who have been in our country a long time, are contributing to our society, maybe working in, I don't know, hospitals, schools, running businesses our neighbours, and Reform says it wants to deport them in certain circumstances. 'I think it is a real sign of just how divisive they are and that their politics and their policies will tear this country apart.' Your browser does not support iframes. Mr Farage said that Sir Keir's language 'smacks, frankly, of total desperation', adding that 'to call somebody in politics an enemy is language that is bordering on the inciteful'. On Saturday night, MPs said that although there would be a huge amount riding on how Sir Keir performed in his conference speech this week, Labour's fate would likely be decided by Chancellor Rachel Reeves's Budget in November. On Saturday night, Sir Keir told The Sunday Times he was up for the challenge ahead and declared: 'I think we can pull this round.' He also hailed plans by Housing Secretary Steve Reed for a new generation of new towns, which could deliver up to 300,000 additional homes. Sites include Heyford Park in Oxfordshire, Tempsford in Bedfordshire and South Bank in Leeds. The Government was tonight embroiled in a cronyism row as it emerged Tony Blair secretly lobbied for his billionaire backer who could make millions of pounds from Labour's controversial digital ID cards. Documents seen by The Mail on Sunday reveal the former prime minister urged Business Secretary Peter Kyle to consult a technology institute founded by his friend Larry Ellison in a private meeting last year. Mr Ellison, the world's second richest man, has donated or pledged a staggering 257million for the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. He founded the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), a research centre in Oxford, and is chairman of tech giant Oracle, which has a 700million IT deal with four Whitehall departments. Experts say Oracle is now in pole position to profit from plans to force millions of adults to sign up for a digital ID card. And an exclusive MoS analysis can reveal that after Sir Tony's meeting with Mr Kyle, Mr Ellison's organisations have enjoyed astonishing access to the very top of Government. Indeed, staff from Oracle and EIT have met with ministers and senior officials no fewer than 29 times in nine months. Mr Kyle, Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Chancellor Rachel Reeves have met bosses from Oracle. Former PM Tony Blair is seen on a boat with Larry Ellison, whose technology institute could make millions of pounds from Labour's controversial digital ID cards Meanwhile science minister Lord Vallance has met EIT representatives seven times one was to discuss 'EIT plans for expansion and alignment with Government's priorities', official records show. Sir Tony has had a decades-long 'bromance' with Mr Ellison, who is worth 290billion, and last year enjoyed a lavish Mediterranean holiday on his superyacht. On Saturday, Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake said: 'Despite Keir Starmer's promises of a 'crackdown on cronyism', these revelations show it runs right to the very top of this rotten Labour Government. 'Tony Blair lobbying Peter Kyle to set up meetings with groups linked to Larry Ellison now in pole position for the Government's Digital ID contract reeks of a blatant conflict of interest. This has all the hallmarks of yet another cosy deal between Labour insiders and powerful vested interests.' Official papers released under Freedom of Information laws show Sir Tony met Mr Kyle, then technology secretary, at the former PM's London office on September 12, 2024. During the meeting Sir Tony 'noted the work of the Ellison Institute... and recommended that SoS [Secretary of State Peter Kyle] sought a briefing on their work', according to official civil service minutes obtained by investigative website Democracy for Sale. He highlighted how the institute could become 'an excellent resource'. The documents show an official at Mr Kyle's Department for Science, Innovation and Technology was instructed to 'look at how we should engage' with the institute. Sir Tony is among a 'faculty of fellows' at EIT, whose campus in Oxford is due to be completed in 2027. The papers also show that Sir Tony asked the cabinet minister 'where he could support the department' and highlighted the huge cost savings that digital identity cards could bring. 'TB noted that the Indian Government had saved $15 billion in fraudulent costs using digital ID,' the minutes of the meeting state. On Saturday, representatives for Sir Tony said that in the meeting he discussed 'the investment Larry Ellison is making in science and technology in the UK'. Keir Starmer last week provoked a backlash after announcing that anyone who wants to work in the UK will need a digital ID card. Sir Tony has long championed the policy and his think-tank told the MoS on Saturday that the roll-out would 'boost the British economy'. Sir Tony (left) has had a decades-long 'bromance' with Mr Ellison (right), who is worth 290billion - making him the world's second richest man But civil liberties groups have warned it risks creating 'a dystopian nightmare', while a petition against the plan on Saturday passed 1.6million signatures. Tech experts believe Oracle, a giant database and software firm co-founded by Ellison in 1977, could gain commercially from the introduction of the scheme. It is understood the ID cards will rely on a huge 'Right to Work' database that is estimated to cost between 150m to 400m. Oracle already has a series of major NHS technology contracts and provides so-called cloud competing services for the Home Office, Department of Work and Pensions, Ministry of Justice and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in a deal worth up to 1bn. The firm landed a further tech contract with the Home Office worth 53million last week, government documents reveal. Technology writer Andrew Orlowski said: 'The Government's digital identity system creates lucrative new opportunities for Oracle, a database company. It has already hoovered up major government IT contracts in recent years and will be in pole position to land future work linked to ID cards. 'Tony Blair is really just a salesman for the tech companies, and flies around the world looking for naive Governments who want to believe in magical solutions.' In February, appearing with Sir Tony at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, Ellison called for Governments to 'unify all of their data so it can be consumed and used by the AI model'. A government spokesman said: 'No decisions have been made on delivery, but our expectation is that it will be designed, built and run by in-house government teams, not outsourced to external suppliers.' A spokesman for the Tony Blair Institute (TBI) said: 'The collaboration between Oracle and TBI is well documented. The work Oracle and TBI do has nothing whatsoever to do with Digital ID. 'We don't advocate for technology solutions because we work with Oracle. We work with Oracle and other technology companies because we believe technology holds the key to the future.' Oracle declined to comment. A 1.5billion bid to save thousands of jobs at risk from the Jaguar Land Rover shutdown was unveiled last night. Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle announced a loan guarantee scheme to keep afloat small firms that supply the car maker and which employ about 120,000 people. The move announced on the eve of the Labour Party conference comes amid fears that some of the small companies were just a week away from collapse. JLR, Britain's biggest car maker, suspended production after a devastating cyber attack last month and is only due to resume operations from next month. Mr Kyle said: 'This cyber-attack was not only an assault on an iconic British brand, but on our world-leading automotive sector and the men and women whose livelihoods depend on it. 'Following our decisive action, this loan guarantee will help support the supply chain and protect skilled jobs in the West Midlands, Merseyside and throughout the UK.' Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the move would protect jobs in what was 'a jewel in the crown of our economy'. She added: 'Today, we are protecting thousands of jobs with up to 1.5 billion in additional private finance.' Jaguar Land Rover, Britain's biggest car maker, suspended production after a devastating cyber attack last month and is only due to resume operations from next month (File image) Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle announced a loan guarantee scheme to keep afloat small firms that supply the car maker and which employ about 120,000 people. Pictured: Mr Kyle during a visit to Jaguar Land Rover in Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands, on Tuesday But the move follows mounting concerns that some of the small firms that supply JLR's plants in Solihull and Wolverhampton in the West Midlands, and Halewood in Merseyside, were just a week away from collapse. Tory business spokesman Andrew Griffith welcomed the move but criticised ministers for being too slow to step in. He said: 'Ministers have got to the right place but took too long to get there. 'Labour must now also pick up our suggestion of a cyber reinsurance scheme to protect British businesses from state-backed actors in an increasingly dangerous world. 'Britain's firms and manufacturers deserve a government that is not distracted by scandals and infighting and that understands business.' Final details of the loan scheme will be worked out. But sources said it would allow JLR to take out commercial loans to advance money to key suppliers and keep them afloat until the car maker resumed full production. Last week, JLR said that parts of its IT systems were back online and could begin to clear a backlog of payments to suppliers. A spokesman said: 'The foundational work of our recovery programme is firmly under way.' Two Somali women died yesterday during an attempted Channel crossing in a dinghy carrying 100 illegal migrants. French police said the women died by suffocation or drowning after the overloaded boat set off for the UK at around 3.15am. Sixty of those on board were rescued when the dinghy returned to the French shore an hour later 'after drifting without being able to start', local officials said. Among those rescued were a couple and their child, all suffering from mild hypothermia, who were taken to a hospital in the city of Boulogne-sur-Mer. In a separate incident, the body of a migrant was found yesterday in a canal leading to the sea in the French coastal town of Gravelines one of the main set-off points for the dinghies. At least 25 people have died so far this year trying to make the dangerous crossing in small boats. Hundreds of migrants have been seen gathering at beaches along the coastline of northern France since Friday, following forecasts of calm sea conditions over the weekend. Despite the large numbers, riot police with truncheons and shields only watched yesterday as scores of illegal migrants prepared to make the crossing. One observer at Dover yesterday claimed that at least six Border Force cutters arrived at the port through the day and into the evening, landing more than 600 illegal migrants the vast majority men on British soil. Migrants have continued to pile into overcrowded boats as they desperately attempt to cross the Channel just hours after two women died trying to reach Britain Cecile Gressier, public prosecutor for Boulogne-sur-Mer, said the latest victims were 'two adult Somali women'. The boat had got into trouble near the town of Neufchatel Hardelot, south of Boulogne. Some migrants were said to have been crushed while many entered the water. Ms Gressier said an investigation has been opened to establish the circumstances of the deaths. Last year, 78 migrants died trying to reach Britain in small boats the highest number since 2018 when people smugglers started using dinghies. Since January, a record 32,000 illegal migrants have arrived in Britain by crossing the Channel and more than 50,000 have crossed since Labour came into power in July 2024. The Government has come under increasing pressure to stem the number of small boats and to stop the organised criminal gangs that profit from people trafficking. France and the UK recently agreed on a 'one in, one out' deal, which was designed as a deterrent but has so far made no impact. Under the deal, illegal Channel migrants who make it to the UK are swapped for those with strong asylum claims in France who have not attempted the crossing. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer previously said the crossings are 'totally unacceptable' and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has said the 'vile' people smugglers behind them are 'wreaking havoc on our borders'. The parallels between the Duchess of Sussex and Princess Diana have often been strikingly familiar, and at a closer look it appears Meghan was borrowing from Dianas fashion playbook long before she ever crossed paths with Prince Harry. From red carpet glamour to understated humanitarian chic, Meghan seems to have been walking in Dianas stylish footsteps for years, as though rehearsing for the role of a lifetime. Take, for instance, Dianas visit to the Tongogara Refugee Camp in Zimbabwe in 1993. Wearing a crisp white shirt, sleeves rolled up, and sunglasses clipped neatly at the front, Diana projected effortless elegance while focusing attention on her cause. Fast-forward to 2016 and Meghan, then still a TV actress, travelled to Rwanda for a clean water campaign. The images from that trip show her in, you guessed it, a simple white shirt, sunglasses hooked in the same manner, striking a pose that could have been lifted directly from Dianas portfolio of humanitarian appearances. The styling, and even the body language, seemed less like coincidence and more like choreography. It wasnt the only instance. In 1996, Diana stunned at the Heart Foundation Ball in Sydney wearing a dazzling blue one-shoulder Versace gown. It was bold, glamorous, and unforgettable, a hallmark of her post-divorce confidence. Meghan was photographed in a crisp white shirt, her sunglasses casually hooked at the front, an image strikingly similar to Diana during her own humanitarian work more than two decades earlier at the Tongogara Refugee Camp in Zimbabwe in 1993 In 1996, Princess Diana attended a charity event for the British Lung Foundation in a navy lace mini dress. Later in 2012 Meghan was mimicking her future mother-in-law before she even knew it while attending an event at the Pacific Design Centre. She perfectly copied Diana's outfit, walking the red carpet in a matching Diane von Furstenberg lace dress In 1995 Diana stunned in a Christian Lacroix red dress as she left a dinner in aid of the Great Ormond Street Hospital, displaying her long legs and a hint of tanned chest. Meghan was captured heading to a Today Show taping at the Rockefeller Centre Studios in July 2016, wearing a similar leg and chest-baring Jill Stuart crimson frock Diana dazzled at the Heart Foundation Ball in Sydney wearing a bold blue one-shoulder Versace dress. Fast-forward to 2015 and Meghan stepped out at the Equinox Yorkville Dinner in Toronto in Roland Mouret in the same vivid shade of blue, cut to reveal a bare shoulder a look uncannily reminiscent of Dianas unforgettable Versace moment. Stepping out for a gala at the Serpentine Gallery in 1994, Princess Diana made headlines in her now infamous Christina Stambolian 'revenge' dress. The revealing ensemble hugged her figure and had a daring off the shoulder neckline, both features that Meghan mirrored with her sequin dress in 2012 at a Suits fashion show in New York Almost two decades later, Meghan attended the Equinox Yorkville Dinner in Toronto in 2015. Her outfit? A Roland Mouret dress in the same vibrant shade of blue, with a single shoulder bared, the resemblance was impossible to miss. Was Meghan paying tribute? Or was she carefully curating an image that would later align seamlessly with the House of Windsor? The twinning doesnt stop there. Even their casual looks align. Diana famously wore relaxed denim paired with crisp shirts, a style choice that Meghan often reaches to, presenting an image that feels curiously familiar to anyone who remembers Diana in her off-guard moments. There were also the pair of revenge dresses, both championing the off the shoulder neckline, Dianas iconic look made headlines while Meghans followed after. The echoes are too precise to be accidental. Was this simply the influence of a global style icon? Yet more likely it was Meghan already inhabiting the role of a modern Diana, long before she was linked to Harry. Meghan, who has spoken of admiring Diana, may have strategically crafted her public persona with echoes of the late princess. What cannot be denied is the sheer frequency of the parallels. From Rwanda to Toronto, from classic tailoring to red carpet gowns, Meghans fashion archive before Harry often looks like a curated homage to Dianas most memorable ensembles. And once she stepped onto the royal stage, those echoes only intensified, with many public appearances in outfits reminiscent of her late mother-in-laws choices. The evidence, at least sartorially, is compelling. Whether it was conscious imitation, subconscious influence, or simply the enduring reach of Dianas style, Meghans early wardrobe seems to suggest a woman rehearsing for a role in the royal spotlight. Off the Shoulder Revenge Dress Meghan Suits Fashion Show, High Line in New York 2012 Diana Serpentine Gallery 1994 Stepping out for a gala at the Serpentine Gallery in 1994, Princess Diana made headlines in her now infamous Christina Stambolian revenge dress. The revealing ensemble hugged her figure and had a daring off the shoulder neckline, both features that Meghan mirrored with her sequin dress in 2012 at a Suits fashion show in New York. Representatives of the Chuvashia (Russia) authorities announced a drone attack on an oil pumping station near the village of Konar, as a result of which the stations operation was stopped. "This morning, an attempt to use unmanned aerial vehicles from Ukraine was recorded on the territory of the Chuvash Republic. An attack was made on an oil pumping station near the village of Konar, Civil district," Head of Chuvashia Oleg Nikolayev said in Telegram channel. According to him, the oil pumping station was stopped as a result of the attack. "There is no threat to the population, there are no victims. Minor damage was caused. The operation of the facility has been suspended," he said. Winston Churchill sat up in bed, scattering sheafs of state papers, his prominent blue eyes welling with tears. He had just been told that his wartime friend King George VI had died. His private secretary did his best to console him, telling him how well he'd get on with the new Queen. But the only thing the 77-year-old Prime Minister could say was that he didn't know her and that she was 'only a child'. It was an inauspicious start to the reign of Elizabeth II, and hardly a good portent for her relationship with Winston Churchill. In fact, he did know her, though not well. He'd first encountered her at Balmoral when she was a self-possessed two year old, well before the abdication of her uncle King Edward VIII made her heir presumptive to the throne. Back then, Winston had been remarkably prescient. Not only had he described the toddler as having 'an air of authority and reflectiveness astonishing in an infant', but he'd even referred to her as Queen Elizabeth. No one knew if he was making a joke or a prophecy. For now, though, on February 7, 1952, his thoughts were chiefly for his old friend George VI. En route to London airport to meet the new Queen who'd been in Kenya when her father died he sat in the back seat of his limousine, dictating a valedictory speech to his secretary. Tears blurred his vision, cascading down his cheeks. (Not for nothing had the Duke of Windsor called him 'Cry Baby' behind his back.) In a broadcast to the nation that night, Winston spoke movingly about the late King and pledged fealty to the new sovereign. Privately, however, he had reservations about the Queen's capacity to fill her father's shoes. She was only 25, after all; a young mother with a thin, high voice who'd yet to be thoroughly tutored in the many responsibilities of the crown. This task, Churchill recognised wearily, was one that would fall to him, as her first Prime Minister. Winston Churchill with then-Princess Elizabeth in 1950 at a Guildhall reception in London Prince Philip bids Churchill farewell outside Downing Street after dining with Queen Elizabeth Days later, he had his first audience with her at Buckingham Palace. The Queen no doubt felt nervous, even intimidated. Although Winston had been a familiar figure during her teens, she was all too aware he was a national hero. Remarkably, however, that first audience completely changed Churchill's attitude to her. Immediately afterwards, he praised the naturalness with which the Queen had stepped into her new role. He no longer saw her as merely 'fair and youthful', but as a competent, prudent and steadfast woman. The following morning, he wrote to a friend: 'I am sure that in [George VI's] daughter we have one who is in every way able to bear the heavy burden she must now carry.' Even Elizabeth noticed the sudden change in her own manner. 'I no longer feel anxious or worried,' she told a friend in the first days of her reign. She was as baffled as anyone by her transformation, but suggested that her audience with Churchill was fundamental: 'I don't know what it is, but I have lost all my timidity somehow becoming the Sovereign and having to receive the Prime Minister.' One of the first problems Winston had to deal with was the Queen's head-strong husband. As Philip was to discover to his cost, there were three of them in the marriage and at times it got rather crowded. The first problem involved his own surname, Mountbatten, which had been anglicised by his uncle Lord Mountbatten. Just two days after the King's funeral, the grieving Queen Mary was told that Prince Philip's uncle had proudly announced at a dinner party that 'the House of Mountbatten now reigned'. Outraged, she contacted Churchill's private secretary and asked him to brief the old man. Churchill was equally perturbed. Not only did he consider Lord Mountbatten pompous, boastful and overly concerned with titles, medals and rank, but the notion of applying the name Mountbatten to the Royal House struck him as downright absurd. From left to right: Princess Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, Winston Churchill, King George VI and Princess Margaret on the balcony at Buckingham Palace on Victory Day 1945 Churchill was instrumental in ensuring the Royal Family retained the name of Windsor After all, the original surname was Battenberg, until its Germanic origins had been anglicised during the First World War to counter anti-German sentiment. Moreover, King George V had deliberately proclaimed Windsor to be the Royal Family's surname in 1917, again to mask the family's German origins. For the sterling new reign to be tarnished by a return to the Germanic lineage, so soon after the German threat had been defeated a second time, struck Churchill as nothing less than an affront. Prince Philip, however, was insistent that his children should bear his surname and precedent was on his side. Even Queen Victoria that bastion of social propriety had allowed the surname of her husband, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, to be passed on to their issue. Churchill ignored this. In the following weeks, he drafted a proclamation with the Privy Council that ensured the royal children would be Windsors. Spitting mad, Philip sent a memo to Churchill, arguing against the decision. All it accomplished, however, was to further irritate the PM, who instructed that 'a firm, negative answer' be sent. Finally, on April 6, Queen Elizabeth formally declared her 'Will and Pleasure' that both she and all her children would maintain the title of the House of Windsor. Inevitably, this caused a rift between husband and wife. As politician Rab Butler observed, it was the only occasion where he saw her close to tears. A further source of tension was the question of where the Royal Family should live. As far as Philip was concerned, there was no good reason to move from Clarence House, which had been the family's home since 1949. Prince Philip wanted any children he and Queen Elizabeth had to inherit his Mountbatten surname Until then, he'd spent much of his life on the move, so he'd cherished the opportunity to put down roots. Not only had he chosen all the paint colours, the drapes and the carpets, but he'd even installed the latest gadgets, such as a motorised wardrobe. The Queen was also inclined to stay put, especially since her mother and sister were in no rush to vacate Buckingham Palace. For the Queen Mother, just the idea of being evicted from the home she'd shared with her late husband was enough to bring her to tears. But Churchill argued strongly that the constitution took precedence. The flagpole at Buckingham Palace 'flies the Queen's Standard and that's where she must be', he declared firmly. Craftily, he recruited the Queen's veteran private secretary, Tommy Lascelles, to convince her that she and her family must move 'across the road'. Again, Prince Philip was dragged kicking and screaming into this revised arrangement. And everyone knew the Prime Minister was responsible. By this point, Philip was privately referring to Churchill as an 'old bastard'. It seemed the prince could do nothing right. That spring, when he attended a debate in the House of Commons as an observer he was seen making overly expressive faces at the policy positions articulated by various speakers. Some MPs were scandalised, complaining it was constitutionally inappropriate as well as unbecoming for a royal consort to display any personal judgment on a political matter. Churchill received a formal letter of complaint from the Conservative MP Enoch Powell. The chief whip endorsed the complaint, and the PM then conveyed it to the monarch. 'It kept happening,' recalled Philip's friend Lord Brabourne. 'Philip was constantly being squashed, snubbed, ticked off, rapped over the knuckles. It was intolerable.' Although Churchill was the first to chastise Prince Philip when he stepped out of line, he recognised that he was 'insupportable when idle', and needed something to keep him busy. It was small beer, but the prince was granted a leading advisory role in the Royal Mint's project to manufacture new coins and medals bearing Elizabeth's likeness. He was also appointed Chair of the Coronation Commission, on which Churchill also served, which predictably led to fireworks. Most tense of all was the question of whether the 1953 Coronation should be televised. Philip thought it essential that the monarchy show itself up to date with the times. Churchill, for his part, considered that a broadcast, watched by people drinking in the pub or slouched in their pyjamas, would desecrate the ceremony. Philip was once again on the losing side until the sheer strength of public opinion forced the PM reluctantly to accept the presence of TV cameras. There was another rare defeat for Winston when he tried to ban the prince from learning to fly jet aircraft, on the grounds he was exposing himself to unnecessary risks. This time, the Queen sided with her husband, allowing him to pursue his hobby. Meanwhile, Winston tried to keep his distaste for Philip under wraps. But it soon became known among the Number 10 secretariat that 'although he wished the Duke of Edinburgh no ill, he neither liked nor trusted him and only hoped that he would not do the country harm'. The Queen was in an invidious position: loyal to Philip yet determined to do her constitutional duty. Over time, however, despite Churchill's frequent tussles with her husband, she found herself increasingly enchanted by her Prime Minister. It helped that they shared two great passions: racing and the breeding of horses. Within months of her accession, her weekly meetings with the PM, slated to last half an hour, had often turned into free-wheeling discussions that went on for another hour. Tommy Lascelles, who ushered Churchill into the Bow Room and then waited for him outside the door, couldn't hear what they discussed, but noticed that the audiences were, 'more often than not, punctuated by peals of laughter'. One evening, Churchill was especially enamoured: 'She's en grande beaute ce soir,' he told Lascelles, in 'schoolboy French'. The Prime Minister's unusually long meetings with the Queen caused a great deal of curiosity. 'What do you talk about?' Churchill's private secretary Jock Colville asked him one day. 'Oh, mostly racing,' Churchill responded vaguely. Of course, they also tackled more sober topics, such as Britain's place in the world, parliamentary gossip and public personalities. And Churchill was impressed by how quickly the new Queen took up her role. 'Her immediate grasp of the routine business of kingship was remarkable,' he wrote. 'She never seemed to need an explanation on any point. 'Time after time I would submit to her papers on which several decisions were possible. She would look out of the window for half a minute and then say: 'The second or third suggestion is the right decision' and she was invariably right. 'She had an intuitive grasp of the problems of government and indeed of life generally.' He was clearly bowled over. One day, he picked up a photograph of the Queen and muttered: 'Lovely, inspiring. All the film people in the world, if they had scoured the globe, could not have found anyone so suited to the part.' Some worried he might be too quick to bow to her will. Even her assistant private secretary, Edward Ford, noticed how Churchill 'acted upon her lightest word'. One of their meetings, for instance, took place the day after the Queen had attended a screening of Beau Brummell, which had been selected for her with the expectation that she'd enjoy seeing a historical film about Kings George III and IV. In fact, she found the film unsettling and distasteful. When Churchill learned that she hadn't enjoyed it, he was horrified, and left the audience muttering: 'The Queen has had an awful evening. This must not recur.' By the following day, he'd told the Home Secretary to arrange a formal review to scrutinise the choice of films to be screened for the sovereign. But for all his eagerness to please her, Churchill as Philip had discovered was no pushover.When Sir Richard Molyneux, a former courtier, asked Elizabeth if Winston played the part of the 'over-indulgent' Lord Melbourne to her Queen Victoria, she laughed. 'On the contrary,' she replied. 'I sometimes find him very obstinate.' Churchill was predictably unhelpful when she asked for a change to the 1937 Regency Act, which specified that Princess Margaret would serve as a Regent in the event of the Queen's absence or incapacitation. Instead, she wanted Philip to be Regent until Charles, then aged four, came of age. Winston was unconvinced, feeling the public might think she mistrusted her sister. Privately, he also had serious doubts that Philip was the appropriate choice. But he was forced to change his mind after Princess Margaret declared her wish to marry a divorced man her late father's equerry, Group Captain Peter Townsend. Along with his Cabinet, Winston took the view that Margaret should renounce her rights to the throne if she chose to pursue the relationship. In the end Margaret took the painful decision to part from Townsend. Seared by the scandal, Winston finally backtracked, agreeing that Philip should replace Margaret as potential Regent. Aside from Philip, the PM had another royal headache to deal with: Elizabeth's mother, now demoted in her early 50s from Queen to Queen Mother. Since King George VI's accession in 1936, she'd been accustomed to taking pole position at all formal events. Now that she was a widow, she was finding it difficult to cope with her new place in the pecking order. In the weeks following the new Queen's accession, observers noticed that there was an 'awkwardness about precedence'. Sensitive to her mother's feelings, Elizabeth was allowing the old queen to walk in front of her at formal ceremonies and to take the monarch's seat at Sunday church services. Something had to be done, particularly as the Queen Mother was now hiding away in Scotland and talking of bowing out from public duties altogether. But Winston knew that trying to persuade her otherwise would be a delicate mission. At first he'd considered making her the Governor General of Australia, but that idea fizzled out. Then, in October 1952, he decided to visit her at Birkhall, her Scottish home. Before going, he tested the water with her lady-in-waiting, who advised he should arrive unannounced. So he did and soon found himself having a heart-to-heart conversation with the Queen Mother. She was not only grief-stricken, he discovered, but felt that the significance of her life as Queen had been abruptly and cruelly snatched away with the death of her husband. It had also been hard to come to terms with her swift demotion in the court hierarchy, she confided. Though Churchill was sensitive to her plight, he was also aware that the Queen Mother was a great asset for the monarchy and the nation. During their conversation, he swiftly snuffed out any discussion of retirement. 'Absolutely not!' he told her. 'This young Queen is going to need you by her side an awful lot. And this is no time for you to sit in Scotland.' Winston also emphasised how valued she was, not just by her immediate family and friends, but by the nation at large. She needed to be inside the loop of society, rather than cutting herself off, he said. He clearly worked his magic. One of the Queen Mother's ladies-in-waiting, Jean Rankin, noticed an immediate change in her demeanour, speculating that Churchill 'must have said things which made her realise how important it was for her to carry on, how much people wanted her to do things as she had before'. Of the many services Churchill performed for the Royal Family during his lifetime, the way he wrangled the Queen Mother back into the royal fold was one of the more significant. Her links to the wartime generation, her military associations and her innate charm would add an extra dimension to the new reign. Arguably, no one but her late husband's friend and wartime Prime Minister could have persuaded her to re-dedicate herself to public service. For this, Winston Churchill would earn his new Queen's undying gratitude. Adapted from Winston And The Windsors, by Andrew Morton, to be published by Michael O'Mara on October 9, 24.99. Andrew Morton 2025. To order a copy for 21.25 (offer valid to 18/10/2025; UK P&P free on orders over 25) go to www.mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937 Prince Harry has hit back at claims about his recent meeting with King Charles III and accused sources of being 'intent on sabotaging' his attempt at reconciliation with his family, as he says he did not give his father a picture of his wife. During a four-day visit to the UK earlier this month, the Duke of Sussex, 41, met Charles, 76, at Clarence House face-to-face for the first time in a year and a half. The 53-minute meeting was seen as a significant but tentative step towards repairing the troubled relationship between the Prince and the rest of his family after he quit as a working royal following his marriage to Meghan Markle. After the encounter on September 10, a source claimed that Harry was left 'surprised' by how 'distinctly formal' the pair's meeting was and claimed he joked he felt more like an 'official visitor' than a relative. But the Duke has today rubbished the claims, saying they are 'categorically false.' A spokesperson said: 'Recent reporting of The Duke's view of the tone of the meeting, is categorically false. 'The quotes attributed to him are pure invention fed, one can only assume, by sources intent on sabotaging any reconciliation between father and son. 'Presumably, those same sources have also chosen to disclose that gifts were exchanged. It was claimed Prince Harry was 'taken by surprise' by how 'formal' his reunion meeting with his father King Charles was - the Duke has now denied this During a four-day visit to the UK earlier this month Prince Harry met King Charles, 76, at Balmoral face-to-face for the first time in a year and a half 'While we would have preferred such details to remain private, for the sake of clarity we can confirm that a framed photograph was handed over, however the image did not contain the Duke and Duchess.' It had been claimed that Harry had given his father a photograph of his children Archie, six, and Lilibet, four, along with their mother the Duchess of Sussex and himself. Charles has not seen his grandchildren since the Platinum Jubilee in June 2022, with Harry previously saying it is not safe for them to travel to the UK. The Sussexes stopped receiving taxpayer-funded security after leaving as working royals. It was reported that the King also handed a gift to Harry, giving him a 41st birthday present. It was said there are currently no moves for the pair to be seen in public together or for Harry to return for a 'half-in, half-out' hybrid royal role. But the King still remains open for another private meeting next time Harry is in London. During his recent visit, the Duke carried out a swathe of visits to charity events in Nottingham and London, before meeting with his father for afternoon tea. A spokesman for Harry previously told The Sun: 'The trip back was about focusing on his patronages and supporting his good causes while also having time to catch up with family and friends.' The King has not seen his grandchildren, Archie, six, and Lilibet, four, since the Platinum Jubilee Prince Harry at a Diana Award event in London on September 11 during his recent trip to the UK Until this meeting Harry and Charles had not seen each other face-to-face since February 2024, when the Duke made a transatlantic dash to the UK following the King's cancer diagnosis. It was seen as a potential first step towards rapprochement between the pair, after Harry told the BBC in May: 'I would love a reconciliation with my family.' He added: 'I don't know how much longer my father has.' Prince Harry did not see his brother William during the four-day trip amid an ongoing row between the estranged brothers, which shows no sign of healing. Harry has previously expressed his hopes of reconciliation with his family amid his belief that they may never forgive him after his public accusations. The Prince, who stepped down from the working monarchy in 2020 to move to California with his wife Meghan, levelled a barrage of accusations at family members in his recent Netflix documentary and autobiography Spare. Harry previously claimed Charles was jealous of his wife Meghan Markle and the King did not hug him when he told him his mother Princess Diana had died. Harry said he believed the King was 'never made' for single parenthood, but 'to be fair, he tried'. Charles, according to Harry, pleaded with his sons during a tense meeting after Prince Philip's funeral: 'Please, boys. Don't make my final years a misery.' Relations between William and Harry have long been strained despite their former close bond with the shared trauma of their mother's death in a car crash when they were 15 and 12. The fallout is said to have begun before Harry's wedding to former Suits star Meghan, with the Duke accusing William of being snobbish to his bride. In the interview with Oprah, Meghan described how Kate made her cry ahead of her wedding after reports had initially said Meghan had left Kate in tears at Princess Charlotte's bridesmaid dress fitting. Another account in Harry's candid autobiography Spare caused friction between the siblings, when he accused William of physically attacking him and pushing him into a dog bowl in a row over Meghan, and teasing him about his panic attacks. If the Hamptons have long been the summer retreat of choice for New York's elite, then Canada's Muskoka region has become its northern rival a lakeside haven of gingerbread cottages, private docks and its own glittering 'Billionaire's Row'. Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell are long-time visitors along with Justin and Hailey Bieber. Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber often share snaps from their lakeside cottage. And just last year David and Victoria Beckham brought their brood along with Elvis star Austin Butler to frolic in what Posh Spice called 'perfect Muskoka'. Just over two hours from Toronto, Muskoka is known for its mirror-like lakes, thick forests and ice-cream-colored villages. Locals call it 'cottage country', but its accessibility and seclusion have made it a magnet for the jet-set. Multi-million-dollar homes line the shores of Lake Muskoka, with neighboring Lakes Joseph and Rosseau equally coveted. It has become one of the most sought-after areas in Canada and is now fondly referred to as 'The Hamptons of the North' or 'The Malibu of the North'. But that exclusivity and tranquility are now at the center of a fierce battle. Russian-born developer Kirill Soloviev, through Cliff Bay Muskoka Corp, has pitched an 83-acre mega-resort on the site of the former Muskoka Regional Centre, once a tuberculosis sanatorium that has now sat abandonned. The glossy proposal promises two six-storey hotels, 28 boathouse-style villas, branded residences, a spa, banquet halls, staff housing, multi-storey parking garages, two beaches and as many as 1,378 residential units. Plans also include 2,272 parking spaces and a marina with more than 80 boat slips. Renderings show chic restaurants and villas rising out of the bay itself, built on towering stilts like a Balinese fantasy. His team has boasted the design would be 'unique in Ontario'. A secret...until the A-listers put it on the Gram: Lake Muskoka lies around two hours and 20 minutes' drive north of Toronto in Canada's Ontario region Renderings for the Cliff Bay project show villas and restaurants built directly over the water on towering stilts David and Victoria Beckham will be back: The duo posted a number of photos from a recent trip to Muskoka Renderings show chic restaurants and villas rising out of the bay itself, built on towering stilts like a Balinese fantasy According to the Financial Post, the 43-year-old moved to Canada at 19 with his truck-driver father and retail-worker mother. He now works out of a modest office above a suburban Toronto home-improvement center that sells hot tubs and antiques an unlikely headquarters for a man pushing a billion-dollar vision. He never owned a cottage himself, something he says makes him sympathetic to families priced out of Muskoka's multimillion-dollar shoreline. 'This project will give people the possibility to either own something that's on a lake that's not in the millions or even rent it,' he told the paper. At a public Zoom meeting, more than 250 residents asked him to name past developments. He offered only vague answers, with other team members stepping in to speak for him. He has also floated ideas of 3D printing, modular construction and even blockchain tokenization as ways to fund and build the resort. 'We are not going to build five cottages,' he said. 'At the end of the day, we're doing something that's creating jobs, creating destination revenues, creating tourism.' Mapped out: Muskoka, often dubbed the 'Hamptons of the North', lies just over two hours north of Toronto and has become a magnet for A-list visitors Multi-million-dollar cottages line the shores of Lake Muskoka, long a favorite of celebrities like Goldie Hawn and Cindy Crawford (renderings pictured) The glossy proposal promises two six-storey hotels, 28 boathouse-style villas, branded residences, a spa, banquet halls, staff housing, multi-storey parking garages, two beaches and as many as 1,378 residential units (renderings pictured) Known for its mirror lakes, soaring forests and very expensive 'cottages', it's become increasingly popular with the well-heeled in recent years Russian-born developer Kirill Soloviev, through Cliff Bay Muskoka Corp, has pitched an 83-acre mega-resort on the site of the former Muskoka Regional Centre, once a tuberculosis sanatorium The bigger flashpoint is Queens Park weighing a Ministers Zoning Order (MZO) to fast-track the project. That prospect has ignited fury, with a petition opposing the resort already drawing more than 4,500 signatures. Gravenhurst Mayor Heidi Lorenz told Daily Mail that because the developer is pursuing an MZO, 'the town has no approval role. The MZO process overrides local planning authority'. She said council has not taken a position on the project. 'Revisions to the proposal are now taking place and public feedback from the July information session will be considered as part of the next iteration,' she explained, adding that councillors will only debate the plan once a revised application is formally submitted. The mayor stressed Gravenhurst has long hoped to see the derelict property redeveloped: 'Council would like to see the property developed and put to productive use. This is something we put into our 2023-2027 strategic plan and the town has been advocating for its sale for decades. However, council has taken no position on what actually takes place at the site or the current proposal to date.' Meanwhile, the Muskoka Lakes Association (MLA), which represents more than 2,000 lakefront families, has filed detailed objections running dozens of pages. Its president, Ken Pearce, knows the cottage life firsthand. His parents once had a family place in the Kawartha Lakes, and after a long career as a corporate lawyer in Toronto, he was able to buy his own spot on Lake Muskoka's western shore. Pearce told Daily Mail the single biggest concern is simple: the pipes, sewage lines and overwater villas and restaurants planned on stilts in the bay. President of the Muskoka Lakes Association (MLA) Ken Pearce told Daily Mail the single biggest concern is simple: the pipes, sewage lines and overwater villas and restaurants planned on stilts in the bay A stock photo of a beautiful boathouse on Lake Muskoka is seen above 'You just don't do that. Nobody's allowed to do that,' Pearce said. 'With 80 acres, there's plenty of room to build. You don't have to take down every tree. You don't have to build right at the water's edge.' At the heart of local fury are proposals for cottages and restaurants built directly in Muskoka Bay a design more common in tropical resorts like the Maldives and Bali than northern Canada. Pearce says such construction defies Ontario's own rules, which prohibit dwellings within floodplains and mandate at least a 30-meter setback from the shoreline. The Cliff Bay plan pushes buildings as close as 7.5 meters from the water and, in some cases, straight into the bay. 'These lakes flood from time to time in the spring,' he said. 'You're prohibited from having development in the lake other than boathouses. They're talking about building these things on stilts if you can believe it. It would be utterly ridiculous.' The MLA warns the overwater villas would scar the shoreline, invade privacy, and carry sewage and water lines over open water. Noise, they argue, would travel across the narrow bay 'unmitigated' to neighboring cottages. Residents also fear the project would destroy Muskoka's vital shoreline buffer the strip of trees and vegetation that prevents erosion and filters road salt runoff in winter leaving pollutants to wash straight into the lake. The secluded homes in the area hidden by forest have earned Muskoka comparisons to New Yorks Hamptons and Malibu (a rendering of the resort above) Back in 2018, Justin and Hayley Bieber headed for Muskoka; Bieber was born in London, Ontario - three hours south of the lake region 'Our members talk about the view from the canoe,' Pearce added. 'If there are no trees, if the shoreline is blasted away and dotted with overwater villas, that's not Muskoka anymore.' There is also skepticism about Soloviev's job promises. The project has been pitched as generating 700 year-round jobs, but the Association argues the plan leans heavily on residential condos rather than commercial resort space. They want guarantees that hotels, restaurants and amenities would be built in the first phase, with future residential construction tied to commercial build-out. Otherwise, Pearce says, 'we just don't believe that's what they want to do,' pointing to other Ontario projects where hotels were promised but never built. Locals point to billionaire Mitchell Goldhar's scaled-down redevelopment of nearby Clevelands House as proof a gentler touch is possible and note no such white knight has stepped in to tame Cliff Bay. For Gravenhurst itself, the calculus is different. Nearly a third of residents are seniors, many households survive on less than $40,000 a year, and the derelict site brings in no taxes. A mega-resort could deliver millions in new revenue and hundreds of jobs one reason the town council is under pressure to back it. Pearce insists residents aren't against redevelopment. The site has sat abandoned since the 1990s, the derelict hospital buildings riddled with asbestos. 'Redevelopment is fine,' he said. 'But this proposal? It needs major changes.' An aerial view of Muskoka Lakes Farm and Winery as people participate in cranberry plunge activities in Bala, Muskoka, Ontario in this 2023 file photo In its formal submission to Ontario's housing minister, the MLA concluded that the Cliff Bay plan 'is not in conformity with the Town Official Plan or the Town Comprehensive Zoning By-law' and urged that the shoreline villas be 'drastically reduced or eliminated'. Daily Mail has reached out to Cliff Bay Resorts and Residences for comment. General Hospital star Kate Mansi has revealed that she almost fell victim to a scam from an individual who pretended to be from Amy Poehler's podcast. The actress, 38, explained that someone named Jake who claimed to work for Amy's Good Hang podcast had reached out to her earlier in the week and told her they wanted her to come on the show as a guest. 'I was so excited. I couldn't believe Amy Poehler wanted to talk to me,' Kate said. 'Figured she might have been a General Hospital fan.' SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO No knowledge: Amy Poehler's (above) podcast has been unwittingly exploited in a scam Kate explained that she and Jake set up a pre-interview virtual call and she rearranged her entire schedule and had her hair and makeup done for it. But when she was talking to Jake, who she said sometimes had a British accent and other times had an American accent, she started to realize it was a scam. 'This is so embarrassing,' she continued. 'I am heartbroken. I'm probably going to have a good cry about this. Amy, if you want to talk to me, let me know.' Speaking out: General Hospital star Kate Mansi came under threat from a scam Kate explained that the email seemed so legit even her publicist and other members of her team fell for it. 'What an idiot [I am]. I don't know what to say. They used the logos [in the email]. My publicist and my team were even...' she trailed off. 'I mean we had some questions which is why we asked for a pre-call but it was astonishing. None of us saw this coming. It's so strange.' 'Be careful out there guys. If anyone gets an email from a Jake at Amy Poehler's Good Hang production company asking to be interviewed, do not respond,' she urged. Worried: General Hospital star Kate Mansi said that she had almost fallen victim to the ploy In another video, Kate admitted that she was feeling 'humiliated' and 'vulnerable' following the incident, adding that and had been 'spiraling' with anxiety wondering 'what information' they had gotten from her. She explained that she felt so 'seen and validated' when she thought Amy actually wanted to talk to her. 'It's been a very interesting and introspective thing for me,' she said, adding, 'I'm really happy and grateful and fulfilled to be where I'm at right now.' The real one: Amy is seen on her podcast Good Hang Kate isn't the only one who has been targeted as multiple content creators have opened up about similar situations in recent weeks. A UK-based tour guide company called Orkney Uncovered revealed via Facebook in early September that they too were contacted by someone claiming to work for the Good Hang podcast. 'It's been a tough couple days mental health wise, I've been down a bit,' one of the co-founders, named Kinlay, said. 'The main reason being about a week ago, I got an email, it looked genuine, from Amy Poehler inviting us to be a part of the Amy Poehler Good Hang podcast. 'Unfortunately, we found out recently it's actually a scam. It's awful, planning to be on the radio show and thinking you're [gonna be with] a celebrity when you're not. 'They said they followed us on Facebook and that we're amazing guides and it turned out to be false. 'It's been pretty awful... to go to such lengths to pretend to be somebody your not is quite s***.' Social media star Taylor Wolfe also shared screenshots of an email she received from someone claiming to work for the podcast. 'Hi The Daily Tay, I'm Kevin, manager for Amy Poehler's Good Hang podcast. We've been following your work and would be honored to collaborate with you on an upcoming episode,' it said. 'We see this as a true creative partnership - a chance to share your story and ideas with our audience in an authentic, 45 minute conversation. 'Amy is passionate about creating space for genuine dialogue and meaningful connection, and we believe your voice would make this episode special.' In the message, they offered a '$2,000 honorarium' for her time and 'creative contribution.' Thankfully, Taylor said she could tell it was fake and ended up sending them a series of comical and strange emails. While they replied a few times trying to set up a Zoom call, they eventually stopped answering after she asked to meet in person. Amy has not publicly commented on the scam and the Daily Mail has reached out to Good Hang for comment. After months of stressing and planning, what newlyweds want, more than anything, is relaxation. So maybe Rome may not have been the best choice for the first destination for our honeymoon. But, after the incredible - but exhausting - chaos of sightseeing around the Eternal City, we head to the Miramalfi; a hotel built into a cliff face overlooking the Amalfi Coast, and the highest-rated property in Amalfi on Tripadvisor. And with very good reason. From the moment my new husband and I step out of the taxi, we're treated like royalty - which is very much needed after the windy, steep roads of the Amalfi Coast (NOT for the faint-hearted!). Before we even have a chance to say Ciao, a hotel staff member has whisked our suitcases away to save us from lugging them over the cobbles and down the steps into the reception. We're handed glasses of champagne and ushered out to a table on a small balcony looking out over some of the most breathtaking views Ive ever seen (until 20 minutes later), while I wait for my room to be ready. Youve been upgraded three times, so itll be worth it! Rosita, the very friendly hotel concierge, assures me. The Daily Mail's deputy travel editor, Hayley Minn (pictured) checks in to the Miramalfi - a hotel built into a cliff face overlooking the Amalfi Coast, and the highest-rated property in Amalfi on Tripadvisor Stepping into the suite, I walk down a long corridor of light-up, mirrored wardrobes - in which a Dyson hair dryer can be found - and into a living room with a sofa and coffee table, with a Congratulations dessert and bottle of champagne laid out for us I then walk through an arch into the bedroom, decorated with loads of heart-shaped balloons, and a heart made out of flower petals on the king-sized bed Of course, shes absolutely right. Stepping into the suite, I walk down a long corridor of light-up, mirrored wardrobes - in which a Dyson hair dryer can be found - and into a living room with a sofa and coffee table where a Congratulations dessert and bottle of champagne has been laid out for us. I walk through an arch into the bedroom, decorated with heart-shaped balloons, along with a heart made out of flower petals laid out on the king-sized bed. The bathroom is just as big as the rest of the suite, with a huge bath tub in the corner. Its more like a jacuzzi - and is so big we never manage to fill it up properly throughout the stay. But its the balcony that completely blows me away, rendering my husband and I speechless, other than the ability to continuously utter Wow! from the moment we open the doors to our terrace. Were greeted by panoramic views of the crystal-clear Mediterranean sea, as far as the eye can see - and quickly notice we can sit and look out over the coast from our choice of two sunbeds, a table and chairs, or sofa. Despite having the best intentions to explore the nearby towns of Ravello and Capri during our stay, we both give each other a knowing look: The chances of us leaving the hotel much are slim. Luckily, when we do venture out, the hotel is just a five-minute walk - or a free shuttle for guests - from the centre of Amalfi. But its the balcony that completely blows me away, rendering my husband and I both speechless, other than the ability to continuously utter Wow! from the moment we open the doors to our terrace The bathroom is just as big as the rest of the suite, with the most giant tub Ive ever seen in the corner. Its more like a jacuzzi - and is so big we never do manage to fill it up properly throughout the stay Here, we visit the historic Amalfi Cathedral, go shopping for clothes, bags and limoncello, and eat plenty of pizza and gelato which is sandwiched in between whole lemons. We also hop on a private boat one morning, to see some more of Amalfi's coastline from the comfort of a yacht. But our earlier sentiment of not wanting to leave the hotel is confirmed when we head back to Miramalfis beach club - a saltwater pool and private beach, built into and out of the rock cliffs and surrounded by the sparkling Med. There are just 35 rooms at Miramalfi, and only hotel guests are allowed to visit, giving it a really personal feel. The staff truly can't do enough for us. They wait on us hand and foot, neatly laying towels out on our chosen sun loungers, and presenting us with complimentary ice-cold water and snacks, such as crisps, olives and delicious watermelon slushies, while we sit and admire our surroundings, basking in the sunshine. We end up spending most of our time here, dipping in and out of the sea using swimming noodles and inflatable rubber rings provided by the hotel. Staff also serve cocktails to our sunbeds - though these are pricey at 25 a pop, so we dont have too many. Pictured: Miramalfis beach club - a saltwater pool and private beach, built into and out of the rock cliffs and surrounded by the sparkling Med The staff can't do enough for us at the beach club. We end up spending most of our time here, dipping in and out of the sea using swimming noodles and inflatable rubber rings provided by the hotel There are just 35 rooms at Miramalfi, and only hotel guests are allowed to visit the beach club, which gives it a really personal feel But if you do fancy a free aperitivo at the hotel, Azur Lounge Bar holds daily cocktail classes at 4pm, hosted by a team of friendly and knowledgeable bar staff. We try a session out and sample the hotels extremely alcoholic take on a Negroni, as well as one of its signature cocktails - which has an odd, but surprisingly tasty, ingredient: red pepper syrup. Sea views are everywhere; even in the well-equipped gym, you can work out while looking out to the ocean. The service and the food prove to be just as magical as the views. Breakfast is included and served at the hotels main restaurant, Donna Emma La Cucina, which - you guessed it - has incredible views of the coastline, making it the perfect setting for starting the day. While theres a wide buffet selection - where youll find fresh fruit, meats, cheeses and baked goods - the staff are so attentive that theres not really a need to get up and fill our plates ourselves. As soon as we sit down, they offer us coffee, fresh juice and water, and bring over a mini pastry and basket overflowing with different varieties of bread, as well as a plate of a selection of jams. If you do fancy a free aperitivo at the hotel, Azur Lounge Bar holds daily cocktail classes at 4pm with some very friendly and knowledgeable bar staff When it comes to breakfast, its included, and is served at the hotels main restaurant, Donna Emma La Cucina, which has incredible views of the coastline, making it the perfect setting for starting the day Donna Emma La Cucina is also open for lunch and dinner, and we head here for a fine dining tasting menu, with wine pairing, to mark the final night of our honeymoon It doesnt get much more romantic than this: eating incredible food while staring at the views weve come to know and love. Its no wonder Miramalfi is the best-rated hotel in the area We can also choose hot meals from the a la carte menu, including omelettes, pancakes and waffles, so I have a different dish everyday, with my favourite being truffle eggs. Donna Emma La Cucina is also open for lunch and dinner, and we head here for a fine dining tasting menu, with wine pairing, to mark the final night of our honeymoon. The menu consists of eight courses, meaning A LOT of good Italian wine and food, but the best dish is the homemade fresh pasta, oozing with cheese and beef sauce. It doesnt get much more romantic than this: eating incredible food while staring at the views weve come to know and love. Its no wonder Miramalfi is the best-rated hotel in the area. Gianni Romano and Zana Pali's split has reportedly turned 'very ugly'. Once TV's golden couple on My Kitchen Rules, the pair are now said to be feuding exes trying to outdo each other with their flashy post-divorce lifestyles. Zana, 34, has had the glow-up of the year, flaunting a new Porsche and high-flyer boyfriend, while ex Gianni is dating a glamazon half his age who looks just like her. Meanwhile, neighbours are getting a kick out of their antics and calling for the pair to star in their own Real Housewives of Brighton spin-off. The former MKR 'villains' are believed to have quietly called time on their marriage last year, but insiders say the split has already turned 'very messy, very fast'. 'They don't talk unless it's about the kids,' one source told Daily Mail, confirming their break-up was messier than even their close friends understand. Gianni Romano and Zana Pali's split has reportedly turned 'very ugly'. Once TV's golden couple on My Kitchen Rules, the pair are now said to be feuding exes trying to outdo each other with their flashy post-divorce lifestyles Gianni and Zana share sons Leo and Romeo. Zana wasted no time moving on from their relationship, undergoing a complete makeover and, apparently, bagging herself a successful new businessman boyfriend. The lawyer-turned-reality star has been flaunting her new glamorous look for months, basking in a post-split glow that headlines can't get enough of. 'She's really embracing this new chapter,' an insider said. 'Her social life has exploded since the split. She's at lavish lunches, swanky events and always dressed head-to-toe in designer clothes.' Meanwhile, Gianni, 37, has raised eyebrows of his own after stepping out with 24-year-old Gracie Stewart, who is nearly half his age. 'Gianni's clearly smitten,' a friend spilled. 'He loves the attention and Gracie doesn't mind being spoiled.' They went on to reveal Gianni and Gracie have been friends for a while now and swim in the same social circles. Zana, 34, has had the glow-up of the year, flaunting a new Porsche and high-flyer boyfriend Locals say the age-gap romance is turning heads around Brighton, with the pair often spotted out together looking more than casual. Neighbours have even joked Gianni and Zana's new lives are so dramatic they deserve their own reality series. 'Honestly, get these two on The Real Housewives of Brighton,' one local laughed. 'The drama writes itself.' Despite the glossy exteriors, insiders insist the break-up has been far from amicable. With custody arrangements now in place, both Gianni and Zana are keeping their distance but their headline-grabbing post-split lives are keeping Melbourne talking. It comes after Daily Mail revealed last week that Gracie is the mystery Zana lookalike Gianni has struck up a romance with. The pair were spotted attending the JW Foundation Starry Night gala at the National Gallery of Victoria earlier this month. It became quite the awkward relationship debut when Gianni and his new squeeze were seated at a table just metres away from his ex-wife Zana. While ex Gianni is dating a glamazon half his age, Gracie Stewart (second left) who looks just like Zana But that didn't stop the new loves from enjoying their night and sporting bright smiles as they posed for photos with their mutual friends. The pair didn't respond when contacted by Daily Mail for comment. However, Zana was more forthcoming when we asked her what she thought of Gianni bringing a date to the same charity gala she was attending. 'I don't speak to him. I wish him all the best. I'm busy focusing on the kids and my new career goals,' she texted us earlier in the week. It was a comeback no one could've predicted - perhaps even more unexpected than the iconic 'You ain't my mother' storyline she was an integral part of. Yet this year saw Michelle Ryan maker her grand EastEnders return this year after two decades away from the spotlight. When she first left Albert Square in 2005 the door was kept open for her return, with her character Zoe Slater moving to Ibiza rather than being the victim of one of the soap's gruesome murder plots. Yet Michelle made it clear she had no intention of coming back, declaring she had found the role 'boring' and stating: 'I always saw EastEnders as an apprenticeship. I always wanted to go on and do different things.' Meanwhile, a 'close friend' of hers was quoted telling Sunday People at the time: 'Without sounding arrogant, Michelle believes she has the looks and talent to succeed at the highest level. 'She has been in EastEnders for four years but sees her future very much in films and modelling. She realises the show has put her on the map but doesn't want to be typecast. 'Because of her soap commitments she's had to turn down dozens of great modelling offers and feels her soap role is now holding her back.' Why Michelle Ryan returned to her 'boring' EastEnders job after her bid to crack Hollywood was blighted by strikes and turning down a huge role (pictured on the show this year) When she left Albert Square in 2005 (pictured) the door was kept open for her return, with her character Zoe Slater moving to Ibiza. Yet Michelle had no intention of coming back Indeed, Michelle wasted no time jetting across the pond in a bid to crack Hollywood and it wasn't long before she landed a role in the NBC reboot of Bionic Woman. Michelle was cast as the leading lady, bartender Jaime Sommers, who is saved from a car accident by a cutting edge operation, with her body repaired by cybernetic replacements. However, just as she seemed destined for global stardom, the show was a victim of the three-month Writers Guild of America strike - which saw production grind to a halt after just eight episodes had been filmed. Ultimately, the remaining five episodes planned for the series were not filmed, and after low ratings on the ones that aired, NBC quietly shelved the show. Michelle returned to the UK and landed the role of villainous Nimueh in the first series of BBC fantasy Merlin, and guest starred in Doctor Who Special Planet Of The Dead in 2009, a character many fans hoped could become a future companion. She then had a chance to return to Hollywood, being asked to audition for Boardwalk Empire, but remarkably she returned the opportunity down because she didn't want to be roped into a lengthy contact with HBO. The role was ultimately snapped up by Scottish actress Kelly Macdonald. Michelle later confessed that she'd made a 'big mistake', with the series going on to earn multiple Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG awards. Indeed, Michelle wasted no time jetting across the pond in a bid to crack Hollywood and it wasn't long before she landed a role in the NBC reboot of Bionic Woman She had a chance to return to Hollywood, being asked to audition for Boardwalk Empire, but she turned it down and the role was snapped up by Scottish actress Kelly Macdonald (Kelly and Steve Buscemi pictured in the show) The same month she made her EastEnders return, Michelle was feeling regret about her missed opportunity, telling her followers that she'd just started watching Boardwalk Empire The same month she made her EastEnders return, Michelle was feeling regret about her missed opportunity, telling her Instagram followers that she'd just started watching Boardwalk Empire. She penned: 'What a phenomenal series this is. Another by Terence Winter. I love Kelly McDonald, she is just so compelling in her role. My agent at the time, back in 2010 wanted me to meet for a part on this for casting, I passed. A big mistake for sure. 'I was wary of five year contracts back then. Anyway, things happen for a reason. And the actress who was given the role is so so so good. I love what she did with the part. 'It also taught me that when you read a pilot it doesnt show you the entire part of a character and that when its a new series it will evolve, lesson learned! 'Everyone in the series is incredible. Its such a luxurious piece. And Im only on season one! Yay.' The last few years saw Michelle star in several independent films, including Cockneys vs Zombies, where she starred alongside The Crown's Harry Treadaway, and ensemble comedy Girl Walks into a Bar, with Danny DeVito. Her most recent film appearance was in Frankenstein: Legacy where she starred as Lady Charlotte, in addition to 2025's Finding My Voice in which she played Lisa Kendall, which is yet to be released. Michelle went onto star as the villainous Nimueh in the first series of BBC fantasy Merlin, and guest starred in Doctor Who Special Planet Of The Dead in 2009 (pictured) In June it was announced that Michelle had returned to the soap that had made her a household name in the UK, with the soap star declaring it felt like she'd 'come home'. Asked why she'd returned, Michelle mused: 'It all happened at the right time. 'Id already been thinking about a return because Id met up with Kacey Ainsworth (Little Mo) and Kim Medcalf (Sam Mitchell) and we were reminiscing our fond memories of the show, and Id also joined social media and saw that there was still a lot of love for the character. 'It just so happened that at the same time, EastEnders had announced a new Exec [Ben Wadey] who was keen to explore the potential of a return as he was such a massive fan of Zoe and the Slaters, so both of our worlds aligned at the right time, and Im so excited to be back. 'When Ben pitched me the storylines, and when I read the scripts, I knew it was the right decision.' It was certainly a change of heart from the interview she gave the Bristol Evening Post after she'd quit. Asked why she left the soap, she said at the time: 'Doing the same thing day in, day out. It's just so boring. I like to jump from different things.' 'I always saw EastEnders as an apprenticeship. I always wanted to go on and do different things. I have some really good friends from that show but the door is closed. 'I've always taken chances. I think that's how you progress by stepping out and doing different things. 'I really do like my freedom and jumping from job to job. I just want to work with people I admire and respect, wherever that be big budget, low budget, leading role, supporting role.' During her time on EastEnders Michelle was involved in one of the biggest storylines, when it was revealed that Kat Slater ( Jessie Wallace ) was in fact Zoe's mother and not her sister In June it was announced that Michelle had returned to the soap that had made her a household name in the UK, with the soap star declaring it felt like she'd 'come home' During her time on the show, Michelle was involved in one of EastEnders' biggest storylines, when it was revealed that Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) was in fact Zoe's mother and not her sister, with explosive scenes seeing her yell: 'You ain't my mother!', only for Kat to reply: 'Yes I am!' It remains one of the most famous and iconic moments in EastEnders' 40-year history - a scene that has been mimicked by soap fans worldwide. The unforgettable storyline catapulted Michelle, then 16, to superstardom, yet five years later she opted to walk away from the soap. Her character was referenced several times over the years and upon her return it was revealed that she and Kat had become estranged. Teasing her character's reason to come back to Albert Square, Michelle added: 'I can't say too much as there is a lot of drama to come, but Zoe is a mess. 'She's not the girl that left Walford twenty years ago, and she's been really struggling on her own. 'She has her defences up, but this week you will see that she needs help, but whether she is willing to accept it is another story.' A steaming New York City subway grate. A billowing white dress. Hollywood's most beloved, most tragically misunderstood, starlet. It was a perfect formula. And Sam Shaw, photographer and confidant to Marilyn Monroe, captured it all in a single picture that became one of the most iconic images of all time. Little did Shaw know at the time in 1955, but Tinseltown executives would fall over themselves to steal the credit for what came to be known as 'the shot seen 'round the world.' Pictured: Tom Ewell (left) and Marilyn Monroe (right) on a soundstage in Los Angeles, California, filming The Seven Year Itch in 1954 'Dear Marilyn: The Unseen Letters and Photographs,' published by ACC Art Books, is a never-before-seen archive of letters, journals, drawings and photographs from the late photographer Sam Shaw But now Shaw has set the record straight in the new book 'Dear Marilyn: The Unseen Letters and Photographs' curated by Shaw's daughters Meta and Edie after his death in 1999. The archive of his works lays bare his personal correspondence with Monroe, private journals and previously unreleased photographs, charting the humble New York native's rise from magazine photog to the movie industry's go-to man for on-set stills. Shaw wrote that the idea for his legendary picture of Monroe came to him in 1941, over a decade before he recreated the image for the film 'The Seven Year Itch,' starring Monroe and actor Tom Ewell. During a photoshoot for the cover of Friday Magazine, Shaw instructed two models to stand over the subway grate in Coney Island, New York. The updraft sent her skirt flying, as googly-eyed sailors looked on. 'The cover image was a hit, and the issue sold out immediately,' wrote Shaw. 'I knew that someday I would repeat the same composition on a bigger scale when the opportunity arose.' That chance came when Shaw was asked to work on the film adaption of Billy Wilder and George Axelrod's screenplay for 'The Seven Year Itch,' which is about a man tempted to betray his wife. There was a scene involving Monroe and Ewell standing on a street corner in Manhattan. Instantly, Shaw knew he wanted to recreate his Friday Magazine cover image as an advertisement for the film. 'Producer Charles Feldman asked me to create a key photo and logo for promotion,' Shaw wrote. 'I told Feldman, Wilder, and Charles Einfeld, vice president in charge of advertising and publicity for 20th Century Fox, that I had an idea for the ad.' Pictured in 1941: Unpublished shots of Coney Island, New York City, for a story in Friday Magazine. Shaw later recreated the photoshoot for The Seven Year Itch Pictured in 1954: Ewell and Monroe film the famous skirt-blowing scene watched by crowds of press and fans on 51st Street and Lexington Avenue in New York City Due to the rough shooting conditions of location, exterior and crowds in New York, director Billy Wilder had to reshoot the close up of the skirt-blowing scene at a studio in Los Angeles Pictured in 1954: Monroe on set of The Seven Year Itch in Los Angeles, California 'I would need extra time, and they would probably go into 'golden hours,' (a term in motion pictures meaning overtime). I told them to arrange for an additional number of police officers to handle the crowd that was sure to gather.' The set's production manager cordoned off 51st street and Lexington Avenue in Manhattan, and a technician operated a wind machine under the makeshift grating grill to imitate a passing subway train to blow Monroe's skirt in the air. Thousands of onlookers gathered to watch Monroe and Ewell shoot the scene. 'The police were completely off guard, more fascinated watching Marilyn, forgetting the mob. Not one person in the crowd broke through. They were too mesmerized by what they were seeing,' wrote Shaw. Shaw's photo, undoubtedly daring for its time, was later dubbed 'the shot seen 'round the world' by Hollywood Reporter columnist Irving Hoffman. Indeed, it was, so much so that Shaw claimed the studio's vice president of advertising attempted to take credit for it. 'From the top to the lower echelons in Los Angeles, it was a battle for credits. The worst in the lot was Einfeld. He tried to take credit for my skirt blowing photos, the LIFE magazine stories I placed, and the Harper's Bazaar photo layout by [Richard] Avedon that I arranged,' Shaw claimed. 'At the time I did not know about any of these executive suite battles at 20th Century Fox using me as a pawn like Marilyn. Taking all the credits and trying to have me taken off the picture. I thought we were friends.' Monroe seen filming The Seven Year Itch in Los Angeles, California, in 1954 Monroe filming The Seven Year Itch in Los Angeles in 1954. Shaw was a close friend and confidant for the actress, who tragically died aged 36 in 1962 Monroe, seen in 1954, during filming for the bathtub scene in The Seven Year Itch Monroe seated at a piano with co-star Tom Ewell as she waves to Shaw's camera during filming for The Seven Year Itch in 1954 Monroe pictured in 1954 wearing a white-and-blue polka dot dress, created by costume designer William Travilla for The Seven Year Itch 'Dear Marilyn,' published by ACC Art Books, also includes a self-portrait Monroe gave to Shaw, as well as candid images of the actress at her home in New York and on the beach in Amagansett. Six decades after her tragic death at just 36 years old, the question of 'Who was the real Marilyn Monroe?' persists today. While unauthorized biographies and sensationalized biopics have attempted to answer that question, none have captured the enigma of Monroe quite as intimately as Shaw's camera. Laura Byrne and Matty 'J' Johnson have welcomed their third child together, a daughter. The former Bachelor star, 39, and her husband, 38, announced the news in a sweet Instagram post after previously revealing their newborn's name was Poppy. Poppy was born late Saturday. 'Third time really is a charm. Our sweet little Poppy girl is here and we are all utterly obsessed with every inch of you,' the pair announced. 'Poppy Pearl Johnson welcome to the world precious one.' In April, Laura revealed the gender of her third child with Matty, confirming she was expecting another daughter. She made the exciting announcement, cutting into a gender reveal cake live on her KIIS FM The Pick Up radio show, just hours after announcing her pregnancy. 'It's a girl,' Laura squealed as she removed a slice of white sponge that contained layers of pink icing. 'Oh my god, you're having a third little baby girl!' co-host Brittany Hockley said in disbelief, before adding: 'Congratulations.' Laura Byrne and Matty 'J' Johnson have welcomed their third child together The former Bachelor star and her husband's new baby, Poppy, was born late Saturday 'Third time really is a charm. Our sweet little Poppy girl is here and we are all utterly obsessed with every inch of you,' Laura announced on Instagram 'Am I capable of producing boys?' replied husband Matty, before adding, 'Let's go again. Let's go for a fourth.' 'We're so lucky to have three little girls - and three little sisters, it's going to be amazing,' added Laura, before Matty admitted he 'loves being a girl dad'. Laura announced her pregnancy news on her podcast, Life Uncut, which she co-hosts with fellow reality star Brittany Hockley. 'It turns out, we're having baby number three!' she declared. 'I'm pregnant, guys!' 'It is a miracle. We had a really small window. I have known for a very long time. I found out very early on in this pregnancy, not because I had any symptoms but because my friend made a comment that made me do a pregnancy test,' she explained. Laura recalled that she took a pregnancy test while Matty was filming I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in South Africa, but did not tell him the news until she was two and a half months pregnant. 'I wasn't able to tell Matt for ages. The whole time he was in the jungle, I wasn't able to tell him and then it was really tricky because I didn't want to tell him when it was the finale,' she explained. In April, Laura revealed the gender of her third child with Matty, confirming she was expecting another daughter 'Am I capable of producing boys?' husband Matty asked, before adding, 'Let's go again. Let's go for a fourth' 'I didn't want to tell him as soon as the show, because I don't know if you guys remember, but the show wasn't filmed live this year, so we did the finale over there.' Matt also made an announcement on his Two Doting Dads podcast, telling listeners: '[It's] an October baby. We were trying before I went into the jungle. 'The plan was, we said this year 2025, if we were going to have a third, this will be the year that it happens.' The couple share daughters Marlie-Mae, whom they welcomed in 2019, and Lola, who was born in 2021. Laura appeared on The Bachelor Australia in 2017 and met her now-husband, and father to her two children, Matty. Jennifer Lawrence turned heads as she accepted the Donostia Lifetime Achievement Award at San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain on Friday. The Hunger Games star, 35, ensured all eyes were on her in a quirky cut out gown which showed off her trim waist and toned legs. Boasting dramatic shoulder pads and cinched with a leather belt she accessorised the look with boot and statement earrings. The event also hosted the premiere of Jennifer's latest film, Die My Love, so the star had more than one reason to celebrate - with her role in the comedy-thriller as a mother battling psychosis already tipped for Oscars success. The actress was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement award in recognition of her prestigious film career. Taking to the stage a visibly emotional Jennifer said: 'Thank you to the San Sebastian Film Festival for thinking of me for this incredible honour.' Jennifer Lawrence, 35, turned heads as she accepted the Donostia Lifetime Achievement Award at San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain on Friday The Hunger Games star ensured all eyes were on her in a quirky cut out gown which showed off her trim waist and toned legs The actress was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement award in recognition of her prestigious film career Jennifer spoke out in support of Palestine two years after the October 7 attacks, and said what is happening in Gaza 'is no less than a genocide' Her comments were slammed after she previously praised her friend, actress and comedian Amy Schumer, for choosing to speak up in support of Israel amid the conflict - pictured together 2021 Lawrence continued: 'I'm so happy to be here not just for the food, which is reason enough to visit but because there's something really special about being at a festival like this where people genuinely love cinema and storytelling and the art and soul of movies.' It comes after the actress sparked uproar from fans as she publicly revealed her political stance amid the ongoing IsraeliPalestinian war this week. She spoke out in support of Palestine two years after the October 7 attacks, and said what is happening in Gaza 'is no less than a genocide'. Appearing at a Festival press conference on Friday to promote new movie, Die My Love, Lawrence said of Palestine: 'Im terrified and its mortifying. 'Whats happening is no less than a genocide and its unacceptable, Im terrified for my children, for all of our children.' Lawrence also lashed out about the 'disrespect and discourse' in American politics, adding: 'I mean, the kids who are voting right now at 18, its going to be totally normal to them that politics has no integrity. 'Politicians lie, there is no empathy. And everybody needs to remember that when you ignore whats happening on one side of the world, it wont be long until its on your side as well. 'I wish that there was something I could say, something that I could do to fix this extremely complex and disgraceful situation. It breaks my heart.' Lawrence, who publicly endorsed Kamala Harris in the 2024 US presidential election, said she feared 'speaking out too much' or 'answering too many of these questions' that 'my words will just be used to add more fire and rhetoric to something that is in the hands of our elected officials. 'I just want people to stay focused on who is responsible and the things that they can do and when they need to show up and vote, and not let the actors and the artists who are trying to express freedom of art, freedom of speech take the heat for the individuals that are actually responsible.' The chic outfit was the actress's second of the day and at an earlier photo call she wore a short-sleeve black top and matching oversized trousers Jennifer's top featured a floor-length cloak, which graciously cascaded behind her The No Hard Feelings star stunned as she promoted the film, in which she plays a lead role alongside Robert Pattinson Lawrence's comments were slammed by fans online after she previously praised her friend, actress and comedian Amy Schumer, for choosing to speak up in support of Israel amid the conflict. Schumer was forced to disable her Instagram comments in November 2023 after posting in support of Israel following Hamas's deadly attack on October 7, after which Israel retaliated with airstrikes on Gaza, prompting protestors to call for a cease-fire. Her posts received a slew of harsh comments critiquing her views, her looks, and weight. After sharing a number of videos that explained what a ceasefire would mean for Israel, she turned off comments on the posts. She later shared a note reading: 'Couple things. What I want is EVERY HOSTAGE BACK I want safety and freedom from Hamas for Palestinians and Israelis. I want safety for Jewish people and Muslims as well. Everyone. Just like you. I want peace.' 'You will never see me wishing harm on anyone. Saying I'm Islamophobic or that I like genocide is crazy. So here you go by popular demand. Comments on. Please keep the below in mind. External power to the six-reactor Zaporizhia nuclear power plant (NPP) in the Russian-occupied city of Enerhodar, Zaporizhia region, was disconnected more than three days ago, which raised concerns about the safety of the plant, according to an article in the British newspaper The Guardian, published on Saturday. "Emergency generators are being used to power cooling and safety systems after the final power line into the plant was cut on the Russian side at 4.56pm on Tuesday and there is no immediate sign that the line will be reconnected... Western experts and Ukrainian officials fear the Kremlin is manufacturing a crisis to consolidate its grip over the plant, which is Europes largest, and that Russia is taking high-risk steps to turn on at least one reactor despite the wartime conditions," the publication said. Stress tests conducted by European regulators after the 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan showed that a nuclear power plant must be able to operate without external power for 72 hours. Ukrainian sources told the publication that exceeding that deadline has not yet been tested. IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi said the loss of external power "increases the likelihood of a nuclear accident." Seven out of 18 available generators are powering cooling on site but if they were to fail, Ukrainian sources said, there would be a risk that the nuclear fuel in the six reactors would heat uncontrollably over a period of weeks, leading to a meltdown. "An accelerated version of this scenario happened at Fukushima because the reactors had just been operating. A 9.0-magnitude earthquake struck Japan and the hot reactors on the site were automatically shut down in response. Emergency generators continued to pump cooling water around the reactor but these were knocked out by a tsunami that followed minutes later. Three nuclear cores at the plant melted down within three days, though the fuel remained contained. Nobody was killed but more than 100,000 were evacuated," the report reads. According to the publication, there are signs that Russia is building a new power line from occupied Maripol to Zaporizhia NPP to resolve the crisis. Satellite images also showed that the Russian occupiers built a dam across the inlet canal to Zaporizhia NPP in the summer to create a safer source of water. Greenpeace nuclear energy experts believe that Russia has enough water to restart one of the six reactors. The station's appointed director, Yuriy Chernichuk, said the process of integrating Zaporizhia NPP into the Russian grid is "in its final stages," while restarting any nuclear reactor during wartime would be dangerous. Senior nuclear energy specialist at Greenpeace Ukraine Shaun Burnie called on the IAEA head to intervene: "Grossi needs to immediately tell the Russian government to abandon its plans for reactor restart and to make clear that they alone are responsible for the nuclear safety and security crisis." External power to Zaporizhia NPP has been lost nine times before, each time due to damage to a line in Ukrainian government-controlled territory as a result of Russian troops striking the power infrastructure. However, on Tuesday, the line was damaged on the Russian side, about two kilometers from the plant. The Russian side claims that repairs are hindered by "ongoing shelling by the Ukrainian armed forces," while the Ukrainian side denies the accusations and claims that it never fires at or around the plant, the article reads. As reported, on Friday, Ukrainian Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk said Zaporizhia NPP has been operating for two days in a row with violations of operating conditions due to damage to a single power transmission line due to Russian shelling. "Zaporizhia NPP has been in a blackout for the second day, which is a significant violation of normal operating conditions. The largest nuclear power plant in Europe runs on diesel generators. This is the 10th blackout of Zaporizhia NPP," she said. "Just last week in Vienna, I held numerous meetings with colleagues on the sidelines of the 69th IAEA General Conference. As a result of the conference, a resolution was adopted in which the IAEA demands the immediate de-occupation of Zaporizhia NPP and its return to full control of Ukraine. The document, supported by 62 member states, contains a direct call for the immediate withdrawal of all unauthorized military and other personnel from Zaporizhia NPP," Hrynchuk said on Facebook and called for increased "pressure on the Russians to demilitarize and de-occupy the plant as soon as possible." Janice Dickinson has blasted ITV over her I'm A Celebrity injury as she makes an explosive new claim. The US model, 70, was forced to quit the South African series of the show in 2023 after suffering head and facial injuries when she tripped in the dark at the jungle camp. She has now filed a personal injury claim against ITV at the High Court, seeking damages. The TV personality revealed in an interview at the time that she tripped and fell flat on her face during filming for the pre recorded show in October 2022, while trying to find the toilet in the middle of the night. She blamed her own 'stupidity' and confirmed at the time that ITV paid her show fee and her medical bills but it's now understood new information has come to light. The star has accused ITV of negligence and claims she was not properly safeguarded during filming. Janice Dickinson has blasted the ITV over her I'm A Celebrity fall as she makes a explosive new claim The US model, 70, was forced to quit the South African series of the show in 2023 after suffering head and facial injuries when she tripped in the dark at the jungle camp Following her fall, Janice was forced to take a series of three injections against rabies, which ITV initially refused to cover, according to The Sun. She also claimed they failed to contact her directly once she had returned home to Los Angeles. Janice told the publication: 'ITV need to take some responsibility... I was so f***ed up, my face was bloody, all cut up. 'Those motherf***s left me there bleeding in the dark for ten minutes. 'ITV had a duty of care and they let me down big time.' A spokesperson for ITV told Daily Mail: 'We will study Janice's claims and the details when we receive them. IAC operates a high level of safety protocols and the health, safety and welfare of all of our contributors are our number one priority. 'We dont recognise this version of events. However, we looked after Janice at the time, paid her medical expenses, flew her home to LA, and the I'm A Celebrity team were in regular contact with Janice and her representatives on an ongoing basis after she returned home to America until after the programme aired seven months later.' It comes just days after Janice's rep, Dermot McNamara confirmed to Daily Mail: 'A claim has been issued at the High Court, in relation to her appearance on Im a Celebrity: South Africa and she looks forward to giving her full account in due course.' The star has accused ITV of negligence and claims she was not properly safeguarded during filming The model told The Sun's TV Mag at the time of the accident: 'I was feeling very insecure because the campfire had gone out and it was as dark as it could be. So I thought: Right, I'll make it to the dunny from memory.' 'I walked a couple of steps and tripped, flying flat on my face hair all over my forehead, my nose was bloody and my whole chin was gashed open. 'Blood was gushing from all these areas, and there was dirt and stones embedded in my face from the fall.' She added: 'All I could feel was an intense head pain from one to ten it was about a nine and I was just lying there, moaning. It was a freak accident that happened so quickly.' Luckily, Janice was found by her campmates Fatima Whitbread and Phil Tuffnell, who quickly picked her up off the floor and helped her back to the campsite. The US star, who was 'moaning and crying' with pain, was then helped to her bed before a medic came into camp to assess her. Janice recalled that she was taken to the medical hut where she was cleaned up and given pain relief. She was then transported via ambulance, in which she was given a compress for her head and chin, to a 'tiny hospital in the middle of nowhere', while her husband Robert Gerner - who was already in South Africa - was called. Janice (pictured in April) said at the time:'If you look really closely now, there's still an indentation on my forehead, which I don't think will ever fill out' 'My husband's face didn't budge when he saw me it was probably like waking up and seeing me every morning with this wrinkly old pruney face'But he held my hand really tight so I knew something must be up,' she added to TV Mag. 'It was an honest accident. But ITV were kind enough to pay for my doctors' bills once I got back to LA. 'I had to go to a serious skin specialist, who put me under laser lighting five days a week for my wounds to heal quickly. That was costly, so ITV did pony up and pay my bills, thank you very much. She added: 'If you look really closely now, there's still an indentation on my forehead, which I don't think will ever fill out. The star insisted she wanted to return to the camp but admitted production made the right call in keeping her out. She added: 'I was in shock even a day after. I think people in the campsite couldn't have handled it.' I'm A Celeb is returning to South Africa for a second All Stars spin-off series in 2026. The spin-off of the hit jungle series, which debuted in 2023, will once again see some of the most memorable contestants from previous years battle it out in the South African wilderness. Ant & Dec are currently shooting in South Africa with the all-star line up also recently jetting out to pre record the series. Whilst ITV are yet to confirm the line up it's reported the likes of Gemma Collins, Harry Redknapp, David Haye, Craig Charles and Ashley Roberts will all return to the jungle. Natalie Dormer has announced she will donate her entire salary for playing Sarah Ferguson in a new ITV drama to a charity helping victims of sexual abuse. The Duchess of York has hit the headlines after it was revealed she wrote to Jeffrey Epstein to apologise for disavowing him in a public statement following his conviction for child sexual abuse offences. The actress, 43, who is set to play Fergie in The Lady, said the royal's 'inexcusable' behaviour would mean as well as giving up her salary, she would also no longer promote the show. The drama follows the downfall of the Duchess's dresser Jane Andrews, who was jailed in 2001 for murdering her lover. Andrews, now 57, beat her wealthy partner Tom Cressman, 39, in bed and stabbed him in the chest with a kitchen knife at their flat in Fulham, west London, in 2000. Natalie said: 'Since completing the project, new information has come to light that makes it impossible for me to reconcile my values with Sarah Ferguson's behaviour, which I believe is inexcusable. For that reason, I will not be taking part in the promotion of the project. In keeping with my commitment to the wellbeing of children,' Natalie Dormer has announced she will donate her entire salary for playing Sarah Ferguson in a new ITV drama to a charity helping victims of sexual abuse (pictured 2020) It was revealed The Duchess Of York (pictured 2024) wrote to Jeffrey Epstein to apologise for disavowing him in a public statement following his conviction for child sexual abuse offences. She told The Telegraph: 'I have donated my entire salary from this project to the National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC) and the Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse'. The official synopsis for the series reads: 'Once a young working-class girl from Grimsby, Jane answered an advertisement in the magazine The Lady and to the astonishment of her friends and family, became the Duchess of York's dresser at Buckingham Palace. 'Moving amongst the highest social circles in Britain, Jane managed to secure a place in the upper-classes, only to lose her job with the Duchess after nine years of service. 'Still reeling from her fall from grace, Jane went on to meet charismatic businessman Thomas Cressman and fell deeply in love. Soon cracks began to develop in the romance Jane had pinned all her hopes on, with disastrous consequences.' Jane became firm friends with Fergie after beginning her role at Buckingham Palace in 1988 - the same year she met former stockbroker Thomas through a mutual acquaintance. Several charities severed ties with the Duchess this week after it emerged she apologised to paedophile financier Epstein in April 2011 after publicly disowning him in the media. Among the organisations to end their relationship with Sarah after the email came to light was the Teenage Cancer Trust, which dropped her as patron after 35 years. Similar announcements came from Wiltshire and Dorset-based children's hospice Julia's House, Prevent Breast Cancer, The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation and the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals who all cut ties on Monday. The actress, 43, who is set to play Fergie in The Lady, said the royal's 'inexcusable' behaviour would mean as well as giving up her salary, she would also no longer promote the show. She said: new information has come to light that makes it impossible for me to reconcile my values with Sarah Ferguson's behaviour, which I believe is inexcusable' (Fergie pictured in June) The British Heart Foundation also said Sarah was no longer a serving ambassador for the charity. Julia's House said it would be 'inappropriate for her to continue as a patron of the charity' citing her correspondence with Epstein as a deciding factor. Meanwhile founders of food allergy charity The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation said they were 'disturbed' to read her correspondence with him. Sarah also resigned from the Youth Impact Council, a US-based charity that helps young people. Sarah sent the apology email to Epstein after he threatened to 'destroy' her family in a 'chilling call', it was claimed. The Duchess sent the message in April 2011, describing Epstein as a 'supreme friend', after publicly disowning him in the media. James Henderson, the Duchess's spokesperson at the time, said the email was sent after a 'really menacing and nasty' phone call from the sex offender who had a 'Hannibal Lecter-type voice', the Telegraph reported. According to the outlet, Mr Henderson said: 'People don't understand how terrible Epstein was. I can remember everything about that call. 'It was a chilling call and I'm surprised anybody was ever friends with him given the way he talked to me. 'He said he would destroy the York family and he was quite clear on that. He said he would destroy me. He wasn't shouting. 'He had a Hannibal Lecter-type voice. It was very cold and calm and really menacing and nasty.' He continued: 'The pressure she was put under to protect her family must have been huge. I am sure there were legal actions. 'And this was long before the Duke's life had been ruined by his association with Epstein. It was 14 years ago and everyone will do what they have to do to protect their family. Her family and children will always come first for her.' The phone call reportedly took place in the wake of the duchess's interview with the Evening Standard on March 7 2011, in which she apologised for accepting 15,000 from Epstein. During the interview, Sarah told the newspaper: 'I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children and know that this was a gigantic error of judgment on my behalf. I am just so contrite I cannot say. 'Whenever I can, I will repay the money and have nothing ever to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again.' A little over a month later, the Duchess sent a message to Epstein, reported by The Mail on Sunday, in which she said: 'I know you feel hellaciously let down by me. Several charities severed ties with the Duchess this week after it emerged she apologised to paedophile financier Epstein in April 2011 after publicly disowning him in the media '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.' It continued: 'I was advised in no uncertain terms, to have nothing to do with you and to not speak or email you. And if I did - I would cause more problems to you, the duke and myself. I was broken and lost. 'So please understand. I didn't want to hurt Andrew one more time. I was in over-riding fear. I am sorry.' Following the announcements by the charities on Monday, family members of Virginia Giuffre praised their 'decisive action' by cutting ties with Sarah. Ms Giuffre, who died in Western Australia in April aged 41, was one of the most outspoken accusers of convicted sex offenders Epstein and his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell. In 2022, she settled a lawsuit against Andrew for allegedly sexually assaulting her when she was 17 after she was trafficked by Epstein. He denied the claim and ever meeting Ms Giuffre. American-born Ms Giuffre's brother, Sky Roberts, and her sister-in-law Amanda Roberts, said in a statement: 'It is commendable that these seven charities have cut ties with Sarah Ferguson in light of her connections to Epstein. 'This decisive action sends a strong message about accountability and the need to confront those who support the horrific child trafficking network established by Epstein and Maxwell.' They added: 'It raises important questions about our own efforts in America. Are we doing enough to condemn those complicit in these crimes? 'We should follow the example set by these organisations and take meaningful steps to protect the vulnerable and uphold justice.' Ms Giuffre was 'systematically failed by nearly every powerful institution that was meant to protect her', they said, before commending the 'forceful response' from the charities. They added: 'In absence of governmental accountability, we urgently need stronger public condemnation of the men and women involved in propping up Epstein's horrific child sex trafficking network here in America to begin pursuing real justice.' Andrew paid millions to settle the civil sexual assault case with Ms Giuffre in 2022, who alleged the duke slept with her on three separate occasions. Epstein was found dead in his cell at a federal jail in Manhattan in August 2019 while he awaited trial on sex-trafficking charges. The death was ruled a suicide. Sir Richard Branson showed off his injured cheek after running 'face first' into a window at one his New York hotels this week. The Virgin mogul, 75, took to his Instagram with snaps of his bleeding face but still managed to look on the bright side as he poked fun at the unlucky mishap. Sir Richard explained that he'd been excited to speak with a member of his team and as he tried to chase after them ran into the window, leaving a mark on the glass in his wake. He joked: 'Did you hear about the guy who ran into a window? He was in a lot of pane...This week, that guy was yours truly'. 'I was having dinner with the @PlanetaryGdns at @VirginHotelsNYC, discussing some fascinating advancements in sustainable farming by Holganix. Then I saw the Holganix team walk past. 'I wanted to introduce them to the group, so I sprinted to catch up with them and ran face first into the window. I left quite a mark on the glass - and it left quite the mark on me! Sir Richard Branson, 75, showed off his injured cheek after running 'face first' into a window at one his New York hotels this week The Virgin mogul took to his Instagram with snaps of his bleeding face but still managed to look on the bright side as he poked fun at the mishap. Before adding: 'The delightful Elizabeth reacted quickly to stop me falling - we had a laugh about it the next day. Thankfully there's no serious damage done, Im feeling fine and the cut is healing well. In the meantime, I'll be sure to turn the other cheek!' It comes just weeks after Sir Richard was left devastated after a talented chef was reportedly killed in a crash on his exclusive Caribbean hideaway. Executive sous chef Sihle Somdaka, 37, was found fatally injured after apparently losing control of an electric buggy on Necker Island, the Virgin tycoon's 95,000-a-night private paradise. The father-of-two, hailed as a rising star of the culinary world, had just attended a raucous farewell party at the island's opulent Great House, which was once the home of Branson and his wife Joan. Police in the British Virgin Islands have now launched a full investigation into the tragedy, which has rocked Branson's close-knit island community. A source told The Sun: 'Sir Richard wasn't on the island when the incident occurred but has been in close contact with the family and the Necker Island team.' They added that the billionaire was 'deeply saddened' by the incident, which is said to have occurred late Friday night. The crash unfolded shortly before midnight, when Somdaka left the party and began driving down a steep hillside in one of the resort's electric buggies. Sir Richard explained that he'd been excited to speak with a member of his team and as he tried to chase after them ran into the window (pictured with colleague who stopped him from falling) He even left a mark on the glass in his wake He joked: 'Did you hear about the guy who ran into a window? He was in a lot of pane...This week, that guy was yours truly' Island medics and a doctor rushed from nearby Moskito Island to carry out frantic CPR before Somdaka was transported by boat to Peebles Hospital on Tortola. Tragically, he was later pronounced dead after sustaining a head injury. The source confirmed to the newspaper that staff on the island are now working with several local authorities to determine exactly what happened that night, adding that a full investigation is now being carried out into the circumstances. But one insider blamed a 'culture of excess' on the billionaire's island for the shocking loss of life. 'They've had very many close shaves and near misses over the years... It was only a matter of time, but it should never have happened,' they said. Somdaka, originally from Cape Town, had dazzled diners across the globe from high-end restaurants in Doha to Kuwait before landing the coveted role in Branson's Caribbean retreat. Just days before the tragedy, he had posted sun-drenched photos of himself enjoying the island's jet skis and pristine beaches with the caption: 'Caribbean life.' A spokesperson from Virgin Limited Edition said: 'It is with deepest sadness that we can confirm that one of our Necker Island team members, sadly passed away on Saturday 30 August 2025. They were a hugely talented and exceptional member of the Necker Island family, and we are all devastated by this news. Our utmost priority is the wellbeing of their family and friends, and that of our team, and we are doing everything we can to support them all during this very difficult time.' Roxy Jacenko's son Hunter Curtis has followed in his mother's entrepreneurial footsteps. The 11-year-old has launched a new business venture, jumping on the current viral Labubu craze. Hunter, himself a fan of the furry plush toys, took to Instagram on Friday to reveal his ingenious idea. He is selling 3D-printed stands for the cute critters, and after just one day since announcing the idea, he's already taking orders. 'New business! So many people have PopMart Labubus & they dont know how to display them,' he wrote. 'So I have made stands to solve the problem. Slide along to see how they work. If you would like to purchase just send me a DM with your email and I will get in touch with pricing and delivery.' Roxy Jacenko's, 45, son Hunter Curtis, 11, has followed in his mother's entrepreneurial footsteps He then shared a series of images that showed his Labubu collection and how his stands hold the zoomorphic creatures. He also took to his Instagram story to show his impressive 3D printer set-up working hard to fill orders he's already received. Hunter then posted photos showing him dutifully filling and packaging orders. Speaking to Daily Mail, Roxy, 45, said she and husband Oliver Curtis, as well as daughter Pixie, 14, who recently jetted off to an elite school in Switzerland, were proud of Hunter's entrepreneurial spirit. 'We are super proud of him. Pixie tooeven though in her moving to Switzerland her room has become his production space,' Roxy said. 'He has two 3D printers and started making things and learning how it works. 'Now hes confident he decided to jump on the Labubu trend and make stands for them as he collects them and couldnt display themtill now!' Roxy added Hunter is able to produce five of the stands every three hours, and he is selling them for just $10 each. The 11-year-old has launched a new business venture, jumping on the current viral Labubu craze Hunter, himself a fan of the furry plush toys, took to Instagram on Friday to reveal his ingenious idea He is selling 3D-printed stands for the cute critters, and after just one day since announcing the idea, he's already taking orders There's no doubt Hunter is following in his PR maven mother's footsteps, with Roxy having established numerous businesses, including Ministry of Talent and Sweaty Betty PR. He is also taking some inspiration from sister Pixie who, along with Roxy, launched her business, Pixie Bows, in 2014, when she was just two years old. At 10, Pixie also launched a second businessfidget toy brand Pixie Pix. Despite both brands being wildly successful, Roxy announced in 2023 that they were closing so her daughter could focus on school. She said while her daughter's fidget toy brand was once raking in $200,000 a month, Pixie decided it is time to 'refocus' her priorities. 'He has two 3D printers and started making things and learning how it works. Now hes confident he decided to jump on the Labubu trend and make stands for them as he collects them and couldnt display themtill now!' his mother Roxy said Jimmy Kimmel took a swipe at Trump over the president's United Nations escalator 'sabotage' which occurred earlier this week. The 57-year-old comedian - whose late night talk show returned on Tuesday after being pulled off the air - referenced to the incident by sharing an Instagram post on Friday. His sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez posed for a snap while standing near the top of an escalator. 'Headed to Brooklyn! Escalator is working great!' the TV personality penned in the caption, subtly referencing to the Trump incident. Earlier this week on Tuesday, Trump and wife Melania made an appearance at the United Nations' General Assembly. However as they began making their way to an upper level, the escalator came to a sudden halt. The U.S. president later took to his Truth Social platform to claim that he had been the victim of a 'triple sabotage' during his trip to the UN. Jimmy Kimmel, 57, took a swipe at Trump over the president's United Nations escalator 'sabotage' which occurred earlier this week; seen in June 'Headed to Brooklyn! Escalator is working great!' the TV personality penned in the caption, subtly referencing to the Trump incident During his speech, Trump mentioned the mishap and said, 'All I got from the United Nations was an escalator that, on the way up, stopped right in the middle. 'If the first lady wasn't in great shape, she would have fallen. But she's in great shape. We're both in good shape, we both stood.' In his Truth Social post, the U.S. president penned: 'A REAL DISGRACE took place at the United Nations yesterday - Not one, not two, but three very sinister events!' He added that it was 'amazing that Melania and I didn't fall forward onto the sharp edges of these steel steps, face first. It was only that we were each holding the handrail tightly or, it would have been a disaster.' Trump also suggested that those involved in the 'sabotage' should 'be arrested!' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt had also cited a previous report by the The Sunday Times that said UN staff had joked about turning the escalators and elevators off to prank the president. Aside from the broken escalator, Trump also pointed to the teleprompter not working during his address as well as poor audio quality when he spoke. Kimmel returned to the air the same day as the president's UN visit in NYC - and his opening monologue was his most-watched one on YouTube after garnering around 22 million views. However as Trump and wife Melania began making their way to an upper level, the escalator came to a sudden halt (seen above on Tuesday) During his speech, Trump mentioned the mishap and said, 'All I got from the United Nations was an escalator that, on the way up, stopped right in the middle'; seen on Tuesday In his Truth Social post, the U.S. president penned: 'A REAL DISGRACE took place at the United Nations yesterday - Not one, not two, but three very sinister events!' The star made jibes at President Donald Trump while also saying that he did not intend 'to make light of the murder of a young man' - although he didn't offer a direct apology amidst the monologue. Last week, the comedian was taken off the air following remarks he made about Charlie Kirk's assassination. He had insinuated that suspected shooter Tyler Robinson, 22, was Republican and that the 'Maga gang' was trying to 'score political points' over Kirk's tragic passing. The TV personality further mentioned Trump on Wednesday's episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! 'You know, a lot of people watched our show last night,' he stated at one point during this monologue. 'I did hear from one very special friend, moments after we taped our show last night, the mad red hatter wrote, "I can't believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back."' Kimmel then said, 'You can't believe they gave me my job back? I can't believe they gave you your job back! We're even.' Earlier this week, Trump also threatened to sue ABC after it was announced that Kimmel would return to the air. Last week, the comedian was taken off the air following remarks he made about Charlie Kirk's assassination; seen on Tuesday He had insinuated that suspected shooter Tyler Robinson, 22, was Republican and that the 'Maga gang' was trying to 'score political points' over Kirk's tragic passing' Kirk seen in May in Washington D.C. In response, Kimmel labeled the president as a 'bully' on his late night talk show. 'There are still a lot of people who think I should be pulled off the air for making fun of Donald Trump,' he said. 'So, I want to explain. I talk about Trump more than anything because he's a bully. I don't like bullies.' On Monday, Disney announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would return to ABC. The comeback was initially derailed due to major ABC affiliates such as Sinclair Inc. and Nexstar stating they still will not air the show on their local stations. However, Sinclair announced that it would begin airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! on all of its 38 ABC affiliates beginning on Friday. The company said in a statement: 'Over the last week, we have received thoughtful feedback from viewers, advertisers, and community leaders representing a wide range of perspectives. 'We have also witnessed troubling acts of violence, including the despicable incident of a shooting at an ABC affiliate station in Sacramento. 'These events underscore why responsible broadcasting matters and why respectful dialogue between differing voices remains so important. However, Sinclair announced that it would begin airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! on all of its 38 ABC affiliates beginning on Friday Nexstar also revealed that it would resume airing the late night talk show on its 32 ABC affiliates starting Friday; Kimmel seen on Tuesday 'Our decision to preempt this program was independent of any government interaction or influence.' It additionally read, 'Free speech provides broadcasters with the right to exercise judgement as to the content on their local stations. 'While we understand that not everyone will agree with our decisions about programming, it is simply inconsistent to champion free speech while demanding that broadcasters air specific content.' Nexstar also revealed that it would resume airing the late night talk show on its 32 ABC affiliates starting Friday. Kylie Jenner showed off her toned figure in an eye-catching sheer ensemble as she posed up a storm for new Instagram snaps shared on Friday. The 28-year-old beauty mogul - who recently sparked outrage for using rare $163K Hermes Birkin as a carry-on bag while flying private - flaunted the look while pausing for the photos inside the headquarters for her makeup brand, Kylie Cosmetics. She donned a fitted bodysuit that clung to her frame and was made of a very sheer, light pink lace material as well as a strip of black fabric around the bust area. The mom-of-two layered the outfit with a matching cropped jacket that had a fuzzy trim. Jenner slipped into a pair of white floral tights as well as open-toed, white heels that had floral straps secured around her ankles. The star's long brunette locks were parted in the middle and effortlessly flowed down past her shoulders in elegant waves. Kylie Jenner, 28, showed off her toned figure in an eye-catching sheer ensemble as she posed up a storm for new Instagram snaps shared on Friday She donned a fitted bodysuit that clung to her frame and was made of a very sheer, light pink lace material as well as a strip of black fabric around the bust area The media personality's makeup was glammed up for the spontaneous photo session and comprised of a layer of mascara to her lashes as well as a light shadow around her eyes. A pink blush was added to her cheekbones for a radiant glow while a nude-colored matte tint was worn on her lips for a finishing touch. Instead of penning a lengthy caption to her 392 million followers, Jenner simply added a red heart emoji with an arrow in the middle. The Kardashians star took the images inside was appeared to be a work studio and in a few snaps, a pink neon sign on the wall spelled out 'Kylie.' Jenner also further flaunted her ensemble while sitting on a couch, and a variety of colorful pictures of herself hung behind her. When it comes to fitness, the star will sometimes take to social media and share snippets of herself at the gym. And last year, the mom-of-two addressed rumors that she had taken Ozempic to lose weight after welcoming her second child. Jenner shares daughter Stormi, seven, and son Aire, three, with ex and rapper Travis Scott. A pink blush was added to her cheekbones for a radiant glow while a nude-colored matte tint was worn on her lips for a finishing touch When it comes to fitness, the star will sometimes take to social media and share snippets of herself at the gym And last year, the mom-of-two addressed rumors that she had taken Ozempic to lose weight after welcoming her second child 'I'm back at my weight I was before I had my daughter and son and people are putting side by sides of me three months postpartum,' she told British Vogue. Jenner then further addressed the Ozempic rumors and expressed, 'Does everyone forget that I had two children and I gained 60 pounds both pregnancies?' 'I was 200 pounds when I gave birth to my 9 pound babies: 8.3 and 8.9. I finally lost all the baby weight after my daughter and then got pregnant with my son two months later.' The reality star added, 'And I felt in shape and it was working out, and then I got pregnant and did it all over again.' 'I feel like people didn't give me, or give women in general, enough empathy,' she said. Over the past weekend, Jenner posted a rare family photo with her two children as she gave fans a glimpse into her daily life. The reality star uploaded an assortment of Instagram snaps alongside the caption, 'i luv my life.' In one of the images, Jenner could be seen flashing a cheerful smile while embracing her kids. Over the past weekend, Jenner posted a rare family photo with her two children as she gave fans a glimpse into her daily life Stormi could be dressed in a school uniform while the reality star also held her son in her arms for the adorable picture. The Instagram carousel also included a number of other images, such as sultry selfies. Jenner could be seen gazing up at the camera wearing a cropped white tank top as well as a pair of low-waisted leather pants. The mom-of-two snapped a quick photo as she took a seat inside a luxurious private jet. A screen in the background also read 'KylieAir.' On the floor next to her outstretched legs was a limited-edition Birkin 50 that is worth around $163K, per the resale site Vestiaire Collective. Jenner could be seen gazing up at the camera wearing a cropped white tank top as well as a pair of low-waisted leather pants On the floor next to her outstretched legs was a limited-edition Birkin 50 that is worth around $163K, per the resale site Vestiaire Collective Jenner recently hit a major milestone as she celebrated the 10th anniversary of Kylie Cosmetics which she launched back in 2015. In regards to celebrating the 10-year anniversary of her beauty brand, the star told WWD's Beauty Inc., 'I've been very emotional about it. 'I found my old phone from 2016 and there are these photos of me at 17, 18 years old, sitting on the factory floor creating my first eye shadow palette.' Jenner added, 'I didn't think that far into the future when I was creating the brand - I wasn't thinking about 10 years later - so it is pretty surreal to be here.' Kelsey Parker has emotionally revealed sick trolls cruelly told her the stillbirth of her son Phoenix was 'karma' amid her new romance. Her late husband, The Wanted's Tom Parker, heartbreakingly died three years ago of brain cancer aged just 33. They have two children together - Aurelia, four, and Bohdi who is three. In September last year, Kelsey went official with her new partner Will Lindsay, with the pair announcing they were expecting their first child earlier this year. Devastatingly, Kelsey revealed in June that her baby son Phoenix was 'born sleeping'. In a new interview, the grieving mother has told how sick trolls branded her heartbreaking loss as 'karma'. Kelsey Parker has emotionally revealed sick trolls cruelly told her the stillbirth of her son Phoenix was 'karma' amid her new romance Her late husband, The Wanted 's Tom Parker, heartbreakingly died three years ago of brain cancer aged just 33 (pictured in 2021) Speaking to The Sun, she said: 'There were comments like 'karma'... I mean, that just shocks me,' she says, still visibly shaken. 'Someone else said I deserved for my baby to die. How can anyone think someone deserves to lose their baby? That's what they were insinuating - that I deserved this pain, this loss. 'Someone also compared Phoenix to a cat they had lost, as if to them losing a cat didn't mean anything and was insignificant - it's just so disrespectful.' Reflecting on one abhorrent message, Kelsey continued: 'One person wrote, "He wasnt much of a Phoenix - he didnt rise from the ashes." 'It was sickening. For me, it was just absolutely heartbreaking to see that and about a baby that didn't even make it into the world. I felt I couldnt protect him.' She added that the abuse she was receiving didn't just affect her, but impacted on her children, her mother and partner. Kelsey said she is still open to having more children and believes Tom is 'looking after Phoenix for us'. Last month, Kelsey appeared on ITV's Lorraine and spoke to host Christine Lampard about her grief. Reflecting on one abhorrent message, Kelsey said: 'One person wrote, "He wasnt much of a Phoenix - he didnt rise from the ashes"' In September last year, Kelsey went official with her new partner Will Lindsay, with the pair announcing they were expecting their first child earlier this year She explained: 'You've had to learn to live with various coping mechanisms since Tom passed away, suddenly you're having to tap into those again. 'I know the children have been, and always will be this driving force for you... you still have to make them breakfast, take them to school. You still have to create a normal life for them...' She gushed: 'My kids are my everything, they have got me through the darkest of times, I cant believe Im back here three and a half years later dealing with such a loss and a devastation but me and Will have the kids and they have to have normality, they have to go to school. 'I did do the school run and for me, I think you have to rip the plaster off at some point, and if Id left it until after the summer holidays and I came back and saw the parents, people dont know what to say, we are so awful about talking about grief, loss and death and us as a family, were not. 'So, I did get up and do the school run, I faced everyone.' Kelsey also said her children are aware of what happened to their little brother. Devastatingly, Kelsey revealed in June that her baby son Phoenix was 'born sleeping' She said: 'Its being honest, its telling them facts because I never wanted them to feel like Ive not been honest 'I dont like the thought of them being in separate rooms to adults and adults having separate conversations because kids listen.' Kelsey added: 'Theyve gone through this before, theyve lost their dad, they know their dad is with the angels now so weve said Phoenix has gone with your daddy.' If you have been affected by this story, support is available from The Lullaby Trust on 0808 8026868 Poppy Delevingne and Naomi Watts proved they know how to lead a fashion pack as as they commanded attention in Milan on Saturday. Model Poppy showcased her lean pins in a thigh-grazing black mini-skirt with an oversized leather jacket, as she hit the Ferrari show, held at Piazza Vetra. The blonde beauty slipped her tiny frame into the sleek red number, which included side pockets and was adorned with statement fringing and a front-zip design. Poppy, 39, wore some buckled pointed heels to finish off the look and styled her icy locks loosely around her shoulders. She kept make-up minimal, wearing natural tones, nude lip gloss and a sweep of mascara to her lashes. The new mother, who welcomed her first child, daughter Kaia Moon with partner Archie Keswick in May, was attending the Ferrari fashion show as part of Spring/Summer 2026 Milan Fashion Week. Poppy Delevingne and Naomi Watts proved they know how to lead a fashion pack as as they commanded attention in Milan on Saturday Naomi, 56, oozed sophistication in a brown suit with oversized tuxedo jacket which she layered over a white top and statement belt as she arrived in Milan for the fashion week. Shielding her eyes behind sunglasses, the stunner slipped her feet into round toe heels as she made her stylish arrival in Italy. Keeping on brand, she completed her look with a black Tod's handbag for the show and decorated her fingers with gold rings. The King Kong star was on her way to view Tod's Spring/Summer 2026 collection, which focuses on a soft, minimalist approach, whilst highlighting leather and tailoring. Meanwhile Michelle Monaghan, set pulses racing in an all black ensemble. She slipped into a maxi dress which boasted high neck detailing and ruffles along the hem. The stunner completed the look with a long leather coat worn unbuttoned, while toting her essentials in a chic pink handbag. Formula One driver, Lewis Hamilton was also meant to be sat front row, but his beloved dog Roscoe, was admitted to the vet on Friday, after he contracted pneumonia. Poppy showcased her lean pins in a thigh-grazing black mini-skirt with an oversized leather jacket that featured stylish fringing, as she hit the Ferrari show, held at Piazza Vetra Meanwhile Naomi Watts, 56, oozed sophistication in a brown suit with oversized tuxedo jacket which she layered over a white top and statement belt Shielding her eyes behind sunglasses, the stunner slipped her feet into round toe heels as she made her stylish arrival in Italy Now in an induced coma, on Friday night, Lewis told fans: 'I was supposed to be in Milan for the Ferrari fashion show tomorrow and was really excited about it. 'But you know I need to be with Roscoe right now I'll be watching the show on Ferrari style and want to send my love and support to Rocco and the whole team. 'I'm sure it's going to be amazing enjoy the live stream on Saturday and see you very soon.' It comes after Naomi's daughter Kai Schreiber gave her cause for concern on Thursday, as she was snapped smoking on a cigarette. The model, 16, took to Instagram on Thursday, following her catwalk turn at Milan Fashion Week, to share a seemingly innocuous black and white photo. Meanwhile Michelle Monaghan, set pulses racing in an all black ensemble as she slipped into a maxi dress which boasted high neck detailing and ruffles along the hem The stunner completed the look with a long leather coat worn unbuttoned, while toting her essentials in a chic pink handbag The image showed Kai sitting next to a friend, who offered the camera a dramatic expression. However, Kai was puffing on what appeared to be a cigarette in the snap. The rebellious act is a 'no no' in Milan, with the legal smoking age in Italy being 18 years of age. Similarly, in Kai's native US, she won't be able to light up legally until she turns 21. Kanye West's wife Bianca Censori announced her new fashion line this week - and it could 'rival' Kim Kardashian's SKIMS. Earlier this week Censori, 30, revealed she will soon be dropping a new project entitled 'Bianca' next month, a venture rumored to be a fashion brand. The model has been her controversial rapper partner's scantily-clad muse since their shock wedding in December 2022, and a source said she has wanted to 'do her own thing for a long time,' per The Sun. The insider also preemptively addressed comparison's to Kardashian's shapewear brand, which has been valued at $4 billion in recent years. 'Bianca's line could rival SKIMS, but she is not Kim, she's edgier and more into art. It's unlikely fans will see anything she produces in Nordstrom.' The source said starting a fashion line is opportune for Censori as 'being with Ye has introduced her to a whole new world with his Yeezy connections.' Kanye West's wife Bianca Censori announced her own clothing line this week and her new brand could 'rival' Kim Kardashian's SKIMS This comes as Censori, who has been her controversial rapper partner's scantily-clad muse since their shock wedding in December 2022, continues to draw comparison to West's ex-wife The insider also added: 'She studied architecture but has done very little on her own since entering Ye's orbit.' Insiders also said that Censori could have a difficult time with her brand as insiders also told the outlet that 'many companies don't want Kanye's baggage.' DailyMail.com has reached out to reps for Kardashian as well as West and Censori for comment. This comes as Censori continues to draw comparison to West's ex-wife. In recent months, West, 48, and Censori's marriage has been the subject of ongoing speculation as they were rumored to be heading for divorce earlier this year. However, the pair quickly reconciled after a brief split, leaving fans closely watching the controversial couple's next move to see what the 30-year-old model will do next with concerns about her welfare. Now, an insider said that Censori's project announcement is not unexpected as she has long been waiting for her chance to get her 'piece of the pie.' The former architect and West's fellow fashion enthusiast, who used to work at his Yeezy brand prior to them sparking up a romance, has now seemingly leveraged her husband's connections to make public her own creative endeavors. This comes after years of him dressing her in eye-popping looks in various states of undress, reminiscent of the outfits he used to encourage his ex-wife Kardashian, 44, to wear. This comes as Censori, 30, revealed she will soon be unveiling her own personal fashion project on her social media to be released in a little more than two weeks; pictured February 2024 in Milan, Italy Most astoundingly, the source said: 'Bianca's line could rival SKIMS, but she is not Kim, she's edgier and more into art. It's unlikely fans will see anything she produces in Nordstrom' The insider added that she 'has done very little on her own since entering Ye's orbit' Insiders also said that Censori could have a difficult time with her brand as insiders also told the outlet that 'many companies don't want Kanye's baggage.' They have continued to be marred in controversy with his disturbing, offensive remarks online; pictured in February When Kardashian and West first got together over a decade ago, the reality TV star also had her then-husband replace her wardrobe with nude tones and neutrals, similar to the outfits Censori has been wearing since marrying the rapper. In February West claimed Censori can't wear anything without his approval as he responded to the backlash over their outrageous Grammys stunt. Censori shocked the world when she attended the music awards completely naked under a sheer dress, exposing her breasts and genitals. The stunt made global headlines and many of West's followers were quick to accuse the rapper, 48, of being 'abusive' and 'controlling' while using his wife's body 'as clout'. Addressing the backlash amid a vile anti-Semitic, sexist and homophobic rant, West claimed that he had 'dominion' over Censori but insisted he would never force her to wear anything she didn't feel comfortable in. Kardashian and West were previously together for nearly 10 years and married from 2014 until she filed for divorce in 2021. Their divorce was finalized in late 2022. The former couple share four children: North, Saint, Chicago and Psalm; pictured in 2016 When Kardashian and West first got together over a decade ago, the reality TV star also had her then-husband replace her wardrobe with nude tones and neutrals, similar to the outfits Censori has been wearing since marrying the rapper; pictured in February 2020 He tweeted: 'I HAVE DOMINION OVER MY WIFE THIS AINT NO WOKE AS FEMINIST S**T SHES WITH A BILLIONAIRE WHY WOULD SHE LISTEN TO ANY OF YOU DUMB A** BROKE B*****S. 'PEOPLE SAY THE RED CARPET LOOK WAS HER DECISION YES I DONT MAKE HER DO NOTHING SHE DOESNT WANT TO BUT SHE DEFINITELY WOULDNT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IT WITHOUT MY APPROVAL YOU STUPID A** WOKE PAWNS. 'I HAVE NO RESPECT OR EMPATHY FOR ANY ONE LIVING CAUSE NO ONE LIVING CAN F**K WITH ME BUT I DO LOVE SOME PEOPLE AND I GIVE THEM FAVOR. [sic]' He carried on his rant in the early hours, penning: Anyone who called my wifes Grammy look a stunt is dumb and laaaame yes youuuu. 'She been dressing naked for 2 years. Now all of a sudden its a stunt. Every single b***h on the planet wish they had her bravery body platform and access to money and a husband that supported they personal expression. 'There are a lot of things that had to converge for this moment to happen.' Since West married Censori in 2022 fans have expressed concern over her wellbeing, with the Australian architect continuously seen parading around in various states of undress. During the Grammy Awards, Censori stepped onto the carpet clad in a furry black coat before theatrically dropping the garment and flashing her bare bottom to photographers. She turned around to show off her topless chest and lack of underwear while Kanye - nominated in the Best Rap Song category - leered at her nude body during the incident of indecent exposure. West, who was fully clothed, was seen issuing commands to Censori. Lip reader, Nicola Hickling went on to state that West said: 'You're making a scene now.' She nodded her head and he told her: 'Make a scene, I'll say it'll make so much sense.' He added: 'Drop it behind you and then turn, I got you.' She then tells him: 'Alright, let's go.' He's a Christian TikToker with nearly 10 million followers, but he's been caught in a rather ungodly storm. A nude photo of Noah Glenn Carter, 28, from Alabama, hit the internet this week, with the fit influencer caught in flagrante in a steamy bathroom wearing nothing but his silver chain necklace. Carter quickly took to social media to explain away the X-rated image in which he appears to be performing a sex act. 'So there's this photo of me that I was made aware of that has been posted to Twitter of me, you know, doing what people do,' he said, clearly embarassed, in a TikTok video last weekend. 'I have absolutely no idea how to get it taken down, so the picture is just up there for anyone to see.' So far, so standard as internet leaks go. But then, days later, Carter dramatically backtracked, claiming that the steamy photo which he had even shared a cropped portion of in that first video was not actually him, but rather an doctored image using his likeness. 'It's my face on someone else's body,' he suddenly claimed in the follow-up video. 'I actually did think it was me and I kind of panicked. [But] it was AI-generated.' A nude photo of Noah Glenn Carte hit the internet this week, with the fit influencer caught in flagrante in a steamy bathroom - wearing nothing but his silver chain necklace 'So there's this photo of me that I was made aware of that has been posted to Twitter of me, you know, doing what people do,' he said Unfortunately, fans didn't buy it and not least because, as many pointed out, he was wearing that same silver necklace from the nude photo during his TikTok video. 'Isn't he wearing the same necklace as the guy in the picture?' one commenter asked. 'Who are you trying to fool?' another chimed in. But, perhaps most persuasive of all was the user who pointed out: 'Surely you know what pictures you have taken.' In response, Carter went quiet on the issue though not before posting a series of hunky gym selfies on Saturday morning. And it is in these photos that the smoking gun perhaps lies. Daily Mail analysis shows that Carter's phone case, PopSocket and the stickers affixed to the back of his device in the gym selfies match the phone seen in the leaked nude. All of which raises two questions: Was the 'AI-generated' claim truthful? Or, more troubling still, could Carter be deliberately fueling speculation around the nudes scandal in order to bolster his fame? The answers to those questions, if we ever get them, might trouble many of Carter's religious fans. But then, days later, Carter dramatically backtracked, claiming that the steamy photo was not actually him, but rather an doctored image using his likeness. But fans didn't buy it In response, Carter posted a series of hunky gym selfies on Saturday morning. But Daily Mail analysis shows that Carter's phone case matches the one seen in the leaked nude Carter got his start on the app Musical.ly, which eventually merged with TikTok in 2018, initially posting dance and lip-sync videos. In 2019, his content shifted focusing more on comedic sketches and confessionals from his personal life, such as sharing that he'd had a nose job. Much of Carter's content has a religious theme and some of his videos have been reenactments of Christian stories. Carter proudly displays a Bible verse in his bio. More recently, his content has focused on pop culture news, sharing updates about celebrity goings-on. Carter did not respond to requests comment. Photo: https://www.facebook.com/pogrebiskij Military serviceman, Kyiv City Council deputy from the European Solidarity Oleksandr Pohrebysky has recalled that he has remained a defendant in the case of the attack on the former MP of the Opposition Platform For Life faction Oleh Voloshyn for the sixth year in a row, in connection with the confession of British former member of the European Parliament Nathan Gill in receiving bribes through Voloshyn for promoting pro-Russian positions. "Britain recognized the activities of the MP of Opposition Platform For Life Voloshyn as harmful to its country, and I have been on trial in Ukraine for six years for attacking a public official Voloshyn... For the fourth year, I have been a combat officer defending the state from the Russians, and I am defending myself from the authorities in the courts," Pohrebysky said on Facebook. He recalled that Voloshyn fled to Belarus ahead of Russia's full-scale invasion. "I am accused of attacking a public official and face up to seven years in prison. For six years now, I have been defending myself in the courts... and I am defending you at the frontline. I am just wondering how long the authorities will continue to mock me. For four years now, I have been serving and defending myself. Unfortunately, we live in such realities. But I continue to ask you never to give up in life we will definitely win," Pohrebysky said in his video address. As reported, on July 17, 2020, Voloshyn, speaking from the rostrum of the Verkhovna Rada regarding the vote on the resolution on the illegitimacy of the vote on amendments to the Constitution of Russia in the occupied Crimea (No. 3736), said: "Who would want to return to a country where everyone is begging, which has no sovereignty. I specifically did not come to this solemn meeting yesterday [the solemn meeting of the Verkhovna Rada on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Declaration on State Sovereignty of Ukraine], because there is nothing to celebrate." After that, on July 21, at about noon near the Verkhovna Rada on Hrushevskoho Street in Kyiv, unknown persons poured green antiseptic solution over Voloshyn. Law enforcement officers detained two people, including at that time an ATO/JFO veteran and public activist Oleksandr Pohrebysky, but evidence that it was he who doused Voloshyn with green antiseptic solution was never provided, and he himself also rejected the accusation. "There were absolutely no actions on my part that I could be accused of... If the SBU had responded in a timely manner to the anti-state appeals of people's deputies, in particular Voloshyn, when he allowed himself to say from the rostrum that the Ukrainian state is not sovereign, then perhaps these people who tried to educate him in this way would not have done these things," Pohrebysky said. On July 23, Pecherskyi District Court of Kyiv released him on personal recognizance and the suretyship of MPs from the European Solidarity faction. The leader of the political force MP Petro Poroshenko stated after the court session that the state has no right to abandon its defenders to their fate under the fire of the aggressor. Since then, for over five years, the consideration of the case against Pohrebysky has been delayed due to the constant failure to appear in court by Voloshyn and his representatives. On February 24, 2022, Pohrebysky joined the organization of the territorial defense battalion, participated in the defense of the capital and the evacuation of residents of Irpin, was one of the first to enter Bucha liberated from the occupiers, then continued his service in the 46th Brigade of the Airborne Assault Forces, which participated in the battles for the liberation of Kherson region and in Donbas in the Bakhmut area and defended Soledar. He received concussions and wounds in the battles. On August 1, 2024, Pohrebysky became the commander of the Kara unmanned systems battalion of the 53rd Motorized Rifle Brigade, and in December was awarded the Silver Cross. Since January 2025, he has been performing tasks in other areas. As reported by Reuters, former MEP and former leader of the Reform UK party in Wales (Great Britain) Nathan Gill pleaded guilty to eight counts of bribery for promoting a pro-Russian position in the European Parliament. Voloshyn is also involved in this case. Sean 'Diddy' Combs's son Justin Combs pleaded for his dad's release from prison ahead of his sentencing. On Friday, the 31-year-old nepo baby took to his Instagram Story to show his support for his father ahead of the disgraced rapper's sentencing hearing. 'FREE PD ASAP,' he wrote alongside a double exclamation point emoji and over a plain background. He also set his post to the tune of Diddy's collaboration with Nas titled Hate Me Now. This comes as Daily Mail revealed Diddy has been teaching a prison course from behind bars and is leaning on rave inmate reviews in a bid for freedom. Diddy is due to be sentenced on October 3rd for two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution for flying male escorts to hotels for 'Freak Offs' with his girlfriends, or sexual performances where he watched them have sex and masturbated. Sean 'Diddy' Combs's son Justin Combs pleaded for his dad's release from prison ahead of his sentencing; pictured January 2020 in Los Angeles Diddy, born Sean Combs, was sensationally acquitted of the far graver racketeering and sex-trafficking charges - crimes that carried a minimum 15-year term and even the possibility of life behind bars. He pleaded not guilty to all charges lodged against him. He was arrested in September 2024 and has since been incarcerated at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center. Earlier this week, Diddy's attorneys asked the judge presiding over his case to consider sentencing him to just a 14-month sentence followed by a supervised release with mandatory drug treatment, individual therapy and group therapy, because guidelines for 'Mr. Combs's crimes of conviction' are usually six to 12 months. His attorneys also said Diddy 'has been adequately punished by serving 13 months in the terrible conditions' already. Diddy is the father of seven kids with four different women. Justin is his second eldest child, his first biological son, and his only kid from his past relationship with ex-girlfriend Misa Hylton. His eldest is his adopted son Quincy Brown, who was born to Diddy's late wife Kim Porter and Al B. Sure!. 'FREE PD ASAP,' he wrote alongside a double exclamation point emoji and over a plain background He also set his post to the tune of Diddy's collaboration with Nas titled Hate Me Now The media mogul is set to be sentenced on October 3 and faces up to 20 years in prison; pictured May 2022 in Las Vegas Ahead of his upcoming sentencing, his children wrote letters on behalf of his character. Court documents show that all of his kids except for his toddler daughter wrote letters to Judge Arun Subramanian to ask for compassion for their father as he faces prison time; pictured January 2020 in Beverly Hills With the late model, Diddy also welcomed Christian 'King', 27, as well as 18-year-old twin daughters D'Lila and Jessie. Diddy is also father to daughter Chance, 19, from his past romance with Sarah Chapman. He shares two-year-old toddler Love Sean Combs with Dana Tran. Ahead of his upcoming sentencing, his children wrote letters on behalf of his character. Court documents show that all of his kids except for his toddler daughter wrote letters to Judge Arun Subramanian to ask for compassion for their father as he faces prison time. In his letter, Justin described the rapper as a supportive father who has always been present to take care of him and his siblings. In his letter, Justin described the rapper as a supportive father who has always been present to take care of him and his siblings; pictured January 2010 in New York City He was arrested in September 2024 and has since been incarcerated at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center. At the end of his trial earlier this year, he was convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution; pictured August 2023 in Atlanta 'Since his absence, life has felt incomplete,' he wrote. 'Each morning I wake up praying it was just a nightmare. 'My father has been there for me every day of my life not just physically, but emotionally, spiritually and in the deepest sense of what it means to be a father. I know how rare that is.' He also pleaded with the judge 'to see my father the way I do not through headlines, but through the eyes of a son who loves and needs him.' He continued: 'Please allow him the chance to come home, to be the father his children desperately need and to continue the work of becoming the man I know he is capable of being. 'My siblings and I cannot get back this lost time, but we pray you will give us the gift of having our father back in our lives while we still have time with him.' Cat Deeley is reportedly concerned that her estranged husband Patrick Kielty is struggling to cope with their split as she moves out of their home. The This Morning host, 48, and comedian, 54, announced their separation in July after 12 years of marriage. On Saturday, a photo obtained by The Sun showed a removal van outside their north London rental property, with movers seen loading boxes along with lamps and chairs. Patrick is thought to be staying at the property, which sits just a short distance from the couple's 5million five-bedroom 'forever home,' that they purchased two years ago and have been renovating. According to the publication, Cat is worried about how Patrick is handling the end of their marriage. A source told the outlet: 'She's worried Patrick seems to be taking longer to adjust. Cat Deeley is reportedly concerned that her estranged husband Patrick Kielty is struggling to cope with their split as she moves out of their home Patrick, 54, and Cat, 48, who have two sons together, announced the end of their 12-year marriage in July in a joint statement (pictured in 2021) 'He misses the family unit, and the pressure of work on top of the public split has made it hard for him. The source added: 'Cat still cares a lot for him and wants him to be in a good place for the boys and for himself so that does cause her some concern.' The Daily Mail has contacted Cat and Patrick's representative for comment. Announcing their separation in July, Cat and Patrick said: 'We have taken the decision to end our marriage and are now separated. There is no other party involved. 'We will continue to be united as loving parents to our children and would therefore kindly ask for our family privacy to be respected. There will be no further comment.' The Daily Mail previously revealed how Patrick's family are still seething over Cat's failure to attend his beloved mother's funeral and say they knew at that moment their marriage was over for good. Her 'no show' back in March has left deep emotional scars within the Kielty family who say it confirmed for them that there was little chance of a reconciliation between the two. Clearly still upset at the anger and embarrassment it caused the family, one relative told the Daily Mail: 'Whatever rockiness was going on in the marriage, something as momentous as his mother's funeral, you would make up even temporarily and just put your 'best face' on as we say in Northern Ireland. In a joint statement, they said: 'We have taken the decision to end our marriage and are now separated. There is no other party involved' (pictured August 2024) 'Cat obviously knew how close Patrick was to Mary and she should have come to be by his side, a hand on his shoulder as he buried his mother. The fact that she stayed in London and presented This Morning on the day, it's not been forgotten.' The source added: 'In a very tight knit community in Northern Ireland, people always turn out. It's the done thing. His family remain very upset by this. They still can't believe it. It was the point when we all realised that that marriage had ended.' Patrick looked bereft as he carried Mary's coffin through his home village, where he was joined by close family and friends at the Church of the Sacred Heart. A spokesperson for Cat told the Daily Mail at the time: 'Cat remained at home to be there for her two young children before and after school on this very sad day.' Friends of the former couple recently told Daily Mail how they fear the divorce will get tricky over the contentious issue of a 5million 'doer-upper' house they purchased together. They set to work back in 2023 to make the gloomy 1950s five-bedroom and it means 'a lot' to both of them, after being the centre of their lives in the past two years. Aldi is going full steam ahead with its US expansion, as the German supermarket is scheduled to open more than 225 US stores in America by the end of the year and a New York City flagship store next summer. The origins of the store, known for its affordable options, harken back to the Second World War when brothers Theo and Karl Albrecht took over their mother's Essen grocery store in Germany. The low-cost supermarket now plans to have around 3,200 US locations open by 2028, which would make it the country's thirdlargest chain in terms of stores. Its NYC flagship store is planned for a prime location in Times Square. The huge growth is a world away from the humble beginnings of the firm's founders who have a very colorful past which includes fighting for Hitler, being held prisoners of war and later one of the brothers was kidnapped for ransom. Theo was captured by the allies in Italy after fighting under Erwin Rommel, the Nazi Germany general, in North Africa. Karl suffered the same fate after being sent to the Eastern Front, almost losing his leg in the process. Once the war ended, the Albrechts returned to their home country and started running their mom Anna's 'Karl Albrecht Spirituosen und Lebensmittel' grocery store. Then success came quickly. The brothers went from running their mom's grocery store in Schonnebeck to suddenly owning 13 stores in the Ruhr Valley by 1950 and 300 stores countrywide by 1960. This handout image dated 1930 provided by ALDI shows an inside outside view and employees of Karl Albrecht Spiritousen and Lebensmittel shop, at Huestrasse 89 in Essen-Schonnebeck, Germany. The small store in a suburb of Essen was founded by the mother of Karl and Theo Albrecht in 1913 Theo Albrecht, co-owner of the Aldi supermarket chain, stands at the window of his house on December 17, 1971, after he had been kidnapped and kept for 17 days This handout image dated 1930 shows a general outside view of Karl Albrecht Spiritousen and Lebensmittel shop, at Huestrasse 89 in Essen-Schonnebeck, Germany Your browser does not support iframes. The Albrechts stood out because of their frugality. Theo reportedly 'always wore cheap, illfitting suits' and used pencils to the stub since they were cheaper than pens. This philosophy extended into the Albrechts' business model. The brothers refused to spend money on advertising and immediately got rid of poorselling items. Their produce was downmarked by 20 percent in comparison to competitors. In 1961, the name Aldi short for Albrecht Discount was created. But Aldi soon hit a roadblock. Theo wanted to sell cigarettes, while Karl did not. As a result, the brothers split the company in two although there were also rumors that this was due to the brothers' differing personalities and leadership styles. Theo got everything in the north of Germany under the name Aldi Nord, and Karl got the south as Aldi Sud. Karl, who was famously secretive, rarely spoke publicly, but in 1953 he said Aldi's fundamental principles, were 'narrow product range and low price'. The German grocer plans to have around 3,200 locations open by 2028 Aldi's first US store opened in 1976 in Iowa City, Iowa. A file photo from a Chicago store is seen above Theo was similarly low profile to the point of being reclusive, a trait that doubtless owes much to the dramatic events of 1971, when he was kidnapped at gunpoint by convicted burglar 'Diamond' Paul Kron and his crooked lawyer, Heinz Joachim Ollenburg, They kept Theo prisoner in a cupboard in Dusseldorf for 17 days while the ransom (1.5 million) was thrashed out. The cash ended up being dropped off at a rendezvous point, but the kidnappers were arrested. Only half the money was ever retrieved and the two kidnappers, who both died in 2017, took to their graves the truth about what happened to the rest. Frugal Theo later tried in vain to have the ransom written off by the taxman as a business expense. Quite understandably, in subsequent years he became 'more reclusive than a yeti'. Yet his eye for business - and for saving pennies - was acute. As well as wearing pencils down to the nub, he was a stickler for switching off lights, and apparently once ordered his board to take a look at the needlessly thick paper being used in the photocopier. Karl, meanwhile, was by all accounts slightly less 'intense' - even allowing himself a daily afternoon nap. Theo Albrecht waves after being released by his kidnappers after paying a ransom Family Albrecht at a church in Essen about a year after the kidnapping of Theo Albrecht (2nd from left) He designed the layout of some of the Aldi stores himself, and considered his regular trips to various Aldi's 'a lot of fun'. In 1976 Aldi arrived in the US under Karl's Aldi Sud when a Giant Food grocery store in Iowa City, Iowa, unexpectedly closed and was reopened as the inaugural stateside Aldi. The German grocer made no secret of its intentions. An ad on the Iowa City PressCitizen newspaper read: 'Only the Aldi way gives you such low, low prices! '18.4 percent savings at Aldi.' It bragged that Aldi had no 'fancy shelving' or 'fancy fixtures' in favor of 'fast checkout' and 'little advertising'. Customers were invited to compare for themselves and directly asked, 'Why pay more?' That Iowa City location ended up shuttering, but it set the tone for Aldi's operations and eventual explosion in the US. Three years later after Karl took Aldi to Iowa, Theo bought Trader Joe's. Karl Albrecht, co-founder of global discount supermarket chain Aldi, is pictured above. He brought Aldi to the U.S. with its first store opening in Iowa Aldi now has more than 7,000 stores worldwide. A file photo from a store in Alhambra, California The California grocer is perhaps the most apt comparison to what customers can expect to find at an Aldi store. Outside of the grocery business, very little is known about the secretive brothers. Theo retired in 1993, while Karl fully stepped down from Aldi in 2002. Both were among the richest men in the world when they died in 2010 and 2014, respectively, with a combined fortune of $38.8billion. Their legacy lives on through Aldi, although there have been some spats along the way. When Theo's wife Cacilie died, her will called for her and five of her grandchildren to be excluded from future business decisions. She accused them of financing their luxury lifestyles by spending money in a way that was out of line with the family's frugal lifestyle, saying: 'With this document I undertake to ensure the preservation of the philosophy of our family, which is to serve the consortium Aldi Nord and to foster this, at the same time as setting aside selfinterests and practicing a modest and abstemious way of life.' Aldi now has more than 7,000 stores worldwide and a massive footprint in the UK and the US. Items are displayed in their original shipping boxes (seen above), which saves time and product when it comes to restocking shelves and aisles Aldi's yearonyear visits from August 2024 to August 2025 are up by 7.4 percent Nowadays, the Aldi experience is markedly different from going to a grocery giant such as Walmart, Publix or Walgreens. It starts with the prices. About 90 percent of Aldi's products come from its own privatelabel brand, making the final price cheaper than when relying on outside names. The stores are much smaller on purpose so that customers can get in and out quickly. That quickness and efficiency is replicated with how Aldi's products are laid out. Items are displayed in their original shipping boxes, which saves time and product when it comes to restocking shelves and aisles. When one cardboard box of tomatoes finishes, a different one is promptly hauled out. This process is not as pretty as what many US customers have grown used to, but it is paying dividends and customers are paying money. Aldi's yearonyear visits from August 2024 to August 2025 are up by 7.4 percent, according to Placer.ai. A shopper carries a bag outside an Aldi store in Ruesselsheim near Frankfurt, Germany That becomes even more impressive when zooming out, as Aldi's average visits per location were up 26.7 percent in 2025 compared to just three years ago. Nearly half of Aldi's new stores will be reconverted WinnDixie and Harveys Supermarket locations after the German grocer bought the chains in 2023. Its New York City location will be 25,000 square feet larger than most Aldis. If you want your next flight to be smooth, tasty, and surprisingly pleasant, head to Minneapolis. JD Power says Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is the country's must-go airport. It scored 660 out of 1,000 in JD Power's North America Airport Satisfaction Study, which surveyed 30,439 travelers from the US and Canada who flew in the last 30 days. 'MSP was easy to access, the staff was friendly, the terminal facilities were impressive and clean, the food, drink and retail offerings were outstanding and passengers trust the airport,' Michael Taylor, managing director of travel, hospitality and retail at JD Power told Daily Mail. The Minnesota airport narrowly beat Detroit Metropolitan, Phoenix Sky Harbor, JFK, and Dallas/Fort Worth for the top spot. The data comes after the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) found that over 10 million travelers were screened by airport security during Labor Day weekend. Improvements to TSA PreCheck letting travelers keep belts, jackets, and laptops on helped push MSP to the lead. The TSA also added expedited lanes and discounts for US military members as part of its 'Serve with Honor, Travel with Ease' program. Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) had the highest satisfaction ranking The airport is known for many perks including its Food, Beverage and Retail program Besides this initiative, the organization upgraded its TSA PreCheck a paid service for 'low-risk travelers' that offers 'a smoother experience at the airport security checkpoint.' It allows travelers to use a separate and shorter security lines. It also comes with a slew of perks including the privilege of not having to remove belts or light jackets and keeping laptops and liquids in carry-on bags. Other airports are trying to catch up. Detroit, a past JD Power award winner, is upgrading its dining options. JFK and Dallas/Fort Worth are in the middle of major construction projects, which is affecting scores but promises a better experience down the line. Taylor said: 'DTW is a past multiple JD Power award winner, this year they were just barely behind MSP in most dimensions and are making improvements to their food, drinks and retail, which should help them challenge for the top spot again,' he said. 'JFK is experiencing major construction which is disrupting access to the airport. 'This is likely to continue for the next few years with a greatly improved airport at the end of that time. DFW is phasing in and out of major construction, again with the objective of a better airport experience at the end of construction.' Chicago O'Hare International (ORD )got a poor score, mostly due to being overcrowded and overdue for terminal upgrades. Newark Liberty International finished last, hindered by access issues and air traffic problems. Managing director Michael Taylor of JD Power praised MSP Newark Liberty International Airport received the lowest satisfaction ranking O'Hare was also recently named the nation's most stressful airport. 'Chicago has yet to begin its major terminal reconstruction. ;Being such a large and busy airport, passengers are likely to experience frustrations while traveling through Chicago,' Taylor explained. Newark Liberty International Airport finished in last place after making headlines for air traffic controller issues. However, Taylor insisted airport access made it finish so low. 'JD Power has noted that airports that have access issues usually have difficulties achieving higher scores in most dimensions as access issues create a lot of anxiety for flyers who are trying to make a departure time,' Taylor said. 'If they are stressed for time, they can't enjoy what the airport has to offer.' Newark is undergoing Terminal B construction and inter-terminal train restoration. However, improvements at large airports can have 'years-long lead times.' Atlantas Hartsfield-Jackson, the nations busiest airport handling 5.12 million passengers in August, only made the top 15 though its food scene remains a crowd favorite. Belarus unveiled a proposal on Friday to build a second nuclear power plant capable of supplying energy to Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine. President Alexander Lukashenko raised the plans during a meeting at the Kremlin with President Vladimir Putin, who appeared to publicly support the idea. Lukashenko said the plant could be used if needed to supply regions controlled by Russia in Ukraines Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk, and Donetsk. Belarus opened its first nuclear power plant, the Astravets Nuclear Power Plant in November 2020. It was built by the Russian state atomic energy corporation, Rosatom, with a USD 10 billion loan provided by Moscow. Putin did not specify at Fridays meeting whether Russia would provide financial backing for a second plant. Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus for over three decades, is a close ally of the Kremlin. He allowed Russia to use Belarusian territory as a staging ground for Moscows full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and later authorised the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear missiles. Israel's Patriot air defense system has been operating in Ukraine for a month, Ukraine will receive the other two systems in the fall of this year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said. "The Israeli complex is operating in Ukraine. It has been operating for a month. We will receive two Patriot systems in the autumn," Zelenskyy said during a briefing on Saturday. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that on September 10, 92 Russian drones flew to Poland, Ukraine shot them down over its territory, but 19 of them reached the territory of Poland. "Some 92 drones flew to Poland. We shot them all down, while 19 reached them. Yes, we shot them down on the territory of Ukraine We can say that they were flying to us. But we see the direction and, as they say, the choreography of this flight. Therefore, we believe that 92 were flying," Zelenskyy said during a briefing on Saturday. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that one should not be too careful in rhetoric with the Russians if they threaten, and one should not show weakness if Russia threatens Kyiv with a blackout. "Indeed, I shared with him [Donald Trump] some vision, and it is true, the realities on the battlefield and some vision of what could be. And I believe that there is an influence on Russia, and we should not expect soft steps from Russia towards Ukraine, and accordingly Ukraine should take corresponding steps towards Russia. And we should not be afraid of this, and we should not be too careful in rhetoric with the Russians if they threaten. I believe that the same rhetoric should be in civilized countries," Zelenskyy said during a briefing on Saturday.